A Change in Perspectives – 02
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So, this chapter is a bit different... I'm still new to this and playing with perspectives and in the end I'm also just way too indecisive for my own good.

Oh, make sure you re-read the last chapter as a few minor changes have been made to clean up the wording and I suppose I'm going to be editing things as I go along, never claimed to be professional

Anyway, I really hope you like it.

-RoxyReads

Now of course, you might wonder how our ‘hero’ got to this point, and while I’d be glad to offer you a dryly sarcastic account of the events that lead up to her chase through the forest, I believe a better perspective could be had by letting her speak for herself.

This change in perspective will not be an uncommon occurrence moving forward.

Some events are best recounted by an outside observer, others are more clear through the eyes of one who experienced them directly.

Without further ado, the mind of one Amber.

♦♦♦♦♦

Hi, my name is Amber and I’m in a really shit situation.

There’s a wave of burning foliage spreading out behind me and I’m running for cover, I see some water just barely through the trees that are only slightly on fire.

Yeah, not a great day.

This is all a really confusing mess, so I figure I should start from the beginning.

Tell me if you’ve heard this one before.

I was dead, now I’m not.

Oh and also I’m in a wild goddamn fantasy land.

Oh, yeah, we’re having one of those shits, straight up swords and sorcery isekai and a heavy dose of LitRPG… well I guess it’s actually just… wait, is there a word for when you’re experiencing it and not just reading a story?

Okay, not relevant just this second, let's get the basics out of the way.

To my knowledge I am not, nor was I ever a horny high school boy from japan, an overworked salaryman, or any of the other usual suspects.

I’m a 27 year old college dropout from Florida, I work um… worked from home, and I curse like a sailor.

That last bit is something I’m fucking certain about.

I guess one thing I do share with the usual tropes is that frankly, I’m not a stellar example of an adult.

The forest fire I started is probably a pretty clear sign of that.

Look, I... can’t remember what was happening before all… this, but I remember with crystal clarity every moment since my debacle of an adventure began three hours ago.

Put simply, I woke up.

♦♦♦♦♦

When I came to, I was not in pain; I was pain. I might’ve mistaken it for a hangover but I rarely ever drink enough to get one, and I've never lost time from it before.

It was a full minute before I could muster the will to pry open my eyes. When I finally did, before them, everything was void…

To clarify, not darkness; No, this was the nothing left over when even darkness was missing.

“Where am-” I started to talk before I was rudely interrupted by an annoyingly cheerful bell chime.

A searingly bright string of white text against a blue background bounced up into my vision.


Please read the administrative message before continuing orientation

►Confirm◄

“... What?

My confusion was apparently taken for acceptance because the window disappeared, only to be replaced by another.

 


Message From [Universal Administration]


[Universal Administration]
would like to offer sincerest apologies for a mistake that resulted in the catastrophic failure of your universe and by extension the end of your life as you knew it. A mistake in a recently introduced subroutine produced a rounding error that resulted in the spontaneous exponential increase of dark energy and entropy within your original cosmos.

At time of writing, [23%] of your soul and memories have been recovered from the
[Akashic Network] and work is ongoing for full restoration; it is our hope that restoration will be complete within seven to nine cycles.

Based on your interest in and familiarity with the [RPG Genre] and capability for adaptation, the universe [Aonus] has been selected as an acceptable destination for your reconstitution.

A number of bonuses will be included to speed you on your way, provide some comfort, and increase your chances of a long and happy life.

If you have questions or complaints, please file them with the [Offices of Immortal Affairs] before the beginning of your next inter reality mortal incarnation.  We will continue to strive towards excellence in managing the [Myriad Realms] in future and hope you will enjoy your new life.

►Confirm◄

After reading the message a number of thoughts went through my head. Many of them the sort that even I wouldn’t repeat in polite company, the following sums it up pretty clearly though.

“They fucked up and destroyed the universe.”

“ They destroyed my universe.”

“23%. I’m only 23% me. Is that why I can’t remember my birthday? My last name!?"  

“What the fuck is a ‘cycle’ and how long is it?!”

Ultimately, I settled on one thought.

“I better get some kick ass ‘bonuses’.”

Deep down, I hoped that someone, somewhere lost their job for this.

After a minute of silent meditation and deep breathing, I stood up.

I noted that my confused and angry questions hadn’t cut it for continuing this time so I went ahead and said it, I want it on record however that I didn't like it.

“Ugh… confirm.


[Welcome to Aonus!]

Then, before I could settle back into a comfortable rut of frustration, I was struck dumb again.

The world exploded into light and sound, I heard an orchestral score and saw… beauty.

It was like someone painted a masterpiece around me, literally the world came together as if leaping from a paintbrush with me standing on nothing and still somehow soaring above it all.

My view swept over a sparkling crystal sea, a pearly white sand beach, over forests and hills and plains filled with flowers and and wild wheat.

It was an untouched paradise and I was blown along with the wind, words don’t do it justice.

I was still standing nothing and I knew instinctively that I wasn’t there yet. Just sort of in spectator mode.

“Wow… all things considered this view is pre-”

Again, I was cut off by another chime and one of those windows.

Yep, right back to frustration. I think this is gonna be a running theme.


Reading existing data and converting to System recognized format

Please be patient

Recognized Skills

[Cooking]  Lvl 3
[Refined Tongue] Lvl 6
[Debate] Lvl 2
[Persuasion] Lvl 3
[Deception] Lvl 4
[Acting] Lvl 1
[Mediation] Lvl 1
[Pain Resistance] Lvl 4
[Visual Art] Lvl 4
[Simple Martial Arts (Defensive)] Lvl 1
[Gardening] Lvl 2
[Writing] Lvl 3
[Mental Resilience] Lvl 4
[Hunting] Lvl 1
[Fishing] Lvl 2
[Poison Resistance] Lvl 3
[Foraging] Lvl 1

Assigning Titles based on past accomplishments and experiences

[Hard Headed]
[No Kings, No Masters]
[Irrepressible]
[Unconventional Thinker]
[Scorned One]
[Child at Heart]
[Child of Strange Fortune]
[Shameless Sinner]
[Charitable Heart]

Thank you for your patience

Scan of currently available information complete.

Further Titles and Skills may be added depending on future actions and further restoration of memory.
Origin world Titles and Skills locked until earned or reawoken

►[Confirm]◄

Of course, I didn’t get it all at once.

In fact, It went on like that for a while. As it turns out quantifying a person’s knowledge and experiences… even er, 23% of a person’s knowledge and experiences in a comprehensive game like manner is something that takes time.

It was a real journey watching them scroll by, I can only assume in no specific order. The titles are what really caught me off guard, I’m still not sure if I should be concerned, flattered, or insulted.

“Who the fuck was I? You know what… question for later”

I was about to rant, something I'm told I'm good at, but I opted instead to move on, this was taking way too long.

My mistake however, was voicing this complaint.

“I wonder if this is going to take much longer… I'm sort of excited to get going with this whole 'new world' thing...”

If only I’d known what I was in for.

As if on cue.


Quickstart!

Due to your specific circumstances and desire for celerity, a number of allowances are being made, you will be placed within the world outside the range of prying eyes to prevent unnecessary questions and be provided with a selection of basic equipment along with several bonus materials.

Enjoy the time you save with this accelerated tutorial.

Please make certain to take time ad read the included guidebook once you have your bearings. 
Enjoy the world of Aonus.

►[Confirm]◄

“Shit, you can hear me can’t you? I mean… like, you’re intelligent?”

I waited, the window just sat there asking for my confirmation, I didn’t get a direct answer.

I still haven’t gotten one, but I’m convinced for now...

This system is at least a little intelligent and that I pissed it off.

“Alright, confirm. Let’s get this show on the roa-”

Light surrounded me, golden sparkling and beautiful... my body dissolved into particles and scattered down into the scene below...

And then, I materialized a foot off the ground and tilted at a funny angle in the middle of a goblin camp. When I fell, I knocked over a pot of soup and doused their campfire.

But, I did get a quest.


New Quest: Run For Your Life!

Your chances of winning a straight fight are slim to none right now and your entrance certainly didn’t make you any friends, you might want to get running!

Defeat or escape your pursuers

Rewards: Minor Random Pull

Event Bonus!
Your bold ‘devil may care’ attitude and desire to see the unknown are admirable! You gained the title [Fearless Explorer]!

Effect On Equip: When this title is equipped you’ll never truly be lost, if you have a goal or destination in mind you may find yourself drawn in the right direction even if it’s a winding path forward

Title [Fearless Explorer] automatically equipped.

Fight on, Champion of Aonus!

►[Confirm]◄

So, to bring us back to the present; that window popped up, there was a lot of screaming, I nearly had my kidneys ventilated, I ran like hell, made a lucky guess about a potion looking thing and then started a forest fire.

Yeah, that about brings us up to date.

Not the most glamorous arrival.

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