The following morning Evans and Mellisa catch me in the downstairs hotel style continental breakfast bar. I’ve got a muffin halfway stuffed down my face. They explain that they are excused from sitting around duty today.

If anyone is Reborn, it’s someone else's job to jump in and try not to freak them out. I’m offered a chance to walk around and talk, and instead of sticking to Mellisa’s side I take a chance and ask Evans if I can bug him with questions today. 

This house, building, place isn’t all that crowded. I’ve only ever seen a handful of different people that always kindly ask me if I need help with anything. 

After a curt nod and thank you to Mellisa, Evans and I are off to, well I’m not sure where, but somewhere.

He doesn’t seem like a bad dude now, it was just shocking to be approached by him after my crazy death.

A short walk later and we’re settled on an upstairs balcony and overlooking much of the cozy plaza I remember from a few days ago. Evans looks to me like he’s ready to field an endless barrage of questions.

I’m glad that he is humoring me at least. I guess it is sort of his job, but still.

I lucked out being Reborn right here and not out in the woods.

I  decide to get right into it without preamble, but Evans beats me to the punch.

“Because I’m sure you’re wondering, I’m a Golem, or rather that's what my race is called."

I give him a polite nod, If I'm being honest with myself the whole ‘nobody is fully human’ thing is strange, but not outlandishly so. Everyone still looks very human. It's like watching an old Star Trek rerun where the so-called aliens are clearly just humans with some special effects makeup. 

But fantasy race stuff can wait, I have some other things to be asking.

“I have so many questions. About magic. About where we are, is there a map? Also, what are the rules around here and who is in charge?”

“Hmm, good questions. Let's start with an easy one. First are actual rules, and then there are some unspoken rules.”

“Things like murder, assault, theft are of course illegal. The worse the crime, the harsher the punishment. Waldonton, that's the name of the town we’re in, is self governing, we make and enforce our own rules here. Mellisa informed me of where you were from back on Earth. Don’t do anything that was illegal back home and you should be fine. I will give you a book to borrow that talks more about these things. Different lands have different laws,” Evans explains.

“In terms of things you shouldn’t do, but are not really illegal, it would be best if you didn’t share how you died, or ask others how they died. Very little good comes from people talking about those things.”

That certainly makes a lot of sense. I bet therapists make a fortune in this world.

Down in the plaza, someone is watering plants. Whenever they splash out water from their bucket it cascades down in a pattern that cannot be random. It’s some sort of water or spatial magic.

“You must also remember that even other folks that are Reborn might be confused about some of the things you speak about, because of when they died. It’s better to only ever talk in a general sense about Earth things, or not at all.“

“Okay, I guess that makes sense. What about magic? How do people learn new magics? You said Waldonton is independent. Are there other nations nearby?” I ask while gesturing to the man downstairs using some sort of Spell to assist his watering, his skin glints purple in the light, like he’s partly made of gems or fishscales. “And how do I learn to do that sort of magic?” 

“Waldonton is hardly a nation. We’re just a town out of the way enough to not be governed by anyone else. There are nations of a sort, but they’re far from here. The closest things you might consider nations are some of the nearby coastal city states, they’re independent in the true sense of the word, as in they’re strong enough to not easily be influenced or conquered by someone else, so nobody has bothered to do it.”

Well that's good, I think. Could be worse I suppose, I could have woken up in a despot’s realm.

Evans of course, has more to say.

“Magic is something that's personal to everyone, as I’m sure Mellisa has explained. As for learning new magic, that comes at its own pace. Usually magic grows with the user, the more you learn to use your Mana the more uses for your Mana you’ll develop.” 

I learn harder onto the railing and breathe deeply.

“Alright, that makes sense. What about the things I don’t know? What questions should I be asking right now?” 

Evans replies at length, and covers a few more common topics, some of which Mellisa has explained to me as well.

Nobody is Reborn this morning. I imagine Evans and Mellisa spend a lot of time doing nothing, which sounds like absolute hell in my opinion. As midday comes around A polite older man with a gruff white mustache finds us so that we might partake in some newly made communal soup and bread for lunch. He’s the very same man or rather gemstone-skinned-man that was watering the plants from before. I don’t ask him about his magic, even though I’d sort of like to.

Sitting around the Newcomer Building plaza yields some answers, which is good but I need more than just answers. I need to see things, I need to get a hold of my situation. I feel sort of like I did every time I took a bus heading towards a job interview. My situation is all so tenuous and fragile, tethering on a precipice.  

“I’d like to take a walk around if that isn’t an issue?” I ask Evans after we’re finished eating.

The part-golem’s smiles are growing on me, they’re less frightening and more goofy looking the more time goes on.

“Of course, you’re free to go. This Newcomer Building is a service, we’re here to help. Need directions somewhere, what are you looking for?” He asks while showing me towards the main entrance of this place. It’s a slow pace and it gives me time to ponder my options.

“I think I might just wander?” I ask questioningly, even though it’s not a question at all.

Evans nods with a slight look of concern and I’m off through the door in short order. 

Outside is much more crowded than I anticipated. The Newcomer Building was doing a great job muffling the noises of the town. It’s certainly not like any sort of city I’ve been in before, but maybe some small European town would have a similar feel to it. If I had been more worldly in my previous life I’d know, but instead I focused on quarterly reports. Poor luck I guess.

I meander the streets nearby the two story Newcomer Building. Most streets are dirt, but a larger street one block down looks paved. I see what has to be houses, businesses, and lots of market stalls along the roads. Dozens of folk walk about. It’s got a real farmers market vibe to it. Construction is made of mostly wood, but nothing appears all too fancy, mostly just functional with paint used here and there to liven things up.

I can see that many of the market stalls are packed with loads of fresh fruits and vegetables. I guess it makes sense that people sell so much of their produce fresh when there is a lack of cheap modern technology to preserve them. Gives the whole place a very earthy aromatic quality. 

I don’t talk to anybody, and nobody talks to me. Folks just go about their business. Kids run to and fro playing whatever sort of games it is that these kids play. I think I even spot a hoop and stick.

The most interesting thing outside the walls of the Newcomer Building are the different kinds of people. Everyone looks mostly human. Everyone also looks like they have something else going on besides just human.

There are people far too short or tall to just be typical humans. A few folk have differently proportioned limbs and heads. Skin tones and hues are of wild varieties. 

It’s like someone has dumped an entire comic convention into a small medieval town. 

There are people I can’t help but describe as traditional fantasy races. Still though, despite the fur, feathers and elf ears a plenty ,everyone still looks mostly human. 

I keep roaming, and make a point not to gawk at anyone. I don’t find that it’s too hard. Sure some people look very interesting but I don’t feel any revulsion, fear or anything like that. I’m fine with this, truly. My lack of otherness feelings could very well be another aspect of this world that just is.

Some people carry weapons. Swords, Shields, Bows, Spears. That, I find, is much more interesting. The other day as soon as I was told this place had magic and monsters I felt an itch I couldn’t scratch.

I’m not going to be staying at the happy go lucky new arrival house for the rest of my life. I’m certainly not inclined to try my luck again at sitting inside of some office filling out some kind of magical paperwork while trying to feel happy about it. 

I want to get out there. I want to see this world. I’ve got a second chance, I’ve got magic for goodness sake, and I’m going to make something of it.

I didn't recognize the object I passed by at first. It’s not something you really see around in normal day to day life, but I quickly glanced back once I realized what it was. It’s like a bulletin board, but it’s outside and between two poles driven into the ground.

It’s Ye olden LinkedIn. It’s a job board. Advertisements for all sorts of positions. 

Everything from assistant soapmaker for hire to master wheelwright wanted for commission. There are also things that must make more sense once you understand what sort of magic is in play for some jobs. Otherwise adverts like ‘Watermill stoneshaper apprenticeship’ doesn’t make much sense. 

I see a sheet of paper more interesting than the others. It names a tavern 'The Lucky Goose' and day 'Wednesday', and says it’s open for ‘Hunter business and meetings.’ The margins give more details that lead me to believe it's a business meet up for monster hunting adventurers. A job fair for weapon wielding warriors.

Why not me? I could be like a warrior or adventurer in this world. The idea is thrilling in a way I can’t pin down. I’m enticed. So enticed that I retreat to the Newcomer Building to ask about it.

I run into Mellisa first, and excitedly flag her down. After explaining that I was exploring outside I quickly jump into the important bit.

“There's this thing. I found a poster about a Monster Hunter party finding meet-up thing in a local tavern. I don’t know what day it is, but if it’s today I really want to go. Is that something I can do? You spoke briefly about monsters out in the wilds. It’s people's jobs to kill them? Or drive them away? Or be guards against them or something?”

Mellisa seems surprised but she quickly explains that yes this is a thing, and yes it is a thing I could do. If I wanted to at least. 

She appears to pick her words carefully as she continues.

“Your Spells could be suited to this sort of work. When the topic of a profession came up I was going to suggest you pursue your healing magic. It’s an important skill to have, and it could certainly help you find a job around here. Your other Spells however, would be of great help to the Guard or to the independent monster Hunters that live and work around here if that’s how you choose to use your Spells.”

“What's the difference between guards and monster hunters? Are they paid by the central government here or something?”

Mellisa is ready with answers. How many times has she been asked questions like this?

“The Guard is, yes. They man lookout towers around our territory protecting everyone from any sort of monster that might wander too close to town. They also break up fights and keep the peace. They are paid by the council that runs this town. Monster hunters, at least around here, are like… sort of like freelancers. They team up or head out by themselves.”

Curiouser and curiouser. 

“Alright, and who pays them for that?” I ask.

Mellisa has her patient look on. I must be asking obvious questions. 

“Monsters are just animals in a sense. The kind of people that kill monsters are also just hunters bringing back fresh game to town for money. In some cases a town might pool funds to hire a group of Hunters to weed out their local forests. We do a little of that here too,” says Mellisa.

A bit odd, not really fitting into any of my expectations. But okay.

“May I ask what makes you so interested in a profession that's much more dangerous than most? The town is safe, but to be clear monsters can be very dangerous,” she goes on to warn.

Is she against monster hunting or something?

“Why not? I mean. I have magic now, I can’t just get a job doing dishes, I’d go crazy. It’s not like I want to fight them alone, but maybe I could join a band of other adventurers?” I try to explain.

“Well… Okay then, but don’t go running off right away. Think this through and don’t even consider leaving the city alone yet. Understand?”

“I won’t.” I state flatly. 

“As for ‘bands of other adventurers’ That’s certainly an option. You’ll find larger organizations for various trades in big cities, Guilds as they are known. It’s an important distinction, I can explain why later,” she tells me.

“There guilds here?” I ask.

“No, we’re too small for that. Oh, and to be clear, the line of work you’re talking about is Hunting. You’d be a Hunter. Or at least that's what everyone around these parts would call you. Adventuring, that's not really a thing. There is nothing to go adventuring for in the distant parts of the world, just frostbite and waterborne diseases out beyond civilization.”

She seems against the idea of a good adventure, or maybe she is just naturally very cautious? 

“Right, so this meetup then. It’s on Wednesday, and I have no idea what day today is.”

“That’s tomorrow,” she says.

I’m tempted… so tempted.

“Do you think it would make sense for me to go, do some networking with these monster Hunters, try to see if anyone would let me into their group?”

I'm starting to get hopeful here.

“Well yes, but don’t go about agreeing to leave town with anyone or anything, that would be a bad idea. You’ve just arrived, and there is still so much for you to take in.”

Mellisa is looking more worried with each passing moment.

“You know actually, I could come with you? I wouldn’t want you running into the wrong sort of crowd. I won’t claim to understand those lot but I could at least try to warn you away from unsavory types.”

I don’t need long mulling over her offer.

“Thanks, but no thanks. I think it would be a little awkward with a chaperon. I think maybe I want to try it myself.”

If I’m going to go do some networking it’s got to be on my own terms. This absolutely feels like a dive into the pool sort of situation. I don’t want the opportunity to slip by. 

Mellisa waits a moment. There is clearly more she wants to say to me, but I’m being pretty obstinate right now and I think she’s getting the message.

“Alright… Just let me know if you change your mind by tomorrow. And in the meantime let me show you a certain section of the library, Evans says you were interested in maps and politics.” 

 

***

 

A good night's rest did nothing to change my mind. Later that day I find myself in an honest to goodness tavern.

I don’t know what I was really expecting. A tavern is just a bar, and a bar is just a bar no matter what world it’s located in. If plenty of folks are Reborn like myself then it really isn’t too odd that there is a normalish looking bar here. 

The flier was simple and to the point, so I know that others around this evening will be looking to team up. I guess all I have to do is cruise around and introduce myself to a few people, and try and find out if someone would be willing to take me along with their group. 

Like Mellisa said, if this doesn’t work out, then my healing skills alone would help me find some sort of way to make money in town. I’ll have to check out this council she spoke of, working for them probably wouldn't be so bad. It would be like if I were a doctor for city hall maybe?

The tavern has the strangest collection of features I've spotted so far. Everyone is still mostly human but with minor differences. Besides the usual skin tones I'm used to people having, I see blue, green, and orange amongst the patrons. A few people sport horns like myself, ridged or smooth, curved or pointy. Most of the people sporting green skin have something akin to little tusks. There are tails here and there, but they don’t seem too common. The atmosphere is light but I’m still fairly intimidated. I need a moment to process so I head toward the bar and grab a stool.

The man behind the bar defies all bartender expectations. He has sharp pronounced features, and is a tad hawkish, as in, I spot tiny feathers running down the length of his neck. He turns towards me.

“What can I get you?” He asks.

“Oh uh, nothing sorry. I don’t have any money or anything. Can I still sit here?” I ask, trying not to sound sheepish about it.

“You’re welcome to sit, no money and nothing to trade then? Care to share your woes?”

“No woes, just don't have anything yet, I’m a Newcomer.”

I wonder if it’s okay to tell people this?

The word Newcomer feels strange as I speak but I imagine I’ll get used to it.

“Why didn’t you say so. It’s on the house then!”

“Are you situated at the Newcomer Building? They feeding you aright? I’ve got fried fish in the back if you’re hungry, no charge.”

Oh, well this is nice. 

I thank him for the offer but decline the food. In a flash he has filled a mug with a golden amber looking drink and passed it my way.

“I can use some advice about this meetup,” I quickly ask before the opportunity slips by. 

His smile widens. I imagine he’s quite good with this sort of talk.

He sets the glass he was cleaning down and gives me his full attention. 

“Antonin Gyles, proprietor and bartender at your service," the hawk-man bobs his head in a simple by prim sort of bow.

"Most folks in here are looking to party up, or scouting out who is parting up with who so they can better turn a profit. It’s mostly the former, not a lot of big names in town these days. But they’ll make their way back to our humble town if something big is reported. We’re the last major settlement inland, so anyone heading out towards the Western Range tends to come through here if they are, helps that we have the arrival Portal of course.”  

Arrival Portal? Is that the ‘landing pad’ I was Reborn at?

Listening to the barkeep is helpful. I nurse my drink -it's like a watered down beer- and steady my thoughts. I’m excited. I have been since I read the flier about monster hunting. Even before that, when I first learned that I had magic and there were dangerous monsters about. 

Is wanting to be a powerful adventurer not a normal notion? Mellisa seemed like she’d have expected me to show an interest in baking, not violence and adventure. 

Who wouldn’t want to live their life to the fullest if given a second chance?

Okay, time to be brave. Just like all the other strange bar meetups back home. Heck, this place even has the same amount of leather clad strangers. 

Taking the jump I aim for a table with three people sitting around it, drinking and laughing, two men and a woman. One of the men has lizard features while the other man and the woman seem a bit elfish.

“This seat taken?” I ask after walking up and looming over them.

I give them my best friendly tone while speaking.

“I’m new and looking to party up, asking around and stuff. I don’t suppose you could use a support caster? That's the sort of Spells I have.”

All three of them give me an appraising look. And I take that as an invitation to sit. 

“We’re heading up the North Road this week, probably too much for someone new,” replies the imposing elfish man.

“What’s your experience level?” asks the lizard looking guy after a pause. 

The Lizardman looks a lot more willing to humor me. I hope that’s a good thing.

“None. I was Reborn just a few days ago,” I answer honestly. 

The Lizardman leans forward and waits for me to finish.

“Oh, like, brand new, then while I wish you the absolutely best, I don’t think you should join us. Monsters around the North Road are a bit feisty. Let's see though.” The lizardman glances around for a moment, then nods towards a pair of vicious looking warriors sitting nearby. “So those two, those guys will be heading West into the Deep Woods probably, not something you should be doing yet.”

The lizardman flicks his tongue about while taking in the whole of the room around us. 

“But those tables in the far corner, they’re locals, some of them should be sticking closer to town and might be willing to take you,” he finishes. The looks from his two elfish companions are piercing to my core. I'm a tiny fish in a large pond, and it seems like I don't belong in this group.

Well damn, okay then, strike one.