As Colm followed the main road, he couldn't help but feel a rare sense of happiness. People walked past, chatting casually, their voices blending into a lively hum. Occasionally, he'd hear a gasp or catch someone eyeing him—no doubt because of his appearance.

Maybe it's my ratty clothes, he chuckled to himself. Who am I kidding? It's probably the whole partial undead look I've got going on. He mumbled as he glanced down at his hands.

The city was such a stark contrast to the endless groans of the undead he'd grown used to. The chatter was warm, inviting—a sound of life.

At first, it was overwhelming. The sheer number of people, the noise, the bustle—it overloaded his senses, a sharp reminder of how long he'd spent in isolation. He leaned against a wall, steadying his breath, letting the moment wash over him. It was a lot to take in, but after a few deep breaths, he shook it off and pushed forward.

His goal was simple—reach the adventurers' guild and ask for someone named Jerry—but he quickly got sidetracked. Food stalls lined the streets, filling the air with mouthwatering scents. Sweet, savory, and unfamiliar aromas drifted toward him, and Colm licked his lips unconsciously. The meals on display looked delicious—though he did not know what half of them were—and after months of surviving on nothing but Celestial Blooms, anything else sounded heavenly.

Out of habit, he patted his pockets, searching for his wallet before chuckling to himself. Haven't had one of those in months.

Refocusing on his goal, Colm muttered to himself, Adventure guild. Ask about Jerry. That's the plan. He set off with renewed determination—only to stop dead once more.

A group of people clad in gleaming armor passed him by. Colm's eyes widened as he took them in, quickly activating Analyze out of habit. They were all around his level, Level 60, but what truly caught his attention was their appearance. They weren't all human. Among them were elves, their elegant features and pointed ears unmistakable, and sturdy, broad-shouldered dwarves, their beards as impressive as the heavy weapons they carried.

"Holy shit," Colm whispered in awe, unable to look away as they strode past him with confidence.

Still reeling from the awe of seeing a pack of battle-hardened adventurers, Colm's mind drifted. He couldn't help but picture himself clad in gleaming ornate armor, standing tall as sunlight glinted off his gear. But the thought was fleeting, as he quickly shook his head. I don't need fancy. I'd rather have something practical—something that keeps me safe but lets me move freely. I never want to end up when heavy armor slows me down and gets me overwhelmed.

Lost in his musings, Colm continued walking forward, barely paying attention to where he was going until—thud. He bumped into someone, jolting him out of his reverie.

"Hey, watch where you're going!" came a sharp, irritated voice.

Colm blinked, startled, and spun to face the man. He was tall and imposing, clad in black leather armor with a sword strapped to his right hip. The man's gaze bore down on him, eyes blazing with barely contained anger. The sudden tension sent a jolt through Colm, and without thinking, he reflexively activated Analyze.

Peter (Level 64) - Human

In his mind, Colm noted that the man didn't seem too threatening, but he reminded himself, Levels mean little—at least not in my opinion. I'll need to figure out just how important they really are.

As his train of thought ended, Colm noticed the lingering, awkward tension between them. It felt so thick he was sure a knife could slice through it. Not wanting to cause a scene—especially when he'd just entered the city—he scrambled to find his words, raising a hand in apology.

"I'm sorry—I was distracted," he blurted.

Peter, a broad-shouldered man with an irritated scowl, shot him a huff before turning away. "Watch where you're going next time," he grumbled under his breath. "You're lucky I'm in a good mood."

Colm let out a quiet sigh as Peter disappeared into the crowd. Great first impression, he thought sarcastically, shaking his head as he refocused and kept moving.

Refusing to let the encounter sour his mood, Colm returned to the road, a small grin tugging at the corners of his lips. The city was too incredible to let one run-in ruin it, and he was determined to take it all in. After a few minutes of walking, the street widened, opening up into a bustling plaza teeming with life.

At the center stood an ornate fountain, the water shimmering in the sunlight. The energy here was different. The people milling about were clearly fighters—adventurers. They carried weapons of all kinds: swords, spears, bows, and even stranger implements Colm couldn't name. Humans, dwarves, elves—all armored in plate, leather, or chainmail—filled the plaza, their presence exuding confidence and readiness.

Colm glanced down at himself, noting the sorry state of his tattered clothes. His brow furrowed. How are these even holding together? He rubbed at his arm absentmindedly. And no one's called me out for this yet. Do I smell? I haven't bathed in months. He stopped himself, shrugging. Maybe they're used to it.

He turned his attention to the buildings surrounding the plaza. One stood out: a massive structure that looked more like a mansion than anything else. Two towers flanked its entrance, each with figures standing at watch. Ornate flags hung proudly along its perimeter, their vibrant colors rippling in the breeze. Colm's eyes traveled up to the building's grand red roof, and a smile crept onto his face.

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"That's got to be it," he muttered to himself, confidence rising. As he stared at the incredible building in front of him. The adventurers' guild.

Visions of himself fighting monsters, saving towns, and maybe even finding love swarmed his mind as he considered the possibilities. Do I really want this? he thought, uncertainty creeping in. Is this the life I want to lead?

Colm smirked at his own thoughts. Based on my extensive game knowledge, he mused, places like this are always dangerous. High risk. High chance of death. Is the chaotic, unpredictable life of an adventurer really what I want?

The images in his head shifted, growing more vivid than usual. He saw himself back at his desk on Earth—chains locked around his leg, binding him to that dull, suffocating existence. The weight of it felt all too real.

I don't want that for myself anymore; he thought with finality. I want to live. If it's cut short, so be it. As long as I can be happy with my choices, I will have no regrets.

With a steadying breath, Colm lifted his chin, squared his shoulders, and moved forward. His stride was purposeful as he headed straight for the imposing building ahead.

Colm walked through the courtyard, passing adventurers as they exited the building. He glanced up, finally taking in the impressive structure up close before stepping through the heavy doors.

The interior was everything he had ever imagined from his countless years of playing games growing up. A massive central reception area stretched before him, bustling with activity. Clerks stood behind counters lined with adventurers, some clad in gleaming armor, others holding bows, and a few gripping intricately carved staves.

Colm stared in awe at the sheer variety of people. Humans, dwarves, elves, gnomes, and even dragon-like beings moved about the room, their presence vibrant and overwhelming. This is the world I'm in now, he thought, his heart pounding with excitement.

Off to the side, he spotted a section resembling a tavern or a small restaurant. The scent of a rich stew wafted through the air, making his mouth water as his gaze lingered on adventurers hunched over steaming bowls. At the far end of the hall, a wall covered in notices caught his eye. A crowd had gathered in front of it, adventurers scanning through various requests pinned to the board.

Curiosity getting the better of him, Colm made his way to the notice board. As he sifted through the postings, he realized they were as varied as the people themselves—monster-slaying contracts, training requests, escort missions, and even odd jobs like repairing fences and cleaning out sewers. How do I even decide where to start? He thought, scratching his head.

Feeling slightly overwhelmed, Colm turned his attention back to the central reception counters. Deciding it was best to ask for guidance and for Jerry, he joined one of the long lines that steadily inched forward. The wait gave him time to take everything in—the sounds of clinking armor, idle chatter, and the occasional bark of laughter from across the room.

After several minutes, Colm finally reached the front. A clerk waved him forward with a friendly shout, "Next!"

Stepping up to the counter, Colm found himself face-to-face with a man offering a warm smile. "Hello, Colm. How can I help you today?"

Momentarily startled—still unaccustomed to people knowing his name without him saying it—Colm instinctively activated Analyze on the man.

Leon (Level 45) - Human

Colm studied the result, his mind lingering on how varied the levels were among the people he'd Analyzed so far. Some were close to his own, but a few had shown question marks—an unsettling discovery that had made his heart skip a beat during his trek. He quickly refocused on the receptionist, Leon, standing in front of him.

"Hi, Leon," Colm began, clearing his throat. "I have kind of a long story, but I spoke with Joss at the gates. She mentioned someone named Jerry who works for the guild and might help me out? Would you be able to point me in his direction?"

Leon responded with an easy nod and a friendly smile. "Sure thing. Jerry doesn't really have a set schedule, but you can usually find him in the guild library. It's just down that hallway—fourth door on the right. You can't miss it."

As he spoke, Leon glanced briefly at a sleek watch on his wrist. Colm blinked in surprise at the sight, thrown off by the unexpected mix of modern and fantastical elements in this world. Before he could dwell on it, Leon continued.

"It's still early, so he should be there right now," Leon said, looking back up. "He's usually buried in whatever he's working on, so just tell him Joss sent you. Otherwise, he might be too stubborn to stop and hear you out."

"Got it. Thanks for the help," Colm replied with a grateful nod.

Leon waved him off, already turning back to the next person in line. "Next!"

Colm glanced toward the hallway Leon had pointed out, his steps quickening with purpose. He weaved through the bustling reception area, the sounds of chatter and clinking armor fading behind him as he approached the quieter corridor.

Colm found the door Leon had mentioned and hesitated for a moment, his hand resting on the handle. "I'm not sure how big this library could really be," he muttered to himself. "I was kind of imagining one of those sprawling libraries that stretch end to end with endless bookshelves." He chuckled softly, shaking his head at the thought, and pushed the door open.

The moment he stepped inside, Colm froze, his jaw dropping. The library was enormous. Absolutely massive. He blinked, doing a double take as he took in the sheer scale of the room. Towering shelves stretched toward the ceiling, crammed with books, scrolls, and tomes. Row after row of shelves extended so far into the distance that the far end of the room seemed to blur slightly. It was a stark contrast to the unassuming door that led him here. "This shouldn't even be possible," he murmured in awe, craning his neck to look around. The space was impossibly vast—far larger than the building should allow.

Pushing down his amazement, Colm steadied himself and began wandering the library, his footsteps the only sound breaking the eerie stillness. It was a stark difference from the bustling and chaotic reception area he'd just left behind. The silence seemed almost sacred here, and Colm instinctively kept his voice and movements quiet.

He moved between the towering bookshelves, taking a few moments to Analyze some individuals he passed—scribes, scholars, and adventurers, all absorbed in their reading. No luck so far, he thought, scanning each unfamiliar face for any hint of white hair or round glasses.

Ten minutes passed as Colm continued his search, still baffled by the size of the library. "How far does this place even go?" he muttered under his breath, feeling a small twinge of frustration. Just as he was about to give up and retrace his steps, a soft glow caught his eye—a faint light spilling from a small alcove tucked between the shelves.

Curious, Colm made his way toward the light, his footsteps muffled by the thick carpet beneath him. As he entered the alcove, the glow grew brighter, revealing the quiet space within. At the source of the light, hunched over a table cluttered with scrolls and open books, sat an older man. The faint glow came from a small enchanted lantern beside him, illuminating his wrinkled features and wisps of white hair.

Colm's heart skipped a beat. This has to be him. Without hesitating, he used Analyze.

Jerry (Level ???) - Human

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