Free Sample
Preview from chapter one
Blue light washed over me as I stepped through the portal. The cool night air of my apartment was replaced by warm, humid air smelling of unknown blossoms and damp earth. I blinked, adjusting to the bright sunlight of this new world. Before me stretched a lush forest with impossibly tall trees, their leaves in shades of emerald and violet. My clothes had changed too – I now wore simple leather armor, a short sword at my hip, and a small pack on my back.
A transparent blue screen materialized in my vision.
─ Welcome to Nethara, Adventurer!
You have been selected to join this world of endless possibility.
May your adventures be glorious and your conquests satisfying.
─ Character: Cade Mercer
Level: 1
Class: None (Choose at Level 5)
Attributes:
Strength: 8
Agility: 7
Stamina: 9
Intellect: 6
Charisma: 10
Special Trait: Virile Presence (Charisma-based abilities have increased effect on female humanoids)
I frowned at the numbers. Nothing special, except maybe that Charisma score and the trait that came with it. "What the hell," I muttered to myself, touching the hilt of my sword. "Let's see what this world has to offer."
The forest path led me deeper into the woods. Sunlight filtered through the canopy in shifting patterns. Strange birds called from the branches, their songs melodious and alien. After an hour of walking, I heard something else – a woman's scream followed by harsh laughter.
My grip tightened on my sword as I moved toward the sounds, keeping to the shadows. I could make out voices ahead. "Stop struggling, elf bitch. The boss wants all new arrivals brought to him."
I peered through a break in the bushes. Two large men had a woman pinned against a tree. She had pointed ears and silver hair that cascaded down her back. Even from a distance, I could see she was beautiful, with curves that strained against her tight leather armor. A fresh bruise was forming on her cheek.
"She's a feisty one," one of the men grunted, holding her arms above her head. "I bet she'll bring a good price at the market."
The woman spat in his face. "I'll die before I become some slave."
That was my cue. I stepped out from behind the bushes. "Let her go."
Both men turned, their faces showing surprise then arrogance. "And who's going to make us?"
I didn't answer with words. I rushed forward, my sword already in my hand. The first man barely had time to draw his weapon before I cut him down. The second one fared better, managing to parry my initial strike, but my superior strength showed as I disarmed him and drove my blade through his chest.