My eyes widen with excitement—I can’t believe I’m actually here, in Astravia.

  I look down at my body and realize I’m not completely… me. I’m more toned now—defined abs, bulging biceps. It leaves me wondering if my face has changed too. I walk over to a nearby stream and glance into the water. My reflection stares back, mostly the same, though my jawline looks a bit sharper now.

  I feel lighter—more nimble.

  I glance up at a nearby tree, wondering if I have the same agility as my in-game character. I focus on a branch about twenty feet up and leap. I overshoot—badly—and slam into a branch even higher in the tree. The impact knocks the air from my lungs, and I plummet about thirty feet straight onto my back.

  I just lie there, stunned. Something has to be broken—or worse.

  But… nothing hurts.

  No pain. Just the cool dirt soaking into the back of my white T-shirt.

  I sit up and check myself. No cuts, no bruises, no broken bones. I definitely have my character’s agility—maybe even more than I expected. And judging by the fact I just survived a fall that should’ve put me in a coma, I’ve got my character’s physical resistances too.

  Yeah. It’s safe to say I’ve inherited my build from the game.

  I turn and look out across the valley again, my eyes locking on the city in the distance. That has to be the capital of Caedryn—Viremont, the City in the Valley. I should be able to get some answers there, maybe even confirm if this really is the world of Astravia.

  Judging by the distance, it’s easily a half-day's walk.

  Then I stop and think—can I use my teleport skill?

  In-game, it was a fast-travel spell. I could instantly teleport to any location I’d previously visited. I hesitate. I don’t want to drop right into the middle of the capital and cause a scene.

  But if I remember right, there was an abandoned shack just outside the city limits. It used to be a hideout for bandits who’d ambush travelers coming from the city.

  I close my eyes and focus on it—its general location, the layout, the way it looked in-game. I imagine myself standing behind that shack.

  A swift sensation trickles down my spine. A glowing blue circle forms beneath my feet, swirling upward until it engulfs me completely.

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  In an instant—and with a flash of blue light—I’m gone.

  And just like that, I’m standing behind the shack.

  It looks like I've inherited my character's powers as well.

  Looking around, I don’t see anyone—thankfully.

  I step out from behind the shack and make my way onto the road leading toward the city. Looks like I landed right near the farmland just outside the gates. Should only take about half an hour to reach the entrance.

  As I start walking, a voice calls out behind me.

  “Hey!”

  I freeze and turn around. Three men in tattered cowls are approaching, and they’re not smiling. I immediately turn back and quicken my pace. They shout again, more aggressive this time, telling me to stop.

  Then—thwip—an arrow whizzes past my head and buries itself in the dirt path in front of me.

  “You should’ve just stopped,” one of them growls, his voice scratchy and low. “Would’ve made this easier for both of us.”

  I slowly turn to face them. They’re only a few feet away now, knives drawn, closing in fast.

  “Why don’t you hand over everything in your pockets?” one of them sneers.

  Panic hits me like a brick. I’ve never been mugged before. The scariest “stealing” experience I’ve had was when a classmate borrowed my homework because they didn’t do theirs. And, of course, I just stood there like an idiot and let it happen. No confrontation, just awkward silence and me praying they’d give it back.

  My mind spirals until one of the bandits snaps me back to reality, shouting, “Hurry up!”

  I reach into my pockets… and realize—they’re empty. I came here with nothing but the clothes on my back.

  “I—I don’t have anything,” I stammer. “No coins, no bag—nothing.”

  They laugh. “You’ve got those fancy clothes, don’t ya?”

  They wanted my t-shirt and sweatpants?

  I start pulling my shirt over my head, but then I pause. Wait a second. I’m not in my old world. These aren’t muggers. They’re bandits. Low-level, grimy, tutorial-area bandits.

  A chuckle escapes before I can stop it—then another. Before I know it, I’m laughing so hard I can barely breathe. Tears well up in my eyes as I double over, the absurdity of it all hitting me like a wave.

  “What’s so damn funny?!” one of them barks.

  I can’t help it. The tension breaks like a wave and relief floods my body. I wipe a tear from my eye, still grinning.

  “I must’ve looked so stupid,” I say with a chuckle.

  They stare at me, confused and pissed.

  I look up at the one in the middle, steady and calm now, and say, “Sorry, but you guys aren’t getting my clothes.”

  He looks at me angrily. “So be it,” he snarls, lunging forward with his knife.

  But before I can even process what’s happening, my body moves on its own. In a blur, I dodge—and suddenly I’m behind him.

  Before he can react, I grab him by the back of the head and slam him face-first into the ground.

  The other two freeze, staring at me in shock.

  “You bastard!” one of them shouts, charging at me with his knife raised.

  Again, my body moves without thinking. I kick upward, connecting with his forearm and sending the blade flying into the air. I grab him mid-motion and hurl him straight into the third bandit.

  They both crash to the ground in a heap.

  I stand there for a second, staring at my hands, heart pounding—and then I let out a loud, ecstatic, “WOOHOO!”

  I jump in place, throwing my arms up in celebration like I just landed a perfect combo in a boss fight. Honestly, it kind of feels like I’m taunting them.

  I stroll over and snatch their coin pouches without hesitation. I figure it’s a fair payment for wasting my time—besides, I didn’t exactly arrive in this world with any gold.

  With that, I turn on my heel and head down the road toward the capital.