Glenn stretched letting out a groan of pleasure as the tension of the previous days finally released from his back. It had been almost three days since he had left his cave and this was his first chance to actually sleep. Thinking back to the previous few days everything was a blur. He was in a world where magic was real. His new goal was to figure out what he had to do to get his hands on it. He thought while rubbing his hands together like a comic book villain.

  The battle had ended soon after Molly had run off. Apparently the werewolf was terrifying enough and whatever was causing the monsters to run toward the wall far enough away that even they thought better of running toward her. Molly and her pack effectively forming a wave break. So now the adventurers were out cleaning up any stragglers.

  This was his first chance to be alone with his thoughts. He had been fighting, sort of, he was definitely rooting for the death of other beings and helping to achieve that end. He knew this situation made it easy, if the monsters weren't killed people would be. That was a simple equation. He wasn't sure he wanted to be okay with being a part of that though. He had reached level ten from marking the targets. He had been excited for that yesterday. Today though he wasn't sure. If he passed level twenty five he wouldn't be allowed to go into town. If that happened he would always have to be near the front lines. That was an irreversible choice.

  Glenn began pacing the room. Maybe I should get Alica to show me around the town, or maybe Molly but I doubt she would be able to go there. If she isn't over level twenty five then her levels are way more powerful than mine.

  "Well, I suppose I could catch a ride on a cargo wagon." He said aloud. "The Guildmaster did tell him to stay here though. Also lets be honest, Alica is kind of a child solder." He said to himself. Is it wrong? I mean a hundred may not be young to me but it clearly was to elves. That said who was he to judge her culture. One thing was for sure she did have a childish side. "Am I the creepy old guy?"

  Glenn went downstairs. The common room was still packed. He saw more adventurers and less refugees then before. Walking over to the counter he greeted the man behind it. "Good morning,"

  "Ahh you must be Mr. Glenn." The man spoke in a tone of difference and respect, like he was acting like a butler, not as smooth as if it were natural to him.

  Glenn had to work hard not to have his own tone influenced by the other man's manor of speech. "Good morning, I think. It is morning, correct?" Nailed it. He thought.

  "Why, yes, it is." The man replied curtly drawing four words out far longer then he should. Glenn expected him to twirl his waxed mustache.

  "You have me at a loss." Damn he got me. "I didn't catch your name." Glenn said catching himself mid sentence.

  "Oh pardon me. You may call me Darius." There it was the mustache twirl.

  "Darius would you happen to know where Alica is?" Almost got me again, hold the line.

  "Of course, the young lady is assisting with the monster elimination. I would be happy to send a runner to fetch her if you would like." He said waving over a young man. "Thomas would you be a dear and fetch Miss Alica for this young gentlemen." How did he do that in one breath?

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  "That would be terrific Darius and much appreciated. Thank you Thomas" Why is it so hard to resist. It was like he was an old English butler trope at heart and it was contagious. His overly fitted suit just sealed the deal. Glenn walked away before he could put his foot squarely in his mouth.

  Walking over to a table with an empty seat at a communal style table he waited. food was brought to him. Forty minuets went by before Alica finally arrived.

  "Glenn!" She greeted warmly. "I finally got my first kill!" Her excitement was obvious. "With all of the monsters around it was under supervision but I think it still counts. I mean they did chase us all the way back to town so it has to count right?"

  "I'm sure it does." Glenn was happy for her but is a first kill something to celebrate? I guess here it is. "Well don't gain too many levels I need someone who can show me around town, that is if you wouldn't mind?"

  "Of course I will. When were you thinking you would want to go?"

  "Well as soon as is convent to you. I don't know if the Guildmaster will let me leave though."

  "Oh that shouldn't be a problem. You will have an escort and you will be inside the walls. I'll talk to him tonight and ask for you if you want." Alica offered.

  "I would appreciate it." Glenn said nodding in appreciation.

  "Anytime." came the reply. Her happiness was contagious.

  "Have you seen Molly lately?" Glenn asked still a bit concerned for the carnivorous canine.

  "She came back while you were asleep. She said the hunt was successful and went to her room to check on Mark. She must have been exhausted I haven't seen her today." Alica answered.

  "I am glad she made it back safely." Glenn replied. "She seems nice. Though I know who not to piss off. She is terrifying when she is mad."

  Alica laughed "They all are."

  "Warewolves?" Glenn asked.

  "Adventurers." Alica corrected. "Every one of them would give their lives to protect each other, or anybody in their care. What happens when they fail, can get bad." Alica said failing to suppress a shudder. "Grief rage is a leading killer to adventurers.

  "Then why did eveyone let Molly go?." Glenn replied. People in this world were different then his last, more selfless. I guess when everything wants to eat you bonds grow stronger.

  "I asked the Guildmaster that. He said that when she grabbed you he knew she had a plan. If lost to grief she wouldn't have been thinking that clearly." Alica replied

  Glenn sat and thought about everything he had learned for awhile. There was one thing he needed to know more than anything else. "Why is it called the Second Life System."

  Alica looked at him for awhile before answering. "I am sorry Glenn but you died."

  Glenn looked stricken. "What do you mean I died. I would remember that right?"

  Alica shook her head. "No, you died and this is the afterlife you chose. We all did. You could have picked paradise, you chose to struggle instead."

  "What do you mean I chose." Glenn replied.

  "In the time between death and rebirth your mind subconciously chooses your path based on what would make you happiest. The system puts you there. Each choice has rules. this is the most restrictive afterlife. If you were to die here Other afterlives are available but you will never be able to come back to this one. That is unless someone here uses resurrection magic on you. If you don't want to be resurrected you can sign a Do not resurrect order. Involuntary resurrections is rare though. It isn't easy to be brought back in the first place. The only other way to return would be through a system quest." Alica was watching his reaction closely.

  "I died?" Glenn tested the word, he didn't think that was right. "Is it the same for new arrivals?"

  "I don't know." Alica replied "You may have special circumstances. Does it matter though?"

  Glenn thought about it. If he could learn magic here wasn't it just a better world than his old one? "I would like to know but you aren't wrong. "Does everyone have memories of their passed lives?"

  "No most people are reborn as babies to a new family. Only Outworlders and New Arrivals are different." Alica replied.

  "And New Arrivals always come with a [Merge]?" Glenn continued, as Alica nodded. "Well I guess I need to look into that."

  "Class quest started." a message appeared.