“Oops?” Kate repeated, staring at the orb in complete disbelief. “That's all you have to say for yourself? Oops? I almost died! What the hell are you supposed to be? Please don't say you're my Guardian.”

  The orb wavered as if afraid to get any closer to her. The voice in her head sounded put-upon.

  This one was not informed that the Import Process had begun.

  “If you mean whatever yanked me out of my life and dropped me here to be eaten by wolves, then yes, the Import Process has definitely begun,” Kate snapped. She suppressed the urge to reach out and try to squish the light in her fist. “How are you supposed to be a Guardian? Unless you're able to one-shot those three wolves down there who almost tore my leg off, I think you'd be a better help going and finding me some actual help.” She looked around. “Are there any, I don't know, Tank class guys around here or something? Even at level one, they've got to be more up to taking on these wolves than me, or at least distracting them.”

  The Guardian didn't answer right away, and she had to glare at it to get it speaking again, its tone halting and timid. This one regrets to inform you that there are no other Heroes in the area. It seems you have... arrived in an area far outside the normal bounds intended for the Import Process.

  “You mean the middle of fucking nowhere? I figured that out!” No other heroes around. No spells. And only an oversized firefly for company. She was definitely doomed. “What use are you, anyway? What exactly are you supposed to do?”

  It answered quickly, This one is your designated Guardian for your time in Giltar. This one will be happy to familiarize you with the system the gods have put in place to ease your transition to this world as well as prepare you for the adventures and dangers that await you.

  Gods? The initial welcome screen had mentioned that the windows were an attempt to offer her something familiar. Was it not an automated system after all? “What about spells?” she demanded quickly. “I got an error saying I need you to help me choose a class. Let me pick a class so I can get myself out of this mess.”

  Apologies. You must be in a safe area in order to choose a subclass, level up, or--

  “I'm going to die here, do you understand me? You guys dropped me into the middle of a field where I got chased by wolves, and now you're telling me there's no other adventurers or whatever around to help. And I already saw the error that said I was too far away from a safe area. Are you saying because you guys screwed up, I'm going to--”

  That last part really seemed to have an effect on the orb. It began dancing around wildly, its voice sounding near panic.

  This one wasn't informed! This one had nothing to do with your arrival or your destination! You were this one's last chance, and now it is going to fail! It began spinning wildly around her, making her dizzy.

  “Cut that out,” she protested. “You'll make me fall. What do you mean, last chance?”

  This one is on its last... what is that human phrase? Verbal warning. This one cannot afford to lose a new Hero on the very first day. This one will be banished. This one is not at fault!

  Kate stared at it. “So if I die, you're screwed.”

  The light fell down almost into her lap in dejection. That is correct.

  “Well then, uh, Ion, was it? I guess you'd better figure out how to bend a rule or two, or we are both royally screwed.”

  This one's designation is Io. The light wavered, then rose up a bit as if to study her, its mental voice decidedly nervous. This one... does have the capability to bend the rules a bit in such extreme circumstances. To make up for the mistake.

  “Well, whatever you're going to do, make it fast and make it good, because I don't know how much longer I can hang on up here.”

  There was a long pause, but this time Kate kept her peace, waiting with bated breath. She almost felt a little bad for bullying the little thing, but it was right. This wasn't her fault, and if its job was to safeguard her, then it kind of owed her.

  This one is unable to bring up the Class Selection process while in combat, Io finally said slowly. But perhaps once outside combat, this can be done. And as compensation, the odds can tilt more in your favor to present options of rare classes.

  “Okay, nice, but that doesn't help me get rid of these wolves.”

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  Another long, thoughtful silence. This time Io's voice was very quiet, as if afraid of being overheard despite being inside her head. It seems you were not provided with a Beginner's Bag. This one... may be able to provide a one-time gift of a random rare item that may aid you.

  “Like a weapon?”

  Unknown. But this one can specify defense or offense.

  Kate bit her lip, debating. Her first thought was to ask for something offensive, but would a weapon do her much good in this situation? Her stats were so low, and she still risked getting seriously hurt by two of the wolves while attempting to take care of the third. And also...

  “I assume any equipment is class-specific?” she asked, hoping she was wrong.

  But Io bobbed in confirmation. That is correct. And to answer your next question, Support class weapons are not usually very strong. Especially at your level.

  “Great.” She closed her eyes, feeling a headache coming on. “Defense, then, I guess.”

  Understood. Please stand by.

  She leaned back a little in surprise as Io's light suddenly flared brighter, making it seem bigger. Then there was a soft pop and a golden chest slightly smaller than a shoebox fell into her lap.

  “Uh, thanks.” As she stared down at the box in amazement, a window popped up beside it.

  Rare chest – Support class

  Contains 1 item of rare quality

  Practically holding her breath with desperate hope, she carefully released the tree with one hand and popped the shining lid open.

  Inside was a ring.

  As soon as she lifted it out, the chest shimmered and vanished completely. Holding the ring closer to Io's light, she stared at it dubiously. It was a slim silver band inset with a black stone. It looked like there was some kind of character or image carved into the stone itself, but she couldn't make it out. An information window helpfully identified her new accessory.

  Ring of Fright - Rare

  Support class only, any level

  Will cause immediate electric damage when the wearer is touched by

  any living thing that causes the wearer fear. Damage ramps up by 1.5%

  for each successive touch.

  Kate felt her mouth open slightly in surprise. “Wait. So if someone or something that I'm afraid of touches me, they'll regret it?”

  That's quite a unique item, Io boasted. It's perfect for a low level Support Hero.

  “Yeah, just one problem. The wolves have to bite me for it to take effect, and I can't heal myself yet.”

  Ah. Yes. That is true. Io seemed to droop a little.

  Below, the wolves began to howl.

  Kate cringed. It was full dark now, and suddenly she was grateful for Io's light. Slipping the ring onto her finger, she shifted, trying in vain to get more comfortable. Her butt was numb from sitting on the rough bark, and the wound on her leg really hurt. “Maybe I should try calling for help. Are there any, uh, NPCs in the area?”

  Pardon?

  “I remember the first window that showed up after I arrived mentioned 'denizens of Giltar'. Natives, I guess? Non-heroes?”

  Oh, yes. Giltarians. Pull up your map.

  “My what? I don't have anything, not even a bag, remember?”

  Apologies, this one hasn't begun your Basic Training. For now, simply say 'show map'.

  She felt suddenly a little foolish. She'd managed to bring up a character screen earlier. It made sense that there would be additional windows like in a game. “Uh. Show map.”

  A window sprang up obediently, displaying an unfamiliar map of what looked like a ten-mile radius at most, right in the center. The rest of the map was blank.

  As you learn about locations or discover them for yourself, they will fill in on the map, Io explained, bobbing closer. This area here is where you are now. You see? Petra's Woods. That's encouraging. If it's named, there must be people about who named it.

  Kate squinted, and the area on the map helpfully enlarged itself a bit. “I don't see any villages or anything. Just more woods. It looks like there's something small over that way, but I can't tell what it is; it just has a question mark over it. A landmark? A house? Maybe it doesn't say because I haven't heard of it.”

  Io began flickering, its tone getting a bit desperate. It does not seem like there are any villages nearby.

  “Can't you go for help?”

  Apologies. A Guardian cannot travel very far from its Hero, with the exception of shifts to the Upper Plane.

  “What to the what?”

  That is better left for later. For now, it seems we are on our own.

  “To hell with it.” Drawing in a deep breath, Kate began yelling for help at the top of her lungs.