Peter chuckled as he teased his wife, putting his arm around her to give her a squeeze. As he did so, his thumb accidentally caught on the hole in her coat from where the goblin spear had pierced her and he immediately tensed up.

That reminder of the goblin attack, almost losing Beth… it wasn’t a memory he expected to fade anytime soon. Which, in this place, might be a good thing. That memory was a reminder of the difference between Arenia and Earth, and the danger that represented.

It wasn’t surprising that his astute wife noticed his discomfort. “At least we got your Renown up to Level 11, Mr. Slowpoke,” she said, offering him a distraction that he readily took.

“Hey, it’s not about the journey, it’s about the destination,” he said with false indignation.

While Mark had gotten to Level 11 without too much problem, and Beth’s performance-related Skills had vaulted her all the way to Level 13, Peter and Angela had lagged behind at Level 10 until Angela realized they’d been focusing too much on the physical side of things. One “2+2=4” later, and they were at Level 11. Which was great, because apparently, Mathematics wasn’t a widely known Skill on Arenia. Especially considering that Peter’s finance degree was somehow sufficient to get him to Mathematics Level 30—good enough for Tier-III and some interesting bonuses.

MATHEMATICS

The utilization of numbers in a coherent way to produce quantifiable results.

Current Skill Level: 30 (Tier-III: Journeyman)

Tier-I Bonus: Can quickly and accurately do addition and subtraction in your head. The number of digits equals INT*0.25 rounded to the nearest whole number.

Tier-II Bonus: Can memorize up to f, f-digit numbers indefinitely, where x = (Mathematics Skill Level), and f(x) = (x - 9), with upper bound of x = 29 and f rounded up.

Tier-III Bonus: Unlocks Trait “Error Check”

TRAIT: ERROR CHECK (passive)

Mathematical errors and irregularities are immediately visible at a casual glance.

Despite Eliza and Beth having reservations about Peter going to work for one of the Families, it was beginning to look like he was ideal for the role. Being able to hold twenty numbers of up to 20-digits in his head indefinitely was a major—if a bit weird—bonus, and that Error Check Trait was something else. Too bad he couldn’t do that back on Earth—it sure would have made filing their taxes easier.

With curiosity getting the better of him after all of their Skill escapades, Peter popped open his full character sheet and had a look at his progress so far:

PETER SULLIVAN

Renown: Level 11 – Unclassed

Species: Human

Age: 44

Experience: 25,650

Experience to Next Level: 2,150

Base Attributes

Strength – 20

Constitution – 19

Endurance – 16

Dexterity – 19

Willpower – 15

Intelligence – 19

Charisma – 14

Luck – 19

AVERAGE: 17.6

ABILITIES

*Boon – Deus Ex Machina

TRAITS

Evolving (human)

Error Check

GENERAL SKILLS

Tier-III:

Mathematics – 30

Tier-II:

Dancing – 22

Writing – 26

Tier-I:

Climbing – 15

Jumping – 11

Obfuscation – 16

Taunting – 16

Tier-0:

Acting – 1

Rope Use – 8

Singing – 1

Yoga – 1

SURVIVAL SKILLS

Tier-II:

Hiking – 20

Tier-0:

Campcraft – 3

Field Medicine – 3

Fishing – 5

Sense Danger – 1

Snares – 2

Stealth – 2

WEAPON SKILLS

Tier-0:

Short Swords – 4

Small Blades – 3

FIGHTING STYLES

Tier-I:

Brawling – 11

Tier-0:

1-Handed Weapons – 5

ACTIVE QUESTS

Find Jack

PROFESSION QUEST: By the Numbers

Angela strolled into the room and poked her dad in the chest, distracting him from his perusal. “You better go easy on mom, or she’ll kick your ass.”

“Well, we know she can do it,” he said. That had been the other surprise of their little Skill session—for the kids at least. Personally, he’d assumed that his wife wouldn’t display any of her judo abilities, but she had decided the increased Renown was more important than revealing that particular crack in her pacifist armour. That said, even Peter was stunned when she revealed a Tier-II, Level 29 Judo Skill. It represented a massive bolus of experience, jumping her two whole levels, to say nothing of the kids’ shocked reactions.

Angela started to leave, only to snap her fingers and turn back around. “Hey dad! You never said whether you got any class or profession offers. Anything cool? Your Dancing Skill was creepy-high—you’ve been keeping secrets—but I’m pretty sure your 14 Charisma keeps you safe from any adult-entertainment-related classes.”

“Nothing class-related, but I did get a profession quest,” he said. “I guess classes and professions are different?” He called up his Tome and turned it to show Angela and Beth.

Profession Quest Opportunity! “BY THE NUMBERS”

Secure work as an Accountant*. Job titles that include the words “assistant” or “clerk” are insufficient to complete this quest.

Reward for success: “Accountant” Profession, Profession-related bonuses

Penalty for failure: None.

*Get plucked off a boring world and sent to a magical place full of mystery and wonder… then go right back to what you were doing on Earth? Cool.

ACCEPT? YES/NO

“The accountant quest got offered when I unlocked Mathematics at such a high level,” he said. “I don’t know if there were any hidden requirements involved, but that’s when it appeared.”

Beth’s eyebrows pulled together, a crease forming. “Honey, we talked about this.”

“We talked about it, but we didn’t come to any decisions,” he said placatingly. “In the meantime, we don’t know how long Eliza will be gone, and our current life savings consists of whatever the going rate is for five goblin ears.” Everyone looked squeamishly at the bag on the counter.

“Why don’t you just talk to that blacksmith family?” Angela said. “I mean, isn’t that what Eliza said to do?”

“That’s definitely something we should do, but we need to go into it with an open mind,” Peter said. “Right now, we only have Eliza’s thoughts on the matter, and we don’t know how much that’s been coloured by her own experience with these Families. We’re kind of painted into a corner, though. We have literally no way of getting more money other than… um, Beth?”

An odd expression had come over his wife’s face. She got up and left the room with a quirky smile, passing Mark on her way upstairs.

Mark strolled into the kitchen, jerking a thumb over his shoulder. “What’s up with mom?”

“Dunno,” Angela said with a shrug.

They listened as Beth’s feet thumped overhead, followed by a quiet moment, then another patter as she headed back downstairs. When she finally re-entered the kitchen, her hand was triumphantly clutched around a recognizable wad of blue paisley.

“Is that your apron?” Peter asked incredulously. “How on earth did that get here?”

“I was wearing it when they grabbed us,” she said, beaming. “I don’t know why it came with me, but it was shoved in the bottom of my bag when I arrived. I got so flustered by your state when you showed up that I forgot about it.”

Angela snapped her fingers. “The system must have tagged it as an accessory!”

Peter looked at her, gesturing for her to elaborate.

“They took our clothing, right?” she continued. “But I had a book in my hand when we got sent here. That book came with me.”

“It did? Where is it?” Mark asked.

“Eh, I lost it. But what’s important is that however they sent us here, I’ll bet they treat accessories differently than clothes. Probably so that people come over with their glasses and stuff.”

The idea was interesting from a philosophical standpoint, but Peter knew Beth—there was no way she’d be this excited about an apron.

“Okay, honey. What’s going on?” he asked.

Rather than answer, she simply walked to the counter, unrolled the apron, and dumped out a pile of cutlery.

It was the family silverware.

“Holy crap! Mom, how did that get here?” Mark asked.

“I was setting the table when that Carl fellow showed up,” she said. “Whatever cutlery I had in my hand, I put in the apron pouch.”

“Is it pure silver?” Angela asked.

“Yes. It was passed down to Grandpa Jack from his mother’s side of the family. I doubt it has any value on Arenia beyond the metal itself, but that’s got to be worth something, right?”

“If only we knew someone who specialized in everything to do with metal,” Mark said excitedly. “Oh wait, we do! Darius can absolutely tell us how much that’s worth. He probably even knows the best place to sell it! Assuming he doesn’t want to buy it himself.”

“Looks like we have two good reasons to visit him, now,” Beth said. “Should we all go together?”

“Actually, I want to visit the Mage’s College,” Mark said. “If the silverware gets us some cash, you’ll probably want to go pick out some furniture, and it’s not like you need me for that.”

“I’ll go with you, bro!” Angela said. “I have no friggin’ idea how to use these runes, so maybe someone there can give me some pointers.”

“Works for me.”

As the members of Peter’s family began excitedly making plans, he couldn’t help but feel concerned. It was something that his daughter picked up on immediately.

“Uh oh, dad has on his gruff face,” Angela said, poking him in the shoulder. “What, do you need Mark and I to come along and protect you?”

Peter opened his mouth… and then stopped. He’d actually been about to suggest the exact opposite, but Angela’s comment was disturbingly valid. His kids were the only classed members of the family—if anyone needed protecting, it was him and Beth.

Now there was a sobering thought.

Quickly shifting gears, Peter went to the table and divvied up the coins from the ears, giving half to his kids and keeping the other half for him and Beth. “I have no idea what you can buy for that, but it should get you some lunch.” He gestured to Mark’s torn pants. “Hopefully, some clothes too—the LL Cool J look isn’t working for Mark.”

“What does the NCIS: Los Angeles guy have to do with anything?” Angela asked.

“NCIS…? What? Good god, no. You kids need to get some culture.”

“I don’t get it,” Mark said, looking confused.

Peter rubbed his temples. “Just… never mind. Here, have some money.”

“Sweet!” Angela said, grabbing the money before darting off. “Come on, Mark! Grab your staff; we’re going to an actual Mage’s College! Woot woot!”

“Wait, we’re going to the same part of the city!” Peter called out, but it was too late. The sound of the door slamming shut signified that the kids were already gone.

He felt a momentary wave of nostalgia. It was almost like back on Earth when the kids were just a couple of teenagers heading gleefully out to the beach on summer vacation. Except that this was a wildly messed up city on another planet instead of a beach.

Peter looked at Beth, then around their empty house. He let out a resigned sigh. “I’m going to spend the day in furniture stores, aren’t I?”

Beth grinned. “Yep! It’s going to be great!”