Chapter 3

  “As I am sure you are no doubt aware,” the mayor began, a twinkle in his eyes, “you are no longer in your world.”

  “You don’t say,” I said dryly into my coffee. Another sip, and still it tasted just as foul. Still, I could feel the caffeine doing its work, and I appreciated it.

  “You were transported here as part of a larger scheme.” He took a drink of his coffee, “one that has been long in the making.” He set his cup down. “I believe, in your world, ours is considered the setting for a game?”

  I paused, and set my cup down, eyes widening at his words. He was self-aware of that? So, was this or was this not a trapped in the game world type of situation?

  “I know I thought I was about to play a game,” I said slowly, “it was supposed to be the newest monster taming game.” I motioned towards his gauntleted hand, “it’s mechanics focused on using a Tamer’s Gauntlet, and yeah, the world was called Mutopia.” I shrugged, “but I don’t know much past that… I, uh, I tried to avoid spoilers.” I really liked the childhood thrill of diving into a game completely in the dark. So once I found out a new monster taming game was coming out, other than the release date, name, and unavoidable facts about it… I’d done my darndest to avoid any and all spoilers for it. Apparently, that had been a poor life choice by past me.

  “I’m not sure what spoilers are, and while your statement is strange, yes, these Tamer’s Gauntlets are at the center of our world.” He patted his proudly, “once I’m finished explaining everything to you, we will get you your own, and I’ll show you how to use it.”

  At that, my pulse quickened, and it wasn’t due to the coffee. Sure, my mind was still doing its best not to spiral over the whole ‘you’re in a different world’ drop, but who didn’t want to become a monster tamer? Who didn’t want to capture a cadre of magical creatures and level them up and battle them? This was quite literally my favorite type of game, like, ever.

  “Alright,” I tried to contain my excitement, “get on with it then.”

  He nodded, and continued. “Mutopia has long existed on its own, separate from other lands, other dimensions, other worlds. We’ve known of their existence for some time, mind you, considering the wonderous powers that exist in our world, but have kept ourselves isolated.” He sighed, “but now, we’ve been forced to seek aid. An evil force has taken hold of the center of our world, and unless its leader is stopped, our world will cease to be.”

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  His smile was gone, his eyes completely serious. “A group, known as the Disciples of Grand Nox has taken control of our greatest city, filled with our greatest minds, and is working to capture and harness the power of the greatest Mun in the land.”

  “Mun…” I said the word aloud. “Those are the magical beasts, right?” Now that my mind was working through everything, it processed that those steampunk typed creatures outside must have been… Mun as well. The name of the magical creatures that inhabited this world. Everything that was living, but not human… was, well… a Mun. The simplicity of such things was why I loved monster taming games so much.

  “Yes, that’s correct. The Mun of our world are linked to its very core. They are born of the strange power of our planets crystalline core, and develop magnificent, impossible, abilities. The strongest of them is a legendary Mun known as Granos. A mun with the power to rip open holes in space time. With his power… the Disciples of Grand Nox wish to invade other worlds, and conquer all living species, across every known universe and dimension.”

  “And how do I fit into all of this?” I asked, already knowing I wouldn’t like the answer.

  “Working in secret, the resistance established a way to recruit those who may be able to help us save our world. The development of the game, was meant to draw in those who may have what it takes to become the ultimate Mun Tamer, and defeat the arms of the Disciples of Grand Nox, and eventually, overthrow the leader.”

  “So, somehow, through magic from your world… I was summoned here?” I didn’t bother trying to understand. Somet things, were just easier to let it slide as magic.

  “That is correct. As everyone from your world has begun diving into the game, those with the potential to be great, are being summoned into my world, to begin their journeys as Mun Tamers.”

  I perked up at that. “So, I’m not the only one?”

  “You’re the only one that I know of,” the Mayor said, “though, as far as I understand it, there will be others. Mutopia is a massive world, and there were summoning receivers set up across the land in desolate and humble villages such as Cogni. I was instructed to await one who was summoned, to inform them of our plight, and then to teach them to use a Tamer’s Gauntlet. From there,” he looked me over, his eyes somber, “it is up to you to journey from my village, and explore the land. The path before you, the path to stop the Disciples of Grand Nox, is a long one. And, sadly, there is much you must do, before you can even step foot in the city where they reside, and challenge them.”

  “Of course there is,” I said sarcastically. I didn’t really care now. There were others out there. Others from my world. They could handle the whole saving the world bullshit. I was more excited right now about getting to the good part. “So,” I held up my left wrist, “how about we get to the Tamer’s Gauntlet?”