ALLIES IN SHADOW

Hi everyone,
I am currently writing another story. It is more suited  as webnovel.
If anyone wants to read first fifteen alfa chapters and give feedback.

Okey Mayuces but what is it about you ask?

It’s set in the far future, where humanity has created a pocket dimension dedicated entirely to a fantasy game. Not VR an actual moon sized planet.

Our main character is first time entry (well, nearly the first second mc entered 3 days) to enter. But then, the NPCs take control of the game, cut off the portals to the real universe, and shut everything down. The MC is stuck at level 1 in a frozen stat/leveling world.

You can click to link and give insights if you want or pm me.
https://www.patreon.com/posts/frozen-game-137967218?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

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Marcus spread five different sets of notes across his workshop table, each representing a potential formula for producing paper and ink using local Valdrian materials. The research from his modern world, combined with what he'd learned from Master Cedric about historical techniques, was finally crystallizing into practical applications.

"Wood pulp from birch trees, alkali from wood ash, binding agent from flax fibers," he muttered, checking his calculations for the third formula. "Cost per sheet... approximately two copper pieces if we can source materials in bulk."

The workshop door opened with Sara's characteristic enthusiasm. She practically bounced down the stairs, her face glowing with excitement that made Marcus look up from his calculations.

"Marcus!" Sara announced triumphantly. "I found him. The most wonderful woodcarver you've ever seen. Master Kato is a genius with precision work, and he's actually excited about the printing project."

"That's excellent news," Marcus said, setting down his pen. "What did he say about the specifications?"

"He said it's the most interesting challenge he's had in years. Tiny letters, perfect consistency, uniform heights, he called it 'engineering art.'" Sara pulled out a small wooden sample from her satchel. "Look at this."

Marcus examined the sample flourish that Master Kato had carved. The precision was remarkable, clean lines, perfect depth, exactly the right proportions for printing. "This is professional quality work. How much will he charge?"

"That's the best part. He's so interested in the project that he's willing to work for standard rates initially, with bonus payments if the printing business succeeds." Sara's excitement was infectious. "But Marcus, there's something else."

Sara's demeanor shifted slightly, becoming more personal. "Working with Aldric on the material sourcing... it's been different lately. He's been really listening to my ideas, asking my opinion about business decisions. And yesterday, when we were organizing inventory..." She paused, a soft smile crossing her face. "He said I had a mind for commerce too, that he values my perspective as much as my work."

Marcus felt a genuine warmth at seeing Sara's happiness. "That's wonderful, Sara. Aldric's lucky to have someone who cares about the business as much as you do."

"He's starting to see me as more than just help around the shop," Sara continued, her voice carrying hope and uncertainty. "As a woman with ideas and capabilities. It's... it's what I've been hoping for."

"You deserve that recognition," Marcus said sincerely. "Your contributions have been essential to everything we've accomplished."

Sara reached into her satchel again and pulled out several sheets of parchment covered with detailed sketches. "Speaking of contributions, I've been thinking about the printing machine design. Look at these."

Marcus studied Sara's drawings with growing amazement. The sketches showed modifications to his basic printing press design, mechanisms for faster type changes, improved pressure distribution, even ideas for multiple-page printing. The concepts were sophisticated and clearly thought out.

"Sara, these are brilliant," Marcus said, genuinely impressed. "This mechanism for adjusting letter spacing would cut our setup time in half. And this idea for modular type arrangements... This is how innovation works, seeing problems and thinking creatively about solutions." Marcus looked at her with new respect. "Sara, what's your education situation? How much formal learning have you had?"

"Basic reading and writing, some arithmetic. Maybe a hundred flourishes of formal script, but nothing fancy." Sara shrugged as if this was expected. "My family couldn't afford proper education."

Marcus felt a familiar surge of determination. "Sara, you have a mind for engineering, or at least the enthusiasm and intuition for it. I think you should start studying formal language, advanced writing, maybe even mathematical principles. I could help you learn whatever you want to pursue."

Sara's eyes widened with surprise and something that might have been longing. "You really think I could learn that kind of thing?"

"I know you could. The innovations you've sketched here prove you understand complex mechanical relationships. With proper education, you could design machines, manage large businesses, maybe even teach others."

"You know what I really wish for?" Sara said quietly, her voice becoming more vulnerable. "If only Aldric would notice me the way you notice my potential."

Marcus chose his words carefully. "Sara, think beyond that for a moment. If you pursue engineering and formal education, the possibilities are endless. You could build things that help thousands of people, solve problems that have never been solved before." He paused, then added more seriously, "Unless Malachar ends us all, of course."

Sara considered this, her expression thoughtful. "I... I will think about it. Working on these projects, contributing ideas that actually matter, it does feel important. Maybe I want more than I thought I did."

"Good," Marcus said approvingly. Then he leaned closer and lowered his voice. "Sara, I can supply you with information and theoretical knowledge beyond what any soul in this world has access to. Things that most people wouldn't see even in their dreams."

Sara looked puzzled but intrigued. "What do you mean?"

Marcus handed her the morning's ingredient formulas he'd been working on. "Start with these practical applications. I think you'll need Aldric's expertise for sourcing. Take these to him, head to the market together, find the cheapest versions of everything on the list. Let him handle the haggling."

After Sara left with her new mission, Marcus was preparing to head to the dining hall for lunch when he noticed a commotion outside. Through the workshop's small window, he could see a large group of people entering and leaving Master Thymon's chambers. The group was substantial, at least a dozen figures in military and Academy robes, suggesting some kind of important meeting.

Leading the group was Sister Korra, her military bearing unmistakable even from a distance. As Marcus watched, the group began to disperse, with Korra heading in the general direction of his workshop.

Marcus quickly climbed the stairs and intercepted Korra in the Academy corridor.

"Sister Korra," he called quietly. "One minute, please?"

Korra gestured to her group to continue ahead, then turned to Marcus with professional courtesy. "How can I help you, young inventor?"

"I noticed a lot of people coming and going from Master Thymon's chambers. Is the Master all right? Given that you're a divine healer, I thought..."

Korra's expression remained carefully neutral. "Master Thymon's health is stable, given his age. The meeting wasn't about his personal condition."

"What was it about, if you don't mind me asking?"

"I'm afraid it's not a topic I can discuss with civilians, even though you're placed in a special position here at the Academy."

Marcus took a calculated risk. "Is this about the vanishing caravans with their cargo?"

Korra's professional composure slipped for just a moment, revealing surprise and concern. "How do you... I can't discuss these matters with you. Please ask Master Thymon if you need information."

Before Marcus could respond, Korra had rejoined her group and continued down the corridor, leaving Marcus with confirmation that his guess had been accurate.

Marcus made his way to Master Thymon's chambers, his mind racing with implications. If caravans were disappearing, it meant supply lines were being disrupted. If Sister Korra couldn't discuss it with civilians, it meant the situation was serious enough for military secrecy.

He knocked gently on Master Thymon's door and waited for permission to enter.

"Master, may I have a moment, please?" Marcus called through the door.

"I'm quite tired, Marcus of Millhaven. Can this wait until another time?" Master Thymon's voice sounded strained, older than usual.

"It can and it cannot, I'm not sure. I think it's about the missing caravans."

There was a long pause, then the sound of movement within the chambers. "Get in. Shut the door."

Marcus entered to find Master Thymon looking every bit of his reputed one hundred ninety years. The ancient wizard's face was drawn with exhaustion, and his usually bright eyes seemed dimmed by worry.

"How do you know about the caravans?" Master Thymon asked without preamble.

"I heard about it from Sara a couple of days ago when we were working at Aldric's shop. She mentioned they were carrying black rocks and green metals. Is that correct?"

Master Thymon nodded slowly. "This is not something that should be concerning a young innovator. We lost several good members of our community, and we're conducting a separate investigation since Lord Varek terminated the official inquiry."

Marcus felt a chill at the mention of Lord Varek, but pressed on. "Master, I couldn't make any connections back then, but..." He walked behind Master Thymon's desk and pointed to a small black stone used as a paperweight. "What is this? Is this what was stolen?"

"Indeed it is. A very unique, very rare material until recently discovered. It's called Tegnam. Its magical capabilities remain largely mysterious, and there was so little available until recent discoveries that it couldn't be properly tested. It has the strange property of adhering strongly to iron, but only iron."

Marcus stared at the black stone, his mind racing. "They stole copper and magnets from our caravans then," he said, the implications hitting him like a physical blow. "No, no, no. No way. They can't."

Master Thymon leaned forward with concern. "What is it, Marcus of Millhaven? You look as though you've seen a specter."

"Using magnets and copper together, they can create specific devices. Very, very important devices that have no immediate use here in Valdris, but..." Marcus's voice trailed off as the full implications became clear.

"What do you mean? What devices?"

Marcus looked around carefully, ensuring the door was shut and no one else was within hearing. "Master, what I'm about to tell you..." He stopped, took a deep breath, and made a decision that would change everything. "No one else knows this, except a childhood therapist who didn't believe me anyway."

He paused, gathering courage for what he was about to reveal.

"Master, I am from another world. Well, not exactly, I'm also from here. But I have another name, another family, another life in a place called Chicago, Illinois."

Master Thymon's expression didn't change, which somehow made the revelation even more difficult to continue.

"My name there is Marcus Chen, and every time I sleep here, I wake up there. Every time I sleep there, I wake up here. I've been living two lives simultaneously."

Marcus explained the process of world-switching, the parallel existence, the constant struggle to maintain both identities. Throughout his explanation, Master Thymon listened with the patience of someone accustomed to hearing impossible things.

"In my other world, magic doesn't exist, but technology is far beyond anything in Valdris. Almost everything there works with something called electricity, which I can explain once I research it more thoroughly. But the key production method for electricity involves magnets and copper."

"Even if I understand your words correctly," Master Thymon said slowly, "the material you keep calling 'magnets' doesn't attract or repel copper."

"It doesn't have to," Marcus replied urgently, his breathing becoming rapid as the implications overwhelmed him. "Our scientists discovered that magnetic fields can manipulate the electrical properties of copper. I'm not completely certain of the exact mechanisms, I'll need to research it more. But Master, my innovations aren't really mine at all. I'm just bringing knowledge from the other world. And apparently, whoever is stealing these materials is doing the same thing, but much more advanced than anything I've attempted."

Marcus began pacing the small chamber, his hands shaking slightly as he processed what he was revealing. The weight of living two lives, keeping massive secrets, and now discovering that his unique advantage might not be so unique was crushing down on him.

Master Thymon was quiet for a long moment, processing this extraordinary revelation. Finally, he reached into his desk and withdrew a scroll, which he handed to Marcus.

"Open this. Tell me if anything seems familiar."

Marcus unrolled the scroll and felt his blood turn cold. The drawings showed detailed mechanical designs, turbines, pipes, complex machinery that looked unmistakably like...

"Steam turbines," Marcus breathed, his voice barely above a whisper. "They've set up steam turbines to generate electricity? Where is this from?"

Master Thymon clasped his hands to his head in a gesture of despair and revelation. "It's a drawing from one of my agents inside Malachar's facility near the coal mines."

"Oh no," Marcus said, his composure completely cracking. He began pacing frantically back and forth in the small office. "Malachar has established a coal power plant. But if he's already a powerful wizard, why would he need..." Marcus stopped, running his hands through his hair as the implications became terrifyingly clear.

"What is this device for?" Master Thymon asked, his voice gentle but concerned as he watched Marcus's growing panic.

"It generates electricity using steam power. But the important question is: what is he doing with that electricity?" Marcus continued his agitated pacing, his mind racing through possibilities. "In my world, electricity powers everything, lights, communication, manufacturing, weapons..."

"Marcus, please sit down," Master Thymon said calmly. "You're working yourself into a state of panic that won't help anyone."

Marcus forced himself to stop pacing and take several deep breaths. "There's no way they can use it for anything immediately dangerous," he said, trying to convince himself as much as Master Thymon. "There's no industrial infrastructure to produce wires, circuits, electronic components. I can't think of anything they could build that would threaten us militarily."

"Whatever it's for," Master Thymon said grimly, "if it involves bribing Lord Varek and sacrificing countless lives to obtain these materials, it must be extraordinarily important."

"You think Lord Varek is behind the caravan disappearances?"

"He's the one who convinced the King to prioritize mining operations. And he's also systematically eliminated every other influence on the King besides himself. You know, I've advised and served twenty kings in my lifetime, and now I can't even put in one word." Master Thymon's voice carried deep frustration. "The Silver Fox, he calls me mockingly. As if my centuries of experience count for nothing."

Master Thymon shook his head bitterly. "Now the exact materials Malachar apparently needs are being transported to remote provinces for 'no reason' and mysteriously vanishing. He also terminated the official investigation."

"Master, don't tell anyone what I've revealed to you. I'll continue with my studies and innovations. But we need to develop a plan." Marcus paused, then added, "Statistically speaking, Lord Varek probably has agents throughout the Academy, possibly even among the royal guard. Malachar certainly has planted people everywhere."

Master Thymon looked curious. "How can you be so certain?"

"In my world, we consume enormous amounts of fiction mixed with historical accounts. I've watched countless stories about espionage, political intrigue, historical conflicts. When someone is planning operations this complex, they always place agents in key positions. Don't trust anyone completely."

"After one hundred ninety years, I never thought I would be so surprised or receive so much advice from someone so young," Master Thymon said with weary amazement. "But here we are."

"What should I do, Master? I'm both excited and terrified."

"Don't change anything about your daily routine. Tomorrow, explain this 'electricity' concept to me in detail, I'm too exhausted right now to absorb more complexity. For tonight, I need to rest and consider what you've told me."

Marcus left Master Thymon's chambers with his mind in turmoil. The conversation had changed everything, his secret was revealed, the threat was more serious than anyone had realized, and the enemy was apparently using knowledge from his modern world for unknown but certainly dangerous purposes.

Returning to his workshop, Marcus tried to focus on his immediate projects, but concentration proved impossible. The printing press designs, the soap formulations, the papermaking innovations, all of it seemed trivial compared to the revelation that Malachar was building electrical infrastructure for purposes Marcus couldn't yet fathom.

As evening approached, Marcus realized he would need to research electricity more thoroughly than ever before. Not just for his own innovations, but to understand what the enemy might be planning with the stolen materials.

Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new questions, and possibly new revelations about the scope of the threat they faced.

For tonight, Marcus could only hope that his decision to trust Master Thymon with his secret had been the right one.