Luck of the Dice (A Former Dungeon-Master's LITRPG)

When Miles stirred awake again, he felt a little stronger but still disoriented. The aches in his body had dulled, though his movements remained sluggish. The room was quiet, save for the faint creaking of wood in the wind. He shifted slightly, noticing the rope bindings were gone.

The door opened with a slow creak, and a man stepped inside. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and wore simple but sturdy clothing that hinted at his role as someone of importance. His face bore a calm, almost fatherly expression, with sharp eyes that seemed to miss nothing.

"Ah, you're awake," the man said, his voice deep and steady. "I hope you're feeling better. My name is Vadamir, chieftain of the Village of Faelwen."

Miles sat up cautiously, taking in the man's imposing presence. Something about Vadamir's demeanor felt genuine, but there was an edge to his calmness that put Miles on guard. He he good intuition that kept him alive this long, and out of all his senses, Miles trusted his intuition the most.

"Thanks for, uh, saving me," Miles said hesitantly. "I don't know what would've happened if you hadn't found me."

Vadamir smiled faintly and took a seat on a stool near the bed. "It's our duty to help those in need. Faelwen is a haven for the lost and weary. But I must admit, you're an unusual guest. People don't simply appear out of nowhere, battered and on the brink of death. Usually, they are found being mauled to death by the creatures in the forest"

Miles forced a laugh, trying to keep the conversation light, but dread filled his heart after hearing those words. "Yeah, I've been having a bit of a rough time lately."

The chieftain leaned forward slightly, his tone softening. "Tell me, young one, how did you come to possess such powers? Teleportation is a skill that not many is able to master, especially one as young smelling as you! Your power must be great if you can already control a spell of this magnitude."

Miles stiffened. His hand instinctively hovered near his belt where the Rune Compass was hidden.

"I'm not sure what you mean," Miles said cautiously. His senses told him not to trust his man and not to fall for his smile.

Vadamir's sharp eyes lingered on him for a moment before he leaned back with a patient smile. "Come now. There's no need for secrets here. I can sense the energy around you. It's… unique. Powerful. I'm merely curious. If you could tell me more, it would help me understand how best to aid you. "

Miles hesitated. On the surface, Vadamir seemed like a kind and compassionate man, genuinely interested in helping him. But something about the way he phrased his request—how he spoke of Miles's "powers"—sent a chill down his spine. It was the same way politicians spoke and smiled when they lied to public about their promises

'I've trusted the dice so far,' Miles thought. 'Might as well see what they say about him.'

He discreetly retrieved the enchanted dice from his inventory, clenching them tightly in his hand.

Roll for Insight: Determine Trustworthiness.

The dice glowed faintly as they tumbled across the bedspread. They landed on a 2 and a 3.

Result: Do not trust.

Miles's heart sank. The system confirmed what his gut was already warning him. Despite Vadamir's calm demeanor and kind words, this man was not what he appeared to be.

"Figures," Miles muttered under his breath. His heart skipped a beat when he realized that he spoke aloud, but thankfully, it did not seem as if the older man had heard him.

Vadamir's smile didn't falter, but there was a slight tension in his posture as he gestured to a small tray on the nearby table. "You must be hungry after everything you've been through. Please, eat. It's a simple stew, but it'll help you regain your strength."

Miles's stomach growled on cue, but the system's warning about Vadamir made him wary. He leaned forward slightly, inspecting the bowl. The stew smelled rich and savory, but something about its overly sweet aroma made him pause.

'Better not take the chance,' he thought.

"Uh, thanks," Miles said quickly, leaning back. "But I, uh, actually have a severe allergy to some spices. I wouldn't want to risk it."

Vadamir's smile wavered for the briefest of moments, his brow twitching in annoyance before he composed himself.

Miles heart lept in his throat as he realized that the Chieftain knew of his lie and deception. He felt like he had been caught and would now be shown this man's true colors.

But Vadamir did not do such a thing. Instead of getting angry and showing what he truly felt, the man just smiled a sad smile before pulling back and replying, "Ah, I see. How unfortunate. Well, if you change your mind, the food will be here for you."

Miles nodded, forcing a smile. "I appreciate it."

The chieftain lingered a moment longer, his gaze hardening slightly. Then, without another word, he stood and walked toward the door.

As Vadamir reached the threshold, he paused. With a quiet murmur, he traced a rune in the air. A faint shimmer rippled across the walls of the room, and the door clicked shut behind him.

Miles's heart sank. The system chimed in his mind:

Barrier Detected: Magical Containment Field Active. Exit is restricted. Cannot be rolled to deactivate at your current level

"Great," Miles muttered, slumping back against the bed. "Saved just to be locked in a glorified prison."

He paced the room, frustration bubbling within him. "This was supposed to be a safe village," he grumbled, shaking his fists at the air. "Why does everything keep going wrong?"

The dice felt heavy in his pocket, a reminder of the roll that had brought him here. It had been a success, hadn't it? So why did the village feel anything but safe?

As he stared at the barrier shimmering faintly over the door, he clenched his fists. "I don't know what your deal is, Vadamir," he muttered, "but I'm not sticking around to find out."

Miles turned back to the dice, rolling them in his hands. He needed a way out—and soon. Whatever kindness Vadamir pretended to have was wearing thin, and Miles wasn't going to wait for it to run out entirely.

Unfortunately, his luck with dice would not help him this time. He was truly stuck in this place for now.