Thin trails of smoke rose from several house chimneys, while simple wooden fences surrounded part of the village.
The sight gave off a sense of peace that I hadn't felt in a long time. The rooftops were bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, making the entire village look warm and welcoming from afar.
From the distance, I could also see several people walking along the village's main road, a sign that the place was still lively with the daily activities of its residents.
Life there seemed to be carrying on as usual, something that made me even more certain that I had finally found a place worthy of resting.
"Thank goodness I found a village," I thought with a sigh. "Otherwise, I'd probably have to spend the night by the roadside or go back into the forest to look for another safe place."
At least tonight I wouldn't have to sleep out in the open for the second time.
However, that sense of relief didn't last long.
My stomach suddenly growled loudly, reminding me that I hadn't eaten anything since leaving the forest.
The hunger that I had managed to suppress until now became much more noticeable. My body could still move, but my energy was gradually running out, making each step feel a little heavier than before. I couldn't stop thoughts of a warm meal from filling my mind.
"Ugh... damn it. I'm starving." I rubbed my stomach and let out a weary sigh. "I should've caught a few animals before leaving the forest. What rotten luck."
At the time, I had been so focused on finding a way out that I hadn't given my food supply a single thought.
Regretting it now was pointless. The most important thing was finding something to eat as quickly as possible without causing any trouble.
All I could do now was hope that the villagers wouldn't chase me away. Picking up my pace slightly, I finally arrived at the entrance to the small village.
Two guards stood beside the simple gate, and both men immediately noticed me, especially since my appearance probably looked quite suspicious for someone who had just emerged from the direction of the forest.
My clothes were covered in dust from the journey, and my face clearly showed the exhaustion of walking for nearly the entire day.
My breathing was slightly heavy, and my messy hair only reinforced the impression that I had just gone through a long and difficult journey.
One of the guards immediately stepped forward, keeping one hand close to the hilt of his weapon.
His gaze was filled with caution, as though he was ready to react the moment I made a suspicious move.
"Who are you?" the man asked warily, looking me up and down with a suspicious expression.
The guard standing beside him also continued watching me with a wary gaze, as if trying to determine whether I was truly an ordinary traveler or someone who would bring trouble.
The atmosphere around the village gate instantly became more tense. A few villagers passing by glanced in our direction before continuing on with their business.
I deliberately raised both of my hands with my palms open so they would understand that I wasn't holding a weapon or intending to attack. In a situation like this, making any sudden movement would only make things worse.
I also kept my distance and made no attempt to step any closer before they gave me permission.
"Hello, I'm a merchant," I replied, doing my best to make my voice sound as natural as possible. I kept my tone calm, as though there wasn't even the slightest trace of panic within me.
"I was ambushed and robbed by a group of bandits on the road earlier. I managed to escape, but I lost everything I was carrying." I then lowered my head slightly, putting on an expression of hardship.
"I'm sorry, but may I rest in this village? I've been walking for a very long time, and I'm truly hungry and thirsty. If possible, I only need a temporary place to stay, along with some food and water." I deliberately didn't ask for too much.
The simpler my request was, the more likely they would believe my story. Besides, someone who was truly in trouble would usually only think about their most urgent needs, not ask for anything excessive.
I paused for a moment, giving them time to process my words before continuing.
"Don't worry. After that, I'll definitely help if needed. I can chop wood, help repair things, or even help plant vegetables. I don't want to be nothing but a burden." I maintained a pitiful expression, trying to make my reasoning sound believable.
I even deliberately spoke in a low voice so that I would sound more sincere and less forceful.
After all, someone who had just arrived at a village with nothing to their name would naturally have a better chance of being accepted if they were willing to work in return for the help they received.
That was why I offered my labor from the very beginning. As long as they were willing to give me a chance, I didn't mind doing whatever work they asked of me.
After hearing my explanation, one of the guards began to show a change in expression. The suspicion on his face gradually faded, replaced by sympathy as he looked at someone who appeared exhausted after suffering such misfortune during his journey.
Meanwhile, the other guard still looked cautious, but his attitude was no longer as tense as before.
Even so, he continued to observe me carefully, as though he were still searching for any sign that I was lying.
Neither of them made a decision right away. Silence lingered for a few moments before one of them finally spoke.
"I see... You've really had terrible luck," the man on the right said in a sympathetic tone after hearing my story.
The look in his eyes showed that he genuinely pitied the situation I had described, especially after learning that I had lost all of my belongings to bandits. His gaze was now far gentler than it had been just moments earlier.
"In that case, I'll take you to meet the village chief. The village chief will decide what should be done with you," the man on the left said in a calmer tone, although his voice still carried a clear sense of caution.
"That's fine. Even if you only give me a little food and water, I can leave your village right away if that's what you want," I replied with a nod.
Although I showed relief and gratitude on the outside for receiving their help, deep down, I remained on guard.
I still didn't know what kind of place this village was, who the people living here were, or whether they could truly be trusted.
After all, placing my trust too easily in strangers I had just met would be nothing short of reckless.
I couldn't forget that I was now in a world completely unfamiliar to me, a world with rules and dangers that I had yet to fully understand.
A single moment of carelessness was enough for a small mistake to turn into a major problem. For now, observing the situation and gathering information were far more important than rushing to trust anyone.
Until I understood the true circumstances, I had to remain clear-headed and keep every one of my actions in check so that I wouldn't create unnecessary trouble.
The man then led me farther into the village. After passing through the simple gate made of thick wooden logs, I began observing my surroundings much more carefully.
My gaze slowly swept in every direction, trying to take in even the smallest details.
That habit had been ingrained in me for a long time, making me always study any new environment before deciding how I should act.
[Note: This is my other novel: As a Blacksmith in the World of Jujutsu Kaisen. As the White Spider-Man in Earth-76 with the Spider-Man System]