This village was actually quite nice. The buildings weren't luxurious, but everything was neatly organized.
Rows of wooden houses stood at regular intervals, with several yards filled with vegetable gardens, while clotheslines stretched across the front of the houses swayed gently in the breeze.
The wooden fences surrounding the homes were also well maintained. In several corners, simple flower pots had been placed on the front porches, showing that the villagers cared not only about practicality but also about the comfort of their homes.
The atmosphere of the village felt peaceful, completely different from the silent forest I had left behind only a short while ago.
The breeze carried the scent of earth, wood, and food drifting from the villagers' homes, creating a warm atmosphere that was difficult to ignore.
The village roads were also fairly clean, and the residents who noticed my arrival merely wore curious expressions rather than hostile ones.
A few people paused what they were doing to look at me, perhaps because of my unusual clothing or because I had arrived accompanied by the village guard.
The children who had been playing peeked out from behind their parents, while several women carrying baskets filled with harvested crops quietly whispered to one another before returning to their work.
Some of the children even pointed in my direction with faces full of curiosity, but their parents quickly calmed them down.
No one approached me or acted excessively. They simply observed me from a distance while maintaining their manners.
In the distance, several men were repairing a damaged wooden fence, while the faint sound of an axe splitting wood echoed from one side of the village.
Thin streams of smoke also rose from several chimneys, indicating that some of the villagers were preparing meals as the afternoon drew on.
Every now and then, the laughter of children could be heard, followed by the sounds of chickens and livestock coming from behind the houses.
Life in the village carried on as usual, with no signs of panic or an oppressive atmosphere.
The simple scenery made the village feel alive rather than merely a collection of houses standing in the middle of the forest.
There was a sense of warmth in the villagers' daily activities, as though everyone was accustomed to living side by side and knew one another well.
Judging from the way they dressed, their physical condition, and the expressions on their faces, I saw no signs that they were people with ill intentions.
There were no hateful stares or attitudes that suggested they wanted to drive me away.
Instead, most of them simply seemed curious about the stranger who had suddenly arrived from outside the village, which was a perfectly natural reaction.
A few villagers even gave me small nods of greeting when our eyes met.
Even so, I did not lower my guard. My experiences in my previous life had taught me that a person's appearance did not always reflect their true nature.
People could often hide their intentions behind a friendly smile or a warm demeanor.
That was why I had no intention of letting first impressions influence my judgment of the people in this place.
The kindness someone showed during a first meeting did not necessarily reflect what lay in their heart.
Because of that, I kept reminding myself not to jump to conclusions before I truly understood the people of this village.
Observing the way they spoke, interacted, and treated others would give me a far clearer picture than simply judging them by their appearance.
Until I understood the true state of this world, I had no intention of revealing either my identity or my abilities to anyone.
Not long afterward, we arrived at a house that was slightly larger than the other buildings in the village.
From its appearance alone, it was obvious that this house held a different status. It was the village chief's home.
The yard was also noticeably larger, surrounded by a simple wooden fence that had been carefully maintained.
Several potted plants were neatly arranged near the porch, while a well stood not far from the entrance.
The atmosphere was peaceful and tidy, giving the impression that the owner genuinely took care of every corner of his home.
As soon as I stepped into the yard, I slowed my pace while quietly observing my surroundings. That habit had long since become instinct.
My eyes swept across the door, the windows, and even the positions of the nearby buildings, making sure there was nothing suspicious.
When we entered the house, I saw a small elderly man with a white beard streaked with gray sitting beside a wooden table.
His body was slightly hunched with age, and a wooden cane rested beside him, ready to support his steps whenever he stood up.
The deep wrinkles on the old man's face were a testament to the long life he had lived.
Although he appeared old and physically frail, his eyes still radiated the calmness and wisdom of someone who had witnessed countless things throughout his life. Visit novelping.com for the full chapter.
His gaze remained sharp, as though he could judge a person's character simply by the way they stood, spoke, or even by the slightest change in their expression.
His eyes lingered on me for a few seconds. They weren't intimidating, but they were enough to make me realize that this was not someone who could be easily deceived. This old man had likely experienced far more than his appearance suggested.
After listening to the explanation about my situation from the village guard who had accompanied me, the village chief finally nodded.
However, the old man did not answer immediately. Instead, he remained silent for a moment as he looked me over from head to toe, as if weighing countless possibilities in his mind.
That brief silence made the atmosphere feel slightly heavier before the old man finally let out a quiet sigh and began to speak.
"If you truly have nowhere else to go, you may stay in this village for the time being," the village chief said in a gentle voice that carried both warmth and kindness.
Hearing those words, I was slightly surprised. I truly hadn't expected them to accept someone who had just emerged from the forest so readily. Even so, I made sure not to let that surprise show on my face.
Instead, I maintained a calm expression and gave a slow nod.
At the very least, my first impression of this village was far better than all the worst possibilities I had imagined while making my way here.
"Thank you very much. I truly appreciate your kindness," I replied sincerely, lowering my head slightly as a sign of respect.
The village chief then gave me a choice. In a calm voice, the old man explained that I could stay at his house for the night.
However, if I felt more comfortable, I was also welcome to stay with Kisuke's family, the man who had brought me before the village chief from the very beginning.
The moment I heard that name, I immediately turned toward Kisuke, who was standing not far beside me.
He simply returned my gaze with an easygoing smile, as though whatever decision I made would be perfectly fine with him.
"Wouldn't that be a burden on your family?" I asked hesitantly. I genuinely didn't want to become a burden to someone I had only met a short while ago.
"Not at all. Don't worry about it too much. Besides, you look completely exhausted after such a long journey," Kisuke replied, shaking his head with a faint smile.
[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]