The hunting party returned to the village just as the sun began to set.
Long before they reached the gate, the villagers noticed them.
“They’re back!”
“The hunters are back!”
Children ran through the streets, their cheerful voices echoing across the village.
Women stepped out of their homes.
Farmers put down their tools.
Everyone gathered near the entrance.
A warm smile spread across Gareth’s face.
“It looks like we’ll have a feast tonight.”
The hunters carried the freshly harvested monster meat into the village while the children stared with sparkling eyes.
“We caught four Gray Fang Wolves!”
“We’ll have meat for days!”
Several villagers clapped happily.
For a small village, every successful hunt meant full stomachs and another week without worry.
As Aiden watched everyone celebrate, he realized something.
These people weren’t hunting for fame.
They weren’t hunting for glory.
They hunted because their families depended on them.
It reminded him of the struggles people faced back on Earth.
Different world.
Same reason.
To survive.
As night fell, a large bonfire was lit in the center of the village.
The aroma of roasted monster meat quickly filled the air.
Villagers laughed together while children played around the fire.
Even the guards finally relaxed.
One of the older women placed a large wooden plate into Aiden’s hands.
“You helped bring this food home.”
“So tonight, you eat with us.”
Aiden looked at the roasted meat.
For a moment…
He couldn’t speak.
Months ago, he had been abandoned without hesitation.
Now…
Complete strangers were treating him like family.
“…Thank you.”
The woman simply smiled before returning to help prepare more food.
Aiden sat beside Gareth and Elder Rowan.
The hunters shared stories of old expeditions.
Children listened with excitement.
Occasionally, everyone burst into laughter.
For the first time since arriving in this world…
Aiden laughed as well.
One free from fear.
The days slowly became weeks.
Without realizing it…
An entire month passed.
Every morning, Aiden woke before sunrise.
Sometimes he helped repair broken fences damaged by wild monsters.
Other days, he carried timber from the nearby woods to help villagers repair their homes.
When harvest season arrived, he worked alongside the farmers beneath the warm sun.
Nobody ordered him to help.
He simply wanted to.
Whenever Gareth organized another hunting party, Aiden joined without hesitation.
The hunts never went beyond the nearby forest.
The strongest monsters they encountered were only F Rank.
Against such opponents, Aiden relied only on his sword.
He deliberately sealed away Nothingness.
Every hunt became another lesson.
How to track monsters.
How to protect companions.
How to preserve meat.
How to remove hides without damaging them.
How to carefully extract mana cores.
Slowly, Aiden stopped thinking like someone who only fought to survive.
He began thinking like a true hunter.
The children admired him more with each passing day.
Every evening, they gathered in the open field outside the village.
“Brother Aiden!”
“Teach us again!”
Aiden smiled.
“Very well.”
He showed them simple footwork.
How to hold a wooden sword correctly.
Why courage was important…
But why caution was even more important.
“If you’re ever stronger than your opponent…”
he told them,
“Don’t become arrogant.”
“And if you’re weaker…”
“Don’t give up.”
Those words stayed with the children long after the lessons ended.
One peaceful evening, Aiden and Elder Rowan sat beneath the great oak tree overlooking the village.
The setting sun painted the sky orange.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Finally, Aiden broke the silence. This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
“Elder Rowan…”
“I’ve been wondering something.”
The old man smiled gently.
“What is it?”
“Is there an Adventurer Guild nearby?”
Rowan slowly shook his head.
“No.”
“This village is far too small.”
“If you wish to become an adventurer, you’ll need to travel.”
“The nearest Guild Branch is in the city of Westhaven.”
“But if you’re planning to build a real career…”
“You should head for the Royal Capital.”
Aiden nodded thoughtfully.
Then another question crossed his mind.
“…What kingdom is this?”
The elder looked surprised.
“You really don’t know?”
Aiden gave an embarrassed smile.
“I’ve spent a long time wandering.”
Rowan chuckled softly.
“This is the Kingdom of Eldoria.”
Eldoria…
Aiden silently repeated the name.
Relief filled his heart.
It wasn’t Aerithia.
The kingdom that had summoned him…
The kingdom that had abandoned him…
Was far away.
For the first time in months, he truly felt safe.
He looked toward the road leading out of the village.
Then quietly said,
“…I think it’s time for me to leave.”
Elder Rowan had expected those words.
“When?”
Aiden smiled softly.
“Tomorrow morning.”
The old man nodded.
“We’ll all see you off.”
That night…
Aiden lay awake, staring at the ceiling.
This village had given him something he thought he had lost forever.
Kindness.
Tomorrow…
His journey into the wider world would finally begin.