Humans, they are a race of bipedal mammals. Their physique are so mediocre that their natural strength is under most species in the world. But this is supplemented by their inborn intelligence and ingenuity. Their mind naturally reaches a state of clarity during growth and the speed exceeds most other races that shares the trait. They are short lived, but the speed of maturity places them above stronger races.
Human Race, races that resembles Humans greatly. Elves, Dwarves, Halflings and Beastkins all falls into this division. The reason why Humans are used as representatives is because they are the most similar to each of these race. It can be described that all other races are a subspecies of Humans, or they are Humans who has adapted to certain environments. Though all false, it does describe the resemblance well, and that's why they are collectively called the Human Race.
The human settlement I was talking about was not a city full of humans, but a city where the Human Race mingles freely. It is in fact quite difficult for different races to live together in one city due to the difference in lifespan, standards and norm. That's why the city I'm heading to is a trading hub, a place with few permanent residents and more travellers from all over the continent. When there is benefit, cultures can be ignored.
My mode of transport is chosen to be the Goblin Express, or what the outside knows better as the Direwolf Express. Using the wolf's innate agility to pull a thin sleigh enchanted with [Hover] and [Grounded], we can carry people and cargo through the forest. Each sleigh is armed with a driver, not to control the wolves since they are sentient enough, but to adjust the sleigh's path using a mix of magic, martial arts and extreme reflexes. It is by far the most superior mode of transport in a forest.
Managed by the Hunter's Guild, I went there to get a ride.
"Hey Driel~!
I shouted as I entered a building larger but more simple than my house. It shows signs of great wear, yet still stands firm as it diffuses antiquity. After all, it was one of the first buildings to be erected since the beginning of the city.
"Driel, you there~!"
My voice rang through the hall where hunters gather and receptionists process their job. Normally this act of disruption would receive a warning from the guild, unless you were put down by some trouble seekers form the gathering hunter's. However, goblins of my height are few in the city and I, myself, am quite famous too. Look, that High Goblin who turned his body fiercely a second ago became pale as coconut flesh. He must have been rolled hard in the training ground. Oh, another few started foaming a little whilst trying their best to hide it. They look distinctively like the Shamans I played with two weeks ago. Maybe I should go and say hi. Gwehehehe.
"Please stop terrorising our hunters, Lord Aruk."
"Oh Driel." I stopped in my tracks. "Took you a while."
"I came immediately at your voice." Driel said exasperatedly.
A Hobgoblin came to my side. It was Driel, Guildmaster of the Hunter's Guild. While he looks middle aged, magically inclined species has a tendency to look younger than their age. He is actually old enough to retired from the field and do paperwork.
"I need an Express to Terrune. Get me one."
"You mean the sleighs? Unfortunately they have all been scheduled for today. The next free one… you will have to come back tomorrow at least."
"What, why!?"
"Isn't it the same reason as yours. The advent of wanderers made the Spatial Gates unstable so most have to rely on other modes of transports. It just happens that ours is some of the fastest and most reliable."
He is right. Gates are basically coordinates in space that is extremely thin making space magic easier to use. They are artificially created in major cities and strategic locations for transporting human and cargo, merchants love them especially. While such space does not exist within our city, Dimensional Gates also acts as a lighthouses for space users so we can still teleport to one without using another gate, like a Return spell.
But because of the mass summoning of wanderers that continues even now, any space related phenomenon experiences interference. The gates can't be used until the world normalises and adapt to the disruption.
"Can't you teleport though, Lord Aruk? The disruption should be unlethal, just inaccurate."
"Yes I can. It's fine if I end up in the sky, but I don't want to end up six feet under earth."
"…Is it true that you will fuse with dirt if you do appear in ground?" he whispered curiously to me.
I gave him a dirty look. "That only happens when idiots forget to isolate themself in a barrier before teleporting." It is common sense that teleporting is dangerous and much training is needed to be used in practice. But it would not be a thing if there is no way to prevent fusing with dirt.
"H-ha-haha…"Driel laughs awkwardly at my accusing glare. "B-By the way, if you want to travel quickly you can accept an escort request to Terrune. One of the clients wanted some guards so you can hitch a ride if you accept the request as a hunter."
"…I'll do that."