"There is also a gift package for you. Do remember, Host, this is the only time you get anything for free, and to retrieve the gift package, say STATUS and ask for the package to open."
before Ram could say status.
Ram saw an old man with a walking stick coming towards him. Though this old man looked physically fragile, Ram's senses told him he was not to be trifled with.
"Hello, I am the village chief of this village. You can address me as an elder or village chief. May I know where you came from? "And who are you?"
The old man asked while observing Ram's clothes and his looks very carefully.
"I was in the forest on that side." Ram pointed towards the forest he came from and continued.
"I was chased by a huge Anaconda snake; I jumped in the river and crossed over."
The village chief kept on observing Ram while he continued.
"I do not remember anything other than my name, Ram. If you don't mind, can I stay for a night?"
Ram answered and asked for a stay.
The village chief, after observing Ram and hearing his story, couldn't help but feel that he was lucky to have survived the snake. He could also see that Ram was telling the truth and that his clothes were wet.
The village chief was still silent and thinking about something. Ram took this silence as perhaps his way of asking for money.
"I do not have money, but I can work for the shelter and food for tonight." Ram further stated.
The village chief nodded and told Ram to follow him into the village.
Ram, while following the elder, could see the villagers doing their work; he could see some cattle tied and kids playing on the streets. He could even see a small market. After following the elder for some time. Ram reached the more isolated side of the village and saw a small village-style house.
"You can stay here for tonight, and I will send someone with food over. You don't have to work, and tomorrow we can discuss the work and price if you want to extend your stay." After saying this, the village chief turned and left.
Ram entered the house and saw that it was already cleaned. There was a small front yard for cattle and a small gardening space. It was a house with one room, a hall, a kitchen, and bathroom space. Ram pushed the door open and walked inside. He saw a mat on the floor and sat there.
"System, where are you?"
"Yes, Host?"
"Why could I communicate with the elder but not read what was written on the entrance of the gate? I am sure we were not speaking the same language."
"The system had assisted you in converting the meaning of the elder's words into your brain and made your words translate as his language to him."
"The system recommends you open the gift package as it can't assist you forever in this task."
Ram nodded and asked how to open the gift package.
"Host, say STATUS out loud or in your mind, and then you can figure it out from there."
"Okay, STATUS."
Ram said it only in his mind to verify the truth of whatever the system was saying.
Then, in front of Ram, a blue translucent window opened. He extended his hands to touch the window, but they went across the status window as if it were an empty piece of air he was trying to touch.
"Okay, so it's not touch-screen." Ram then focused on the status.
Name: Ram
Age - 21
Talent: Locked
Bloodline: Locked
Level: Locked
Mission: Stay in the village for a month.
Reward: All the locked statuses on the window will open, and the status window will have further detailed information about the host.
Ram looked at the locked statuses and mission and felt like losing control over his anger, but what was the point of arguing with the voice in his head? He thought, Something is still better than nothing.