Aaron found more places like that first town along the way. He found more villages than towns, but he found no cities… the distance between them wasn't that big. They could have teamed up to make a city or two, but they probably didn't do it because it wouldn't change a thing.
As Aaron ventured into that country, he noticed that the people looked even worse than if compared to the first town. The terrain and weather also looked the same… the number of attacks of the beasts became more frequent as well. It was as if they knew that once they destroyed the capital, it was only a matter of time before the country would fall…
Ding! [You obtained 120 experience points]
(You have recovered thirty points of mana.)
(You have leveled up.)
(You obtained ten status points and two skill points.)
(You learned a new skill: Bone Spear.)
(Bone Spear: You can summon a spear made of bones that can be used for throwing or using as a melee weapon. Cost: 40 MP.)
At least Aaron had the chance to level up faster… he was about to reach level thirty as well. He felt like the mission was too easy compared to the skill he was getting. Until now, the missions had been a bit difficult since the classes that he had to develop made the missions be challenging, but that changed this time… even though that one was naturally easier than the others.
In any case, Aaron eventually reached an area of the country where the clouds moved around in circles, and while they sure looked like rain clouds fully charged, they didn't fall a single drop of rainwater in the area.
In the distance, Aaron could see a dark and eerie medieval city. It was surrounded by tall walls and towers, which made it seem like a fortress. In the center of the city, there was a massive dark castle that stood out like a sore thumb. The castle was so grand and imposing that it seemed to dominate the entire city. Its dark and ominous presence sent shivers down Aaron's spine. He couldn't help but wonder what secrets were behind its walls and who ruled over this mysterious city.
The towering structure seemed to loom over the entire place, its dark stone walls almost swallowing up the surrounding landscape. The castle was surrounded by a murky moat, its waters still and foreboding. Aaron could make out the faint outlines of turrets and battlements and the occasional flicker of light from a high window. The overall effect was one of brooding darkness and foreboding, as if the castle held secrets and terrors that no one dared to explore.
"This looks straight out from a castle of the last boss of an RPG… this brings back some memories, but I can't help but feel that only problems await for me ahead… not a single sign of nostalgia," Aaron thought.
Aaron approached the city and soon noticed that the gates had been sealed from the inside… the walls were forty meters tall. He could tell that the wooden gate was at least five meters long… he could destroy it with a bone sword and some slashes. Still, Aaron wanted to avoid commotion since he couldn't hear a single thing on the other side.
"I don't feel the presence of living beings… this is never a good sign," Aaron thought and then looked for a point in the walls where he could climb.
There were no dent marks on the walls or deformations. He couldn't climb them without some sort of tool… in the end, Aaron summoned a bone sword and hit the wall in some parts to create holes that he could grab. As he climbed, he created more holes, and despite that, in no time, he reached the top of the wall and then saw the city.
"It smells like dust…" Aaron said while looking at the empty city.
There was not a single sign of life in the distance… not even animals like rats or birds. Aaron had a hard time finding food in the last week, and thanks to that, his horse didn't last long and became his food… he didn't enjoy his meals since then, even though they became tastier.
"Did the people here die a long time ago?" Aaron thought and then jumped from the wall.
As Aaron walked through the deserted streets of the medieval city, the silence was deafening. The cobblestone roads were lined with ancient stone buildings, their facades weathered by time and neglect. The tall, narrow structures loomed over him, casting shadows across the empty streets.
The air was thick with the scent of musty old books and decaying wood. It was as though the entire city had been frozen in time, waiting for its inhabitants to return. But no one was to be found, not a soul stirring in the empty alleys and deserted squares. It was a haunting sight, and Aaron couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as he made his way through the silent city.
Aaron liked the idea of moving toward his goal without finding any obstacles, but he didn't like that situation. Only bad ideas and answers were crossing his mind at that moment, and they only made him worry about home…
"No matter what happens… I can't let Earth become like this," Aaron muttered under his breath.