Nestled amidst the vast expanse of a desert, a luxury wooden cabin stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of nature, human, and alien ingenuity.
This architectural marvel, situated near a serene oasis, captivates the senses with its rustic charm and unparalleled comfort.
As Layla approaches the cabin, the sight of weathered wooden panels, intricately carved with motifs inspired by Verdienst flora and fauna, evokes a sense of awe.
The cabin's design seamlessly integrates with the surrounding landscape, as if it has always been an integral part of the desert.
The sleek, square-shaped windows that reflect back a person's image couldn't reveal what was inside, yet a normal person couldn't help but imagine what lay within.
A soft sigh escaped from Layla's lips as she entered the cabin and was greeted by a familiar stunning sight.
Inside, the walls were the only ravishing sight in the hero's sacred house.
The floor was hot desert sand, and the only valuable items in the cabin were an empty frying pan and cooking pot.
Grrr—!
Layla's stomach growled. It had been the third day she had gone without eating anything.
Unlike the other residents of the Verdienst Duchy, the Hero wasn't allowed to lower themselves into farming.
Instead, they were expected to feed on wild fruits and animals.
However, those animals and plants had become one blink away from extinction. After all, everyone in the desert Dukedom also feasted on them.
'From tomorrow onward, I am going to feast on whatever I desire and do what my heart desires.
I will no longer be the hero!'
Making an oath in both her hearts, she looked at the only image on the wall.
It was covered in marks made by a sharp knife, but Layla could perfectly tell that it was the person who took away her parents.
A slim athletic build with pale skin, wearing a striped black and white suit. Tattoos on his left eye with bloodshot veins and beastly white hair.
The more she stared at the image, the more rage started fueling up in her mind, and unknowingly she grabbed the small knife from the ground.
Thack—!
She threw the knife, and luckily the whole image became torn apart.
"I can finally leave this boring place," she muttered as she picked up the backpack from the ground.
"I am done being a thief. I will be an adventurer who hunts other adventurers."
Yes, Layla was planning to climb the Eldritch Mountain and enter the Supreme Road.
Burning down the hero's house before she left, Layla found herself walking in the desert marigold field. This was the shortest route from her house at the opposite end of the Duchy to the Eldritch Mountain.
It was going to be hours before she met someone on this very cold night, so Layla decided to keep her mind occupied.
She quickly found a tune that went well with her slow strides:
Lately, sleep has been a distant friend,
I'm tired of being a sheep, my life to amend.
Visions haunt me, a new path I must choose,
No more tears shed, my heart is breaking loose.
Yeah, I'm leaving dreams and all the pain,
Embracing freedom, my soul to regain.
Maintaining the flow of her inner voice, she reached the dead of the night without facing any trouble.
However, the moment the sun started showing signs of waking up, at the end of the desert marigold field, she was greeted by a pack of three Regnant coyotes.
Saliva dripped from each of the bear-like dogs, as their puddle-like pitch-black eyes stared at their prey who showed up at breakfast time.
"Damn it!" Layla cursed her bad luck.
The coyotes howled and charged at the pitiful girl. They possibly didn't have time to waste, as an African lion might appear.
Layla took out the longest knife in her backpack and blocked the claw attack aiming for her gut.
Clang—!
The silver-haired girl was pushed back a few inches and staggered to maintain her footing. The other coyote took this chance and directed its razor-sharp claws at the girl's collarbone.
Ahwooo—!!
A loud howl was released as Layla was able to throw her pocket knife into the coyote's mouth, making the attack useless.
However, she didn't have time to relax as she leaped into the air, dodging the combo claw attacks of the two dogs.
Little did she know that this was a three-way attack. Ignoring the wound in its mouth, the coyote wide opened its mouth, waiting for the alien to fall in like rain in a bucket.
Even with the odds going against her, Layla managed to throw the knife she was holding into the dog's mouth, piercing it through.
The girl landed on the ground and rolled away to create some distance from the dog struggling for life.
A few minutes passed, and the injured coyote died. Layla couldn't use this chance to run away as she was already feeling fatigued.
It was thanks to luck and the coyote's stupidity that Layla had lasted this long, yet now such advantages weren't going to be in her favor.