As Lina stepped through the gates of Ashborne, the first thing that struck her was the distinct smell. A blend of wood smoke, damp earth, and a hint of something sour lingered in the air. The village was small and worn, with narrow dirt paths weaving between weathered wooden houses.
Villagers bustled about, some carrying baskets of produce, others tending to livestock. Despite the humble surroundings, an air of determination filled the place, as if everyone was doing their best to survive in a world fraught with danger.
Ming led the group through the village, her sharp eyes ever watchful. Garret and Finn followed closely, their expressions unreadable. Lina trailed behind, trying to absorb everything while staying alert. The reality of her situation was sinking in—this wasn't a game she could pause or log out of. This was her life now.
As they passed the village square, Lina noticed a large notice board covered in parchment. Villagers stopped by to read the notices, murmuring to each other in hushed tones. Curious, she walked over to take a look. The notices ranged from job postings to missing persons to warnings about nearby monsters. One, in particular, caught her eye: a bounty for a group of bandits terrorizing the village outskirts. The reward was substantial, enough to set someone up comfortably.
*I'm still surprised I can read this,* Lina thought, taken aback by how easily the language came to her.
"Interested?" Ming's voice pulled her from her thoughts.
Lina turned to see the hunter watching her with a raised eyebrow.
"Just curious," Lina replied.
"Bandits, huh?" Ming nodded. "They've been causing trouble for a while. We've had a few run-ins, but they're slippery. The reward's tempting, but it's not worth risking our necks over. Not yet, at least."
Lina considered it. In a game, she would have jumped at the chance to take on bandits for such a reward. But here, it was different. The thought of real combat, facing real people, made her uneasy.
As they continued through the village, Ming led them to a small inn tucked away at the edge of the square. The sign above the door read *The Resting Stag*, and the warm glow of lanterns inside promised refuge from the cool evening air.
"This is where we'll stay for the night," Ming said, pushing open the door. "The innkeeper's a friend. He'll give us a fair price."
Inside, the inn was cozy, with wooden beams overhead and a crackling fire in the hearth. The scent of roasting meat and freshly baked bread filled the air, making Lina's stomach growl. She realized she hadn't eaten since lunch, and the journey through the forest had drained her more than she expected.
The innkeeper, a stout man with a thick beard and a warm smile, greeted them as they entered. "Ming! Good to see you again. And you've brought friends."
"Just passing through, Erwin," Ming nodded. "We'll need three rooms for the night."
Erwin's gaze shifted to Lina, his smile widening. "Ah, a newcomer. Welcome to Ashborne, lass. You look like you could use a good meal and some rest."
As Erwin showed them to their rooms, Lina couldn't help but feel a wave of exhaustion wash over her. The adrenaline that had been keeping her going was starting to fade, and all she wanted was to collapse onto a bed and sleep. But first, she needed to eat.
Once they were settled in, the group gathered in the inn's common room for dinner. Plates of roasted chicken, vegetables, and bread were placed before them, along with mugs of a drink she did not know. Lina took a sip of the juice, surprised at how smooth it tasted. It was nothing like the cheap stuff she had tried back home.
As they ate, Ming filled Lina in on more details about the village. Ashborne was one of many small settlements scattered across Eldoria, each one trying to survive in the face of increasing threats. Monsters, bandits, demons, even rival factions were constant dangers, and the villagers had to rely on each other to make it through.
"So, what's your plan?" Ming asked between bites of chicken. "You're not from here, that much is clear. But if you're going to survive, you'll need to figure out your next move."
Lina paused, considering her options.She had been so focused on getting through the day that she hadn't really thought about what came next. She couldn't just wander aimlessly, and she certainly couldn't go back home—if that was even possible.
"There is an adventure guild, right?" Lina asked the question she had been dying to know since entering the village gates.
Ming nodded, a hint of a smile on her face. "Yes, there is. And if you're up for it, I could take you there tomorrow."
Lina's eyes lit up with excitement. "I'll take you up on that," she said, feeling a sense of purpose she hadn't felt in a long time. She had been waiting for an adventure, and now it seemed like one was finally within her grasp.
Ming chuckled, pushing back her chair. "I'll take that as a yes, then. We'll head to the guild tomorrow morning. Get a good night's rest, Lina. You're going to need it."
Lina nodded, feeling a surge of anticipation. She couldn't wait to see what the adventure guild had in store for her. As she retired to her room, she felt a sense of hope she hadn't felt in a long time. Maybe, just maybe, she could make a life for herself in this new world after all.