"What's your name? I haven't seen a new face in years. And believe me, Moonlight Village is small, but I've seen folks from other villages plenty of times. So, where do you come from?"
The Scarecrow's voice was loud and scratchy, almost like it was excited to finally have someone to talk to.
William couldn't help but smile. "My name is… Wallace Beethovenish," he answered calmly. Thankfully, the game had a translation function that kicked in. He'd just changed his player ID to that name. It was a good idea not to use his real name in this strange game, especially since he didn't know what he had gotten himself into yet. In his previous life, he used the same name across all his online accounts, on Twitter, on Instagram. But here, anonymity seemed smarter.
The Scarecrow, however, wasn't bothered by details like names. It chattered on, talking in rapid bursts, almost like its thoughts couldn't keep up with its mouth.
"Your name... it sounds kinda elfish," the Scarecrow said, its voice tinged with curiosity.
"Does it?" William asked, his smile widening. He had never thought too deeply about his online names. His education was limited; he hadn't graduated from junior high in his past life and hadn't even finished high school in this one. Names were just... names to him.
Trying to steer the conversation, he asked, "Scarecrow, do you know which direction the border town is?"
"Border town? Oh, that's far, far away. I heard merchants say it's over a hundred kilometers from Moonlight Village. Takes days to get there on foot." The Scarecrow's voice suddenly grew wistful. "You know, my lifelong dream is to visit the border town. But here I am... just a scarecrow stuck in a field."
It rambled on and on but couldn't give William a clear answer about the direction. William didn't mind, though. He knew rushing wouldn't get him anywhere. Instead, he just listened, letting the Scarecrow talk while quietly checking the contents of its hollow straw stomach.
"Don't waste your time talking to that thing," a farmer called out as he passed by. "That Scarecrow's always talking nonsense, spinning wild tales. Even the village dogs don't bother with it anymore."
William shrugged. "I don't mind," he said, more to himself than anyone else. He figured that in this odd place, wasting time wasn't the worst thing. Better to learn the lay of the land first.
From where he stood, Moonlight Village seemed small but dense, perhaps a hundred households or more. He figured if the Scarecrow had been here for over 20 years, it would know quite a bit about this place.
Seeing that William wasn't going anywhere, the Scarecrow looked like it was on the verge of tears; if, of course, straw could cry. It was clearly overwhelmed. After all, even the village dogs avoided it, tired of its constant chatter.
"You're really staying?" it asked, its voice trembling with emotion.
[Hint: You have gained the friendship of the Scarecrow]
William raised an eyebrow at the system prompt. Friendship? With a Scarecrow? Well, that was unexpected, but certainly not unwelcome.
The conversation flowed easily, and William soon learned the basics of this world. Nothing too deep, the Scarecrow wasn't exactly an encyclopedia, but enough to get by. It was, after all, just a scarecrow, and its knowledge only went so far.
This was, without a doubt, a magical world.
[Background Tip: You know the true appearance of the world, world cognition +1]
[In addition to peace-loving humans, there are many mysterious creatures living in "Magic Century"—werewolves, vampires, witches, elves. Even some objects possess life-like traits, giving this world an air of mystery.]
[But to ordinary mortals, this is a dark and eerie place. Many residents believe that magic brings nothing but misfortune. As a result, magical creatures are often feared and despised.]
[If magic, especially black magic, didn't exist, this world would be far less dangerous. How peaceful it would be without those lurking threats.]
William thought about it for a moment. A fairy tale world without magic? That didn't seem realistic at all.
"Where do all these magical creatures live, then?" he asked out loud.
"I'm a magical creature!" the Scarecrow declared, sounding almost offended. It leaned closer to William, its voice rising in indignation. "You're looking at one right now!"
If it had saliva, William was certain he would've been sprayed with spit.
William glanced at the Scarecrow again, contemplating. What if he dismantled it? How much experience could he gain from taking down a talking Scarecrow? But he quickly dismissed the idea. There was no reason to destroy someone else's property, especially when it belonged to a small village like this.
"I meant other magical creatures," William clarified. His goal now was to hunt down some wild monsters. Since he was stuck here, he might as well level up. The Scarecrow was clearly a domesticated creature, taking it down wouldn't sit right. Just because the farmers didn't like dealing with it didn't mean it was okay to kill it.
The Scarecrow, unaware of William's inner thoughts, began warning him in its usual rambling style. "Oh, you don't want to go looking for those magical creatures. They're dangerous! No one here in Moonlight Village would get near them. That's what the guards and patrols are for, you know, keeping the village safe from them."
William nodded, absorbing the information. "Where do these magical creatures live?"
"Most of 'em? In the Black Forest," the Scarecrow answered, waving its straw arm as if to point somewhere far off. Its words were jumbled, but William understood enough to make mental notes.
"Where exactly is the Black Forest?"
"Extremely dangerous!" the Scarecrow exclaimed, its tone suddenly serious. It gestured wildly as it explained that the Black Forest was the very direction William had come from. The forest, apparently, was a no-go zone for the villagers, a forbidden place where dangers lurked behind every tree.
"I saw Little Red Riding Hood heading that way," William mentioned, recalling a flash of memory from his journey.
The Scarecrow, who had been rambling nonstop, suddenly froze. Its usual babble dried up, leaving it stuttering. "L-L-Little Red Riding Hood…" it mumbled, its straw body trembling.
"Is she also a magical creature?" William asked, intrigued by the scarecrow's sudden fear.
"My Moonlight Goddess, no! She's... she's a little witch!" The Scarecrow finally blurted out, looking around as if expecting Little Red Riding Hood to appear at any moment. It went on to tell William, in a quivering voice, about its unfortunate experience of being used by her as a makeshift flying broom. "I mean, look at me! I'm just a scarecrow! How could I ever fly?"
The Scarecrow, now animated, spilled its frustration and grievances without needing any more prompting. William just listened, piecing together the chaotic information.
Curious, William asked casually, "So, how would someone go about learning magic?"
"Magic? Black magic? No, no, no!" The Scarecrow shouted, flailing its arms in panic. "You can't touch black magic! That's what cursed the forest! A terrible black magician entered the Black Forest years ago, and everything's been bad ever since."
The Scarecrow's voice grew louder, and William suddenly became aware of his surroundings. He glanced around, relieved to see that the farmers had already gone inside for the evening. His heart calmed a little. He wasn't sure how much the villagers knew or believed about magic, but the Scarecrow's loud warnings were drawing unwanted attention.
He softened his tone, hoping to calm the Scarecrow down. "I meant other kinds of magic, not black magic," William reassured it.
The Scarecrow took a deep breath, though William wasn't sure how a creature made of straw could breathe at all. "You'd have to find a witch or a magician for that," it said, still jittery. "Only they can teach you magic spells. But there's only one witch in Moonlight Village, and that's Little Red Riding Hood, and trust me, you don't want to mess with her! She's got a bad temper!"
William nodded thoughtfully, though he wasn't particularly surprised. He hadn't expected magic to be easy to come by, especially in a place where most people seemed to fear it. Still, it was disappointing to know his only lead was a witch with a temper.
The Scarecrow continued muttering to itself, "Magic... magic's never a good thing. If there was no magic, everything would be peaceful. The Black Forest would be safe again. Moonlight Village wouldn't be like this... and Border Town, too..."
William raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
The Scarecrow's straw head drooped slightly. "Moonlight Village used to be lively, full of people. But about ten years ago, everything changed. That black magician, the one who entered the Black Forest, he brought disaster. Ever since, the village hasn't been the same."
William stood quietly, taking it all in. A cursed forest, a mysterious magician, and a village haunted by its past, there was clearly more to this place than he had initially thought. The real challenge, it seemed, was just beginning.
Everything had indeed changed.
"The king sent his royal guards to quell the uprising, but all they managed to do was seal the disaster deep within the Black Forest," the Scarecrow explained. "Since then, no one in Moonlight Village dares to step into that forest again."
William absorbed this information, thinking it over. The only person who lived on the outskirts of the forest was Little Red Riding Hood's grandmother. It seemed that even in a world filled with magical beings; werewolves, vampires, and others; coexisting with humans had become the norm. After all, this was a magical kingdom, and these creatures were as much a part of its fabric as the people. Some of these beings even had their own territories, and it was impossible to simply wipe them out.
"So, what's the current situation in the Black Forest?" William asked, his mind focused on his main mission. Whatever he needed to accomplish, it would surely lead him there.
The Scarecrow, ever full of warnings, replied, "The Black Forest is still incredibly dangerous. Even the hunters from Moonlight Village won't venture there. They say the black magician is to blame for the disaster. But there are a few who whisper that the disaster wasn't caused by black magic alone... that something even greater and darker is hidden within."
William furrowed his brow. A greater disaster? He had to admit that this sounded like the kind of world where secrets ran deep, and dangers lurked behind every corner. He knew then that the Black Forest was a high-level area, far beyond what he could handle at this moment. According to his quest, the final boss was likely the master of black magic who ruled the forest. And if even seasoned hunters didn't dare enter, William, at his current level, had no business going there. It would be suicide.
He sighed, momentarily distracted by a more immediate concern: "I'm starving, but I don't have any money. I want to go hunting, but I don't have any weapons. Any suggestions, Scarecrow?"
The Scarecrow wobbled slightly as it thought. "If you're that hungry, you can try the back door of the tavern. The owner leaves out scraps of food there. But… there's already a beggar and his dog living in the village. Moonlight Village can't handle two beggars."
William winced. Competing with beggars for food wasn't exactly his idea of survival. Even if he was desperate, he had his pride. No way was he going to stoop that low. This game really is too real, he thought bitterly. Man cannot live without food, but food costs money.
William shifted his focus. "What about hunting? Is there a place I can practice?"
"If it's hunting you're after, try Raven Hill," the Scarecrow suggested. "That's where the young hunters from the village go to sharpen their skills. But be careful. You'll need a weapon… I can help with that."
Suddenly, a system message appeared.
[Hint: You have received a gift from the Scarecrow]
William blinked in surprise, looking at the Scarecrow, who pointed him toward the ground in front of it. "Dig there," it instructed.
Following the Scarecrow's advice, William knelt down and began to dig through the dirt. After a few minutes of effort, his fingers brushed against something solid. He pulled it free from the earth.
It was a slingshot.
William stared at the small, primitive weapon, speechless. Why couldn't this game give me a decent beginner's sword? He didn't expect much, but a slingshot? Really?
Still, a slingshot was better than nothing, he supposed. With a reluctant smile, he thanked the Scarecrow for the gift and picked up the slingshot, inspecting it closely.
[Equipment Tip: You have obtained the slingshot that Little Red Riding Hood used when she was young.]
"Wait, this slingshot belonged to Little Red Riding Hood?" William asked, surprised.
The Scarecrow hesitated, its usual chatter coming to a halt. After a pause, it said, "Yes... but don't underestimate it. That slingshot is more powerful than you think. Little Red Riding Hood once used it to perform great feats, like borrowing arrows with a straw boat."
William raised an eyebrow. "Borrowing arrows with a straw boat?"
The Scarecrow, now back to its usual self, explained how Little Red Riding Hood had used the slingshot to outwit enemies in clever ways. William wasn't entirely sure how that worked, but he decided not to ask too many questions. Either way, he had a weapon now. And that was a start.
A slingshot it is, William thought with a sigh. Time to see what I can do with it.
As William held the slingshot, he couldn't help but chuckle. The thought of Little Red Riding Hood burying her slingshot in the ground out of frustration or perhaps just to escape Little Bob's constant nagging; was almost too absurd to believe. She had been quite the mischievous child, and clearly, even as an adult, she retained some of that wild spirit.
The memory of tricking Little Red Riding Hood into giving him an apple came to mind. She'd stamped her feet, pretending to be upset, and then stormed off. Thinking about it now, William couldn't help but find it amusing. An out-and-out witch, indeed.
He inspected the slingshot more closely. There was something special about it. Sure enough, the moment he focused on it, more details revealed themselves.
---
[Name: Little Red Riding Hood's Slingshot]
[Quality: Excellent]
[Note: Little Red Riding Hood pulled the elastic rubber band from her goose-down red hat and harvested the roots of a ghost tree demon to craft her first magical weapon.]
[Always Hit the Target: Young Red Riding Hood's aim wasn't great, so she inscribed a spell on the slingshot to guarantee she'd always hit her mark. However, due to the passage of time, the enchantment has weakened, and the hit rate is now only 80%.]
---
"What the—!" William exclaimed in shock. Was this really such a fine piece of equipment? He double-checked, remembering how the game categorized items: [Normal], [Excellent], [Rare], and even higher tiers. Most players would start with something mundane, but here he was, holding an enchanted slingshot!
And as if that weren't enough, the Scarecrow's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Here, take these too." It gestured toward its body, where William dug out five stones, each about the size of a date.
"These were left over from the time when Little Red Riding Hood borrowed arrows with a straw boat," the Scarecrow explained. "Most of them passed through my body, but a few... well, they got stuck."
William was stunned yet again.
---
[Name: Magic Stone Found by Little Red Riding Hood]
[Quality: Excellent]
[Instructions: One-time consumable, originating from the fragments of a Stone Elf]
[Angry Stone: When hitting a target, there is a high chance of activating the latent magic within the stone, causing critical penetration damage (double damage).]
---
William could barely contain his excitement. Was his luck finally turning around after all these lifetimes? These magic stones were precious treasures! No wonder they hadn't activated inside the Scarecrow's body, if they had, they would have burst right through it instead of being lodged inside.
As he dug through the Scarecrow's straw body for the stones, he noticed the poor thing was starting to look worse for wear. Some of its straw was spilling out. Sensing that he had done enough damage, William stopped when the Scarecrow started shouting, "Enough! Enough! Any more, and I'll fall apart!"
William chuckled and patted the Scarecrow on the shoulder. "Thanks, old friend. When I strike it rich, I won't forget you."
The Scarecrow blinked with simple gratitude. "It's enough that you've spoken to me," it replied, its thoughts as straightforward as always.
Just as William was preparing to leave, the Scarecrow suddenly called out. "Wait! There's something else."
William turned, curious. "What is it?"
"In half a month, it'll be a full moon. I fear something terrible may happen then. I've tried to warn the villagers, but no one listens. Can you help me check out Crow Ridge before that time?"
William paused, absorbing the gravity of the request. Full moon nights, in a magical world like this, never boded well. "I'll see what I can do," he said, nodding in agreement.
With that, William finally took his leave, heading out to explore more of Moonlight Village. As he walked away, the Scarecrow resumed its quiet vigil over the fields, watching over the vast farmland in front of it and the peaceful village behind.
Day after day, it stood in its usual spot, awaiting whatever the full moon might bring, hoping that this time someone would be prepared for what was to come.