Liam stepped through the village gates, his [Disguise] in place, the clinking sound of his illusory armor echoing with each step. The air here felt different—less tense than the wilderness he had been navigating for days. Life in the village seemed to pulse with a quiet rhythm, people going about their daily routines, unaware of the hidden power that had just entered their midst. Liam scanned his surroundings, taking in every detail. Rogya Village, though rustic, was larger than he had expected, with mud-brick homes lining the streets and small markets spread throughout.
The villagers bustled about, carrying sacks of grain, herding livestock, or chatting in small groups. Children ran past, playing with wooden toys, their laughter ringing through the air. It was a peaceful scene, almost too peaceful for Liam's liking. His eyes narrowed, and he instinctively kept his guard up, even as he marveled at how ordinary it all felt.
As he walked deeper into the village, he spotted a small tavern nestled between a blacksmith's forge and a general store. A perfect place to gather information. His stomach rumbled slightly—a reminder that he hadn't eaten anything substantial in days. Deciding it was as good a place as any to start, Liam made his way toward the tavern, his feet crunching on the dirt path.
Pushing open the heavy wooden door, Liam was greeted by the smell of cooked meat and the sound of low conversation. The tavern was dimly lit, with wooden beams supporting the ceiling and a stone hearth crackling with fire in the corner. A few patrons sat at scattered tables, mostly villagers, their faces showing the wear of a life spent working the fields. They glanced at him briefly, but quickly returned to their meals or conversations.
Liam made his way to the counter, where the tavern keeper, a burly man with a thick beard and a tired expression, stood cleaning a mug with a dirty rag.
"Traveler, eh?" the tavern keeper grunted, eyeing Liam's illusionary armor and sword. "You look like you've been through a lot. What brings you to Rogya?"
"Just passing through," Liam said, keeping his tone neutral. "I'm looking for some food and perhaps some information."
The tavern keeper nodded. "Well, we've got stew and bread, if you've got the coin. As for information, depends on what you're looking for."
Liam reached into his pouch and produced a few coins, which he slid across the counter. The tavern keeper pocketed them quickly and motioned to one of the serving girls. She brought over a bowl of steaming stew and a small loaf of bread.
Liam thanked her and sat down at a corner table, his back to the wall so he could observe the room. As he ate, he focused on the conversations around him, listening for anything that might be useful. Most of it was mundane—discussions of crop yields, livestock, and the upcoming harvest. However, one conversation between two older men at the table nearest to him caught his attention.
"...strange things happening in the forest again," one of them muttered. "More of those dark wolves, I heard. A few hunters didn't come back last week."
"Yeah, I heard the same," the other replied, lowering his voice. "And it's not just the wolves. Some say there are even more dangerous creatures lurking deeper in. The Shadow Forest ain't what it used to be."
Liam's interest piqued. So, it wasn't just him encountering these creatures. The forest truly was dangerous, and it seemed the villagers were well aware of it. Dark wolves were bad enough, but if there were even worse creatures out there, then he'd have to be more cautious moving forward.
Finishing his meal, Liam stood up and approached the two men. "I couldn't help but overhear. You said there were strange things happening in the forest?"
The two men looked up at him, surprised by the interruption. They glanced at each other before the first man spoke. "Aye, stranger. Dark wolves have been more aggressive lately. We've always had trouble with them, but something's stirred them up. And it ain't just them. Some folks say they've seen… other things. Monsters, shadows moving where they shouldn't be."
Liam nodded, considering the information. "Has anyone gone into the forest to investigate?"
"Some hunters tried," the second man said, "but most don't come back. We lost a few good men last week. It's getting worse, too. We're lucky the wolves haven't come too close to the village."
Liam frowned. Something was clearly wrong with the forest, and it wasn't just natural wildlife acting out of instinct. It sounded like something more sinister was at play, something that could be connected to the dark magic he had sensed when he first arrived in this world. If these wolves and creatures were being controlled or influenced by something deeper in the forest, then it could be worth investigating.
Thanking the men for their information, Liam left the tavern and stepped back into the street. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows over the village. He needed a place to rest for the night, but more importantly, he needed to figure out his next move.
As he wandered the village, he noticed a small market stall with a few weapons displayed on a rack. The blacksmith behind the stall was a wiry man with a soot-covered face, hammering away at a horseshoe. Liam approached, eyeing the wares, even though he doubted anything here would be of use to him.
The blacksmith noticed Liam's interest and wiped his hands on his apron. "Looking for something specific, stranger? We've got good steel here, best in the village."
Liam glanced over the swords, knives, and axes. None of them compared to his [Divine Shield], but he feigned interest nonetheless. "Just browsing. Anything unusual happen around here recently?"
The blacksmith chuckled darkly. "Unusual? Depends what you mean by that. If you're talking about the wolves, yeah, that's unusual. They've been attacking more frequently, and the hunters are getting scared. But if you're looking for something even stranger, some folks say they've seen lights out by the old ruins north of the village."
"Ruins?" Liam's curiosity was piqued once again.
"Yeah, just a bunch of old stones and broken-down buildings. No one goes there anymore, but people say strange things happen around them. Some kind of magic, maybe."
Liam thanked the blacksmith and continued walking. The village might have seemed simple on the surface, but it was clear there were layers of mystery surrounding it—dark wolves, strange ruins, and dangerous creatures lurking in the forest. This world was far more intricate than he had first realized.
As night fell, Liam found a quiet spot near the outskirts of the village to rest. He settled down, his mind racing with possibilities. The wolves and the forest would need further investigation, but the ruins… they could hold valuable secrets.
Lying back and staring up at the stars, Liam smiled to himself. This world was full of surprises. And whatever it had in store for him next, he was ready.