The forest, now behind him, had become a familiar yet unsettling backdrop. After completing his first hunt and unlocking the new spell, Yuuto felt a sense of progress. His mana control had improved, and with his new Arcane Bind spell, he could handle tougher situations. But the forest, with its strange creatures and ambient magic, was not a place to stay long-term. He needed answers, guidance, and perhaps even allies.
As the System displayed a notification of his quest's completion, it immediately flashed a new message before him.
[New Quest Unlocked: Journey to Ravenwood]
Objective: Locate the village of Ravenwood, the nearest settlement. Discover more about Aetheria and seek out potential allies.]
Reward: 30 EXP, Basic Skill: Map Reading
Failure: Risk of becoming lost or vulnerable to further attacks.
"A village?" Yuuto muttered, squinting at the screen. Ravenwood—an actual settlement meant people, or at least beings capable of communication. His heart lifted slightly. Maybe there, he could get more answers about where he was and how to survive. The thought of meeting others brought a sense of hope, but it was also laced with uncertainty. Would the villagers be hostile? Or would they be the key to unlocking more knowledge about Aetheria?
With renewed determination, Yuuto headed in the direction the System indicated, following the faint pulse of light that led him northward. The path through the forest became less dense, and the oppressive atmosphere slowly gave way to a clearer, more defined trail. The further he went, the more the signs of civilization appeared. Small footprints dotted the dirt trail, and occasional wooden signs pointed in various directions, marked with symbols he didn't yet recognize.
[Time remaining: 5 hours until sunset.]
Yuuto quickened his pace. He had no desire to be out here after dark again. Even though he was growing stronger, the memory of his fight with the Mana Leeches reminded him how close to death he had been. He wouldn't survive forever without allies or a better understanding of this world.
After what felt like hours of walking, Yuuto caught sight of something through the trees: wooden rooftops peeking out from behind the foliage. The trail opened into a wide, grassy area where a small village nestled at the edge of the forest. Ravenwood.
Yuuto exhaled a breath of relief as he approached. The village was modest—simple wooden cottages lined the main dirt road, and a larger building, likely a tavern or meeting hall, stood near the center. People bustled about, some tending to gardens, others carrying supplies between buildings. It wasn't grand, but after days of wandering alone, it felt like a beacon of safety.
He stepped cautiously into the village, unsure of how he would be received. The villagers seemed ordinary enough, dressed in simple clothes, their expressions ranging from tired to cheerful as they went about their daily lives. For a moment, Yuuto hesitated at the village entrance. Should he approach someone? Should he ask for help?
Before he could decide, a gruff voice called out to him.
"You there! New face in town, are ya?"
Yuuto turned to see a stout, older man walking toward him. The man's face was weathered with age, his thick beard streaked with gray, but his eyes were sharp and calculating. He wore a tunic and pants, much like the other villagers, but his bearing and the large axe strapped to his back suggested he was more than just a simple farmer.
"Uh, yeah," Yuuto replied awkwardly. "I'm… new here. Just passing through, I guess."
The man stopped in front of him, eyeing him up and down with suspicion before giving a slow nod. "Name's Brann, the village elder. Ravenwood doesn't get many visitors, especially not ones lookin' as… unprepared as you." He raised an eyebrow. "You lost, boy?"
Yuuto hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But Brann's stern yet not unkind demeanor made him feel like he could trust the man. "I don't know if 'lost' is the right word. More like… I don't know where I am. This world isn't exactly familiar to me."
Brann's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, the man seemed to study Yuuto's face, searching for some hidden meaning in his words. Then, with a grunt, he waved a hand, motioning for Yuuto to follow.
"Come on then, lad. Let's not talk out here in the open. Follow me to the tavern. You can explain more inside."
The Ravenwood Tavern was a small but cozy establishment, its wooden walls lined with various knick-knacks and old relics from past adventurers. The air smelled faintly of stew and ale, and the low murmur of villagers chatting filled the space. A fire crackled in the hearth, adding warmth to the otherwise dimly lit room.
Brann led Yuuto to a table in the corner, away from prying eyes, and motioned for him to sit. He called for a drink, then turned back to Yuuto with a serious expression.
"Now, let's hear it," Brann said, leaning forward. "What's your story? And how in the name of Aetheria did you end up wandering into this village like a lost pup?"
Yuuto took a deep breath and began to explain—at least the parts he could make sense of. He told Brann about waking up in the forest, the strange creatures he had encountered, and the Ascendant System that had appeared before him, guiding him through each step. He left out the part about his former life on Earth for now, unsure of how Brann would react to the idea of someone being from another world.
Brann listened intently, his brows furrowed in thought. When Yuuto finished, the village elder sat back in his chair, rubbing his chin.
"An Ascendant System, you say?" Brann muttered. "Now that's somethin' I haven't heard in a long time. Most people in these parts don't even know what an Ascendant is, let alone have a System guiding them."
Yuuto's ears perked up. "So you know about it? The Ascendant System?"
Brann nodded slowly. "Aye, I've heard stories. Legends, really. The Ascendant System is somethin' tied to the ancient heroes of Aetheria. It's said that long ago, the gods chose certain individuals to rise above the rest—to become more than mortal, to fight in the wars that shaped this world. But those times are long gone, boy. The gods don't choose champions anymore, and no one's seen an Ascendant in centuries."
Yuuto swallowed, processing the weight of Brann's words. "So… does that mean I'm one of those chosen? Some kind of hero?"
Brann chuckled, though there was no humor in it. "Don't get too full of yourself, lad. Just because you've got a fancy System don't mean you're invincible. You've still got a long road ahead of you, and trust me, the world ain't gonna roll over just because you've got some divine favor."
Yuuto nodded, appreciating the man's blunt honesty. He had no illusions of grandeur. If anything, he felt more out of his depth than ever. But at least now, he had some idea of what was happening—he wasn't just randomly thrown into this world. The Ascendant System was part of something bigger, something ancient, and maybe even something tied to his purpose in this strange land.
"Still," Brann continued, "you're better off here in Ravenwood than wanderin' around the wilderness. We may be a small village, but we take care of our own. You're welcome to stay, rest up, and get your bearings. I reckon you'll be needin' some gear if you plan on travelin' further."
Yuuto sighed in relief. "Thank you. I really appreciate it."
Brann waved a hand dismissively. "Ain't no need for thanks. Just make sure you don't get yourself killed out there. And if you want to learn more about this world, talk to Old Man Brann, down by the forge. He's been around long enough to know more about Aetheria than most."
Yuuto nodded, making a mental note to visit the village's blacksmith. Brann stood up, giving Yuuto one last appraising look before turning to leave.
"One last thing, lad," Brann said over his shoulder. "In these lands, trust is earned, not given. People will be wary of you, especially with talk of Systems and Ascendants. Don't expect them to roll out the welcome mat."
With that, Brann left Yuuto alone at the table, his words lingering in the air.
[Quest Complete: Journey to Ravenwood]
Reward: 30 EXP, Basic Skill: Map Reading unlocked.
Yuuto felt a small pulse of energy as the quest completion flashed across his vision. He opened the System to check his new skill.
[Skill Unlocked: Map Reading]
Description: Grants the ability to decipher maps and locate key areas more efficiently.
The skill wasn't flashy, but it would definitely help if he ever came across a map of Aetheria. For now, though, Yuuto leaned back in his chair, taking in the warmth of the tavern and the murmurs of the villagers around him.
He wasn't alone anymore. The village of Ravenwood might not have been a grand city, but it was a place to start—a place where he could gather his strength, learn more about the world, and prepare for whatever lay ahead.
But even as he rested, the words Ascendant System echoed in his mind. He couldn't shake the feeling that his journey was only just beginning—and that far greater challenges awaited him beyond the safety of this small village.