The villagers, going about their morning routines, paused as they noticed Leiurus approaching, followed closely by three unfamiliar figures. Their wary eyes darted between Leiurus and the newcomers, who bore the marks of battle—torn clothes, hastily bandaged wounds, and expressions that hinted at exhaustion and tension.
Whispers spread among the villagers as they eyed the trio with curiosity and concern. Some muttered about potential danger, others speculated on their story, but all of them seemed reassured when Leiurus gave them a calm, reassuring nod. He met each of their glances, silently conveying that these people were no threat.
Leiurus turned to the three adventurers as they paused in front of the village elder's house. "I just realized I didn't even ask your names," he admitted, slightly embarrassed.
The elf woman stepped forward, still a bit shaky but trying to regain her composure. "My name is Elara Syltharyn," she said, her voice steadying as she spoke. Her clothes were made of dark green leather, clearly suited for an archer, with a long hooded cloak and a quiver strapped to her back.
The man beside her, a tall figure with blonde hair and a rugged, weathered look, introduced himself next. "I'm Kaelen Hartfell." He wore simple but sturdy leather armor, and his belt held various small pouches, possibly containing herbs or potions, indicating his role as a healer or support within their group.
The last of the three, a young man with striking silver hair and red eyes that seemed to burn with a quiet intensity, gave a short bow. "I'm Riven Marcellis," he said curtly. His clothing was predominantly black and red, and he carried a pair of short swords at his sides, hinting at his role as a close-combat fighter.
Leiurus nodded, committing their names and appearances to memory. "It's good to meet you, even under… less than ideal circumstances."
Kaelen cleared his throat, glancing at Elara, who nodded in encouragement. He spoke up, his tone somber, "We were part of a larger party, here on an expedition to explore the forest's depths. We encountered various low-tier monsters, nothing we couldn't handle. But then…" His voice faltered.
"A high-class monster appeared out of nowhere," Elara continued. "It attacked with such ferocity… we barely escaped with our lives." She glanced away, her eyes clouded with the memories of her fallen comrades.
Leiurus listened, noting the way their voices hesitated and the occasional flickers of guilt and hesitation in their expressions. Though he sensed there was more to their story, he decided to let them speak when they were ready. He simply nodded, "Thank you for sharing. Rest easy; you're safe here for now."
As they stepped forward, Leiurus sent a quick telepathic message to Grimfang, relaying what he'd learned about the high-class monster that had attacked the group.
Grimfang's voice echoed back with a mixture of intrigue and determination. "A high-class monster lurking nearby? I'll go investigate and handle it. No need for this forest to harbor anything that threatens the village."
Leiurus felt a smile tug at his lips. "Thank you, Grimfang. We're lucky to have you looking out for us."
"No need to thank me, Leiurus," Grimfang replied with a hint of pride. "This is my duty as the guardian of the forest and this village." And with that, Leiurus sensed Grimfang's presence fade as he bounded away, his powerful form nearly blending with the wind as he headed into the forest.
.
The village elder, who had been waiting on the doorstep of his house, looked at Leiurus and the newcomers with a mixture of surprise and warmth. "Leiurus, it's always a pleasure to see you. And these visitors…?"
Leiurus explained the situation briefly, and the elder nodded, his expression shifting to one of concern. "Of course, they may rest here. The village has always been a place of sanctuary." He gestured to the three adventurers. "You are welcome here. May our village provide you with the peace you need to recover."
The trio expressed their gratitude, bowing respectfully to the elder and Leiurus. Settling into the village elder's home, they took a moment to catch their breath in the living room, sharing more details about their expedition, the various monsters they encountered, and the sudden onslaught from the high-class creature.
Leiurus listened carefully, noting the gaps in their story. He sensed they were holding back, but he didn't push them, respecting their privacy for the time being. However, he couldn't ignore the looming implications of their presence and the mention of a high-class monster.
The elder seemed to consider this as well. "The guild may send a scouting team in the coming days," he murmured, his voice contemplative. "To either locate you or confirm what happened to your party."
Leiurus turned to the elder, his interest piqued. "The guild?"
The elder nodded. "Ah, I forgot you wouldn't be familiar with it." And so, the elder began explaining, detailing the guild's role, its regional branches, and how it operated within each nation. He described how guilds managed adventurer rankings, coordinated expeditions, and handled reports of monster sightings and territorial conflicts. The guild was integral to the stability of various regions, ensuring trained adventurers could handle threats to settlements.
Leiurus absorbed the information, marveling at the complexities of this world. So that's how they maintain balance with all these monsters and spirit beasts around, he mused.
Realizing a guild scouting party could lead to increased attention on the village, Leiurus turned to the adventurers with a slightly amused smile. "It seems we may have to get used to outsiders visiting from time to time. No worries; it was bound to happen eventually."
The trio exchanged apologetic glances, but Leiurus and the elder waved off their concerns, assuring them it was a natural outcome of living so close to the forest's unknowns.
As they continued their conversation, memories of his old life surfaced in Leiurus's mind. Thoughts of those adventurous cartoons his grandchildren watched with magic, monsters, and heroes battling across vast lands brought a smile to his face.
He quickly refocused, pushing the nostalgia aside. With the topic returning to the high-class monster, Leiurus asked the elder if it was possible to ensure that the forest's monsters would avoid the village.
The elder stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Grimfang's presence acts as a deterrent for most creatures, but there are some that might challenge his authority. It's a delicate balance."
Leiurus made a mental note to keep this in mind. The mix of adventurers, monsters, and spirit beasts meant the village would need to adapt to maintain its peace.
Suddenly, Leiurus heard the voice of the world again.
New Traits Acquired: [Thought Acceleration]. [Photographic Memory].
Leiurus felt the effects immediately, as if his mind was processing information at lightning speed. His thoughts became sharper, and memories seemed to settle with perfect clarity. He marveled at the sudden expansion of his mental capabilities but couldn't help feeling a slight worry about the Voice of the World's involvement in his evolution.
Why does it keep helping me so directly? he wondered, recalling what Elyndra and Grimfang had said about the rarity of the Voice of the World interacting with anyone so frequently.
Nonetheless, he couldn't deny the excitement of his newfound abilities. His mind felt sharper than ever, and he looked forward to using these skills to benefit the village and protect his newfound friends.