Ara's stomach growled loudly, a constant reminder of her dire situation that at hand. She had spent the entire day wandering through the forest and exploring the small, decrepit cottage she had found. But she had not found food. And after a long day of searching, her body was beginning to weaken from the lack of food and water. Her mind raced with thoughts of survival in this crazy new world, but as the sun began to set, she couldn't ignore the gnawing hunger any longer.
With no other options, she decided to venture into the nearby village that she had spotted much earlier. The faint sound of voices carried through the wind, offering a faint hope that she might find something to eat or someone who could help her.
As Ara walked through the dirt road that led to the village, she couldn't shake the sense of unease that settled deep in her gut. The air was thick with distrust, and the villagers barely glanced at her as she passed. Their eyes were cold and calculating, their expressions stern and unwelcoming. She quickly realized that this was not a place where kindness was freely given. She was an outsider—nothing more than a stranger with nothing to offer.
A group of children ran past her, their laughter echoing in the air. But when one of them noticed her, their face turned sour, and they whispered harshly to each other before running off.
The sharp sting of rejection hit her harder than she expected, and she pushed through the pain, determined to survive. She continued walking down the dirt path, hoping for something—anything—that would help her through this harsh new world.
Her thoughts were interrupted when a gruff voice called out from behind her.
"Hey, you there! What's your business in our village?"
Ara froze on a quick spot, her heart pounding in her chest. She turned to face the source of the voice, only to see a burly man blocking her path. His eyes were dark, and his expression held an air of authority, as though he ruled this place.
"I..... I'm just passing through," Ara stammered out those words, trying to mask the weakness in her voice.
The man stepped closer, his gaze hardening.
"You don't look like you're just passing through the village. You look like someone who's starving and desperate. What's your real game here, girl?"
Ara's heart skipped a beat as he asked. She wasn't sure what kind of people lived in this village, but she knew she wasn't about to make the wrong impression. "I just need food and water. I'm new here," she said, her voice barely a whisper.
The man's lips curled into a sneer.
"Food comes with a price around here. Nothing is free here young lady. And if you want to survive, you better learn that quickly."
Before Ara could respond to the man word, she heard the clatter of hooves and the rustling of armor. A group of men on horseback came into view, their faces masked by the dark hoods they wore. They looked like bandits, and the sharp glint in their eyes sent a shiver down her spine.
"Looks like we've found ourselves a little snack, eh?" one of the bandits sneered, grinning wickedly.
Ara's pulse quickened as they surrounded her. Panic surged within her, but she didn't know what to do. She had no weapon, no defense, just the empty, fear that grew with every second they closed in on her.
Suddenly, the burly man stepped back, his eyes widening in surprise.
"What's going on here?" he growled, his voice laced with fear and something that was uncertain. "Who do you think you're dealing with?"
A man emerged from the shadows, stepping forward with quiet confidence. His appearance was different from the bandits, tall and lean, dressed in a long, dark cloak that billowed with every step. His face was hidden beneath the hood, but the faint glow of his eyes could be seen from underneath.
"I suggest you step aside," the stranger said, his voice cold and commanding.
The bandits hesitated, eyeing each other uncertainly. The air was thick with tension, but the mysterious man's presence was undeniable.
The leader of the bandits sneered.
"And what if we don't do so, huh? You think you can stop us?"
Without extra warning, the stranger raised a hand, and in the blink of an eye, a burst of energy erupted from his palm. The bandits were thrown back, their weapons falling to the ground with a loud clatter.
Ara gasped in disbelief. The power that surged from the stranger's hand was unlike anything she had ever seen.
"Leave. Now," the man ordered coldly, his voice steady but full of authority.
The bandits, now visibly shaken, scrambled to their feet, their eyes filled with fear as they quickly mounted their horses and fled into the woods.
Ara stood frozen there, unable to comprehend what had just happened. The man turned to her, his gaze piercing through her very soul.
"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice softer now, though still commanding.
"I.... I think so…" Ara managed to stammer out those words, her legs trembling beneath her.
The man studied her for a moment before nodding.
"You should be more careful around here. This village is dangerous than it looks. And if you're planning on staying here, you'll need to learn how to survive with there strict character and rules."
Ara's heart pounded as she tried to make sense of the situation.
"Who are you?"
The man hesitated for a moment, then lowered his hood, revealing sharp features and dark eyes.
"My name is Min-ho. I've been watching you since your first time in the forest."
"Watching me?" Ara repeated, confused at this point. "Why?"
Min-ho's eyes narrowed, his gaze never leaving her.
"I know what you are, Ara. You're not from around here. And you're not as powerless as you think of yourself."
Ara's breath caught hanging in her throat.
"What do you mean by that? How do you even know my name?"
He smirked slightly, though his eyes remained serious.
"Let's just say I have my ways around."
Before she could ask anything else, Min-ho turned his back to her, his voice low but filled with warning.
"The kingdom is ruled by a tyrant. And you'll need more than just food and shelter if you want to make it to the top. You're being watched, I mean all your foot steps, Always."
Ara watched him, a mixture of curiosity and fear swirling within her. The stranger seemed to know far more than he was letting on, and that made her nervous. But for now, she had no choice but to trust him.
"If I want to survive in this world, I need to learn how to fight back," she murmured, more to herself than to Min-ho.
He turned to her, his eyes intense and serious. "Then you better start now, because nothing in this world comes without bloodshed and sword fist."