We were traveling back to our camp, with Lucas now accompanying us.
As we journeyed, my mind kept drifting back to the information he had shared.
I had believed that while talented individuals existed, no one would have established settlements this early—at least, not on a significant scale.
Learning about Riverdale Village shattered that assumption.
Its formation was a chain of coincidences. The river had split into two before merging again, creating a massive island.
This natural isolation prevented both beasts and people from easily reaching it.
And on this island, a genius from Earth had emerged—someone so powerful that even Lucas couldn't estimate his strength.
From the very start, this individual had hunted relentlessly, eliminating the island's beasts at an astonishing pace.
His efforts inadvertently saved others who had also arrived there.
Grateful and in need of stability, they rallied behind him, leading to the formation of the village.
Conveniently, an ancient stone village already existed on the island—eerily similar to the one we had just explored, though in far better condition.
These circumstances shaped Riverdale Village into a formidable settlement.
This revelation humbled me.
While Riverdale's rise might have been coincidental, I couldn't ignore the likelihood that many other powerful and intelligent individuals from Earth were also establishing their own strongholds.
Some might even surpass Riverdale. My recent successes had briefly filled me with pride, but now I understood—I couldn't afford complacency.
Staying at the forefront was the only way forward.
Lucas's description of the genius piqued my curiosity.
I wanted to meet this individual and, if beneficial, even join Riverdale Village.
There was also a possibility of hidden chambers within its ruins, a prospect too enticing to ignore.
During our journey, Lucas continued to provide details about the village. Yet, I could tell he was holding back—his intent was clear.
He wanted us to join before revealing everything. By the time we reached camp, I had already made up my mind.
As soon as we arrived, everyone gathered to greet us.
Their eyes darted around, searching for Robert. I met their questioning gazes and solemnly shook my head. A wave of shock rippled through the group.
For me, Robert had been just another survival companion. But to them, he was much more.
The hardships they had endured together had forged strong bonds.
Losing him was a devastating blow, especially for those who had been with him the longest.
Jia, in particular, was inconsolable, wailing in grief. The sorrow was palpable.
Beyond the emotional impact, Robert had been the strongest among them. His loss left them vulnerable.
They didn't yet know that we planned to leave for Riverdale, but I could sense an unspoken fear—they were beginning to realize the harsh truth.
In this cruel, indifferent world, survival was never guaranteed.
After a while, the mourning subsided, and Lucas formally introduced himself, explaining his intentions.
No one objected to following him.
Why would they?
Riverdale offered security, and they had just witnessed the death of their strongest member.
Freedom was important, but survival mattered more.
Some might have even accepted servitude if it meant safety.
Time was short. Lucas would return to his team in a week, and we had to be ready. The decision was made—we would depart at first light.
With night falling, we ended the discussion and returned to our shelters.
I focused on packing my belongings, but first, I needed to assess the items I had recovered from beneath the stone floor.
As I emptied my findings, disappointment settled in.
Most of what I had retrieved seemed underwhelming.
The first set of items was a collection of 42 coins, identical to the one I had found earlier, bringing my total to 43.
They were made of an unknown material with a dark reddish hue. Among them were five similar coins, but these were gray—likely of a different denomination.
'I hope these hold great value.'
Despite my initial disappointment, I reminded myself that the trip hadn't been in vain.
I had used up only my poison and managed to eliminate a potential enemy. It was still a net gain.
Next, I examined a fist-sized ore.
Carefully stored, it was either of significant monetary value or a rare material for crafting weapons.
It wasn't immediately useful, but it had potential.
Then there was a bracelet—cracked, in poor condition, but intact. Its purpose was unclear.
Hopefully, it was more than just a decorative piece.
Finally, the most intriguing find—an irregularly shaped object, neither entirely stone nor anything else I recognized.
Vein-like lines ran across its surface, resembling a fragment of skin that had peeled away from something.
When I pinched it, it was firm but not entirely rigid.
What was this?
I had no idea, but I suspected it was a treasure of immense value.
The frustration of my ignorance gnawed at me.
This world was still a mystery, and without the right knowledge, I was like a man sitting atop a mountain of gold without the means to dig it up.
Now, the question remained—what to do with these treasures?
Taking everything with me was risky.
If Riverdale's leaders confiscated them, I would lose out completely. It was a tough decision, but I had to play it safe.
The best course of action was to hide the most valuable items and only carry what I could use immediately.
After careful thought, I settled on taking the strange ore and three reddish coins.
One coin would be offered to Riverdale as a goodwill gesture, while the others would serve as test pieces to uncover their value.
The ore might help me find a blacksmith or someone who could identify it quickly.
Everything else—the remaining coins, the bracelet, and the strange vein-like stone—would be hidden here for later retrieval.
For supplies, I packed my most compatible weapons—spears, a knife, and my bow with arrows.
Unfortunately, all my venomous arrows had been used, and my poison was depleted.
The only exception was half a bottle of Aracea paralysis medicine, which I kept in case it proved useful again.
With everything set, I was ready.
Tomorrow, a new journey awaited.
Riverdale Village held many possibilities, and I was eager to uncover them.