The morning sun shone over the village. The sound of roosters echoed back and forth.
"Alright, wake up, everyone. We've got lots to do today." said Davorin.
"Yawn... is it morning already?" Lena mumbled.
"Ugh, my whole body hurts... sleeping on the ground like this is no joke." groaned Ailsa.
"Oh no no no... I really need to use the bathroom." Garran said, sprinting off.
"Good morning, senpai." Georgia greeted.
"Morning, Georgia." Davorin replied, standing up and walking toward the inn's door.
"Eh? Where're you going this early, senpai?" Georgia asked, rubbing her eyes.
"Just going out for some fresh air." Davorin said.
"Oh, alright then. Be careful out there." Georgia replied.
"Hahah, no need to worry." Davorin said with a small smile as he stepped outside.
The sun was peeking through the forest trees, and the crisp morning air brushed against Davorin's face.
"Phew... so this is what clean, unpolluted air feels like." he murmured.
He wandered through the village. The houses, made of old bricks, were crumbling and full of holes, worn down by time.
"Hmm, the houses here are in bad shape. The inn wasn't any better." he thought.
He watched as the villagers began their daily routines. Wanting to be friendly, he approached them.
"Good morning, sir." he greeted one of them.
But instead of responding, they ignored him and walked away.
Davorin didn't take it personally. "Maybe they're just not comfortable with strangers like me." he thought.
He continued walking toward the edge of the village. Beyond the boundary, he saw sprawling rice fields but instead of lush green crops, the fields were dry and withered.
"So it's true, just like the village chief said. This village really is facing a food crisis." Davorin said quietly.
"And that invisible wall doesn't seem to be here… but if the objective starts, it could shrink the area." he thought again.
After taking in the scene for a moment, he turned back toward the inn. As he walked, he noticed an old woman standing by the side of the road.
Ignoring how the villagers had treated him earlier, he greeted her warmly.
"Good morning, ma'am." he said with a friendly smile as he passed by.
"Child… be careful with yourself!" the old woman rasped.
"Huh?" Davorin quickly turned around.
But she was gone disappeared without a trace.
"Eh? She's gone… and what did she mean, 'be careful'?" he wondered aloud.
Feeling uneasy, he hurried back to the inn.
A little while later, he arrived at the inn's courtyard, where his party was gathered. Lena was talking with the village chief.
"Good morning, chief." Davorin greeted him.
"Morning, Davorin." the chief replied.
"What're you two discussing so early?" Davorin asked.
"The chief asked us to help some of the villagers with hunting." Lena explained.
"That's right, Davorin. Since our crops failed, hunting is the only way we can get food now." said Dougal, the village chief.
"So, Davorin, would you lend us a hand?" Dougal asked.
Davorin thought for a moment. "Hmm, we're out of food ourselves. It wouldn't be a bad idea to help and they know the area better than us." he considered.
"Alright, chief. We'll help with the hunt." Davorin agreed.
"Glad to hear it. The more help we have, the better. There aren't many young folks left here." Dougal said.
"Yeah, besides, we need to gather food anyway. Haha." Davorin chuckled.
"Alright, everyone, gather up!" Davorin called to his party.
They slowly approached him.
"First things first—anyone here got hunting experience?" Davorin asked.
"Hmm, I guess I'm pretty good at it. It's a bit of a hobby." said Ewan.
Davorin nodded. "Good. We'll need all the skills we can get."
"Anyone else?" he asked.
The group exchanged glances, then Ailsa raised her hand.
"Me! I used to go hunting with my dad a lot." she said.
"Great. Oh, chief, how many villagers will be joining us?" Davorin asked.
"Only three of us can hunt now." Dougal replied.
"Only three? Wait, how many villagers are left?" Davorin asked, surprised.
"With the food crisis and disease, there are only about fifteen of us left. Mostly the elderly and children. The younger folks have fled." Dougal explained.
"The village is worse off than I thought." Davorin thought grimly.
Suddenly, someone called out from afar.
"Hey, Chief Dougal!" a voice shouted.
A burly man in a thick wool coat approached, with two others following.
"We're ready to go. You said there were travelers joining us?" the man asked. A large axe hung from his belt.
"Perfect timing. Let me introduce them." Dougal said, motioning Davorin over.
The three newcomers eyed Davorin curiously. Their breaths came out as mist in the cold morning air.
"This is Davorin, a traveler from afar." Dougal said.
The big man thumped his chest. "I'm Hamish McCrae. I'm a carpenter here, but I'm no amateur when it comes to hunting."
Next to him stood a lean man with sharp eyes and a well-kept longbow. "Marco MacLeod. I set traps in the forest. Might already have some catches today." His smile was thin and knowing.
Finally, a young woman with braided red hair and bright green eyes stepped forward. A silver dagger and a pouch of herbs hung at her waist. "Moira Sinclair. I'm handy with a blade and skinning animals is my specialty." She smiled briefly.
Hamish nodded. "If you're willing, we'd be happy to have you along. The more, the better."
Moira glanced at Logan nearby. "You look pretty strong, old man," she teased with a smile.
"Hah! You've got good eyes, kid. Of course I'm strong! Hahaha!" Logan roared with laughter.
Marco sighed, checking his bowstring. "The sooner we start, the better."
Dougal looked to Davorin. "Well? They're pretty skilled."
"Yeah, they look like professional," Davorin said.
"I'm Davorin. Nice to meet you." he said, shaking Hamish's hand.
"Nice to meet you too. Let's head out soon." Hamish replied.
"You guys go ahead to the village gate. My team needs to prep our gear it won't take long." Davorin said, patting Hamish on the shoulder.
"Alright, but if you're too slow, we're leaving without you. Moira, let's go!" Hamish called as he walked off.
"Yeah, yeah, so impatient." Moira grumbled, following.
"We won't be long." Davorin assured them.
Georgia walked over. "So, what's the plan, senpai?"
"We're getting ready. Everyone, grab your gear!" Davorin shouted.
Hamish, Moira, and Marco reached the gate.
"What do you think about them, Moira?" Hamish asked.
"They don't seem like bad people. My gut says they're okay." Moira replied.
"You've got good instincts, so I trust you." Hamish said.
"Still, we should be cautious. They are strangers." Marco added.
"Don't worry, if anything happens, I'll handle it! Haha!" Hamish boomed.
"That overconfidence will get you killed, idiot." Marco muttered.
"Hahaha!" Hamish laughed loudly.
Soon after, Davorin and his party arrived at the gate.
"Yo, let's go." Davorin said.
He carried two swords on his back. Georgia had her bow ready. Logan was empty-handed, Ewan had his shield strapped to his back, and Ailsa had her dagger at her waist. But Garran and Lena weren't there.
"Wasn't there one more guy and a girl?" Hamish asked.
"They're helping the chief gather firewood." Davorin explained.
"Alright then, let's head out while it's still early." Hamish said.
"Yeah, let's hope we get a good haul today." Davorin replied.
"Hmm, looks like others can use weapons summoned from Devices too… and this leather armor can be camouflaged." Davorin thought.
Together, they headed into the forest.
A little while later, they reached its edge.
"Alright, let's split into two groups. Wanna come with me, Davorin?" Hamish asked.
"Sure. I'll take Georgia and Logan with me. Georgia's an amazing archer she's even won a tournament," Davorin said.
"Okay, Marco, Moira you two go with Davorin other teammates," Hamish instructed.
Marco looked uneasy.
Hamish leaned in. "Relax. Nothing will happen."
"Alright. Let's start hunting." Hamish said.
Hamish, Davorin, Georgia, and Logan entered the forest.
"So, your names are Ailsa and Ewan, right? The chief told us," Moira said.
"Yeah. So, what now?" Ailsa asked.
"First, we'll check my traps. Here, carry these." Marco said, handing them baskets.
"What is this for?" Ailsa asked.
"Do I have to explain everything?" Marco snapped.
"Oh, sorry, I was just making small talk." Ailsa said.
Marco headed off in a different direction.
"Don't take it personally. He's just being wary of strangers."
"It's okay, I would be like that too if I met a stranger. Right, Ewan?" Ailsa said.
Ewan just nodded.
"You're always so quiet. Haha!" Ailsa laughed, patting his back.
"Hey, Moira, come help me with this rabbit and take this rabbit to the basket!" Marco called.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming." Moira replied.
"Come on, you two." Moira smiled at Ailsa and Ewan.
Meanwhile, Davorin and his group moved deeper into the forest.
"Have you hunted before, Davorin?" Hamish asked.
"Not really. This is my first time, haha." Davorin chuckled.
"If a beast shows up, I'll just punch it out! Hahaha!" Logan laughed.
"Shh, quiet! Look." Hamish whispered, pointing to deer tracks on the ground.
"Deer tracks... looks like it's nearby." Hamish said.
"Let's follow them. Our prey's close." he added.
Georgia suddenly felt like something was watching her from the bushes.
"Huh?" She quickly turned around.
"Was something watching me just now?" she wondered.
"Come on, Georgia! Don't fall behind." Davorin called.
"R-right! I'm coming, senpai." Georgia said, still a bit uneasy.
They ventured deeper into the forest, reaching the place where they'd once been chased by the Redcap.
"Senpai..." Georgia whispered, grabbing Davorin's hand.
"It's okay, Georgia." Davorin reassured her.
"Look over there." Davorin said, pointing ahead.
A lake shimmered in the distance.
"You were right, Georgia. There really is a lake past this forest." Davorin said.
"Hey, Hamish, how much further?" Logan asked.
"Not much. The tracks are fresh—I'm sure the deer's nearby." Hamish replied, readying his axe.
"Alright, Georgia, get your bow ready. You're our best shot." Davorin instructed.