Life of an Hunter

The tall wooden gates of The Village of Honor closed behind Haruto and his companions with a soft creak, sealing them off from the wilds of the forest. The air inside the village felt different—calmer, safer. Villagers bustled about, tending to various tasks, while the faint clang of metal echoed from a blacksmith’s forge in the distance. It was everything they had imagined a beginner village might be: rustic, lively, and filled with the promise of new beginnings.

But Haruto knew better than to let his guard down. Safety was a fleeting illusion in this world.

As they walked through the village streets, the guards who had greeted them at the gates gave the group enthusiastic nods. Being Otherworlders in this place seemed to command a certain level of respect. Haruto noticed a few villagers glance their way, their eyes lingering on the unfamiliar group before they returned to their work.

"Where should we start?" Conor asked, his Irish accent cutting through the noise of the village. He looked eager but tired, the long journey clearly weighing on him.

"We should find somewhere to rest," Celestine suggested, her tone firm but practical. "We’ve been on the road for hours."

Haruto nodded in agreement. "We’ll rest and then assess the village. We need to figure out where to get supplies and possibly find a quest." His voice was calm, but inside he was already planning their next steps. The Village of Honor had a reputation for producing strong warriors, and Haruto had no intention of wasting time.

After a few minutes of wandering through the streets, they found a modest inn near the village square. The sign above the door read The Brave Boar, and inside, it was warm and welcoming. The innkeeper, a stout man with a cheerful grin, greeted them as they entered.

"Otherworlders!" he said with a wide smile. "Welcome to the Village of Honor. You’ve picked the right place to rest. A room for each of you?"

Haruto shook his head. "We’ll take one room," he said, counting their remaining coins. They needed to conserve what little money they had.(From the dungeon reward).

The innkeeper didn’t seem fazed by the request and showed them to a simple room with enough space for them to rest. Once inside, the group set their gear down, finally able to relax for the first time since leaving the dungeon.

Haruto passed around some wolf jerky from his inventory, and they ate quietly, the tension of the journey beginning to lift. Conor stretched out on one of the beds, sighing in relief.

"This place is… better than I expected," he admitted, chewing on a piece of jerky.

Celestine nodded but remained alert. "It’s safe, for now," she said, glancing out the window. "But we can’t let our guard down. We don’t know what this world has in store for us."

Takeshi, sitting near the door, looked deep in thought. "We need to level up fast," he said. "We can’t stay weak for long. Not with the threats out there."

Haruto agreed. The sooner they grew stronger, the better their chances of survival. He stood up. "Rest for a bit. I’m going to look around the village and see what we’re dealing with."

Haruto stepped outside into the cool evening air, leaving his companions behind to rest. The streets of the Village of Honor were still bustling with activity, even as the sun dipped lower on the horizon. He walked through the narrow paths, his eyes scanning the various shops and stands. Blacksmiths hammered away at weapons, while merchants shouted about potions and gear for sale.

He passed by a group of villagers training at a sparring ground near the village center. They moved with precision, their wooden swords clashing as they practiced combat techniques. Some of them were clearly more experienced than others, their movements fluid and practiced.

Haruto paused for a moment, watching the sparring. He noted that the village wasn’t just for beginners; it was a place for players to grow stronger and prove themselves. He would need to take advantage of that.

As he continued walking, his thoughts turned to the quest board. Every village had one—a place where NPCs posted jobs and tasks for players to complete. If they could find a suitable quest, they could level up and earn some gold in the process.

Near the village square, Haruto found what he was looking for—a large wooden quest board filled with notices. He scanned the board quickly, looking for something that would give him and his companions a decent challenge but wouldn’t be too dangerous, given their current levels.

Most of the quests were standard fare: hunting slimes, gathering herbs from the nearby forest, or crafting simple potions. But one quest caught his eye. The parchment was old, yellowed with age, and written in a more formal script than the others.

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Quest: The Lost Relic of Honor

Description: A relic once belonging to a legendary warrior has been lost in the ruins outside the village. It is said that those who find and return it will be rewarded with strength and favor from the Village of Honor’s elders.

Danger: Moderate

Reward: Experience points, a special weapon, and reputation with the Village of Honor.

Note: The ruins are guarded by low-tier monsters, including orcs and wild demons.

Haruto’s eyes narrowed as he read the details. This was exactly what they needed. The Lost Relic would not only give them a tangible reward, but it would also earn them reputation with the village. He could already see the path forward—completing this quest would be their first step toward becoming stronger and making their mark here.

Satisfied with his choice, Haruto pulled the notice from the board and tucked it into his inventory.

By the time Haruto returned to the inn, the sun had nearly set, casting a warm glow over the village. Inside, his companions had finished resting, and the atmosphere in the room was lighter.

"I found us a quest," Haruto announced as he stepped into the room. The others looked up at him with curiosity.

Celestine raised an eyebrow. "What kind of quest?"

"It’s called The Lost Relic of Honor," Haruto explained, pulling the notice from his inventory. "We’ll need to head to the ruins outside the village. There are low-tier monsters there—orcs and wild demons—but the reward is worth the risk."

Takeshi’s eyes gleamed with determination. "That sounds like a good challenge. We need to level up, and this sounds like the perfect opportunity."

Conor grinned. "I’m in. Time to get stronger."

Celestine nodded, her expression serious. "I agree. We can’t stay weak. If we want to survive, we need to take risks."

Haruto folded the notice back into his inventory and met their gazes. "We leave at first light. Rest up tonight. Tomorrow, we begin."

End of Chapter.