As I rode across the vast expanse of the green desert, its endlessness stretching out before me, I couldn't help but marvel at the tranquility of the landscape. The road was relatively smooth, with only a few encounters with timid monsters that quickly fled at the sight of me. So far, my journey had been remarkably uneventful, but in a good way.

  Despite traveling light, with nothing more than my cloak, Impotence, the staff, and Misfortune, my newly named short wand, I lacked for nothing in this desolate terrain. Animals such as wild rabbits provided sustenance, easily caught with my spells and ice magic. Starting a fire proved more challenging than hunting, but I managed. Water, on the other hand, was easily procured with my ice magic, though the sight of me licking ice for hydration was rather pitiful.

  Overall, things were sailing smoothly, but if I were to nitpick, the monotony of the journey was starting to wear on me. As much as I relished solitude, the "sameness," if that’s even a word, of the landscape made me long for someone to share the journey with, if only to break the monotony. Everything, rocks, patches of grass, hills, and distant mountains, seemed like a remix of the same elements, albeit rearranged in different patterns. While not as desolate as a proper desert, the lack of diversity was becoming tiresome after three days of uninterrupted riding.

  To keep myself occupied, I counted cacti and engaged in one-sided conversations with Veilleuse, my trusty steed. Speaking to myself was another pastime, though I refrained from doing so out loud, lest I be deemed truly unhinged. Most of the time, my internal monologues revolved around daydreaming about the future or analyzing my system interface for ways to enhance my strength, the ultimate currency in this world.

  ---

  [ Arianna’s Interface ]

  Name: Arianna

  Level: 12

  Race: Highbreed

  Class: Hexcaster

  Title: Frostbinder Adept, Blessed of Sorcery, Dread Seer

  Experience: 8207 / 13230

  [Status]- H.P: 37 / 37

  - M.P: 1137 / 1180 (+401)

  - S.P: 21 / 57

  - Fatigue: 7%

  - Defense: 30

  - Offense: 248

  [Attributes]

  - Strength: 2

  - Agility: 5

  - Constitution: 8

  - Intelligence: 21

  - Wisdom: 29

  - Charisma: 20

  - Faith: 4

  - Luck: 5

  [Skills]- Hydroblast: Level 4

  - Identification: Level 7

  - Ice Magic: Level 5

  - Frost Shards: Level 6

  - Frost Burst detonation: Level 3

  - Eagle Eye: Level 4

  - Glacial Eclipse: Level 4

  - Frostbound Stride: Level 5

  - Lowered Temperature: Level 6

  - Mana Reservoir: Level 4

  - Winter Clutch: Level 7

  - Frost Glide: Level 3

  - Amplified Frostbite: Level 6

  - Inflict Frostbite: Level 6

  - Cryognize: Level 4

  - Hexed Frost Lance Conjuration: Level 4

  - Hexed Frost Sword Conjuration: Level 4

  - Hexed Frost Dagger Conjuration: Level 4

  [Abilities]- Elemental Affinity (Ice): Unlocked

  - Debilitating Surge: Unlocked

  - Negative Resonance: Locked

  - Legacy of Agony: Locked

  - Ice lesser Immunity: Unlocked

  - Ice Mild Immunity: Unlocked

  - Ice Greater Immunity: Locked

  - Mana Storage (Misfortune/Impotence)

  - Hexcaster Weaponry: Unlocked

  - Magic Amplification (Misfortune/Impotence)

  - Elemental Affinity (Ice-Water-Wind, Impotence)

  ---

  As I examined the interface before me, a smile crept onto my lips. So far, choosing the Hexcaster class seemed like a wise decision. Not only had it granted me a title and evolved some of my skills, but it had also provided me with abilities beyond my expectations. However, one thing that caught my attention each time I opened the interface was the amount of experience I had accrued.

  Since my last level-up, just before Justaff and the others departed from the Chateau, I hadn't trained since. There were three main reasons for this: One, Justaff was too busy with the journey ahead. Two, I was actively keeping myself inconspicuous, hiding my Hexcaster class. And three, there were no monsters available in the Dungeon for me to train with. In fact, I had defeated all the monsters in the dungeon to achieve my final level. Consequently, my experience had hovered just above the threshold for the next level up.

  Yet, now it was over halfway to the next threshold, and the reason was clear: Rivald, the level 14 guard I had defeated, had granted me over 8000 experience points. While this outcome didn't exactly surprise me, I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.

  From the very first battle against a monster, I knew that the method used for harvesting experience points wasn't optimal. The close-tutoring method, where monsters were captured and brought to me for me to defeat under Justaff's supervision, created a safe environment for leveling up. However, the system identified it as flawed, resulting in a deduction of experience points compared to what I would've gained defeating monsters in the wild.

  While this knowledge saddened me, knowing that a significant portion of the experience I'm getting from monsters goes to waste, I understood the reasoning behind Justaff and the others' decision to proceed with this flawed method. Yes I wasn’t the only knowing that our method wasn’t the optimal. They did too. But even then proceeded with it since they didn't want me, their ultimate hope for reclaiming their royal status, to risk death in the wild or fall prey to enemies opposed to the Wei? family's resurgence, of which, by their paranoid words, there were many. Despite the flaw, the method provided a safe environment for leveling up and allowed me to become accustomed to fighting monsters, preparing me for the day when I would venture out "alone". Though one can easily see them delaying such a journey until I reached level 25, circumstances might eventually force them to expedite the process. After all, Justaff wouldn't be able to catch and restrain the monsters needed for my level ups indefinitely.

  Anyway, that's not to say that while the sight of so many experience points banked at once had somewhat of an effect on me, it wasn't puzzling. After all, what I did defeat was a level 14 knight, a Verdenkind, two levels above me.

  Somewhere, I could see this being just a portion of what could have been mine since, while my attack was arguably fairer than most of my training in the dungeon, it was still a low blow, but despite that, one that was rewarded handsomely.

  I couldn't help but find it ironic that the closest thing I had thus far in this incarnation to a fair and non-tutored fight was such a low blow on someone like Rivald.

  Everytime I opened my interface and saw what was in there, I also couldn’t help but consider that perhaps I should have caused an even bloodier chaos back in the castle. With that many guards, there were enough for me to reach at least level 15 or 16, or even 17. But while I did entertain that thought, that's all I did, thinking, or to be exact, daydreaming about. I wasn't that arrogant. I knew I wouldn't have been able to take on so many guards on my own. I only managed to take Rivald down because I caught him by surprise and used my Ice magic without holding back on my MP input. I was confident in taking on another guard or, at best, two, but beyond that was impossible.

  While I knew that dwelling on what could have been served no purpose, it did keep my mind focused on something other than the ever-not-so-changing green desert.

  When I wasn't thinking about that, I was thinking about the present and what lay ahead, contemplating how to level up faster, acquire new skills and abilities, and properly utilize my Hexcaster's skills. This not only kept my mind focused on something other than the monotony of the journey but was also much more productive than the latter.

  Well, "productive" is a relative term; I wasn't really sure of anything. Anything could happen, and whatever I envisioned for the future always carried a big "if" with it. Somehow, despite my tendency to have a detailed plan of what ought to be done ahead and my passion for having things go according to the aforementioned plan, there was a certain thrill I got from not knowing what lay ahead.

  ***

  As I rode for yet another while, the desert didn’t seem to change much. Or at the very least, there were no big changes. But I could at least tell it was slowly evolving, with more patches of moss around, though the ground still remained as rock-hard as always, making the same clok-clok noise with each step taken by Veilleuse. The thought of once again sleeping on such rocks made a grimace constantly plastered on my face. However, the grimace eventually disappeared when I caught sight of something hinting at a human settlement, cows grazing freely in the middle of the plain.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  My spirits lifted at the sight of the cows, a sign of civilization or at least human activity nearby. It was a welcome change from the monotonous landscape of the desert. As Veilleuse and I drew closer, I scanned the horizon for any other signs of life. Sure enough, in the distance, behind hills, I spotted what looked like smoke rising from chimneys.

  Excitement bubbled within me as I urged Veilleuse forward, eager to reach the settlement. Perhaps I could find some rest, maybe even a warm meal and a soft bed for the night. The thought alone was enough to propel me forward despite the weariness that had settled into my bones after days of relentless travel.

  As we approached, I finally reached a vantage point from which I could see the source of the chimney smoke, it was a small village nestled among the hills, with smoke rising from each individual dwelling. While it was just a small village, there was something comforting about the sight.

  With a smile tugging at the corner of my mouth, replacing the grimace I’d been wearing, I guided Veilleuse down the hill I stood atop and trotted towards the settlement. There were no walls or fences surrounding the village, so following the makeshift trail, I, very casually, proceeded into the village.

  As I entered the village, the first sight to greet me was the desolate and horseless stable, its wooden structure weathered and worn, standing sentinel opposite the bustling forge. A procession of domestic fowl, geese, hens, and ducks, ambled freely by, paying little heed to my presence. Atop my mount, I slowed Veilleuse to check out the forge. Not only did its imposing size dwarf the sorry stable across from it, but it also seemed better maintained. Wisps of smoke lazily curled from its open furnace, evidence of recent use though no one tended to it as of now.

  Walking down my pace, I arrived at a cluster of modest dwellings dotting the village square, and it was here I encountered my first villagers. Their curious stares followed me as I rode past, a silent scrutiny that hung heavy in the air. I offered a courteous nod in greeting, but received scant acknowledgment in return. Instead, their eyes seemed to linger on me, as if I were an enigma they were hesitant to decipher. Some retreated indoors at my approach, their apprehension palpable.

  "What's with that reaction?" I thought, partly amused, slightly offended by their apprehensive response. "I assure you, I'm no bandit. I don’t even look like one."

  Making nothing of their reaction, I proceeded deeper into the village, having a vague idea of what I ought to be looking for.

  In this world, where monsters roamed and posed a constant threat to human settlements, the formation of communities didn't happen randomly. Rather, it revolved around several key factors: Geography and Resources, Economic Opportunities, and Social Factors. However, above all else, survivability was the paramount concern.

  Communities typically built around a pillar of strength, a force capable of fending off the constant menace of monsters. Often, this strength was found in locations seemingly devoid of monsters, with abundant natural resources. Sometimes, settlements would emerge in areas teeming with monsters, but they would always have a figure or group to protect them, serving as a deterrent to potential threats.

  In villages, this "protector" could be as simple as the village chief, usually a Verdenkind that had spawned within the settlement. In towns, it might be a mayor, someone born and raised in the town or someone from elsewhere who decided to establish themselves there as a form of protector. Whichever of the two it is, this person is usually someone, most of the time a Verdenkind, who considers themselves the strongest in town. However, in cities, especially larger cities, it was often a family that held sway, a lineage with ties, albeit sometimes indirect, to royalty and possessing the strength necessary to safeguard the populace. These families would often refer to themselves as noble, highlighting their lineage and their role as protectors of the community.

  Of course, there were exceptions where cities weren't governed by noble families, but in most cases, this was the norm. The presence of a strong ruling family ensured stability and security, essential in a world where survival was never guaranteed.

  Now considering the village’s circumstance, be its size, location, it was obvious that a village like this wouldn’t have a noble family, at best perhaps a Verdenkind. With how I’ve met little to no monsters, I wouldn’t even be surprised to hear that there’s not even that. But well, even without a Verdenkind, there’s bound to be some figure of authority here. It was that figure of authority that I looked for here.

  As I scanned the village for a figure of authority amidst the villagers, I took notice of something peculiar, there were no men. All the villagers I had encountered thus far were middle-aged women, not a single man in sight.

  "Where did I end up? The Amazon village," I thought to myself. However, just as I had that thought, I spotted one lone man standing in the middle of the plaza around which the village was built, accompanied by a group of women.

  As I approached, I saw a little girl of perhaps ten or eleven run toward the group, earning her a scolding from one of the women she approached. It was either her grandmother or, at the very least, her very old mother.

  It seemed they had been waiting for me, or at least they had been alerted of my arrival. I had just entered the village, which meant that someone must have spotted me and informed them. It was an impressive display of a chain of information. I couldn't help but chuckle at the efficiency of their "communication" system.

  Approaching the group, I greeted them with a polite nod, then dismounted Veilleuse. As I did, the middle-aged man stepped forward, his expression a mixture of curiosity and caution.

  He was a man of average height, with salt-and-pepper hair neatly combed back, lustering with a shiny—no, not shiny it was quite litterally a oily glow, framing a face marked by lines of experience and wisdom. His attire was simple and unassuming, consisting of a plain tunic and trousers, worn but well-maintained. He was holding onto a polished wooden cane, that for inexplicable reasons almost immediately caught my attention. At first I thought I was dealing with an artifact but a quick sweep of my skill [Identification] proved me that I was wrong, it was just a cane.

  What just happened made me consider the possibility of him being a Verdenkind or who knows a Highbreed which was very unlikely to be the case, but once again I was quickly proved wrong. The man was neither a Highbreed or a Verdenkind. How was I so sure? I just was. If I were much younger, there might be a chance of me mistaking him for a Verdenkind, but I’m not anymore, clearly, this man was a peon.

  My peons detector never lied.

  "Good day," I began, my voice calm and measured. "I'm Arianna, just a lost traveler passing through your village. I hope my sudden arrival hasn't caused any alarm."

  The man cast a glance at the group behind him, then shook his head. "Welcome to Gork, Miss Arianna," he replied, his voice gruff yet not unfriendly. "I am Tavon, the… elder of this village. What brings you to this remote corner of the world?"

  Gork? So that’s the name of this village.

  "Thank you, Tavon," I started, responding with a respectful nod. "I was on the road from Sheffield, the city, are you familiar with it?"

  The man nodded. "It’s half a hundred miles away from here."

  "Oh… that’s how far this village is from Sheffield."

  "You came from there?" He asked with a frown.

  Regardless of whether or not he believed me, I nodded. "And Wexlow?" I asked, "how far away is it from here?"

  "Two days' journey from here," he said, glancing in a direction. "On horseback, half that."

  "Oh, I see… Well, I was headed there when I got stranded, so that’s pretty much how I ended up here. So, to answer your earlier question, what brought me here was to ask for directions since I’m very much lost. And I have to admit I was hoping to find a place to rest here for a night and perhaps replenish my supplies before continuing my journey."

  Tavon stared at me thoughtfully for a moment, then looked toward the group behind him, as if gathering their opinions, before saying, "Excuse me, I'll discuss this with my fellow villagers first."

  "Please don’t mind me," I said, backing off to where Veilleuse stood, as he retreated back to the group to discuss what to do with me.

  Pretending to fuss over Veilleuse, I subtly turned my back to give them privacy for their discussion, though my ears remained attuned to their hushed exchange. Despite facing away, my [Eagle Eyes] skill, now sharpened to level 4, granted me, since level 3, a comprehensive view of my surroundings, allowing me to follow their conversation effortlessly.

  "We can’t simply have her leave, can we?"

  "Especially with what’s out there." another responded gravely.

  "How is letting her stay any better?" A woman said.

  "You know exactly how it’s that any better, she’s a girl. On her own. You know what I mean," Tavon countered, his face frowning with a serious if not outright tense expression on his face.

  "Tavon is right, we can’t deny her hospitality," the woman that had been scolding the girl said.

  "I guess he is…right."

  "It is decided then. She stays. Now there remains the question of who’s going to take her in for the night," a final decision was reached, prompting all eyes to turn toward a woman among them.

  In that moment, Tavon began, "Madeline, just know that you don’t have to if you don’t wa—"

  But the woman, namely Madeline, cut him off firmly, "It’s alright. My home is the most fit to host her in, and I can see why, and I don’t mind it."

  "I see. Thanks," Tavon replied, acknowledging her willingness.

  With their discussion concluded, I listened intently as Tavon, the village elder, approached me. "Miss Arianna, I’ve talked with my fellow villagers. We welcome you to rest in our village. We will offer you a place to rest and some provisions for your journey."

  I offered a grateful smile. "Thank you. I appreciate the hospitality," I replied, intending to assure him that I wouldn’t be a burden during my stay. But before I could speak, his expression turned grave.

  "However, there’s something I must warn you about."