Chapter 7: The Vilge of NewbrookPart 1: A Favor for a FavorArata rolled up his sleeves and inspected the cart’s broken wheel. It had a deep crack running through the wood, making it impossible to roll properly.

  “Yeah… this isn’t going anywhere without a repcement,” he muttered.

  The man, who had introduced himself as Garron, groaned. “Figures. We were just half a day away from the vilge, too.”

  His wife, Lilia, sighed. “Maybe we could carry some of the goods and walk the rest of the way?”

  Garron shook his head. “That’d take too long, and we'd have to leave half our stuff behind.”

  Arata thought for a moment. “How far exactly is the vilge?”

  Lilia pointed down the road. “A couple more hours on foot if we hurry.”

  Arata nodded. “Alright. If I run ahead and get help, would that work?”

  Garron raised an eyebrow. “You’d do that?”

  Arata shrugged. “I need to reach the vilge anyway. Might as well make myself useful.”

  Lilia smiled. “That would be a huge help. If you can get the vilge guards or a craftsman to send a spare wheel, we’ll make sure you’re properly rewarded.”

  Arata nodded and tightened the sword at his waist. “Alright. I’ll be back soon.”

  With that, he started running down the road.

  Part 2: Welcome to NewbrookThe sun was high by the time Arata spotted the vilge in the distance. Wooden houses with straw roofs lined the area, smoke rising from chimneys. A wooden fence surrounded the outskirts, with a small gate guarded by two men in leather armor.

  As he approached, one of the guards stepped forward. “Halt. State your business.”

  Arata caught his breath and quickly expined the situation.

  The guards exchanged gnces before one of them nodded. “Alright. We’ll send a wagon to help them. If what you say is true, they’ll make it here before sundown.”

  Arata sighed in relief. “Thanks.”

  The second guard eyed him curiously. “You’re not from around here, are you?”

  “No. I’m new to this area,” Arata admitted.

  The guard smirked. “Then you’ll want to head to the adventurer’s guild. If you’re looking for work or information, that’s the pce to go.”

  Arata’s eyes lit up. That was exactly what he needed.

  “Where is it?”

  The guard pointed down the main street. “Big wooden building near the town square. Can’t miss it.”

  Arata nodded. “Got it. Thanks.”

  With that, he stepped through the vilge gates.

  This was it. His first real step toward survival in this world.

  And maybe, just maybe… the start of something bigger.