Chapter 120: Apart village.

Chapter 120: Apart village.

The first thing that stood out to me as I observed my surroundings was the strange architecture that seemed prevalent in the village. It was like each building had been purposely designed to look as strange as possible, as if its creator was spiting the normal way to build houses.

Each building had some strange quirk, for example. One townhouse had an extra front door three meters up, without any actual way to use it. Another was thin and stilted, it looked like it could fall over any second, yet it somehow held on. Many other buildings were placed at strange angles and looked disjointed, too, in a way that reminded me of the chimeric goblins I had encountered a few weeks ago. They looked strange for the sake of being strange.

Despite this strange look, the village was oddly lively. A few dozen residents were going about their business. A shopkeeper was selling some strange white fruits to a young couple, while an aged spellcaster watched the days happenings from behind a window in his home, sipping at a cup of unknown liquid.

Each of the villagers had their own visual quirks, too. One persons arm seemed to be rotting, to the point that bone was visible, and yet, no one seemed to mind. Even as the old lady picked up a box and moved it, her rotting arm held up.

It wasnt just her that showed these... morbid signs of a dark affinity. Somehow, all these people were immune to the weather effects of the land. That meant that every last one of them had a dark affinity. Whether they had been born here or migrated here after being exiled was as of yet unknown to me, but I was curious to find out.

Even more strangely, the residents werent paying me or Revan any mind as we sauntered through the town. We got a few looks, but they seemed to be curious looks rather than vigilant ones. The villagers were looking at me the way normal villagers would stare at a traveler passing through their sleepy farmstead.

Perhaps they had grown used to undead after living here for who knows how long.

In an attempt to get to know the locals, I decided to buy some of the white fruit on display in the local shop. The shops owner had set up a little stall outside of his colourful and chaotic building, where he seemed to be praising the days harvest to any that would listen. When I got a little closer, I became her next target.

You there, stranger! Care for a randy apple? Got a fresh batch right here, harvested just yesterday at our local orchard! Quality and taste guaranteed!

I jumped down from Revans skull, which was far too large to approach the stall, and picked up one of the fruits to test its weight. The white fruit had the shape of a pear, though its upper part was thicker than that of your average pear. It had a pale white colour, and showed no obvious similarities to apples.

Let me welcome you to apart village, one of the best on this side of the between lands, if youll forgive my boast. The shopkeeper began enthousiastically.

Are these fruits common here? I asked, making my voice sound as old and rough as I could.

Well of course they are! Have you ever heard of a village on the outskirts that doesnt have these, city boy?

I grunted in acknowledgment in an attempt to mask my surprise. There were more villages like this? A city, even? Or was she referring to the cities outside of the borders?

Havent been to the outskirts much. I added.

Just passing through.

Passing through to where? he pushed, which made me a little irate.

None of your business, is it. I replied stoically after composing myself. I would rather run from the village with my tail between my legs than share my goal with this shifty stranger.

Surprisingly, my response only emboldened Harold.

Ah well, ya see, everything around here is my business. Im the village head, after all. I know who everyone is, what they eat, where they shit... This is my village, pal. And now that youre in it... he whispered threateningly, slowly making the situation tenser and tenser, until...

I just want to get to know you! he spoke suddenly, the welcoming smile from before reappearing on his face, as if he had never once threatened me. Though he had changed his act, I remained completely unconvinced. Now that this old sod had pushed it this far, I couldnt let him live. Otherwise, hed just have me followed the next day and the dungeon might be endangered.

Having made up my mind, I stood up abruptly and knocked the table we were sitting at out of the way. The old creaky piece of furniture flew across the room and sent some other chairs skidding away. I drew my sword and held it at Harolds throat, before I unleashed some overloaded mana around me to pressure him.

Should I just kill you, ant?! I bluffed. My weak mana sense told me that this man was either tier 4 or below, which meant that for all I knew, he could be a great deal stronger than me. Thankfully, this wasnt the case, because he cowered under my threat and held up his hands placatingly with a nervous smile on his face.

Hihihi! Wait, wait! Youve made your point, all right! I wont ask anymore! I pushed my sword a little closer and drew blood. Hold on, man! I work for the dry man, okay! Dont do anything well both regret kid.

The dry man? Who the fuck was that?

We both work for people, fool. All you need to know is that whatever I am here for is of no concern to your boss. I replied, continuing my bluff, before sheathing my sword again. Harold jumped backward to safety and left the inn, while the innkeeper started to wipe up the floor I had spilled.

Sorry about that, innkeeper. Here. I spoke, as I handed him some silver coins for his trouble.

With that little spat over, I could finally tuck in for the night... But it wasnt meant to be. Just when I was about to head up the creaky wooden stairs to my room for the night, I heard a loud voice coming from outside.

Come out, you fucking rat! Ive got you surrounded!

Shit. It seemed Harold was calling my bluff. At least this gave me an excuse to tie up loose ends...