Chapter 20: Eastward Bound
[Day 28 — Weather: Sunny with scattered clouds | Location: Eastern Riverbank]
Tanvin woke to a soft breeze brushing his face. The morning sky shimmered with a few gentle clouds, and the fire from last night had long turned to ash. Birds chirped in the trees above, and the gentle splash of water nearby signaled a calm day ahead.
He sat up and stretched with a quiet yawn.
"No mobs last night… lucky."
Packing up his temporary camp took only minutes. He refilled his water bucket from the river, double-checked his inventory, and nudged the campfire ashes into the dirt to erase his presence.
[System Message: Temporary Camp Dismantled — Inventory Updated]
---
[Morning Trek: Forest's Edge]
The path eastward continued alongside the river, which now flowed more rapidly and curved slightly north. Tall oak trees gave way to a more open woodland—a mix of acacia and birch, with the occasional sunflower field stretching toward the sun.
Tanvin walked slowly, his eyes scanning the horizon and trees for any signs of life. Occasionally, he'd stop to pick wild carrots or observe the movement of bees bouncing between flowers.
He sang softly to himself.
> "Oh sun above, show me the road,
> Through meadow, stream, and gentle grove.
> No rush today, just steady feet—
> A world like this is calm and sweet."
Time passed quietly. He marked trees with simple wood signs bearing arrows and initials. It felt like leaving behind a quiet breadcrumb trail, just in case he ever wanted to return.
---
[Late Morning: A Strange Totem]
Around midday, Tanvin reached a small hillock with a curious formation at the top: three cobblestone pillars forming a sort of triangle, with a carved pumpkin placed squarely in the middle.
It didn't look natural.
"Someone… or something… put this here."
The area around it was overgrown, but not ruined. The grass was a little taller, and a few flowers clustered unnaturally around the totem.
Tanvin circled the formation, then gently tapped the pumpkin with his hand.
Nothing happened.
He decided not to break it. Instead, he placed a sign at the base:
> Found this. Not mine. Leaving it be.
Then he stepped away, brushing dirt from his pants and continuing on.
[System Message: Mysterious Totem Discovered — No Effect Triggered]
---
[Afternoon: Hills and Wind]
The land began to slope upward, gradually leading him into rolling hills dotted with sheep. He paused to shear a few, collecting wool as he hummed a familiar tune.
The view from the tallest hill caught his breath.
Below, in the distance, was a cluster of shapes—square rooftops. Fences. Crops. And the unmistakable flicker of a torch post.
Tanvin blinked, then grinned.
"A village!"
He didn't run. He took his time. After nearly a full month in this world, nothing felt rushed anymore. The anticipation was gentle, like reading the last pages of a favorite book.
---
[Evening Arrival: Whisperwind Village]
He arrived at the village just as the sun began to dip below the hills. The buildings were tidy—some made of stone, others of wood and terracotta. There was a well at the center, a few lanterns swaying in the wind, and small plots of wheat and beetroot swaying gently.
A bell hung near the central path.
Tanvin stepped onto the gravel walkway, his boots crunching quietly. Villagers turned to look, their eyes blinking with quiet curiosity.
A librarian tilted his head.
A shepherd narrowed his gaze.
Then, a small child ran up and pointed at Tanvin's bow and sword.
"He's a traveler!" the child cried.
❝[A\N: Villagers Will Be Talk Like Human. Reason Tanvin's Presence Changing The World]❞
Murmurs spread.
And then came a smile from an older farmer, who nodded and waved Tanvin closer.
[System Message: Whisperwind Village Discovered — Status: Neutral]
---
[Nightfall: Guest Among Strangers]
Tanvin was given a bed in a small spare hut on the village's edge. It was simple—just a bed, crafting table, and flower pot—but it felt more luxurious than the tented nights on the road.
He laid down with a sigh, watching torchlight flicker outside the window.
> "So… people. Real ones."
He didn't know if they could help him get home.
He didn't even know if he wanted to go home anymore.
But tonight, he was here.
And tomorrow, he'd learn the village's rhythm—its stories, its needs, its trade routes.
There was no rush.