Chapter 20 - 020: The Unfortunate help
Anaria stepped farther into Ravenfall, taking in the busy settlement. It was nothing like the wilderness. Simple shelters lined the rough paths, small stalls bustled with activity, and hunters, gatherers, and other beastmen moved through the village carrying their catches and supplies. Different species lived side by side; a fox beastman passed with a bundle of herbs, two rabbits hurried by with baskets, and a bear beastman dragged a heavy wooden cart behind him.
Anaria slowed as she looked around. Ravenfall wasn’t perfect, with its rough paths and makeshift shelters, but it was livable. People had homes here. They worked, traded, raised families, and built lives.
She glanced down at the small bundle in her hands and sighed, then she sighed.
""We have a problem," Anaria said, glancing around the settlement.
Kai followed her gaze. "What problem?"
"We don’t have anywhere to stay."
Rylan looked over the nearby shelters, his expression calm. "We’ll find somewhere."
Anaria sighed. "That’s not the only problem. We don’t have any money either."
Kai nodded as if that were hardly an issue. "Then we’ll earn some."
Anaria turned to him. "And how exactly do you plan to do that?"
Kai opened his mouth, but no answer came.
She waited.
When he remained silent, Anaria folded her arms and gave him a knowing look. "That’s what I thought."
The situation was almost laughable. She had gone from living comfortably in a wealthy family to waking up in a primitive world where she had no home, no money, and barely any belongings. Somehow, she had also acquired two husbands along the way.
Anaria rubbed her forehead. Her life had become ridiculous.
Just as she began wondering what they were supposed to do next, the System appeared in her mind.
[New Task.]
[Establish a foothold in Ravenfall.]
[Task Requirements:]
[Obtain a source of income.]
[Earn your first Spirit Fang Coins through personal ability.]
[Establish the foundation for an independent life.]
Anaria stared ahead. Of course. The moment she started worrying about money, the System had decided to turn it into a task.
"Fine," she muttered.
Rylan glanced at her. "What?"
"Nothing."
Her attention shifted toward the nearby stalls. "I’ll find a way to make money. You two should look for somewhere we can stay."
Rylan’s expression tightened. "You’re going alone?"
"It’s a village, not the wilderness."
"We don’t know this place yet," he replied, clearly unconvinced.
Kai nodded. "He’s right."
Anaria looked between them before sighing. "I’ll be careful."
Rylan studied her for a moment, then finally nodded. "Don’t wander too far."
"I won’t."
The two males headed off to search for a place to stay, leaving Anaria to explore the settlement on her own. She wandered between the stalls, quietly studying what was being sold: food, herbs, animal hides, tools, simple ornaments, and clothing.
Then she noticed a group of beastmen nearby. Their clothes were practical, but the designs were plain and repetitive. Anaria glanced down at her own clothes, and a small smile appeared.
Clothing. That was something she could work with.
Her Clothing Making skill was still new, but the knowledge was already in her mind. If she could make something better than what was being sold, she might have a way to earn money. She could try Herbal Medicine later. For now, clothing would be easier.
Anaria quietly called the System. "System, I want to use my Clothing Making skill."
[Understood, Host.]
[Clothing Making skill activated.]
[Required materials and equipment have been provided.]
The materials appeared in her inventory. Everything was suitable for the primitive Beast World.
"Perfect."
She found a quiet spot near the edge of the market and began working. Her hands moved steadily as she measured, cut, and stitched, the skill guiding her through each step. The process felt familiar, and before long, she had finished the first piece.
It was simple and practical, yet noticeably better designed than the clothes around her.
Anaria looked it over with satisfaction. "This should sell."
She arranged them neatly and waited. It didn’t take long before a few beastmen stopped to look, followed by more. Her confidence grew until one finally picked up a piece.
How much?" he asked.
Anaria smiled and gave him the price, pleased when he paid without hesitation. She had barely finished another small sale when a commotion broke out nearby.
Several beastmen hurried through the crowd carrying an injured male between them. His clothes were torn, blood soaked the fur around his side, and every uneven breath made his face tighten with pain. They lowered him onto the ground while an older beastwoman immediately knelt beside him, pressing both hands firmly against the wound in an attempt to slow the bleeding.
Anaria’s expression changed.
She could see the blood still seeping between the woman’s fingers.
"Move," Anaria said, stepping closer.
A large bear beastman immediately blocked her path. "Stay back. She’s treating him."
Anaria glanced at the older woman, then at the wound. Whatever she was doing wasn’t enough. The man’s breathing was becoming weaker, and the amount of blood he had already lost was obvious.
"She’s not stopping the bleeding."
The bear beastman frowned. "And you know how to?"
Anaria didn’t answer. She quickly retrieved the herbal medicine from her skill and knelt beside the wounded beastman, carefully applying it to his injury. The effect was gradual but noticeable. His bleeding slowed, his breathing eased, and some of the tension left his body.
The older woman stared at the wound in disbelief.
Anaria released a quiet breath. "There. He should be fine."
Only then did she notice the silence. The gathered beastmen were no longer watching the injured warrior. Their attention had shifted entirely to her.
A wolf beastman stepped closer. "What did you use?"
"Herbal medicine."
His eyes narrowed. "I’ve never seen herbs work that quickly."
Another beastman looked between her and the recovering warrior. "Where did you learn to make something like that?"
Anaria hesitated. She couldn’t exactly explain where the medicine came from. "I taught myself."
The murmurs grew louder, and the mood around her shifted.
"What if it’s poison?" someone asked.
"Poison wouldn’t heal him," another argued.
"How do you know?"
"Look at him. He’s breathing better."
The voices overlapped as curiosity slowly gave way to unease, and Anaria’s expression tightened.
""Who is this woman?" someone demanded.
"She’s an outsider."
"She knows how to make strange medicine."
"And it worked too quickly."
Anaria swallowed. "I only helped him."
That did little to calm them. Some beastmen moved away from the wounded male while others edged closer to her, their suspicion quickly drowning out any gratitude.
She had to get out.
Anaria searched the crowd for familiar black or red hair, but neither Rylan nor Kai was there. Of course they weren’t. She had sent them away herself.
She silently called the System. "Can you help me?"
The familiar little fox panel appeared.
[Sorry, Host.]
[I am not unable to resolve the current situation.]
Anaria stared at it. "You’re useless."
Before she could think of anything else, someone spoke. "Take her to the village leader."
Anaria blinked. "For what?"
"Let him decide."
"Decide what?"
Two beastmen stepped forward and grabbed her arms.
"Wait!"
They began leading her away despite her protest. Anaria looked back one last time, still hoping Rylan or Kai would appear.
They didn’t.
She sighed inwardly.
She had come to Ravenfall to make money. Instead, she was already being dragged before the village leader.