Chapter 6: The Morning After
The first rays of sunlight broke through the towering trees.
For the first time since the attack, the village was quiet. The cries of frightened children had faded, replaced by the steady sound of people working. Some repaired the damaged fence. Others carried broken logs away from the village entrance. The smell of fresh wood filled the cool morning air.
Aren stood outside his hut, silently watching everyone. No one complained. No one rested. Surviving another night simply meant there was more work waiting at sunrise.
"You’re awake early." Chief Rokan walked over, carrying a bundle of cut branches across his shoulder.
"I couldn’t sleep," Aren replied.
The old chief smiled. "Neither could anyone else." His gaze drifted toward the broken wall. "We were lucky."
Aren remained silent. Luck had little to do with it. If the wolves had attacked from another direction, the village might not be standing today.
"You saved many lives," Chief Rokan said calmly.
"I only gave an idea."
"In times like these," the old chief chuckled, "a good idea is worth more than a sharp spear."
Before Aren could answer, the familiar voice echoed inside his mind.
[Mission Completed]
Village Defense Successful.
Calculating Growth...
A faint blue screen appeared.
```text
══════════════════════
Civilization Status
══════════════════════
Village: Unnamed
Population: 47
Morale
42% → 56%
Defense
Poor → Fair
Memory Synchronization
5%
New Feature Unlocked
Village Inspection
══════════════════════
```
The screen disappeared. Almost immediately, another message appeared.
**[Inspection Available]**
Without thinking, Aren focused on the nearest hunter. A small panel appeared above the man’s head.
```text
Name
Doran
Age
28
Occupation
Hunter
Health
Minor Injury
Loyalty
76%
Potential
B
```
Aren’s eyes widened. He turned toward another villager.
```text
Name
Lina
Age
17
Occupation
Gatherer
Health
Healthy
Potential
A
Talent
Herbal Medicine
```
Another.
```text
Name
Bram
Age
14
Occupation
None
Potential
S
Talent
Unknown
```
Aren stared at the last panel longer than the others. An S-Rank potential? The boy looked no different from the other children running around the village.
The system wasn’t just showing numbers. It was showing the future.
"Aren?" Chief Rokan noticed his silence. "What are you looking at?"
Aren blinked and looked away. "Nothing." He wasn’t ready to explain — not when he didn’t even understand the system himself.
A loud voice suddenly called from the village entrance. "Chief!" One of the hunters came running. "We found something outside the eastern forest."
Chief Rokan frowned. "What is it?"
The hunter swallowed nervously. "...Footprints. They’re not from the Grayfangs. They’re... human."
Silence fell over the village. If there were humans nearby, then they were not alone in this world.
End of Chapter 6