I walked north along the dirt road, leaving the village behind. I walked past the corn and wheat fields. I also saw the house where I first ate with that lovely, welcoming family. After about forty minutes of walking, I noticed movement up ahead. I slowed down, cautious.
There was a wolf.
It stood still, but I could sense mana emanating from it — specifically from its limbs. I froze, every instinct screaming at me to run. But something was wrong. Its back legs… they were gone. Cleanly severed. The wolf stared at me for a long moment before it collapsed and lost consciousness. The mana faded, and blood began to pour from where its hind legs should have been.
I feared the wolf, but I was even more afraid of whatever had done that to it. There were no other wounds — no bite marks, no scratches. Whatever it was, it had overpowered the wolf completely. Could it have been magic? But if the wolf could use mana, it should've sensed danger, right? The fact that it couldn't dodge or defend itself... its enemy must have been overwhelmingly stronger.
For a moment, I considered easing its suffering, but I couldn't be sure it wasn't pretending. What if it attacked the moment I got close? I couldn't take that risk. So I turned around and walked back to the village, uneasy and lost in thought.
I learned something, though — any living being can use mana. This wolf couldn't have been some genius exception. It means I am at the very bottom of the food chain.
By the time I reached the old man's house, my back was still aching and my mood was completely ruined. The old woman opened the door and returned to her seat at the kitchen table. They seemed to have already finished eating. I washed my hands and face and stood there for a moment, uncertain. The old man sighed and nodded at the empty seat. The woman carried a bowl with a plate on top. She set them down separately. Then, she placed a piece of bread — about the size of a smartphone — on the plate. I looked at her and gave a head bow, expressing my sincere gratitude.
I sat in silence, hearing their conversation. Then, I gestured to myself and the wooden basin to say I would wash the dishes. The old woman shook her head. So I stood up and returned to my room.
I threw myself onto the bed and focused on the mana inside me. It always surged when I ate or drank, then slowly faded away. This time, I tried to hold onto it, and when that proved futile, I at least tried to move it. I imagined the mana flowing from my abdomen up toward my right hand. And it did, to some extent.
But as it reached my chest, a sharp pain stabbed through me — like a blade cutting me from the inside. Tears welled in my eyes, and sweat poured down my face. I stopped immediately, but the pain lingered, sharp and deep, for what felt like half an hour. Even after the mana faded completely, the ache remained. After some time, I relaxed and fell asleep within moments.
Some time passed. I woke to find it still dark outside, but I felt refreshed. My back and chest had completely healed. I went through my usual morning routine and decided to start working early to avoid the worst of the sun later.
I left the house and grabbed the rake from the barn. I set out to clean the village paths. I gathered leaves, manure, food scraps, dust, stones, and broken household items. I added to the piles from yesterday. After about two hours, the village elder, the old man, came to find me and called me back to the house.
I had already finished about half of the village by then.
I wanted to shower, but there was too much work left. Instead, I washed my hands and joined the couple at the table. I quickly ate boiled eggs and bread with butter. I wanted to finish my job before noon, so the sun wouldn't roast me alive.
Back outside, I picked up a broom and swept up what the rake couldn't catch. As I moved to clean the southern side of the village near the lake, I noticed something odd.
Dead fish.
Scattered along the shore, a dozen or so. What the hell? Well, whatever, I raked them into a pile like the rest of the trash. I completed the latter half of the village swiftly, since the lake and its shores covered some parts of it.
Now, I have all these piles of waste to deal with. I should consider asking the old man for advice on what to do with them. And… would he pay me today? How much is that silver coin worth?
With those thoughts swirling in my head, I headed back to the house.