A Night in the Forsaken Lands

I walked through the dimly lit streets of the ruined city, my boots crunching against the cracked stone roads.

The air was thick with the scent of old dust and the faintest hint of something… nostalgic.

I rubbed my stomach as it growled. "Damn… all that fighting made me hungry. What the hell do people even eat in a place like this?"

Looking around, I noticed a few makeshift stalls—some run by survivors, others by merchants who had taken the risk of setting up shop in the Forsaken Lands. Their wares were… questionable, to say the least.

One old man stood behind a wooden cart, stirring something in a large pot. His tattered cloak barely covered his skeletal frame, but his eyes were sharp. As I approached, he gave a crooked smile.

"Ah, a traveler. You must be starving."

I raised an eyebrow. "Depends. What are you selling?"

The old man chuckled, lifting a ladle filled with thick, bubbling stew. "Forsaken Beast Stew. Meat from creatures that roam these lands, slow-cooked with rare herbs. It'll fill your belly and sharpen your senses."

I sniffed the air. It actually smelled… pretty good. "What's the catch?"

The old man grinned. "No catch. Just five silver coins."

I dug into my pouch, flipping him the coins. "Alright, give me a bowl."

He poured the steaming stew into a wooden bowl, handing it over. I took a bite—thick, rich, slightly spicy. Surprisingly delicious.

I leaned against a crumbling wall, eating while watching the people around me.

The Forsaken warriors I had freed were adjusting, some walking with newfound confidence, others speaking to traders and citizens as if trying to remember what it was like to be… human again.

I smirked to myself. "Guess I really did change things around here."

Taking another bite, I thought about my next move. "I should probably find an inn or somewhere to sleep. Or… maybe I should see if any of these merchants have a map of this place."

As I finished my meal, I tossed the old man another silver.

"For the good stew."

He nodded in appreciation. "Stay sharp, traveler. The Forsaken Lands may be changing… but danger still lurks in the shadows."

I chuckled. "Wouldn't be fun otherwise."

With that, I wiped my mouth and continued down the street, ready for whatever came next.

____

As I walked through the dimly lit streets, my mind drifted to my next move. The Forsaken Lands were changing, and I was at the center of it. But for now, my biggest concern was finding a place to rest—even a warrior like me needed some sleep.

I spotted a small, run-down inn at the corner of the street. The wooden sign above the door was barely hanging on by a single nail, and the words "Raven's Rest" were faintly etched into it.

I smirked. "Well, this looks promising."

Pushing open the door, I stepped inside. The interior was surprisingly warm, with a few tables occupied by tired travelers and locals whispering in hushed tones. A young innkeeper, probably in his early twenties, stood behind the counter, polishing a glass with a rag.

He looked up, eyes scanning me from head to toe. "You look like you've had a long day."

I chuckled. "You have no idea. Got a room?"

The innkeeper nodded. "Five silver for the night. Comes with a meal in the morning."

I flipped a few coins onto the counter. "Deal."

He slid a key toward me. "Second floor, last door on the left. Sheets might be old, but the bed's sturdy."

I took the key and headed upstairs, my boots creaking against the wooden steps. Inside my room, the space was small but functional—a single bed, a wooden chair, and a candle on the nightstand.

I sat on the bed, stretching out my arms. "Damn, I forgot how good it feels to just sit down."

A system notification popped up.

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[System Update]

The Forsaken Lands are shifting… your influence is growing. More eyes are watching.

----

I raised an eyebrow. "More eyes, huh? Guess my little speech got some attention."

I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Either way, I needed to be ready for what came next.

Blowing out the candle, I leaned back onto the bed, hands behind my head. The night was quiet, but I had a feeling… tomorrow would be far from peaceful.