Chapter 26: A New Spot

Kaelan stood by the village border, gazing at the clearing he cut down yesterday. The air was chilly in the morning, and a couple of birds chirped sleepily from the surrounding trees. He rubbed the nape of his neck and grumbled, "This is a good place… I think."

Garka approached him, yawning and stretching. "You sure this is the right place?"

Kaelan nodded. "It's near the stream, level enough. Suitable for tilling. And the sun catches it just so."

She folded her arms. "Okay. If you think so."

Kaelan stooped and pressed his fingers against the ground. His fingers stung as he concentrated.

> [Earth Magic Activated]

He molded the earth, making tidy rows. They weren't ideal, but it was an improvement from last time.

A voice materialized.

Mini Quest: Begin a New Field (0/1)

Reward: +2 Farming EXP, Random Seed Pack

Kaelan cocked an eyebrow. "Again with the surprise quests…"

Garka observed him working, then sat down on a nearby rock. "You ever gonna stop talking to yourself like that?"

"Doubt it," he replied. "It helps."

They both chuckled.

Later that day, Lio visited, carrying a bag of little tools. "I found this on the edge of the woods. Looks usable."

Kaelan grinned. "Perfect. Give me that little spade."

While Kaelan tilled the earth, Brunna trained in the background with a piece of wood that she whittled into a dummy. Noka was burying mushrooms in the rear of her hut, muttering under her breath about shade and wetness like she was praying.

The village itself was tiny, but it was expanding.

Kaelan took stock. 7 villagers now. Nearly Eight, if you count the squirrel.

Speaking of squirrels…

A fluffy streak flitted through the field and hovered beside Kaelan's boot.

Hi, you little troublemaker," he said. "Did you uproot my carrot bed again?"

The squirrel squeaked and scampered away with its tail twitching toward the trees.

Garka lifted an eyebrow. "Still convinced that animal isn't thinking of something?"

"Nope," Kaelan replied. "It's doing something, right enough."

By evening, the new field was completed. It was small, but it was clean. He dripped sweat off his forehead and flopped on the grass.

> Mini Quest Complete: Begin a New Field

Reward: +2 Farming EXP

You got: Random Seed Pack x1

Kaelan opened the seed pack. Two corn seeds, one mystery seed marked "???"

"I swear if it's another mushroom," he grumbled.

Garka flopped down next to him. "Tired?"

"Always."

They sat quietly for a moment.

She glanced over. "You've changed a lot, you know."

Kaelan blinked. "How so?

You don't look like you're running anymore," she told him. "You look like someone building something."

He didn't respond immediately. "Maybe I am."

Night descended sooner than he'd anticipated. The fire was cozy, and there was a crowd around it.

Brunna talked about a wild boar she'd spotted. Noka talked about glowing mushrooms. Lio, naturally, attempted to sell the group on "limited-time mushroom stew," which no one was interested in.

Kaelan just listened. He didn't say much. But something about it all seemed. right.

System Notice: You are near unlocking a class.

Requirements: Keep expanding your village. Get to 10 population.

Kaelan gazed at the words.

A class? Him?

He smiled.

Then the squirrel came back, carrying what appeared to be a half-eaten berry.

It dropped it at Kaelan's feet and gazed.

".What do you want me to do with that?"

The squirrel squeaked, and then snuggled up next to him.

Garka chuckled. "I think it likes you."

"Great," Kaelan said. "Just what I needed. A furry stalker."

She rested her head against his shoulder, smiling gently.

"Could be worse."

He glanced at her, taken aback.

"Yeah," he said. "Could be a goblin."

She elbowed him. "Rude."

He grinned, allowing the heat of the fire and the moment to soak in.

Maybe this was what peace felt like.

Even if it wouldn't be forever.