Chapter 3: A Village in the Mountains

  Eryan sat by the window, gazing at the sprawling fields and forests that stretched beyond the village. His small hands rested on the wooden windowsill, his young mind absorbing every little detail. The village was peaceful, but it was not without its own hidden struggles.

  Nestled within a mountain valley called windridge valley, the village called windridge village,thrived on farming and hunting. The land was fertile, providing enough crops to sustain the people, while the surrounding forests were rich with game. Hunting was a dangerous but necessary task, and skilled hunters were highly respected.

  The militia formed the backbone of the village’s defense. They were not professional soldiers but trained villagers who took up weapons when needed to protect their homes. While there were no constant threats, occasional wild beasts or roaming bandits required the militia’s presence. His father had once been a part of the militia in his younger days but had since focused on hunting to provide for the family.

  At the top of the village’s hierarchy stood the village chief, a level 8 warrior and the strongest person in the village. He was an old man now, but his presence still commanded respect.

  Many families had level 9 warriors, though most of them had long since lost their potential to advance further. Some had grown old, their bodies unable to handle the strain of warrior training anymore. Others had simply reached their limit, unable to break through to the next stage. Even so, these warriors formed the core of the village’s strength.

  However, not all level 9 warriors remained in the village. Many youngsters who had just reached level 9 tended to leave for the city, seeking better opportunities. The city offered access to stronger training methods, better weapons, and a chance to rise beyond the limits of a small village. Even those who were unlikely to advance further often chose to go, drawn by the hope of a better life.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Eryan’s own father Garret was considered one of the best hunters in the village. He was not a legendary figure, but his skill with the bow and his knowledge of the forest had earned him respect. He provided for his family through his hunting, bringing in meat and valuable animal pelts that could be traded for other goods.

  The village’s social structure was clear. The high-class families included the village chief’s household, the blacksmith, the scholar’s family, the biggest trader’s house, and several families with strong warriors. Some had children who had joined the city guard or the military, bringing their families a higher status.

  The middle-class families included the butcher, the shopkeeper, the best hunters, and the carpenters. They lived comfortable lives but were not particularly influential.

  The lower-class villagers were mostly farmers, weak hunters, and laborers. They worked hard to survive, but they had no real power in the village. They knew little about the world beyond, living simple lives.

  Eryan’s family was neither rich nor poor. They were middle-class, thanks to his father’s skill as a hunter.

  His grandfather hagar, an elderly man with a sharp mind, often shared stories from his youth. His mother luba is a kind and patient woman who managed the household.

  His two elder brothers were already on their own paths. The eldest darin had joined as the city guard in the nearby town and have potential to reach level 9 warrior soon, a source of pride for the family. The second brother reyn ,had begun training under their father, learning the ways of hunting.

  Then there was his little sister ellia, a bundle of energy who followed him around, asking endless questions. She was still too young to understand much about the world, but her innocence brought warmth to the family.

  Despite being small, the village was not entirely isolated. The nearest town was only half a day’s journey away on donkey cart , and from there, rumors of the outside world would occasionally drift in. Most of these rumors spoke of warriors—individuals who had surpassed normal human limits.

  The lower-class villagers and children had only vague knowledge about the transcendent path. They knew that warriors existed, that some were stronger than others, and that there were higher levels of strength. But how one became stronger or what lay beyond the warrior rank remained a mystery to them.

  Some of the older villagers whispered about legendary warriors who could shatter mountains with a single punch or move faster than the eye could see, but these stories were spoken of in the same way children talked about fairy tales—fantastical, distant, and beyond their reach.

  Eryan had his own thoughts about these things. He did not dismiss the idea of warriors surpassing mortal limits, but he understood that the villagers had no concrete knowledge. He himself was still too weak to think about such things. For now, he would focus on growing stronger, training his body, and learning from his father.

  There was a long path ahead of him, but one day, he would uncover the truth of the transcendent path—not just the rumors, but the reality that lay beyond what ordinary villagers could comprehend.