Cries from a Decrepit Village

Owen journeyed along the winding mountain paths, immersed in the enchanting natural scenery. 

Sunlight filtered through dense foliage, casting mottled shadows on the ground, creating a picturesque tapestry of colors.

In the valleys along the way, wildflowers bloomed in vibrant hues, emitting a captivating fragrance. 

Bees busily flitted among the blossoms, gathering sweet nectar, while butterflies danced gracefully, adding a romantic touch to the valley.

Distant mountains rose and fell in succession, covered in lush forests, resembling a verdant ocean. 

A gentle breeze stirred the leaves, creating a rustling sound like nature's own symphony for Owen, sights he had never witnessed before.

Of course, the journey wasn't entirely idyllic, as it was fraught with dangers. 

Once, Owen encountered a spellbeast known as the Inferno Behemoth. 

It was a massive creature, over ten meters tall, covered in scales ablaze with roaring flames, resembling a moving mountain of fire. 

Its eyes glowed with an orange-red fire, emitting an overwhelming heat.

When Owen encountered the Inferno Behemoth, it had already turned a dense forest into ashes. 

Trees became torches under its control, burning fiercely. 

Thick black smoke filled the air, obscuring the sunlight, turning the environment dark and terrifying.

Engaging in combat, Owen faced the Inferno Behemoth head-on. 

Agile like a cheetah, he moved through the flames, dodging the Behemoth's attacks. 

Each swipe of his claw released a burst of icy chill - utilizing the power of the ice dragon clan in an attempt to extinguish the flames enveloping the Behemoth.

The Inferno Behemoth roared deafeningly, slamming its massive paws onto the ground, causing a series of earthquakes. 

It spewed scorching flames, scorching the surrounding land to cinders. 

Dancing flames formed walls of fire, attempting to trap Owen.

Owen calmly countered the Inferno Behemoth's attacks, employing his swordsmanship and magical skills. 

He swiftly dodged the attacks of the fire walls while striking at the Behemoth's vulnerabilities with his sword.

Although Owen's attacks caused some damage to the Inferno Behemoth, they seemed unable to weaken its strength. 

The battle was intensely challenging, with Owen feeling this was his toughest enemy yet. 

His body soaked in sweat, his breathing heavy and strained. 

Left with no choice, he used his [Prophecy] ability. 

With one precise strike, Owen successfully pierced the heart of the Inferno Behemoth.

The Behemoth let out a piercing roar, its body trembling and gradually collapsing into a mass of flames. 

Finally, it turned to ashes and dissipated into the air. 

After that encounter, Owen's journey became even more cautious. 

He realized that Novalia continent held not only breathtaking beauty but also terrifyingly powerful spellbeasts.

Each time they defeated a spellbeast, Erin collected essential parts of it. 

The space ring was almost filled to the brim with spellbeast materials, a treasure trove of resources. 

Most importantly, Owen was putting theory into practice, enriching his combat experience. 

With abilities like [Prophecy], akin to replaying events, his combat instincts improved rapidly.

One day, as Owen approached a village, he sensed a heavy, oppressive atmosphere. 

The already dim night sky seemed shrouded in a layer of gloom, and the air was filled with a suffocating tension. 

The village's buildings were dilapidated, with slanted roofs and mottled walls showing the marks of time.

As Owen entered the village, the scene before him sent a chill down his spine. 

The streets were littered with broken pottery and worn-out furniture, and there were even patches of bloodstains on the ground. 

The entire village was enveloped in an oppressive air, as if shrouded in an indescribable fear.

Cries of sorrow and despair emanated from a ramshackle wooden house. 

A sense of unease welled up in Owen: "Shall we take a look?"

Erin shivered and clung close to Owen, 

"Master, maybe we should just leave. I've heard there are ghosts outside Dragon Echo Valley. Maybe we've come across a stronghold of ghosts. They are difficult to deal with and often lure travelers into traps."

Owen grinned, a faint holy light flickering in his hand, "Don't worry, have you forgotten my abilities?"

Erin then brightened up, "Oh right, Sai..."

"Hmm?" Seeing Erin about to slip up again, Owen quickly interrupted.

Erin covered her mouth, her cheeks turning slightly red, her expression playful and cute. 

Owen, holding Erin's hand, slowly approached the source of the crying.

Suddenly, a group of villagers emerged from various places, surrounding Owen and Erin. 

They wielded rudimentary weapons like sticks, hoes, and kitchen knives, forming a tight circle around them. 

Their eyes were filled with hostility and anger, as if they wanted to tear Owen to pieces.

Erin quickly hid in Owen's embrace. 

Owen could now see the villagers more clearly. 

They were short, only about two-thirds of Erin's height. 

They appeared frail and gaunt, with withered faces as if tortured by some inexplicable pressure. 

Their skin was dark, lacking any sign of nobility. 

They resembled dark dwarves.

Realizing he had intruded into someone's home, Owen proactively radiated his goodwill: "I mean no harm. I am just a traveler."

An elderly villager stepped forward. 

He looked at Owen, his eyes flickering with caution: "Young man, why have you entered our village?"

Owen, with a smile on his face, spoke casually, "I was crossing the Dragon Ridge Mountains and was worried about finding a place to rest. I saw your village and thought to seek shelter, not realizing I was intruding."

Internally, Owen wondered, How was I supposed to know people lived in such a dilapidated village?

Hearing his explanation, the villagers looked shocked, exchanging glances and whispering among themselves. 

"Dragon Ridge Mountains? He came from there?" 

"Those mountains are full of strange spellbeasts, with dozens of intermediate races; he crossed that?" 

"So powerful, could he be a practitioner from an advanced race?" 

"We shouldn't provoke him..."

The elderly villager's expression relaxed slightly, "So, you truly did not come to invade us?"

Before Owen could respond, Erin boldly chided, "How dare you speak to my master like that? Do you think he would be interested in a place like this?"

The elder sighed with relief and said to Owen, "My apologies for the misunderstanding, please come this way." 

He led Owen to his house, motioning for the other villagers to disperse.

The elder poured Owen a glass of water and sat down on a chair with difficulty, "Greetings, outsider. My name is Aka. May I know who you are?"

"I am just a traveler," Owen's eyes twinkled slightly, "You can call me Addie."

"Addie, alright. Please wait a moment; I'll have the villagers prepare some food for you. You must eat a lot," Aka said, forcing a smile that looked rather strained.

Observing the dilapidated state of Aka's courtyard, Owen couldn't help but say, 

"That's alright, I can catch my own food in the wild. You should keep your food for yourselves..."

Aka shook his head slightly and said earnestly to Owen, "Outsider, we in Darkveil always offer everything we have to our guests. Are you looking down on us in Darkveil?"

"No, not at all," Owen hadn't expected Darkveil to be so hospitable, "Aren't Darkcast an intermediate race? Why are you living in such dire conditions?"

"We are not the intermediate race Darkcast, but Darkveil. Just a disadvantaged race," Aka clarified.

"Then why don't you ally with an intermediate or advanced race? Surely it wouldn't be this bad," Owen inquired.

A wave of sadness swept over Aka, and he pounded his fist on the table, 

"We are a disadvantaged race, the lowest on the Novalia continent. How can we afford to be choosy? Who would accept us in their ranks?"

"The Darkveil don't possess great abilities; we're looked down upon. We're subject to looting, random invasions, and our people are used as food..."