A savage

The settlement was a sprawling metropolis. Buildings of all shapes and sizes lined the streets, their weathered facades bearing witness to the passage of time.

Artisans' stalls overflowed with handcrafted goods, their vibrant colors and enticing aromas filling the air. Children's laughter echoed through the narrow alleyways.

Ruben and Theo led Arthur through the labyrinthine streets.

As they ventured deeper into the settlement's heart, the bustling marketplace gave way to quieter residential districts, with the houses of the wealthier members of the settlement.

"We're almost there," Ruben announced, pointing towards an imposing structure that stood out from the surrounding buildings. Its sleek, modern design contrasted sharply with the weathered architecture of the rest of the settlement.

As they approached, a burly guard emerged from the shadows, his hand resting on the hilt of a holstered pistol.

"State your business," the guard demanded, his voice gruff and authoritative.

Ruben stepped forward, gesturing towards Arthur. "We're here to register his residency permit," he explained.

The guard eyed Arthur with a skeptical gaze. "Three of you for a simple registration?" he scoffed. "Well, I suppose it doesn't matter. Go on in."

With a curt nod, the guard waved them past, and they entered the building's cool, dimly lit interior.

Ruben guided Arthur through a maze of corridors, their footsteps muffled by the thick carpeting. They eventually reached a reception area, where a queue of people snaked towards a row of desks manned by stern-faced clerks.

After a few minutes of waiting, it was Arthur's turn. He approached the desk, his heart pounding in his chest. The clerk, a woman with a severe expression and tightly pulled-back hair, peered at him over her spectacles.

"Residence permit," she grunted, extending her hand.

Arthur took the copper plaque out of his pocket and placed it on the desk. The clerk scrutinized it for a moment, then nodded curtly.

"Stamped and approved," she declared, stamping the plaque with a resounding thud. "Next!"

Arthur snatched his permit back. He turned to leave but then stopped short, his eyes widening in surprise as he noticed a computer terminal sitting on the desk beside the clerk.

"You have computers here?" he blurted out, unable to contain his astonishment.

The clerk looked up from her work, a hint of amusement flickering in her eyes. "Of course," she replied. "What did you expect?"

"I... I don't know," he stammered. "I guess I just assumed that... well, that you wouldn't have such things here."

The clerk chuckled softly. "We may be isolated from the bigger settlements and cities," she explained, "but that doesn't mean we're backwards. We have everything we need to survive and thrive, including technology."

Arthur's curiosity was piqued. "So, you have... internet?" he asked, his voice filled with wonder.

The clerk nodded. "Of course," she said, her eyes softening with pity as she slowly observed Arthur. "I see now, from your attire and equipment, you must come from a community of savages."

"It must have been hard to survive as a savage slave hunter. But you'll find tranquility here," she added.

Leaving the building, Ruben gave Arthur a reassuring smile. "I hadn't realized you came from a tribe of savages," he said. "You can keep the copper coin I gave you."

Theo patted Arthur's shoulder and said, "You can keep mine too."

Arthur looked at them slowly, preparing to explain that it was false. But he decided not to do it; he didn't want to waste his energy on these two fools.

Hungry, Arthur inquired, "Where's a good spot for an affordable meal?"

Ruben suggested, "Let's head to my dad's shop. Mom will whip up something."

Theo nodded. "I've missed her meals."

"Thanks, Ruben," Arthur expressed his gratitude.

On the way, Arthur noticed, "The guards are equipped with firearms. Is that common around here?"

Ruben answered, "No, firearms are not common here; only the guards are allowed to have them."

Arthur realized, "So, only order enforcers are armed."

Ruben corrected him. "Actually, the guards just monitor. The real enforcers are the faction members, and they only use knives."

Puzzled, Arthur asked, "Isn't that less effective?"

Ruben, with a hint of pride in his voice, replied, "Even though I haven't witnessed the full extent of the faction members' abilities, it's an undeniable fact here that a knife-wielding faction member is far superior to any gunman."

Arthur's face darkened. "It seems I've underestimated the factions." Then he remembered that the system would allow him to acquire the talents of creatures in his harem; he absolutely had to charm a member of the knife faction.

The trio arrived at a stall on the facade of a building where a broad man with a face resembling Ruben's was working his cleaver on a huge piece of meat.

Seeing Ruben, his face brightened, and he hugged him across the workbench.

"Son, where have you been? Your mother's worried sick. Go to her," he urged.

Ruben replied, "I'm sorry to have worried her, Dad. I'll go right away."

Arthur greeted Ruben's father with a respectful nod. "Good day, sir."

The man returned the greeting warmly. "Hello, young man. I see my son has made a new friend."

His gaze then shifted to Theo. "Good day, Theo."

Theo responded in kind. "Good day, sir."

Ruben led them through a door at the back of the shop, opening to a living room where a middle-aged woman sat in a worn armchair.

Upon seeing Ruben, her face transformed with a radiant smile, and she enveloped him in her arms. "Where have you been, Ruben? You vanished for the whole day. I was terrified you'd ventured into the ruins."

Ruben's voice was a mix of excitement and defiance. "I did go to the ruins, Mom. It was amazing."

His mother's voice rose in alarm. "How could you dare! How could you!"

The commotion drew Ruben's father, who burst into the room. "What's happening here?"

She exclaimed, "He went into the ruins!"

Ruben tried to reassure them. "Mom, Dad, everything went well. Theo and I met our friend in the ruins, and he helped us numerous times."

Ruben's mother turned to Arthur, questioning. "What is your name?"

"Arthur," he replied simply.

"I thank you, Arthur," she said, her voice softening.

Ruben then recounted the entire tale of their expedition to his parents.

Ruben's mother's words were firm. "You must never go back there again."

Then, with tears brimming in her eyes, she turned to Arthur. "Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You saved my son and his friend from that zombie and the golem."

She continued, her gaze appraising Arthur. "You're a very charming young man. I'm sure a bright and intelligent man like you is looking for a woman."

Arthur's reply was straightforward. "Yes, actually, I'm looking for several."

The mother looked at Arthur, shocked, before turning to her son. "Can you remind me under what exact circumstances you met your friend?"

Ruben replied to his mother, "Mom, he's part of a tribe of savages. They have particular intimate needs."

Theo added, "He even asked us if we had sisters."

Arthur noticed that Ruben's father and mother stared at him as if they were dealing with a predatory animal.