The Box: Fate
Chapter 11 — The First Village
The ox cart slowly continued moving along the mountain road The monsters that had attacked earlier were gone and the path ahead finally became safer
The players walked beside the cart while watching the scenery change around them
Soon the rough forest road began turning into a wider path
Small wooden fences appeared along the sides of the road and the sound of distant human voices could be heard
The village was close
After some time the cart rolled past a wooden gate made from thick logs Several simple houses stood inside the village along with small farms and narrow streets
For the first time since entering the game world the seventeen players saw signs of normal life
People walking through the streets
Children running near small houses
The players stopped near the center of the village while the old cart driver pulled the oxen to a halt
Axel Hatanaki looked around with interest
"Well this place looks decent
He stretched his arms
"We should find a hotel or an inn to stay in
Several players nodded in agreement
Traveling through the forest and fighting monsters had already taken most of their energy
Akira looked at the others calmly
"Before we split up we should confirm everyone again
Axel nodded
"Yeah we never properly introduced ourselves after arriving here
He looked around the group
"Let's hear the names again
Akira spoke first
"My name is Akira
Axel Hatanaki pointed to himself proudly
"Axel Hatanaki
Murasaki spoke calmly
"Murasaki
Aaron Moses nodded
"Aaron Moses
Sharky Bee raised his hand slightly
"Sharky Bee
Mikochi smiled
"Mikochi
Kuro spoke quietly
"Kuro
Kyoshiki followed
"Kyoshiki
Joel gave a small nod
"Joel
Monk Fish spoke next
"Monk Fish
Two players who had been quieter until now finally stepped forward
A young woman with calm eyes spoke first
"My name is Anastasia
Beside her a tall man with a confident posture spoke next
"Julius
The rest of the players nodded while remembering their names
Meanwhile Zanaki slowly walked closer to Murasaki again with a playful smile
"So Murasaki
He tilted his head slightly
"Now that we survived the mountain together maybe you can finally admit I am a pretty reliable teammate
Murasaki looked at him calmly
"You talk too much
Zanaki laughed
"That is not a no
Several players quietly chuckled while continuing to look around the village
Meanwhile Kataki walked toward the old cart driver who had helped them reach the village
The old man was preparing to continue his journey
Kataki looked at the wine jars inside the cart
"I really liked that wine"
The old man smiled slightly
"I thought you might
Kataki nodded
"If we meet again bring more of it
The old driver laughed quietly
"You have a good eye for rare things young man
He handed Kataki the promised jars before climbing back onto the cart
"Take care of yourselves travelers
The oxen slowly began pulling the cart away from the village
The players stood there watching for a moment
Then Axel Hatanaki stretched again and looked toward the street ahead
"Alright everyone
"Let's find that hotel