I flinched at all the stares but managed to keep my cool. The village had oriental buildings with a market district. There were a couple stalls on the sides of the district with some shops here and there. I was most interested in the smithy, however. I had a burning desire to acquire a greatsword.

Jane gestured for me to follow her, and I did. We arrived at an oriental house that was relatively larger than the rest. I assumed it would be the village leader's house, and it was. Jane knocked on the door and an elderly woman answered.

"Why hello Jane, what would the village's strongest hunter want?" said the elder. Jane then gestured to me and introduced me.

"Well Mr. Adkins, I'm Mila and welcome to the village. I see you're in a bit of a tight situation, so I'm willing to let you stay here for a while." She gave a warm smile after saying that. Jane immediately responded with full force.

"What? Elder, why would you allow an outsider, especially a human to stay here?!" She emphasized "human" in the statement. I didn't care about the bias she was showing me, everyone has their own circumstances. The elder did retort to Jane's outburst.

"Why not? I sense no malice from him. There isn't any harm in letting him stay for some time. Actually, why not let him stay with you?" The elder said with a shrewd expression.

Jane's face turned red as some dirty thoughts swam through her head. She turned to me with a slightly blushing face.

"You better not try anyth-" I cut her off.

"I won't. Don't worry so much." I didn't understand why a 23-year-old woman would act like a teenager when it came to things like this. "Also I'm broke, I have no money." The elder just smiled.

"Just work it off then, Mr. Adkins." She handed me a piece of paper. "Take it to the smithy, he'll make you a weapon of your choice and you can work off the debt through hunting. Now good day Mr. Adkins." She then closed her door and left Jane and I standing in an awkward silence.

Jane said she would find me later, so I looked for the smithy that I had seen earlier. Arriving, I entered the smithy. I saw a burly man working on something at the forge and asked for his assistance.

"Yes? Do you need something?" The burly man walked up to the counter, his forehead was covered in sweat and he had some burn scars here and there on his arms. I walked up to said counter and he held his hand out.

"My name is Abel." I reached out and shook his hand.

"My name is Michael. I'd like to order a weapon." I said while handing him the elder's note. He took the note and read it over before handing it back and giving a small nod. Abel looked at me and asked me the question I anticipated the most.

"What weapon would you like?"

I instantly answered, "A greatsword." He then smiled at my answer and went over to his forge. I asked him another question, "Can I also get some leather armor and chainmail?"

"Sure, they're over there." I looked in the direction he gestured at and saw some armor laying around on a countertop.

I went over and picked some chainmail, a small leather chest-plate that covered the chest area, some leather gloves, and shin guards. Abel let me pick out some durable boots to go with it. When I took a closer look, some item screens popped up.

Steel Chainmail Defense: 20 Durability: 30/30 Just some regular chainmail made of steel. Can block slashes but not piercing weapons. +5% resistance to slashing attacks, -5% resistance to piercing attacks Leather Chestplate Defense: 15 Durability: 25/25 A chest-plate made out of leather. Only covers the chest area. Leather Gloves Defense: 10 Durability: 20/20 Plain leather gloves. Leather Shin Guards Defense: 12 Durability: 25/25 Some shin guards made of leather. Nothing special about them. Durable Leather Boots Defense: 10 Durability 25/25 Some durable leather boots. They seem to be made with special soles that reduce pressure on the feet. Have a comfortable walk!

After receiving the items, I wondered if there was an inventory since I could check my status. A screen then opened up to show a panel with a 15x15 spaced grid. I used the armor pieces to get familiar with the inventory by storing and withdrawing them over and over. Thanking Eden in my mind, I left the smithy. To my surprise, Jane was standing right outside, she was waiting for me.

"You took your sweet time. Let's go, I'll show you around." Both of us strolled around the village. Many Foxkin gave me confused stares as if saying "Why are you here? Why are you with Jane?". A few gave me friendly gazes and a few gave hostile ones. Eventually, a Foxkin stepped into my way and gave me a hostile glare. I was about 1.8 meters tall, but this guy was probably 1.87 meters. A little taller, but it was noticeable. I stood there confused, I was sure I hadn't done anything wrong.

"Why are you here, human?" He had his hand on his sword. Before I could say anything, Jane stopped the man.

"Back off Adam. He is a guest of the village."

"But Jane-"

"He is someone the elder approved of. Back. Off." Jane said with an intimidating aura. Adam promptly retreated. but not before giving me a menacing glare.

On the way to Jane house, I tried to strike up a conversation.

"Sorry about that Jane, I was just looking around and he just threatened me." Jane looked at me before her gaze softened.

"It's fine. Adam is always an idiot. He always thinks I'm his property or something. I'll never love that idiot." We arrived at Jane's place where she went into her room.

"I'll go take a bath now, take one afterward. You should freshen up." I was taken aback by her hospitable attitude but assumed it was because of the Elder's orders. I explored the house for about 10 minutes after she came out dressed in a kimono. Her cleavage was showing and I probably stared for half a minute before she responded.

"My eyes are up here Michael." My heart skipped a beat. Jane was a tall woman, standing at 1.72 meters, and I realized how much more beautiful she was in that kimono. I suppressed the burning desire in my heart and got up.

"I'll go take a bath now." I walked past her and stepped into the bathroom and looked around.

The bath was built into the floor and I promptly undressed and got in. I soaked in it and cleaned myself for about 10 minutes before getting out feeling refreshed. I put on the only clothes I had and exited the bathroom. She led me to the guest room she had and I immediately hopped into the covers and fell asleep.

-Jane's POV-

He fell asleep instantly. I was shocked at first. He was a very strange man. His gentle, emerald eyes, his unkempt black hair. He had a clean-shaven face and sharp features. Realizing that I was staring at his sleeping face, I went back to my own room slightly flustered. Why do I feel like this? I crept into my own bed. Thoughts of Michael were the last things present before I fell asleep...