The whispers in the village carried on the wind, swirling around the narrow dirt paths and weathered huts. "Look, it's him," someone murmured. "And his strange family."
The gossip was relentless. Rumors about Eis and his peculiar kin spread like wildfire, especially about his aunt, the village healer, whose body was widely regarded as... well, utterly grotesque by village standards. The stories made your stomach turn.
How could someone live with such a family? If it were me, I'd have run away long ago.
But Eis held his chin high, clutching his sister Kaela's tiny hand tightly as they stepped out of the humble hut.
His eyes were calm, reassuring. "Remember what I told you, Kaela," he whispered as they navigated the bustling village. "What they say doesn't define who you are. You're stronger than their words."
The village was small but fiercely guarded. Surrounding it was a massive wall, crafted from an unusual, dark, dense wood.
Legend had it that this enchanted timber warded off Tier 1 monsters, the creatures lurking just beyond the woods, waiting for a moment to strike.
As they approached the village chief's residence, a surprisingly large and sturdy structure for such a modest settlement, Eis noticed the cluster of boys and girls, roughly his age, gathered outside. Their faces were eager but tense, waiting for the day's proceedings.
Eis's entry was slow and deliberate. His broad, stout body barely squeezed through the doorway, drawing whispers immediately.
"Wow, look at him," a voice muttered. "He's so big, so strong. I wish I had that much wealth."
Eis just shrugged internally, used to the stares.
"So, having a fat body means you're rich? Well, I guess that makes sense," he thought, trying to hide his discomfort behind a neutral expression.
The village's perception of its size was distorted, perhaps because it symbolized prosperity or, maybe, just strength.
The village chief, a corpulent man whose girth made it difficult to sit comfortably, lumbered onto a wooden bench with a grunt. His voice boomed across the clearing as he addressed the gathered youth. "Today marks a sacred tradition, six thousand years old, where we groom our warriors. You, the young, are the future and the present.
You will protect this village from the beast that lurks beyond the wall. Remember, this is mandatory. Those who refuse will face the consequences."
He paused dramatically, then gestured toward the massive wooden gates. "The gates will open soon. Each of you will hunt your own monster. Return safely, or don't return at all. That's the way of our ancestors."
"Well, that's for the men, at least," the leader barked, a broad grin spreading across his face. "Ladies, we've got your meat right here.
Step right up, collect, and eat. Men, you shall be leaving now. You may choose a weapon from these; choose carefully, it could save your life."
Eis's eyes widened in surprise as he took in the scene. This was his first time arriving in this world, and he couldn't help but notice some of the guys in the group looked so skinny, so fragile, that he was sure they wouldn't survive the hunt. But that wasn't his concern. He kept his face neutral, minding his own business.
Then, with a sweeping gesture, he beckoned the boys forward.
"Men, step up. Choose your weapons wisely; they may save your life. These are your tools for survival."
On a nearby table lay an assortment of weapons, spears, bows, knives, some polished and new, others battered from years of use.
Eis's eyes widened at the array.
Some boys looked confident, but others, like the scrawny ones, faced their first hunt with visible fear.
He knew they might not survive, but he kept his own fears buried deep. Picking up a sturdy spear, he stepped closer to the gates, heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination.
"Kaela, don't worry, l will be back home safe and sound."
Eis hesitated. "Home safe? My ass," he thought bitterly. "I can't fight. I've seen enough kung fu movies to mimic some moves, but that's not enough." Still, he nodded, trying to hide his uncertainty. "I'll be back. I promise."
He watched as the villagers began their preparations, the air thick with anticipation and the scent of danger.
The great gates groaned open, revealing the dark forest beyond, a place of shadows and whispers, where monsters waited.
For now, Eis could only stand at the threshold, clutching his spear, ready to face whatever horrors lay ahead.
His mind raced with fears, hopes, and a burning desire to prove himself, because in this world, survival depended not just on strength, but on courage and resolve.