After entering the village and seeing that people were still farming, Ray noticed some villagers casting side glances at him before returning to their work. He didn't mind it. The scent of fresh earth filled the air, and the distant sound of metal striking wood echoed through the fields. As he moved further in, several children began to gather around him, curiosity lighting up their faces. They asked eagerly if he needed help or guidance.
Ray's eyes scanned the surroundings until he noticed a young girl trying to join the group—but the boys blocked her path, shoving her back as if she didn't belong. Seeing her being bullied stirred something in Ray. Without hesitation, he stepped forward and picked her from the crowd.
Gasps spread through the group. The girl was shocked—frozen in his arms—while the boys looked both confused and frustrated.
"She doesn't know anything," one of them blurted out. "She's a cursed girl!"
The girl opened her mouth to protest, but the boys continued trying to convince Ray.
But Ray remained calm and firm. "She'll lead us," he said flatly.
The boys had no choice. They sighed in defeat and drifted away, casting backward glances filled with resentment and perhaps a little fear.
Ray then looked down at the girl and asked gently, "What is your name?"
"My name is Arisa. Arisa Starbloom," she replied, her voice soft, uncertain.
Ray nodded, offering her a kind smile. "My name is Ray. Ray Walker. You can call me Ray, and I'll call you Arisa—since we look about the same age."
Arisa's eyes brightened. "Ray!"
He nodded again. "Lead the way, Arisa, and tell me about this village."
Arisa began walking, her steps becoming lighter. "This is a village that has existed for more than tens of thousands of years," she said with pride. "Our ancestors built this village after traveling a long way. From that day onward, they settled here. And then, generation after generation went by, and we are still living here now."
Ray chuckled softly at her explanation. It was innocent—childlike in its simplicity. He was hoping for deeper insight, unknown knowledge. But Arisa seemed to enjoy telling the story, her voice bouncing with excitement. Either she truly knew very little... or she was clever enough to be hiding something.
Ray raised an eyebrow. "What does this village have to offer?"
Arisa halted, placing a finger on her chin thoughtfully. Then, continuing to walk, she answered, "We have ores, we have ingredients for pills, and we have people here with various kinds of talents."
Ray nodded. "Is there any person here who can work on clothing? You know—someone who's good at sewing?"
Arisa gave him a strange look, puzzled. That wasn't a question any outsider had asked before—not to her, not to any of the children. Usually, outsiders were obsessed with cultivation resources, rare beasts, or ancient artifacts. Boys and girls often fought over guiding them just to listen to the gossip later. But sewing?
Ray laughed at her reaction.
Arisa smiled sheepishly. "There is my grandma… she knows how to sew and makes clothes for me."
Bingo, Ray thought. "Good. Lead the way to her."
She nodded and began walking with a bounce in her step, clearly proud of her grandmother. As they made their way through the village, Ray observed everything. The sound of sickles slicing through stalks, the rhythmic chopping of wood, the chatter of villagers faintly floating in the background. Some looked up briefly at them before returning to work—some with neutral expressions, others with visible discomfort.
Ray caught it. That unease in their eyes. And for a moment, he didn't understand why.
"Why are they looking at me like that?" he asked.
Arisa's mood shifted. Her shoulders drooped slightly, and she kept her eyes on the ground as she walked. "It's because of me. They also think I'm cursed."
Ray's gaze softened. "Why do they think that?"
Arisa hesitated, then said, "It's because of my bad luck, maybe. Whenever I say something will happen—it actually happens. Like over there… see that man chopping the tree? He's staring at us… not noticing that the tree is about to fall on him."
Ray and Freya turned their heads. The tree still stood, only half-cut. The man—muscular, focused, and unaware—continued working while sneaking glances at them.
Then it happened.
A loud crack. The tree collapsed suddenly—just as Arisa had said—and crashed down over the man.
Farmers rushed to help. Miraculously, the man had survived, only dazed and bruised.
Freya leaned in close and whispered in Ray's ear, her tone laced with unease. "Should we run away, Master? This girl is not simple… she might really be cursed. And that man is a body cultivator—very strong."
Ray shook his head calmly. "It's fine. No worries."
He turned to Arisa. "Lead the way. You need to tell me more about your ability."
Arisa was taken aback. No one had ever reacted like that before. Usually, once they heard about her so-called curse, they'd switch guides midway or simply leave her behind. But Ray… he looked interested. Even Freya looked like she wanted to walk away, yet Ray was still here.
Her eyes welled slightly, and she looked down as she walked. Then, gathering herself, she took a deep breath and led Ray onward.
"My ability is not what you think it is," she said quietly. "I cannot see the future."
Ray leaned slightly, curious. "Then what is your ability?"
But Arisa didn't speak. Not yet. She glanced at Freya—someone she didn't trust. Ray noticed it too.
Without another word, he turned to Freya. "Go 500 meters away."
Freya frowned. "Master, I—"
Ray's gaze was firm. Unshaken.
Reluctantly, Freya complied, retreating without another word.
Then, with a wave of his hand, Ray cast a sound-concealing formation around them. The air shimmered faintly. Arisa's eyes widened in awe.
"Now you can tell me," Ray said gently. "No one will bother us."
Arisa nodded slowly. "It's because the spirits told me—the tree was going to fall. At first, I used to warn people whenever there was danger. But when they asked how I knew… I would just say I heard a whisper."
Ray asked, "Why didn't you tell them that a spirit told you?"
Arisa shook her head. "The spirit told me not to tell them. Never to tell them."
Ray's voice was calm. "Then why did you tell me?"
Her eyes met his. "Because the spirit told me to. It said… to tell you. It seems the spirit truly loves you as well."
Ray's expression changed—his eyes narrowing slightly in wonder. "Can you see the spirits too?"
Arisa nodded. "Yes. I can."
Ray smiled, genuinely impressed. "A wonderful ability. You should cherish it. These spirits will save your life. I wish I could see them too."
Arisa giggled and, with a hopeful glimmer in her eyes, raised her hand. "Ray… will you become my first friend?"
Ray smiled warmly and took her hand in his. "I would be glad to have a friend like you. You are my first friend here. Let's go. Lead me to your grandma's house."
Cheerfulness bloomed across Arisa's face. With renewed energy, she turned and began to lead the way. Ray, now intrigued more than ever, called Freya over and together they followed Arisa toward her grandmother's home—toward the beginning of something neither of them fully understood yet.