Golden's eyes ached from staring at the horizon all morning. His legs were sore, his body worn from six months of foraging, hunting, and barely surviving in the ruins. Yet, there it was—a faint wisp of smoke curling into the violet sky.
Human… life!
His heart thudded painfully in his chest. Could it be real? Could there actually be other humans in this forsaken world?
Cautiously, he crept closer. The trees gave way to open land, and soon, the shapes of buildings became visible. Simple huts of timber and stone, smoke rising from chimneys, small gardens fenced carefully, and a stream flowing through the center of the settlement. Animals roamed freely: goats grazed near the fences, chickens clucked and scratched at the soil.
Golden froze.
From the corner of his eyes, he saw movement—people. Villagers, moving about with purpose, carrying baskets, tending small fields, repairing roofs. Some were armed lightly with spears and knives, and their movements were practiced, deliberate. Children ran and played near the water, laughing faintly.
They're… real humans, he thought.
But his instincts screamed: this wasn't safe. Even after six months alone, Golden knew the world outside the ruins could kill in an instant. Dragons, divine beasts, monsters beyond comprehension—anything could strike at any moment. Yet, these humans… somehow survived.
Golden crouched behind a bush, taking in the village, studying the villagers. The buildings were scattered, simple but functional, with a larger hall at the center—likely a meeting place or communal hall. The smell of cooked grain and firewood filled the air. It was a scene from a normal world… yet impossibly alien in Axiom.
Axiom. That name came to him as a thought he hadn't realized he knew. One of the four continents in this world. If he wanted to survive, he needed information. Names, locations, anything about the creatures, the lands, and other humans.
Golden wiped the sweat and grime from his face. He had to take a risk.
Stepping carefully into a clearing, he raised his hands slightly to show he wasn't a threat. His voice cracked after six months of silence.
"E-excuse me…" he called, barely louder than a whisper.
A man paused mid-swing of his axe, eyes narrowing. "Who's there?"
"I… I'm human. Please… can you tell me where I am?" Golden stammered, his throat dry, voice trembling.
The man's gaze scanned him from head to toe—wild hair, tattered clothes, thin frame, gaunt face. Then he nodded slightly. "You're on Axiom. One of the four continents. Humans live here, but don't think you're safe. Creatures roam everywhere. They can kill before you even blink."
Golden's stomach twisted. "Dragons… divine beasts… monsters?"
The man's eyes hardened. "Everywhere. Some are small, some huge. Some are clever enough to hunt humans. Survival isn't guaranteed. You'll learn that fast if you plan to live."
Golden's chest tightened. Six months of isolation. Six months of barely scraping by. And now he finally understood—this world was even more dangerous than he had imagined.
"I… I need food, water… ," he said. "I've been alone for months. Can you… help me?"
The man paused, then lowered his axe. "Eat first. Talk later. You look like you haven't eaten in weeks."
Golden nodded, relief and fear twisting together in his chest. He had found humans.
He had found life.
But he also understood something crucial: just because humans lived here, didn't mean he was safe. Not yet.
This world was Beautiful,Merciless And it had only just begun to reveal its true nature.