Lunch in the Village

“Come on Derrick, don’t interrupt me!”

“I didn’t—okay maybe I did, but I’m just notifying you guys.”

The group looked down the path, watching the village in the distance enlarge with every passing second.

“ETA is ten minutes, you can continue with your question,” Derrick said.

“So? Your favourite food?” Jimin looked at Voidborn and asked again.

“Mango ice cream.”

“What? You? Mr Emotionless? Mango ice cream?”

Voidborn nodded.

“What do you like about it? Isn’t meat a much better choice? I looove meat — chicken, beef, fish, seafood. Gosh, thinking about it makes my mouth water.”

“It’s sweet. I like mangoes.”

“Why are you judging him? I like rainbow sherbet ice cream too!” Rei said.

“Anyway, ice cream doesn't count,” Jimin pouted. “Another one.”

“Mango cheesecake.”

“… You really like desserts, huh?”

“And mangoes.”

“Fine,” Jimin said with a grin. “I shall take note of that.”

“Why? You interested in Voidborn?” Derrick asked.

“N-no? I'm just simply curious.”

White, purple and a faint trace of yellow. Honest curiosity. Yellow perhaps due to embarrassment.

“I really like desserts too, by the way,” Jimin batted her eyelids at Voidborn. “I like sweet stuff, especially glazed donuts and jellies.”

“Okay.”

Voidborn stared at her blankly, unsure what to do with the information.

“Are you done with your question?” Derrick asked as he slowed the cart slightly.

“Yes. Why?”

“Do I get to ask anything?”

“Fine. Ask away.”

“I have three questions.”

“What? Why do you get three!”

“You guys played three rounds, of course I get three questions. And don't worry. I did my job. Once we stop for lunch, I’ll make something for your butts. I already have the blueprints.”

“Hmmph,” Jimin crossed her arms but nodded reluctantly.

“So, first question. Are you interested in joining the Machinist Union?”

“No.”

“Oh? Why not? We can offer you a proper job along with information. Our archives and networks are deep. Don’t reject me outright and give it some thought. The offer stands until your escort mission ends.”

Voidborn nodded.

“For my next question… how much do you actually know about Reborn types and factions”

“I only know the types,” Voidborn said. “Savage, Scholar, Mechanist, Apothecary, Architect, and Shadow. I do not know much of factions other than the three main ones in Zylos.”

“Hmm… Perhaps we’ll explain later. You’ll need to understand them eventually if you’re going to continue protecting Jimin during her event.”

“Okay.”

“And my final question,” Derrick grinned. “What do you think about Jimin?”

“What?!” Jimin nearly jumped. “Why are you—”

“Shush. It’s my question. Now if you don’t mind, Voidborn?”

Voidborn looked at Jimin.

“She’s beautiful.”

Silence.

Jimin froze.

“Anything else? Derrick pressed smugly. “Her personality, perhaps? What do you like about her? Do you like her?”

“Derrick Yoo!”

“She’s a bit dumb, but she’s kind.”

“You—ugh.” Jimin covered her face. “I’m ignoring the dumb part and focusing on the beautiful and kind.”

Voidborn observed her quietly. Red, blue, pink — anger, embarrassment, happiness.

Weird woman.

“Are we reaching?” Rei asked. “I’m hungry.”

“It’s right in front of us,” Derrick replied.

Then he frowned.

“…Woah.”

The mechanical horse slowed.

“What the fuck happened here?”

The closer they approached, the more obvious it became.

Broken fences lined the outer edges of the village. Watchtowers were wrecked.

“State your purpose.”

Two sentry guards stood on each side of the path of the entrance leading into the village, each carrying a spear. They wore basic metal armour, but scratches and dents visibly decorated them.

“We’re stopping by for a break before heading towards Kandar,” Derrick said, pulling out his emblem.

The one on the left approached and touched the emblem, observing the image of three silver gears of descending sizes, interlocked in a jagged manner.

“Machinist Union,” Derrick clarified.

The guard nodded and walked back to his position.

“You may pass.”

“What happened here?” Rei asked, leaning out from the cart.

“Goblin attacks,” the guard replied, his eyes heavy lidded with prominent dark circles.

“Wh—”

“Please enter. Don't block the pathway. You can seek your answers from the village chief if you intend to help. Otherwise, just have your break and scuttle along.” The other guard grumbled with a frown.

Voidborn stared at them. Their colours showed strong exhaustion and irritation, mixing with the dense cloud of dark grief in them.

“Understood,” Derrick said, cutting in right before Rei could flare up at the guard.

He stepped on the gas pedal and drove the cart into the village.

“What a rude guy,” Rei complained, crossing her arms in irritation. “Maybe they des—what the hell?”

“Shit. It looks real bad,” Jimin said.

Voidborn looked around.

Everything was in shambles. Planks had been hammered and nailed over shattered windows, makeshift thatches covered gaping holes in roofs. Blood had long seeped into the earth, forming dark stains that splattered across like dried paint.

Yet despite the destruction, the village was still functioning.

Smoke rose from chimneys. Children ran through the streets. People bargained over prices at stalls while women chatted among themselves. Villagers maintained stalls, pushed carts, and repaired walls as if nothing had happened.

Voidborn looked at them carefully.

They carried the same emotions as the guards outside.

Everyone looked tired.

The cart rolled into the village square slowly.

Children stopped their games of catching. Conversations quietened. Hammering stopped.

Everyone turned to look at them.

The heavy negativity shifted into curiosity, wariness and expectation.

A group of armed men stood near the centre well. They wore the same equipment as the guards outside — some leather, some chainmail, some merely thick cloth reinforced with metal plates.

One of them stepped forward as the cart rolled to a stop.

“You lot from Kandar?” the man asked.

“No,” Derrick answered, pulling out his emblem once again. “Zylos. Machinist Union. We're on an escort mission.”

The man visibly relaxed.

“Then you should leave before nightfall.”

Jimin blinked.

“…That bad?”

The man gave a dry laugh.

“I don't even know if this is bad at this point. Those darned goblins have been attacking us every few days.”

He sighed and waved toward the village folk, signalling that everything was alright.

“Please excuse everyone. We've just been very tense and tired lately. Every time we’ve managed to fend off the attacks, but it's not as if we’re coming out unscathed.”

“We’ve lost quite a number of guards. The attacks are getting more frequent, and the number of enemies keeps increasing. We can’t manage with our diminishing manpower.”

“Have you not requested for help?” Rei asked.

“We did, actually. To both Kandar and Zylos. Zylos’s Spellbound only accepted our request yesterday, so they haven’t arrived yet. As for Kandar, the Empire dispatched a suppression unit who arrived three days ago.”

“Where are they?” Jimin asked.

“Gone.”

The man’s expression darkened slightly.

“There was an attack the night before. With their help, we managed to fend the goblins off quite easily without any casualties. Afterwards, the leader of the suppression unit led his team into the mountains investigate the source of the attacks. We have not heard from them since.”

“Do you need our help?” Jimin asked.

“Unnie!” Rei whispered, squeezing Jimin’s arm lightly. “We're rushing to Kandar.”

The guard overheard Rei’s not-so-subtle remark and gave a tired smiled.

“It's alright. Going by the attack pattern, the next one should happen either tomorrow or the night after. Spellbound’s Wordwraiths are scheduled to arrive tonight, so we should be fine.”

“You sure?” Jimin asked.

The guy nodded.

“Will you be staying the night?”

“No,” Derrick answered. “We're just here for lunch before heading off.”

“Then eat quickly and leave,” the man replied. “I hope your journey will be a safe one.”

“Likewise to your village.”

The man’s eyes drifted toward the mountains, then he turned away to rejoin the others.

“I’ll be outside if you need me,” Derrick said.

“You’re not eating?” Rei asked.

“Just pack me something to go. I’ll eat it on the way. I need some time to mod the cart.”

“Any preferences?”

“As long it's edible.”

Rei nodded, catching the lunch box that Derrick had tossed to her. She turned and followed Jimin and Voidborn, who were already walking in.

The inn was relatively quiet despite its modest size. Four simple wooden tables sat in a square arrangement at the centre of the room, each surrounded by stools.

“Welcome. Please help yourself to a seat and the menu.”

The three nodded and slipped into the table closest to the lady who greeted them. A piece of slightly crumpled paper was already on the table, pictures of the selections available hand-drawn on it.

“Vegetable salad, vegetable curry, tomato soup with toast… it seems like there's no available protein option,” Jimin remarked, pointing at the chicken curry that was crossed out, a “NOT AVAILABLE” scribbled to the side.

“My apologies,” the lady said. “We are currently facing a livestock issue due to the goblin attacks. Meat is now being rationed within the village, so we've temporarily stopped serving those dishes.”

“Damn… that's rough. Alright then. Do you have any recommendations?”

“Our vegetable curry is quite popular. It comes with rice, and we simmer the gravy for several hours, giving it a rich flavour with natural sweetness from the vegetables.”

Rei listened with soft nods.

“If you can’t take spicy food, we also have pomodoro pasta with sautéed vegetables. We make our sauce from homegrown tomatoes. As for the vegetables, we roast brinjals, carrots and mushrooms before tossing them in the pan for a final sautée with some garlic and herbs, giving them a sweet, caramelised soft interior with slightly crispy outsides.” ”

“That sounds really nice,” Jimin said, looking at the lady. “I’ll have that then.”

“I’ll take the vegetable curry with rice.”

“What about you, mister?”

“Pasta.”

“Alright. Please give me a moment while I prepare your food.”

“Oh, and one more vegetable pasta to go,” Rei added, passing Derrick's lunch box over after paying four silver shells.

“Why did’ya copy me?” Jimin asked, leaning forward while swinging her legs.

“I didn't. The vegetables sounded sweet.”

“Right. You like sweet things.” Jimin grinned. “Say, do you find me sweet?”

“I wouldn't know.” Voidborn looked at her blankly. “I can't eat you.”

“… What? No! Not in that way!”

“Then what way?”

“About my personality, do you find me—you know what, forget it.”

“You both are hilarious,” Rei laughed. “Dumb and dumber.”

Jimin rolled her eyes.

“Anyway, isn't it weird? I've never heard of goblin attacks like this. Since when do goblins attack so frequently?”

“Yeah,” Rei said. “Normally they roam around in small groups searching for food. They rarely attack humans directly, much less repeatedly target a village.”

“It feels suspicious,” Jimin muttered. “What do you think?”

She looked at Voidborn.

“I don't think they are lying,” he replied calmly.

“Maybe the goblins just have a grudge against this village or something?” Jimin guessed.

“I don't know,” Rei said. “Anyway, it's not our problem. We have to get to Kandar. Since the group sent by the Empire has already left to investigate, I’m sure it’ll be resolved. The Empire is strong after all. Plus, the guy earlier mentioned that Spellbound’s Wordwraiths will arrive tonight. I wouldn't be worried.”

“Wordwraiths?” Jimin asked.

“Mhmm. One of Spellbound’s elite squads. They usually handle dangerous requests and suppression missions. They are quite strong, from what I've heard. What was it again? I think it was a group of five Scholars which four are Rebirth 2 Scribes, and their leader is a Rebirth 3 Archivist.”

“What can an Archivist do?” Voidborn asked.

“A crazy amount of things. In addition to basic and intermediate spells, as a Highborn, one can cast advanced spells. Their tome doubles in size and they no longer need to store basic and intermediate spells in their tome as long as remember the diagrams. So with a wave of a hand, they can simply cast it.”

Jimin’s eyes widened.

“What the hell? That's overpowered as heck! Wouldn't that make them walking a spell launching machine gun?”

“Pretty much,” Rei chuckled. “Once someone reaches Highborn status, their abilities undergo a qualitative leap. So don't get on Derrick’s bad side.”

“Who cares, I'm still gonna bug the hell out of him,” Jimin stuck her tongue out playfully.

“Anyway, it's not as if we Reborns can use our skills endlessly. Every skill consumes mental energy, so if we run out of it, we're basically fucked through two ways. Mental collapse from our Flaws, or we get mogged by the enemy.”

Voidborn nodded in agreement. He never could keep his ability to see the colour of emotions active all the time, and he would get tired.

Right then, the lady returned with their meals.

“Here you go — two vegetable pastas and one vegetable curry. Enjoy.”

She also placed Derrick’s packed lunch onto the table before walking away.

Lunch passed peacefully, only interrupted by Jimin occasionally trying to steal Rei’s curry.

Voidborn tilted his head slightly before scooping some vegetables from his own plate onto Jimin’s.

“What?” Jimin blinked. “Why are you giving me your food?”

“Aren't you stealing Rei’s food because you're hungry?”

“Uhh…no? I just wanted to try the curry.”

“You two are hopeless,” Rei laughed, pushing her bowl to the centre. “Just take it. I'm full anyway.”

“Hehe yay!” Jimin wiggled her body and danced, before scooping a spoonful of the orange-red sauce. “It's delicious.”

Voidborn tried a spoonful himself and tasted it, nodding in agreement.

Jimin and Voidborn finished up the rest of the food and the trio left the inn.

“About time,” Derrick said from atop his mechanical horse. “Get on. We should leave.”

Jimin’s eyes landed on the cart.

“What the heck did you do!” she exclaimed, climbing aboard in excitement. She plonked herself on the seat which had been modified extensively. She bounced on the soft cushion which had been installed, feeling the butt-saving up and down motions as springs squeaked silently.

“Derrick! There's even a retractable table?” Rei squealed, hopping in beside Jimin.

“Yes, that's for both you and her when you read your books,” Derrick smiled proudly. “I figured that you would need somewhere to read and write while travelling.”

“And for you, Voidborn, it's not much, but I added a sword compartment for you. You can store your invisible sword there during the ride.”

Voidborn nodded in gratitude.

“Hey. You leaving?”

Derrick turned.

A woman from the group of guards earlier approached the cart. She had long changed out of her armour, now wearing a long, elegant white dress.

“Yes.”

“Then take this,” the woman said, handing them each a small medallion. “It's a good luck charm. May the Weaver of Fate guide your threads towards fortune.”

Voidborn looked at the woman and focused his eyes. She was brimming with an overwhelming pure white honesty and deep blue sincerity.

“Thank you,” Jimin said, smiling at the woman.

The woman gave another warm smile and bowed, before turning to disappear into the bustling village market.

“It's pretty,” Rei said, tying it ongo her belt loop.

The medallion was made of black silk and embroidered with a colourful mandala pattern. At its centre rested a white circle, perhaps symbolising purity and acceptance of fate.

“We're moving off,” Derrick announced, stepping on the gas pedal.

The cart rolled out of the village beneath the weary gazes of its people, heading toward the mountains that stood quietly in the distance.

INFOGRAPHIC