(Mael's POV)
I walked through the forest, trying to memorize the way back to Ichitsune Village. Tsuki gave me some food and a gourd of water for the trip back. I wasn't bothered by the fact that she wanted me to leave already; I don't blame her for it. To her, I was just a stranger with a dangerous power. I could see it in her eyes: her distrust for me.
The old man who gave me a ride wasn't lying when he said that.
I sighed, "This place is quite the interesting one." I said aloud, "I really don't get it. But with time, things will make sense."
I kept walking, looking around to pay attention to my surroundings. I couldn't wait to get back to the village, maybe pay another visit to Sumi and check on her. Back when I was with her, we had sex, but only for a bit. I stopped, not wanting to hurt her leg even further.
She was eager to see me again and told me not to keep her waiting that long. Well, it had been a few days now, and I wanted to check on her. I really didn't know if it was smart of me to become attached to a girl I had just met, but maybe I just wanted to ensure that she was okay.
Why was I like this? Why was I so worried about strangers?
I mean, what can I do? This is the only thing I could do. I was not home, not anymore. I was in the Distorted Godlands now. My family is back home and I really don't know what's going on with them. It hasn't been a week and I already miss them terribly.
My sisters.....Lisa...
I can see now and I want to see their faces. I miss them so much.
I sighed as I walked, hanging my head down, "There's no point in sulking." I said, "I have to wait for the Blood Moon. Tsuki didn't even mention how long until the next on, but I hope it's not for a while. I need time to get stronger and find a Relic."
I stopped, having picked up the scent of smoke and ash.
I sniffed the air, looking around, trying to pinpoint the source of the smell. I looked to the side of the path, the scent was coming from within the trees. I sniffed the air again, trying to focus on the smell.
This was due to the powers I absorbed from the Okuri; the sense of smell. I hadn't really mastered this enhanced sense, but I was trying my best to do so. Enhanced speed, enhanced strength, and enhanced senses; those are what I got from absorbing the Okuri.
I can tell that the smell was coming from within, and that drew me to walk towards it. I made my way through the trees, the smell getting thicker and thicker.
"Hm...." I said as I reached what looked like a small cabin in the middle of the woods, "What?"
There was a campfire right outside the cabin, which was still lit. I looked at it, confirming that this was the source of the smell of smoke and ash.
"I see." I said
"Oh, hello there!" I heard a voice call out, making me jump out of surprise
I looked to the side, seeing a woman walking up to me, wearing a simple brown kimono. She seemed to be of elderly age, her grey hair had white streaks in it, signs of age. Her tanned skin had wrinkles on it, showing off her mature age.
But despite her clear, mature age, she had quite a healthy and curvy body. Her hips were wide and there were healthy flabs on her belly. Her thighs were quite thick and even from this angle, I could see that she had a large ass. Not only that, her kimono was not hiding her large cleavage, which showed that her breasts were not affected by her wrinkles.
"Oh, hello." I said, "I'm sorry to intrude, I was alarmed by the smell of smoke."
"Oh, you mean my campfire." She said, walking up to it, giving me a warm smile, "It's okay, I was just preparing it for my supper."
I nodded, my eyes darting at her backside, seeing her large and round ass. There was something strange and alluring about this woman.
"Right...." I said, looking around, "Is this your home?"
"Yes." She said, crouching down and stoking the flames, "Why do you ask?"
"Well, wouldn't it be dangerous to live in an isolated part of the Forest?" I asked, "I mean...."
"Ah, don't worry." She said, "The Okuri don't prowl around these parts. And lately, I have not heard the howling."
"Right....." I said, looking at her
She looked at me, her aged brown eyes making me feel a certain way. Her smile was warm, unusually warm.
"What is your name, young man?" She asked
"Mael." I said
"Mael, such a strange name. You are not from Kazuha, are you?" She said, straightening up, "Are you, perhaps, a Cosmic Traveler?"
"Uhm...." I said, "I suppose I am."
How would she know what I am? Maybe some people know more than others in this place.
"Hm." She said, "Come on in."
"Inside?" I asked
"Yes, you seem to be tired." She said with a warm smile, "I would like the company, after all."
She opened the door to the cabin and gestured inside.
This is obviously not something that would be wise to do; walk into a stranger's home. But I'll be on guard; maybe I'm overthinking it. If this is some sort of trap, I'll summon my Okuri and defend myself.
"Right." I said as I walked towards the door, "Thank you."
"Yes, yes." She said as I walked inside the cabin
It looked like a simple cabin, with some mats on the floor and a few chests around the area.
I stood in the middle, my eyes darting around the room, trying to check for anything unusual.
"I have some sake if you're interested." She said, going to a shelf that had a few bottles, "Would you be willing to have some?"
"I don't drink." I said, "Thank you, though."
"That's alright, fufu~" She said, grabbing the bottle, "I'll have some myself then. Take a seat, young man. I'll get you something to drink and I'll prepare supper."
I sat down on the mat in the middle and she walked over to me, handing me a cup of what I assumed was tea.
"This is Cold Herb Tea." She said, "It is quite tasty when its cold."
I took the cup in my hand and smelled it, but I didn't smell anything unusual. It had quite the pungent scent of herbs.
"Thank you...." I said as she sat down and poured sake in a cup, "When the fire is ready, I'll prepare the food."
"Just relax~"