The sun had already set and darkness blanketed all underneath the sky.

A lone human walked the winter-touched road. Snow was falling earlier that day, albeit lighty, unlike the snowstorm barely a few days ago. Lately, the weather had been whimsical, which meant that it wasn't the ideal time for anyone to be traveling. The weather’s respite from its angry tantrum was one of the reasons the man kept walking after nightfall.

His visage was hidden under a black cloak. The area of his face was darkened by the shadow of his hood and night-time for twice the effect, just the way he liked it. He exhaled white breath in the rhythm of a tired person. Long had he traveled and there was still quite the distance between him and his destination.

“...You know what this is? This is a call to adventure! It is a cosmic force as mighty as the power of creation! Why, it’s the beginning of most epics! Now we’re out of our little corner of the world, ready to fly to the sky and chase stars. A catastrophe that fell on our town is the shout of destiny telling us to set off. Mark my words, friends, wonders and miracles will be laid at our feet. Whether they are good or bad.”

The man said to no one in particular, seemingly conversing with himself.

“...Usually, an adventure ends after saving the world or something similar… Here’s what I say, if the world needs someone like me to save it then Mister World has messed up. Saving the world is a hero’s gig and I’m most certainly not one.”

His voice was young, a teenager around sixteen years old.

“...See, before I got this… thing, taking over the world wasn’t in my agenda. Now, though? It certainly is on the table, just for the experience of it. A few years as king of the world? It will be interesting, don't you girls think?”

The journeyer paused his sentence, as if waiting for an answer from the void.

“...I hear ya, almost all evil overlords take world domination as their reason for existence. Most of them fail, slain by heroes or by their own stupidity. Among those who succeed, well, 90% of them, in the end, are ultimately vanquished. After years, or decades, or a thousand years of darkness. A kid will pull a magic sword from stone, or the son of a farmer will somehow thwart your grand plan of wiping away all life, or your distant descendant with a bleeding heart of empathy shall obliterate your source of evil power and call it redemption.”

The youth stopped walking for a second and turned his face upwards to the sky. “Villains who achieve true success are very rare… I do not think I’m invincible, so death might be what’s waiting for me in the end,” he muttered before making another step forward. “But, young kittens, I have something most villains don’t.”

“...What sets me apart from them, my friends of little faith, is that I have the infamous Evil Overlord List. A list of one hundred ways about how to avoid the doom of many common villains… Of course you never heard of it. It only shows itself to the worthy.” The youth chuckled before continuing. “And that list is only one of many... arsenals that I have.”

The seemingly self-talking served as a distraction from his weary body and lifted his spirit somewhat.

“...Ah, curious enough to finally ask, are you? Stick with me long enough and you’ll find out eventually. But I’m feeling generous so I’ll tell you one of them. Rule 35: I will not grow a goatee… Yes I kid you not. That’s real! The reason you failed to see its importance is because you’re unlearned in the ways of the Fable.”

He allowed petty amusement to come to him as he waited for their response.

“...That’s the interesting part. We’ll find out ourselves,” he smiled lightly. “Enough talk about that. I’m just saying I might, emphasis on ‘might’, do world domination in the future. It’s not something I’m gonna do immediately. Stop making a fuss. In my opinion, the journey is more important than the destination. So let’s make the most of our time here, shall we?”

“Let’s see… 30.28% now,” the youth muttered while in deep thought. His legs were on autopilot.

He used neither torch nor lantern to light his way. Celestial objects in the sky provided him with adequate illumination so far but it might change shortly. The sky was becoming increasingly cloudy as the night deepened.

He was at a hilly grassland, legs tired after hours without respite. Under his feet was a road of earth and dirt, not of stone. The ‘road’ was more traditional than an actual road, a path where grass didn’t grow because people trod upon the pathway often enough. The road was a bit muddy and slippery, thanks to the snowy season. Cold winds gave him a greeting now and then, sapping warmth and stamina away from him.

Even though the youth had higher physical strength than the common human, the elements had taken a toll on his body after days on the road. The exhaustion assaulting his body made him sigh a long and deep white breath that faded in the wind.

“Looks like rough weather is coming,” the youth said dejectedly after seeing the clouds thickening and the wind gradually getting stronger.

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The weather changed as it pleased, without caring about the feelings of any life affected by its alteration. The youth cursed as he walked because what more could he do? Gritting his teeth and accepting the situation didn’t lessen his hate for the sudden proto-blizzard.

About ten minutes later, when he started to seriously consider seeking shelter because it started to become unwise to press on, the youth stopped in his tracks and looked behind him.

An orange light, coming towards him while swaying left and right a bit. As it got closer, the youth saw a horse pulling a wooden cart driven by a skinny man. He was in his early twenties wearing a thick fur overcoat and something similar to a trapper hat. Stopping the horse near the youth, the driver took a lantern hanging next to him and shined some light upon the black-clothed youth.

“Evening. Thought you were a ghost or something for a second back there. You alright there, kid?” Asked the driver.

“Greetings. I’m slowly freezing to death, but thanks for asking.”

“Aye, you look like you have seen better days,” the driver eyed him for a few seconds before asking. “Hop on if you like, the blizzard is getting stronger. We better find some shelter quick,” the driver spoke while gesturing to the carriage with his chin.

“Oh?” The youth was taken aback by the offer. “Truly? To be honest, I’m in quite a bind so your offer is a godsend.”

“Makes no difference to me,” the driver replied. “Get on fast willya? It's freezing and I don’t want to be out here a second more than necessary.” The driver said with an impatient tone.

“…Then I’ll take up your kind offer.” The youth climbed up the coverless cart. He shared the place with a couple of boxes and barrels. It was a bit cramped, but he didn’t complain after getting a free ride.

“There’s a shack nearby, we can go there and rest for the night.” The driver said and cracked the horse’s rein, the horse briskly trotted forward.

“…Ah, how convenient. Must be my lucky day then,” the youth smiled.

“Right you are kiddo, right you are.”

Both didn’t talk more after that, each minding their own business. Just as the driver said, there really was a shack although a bit away from the road. Only fifteen minutes or so had passed before the duo reached it. Rundown, but better than nothing, at least there wasn’t a hole on the roof. A roofed stable stood nearby.

“There she is. Ain’t she an old beauty? Looks like it's unoccupied, we’re in luck. Go in first while I’m settling the horse.”

“Kay,” the youth didn’t argue.

Slowly, the youth approached the shack. He pushed the door lightly and found it wasn’t locked. The inside was barren, there wasn’t even a chair or a table. Only a wooden floor with a hearth in the center and some firewood at the edge of the room. It seemed there were two straw beds as furniture in the past but it was too derelict now and unfit to use. There were signs of people using this place in the last few days.

At least it’s dry here, the youth thought.

After he had looked around the room, the youth placed his backpack nearby and started to make a fire. He unequipped his weapon, a sword, from his waist and put it on the floor nearby. He kept the sword close, no more than an arm's length away from him. As the fire ignited, the driver came inside while shaking off the snow hugging his clothes near the entrance.

“Got something to chase away the cold,” he said while carrying a small metal pot and a small bag. “Won’t fill our stomach to the brim but better than nothing,” the skinny man smiled.

“Again, my thanks.” The youth nodded in gratitude and both started to settle down while the wind was blowing outside.

The youth took off his cloak and showed his chubby face and young countenance. His hair was cut very short, only a few centimeters. He sipped a drink from his waterskin bag, the water was cold but he felt thankful it wasn’t frozen. The driver warmed his hands on the fire for a while before preparing to boil some soup. They both smiled at each other for the prospect of a warm meal. As their body temperature rose to a comfortable level, they became more cordial.

“You saved me a great deal of trouble, sir. May the Goddess bless you,” the youth said.

“Hahah! It’s nothing. Want some?” The skinny man offered the youth an alcoholic drink which he refused. “So what’s your name, kid? And what’s yer doing traveling so late?”

“Ah, let me introduce myself. I’m Cain of Ur, pleased to meet you,” the youth said. “Long story short, I ran away from home.”

“Arnold, at your service… of Ur?” The driver cocked his head slightly.

“It’s a village where I come from, sir. It’s a small village near the Horrul forest in the south. I’m not surprised you don’t know about it. I want to register as an adventurer at the guild but the distance is longer than I thought.” Cain said while scratching his head.

“Adventurer, eh? I also had a similar dream a few years ago… Wish you luck, boy.” Arnold gave him a thumbs up.

“Mm,” Cain nodded strongly. “What’s your occupation, Mister Arnold?”

“Me? I’m a humble merchant. I have a small shop in Mokash town, which I assume is your destination, considering where I found you.” Arnold stirred the soup.

Cain gave him a gesture of affirmation before asking him another question.

“This shack is yours?”

“Not exactly. I’m part of a merchant’s collective. We built a few rest spots just like this shack around major roads. It proved invaluable during harsh weather such as this.”

“Mmm,” Cain agreed. “Very wise...” Eyes reflecting his deep consideration.

“There’s a sudden business opportunity for good coins so I have ta procure supplies from the next town. I hope the weather is clear by morning or I’ll lose money, gahahah!” Arnold laughed positively.

“Man of opportunity, aren't you? Cheers to that,” Cain raised his waterskin bag. “May fortune come to us both.”

“I’ll drink to that, the soup’s done,” Arnold said while reaching for the nearby bowl.

“Ah let me help with that. It's the least I can do,” Cain rose to his feet.

With a swift and practiced movement he grabbed the handle of his sword next to him and unsheathed it like a flash of lightning.

“Thanks lad–”

Arnold’s head dropped from his neck. His friendly and cordial expression was frozen in time. The neck spurted a gush of blood and some went into the soup. Without delay, Cain stabbed the headless body’s heart. For a few seconds, he looked down on the corpse with a stare colder than the raging blizzard outside, confirming his kill.

He knelt before Arnold’s head and whispered softly with an ominous tone.

“Want to know a secret? I see dead people.”