I travel down the road and see a chest nestled in some bushes, this peeks my interest and I head over to investigate. I bend down and inspect it, only a wooden chest so it should be easy to open. I kick the lock and it pops off so I can easily lift the lid. Inside is some leather gloves with metal on the knuckles and three gold pieces. I add the coin to my pouch and put the gloves on, adding three defense and two attack to bare-handed attacks. Not bad, I'm sure there are better pieces of equipment but I have basically nothing right now so I'm not complaining.

I hear rustling nearby and have to quickly defend myself as a giant rat jumps out and attacks me. I hiss in pain, shoving it back and pulling out my new mace, swinging it into the rat's side. It dies on the first hit and I'm left with a cocky grin on my face. I should keep an eye out though, there are probably more in the town. That'll probably be the next part of the mission, clearing the town of these guys. That'll be more tedious than anything.

I start wondering around town again and see a man wondering around, injured but determined. "Hey!" I call out after checking there weren't any enemies nearby. He looks up startled and we head to each other, meeting in the middle. "Do you need some help? I have a health potion." I offer foolishly.

"I should be alright. Are there others?" He asks.

"Yes, I saved three so far and then there's my house maid." I report. "Where's your house? I cleared the area of most enemies so you should be safe back in your home now."

He nods, "Alright. I'll head back home then. I should have some things to dress my wounds there as well." He says and heads off. This was so far proving to be a walk in the park. I got a notification that I saved 4 of 7 now.

I kill a couple more rats along the way before finding three people at the steps of a ruined Longhouse. Probably where the major usually lives or Jarl I guess. I don't know what they have here. Could be some crazy name too so we'll just go with leader. They see me approaching and one of the men draws a sword and approaches with caution. I hold my hands up, not wanting to fight them since I know they aren't enemies. "Woah. I'm not a bad guy. I'm here to check on all the survivors of the attack." I explain.

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The man sheathes his sword and straightens his posture. "I'm sorry. I'm the protector and military advisor of this town. My name is Hegian."

"So I can talk to you about rebuilding the town then?" I ask curiously.

"Yes of course. We'll need someone who can help pay for materials and labor as we try to rebuild the place." He says.

"And make the defenses better. You know, so this doesn't happen again." I say with a slight shrug. He nods. The two behind him, on the steps, looked to be a young married couple. "Probably get them home. I already cleared most the town. I'm going to go around and clear the rest of the town. I'll help fund the project but you'll have to run things while I'm out adventuring to make the coin."

"Of course. Without our mayor I am left in charge of taking care of the citizens in any way I can." He says.

"Alright. Well I'll meet up with you later once I get everything cleared out." I say and we go our separate ways. I need to eat soon, I don't know if that's part of the game, but I still clearly have normal needs. This probably also means that bathroom breaks will be a thing.

I was right about the next quest being hunting rats and how tedious this is. I did level up though, putting more into my health and adding a perk into the defense tree, increasing the one I already have. Now 20 % natural boost instead of just 10. I'll have to sit down and actually look at the perks in each tree at some point.

Once I finally kill all the vermin, I get the completed quest notification and it was getting very dark outside. I saunter home, exhausted from all I accomplished today, my stomach growling angrily. I walk into the small home with heavy footsteps and drop my equipment by the door. Something wonderful graces my nose and I turn my head with my nose high, trying to tiredly find the source.

"Dinner is ready Milady." Isabella says with a smile, a plate of food sitting on the two person table for me.

I walk over and sit, excited to dig into the wonderfully smelling food, but I notice she isn't sitting and eating with me. "Have a seat, you made enough for yourself too right?"

"Oh, I don't think I should eat with you milady." She says shyly.

"Well too bad. It's just us. Have a seat and eat with me. Please?" I ask trying to persuade her with my horrible attempt at pleading eyes. I probably look ridiculous but she smiles and plates herself some food and joins me.

"Thank you milady." She says softly.

"We're equals Isabella. You don't have to thank me. And you don't have to call me that either. You can call me Artemis." I say with a smile of my own. "This food is wonderful! It has been so long since I tasted anything so amazing!" I exclaim.

She giggles, "I'm so glad to hear Mi-- Artemis." She says grinning. We eat and enjoy each others company for a while before I finally couldn't fend off sleep and had to make my way to bed. First night in a new place but I couldn't be happier.