Chapter 38: The Harsh Road - Part 1

The darkness of the forest cloaked Miles and John as they darted through the dense undergrowth. Despite their hurried pace, Miles’s system guided them with pinpoint accuracy.

“Left here,” Miles whispered, pointing toward a narrow path that seemed like nothing more than a gap in the trees.

John hesitated, glancing at the overgrown trail. “You sure about this?”

Miles rolled the dice internally, and the system’s voice confirmed: “Path is clear. Low chance of ambush.”

“Positive,” Miles replied, leading the way.

They moved swiftly, Miles’s uncanny luck ensuring they avoided pitfalls and monsters. It wasn’t long before they emerged from the thick forest, far beyond the village of Faelwen. The faint glow of dawn touched the horizon as the two collapsed onto a grassy clearing to catch their breath.

“That... was something else,” John said, panting. “You really are something, Miles.”

Miles gave a tired smile. “Thanks. I guess luck isn’t as useless as people think.”

John chuckled. “Not when you’re the one using it.”

Once they had caught their breath, Miles turned to John, his tone more serious. “John... do you ever feel like—” He paused, searching for the words. “Do you ever feel like everyone just wants to use me for my power?”

John looked at him, his gaze steady. “Honestly? I’ve seen it. Nancy and Lancy relied on you too much. And I won’t lie—your ability is incredible. But I’d rather not become dependent on it.”

Miles blinked in surprise. “Why not? It could make things easier.”

John shook his head. “Because it’s not fair to you. You deserve better than to be treated like some kind of tool. And relying on luck for everything... that’s a slippery slope. People forget how to solve problems on their own.”

Miles was quiet for a moment, touched by John’s words. “You’re... different, you know that?”

John smiled. “Maybe. But that’s why I can’t stay in a party with you, Miles. Not because I don’t want to, but because I have my own goals. And honestly, you don’t strike me as the kind of guy who’d enjoy my kind of life.”

Miles frowned. “What kind of life is that?”

John hesitated. “A quiet one. I want to settle down someday, maybe become a craftsman or a farmer. Something simple, away from all this fighting and danger.”

Miles nodded slowly. “I get that. So... what now?”

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John stood up, brushing dirt off his clothes. “You should head to Lumeina City. It’s a big place, full of merchants and opportunities. You can sell the dungeon loot there without anyone asking too many questions.”

“You really think I can handle myself?”

John grinned. “Miles, you’ve got more than luck. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders. Just... watch out for scammers. Though, honestly, I think you’re sharp enough to spot them a mile away.”

Miles smiled faintly. “Thanks, John.”

The two clasped hands, a silent promise of goodwill before they parted ways.

______

Meanwhile, back in Faelwen, Lancy woke to find herself alone. The faint light of dawn filtered through the cracks in the abandoned building they had taken shelter in. Her eyes darted around, and her heart sank when she realized Miles and John were gone.

“He left...” she murmured, her voice a mixture of anger and sadness.

As she stood, a sudden chime echoed in her mind—a private message. The words scrawled across her vision were cold and impersonal:

“Report immediately. Any information on unusual abilities?”

Lancy stared at the message, her jaw tightening. She knew what they wanted: Miles’s power. The thought of sharing it—of putting him at risk—made her stomach churn.

“No,” she whispered to herself. “Not him.”

She clenched her fists, conflicted. If she disobeyed, it could cost her everything she’d worked for. But if she reported him...

A memory of Miles flashed in her mind—his nervous smile, his unwavering determination even in the face of danger. She couldn’t let them take that from him.

“I’ll find him,” she vowed. “I’ll find him, and I’ll keep him safe. Even if it means keeping him all to myself.”

With renewed determination, she turned her back on the message and began planning her next move.

______

Miles adjusted the straps of his satchel as he trudged along the dirt road, his thoughts tangled in a mix of relief and unease. The morning sun hung high, casting warm light on the rolling fields and distant forest surrounding him. Despite the serene scenery, Miles couldn’t shake the nagging sense of uncertainty about what lay ahead in Lumeina City.

The system chimed in his mind: “Path to Lumeina City remains safe. Low encounter probability. Estimated travel time: two days.”

“At least that’s some good news,” Miles muttered, though he still glanced around nervously.

With every step, he felt the weight of solitude pressing on him. For the first time since his journey began, he was truly alone. No party to rely on, no one to demand rolls from him, no constant chaos.

And yet, he wasn’t sure if he liked the silence.

By mid-afternoon, Miles approached a small roadside inn tucked against a grove of oak trees. The building was modest, with a wooden sign swaying gently in the breeze: The Rusty Kettle.

Miles rolled the dice in his mind to check the safety of stopping here. The system responded: “Safe. Minimal risk.”

“Good enough,” he said, stepping inside.

The inn’s interior was warm and welcoming, with the scent of freshly baked bread wafting through the air. A handful of travelers sat at wooden tables, chatting quietly over mugs of ale. Miles approached the counter, where an older woman greeted him with a kind smile.

“Looking for a meal or a room, lad?”

“Both, actually,” Miles replied. “How much for the night?”

“Two silver for the room, and an extra silver for dinner,” she said.

Miles instinctively reached for the dice, rolling to see if he could negotiate a better price. The system replied: “Moderate success. Offer three silver total with breakfast included.”

He hesitated before speaking. “How about three silver for dinner and breakfast included?”

The woman studied him for a moment before nodding. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”

Miles exhaled in relief. Even small victories felt satisfying when he wasn’t sure what challenges lay ahead.