I have a long dream. One in which I am suddenly about to be catapulted into a new world. I see my own birth. For some reason, the woman that is clearly my mother is glowing. But that new world is cold, loud, and missing her warmth. So I claw my way right back in.

It takes a while but finally, a nurse convinces me to come out. She's wearing one of those sexy nurse's cosplay. I'm not complaining about that. But as I slide outside there is no one to catch me.

There is a Lunar Goddess insulting me while I'm just falling. Finally, I land in something relatively soft. How lucky, it managed to break my fall!

But then the odor enters my nose. A putrid odor, one of decomposition, one of death. The soft surface I am lying on is skin and flesh. I can see faces, familiar faces. Everyone that I've always loved. All are there.

Then some blood starts overflowing from the body pile. It quickly forms a pool. I'm trying my best to escape, but it submerges me. It enters my mouth. I can taste the iron and I start retching.

That is when I see a man in black. One that is chuckling madly. Saying something about tricking a dumb goddess. But then he falls over. He starts foaming at the mouth. Looking straight at me. For some reason, I feel like he is real.

He is looking straight into my eyes. Then he starts begging.

[Please, please …"

"Help...]

"The poison is…"

I'm not sure why, it is a ridiculous idea, but I have the feeling he is the one that killed my friends. I simply watch while he's agonizing. Until he is finally about to breathe his last. I look him dead in the eyes, smiling slightly.

My previous disgust and fear are gone. I am just enjoying the moment. Then it all disappears at once. What a peculiar dream *Sigh*. I can hear someone talking.

"Come here, little Wolf! Just let him sleep, I'll feed you something good!"

What's that? Someone that wants to feed Wolfie? She must be hungry, we have been walking for a while. Wait! Someone wants to bring her away!

I open my eyes and flip upright!

[No one is taking Wolfie away!]

I adopt a fighting stance. Whoever tries to hurt her I'll destroy. No matter who! No matter their numbers! No matter how powerful they are! I look all around.

A middle-aged woman with an old cooking apron. She seems speechless.

"I'm just trying to give the wolf some food. You've been sleeping for a week. Honestly, I'm not sure how you are even so energetic!"

A small storage room, canned food, diverse tools.

There doesn't seem to be any danger for now. I feel like as long as Wolfie remains by my side it should be fine. I can heal and cure poison as long as I get there in time.

[Where is this?]

"Hehe, welcome to the Village of the End."

What's with the ominous name? Is it full of necromancers or something?

[What's with the name?]

"Oh, nothing much just an old name."

Right…as if it could be that simple. Ah, whatever. I don't care. They can go about their business and I'll take care of mine.

"Now, how about breakfast? We are pretty poor, but we at least have that."

She guides me to a table in the living room. She gestures me to sit and has Wolfie eating farther away on the ground.

At least that's the plan, I pick her up and settle her on my lap while sitting. My host gives us a weird glance at first but doesn't protest. Then she brings some soup, carrot soup.

One that does look delicious.

"Eat up while it's still hot!"

[Thanks. Ah, just to make sure this won't affect your own food supply, right?]

"Don't worry haha. We are missing a lot of things, but not carrots."

She doesn't seem to be lying. Not that I'm a good judge of that anyway. I simply wait for Wolfie to eat her fill, watching on the sidelines.

"Kid, it's noble to want to take care of your wolf but you should eat in priority. Otherwise, you'll fall."

[Thanks, lady. But that's where you are wrong. I won't fall. No matter what. Not before her at least.]

Meanwhile, I'm just petting her fur. Soft, comfortable, but mostly soul healing.

"Kid, you've been through a lot recently, haven't you? I can tell."

[I'm fine I just…] I feel tears trickling down my face. Enough to blur my vision. Tears that I can't stop no matter what. I can taste the saltiness. I must look so damn ridiculous right now. I'm just…

"You've lost people you loved, didn't you? I know how it feels. This village was founded through the sacrifice of our loved ones. That's how it got its name. They fought to protect it and finally succeeded. They said that even with the end of the world they would make sure it remained, for it was their village."

Why are such stories so common in this place? Why can't everyone simply be happy?

"But what's important is not who we lost but who remains. You still have your wolf at the very least."

She seems to show a pitying gaze. She can't understand how awesome Wolfie is. She is not just a Wolf. But she's right.

"Alright, enough crying. Do you want to visit this place? Some sun and a walk always help in my experience."

Wolfie seems to be encouraging me.

[Alright.]

"Perfect! Follow me!"

Before long we are done touring the village. There are about 50 residents, a lot of small houses, many carrot fields.

[What's with all the carrots?]

"Haha, these are special ones that grow especially fast in the area. Each is also especially nutritive. It is what feeds us all year long. Honestly, it is a true blessing that we have such a chance."

I can agree with that. Funny how they have no problem eating whatsoever without relying on bullshit like the abundance goddess.

I really hope my stunt with the poison will have weakened her at least a bit. I'm pretty sure it did. I don't know if she has followers anywhere else, but she did lose many at once.

Still, while carrots are interesting there is something I am curious about.

[What's with the big blue dome?]