****(POV)

But why the Hell are they trying so much to get rid of me so much? Just as I'm wondering about this, the blind man gives an order to the kneeling villager.

"Leave us for now, we will be talking."

The man has no choice but to comply. He's just been kicked out of his own house, and yet he doesn't even dare to make a peep. This is the strength that I aspire toward, if only not to be pushed around anymore.

"Alright, now tell me. Were you trying to cheat them back then?"

I can't help but give a self-deprecating smile.

"Not in the least, but they didn't want to even agree to sharing some food and offering me shelter. They got greedy as soon as they realized how weak I am. *Sigh* Such is life."

"Oh? What were you going to propose then?"

"Recently there have been a few skirmishes in the surroundings. Where there are corpses there is money to be made. I know it very well for I have survived a while looting the dead. The issue is that it is extremely risky alone without power."

"Oh? You think a bunch of villagers would help with that? Even with great numbers, they wouldn't amount to even one random sect member."

"Yes, that is perfectly right but only if there is a fight. No, our goal would have been different. I would have directed them in creating a scouting net. While villagers are weak, this weakness of theirs also makes them easy to overlook."

"What if someone decides to kill them on a whim?"

"*Shrug* It's always possible. There is nothing we can do about it."

"I'm pretty sure the sects would care about people stealing the belongings of the dead, don't you agree?"

"The trick is to pass after they themselves are done looting. At this point, only the scraps remain. For them, this is not worth even picking up but when you are extremely poor you are not as picky."

"Sounds like a relatively good plan. You wanted to convince the villagers to help you and you would have prospered with them? But instead, they chased you away and even just tried to silence you. I take it they probably wouldn't make great boniness partners."

"Indeed, I don't want to have anything to do with them anymore."

"Say, are you angry? What would you do if you were more powerful?"

Is this a test? He's usually riding a creature straight out of a nightmare and yet he himself seems kind. It's sending me mixed signals. I get the feeling there is a right answer for sure but it eludes me.

Not only that but I feel like thinking about it won't help me realize it either. At this point, if he leaves me behind, I am screwed. Here goes nothing, I'll just be honest. Worst case I'll die.

"Of course, I'm angry. I've been ridiculed, chased after, and toyed with. I wish for them to pay. I wish for them to know how it feels like to be the one judged as worth less than trash without being given a chance. I'm so damn hungry too and yet they even tried to screw with that one thing I was especially looking forward to!"

"Oh? Then what would you give up for revenge?"

I can feel my heartbeat intensify. For years I have been running for my life. For years I haven't had any control over my own life. I kept imagining what I would do if only I was more powerful.

I yearn for such an opportunity. Does getting back at some random villagers help me? Not at all. It's not about them, it's about myself. It's about the despair I've been feeling, about my powerlessness. I know it is pointless and crazy, but I truly want to take control of my own fate for once! Yes, even in such a twisted way.

"I'd give way more than I should really. What do you suggest?"

"How about this, you remain at my side and help me make my way around whenever needed. That is all I will ask of you. Keep doing that until I accomplish my goal and your debt shall be paid."

What? That's it? I'm seriously doubtful that he even needs my help. He's been navigating the place perfectly and is able to somehow notice so much of his surroundings. I feel like decoration at this point.

"Haha, don't overthink it. Did you know I just recently figured out that my steed was a dead one? Let's just say I do not perceive things as much as I learned to guess them is all."

"That is actually extremely impressive! This is even better!"

"Sometimes yes, sometimes not. But there is one thing I am guessing. Perhaps these villagers would have cooperated had they realized that you weren't trying to cheat them. Do you still think they deserve to be punished if they wronged you only because of their ignorance?"

"Yes, it doesn't change the impact of their actions."

"Even if there could be a way for them to turn a new leaf? Would you spare them if they were truly repentant?"

"No, I wouldn't."

"I understand, then you can have the horse help you for now. But do remember our deal."

"I won't forget for sure!"

Now, what am I planning? Well, I clearly remember what they all think of vagrants. Apparently, we are all evil and trying to steal food. The kids are saying it, the adults are thinking it and the chief even tried to get rid of me directly.

I have a fun idea right now. I go grab the horse. At first, it doesn't want to follow my orders but then I bring it to the blind man that resolves it. I can see the fear in the villagers' eyes. They are all shaking as I meet their eyes. Some are running inside their houses to hide. Except, it won't help them this once.

I start shouting.

"Ladies and gentlemen! I have heard you loud and clear. Vagrants definitely are so irksome and vile, aren't they? So vile in fact that you guys sent kids to cut me and your chief to poison me. Well, I have good news! Today I shall help you chase vagrants away!"

That is when I order the creature to start destroying houses. All of them besides the one we are staying at for the night. The villagers are angry, sobbing, despairing, but no matter what I tell it to keep going.

Some villagers flee in panic, some valiantly perish with their houses and some even try to attack me only to get killed by the undead. Soon only rubble remains. I simply head back toward the only house standing.

That is when I look back at them.

"Ah, right! I forgot to say. This land is ours from now on. All of you vagrants should leave, you have an hour! Ah, also don't even try to steal or it will kill you. *points at horse*. Have a great night everyone!"

Thus, I head inside to sleep peacefully.