I now have a new decision to make...

The man that exited the hut looks simple. His clothes are worn and clearly have seen better days. I can see dirt on his hands, especially under his nails. He has an earthly smell with a scraggly beard. He looks like a farmer.

He is probably is one too. There seems to be a small path leading toward the back of the hut. It is the kind of path that was made simply by the repeated passage of a single human over a long period.

It is also very well defined. This means that the man always walks the same exact way without going out of it. It shows someone with ingrained habits. Seeing how coarse his hands look, he probably works a lot. That is when he comes out of his stupor and greets me in a friendly tone.

"Hello, there! It's not often that people pass through here. You seem exhausted! Are you alright?"

I give an embarrassed smile as I awkwardly scratch my head.

"I'm afraid that I'm lost. I was hitching a ride with a merchant caravan when some sect people started fighting. We all ran, and somehow I ended up here, completely lost. I'm surprised to see anyone living here!"

He shivers a bit before showing a genuine and understanding smile.

"*Sigh* These sects are the worst, aren't they?! Always fighting over territory. Well, I can't blame them. I'd do too if I had any talent for magic. No, all I can do I grow potatoes. Can you believe how unfair the world is? Some get incredibly strong magic, and here we are with nothing, I tell you."

Somehow he's not even done!

"Yes, I can't even begin to imagine what it's like to live in a sect. Could you imagine being that strong? Then you can just go anywhere you want! Want to run in a dangerous monster-laden area? Go ahead! Want to visit a city? Go ahead! Want to drink and be merry? Go ahead! Gosh, I'm so jealous."

His outlook on sects sure is simplistic. Well, they do enjoy their positions as overlords of their territories, but there are many problems.

"Right, but at least we common people have a peaceful life, most of the time."

"Hehe, you are right about this, brother. Sects don't care about the food we treasure, and they don't care about keeping a farm up. Ah, but in your case, they may care about trading. It just won't be the same lowly stuff as us."

"I hear you. Anyway, I should be on my way. Where is the nearest town? I want to somehow find out if my traveling companions are well after we had to slip."

"No way! Look at you! You'll fall at this rate. There is no way I am letting you leave that easily. I may not look like much, and I may be poor of wealth, but I am rich of heart! So get in and let me give you a bit of food."

Normally I'd be more than happy to oblige him. I'd peacefully spend the night talking then be on my way without a worry in the world. Right now, I am on a tight schedule. But then again, it's true that resting now will make sure I don't fall of exhaustion.

"Alright, but just having a roof to spend the night under is plenty. No need to trouble yourself too much and …."

"No, I insist! Come on in!"

He sure is happy-go-lucky. I can't say I dislike that. I slowly follow, but I make sure to gesture my Gu to stay hidden. It obediently does in the folds of my clothes.

Before long, we are sitting at a table, a rough wooden one that barely deserves the title. He busies himself with a small fire and starts roasting potatoes. But as he does, he begins talking. That is when I realize why he was so insistent that I come in. The man is lonely, extremely so. I simply keep nodding along, listening to his stories.

"Once, I saw a giant flying creature pass right above here. I still don't know what it was, but it looked big and powerful. Back then, I went...Wow! And also Amazing! I was even wondering if I was dreaming, so I pinched myself, and it did hurt. That's how I knew it wasn't a dream."

He incessantly keeps going...

"Talking about dreams, I once had a dream that I was a green fish. Can you believe it?! A green fish, I'm telling you!"

"There was once a man walking nearby. He was fully clothed in green clothes. We had a meal, and at some point, I asked him why he was wearing only that color. That's when he told me that it used to be white but that he had rolled in freshly cut herb during a fight. Can you believe it?! It was white!"

"There was that one time I talked to that one guy. His skin was so white and pristine he looked like a lady. Now I'm not gay, but even I…but that's not the point! No, the main thing is that he gave me white berries too, ones that I planted…."

He suddenly seems to come to a realization as he fixes me intently, with his eyes glowing in excitement.

"Ah, you are a merchant, right?! How about we do business together?! These white berries are so very delicious! They're not magical or anything and are really hard to grow, but they are worth it! How about it? Do you want to become my business partner? We could become rich together!"

Quite funny how a random man is trying to convince the Champion of the Eternal Gu Breeder to start a berry selling business. He's so happy about his suggestion, and he's looking at me as if I am gold itself. He clearly imagines plenty of wonderful scenarios already.

"Here, I have one. Just taste it! It's so very delicious!"

"There is really no need to get your hopes up. I don't even have the capital to start a business, I .."

That's when he waves it in front of my face. In his excitement, he applies too much pressure and inadvertently crushes the berry. That is when an incredibly sweet smell permeates the whole small hut, one so very lovely.

That is when I notice my invisible killer flying out of hiding, devouring it in a flash. I try and hide it, but it's already too late. My host has seen it.

His casual and slightly surprised expression turns white and contorts in fright as he notices its features. He looks at me, then at it. He's already shat and pissed himself. I can smell it. His very weak pleading breaks the silence.

"P-please, I-I didn't see anything. Only a merchant passed here and…no! You were never here! I've never seen you! Yes, do you want more potatoes or even berries? They are very good and…."

Life is but a series of decisions. Sometimes ones that you don't expect. Which will this one be?...