Transmigrating to Modern Earth from the Future-Chapter 93: Fellow Earthlings

Lumen walked the forested path towards his village, the imposing shadow wolf’s hide slung over his shoulder like a grisly trophy. He was not in a jovial mood, despite his victory. Survival had taught him to be cautious, to trust no one outright, especially in this strange new world.

The warm glow of the sun filtered through the dense canopy overhead, casting dappled light on the forest floor. It was a stark contrast to the harsh and unforgiving world he had just traversed, but appearances could be deceiving.

As he rounded a bend in the road, he spotted a group of humans ahead. They were different from the villagers, their clothing a mishmash of Earthly styles. Lumen slowed his pace, wariness creeping over him. He had learned that danger often wore a familiar face.

Without breaking his stride, Lumen approached them with a passive tone, not wanting to appear weak but also not looking for a fight. "You’re not from around here, are you?" he stated rather than asked, his voice devoid of warmth.

The group eyed him cautiously, their expressions guarded. One of them, a young man with a scruffy beard, responded, "Nah, we’re newcomers. Just like you, I reckon."

Lumen nodded, his gaze assessing their demeanour. "I’m Lumen," he introduced himself, not caring to ask for their names. "I’ve just taken down a D-tier shadow wolf. Heading back to the village."

A woman in the group scoffed, her tone tinged with bitterness. "Taking down a D-tier shadow wolf? Must’ve been a cakewalk, right?"

Lumen arched an eyebrow, his patience wearing thin. "It was no cakewalk. What about your experiences? How was your tutorial different from mine?"

The group exchanged glances, and their bitterness turned into anger. The scruffy-bearded man’s face reddened, and he pointed a finger accusingly at Lumen. "You have no idea what we’ve been through! You were probably pampered in your tutorial, while we had to scrape and fight for everything."

Lumen’s eyes narrowed. He had faced trials and tribulations in the wilderness, every day a battle for survival. To be told that he had it easy struck a nerve. His innate energy crackled around him, and before the group could react, he unleashed a single devastating blow, knocking all of them out cold.

He didn’t have time for arrogance or petty disputes. Survival was paramount, and he would not tolerate anyone diminishing his struggles.

Leaving the unconscious group behind, Lumen continued his journey toward the village. His anger simmered beneath the surface, but he knew he had to focus on the immediate threats that lay ahead.

As he approached the outskirts of the village, his heart sank. Another group of humans had gathered, and they were blocking the entrances. These newcomers were clearly from Earth, their clothing and demeanour marking them as outsiders.

Lumen approached with a passive but determined demeanour. He wouldn’t let anyone threaten this place or it’s people, where else could he so easily receive quests like that?

"What’s going on here?" he demanded.

The leader of the group, a burly man with a gruff voice, sneered at him. "We’re not letting anyone through without paying an entrance fee. We need supplies, and we’ll take them from this village if we have to."

Lumen’s eyes flashed with anger, but he kept his composure. "We’re all trying to survive in this new world. Extorting this village won’t help anyone. Let’s find a way to coexist peacefully."

The leader laughed mockingly. "Peace? We’re not here for peace. We’re here to survive, and we’ll do whatever it takes."

Lumen had heard enough. He summoned his mana, and a blinding light enveloped him. In an instant, the entire group of outsiders was sent sprawling, disoriented by the surge of energy.

He wasted no time, walking past them and making his way into the heart of the village. But as he reached the village centre, his heart sank even further. This place, once a sanctuary, was now besieged from both within and without.

Lumen moved from building to building in the village, his footsteps echoing through the empty streets. The once-thriving community now lay in ruins, a testament to the relentless onslaught of hostile groups. He called out the names of villagers, his voice filled with a mixture of hope and desperation, but there was no response.

As he continued his search, his anger simmered just beneath the surface. These were the people he had sworn to protect, and their absence weighed heavily on his heart. He had thought they were safe within the village’s walls, but he had been wrong.

The anger grew with each empty home he entered, with each abandoned building he explored. The village had been their sanctuary, their last bastion of hope in this unforgiving world, and it had been violated.

Finally, Lumen reached the Hunter’s Guild, a place where many of the village’s skilled fighters had gathered and trained. The building’s wooden door creaked open with an eerie groan, and he stepped inside.

The interior was a stark contrast to the lively training sessions he remembered. Dust covered the floor, and the scent of decay lingered in the air. There was no sign of life, no familiar faces. The guild, too, had fallen silent.

Lumen’s anger, once a seething fire, transformed into an icy resolve. He suppressed it, forcing himself to remain calm. His demeanour became eerily composed, a stark contrast to the turmoil within.

He walked deeper into the guild, passing by empty training dummies and abandoned weapons. Memories of sparring sessions and laughter filled his mind, a bitter reminder of what had been lost.

In the centre of the guild hall, he found a wooden table covered in dust and debris. On it lay a map of the village, marked with the locations of each villager’s home and the defences they had planned. It was a strategy they had devised to protect their home. freewebnoveℓ.com

But it had all crumbled.

Lumen’s fingers brushed over the map, tracing the paths he had taken in his search. It was clear that the villagers had put up a fight, but in the face of overwhelming odds, they had been forced to retreat or scatter.

He knew that he couldn’t afford to dwell on his anger. There were still survivors out there, people who needed his help. With a heavy heart, he left the Hunter’s Guild, his steps resolute.

Outside, the village lay in ruins, a stark reminder of the challenges they faced. But Lumen was determined to find his fellow villagers, to reunite and rebuild their home.

As he walked through the desolate streets, his calm and composed exterior never wavered. He had become a beacon of hope for those who remained, a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity.

And deep within him, his anger smouldered like embers, ready to be stoked into a blaze of determination. He would not rest until his village was avenged, until every villager was accounted for, and until those who had threatened their home got what’s coming to them.