The sun was high above the village, casting a golden hue over everything it touched. The air smelled faintly of earth, smoke, and food cooking over open fires. Ray walked through the main road of the village, nodding at the people who passed.
"Ray! It's Ray!"
"There he is!"
"Big bro Ray!"
Children swarmed around him like bees, tugging at his tunic and shouting his name. Some clung to his arms, others simply stared at him with wide, admiring eyes. Ray offered them a warm smile, patting one kid on the head while gently shooing another away before he tripped over his own feet.
"You're really amazing, big bro!" a boy with a chipped tooth grinned. "You killed goblins!"
"And fed everyone!" added another girl, clutching a half-eaten sweet potato.
Ray scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "I didn't do that much…"
"No, you really did!" a passing old man called out, carrying a small bag of seeds. "You gave this village a second chance, lad. No one else would've tried!"
The praise was warm. Heartfelt. And yet, it felt heavy too.
Ray smiled politely, but deep inside, he knew something was still wrong.
"Everyone's happy now. But what about the ones who haven't come out? What if more people are still suffering in silence?"
That thought wouldn't let go.
He gently excused himself from the crowd and approached a group of adults near the well. They were talking cheerfully, enjoying the sight of children playing nearby.
"Excuse me," Ray began.
The villagers turned, quickly bowing their heads in respect. "Hunter Ray! What can we do for you?"
Ray waved a hand. "No need for that. I wanted to ask… do you know if there are still families hiding in the outskirts? Maybe people who are too weak to come out? Sick children? Elders who can't walk?"
The group fell quiet.
One woman furrowed her brows. "You mean the ones who… never left their homes?"
Another man frowned. "Some of them haven't been seen in months. But… why are you asking?"
Ray paused, then answered honestly, "Because I want to help them. I don't want anyone to die alone in a corner of this village. Not while we're trying to rebuild."
The villagers looked at him with surprised eyes.
A younger man crossed his arms. "That's… really noble of you, Ray. But isn't it dangerous? Some of the homes are on the verge of collapsing. You could get hurt."
"I'll take the risk," Ray said without hesitation. "They're part of this village too, aren't they?"
Silence stretched again before the woman who spoke earlier nodded slowly. "There's an old man named Rensel near the southern well. Lost both his legs last winter… no one's checked on him in weeks."
"And a mother and daughter who live near the grain shed," said another. "The girl's too sick to walk. We… we didn't even know if they were still alive."
Ray nodded. "That's enough. I'll go see them."
As he turned to leave, one of the older villagers called after him. "Ray!"
He stopped.
"Why are you doing all this?" the man asked. "You're just a kid. You've already saved us once. What drives you to keep going?"
Ray turned, eyes calm and serious.
"Because if I was still starving in that hut a week ago… I would've wanted someone to save me, too."
His voice wasn't loud. But it hit deep.
And with that, Ray walked away.
---
Ray visited each house they mentioned. One by one.
The house near the collapsed fence held an old man who barely had enough strength to speak. Ray left behind food and water and promised to return.
The home near the grain shed was worse—dark, silent, and filled with the heavy scent of sickness. Ray knocked, and when no one answered, he pushed the door open gently.
Inside, a pale woman clutched a girl who looked barely alive. The woman looked up in fear, but Ray knelt and placed bread and dried meat on the table.
"You're safe now," he whispered. "Feel free to eat as much as you want. Come to the center tomorrow. We'll help."
Tears fell silently from her eyes, but she nodded.
By the time evening came, Ray had visited five more families—each one forgotten, neglected not by cruelty, but by the sheer hopelessness that had gripped the village for years.
The system chimed softly in his mind.
> [Hidden Quest Progress Updated]
"Ray of Hope"
Forgotten Families Found: 7/??
Bonus Objective Unlocked: Aid 10 families to receive early reward.
Ray sat on a stone near the village square, tired but satisfied. Children ran by, laughing. Elders worked in the fields. And somewhere nearby, the smell of soup filled the air.
He looked up at the sky, stars starting to peek through the purple clouds of dusk.
"This world might be harsh. But maybe I really was sent here for a reason."
The system chimed once more.
> [System Notice]
You have inspired a new Title:
"Light of the Forgotten" – A title given to one who brings hope to those lost in despair.
Passive Effect: Slight increase to Charisma when interacting with the poor, weak, or outcasts.
Ray chuckled.
"Not bad," he murmured. "Let's keep going there's a lot more work to do."