LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 6: The seed of influence
Chapter 6: The Seeds of Influence
The village lay just beyond the forest, its small houses tucked away beneath towering trees that swayed with the wind. The sun had just begun to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows over the dirt roads and quiet homes. Reiji, still reflecting on his recent encounter with the wolves, walked slowly, the weight of his actions pressing heavily on his mind.
He had freed the wolves from their mindless aggression, but in doing so, he had created a new problem. They were no longer mere beasts; they were thinking creatures, struggling with their nature. What would they do now? How would they fit into the world of players and NPCs? Would they try to forge their own path, or would they fall back on old instincts?
His thoughts were interrupted by the soft flutter of wings. Aeris appeared beside him, floating lightly through the air in her humanoid form. Her golden eyes watched him carefully, as always, though her expression was unreadable.
"You've done something that many others would hesitate to attempt, Reiji," Aeris said, her voice soft yet laden with meaning. "The wolves are no longer the same as before. But neither are you."
Reiji gave a tired sigh. "I didn't intend for it to go that far. I just wanted to stop the violence. Now… I don't know what to do with them. They've changed, but I've only given them more problems."
Aeris's wings fluttered, a gesture of mild amusement, though there was no real joy in it. "What you've done is reshaping the world in ways you cannot yet fully comprehend. Whether you realize it or not, you've sparked something. And with the Fate Points you possess, there will be more to come."
Reiji glanced at her, frowning. "More what?"
"More consequences," she replied, her voice thoughtful. "The actions you take, even the smallest ones, will create ripples. And when those ripples reach the ears of the right people, it will be like a storm breaking over the world."
Reiji didn't know whether to feel proud of the change he had made or scared of its implications. The wolves had left, but they would not forget what had happened to them. The world around him was not as simple as it had seemed before. His decisions had weight now.
"Then I need to be careful," he said, more to himself than to Aeris. "If I'm going to change the world, I need to make sure I don't make things worse."
Aeris nodded in silent agreement, her wings shimmering in the twilight. "You cannot undo what has been done, Reiji. But you can shape what happens next. And remember, not all the changes will be as easy to control."
They reached the edge of the village, where the small wooden houses began to thin out and give way to the fields beyond. The villagers were still on edge after the wolves had attacked, though there was a noticeable tension in the air that spoke of a fragile peace. Reiji could feel it—the way people were watching him, their eyes flicking nervously toward him as they went about their work.
They didn't know it yet, but his presence had already begun to influence the world around him.
A young woman, carrying a basket of vegetables, caught sight of Reiji and froze, her eyes widening. She seemed hesitant to approach, but after a moment's pause, she gathered her courage and walked toward him.
"You… you're the one who stopped the wolves," she said, her voice shaky but grateful. "Thank you. The village owes you."
Reiji wasn't sure how to respond. He hadn't exactly stopped the wolves—he had altered them. But there was no point in getting into the details. He gave her a small nod and smiled, trying to reassure her.
"I did what I could," he replied simply.
The woman hesitated for a moment longer, then lowered her eyes to the basket in her hands. "I've heard whispers about you. Some say you have powers… strange powers. Powers that could change everything."
Reiji's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't expected word of his actions to spread so quickly, especially not in a village as small as this. His Fateweaver abilities were still a secret to most, but the more he used them, the more likely it was that someone would figure out what he was capable of. And once they did, there would be no going back.
Before he could respond, the woman spoke again, her voice barely above a whisper. "Be careful. Not everyone will see you as a hero. There are others out there, powerful people, who might want to use you… or eliminate you."
Reiji's gaze hardened. He didn't know who the woman was referring to, but he could feel the weight of her warning. In a world like this, power was both a gift and a curse. And now that he had started using his Fate Points to shape the world, he had made himself a target. Whether he liked it or not, he was no longer just another player. He was someone to be reckoned with.
"Thank you," he said quietly, bowing his head slightly to show his gratitude. "I'll be careful."
The woman gave him a nervous smile, then quickly turned and hurried back to the village. Reiji watched her go, his thoughts swirling. He could feel the weight of her warning—he had made enemies already, and he hadn't even realized it.
"You've already begun to attract attention," Aeris remarked, her voice filled with a mix of amusement and concern. "It's inevitable. People will take notice of you. And while many will see you as a hero, others will see you as a threat."
Reiji turned toward her. "Then what should I do?"
Aeris's wings fluttered again. "Do what you always do, Reiji. Continue making choices. Continue changing the world. Just remember—every choice you make has consequences. And some of those consequences will be harder to control."
Reiji didn't respond right away. He didn't have the answers, and Aeris didn't have any more advice to offer. For now, all he could do was move forward, one decision at a time. The weight of his power was heavier than he had anticipated, but he knew there was no turning back.
As the last rays of sunlight faded from the horizon, Reiji stepped forward, ready to face whatever came next. The world was changing, and with every step, he was becoming more and more a part of it.
End of Chapter 6