Adam woke with a start, blinking against the sunlight that filtered through the small window of his room. He felt... surprisingly rested. It was the best sleep he’d had in what seemed like weeks. His body, still sore from the previous day’s ordeal, felt lighter, and the headache that had plagued him last night was gone, leaving only a pleasant warmth in its place.

  He stretched, groaning as his muscles popped and crackled satisfyingly. His arms reached above his head, and his fingers brushed against the ceiling, reminding him of how small the room was. It didn’t matter, though. It was a bed. After a few moments to center himself, Adam rolled out of bed and continued his morning routine. His body still felt stiff.

  He dressed quickly in his robes; satisfied that everything was in order, he headed downstairs, eager to start his day. The scent of fresh bread and sizzling meat wafted up from the common room, and his stomach growled in response, reminding him that he hadn’t had a proper meal since last night.

  The stairs creaked beneath his feet as he descended the steps. The inn's common room was warm and lively, with several people already seated and chatting over breakfast. The innkeeper, a broad-shouldered man with a permanent scowl on his face, stood near the counter, wiping a mug with a rag. The innkeeper glanced up as Adam approached, his gruff demeanor softening ever so slightly. "Ah, you’re up early, herbalist. Here," he said, pulling a small leather pouch from under the counter and sliding it toward Adam. “100 copper I figured it would be easy for you to shop without worrying about finding change.” "Thanks," he said, slipping the pouch into his inventory. "The room was perfect. Best sleep I’ve had in ages."

  Adam turned away from the counter, scanning the room for a seat. A few people were already eating breakfast—some talking amongst themselves, others quietly reading or looking over maps. He noticed an empty table near the corner and made his way over to it, grateful for a quiet corner to himself. As he sat down, he saw a serving girl approach him, a young woman with short, dark hair and a tired but kind expression. "Morning," she greeted him with a polite smile, jotting something down on a small notepad. "What can I get for you today?"

  Adam glanced over the small chalkboard menu near the counter, then looked back at her. "I’ll have the scrambled eggs with sausage and toast, please. And do you have any tea?"

  The girl raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching with something like surprise. "Tea? We don’t normally serve tea, sir. But we’ve got water or light beer to drink. You pick."

  Adam’s brow furrowed slightly. "Light beer? For breakfast?"

  She nodded, a bemused smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "A lot of the folks around here like it. Helps get the day started."

  Adam chuckled, shaking his head. "I’ll stick with water, then. Tea can wait."

  The girl quickly flicked her wrist to write down his order before turning to leave. "Water it is. I'll be back with your meal shortly."

  While he was alone, he began to plan out his day; after breakfast, he was going to go to the edge of the forest and pick some herbs before hopefully making a stall and creating some simple salves. If anyone needed healing or herbs, they could buy or trade at the stall while he created salves. Hopefully, he could trade or sell enough to get all the traveling gear he wanted and maybe see if a bed would fit in his inventory. He smiled at that.

  The serving girl returned a few moments later, balancing a tray with his breakfast. The warm, buttery aroma of the eggs and sausage hit Adam’s nose, and he couldn’t help but smile. It wasn’t a feast but more than he’d had in a long time.

  She set the tray down in front of him with a nod. "Here you go. Enjoy."

  Adam picked up his fork and dug in, savoring the simple, hearty meal. The food was not just nourishment for his body, but also a moment of respite from the worries of the world. As he ate, he couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. It wasn’t until he sipped the cool water that he realized the innkeeper had approached him again.

  "Hope the meal’s to your liking," the innkeeper said, his tone not entirely unfriendly. "So, what are your plans for the day? You planning to stick around the village, or…?"

  Adam set his fork down, swallowing before answering. "I’m planning to head into the forest," he said. "There are herbs out there I want to collect, things that could be useful. I’ll also set up a small stall by the roadside to see if anyone needs healing potions or salves. If I can make a little coin, I’ll use it to buy travel supplies. I plan to stay in the village for at least a few days. Make sure everyone here is taken care of."

  The innkeeper nodded slowly as if considering Adam’s words. "Sounds like a good plan. We could use someone like you around here. There are always people in need of healing or remedies. Just don’t go getting yourself in trouble out there."

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Adam smiled, grateful for the brief moment of camaraderie. "I’ll be careful. No trouble here."

  The innkeeper gave a short grunt in acknowledgment. "Good. Take care of yourself, herbalist. And if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask."

  After finishing his meal, Adam stood up from the table, feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. He offered a quick nod to the innkeeper as he made his way toward the door, the cool morning air greeting him as he stepped outside. The village of Galewood was quiet at this early hour, with only a few people moving about. The steady hum of life here was comforting—people going about their business, chatting with neighbors, preparing for the day ahead.

  Adam took a deep breath and began walking down the cobbled streets, his eyes scanning the village as he moved. The wooden houses were simple, with flower boxes under the windows and small gardens filled with vegetables. A few children played in the street, their laughter filling the air, while older women exchanged gossip in the square.

  He paused by a small market stall, where an elderly woman with silver hair was arranging freshly picked vegetables. She smiled at him as he approached.

  "Good morning, dear," she said warmly. "You’re the herbalist, aren’t you?”

  Adam smiled back, grateful for her kind words. "Yes, that's me. I’m just walking through today. I wanted to let everyone know I’ll offer some healing salves and other treatments this evening."

  Her eyes widened slightly, and she straightened up, nodding in approval. "Well, bless your heart, we could certainly use a healer around here. Your skills will come in handy between the farmers’ cuts and the occasional sprained ankle." She leaned in a bit closer, lowering her voice. "And you’ve heard about the harvest festival next week, haven’t you? The village has been getting a lot of visitors, so having someone who can help with all kinds of ailments would be a blessing."

  Adam nodded, thinking about the festival. "I hadn’t heard about it, but it sounds fun. I’ll be around for a while, so I’ll help if anyone needs it."

  The woman smiled. "You’ll fit right in, then. Best of luck with your herbs, and don’t hesitate to stop by if you need anything!"

  As he reached the edge of the village, he saw the wooden palisade surrounding Galewood and the guards stationed at the gate. Two men dressed in simple armor stood watch, their eyes scanning the road for any potential threats. They didn’t seem overly concerned, but Adam noticed their posture immediately stiffened as he approached.

  "Morning," Adam greeted them, trying to keep his voice light. "I’m heading into the woods just beyond the village. I’ll be looking for herbs to pick; nothing too far. I’ll stay within sight of the village. Just wanted to let you know."

  One of the guards, a tall man with a scar running down his cheek, gave him a wary look but nodded. "Aye. Just be careful. There’s been talk of wolves in the area recently. Just be careful. I don’t wanna have to bring your body back.”

  Adam smiled, not taking offense. "No worries dude. I’ll be back before you even know it."

  He began scanning the forest floor, looking for any herbs he might be able to use or sell.

  After a few minutes of searching, Adam spotted the familiar, low-growing plant he’d seen countless times—the Basic Healing Herb. Its rounded leaves were a deep green, and its tiny white flowers looked almost fragile. He crouched down and carefully plucked a few leaves, making sure not to take too much. The herb was essential for his healing salves.

  Not far from the Basic Healing Herb, he spotted another plant he recognized: Twilight Moss. It grew in thick patches on the shaded side of the trees, its soft green fronds glowing faintly in the dim light of the forest. The moss was perfect for headaches and reducing pain.

  As he kept walking, bending down sometimes to pick the herbs, Adam came across a new herb he had never seen before.

  [SYSTEM MESSAGE]

  Herb: Moonshade Blossom

  Effect: Known to induce mild sedation and relieve pain. Often used in sleep aids or to calm anxiety.

  Rarity: Uncommon

  Uses: Can be brewed into a calming tea or used in salves to ease muscle tension.

  This could help in a few areas, and depending on how mild the sedation would be, he could have tea! He was going to test this on a villager first, though. The Moonshade Blossom was an uncommon herb, though he would have to be careful with its use. He carefully harvested a few flowers, mindful of the delicate petals. This was definitely a plant worth remembering.

  As he moved further along the stream, Adam’s attention was drawn to a thick patch of leaves near the water's edge. The leaves were large and waxy, with jagged edges, and the plant had a faint, sharp scent. He crouched down, carefully examining the plant.

  [SYSTEM MESSAGE]

  Herb: Moonvine

  Effect: A soothing herb known for its ability to ease cramps, reduce bloating, and balance hormones during a woman’s monthly visit. Often used to relieve mood swings and discomfort associated with menstruation.

  Rarity: Common

  This was going to be a great seller. Embarrassing to advertise, though.

  Walking back towards the village, he spots one more herb he must have missed. Looking over and inspecting it, he jumps up and down for a moment between the last two herbs he was going to make it will in this new world.

  [SYSTEM MESSAGE]

  Herb: Lifebloom Leaf

  Effect: An uncommon herb whose leaves, when brewed into a tea, have distinct effects depending on the drinker’s gender. When consumed by a man, it enhances fertility, making it easier to conceive a child. When consumed by a woman, it creates a temporary shield, rendering her infertile for 24 hours, providing a natural form of birth control.

  Rarity: Uncommon

  Adam starts his way back to the village, ready to start helping.