Limitless Summoner

Ethan stood up and dusted himself off, his body completely healed from top to bottom. Though the same couldn't be said for his brain.

His mind raced, still processing the events of the past few hours. A relentless wolf, a near-fatal fall, and the bizarre magic system that had saved his life. He was in a world that didn't make sense, and yet, here he was, surviving by the skin of his teeth, with an SSS grade hidden class to boot.

"Okay," he muttered to himself, taking in his surroundings. "I can do this."

The settlement wasn't far. He could see it nestled below in the valley, the soft glow of evening fires casting long shadows on the horizon. It looked peaceful—a stark contrast to the chaos he had just escaped. He started to make his way down the slope cautiously, keeping his eyes peeled for any new threats.

The steep path twisted and turned, his muscles tense with every step, ready for anything.

As he reached the bottom of the slope, the village gates loomed closer, a simple wooden structure that gave little hint of what lay inside. Would they accept him? Could he even trust them? His hand instinctively tightened around the makeshift spear he still carried.

Ethan's heart raced as he approached the village gates, the sound of his footsteps muffled by the soft earth beneath him. The air around him was quiet, save for the distant crackle of fires and the occasional murmur of voices from within the walls. He scanned the area, searching for signs of movement, any hint that someone had seen him approaching.

The gates were simple, wooden, and unguarded. There were no sentries posted at the entrance, which seemed strange, considering the dangers that lurked in the wilderness just beyond.

He hesitated just a few feet from the gate. The settlement appeared peaceful, almost too peaceful, but the tension in the pit of his stomach warned him otherwise. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the whirlwind of thoughts racing through his mind.

"Here goes nothing," he muttered under his breath as he stepped forward and raised a hand to knock on the wooden gate.

Before his knuckles could make contact, the gate creaked open slightly. Ethan froze, his breath catching in his throat. A pair of eyes peeked through the small opening, scrutinizing him for a moment before the gate swung open wider, revealing a tall, middle-aged man clad in simple leather armor.

"Ethan, where did you go? The village chief has been looking all over for you."

Ethan blinked, taken aback by the man's words. "What?" he stammered, confused. "You... you know me?"

The man frowned, his eyes narrowing in concern. "Of course, I know you. Where have you been? The village has been in a panic since you disappeared."

Ethan's heart raced, confusion clouding his thoughts. Disappeared? He didn't recognize this man, nor could he recall ever being in this village before. The last thing he remembered was barely escaping the wolf and the fall off the cliff. How could they possibly know who he was?

The man sighed, clearly exasperated. "Look, I don't know what happened out there, but you need to come with me. The village chief has been waiting and you know your father's temper better than me."

Ethan hesitated, trying to piece together the situation. Had this world somehow created a version of him that existed before he arrived? Was there another Ethan here? His thoughts spiraled, but he knew he had no choice but to go along with it. If they thought he belonged, maybe it would buy him some time to figure out what was really going on.

"Okay," he finally said, nodding.

The man gave him a long, searching look, as if sensing something was off, but then he turned and beckoned Ethan to follow him into the village. Ethan quickly tossed away the makeshift spear and stepped through the gate, entering the village.

The village beyond was small but bustling with life. Simple wooden houses lined the dirt roads, smoke curling from chimneys, and villagers moved about with a quiet energy, as if the day had worn on them. Some of them glanced at Ethan curiously as he passed, but no one spoke or approached.

The man led him down the central path toward a larger building near the heart of the village. It was sturdier than the rest, built from stone and wood, with a thick oak door standing slightly ajar.

The man stopped in front of the building and motioned for Ethan to follow him inside. "The chief's been worried sick. Best not keep him waiting."

Ethan nodded silently and stepped through the doorway. The inside of the building was dimly lit. Seated at a large wooden table in the center was an older man with a weathered face, his eyes sharp and calculating as he studied Ethan's approach.

The village chief rose to his feet, his expression one of both relief and confusion. "Ethan," he said, his voice gravelly. "You're back. Look at you! Your clothes are all torn and you are caked with blood from head to toe! You have been training again, haven't you?"