The first reason is that the gray mist dream that has troubled him for years does seem rather unusual, and the second is that Audrey Miller once said, it's better to be cautious than to make a big mistake; it's better to see problems as more difficult and consequences as more serious, rather than underestimating or being careless.

After a few seconds, he asked, "What if I don't explore it? What will happen?"

"In theory, nothing will happen. No one is forcing you." The lady thought for a moment and said, "But I'm not sure if it will change over time, and as long as there is a change, the chances of things getting worse are far higher than getting better."

"How much higher?" Logan Smith pressed, "90% versus 10%?"

"No, 99.99% versus 0.01%." The lady added rigorously, "Of course, that's just my personal judgment. You don't have to believe it."

Logan Smith immediately fell into a struggle, thoughts surging in his mind:

"Lately, I've been feeling more and more that the dream is a hidden danger. Letting it be is the worst choice...

But if I really explore it, the chances of something unexpected happening are extremely high when I know nothing...

Should I wait until Audrey Miller gets some information from her pen pals before trying?

If I do that, Audrey Miller definitely won't agree to let me use the dream exploration as a chance to gain supernatural power...

Isn't my investigation into the truth of the legends just a way to seek supernatural power...

That's too dangerous, it could really lead to death...

Or, should I do some preliminary exploration at the edge of the dream ruins first, without risking going deeper? That would also be gathering information...

Hmm, I can tell Audrey Miller about the conversation just now, but I can't mention the possibility of gaining supernatural power..."

After these thoughts settled, Logan Smith looked at the lady across from him and asked in a deep voice, "Who exactly are you?

Why did you give me that tarot card, and why did you give me the chance to explore that dream?"

The lady smiled slightly:

"I'll tell you after you uncover the secret of the dream."

Chapter 7: Naroka

After leaving the old tavern, Logan Smith stood on the packed earth road, hesitating about where to go.

The morning sunlight fell, carrying a slight chill.

At that moment, Raymond Craig came over from the side:

"I was just looking for you."

"Is there something you need?" Logan Smith returned to normal and asked deliberately.

Raymond Craig looked surprised:

"Did you forget? Today we're supposed to go find the elderly people who are about the same age as my grandfather and still alive, to ask them about the wizard legends."

Logan Smith raised his hand to his head, looking pained:

"Really? I don't remember at all, or maybe you're hallucinating?"

Raymond Craig was startled and a little scared, about to recall the details to confirm whether yesterday really happened or was just his imagination, when he suddenly saw a smile appear on Logan Smith's face.

"You bastard, you're playing a prank again!" Raymond Craig couldn't help but curse.

"That was a pretty weak insult." Logan Smith clicked his tongue in mock disappointment. "Ava Richards is much better at cursing than you."

Ava Richards is a pretty girl from Cordu village, currently the "goose girl."

Her father, William Richards, is a cobbler, skilled at making leather shoes from the hides provided by the shepherds, and is quite well-known in the surrounding villages.

"Ava Richards..." Raymond Craig's expression changed a bit.

He then looked at Logan Smith:

"Ava Richards is our friend, right?"

"Yes." Logan Smith nodded with a smile.

The two of them, plus William Evans from the Berry family and Ava Richards's cousin Adam Richards, are young people who often hang out together.

"Why don't we let Ava Richards join us in investigating the truth behind the legends?" Raymond Craig suggested. "You know, her father always says, 'Why must a woman bring a dowry when she gets married? So many good families have gone broke because of this.' It makes her uneasy. If she could get some treasure or reward from the investigation, she might feel a lot better."

"I've heard several of the village men say similar things, including the parish priest. They wish their brothers would always stay at home, even after getting married, instead of going off to start their own families, because that would mean splitting up the family property." Logan Smith glanced at Raymond Craig with a smile and said casually, "That's why many families prefer to have one child become a shepherd. That way, he basically won't get married, but he'll have some income and can mostly support himself."

Raymond Craig's face gradually darkened.

He really hadn't thought about this issue before.

This was also why he liked hanging out with Logan Smith. Although most people in the village said this guy had a bad temper and liked to lie and play pranks, his knowledge really surpassed everyone else their age. Unlike himself, who didn't know much and just drifted along, always following his family's arrangements.

As long as you understand... Logan Smith thought to himself, then steered the conversation back on track:

"It's too late now. We need to hurry and ask people today. We'll go find Ava Richards tomorrow. Hmm, after that, we can also let Little William and Adam Richards join in. Not only might we gain something, but it's also a fun activity that can help us develop our abilities."

"Let Little William and Adam Richards join too?" Raymond Craig was a bit reluctant.