An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

Their vehicle cruised steadily, maintaining a consistent speed. Eventually, by noon the next day, they reached the outskirts of the Deadlands.

There was a large village with around five to six hundred households on the outskirts. The village boasted amenities like an inn, a gas station, a supermarket, and the like. Though not sprawling, it had the essentials.

It also served as a supply station for the exploration teams and a lifeline in critical moments. Whether it was entering or exiting the desert, people would stop there to rest and gather information.

It was worth mentioning that, given the challenges in transporting goods, the prices within the village were several times higher than in the city.

Upon entering the village, Grace’s convoy finally came to a halt in front of a rural inn named House of Hope. The inn had once been a primary school, with enough rooms to accommodate over a hundred people.

arrived.” After the convoy stopped, a man appearing to be a mercenary knocked on Grace’s car

leather boots. He had a tall, large

captain of the expedition team. Having led two successful expeditions into the Deadlands and emerging unscathed, Garett was

the guide Grace had hired at a considerable cost, in charge of

Dusthaven Village?” Grace opened the door and glanced around. The village was large and mainly comprised of low-rise

the inn before them, House of Hope, seemed to be the exception.

this is the only village within a hundred miles radius. It’s named Dusthaven Village due to all the sand

willing to pay good money, there are

all over, basically anyone who plans to venture into the Deadlands, would stay in this village for a few days

Grace nodded. After a day and night of travel, most of the

moment, Dustin took off his eye mask and stepped out of the

be staying at this inn tonight,”