The night air trembled as Luice held the Territorial Claim Stone in his hand. Its surface was cool, almost unnervingly smooth, yet the golden sigil glowed faintly, reacting to his pulse. The forest seemed to pause, as if the Hollow itself had recognized a new presence — someone claiming dominion over its ancient soil.
The Royal Pass interface floated before him once again, its faint hum filling the ruin.
[Tier 1 Mission Complete]
[Reward Claimed: Territorial Claim Stone]
[Tier 2 Mission Generated]
"Establish your first settlement in Farling Hollow. Recruit allies and secure your position."
Luice studied the mission text with a measured, deliberate gaze. The next step was obvious: claim the land was one thing, but consolidating power was another. A deserted ruin was only a symbolic victory. To truly begin, he needed people, resources, and strategy.
He glanced around. The Hollow wasn't completely empty. Faint trails ran into the woods, suggesting that small creatures, intelligent enough to avoid the apex predators, still lived here. Perhaps they could become his first inhabitants — or at least a source of information.
---
FIRST STRUCTURE
The ruins would serve as a foundation. He cleared debris and rearranged fallen stones into walls that could provide shelter. It wasn't much — a single enclosed area with partial cover and room for a small group — but it was functional.
Even at fifteen, Luice's mind worked with precision. He didn't just want shelter; he wanted control. A fortress could be expanded, traps could be set, and the stone sigil could act as a beacon to attract loyal followers over time.
He placed the Territorial Claim Stone at the center, its golden glow pulsing faintly. He muttered quietly under his breath, "By this stone, this land answers to me."
Immediately, he felt the subtle shift. The ground beneath the ruin seemed more… alive. Creatures that had been lurking in the shadows slowed their movement, aware of a new authority. A faint warmth spread across the basin, as if the land itself was acknowledging his claim.
DING!
[Territory Secured: 1/100]
[Bonus Reward Unlocked: Basic Resource Chest]
Luice opened the chest — simple supplies: dried food, flint, a small dagger, and a bundle of seeds. Enough to survive the first few nights.
He smiled faintly. The Pass wasn't just a system; it was a teacher. It was forcing him to adapt, to understand the essence of leadership before giving him real power.
---
THE FIRST ENCOUNTERS
The night deepened.
From the shadows, faint rustling emerged. Not beasts this time — humans. Small figures, ragged and wary, peered at the ruins. Travelers? Bandits? Survivors of Farling Hollow?
Luice stepped forward calmly, hands empty. His aura wasn't imposing, but his presence carried something different — the unmistakable subtle confidence of someone who had already claimed authority here.
One of the figures, a young man no older than Luice himself, stepped forward. He held a broken spear and wore patched leather. "Who… who are you?" he stammered, eyes darting nervously at the ruins.
"I am Luice Lanceheart. This land now answers to me."
The boy blinked, disbelief etched on his face.
"You… what?!"
Luice ignored the reaction. Instead, he focused on the Royal Pass interface, waiting for feedback.
DING!
[Side Mission Update]
"Recruit your first ally."
Progress: 0%
Perfect. The Pass wanted him to gain allies.
He extended a hand toward the boy. Calm, controlled, patient. "If you wish to survive here… work with me. I have means, protection, and purpose. Refuse… and the Hollow will be less forgiving than I am."
The boy hesitated, sizing him up. Finally, with a cautious nod, he stepped forward.
[Tier 2 Mission Progress: 30%]
[New Ally Acquired: Corin — Scout of Farling Hollow]
Corin became his first eyes and ears in the Hollow. Quick, alert, and street-smart, the boy knew the hidden trails, the safe water sources, and the locations of minor predator dens. Luice had no illusions — Corin was a tool, a resource to be leveraged — but even tools could grow into something valuable.
---
PREPARING FOR THE NIGHT
With Corin's guidance, Luice set simple wards around the ruins: tripwires, signal stones, and traps made from natural materials. Not to kill, but to warn and delay predators until he could react.
From a distance, he observed the forest. Shapes moved between the trees — beasts curious about the golden glow of the Territorial Claim Stone.
The largest among them, a shadowy creature with wings like torn fabric and eyes like molten silver, circled overhead. Luice did not flinch.
He lit a controlled fire, signaling both warning and territory. The beasts hesitated at the glow.
Once secure, Luice crouched by the fire, letting Corin handle the basics of gathering food.
The Royal Pass chimed again.
DING!
[Night Survival: Complete]
[Tier 2 Mission Progress: 60%]
[Bonus Reward: Survival Skills — Level 1]
For the first time, Luice felt a genuine thrill.
He wasn't just a boy exiled to a forgotten land.
He was a claimant, a rising force in a place that would soon tremble under his influence.
And this was only the first night.