"I have seen it from up in the sky. Why don't I take at least a stroll, let the time flow, and when night comes, I can just come back," Lucan said. With that, he began walking slowly along the small river and through other places he wanted to see. Like this, time passed.
***
Nighttime
Lucan was slowly making his way back after his stroll when system notifications appeared before him.
[Fence has been built 4/4]
[15 LP Gained]
"Looks like they did their work while I was away. Now the fence is built, and shelter is available for people. Ronan and Elara can make some tools. 'If there were just a way to travel outside Elysian, then we could purchase some helpful items.'" Lucan thought. He was already preparing for the future. 'If we had a farming plot, we could grow crops. We could get seeds from somewhere, sow them, and in time, they'd be ready. If only we had a cow or horse to feed, they could help us too.'
"Now, let's leave future problems for another time. Let's go back to the others," Lucan muttered and slowly walked toward the shelter.
After a few minutes, he arrived. Nors and the others were sitting around the fire. A sense of satisfaction filled Lucan as he saw the progress they had made together. After just one command from him, they had accepted the task without much question and completed it.
Nors, noticing Lucan approaching, raised his hand in greeting.
"Lord, did you see the land? Its condition is terrible. It was already bad when we arrived, and not much has changed. Also, we've built the fence all around our shelter. Now there won't be any more problems with it."
Nors was grilling meat. He handed one piece to Lucan, who sat beside him near the fire, chewing slowly.
"Yes, I've seen it. You've all worked hard. The fence is complete, and now there's nothing else pressing. Let's make a farming plot over there." Lucan pointed to the left side of the shelter.
The shelter itself faced the direction of the cursed lands, while the way Lucan had come to this world was opposite. The left side seemed the most suitable for farming.
"Lord, a farming place? I mean, it's not that we can't build one here, but where will we get the seeds?" Kenny asked.
'That's what he's worried about…' Lucan thought.
"For seeds, you don't need to worry, Kenny. Remember how I showed everyone a block of iron? Like that, I can also get some seeds if I want to," Lucan replied, hinting at the normal store.
Just then, more text appeared before him.
[You want to grow crops. With crops, you can gain better opportunities for the land.]
[Because of this, seeds are now available in the normal store.]
[They can also be purchased like ores, in quantity or quality.]
'Perfect,' Lucan thought. He could now buy seeds for farming.
"I'll get some seeds tomorrow. For now, just eat and then rest. Starting tomorrow, a new life awaits us," Lucan said joyfully.
Kenny and Nors nodded, finishing their food before heading into their shelters. Lucan then walked toward Marcus and the others, who were chatting about their current lifestyle compared to the lives they had before.
When Lucan approached, they quieted down.
"Marcus, Elias, I saw you and your brother helping Nors and Kenny with the fence. Thanks to you, it was completed in time. But there's something else…"
"Sir, you can just say it. We'll do it, even if it's hard for us," Marcus replied, his thoughts clear in his words.
"Yes, sir, you can say it. If we don't do this much for you, then we're just freeloading," Elias added.
Elara and Ronan, sitting nearby, looked surprised that the brothers were so eager to follow Lucan's orders. Still, they didn't protest.
"Alright, if you say so, then guard the fence entrance tonight. In the morning, you can rest as much as you want. Just be on guard in case beasts or monsters appear," Lucan instructed.
"We'll go now, sir," Marcus said immediately.
The brothers departed. Lucan watched them until they disappeared, leaving only Elara, Ronan, and himself by the fire.
Breaking the silence, he asked, "Elara, Ronan, you've rested enough, right?"
"Yes, Lord. Is there any work for us?" Ronan asked.
"I know you want to help, but leave it for today. Starting tomorrow, make some farming tools. We'll be building a farm, and we'll need them," Lucan explained.
"Yes, Lord, but what should we do tonight?" Elara asked.
"Just go to sleep. I'll rest too. Tomorrow we'll discuss it," Lucan said.
"Good night, sir," Ronan replied.
"Good night, sir. We'll see you tomorrow," Elara added.
"Good night, Elara and Ronan," Lucan said, watching as they went to their shelter.
Finally, Lucan returned to his own. Entering, he sat on the leaf bed, and the system screen appeared.
[Daily Report - Day 9]
[Population - 10]
[LP - 50]
[CP - 585]
[Threat Level - Low]
It had been nine days since Lucan arrived here. The population was steady at ten, and both LP and CP were in good supply.
Curious, he called up more details.
[-90 CP Purchased Iron]
[+150 CP, +15 LP Fence built]
[+10 LP Two new members joined]
"Let's leave this aside for now and check the seed list," Lucan said, thinking the command.
The system responded.
[Normal Store (Tier 1)]
[Each seed purchased will cost 100g]
[Tomato Seeds - 10 CP]
[Potato Seeds - 10 CP]
[Grass Seeds - 10 CP]
[Apple Seeds - 20 CP]
[Watermelon Seeds - 10 CP]
"There are many seeds here, but if there isn't enough time for them to grow, they'll be useless. Still, I can at least purchase grass seeds. I know grass is everywhere, but what's here is worthless—completely inedible for animals," Lucan muttered.
As he observed the screen, a new message appeared.
[Because of new items added to the Normal Store, it will now only sell this type of item.]
[Blueprints and sketches will be available in the new Blueprint Store.]
[Blueprints are for personal use, but sketches can be physically manifested so others can see them as well.]
Reading this, Lucan smiled. 'Now I can buy blueprints from one store and normal items from another. And with sketches, others can finally see what I see.'
"Oh my god, this is just crazy that I can do so much more. Before, blueprints were only visible to me. Not anymore," Lucan said to himself with excitement.
Yawning, he rubbed his eyes. "Enough for today. I'm too sleepy to continue." Lying down on the leaf bed, he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
***
Late night
"Bro, the lord did say we need to guard this area. Don't just sleep on me, and if you are going to sleep, then at least wake when I wake you," Elias said to Marcus, who was rubbing his eyes. It looked like they were about to close at any moment, but Elias's voice forced them open slightly.
"Elias, I will not sleep just yet. If you want to, you can rest. I'll keep watch," Marcus replied, still drowsy.
"I don't think you can stay awake. Why don't you sleep instead? I'll watch. And I won't listen to another word about it, Marcus," Elias insisted.
"Okay, okay, I'll sleep for a bit," Marcus muttered. He turned toward the fence, but his gaze shifted. Two figures were approaching. It was too dark to make them out clearly, but his eyes opened wider.
"There's one old man… and a girl," Marcus whispered, pointing.
"Aren't you going, brother?" Elias asked, noticing Marcus hadn't moved toward his sleeping place.
"Elias, look there," Marcus said, directing his attention.
Elias focused and saw them too—two people heading their way.
"Bro, are they survivors? Do we save them or just leave them?" Elias asked, voicing his thoughts.
Marcus narrowed his eyes at the old man. "I think he's not in good condition. I'll go talk to them. You go and inform Sir Lucan that two people have arrived. Make it quick."
"I'll go, bro. But don't fall asleep midway," Elias said before running off toward Lucan's shelter. Behind him, Marcus muttered quietly, "I will not sleep."
Marcus sprinted toward the strangers. Soon, he reached them: an old man leaning heavily on a young girl for support. Marcus rushed to help.
"Let me help you," he said gently, steadying the old man.
Together, they reached the outer area of the fence—where Lucan was already standing, waiting.
***
A few minutes earlier
"Sir Lucan, Sir Lucan, there's a problem," Elias whispered urgently outside Lucan's shelter. His voice was low, just enough for Lucan to hear without waking everyone else.
No answer came. Elias called again, "Sir Lucan!"
This time, Lucan stirred awake. At first, he thought no one was there and was about to lie back down when Elias's voice came again.
"Sir Lucan!"
Lucan stood from his bed, stepped outside, and saw Elias waiting.
"What happened? Did a beast come, or was there some monster movement?" Lucan asked quickly, adjusting his clothes, ready for action.
"No, sir, no beasts or monsters. But two people are coming here. They don't look well, especially the old man. He's being supported by a little girl," Elias explained.
"If that's the case, then we should go. Does Marcus is helping them?" Lucan asked.
"Yes, sir. He's with them and bringing them here," Elias replied, hoping for praise.
"Good. Thank you for informing me, Elias. Now let's go. And you didn't fall asleep, right?" Lucan said as he began running toward the fence.
"No, sir. Not me, but Marcus was about to sleep, so I stayed awake instead. We were taking turns—first me, then Marcus. But these two showed up, so I came to you," Elias explained while following.
Together, they reached the fence's entrance, about 150 meters from the shelters. Lucan saw Marcus supporting the old man, so he rushed forward.
"Sir, you don't look well. Marcus will help you so you can stay in a shelter. Tomorrow we can talk about what happened to you," Lucan said. He then turned to the girl. "And you—thank you for supporting him. I don't know what he means to you, but it's a good thing. Do you want to stay with him, or should I give you a different shelter?"
The old man and girl froze in surprise. This stranger hadn't asked a single question about who they were, only offered them safety.
"Sir, thank you. I don't even know you, and you don't know me, but you're helping an old man you just met. I'm truly grateful. Can I get some water for my granddaughter? My granddaughter and I haven't drunk in three days," the old man said hoarsely.
No water for three days—that explains their condition, but they look even worse than that, Lucan thought grimly.
"Sir, this is my grandpa. Something happened to us that left us like this," the little girl explained softly.
"I'll hear your story tomorrow. For now, rest here. You'll sleep together, alright?" Lucan reassured them.
He turned to his men. "Marcus, guide them to a shelter and give them the water. Elias, continue guarding the area. Also, thank you both—for informing me and for helping."
Both smiled at his words. "Yes, Sir Lucan," they replied together. Marcus led the old man and girl toward the shelter, while Elias returned to his post.
Lucan, after ensuring everything was settled, turned back toward his own shelter. But before he could return, the system prompt appeared.
[2 new members accepted]
[+10 LP]
[The old man is a skilled gardener. He can help you manage the farm, but you must help him regain his strength first.]
[Good luck with that.]
The text faded. Lucan looked up at the starry sky, admiring it for a brief moment before lowering his gaze.
"Old man's a gardener, but the little girl? At least tell me about her and two new members… If people keep arriving like this, it'll be hundreds, thousands, maybe even millions in the future," Lucan muttered. The system gave no reply, but he knew it could hear him.
"Let's leave the future for another day. Right now, I need more sleep. Elias ruined a good dream of mine," he grumbled.
"There was a harem for me in the dream. I was sitting on a throne with women at my side. The mansion was pure beauty. Such a good dream it was," he reminisced as he walked back to his shelter.
Entering, he lay down on the bed, closed his eyes, and drifted back into sleep.