Ryan watched with a profound sense of satisfaction as thousands of Lords, including the insufferable Kaiser, completely lost their minds over the existence of SS-Rank talents.
He had successfully shifted the narrative from one of fear and loss to one of awe and boundless possibility.
More importantly, he had found another person like him.
He was just about to open the direct message from Robin when a majestic, golden light once again filled his vision, overriding every other interface.
A third Global Announcement in less than a day. The system was clearly just getting started.
[GLOBAL ANNOUNCEMENT!]
[The 'Market of Life' has now been unlocked for all Lords!]
[Lords may now spend Development Points to summon new citizens directly to their Territory!]
[A variety of races are available to suit your needs. Please check the System Shop for details.]
[Build your population, expand your power, and thrive in this new era!]
The announcement faded, but the shockwave it sent through the global community was more powerful than anything that had come before.
Ryan blinked, his mind struggling to catch up.
He quickly navigated to the System Shop, where a new, brightly glowing tab had appeared, labeled 'Population'. He opened it.
A list appeared, complete with images and prices that made his jaw drop.
[Market of Life]
[Human]: Adaptable, skilled in craftsmanship and farming. A versatile foundation for any territory.
Cost: 40 Development Points.
[Goblin]: Weak but numerous. Excel at scavenging and basic labor. Prone to mischief.
Cost: 10 Development Points.
[Dwarf]: Sturdy and strong. Natural miners and blacksmiths with an affinity for stone.
Cost: 60 Development Points.
[Elf]: Agile and perceptive. Masters of the bow and knowledgeable about forests.
Cost: 60 Development Points.
[???]: More races will be unlocked as the world develops.
You could buy people.
The ethical implications were a little jarring, but Ryan quickly pushed them aside. This wasn't Earth.
This was a world of survival, where population meant manpower, manpower meant progress, and progress meant living to see another day.
The Global Chat confirmed his assessment. The reaction was instantaneous and ecstatic.
[BigBadBill]: "FINALLY! My swamp territory is rich in resources but I only had two people to gather them! Time to buy a goblin workforce!"
[Kaiser]: "Hmph. Forty points for a single human is steep, but necessary for expanding my glorious castle. I will purchase ten at once."
[DesertFlower]: "I lost two of my people in the Calamity… Now I can replace them. Thank God."
[DataScout]: "This is a game-changer. This is a massive point-sink, designed to drain the early fortunes of powerful Lords. Be careful how you spend. A larger population needs more food and housing."
Ryan looked at his own 200 Development Points.
He could buy five humans right now, instantly doubling his population. The temptation was enormous.
Five more pairs of hands could build their settlement twice as fast.
He looked over at his own people, who were working together to lash logs into a crude but effective wall. He had gotten them for free. Five loyal, brave citizens who had faced death alongside him.
The system wanted 200 points for five more. It made him realize just how valuable they truly were.
He made a decision. He wouldn't spend the points. Not yet.
His current team was strong and motivated. It was better to invest in tools and housing for them first, to improve the quality of their lives and work, rather than just adding more mouths to feed.
His attention returned to the blinking DM icon. It was time.
He opened the private chat with Robin.
[Robin]: "Hello, Nameless. Or should I call you Ryan? I have to admit, your entrance on the world stage has been… dramatic."
Ryan could almost hear the wry amusement in the text.
[Nameless]: "Nameless is fine. You caused a bit of a stir yourself. I was beginning to think I was the only one."
[Robin]: "I felt the same way. It's a lonely club. I am incredibly curious. My talent is perception and information-based. Yours, judging by that spear announcement, seems to be creation-based. Am I close?"
Ryan paused. Robin was sharp. Too sharp. Revealing the nature of his talent, his ultimate trump card, to a stranger felt like a massive risk, no matter how powerful they were.
He chose his words carefully.
[Nameless]: "Let's just say it's versatile. I'm not comfortable sharing the details. I'm sure you understand."
There was a pause on the other end. Ryan braced himself for an angry or disappointed response.
Instead, a new message popped up that surprised him.
[Robin]: "I do. Perfectly. Trust is a rare commodity in this world. It must be earned, not demanded. Allow me to make the first gesture of goodwill."
A moment later, a new prompt appeared in their chat window.
[Robin has sent you a video file. Do you wish to view it?]
Ryan's curiosity overwhelmed his caution. He accepted.
A small window opened, showing a first-person view.
A hand, pale and steady, was held out, palm up.
The background was a simple stone room, lit by a torch.
Then, the person flexed their fingers. A tiny spark of orange light flickered to life in the center of their palm.
It grew rapidly, swirling into a small, perfectly controlled ball of fire.
The flame danced and spun, casting a warm, flickering light, clearly not a product of any torch or flint.
It was a self-contained, miniature sun, held in the palm of a hand. The video ended.
Ryan stared at the blank screen, his mind completely and utterly blown.
He had seen fantasy movies, played countless RPGs, but this was real.
This was a power that belonged in a different universe, a different set of physical laws.
His own talent, as incredible as it was, felt grounded in a way. It evolved things that already existed.
This… this was creation from nothing.
He typed out a single, breathless question, his fingers trembling slightly.
[Nameless]: "Is that… magic?!"