The reply from Robin came almost instantly, the text cool and composed, a stark contrast to the world-shattering video he had just sent.
[Robin]: "Magic is a good word for it. The system calls it 'Elemental Affinity'. My SS-Rank talent, 'Truth's Blessing', doesn't let me create magic. It lets me see the truth of the world. And the truth is, this world is saturated with undiscovered energies. Magic is real here, Nameless. It's a fundamental force, like wind or water. Most Lords just don't have the key to unlock it."
Ryan's mind reeled. It was like being told that the air around you could be turned into a weapon if you only knew how to ask.
[Nameless]: "So… you can control it? All of it?"
[Robin]: "Not yet. My talent gave me the insight, but not the innate power. Think of it like being given a library card to the universe's biggest library. I still have to learn how to read the books. Right now, I've only managed to grasp the basics of fire. It's a start. But the potential is… vast. According to my talent's analysis, with enough practice and as my own level evolves, I should eventually be able to influence everything from earth and lightning to esoteric forces like gravity itself."
Gravity. The word hung in Ryan's mind, heavy with impossible weight.
While Lords like Kaiser were proudly building wooden castles, Robin was on a path to literally bend the laws of physics!
A thought occurred to Ryan, and it brought a strange sense of perspective.
[Nameless]: "That's incredible. But your talent… it's a personal power, right? It makes you strong, but it can't directly help your people or build your territory."
There was another pause, longer this time.
Ryan wondered if he had overstepped, if he had sounded dismissive.
[Robin]: "You see the truth of things as well, it seems. You're right. My path is a lonely one. I can be a powerful guardian for my territory, a one-man army. But I can't make the crops grow faster or build walls with a thought. My power is for combat and discovery. It makes me a very sharp sword, but a sword can't build a house. That's why your talent fascinates me so much. A Level 2 weapon on the first day… that's not just personal power. That's a force that can uplift an entire kingdom."
Robin's words resonated with Ryan. He had been so focused on his own slow, grueling start that he hadn't fully appreciated the nature of his ability.
Kael had his personal kinetic power. Robin had his magic. But Ryan… Ryan's talent was for his people. It was for his territory.
His power wasn't just to make himself strong, but to make his home strong.
He felt the trust Robin had shown him with the video. It was only fair to offer a piece of it back.
He wouldn't reveal everything, not even close, but he could give him something.
[Nameless]: "My talent allows me to… encourage the potential in things. It can evolve items. That spear was just a basic wooden spear this morning."
He kept it simple, vastly underselling the 'infinite' part of his ability.
But even that small sliver of the truth was enough.
[Robin]: "Just… evolve them? From a basic item to a named, Level 2 weapon with unique effects, just like that? That's not just versatile, Nameless. That's defying the very concept of crafting. You don't need blueprints or rare materials… you just… improve. The potential of that is staggering."
Coming from a man who planned to control gravity one day, that was high praise.
[Nameless]: "It has its costs. It's not something I can do easily."
[Robin]: "I imagine not. True power always has a price. Listen, the Calamity is still technically active, and I need to see to my own defenses. But this conversation has been enlightening. I think we SS-Rankers need to stick together. This world is a lot bigger and more dangerous than the S-Rank fools believe. I'll be in touch."
With that, the chat ended. Ryan leaned back against a newly placed log in their growing palisade wall, a whirlwind of thoughts in his mind. Magic. Gravity control. A hidden layer of reality.
He had made contact with someone on the same level as him, someone who understood the sheer scale of the game they were playing. It was exhilarating.
But Robin's words about building a house echoed in his ears.
He looked at the simple lean-to, a pathetic canvas sheet that was their only shelter.
His people deserved better. He had the wood. He had the manpower. And now, he had the money.
"Elias!" Ryan called out. The older man hurried over, wiping sawdust from his hands. "How much wood have we gathered?"
Elias pointed to a massive, neatly organized stack of logs that was already taller than he was.
"Leo and Sam have been working like men possessed, my Lord. We have more than enough for a strong wall and a small building."
"Good," Ryan said, a determined smile on his face. "Because we're not sleeping on the ground tonight."
He opened the System Shop, his eyes scanning past the Population tab and landing on 'Blueprints'. He scrolled through the options: watchtowers, workshops, armories… all of them expensive.
Then he found it.
[Blueprint: Sturdy Log Cabin (Small)]
[Description: A simple but durable one-room log cabin (4m x 6m). Provides excellent protection from the elements and basic monsters. Requires a significant amount of wood and basic labor.]
[Cost: 70 Development Points.]
It was expensive, almost half of what he'd just earned. But it was an investment in their survival, their morale, and their future. Without hesitation, he made the purchase.
[70 Development Points have been spent!]
[Current Development Points: 130]
A rolled-up scroll of light appeared in his hand.
He walked to the center of their camp, where they had cleared a flat space. His five citizens gathered around him, their faces full of curiosity.
"This," Ryan said, his voice ringing with pride, "is our new home."
He unfurled the blueprint.
Ghostly, translucent images of the walls and roof flickered into existence, showing exactly where each log needed to be placed.
Numbers and measurements hovered in the air, a perfect, magical guide for construction.
His people stared, their mouths agape. It was one thing to hear about magic in a private chat. It was another to see it laid out before them, a shimmering promise of a real home.
"Alright," Elias said, his voice thick with emotion as he clapped his hands together, breaking the spell of silence.
"You heard the Lord! Let's get to work! We've got a house to build before sundown!"
A cheer went up from the small group.
They had faced monsters and death in the morning. Now, in the afternoon, they would build a home.