[FishyFrank]: "Magic? Is he serious? How do we get it? Do I have to kill something specific? I PUNCHED A SLIME FOR AN HOUR AND NOTHING HAPPENED!"
[DesertFlower]: "My talent is 'Sand Weaving'. Is that magic? It feels kind of magical. System, can you confirm?!"
[Kaiser]: "'Human' and 'Nameless' are clearly working together to destabilize the market and sow discord! Do not fall for their cheap theatrics! Focus on the event! Focus on building REAL power!"
Kaiser's frantic, all-caps denial was perhaps the most telling reaction of all.
The S-Rank Lords, who had considered themselves the unshakable titans of this new world, were terrified.
Their power was tangible—stronger bodies, faster resource gathering.
But magic? That was something else entirely.
Ryan watched the chaos from the relative sanity of his own territory, a wry smile on his face. He was glad for the distraction.
While the rest of the world was chasing a mystical new power, he had a much more immediate, much more practical problem: a seven-day deadline.
The term 'goblin workforce' turned out to be both a blessing and a curse. They were, as Ryan had suspected, incredibly stupid.
They would get distracted by shiny rocks, argue in high-pitched, chattering voices over who got to carry the slightly bigger log, and had to be watched constantly to ensure they didn't just wander off into the woods.
But they were also tireless. Under the firm, no-nonsense direction of Elias and the five energetic young humans, the goblins became a surprisingly effective, if clumsy, engine of progress.
They hauled logs, dug foundations, and moved earth with a single-minded determination, fueled by the promise of roasted rabbit at the end of the day.
By the end of the third day, the village was taking shape.
Four sturdy log cabins stood in a neat row.
But the population goal still loomed.
Ryan, committed to his gamble, spent his last few points to hit the magic number.
He didn't have enough for more humans, so he grit his teeth and bought the remaining 21 goblins he needed.
His citizen count was now a proud 50. Eight humans and forty-two goblins.
It was perhaps the most lopsided, bizarrely structured settlement on the entire planet. But it met the requirement.
With his Development Points now sitting at a paltry 15, he had truly gone all-in.
The next two days were spent on the final, most crucial project: the defensive palisade.
They worked from sunrise to sunset, a rhythmic symphony of chopping axes, shouted orders, and the high-pitched grunts of goblin laborers.
Ryan worked alongside them, his Lord Level 2 strength allowing him to lift logs that would have taken two men before.
Finally, on the evening of the sixth day, with the event timer showing just over 24 hours remaining, they were nearly there.
The entire camp was surrounded by a formidable wall of sharpened logs, a solid three meters high.
The five required buildings—four cabins and a small, dedicated storehouse for their food—were complete. Only one task remained. The gate.
The entire population, human and goblin alike, gathered by the gap in the wall, their faces illuminated by the flickering orange light of torches.
Elias and the other humans had constructed a heavy, reinforced wooden gate.
All that was left was to hoist it into place and secure the hinges.
"Alright, everyone!" Elias called out, his voice hoarse but full of energy. "On my mark! Heave!"
Just as they were about to lift, a brilliant silver light filled the sky, and an announcement rang out, clear and crisp.
[EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT!]
[Congratulations to Lord 'Kaiser' for being the first to complete the 'Rise of the Villages' challenge!]
A collective groan went through the human members of the group.
"Of course, it was him," Leo muttered, spitting on the ground.
Before they could even register their disappointment, another announcement followed in quick succession.
[EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT!]
[Congratulations to Lord 'Moonlight' for being the second to complete the 'Rise of the Villages' challenge!]
Ryan's heart pounded. Second place was gone too. The bonus rewards were slipping through their fingers.
The top spots were being claimed by the powerful, the rich, the ones who started miles ahead.
"Don't stop!" Ryan roared, his voice cutting through the momentary despair.
"We didn't come this far to give up now! We can still make the top ten! The top five! LIFT!"
Humans and even the chattering goblins put their shoulders into the heavy gate.
With a unified, monumental effort, they strained, muscles screaming, and slowly, painstakingly, lifted the heavy gate into position.
Elias and Sam scrambled to hammer the heavy wooden pegs into the hinges, their movements a blur of desperate speed.
The final peg slammed home.
For a moment, nothing happened. They stood there, panting, their hearts in their throats.
Then, the world lit up. A gentle, congratulatory silver light enveloped their entire settlement, and a notification, beautiful and perfect, appeared in Ryan's vision.
[Congratulations! You have fulfilled all the requirements for a 'Recognized Village'!]
[Your territory has been upgraded!]
And then came the one that truly mattered. The Global Announcement.
[EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT!]
[Congratulations to Lord 'Nameless' for being the third to complete the 'Rise of the Villages' challenge!]
A deafening, triumphant cheer erupted from the humans.
They jumped up and down, hugging each other, their exhaustion completely forgotten.
Even the goblins seemed to understand, letting out a chorus of happy, shrieking chatters.
Third place. Against five thousand other Lords...
Ryan leaned against the newly installed gate, a wide, weary, and incredibly proud smile on his face.
He looked at his chaotic, mismatched family of humans and goblins, at the sturdy log cabins and the strong new wall that surrounded their home.
He had started with nothing but a floating rock and a hundred-day wait.
Now, he was the Lord of a village, with loyal citizens, powerful allies, and a place among the top three most successful Lords in the world!
A new notification began to blink, a shimmering gift box icon.
[Your rewards for the 'Rise of the Villages' challenge are ready to be claimed!]
[You have received the 'Village Foundation Pack'!]
[As a top 3 finisher, you have received a bonus reward: 'The Wheel of Fate'!]