Before the two of them could react, the logs he, Finn, and the three shadow stacked began to tremble.
Finn gasped loudly. "Mr.Veric, what's going on?"
There's light that spreads in thin, intricate lines across the grass, forming a grid that shapes the form of a cabin. Finn yelped at that, stammering as he pointed at it.
"M-m-m-m-mr.Veric!"
Veric only watched with wide eyes.
This is the system's power.
The logs they'd stacked began to lift off the ground, rising as if pulled by invisible threads. The wood twisted and rearranged itself, with each log fitting perfectly into place. Within seconds, everything took shape: walls, roof beams, and sturdy doors and windows forming out of nothing but the materials they'd gathered.
And then, the glowing faded.
Just like that, standing before them was a cabin—cozy, and simple. Next to it stood a newly constructed wooden storage shed, its door slightly ajar.
Before Veric could react, a slight headache throbbed, and he gasped, seeing information flash through his mind. Blueprints, tools, crafting materials. They're to build a campfire, a cooking pot, and torches.
[Blueprints Received: Cooking Pot | Campfire]
[City Foundation Progress: 2%]
Veric blinked.
That's really helpful.
He felt a hand on his shoulder, so he turned around and nearly burst out laughing, seeing how pale Finn looked. The poor fox was shaking violently.
"What just happened? You'd better answer me. My heart feels like it's going to pop like a bubble. I can't believe my eyeballs are seeing what they're seeing. Is this all real? Am I real? Are you real?"
Veric huffed a small laugh.
"Something's been helping me since I ran away. I don't know what it is exactly... but it appeared when I was in a lot of pain because of my father's death. I assumed the gods understood my anger and gave me a helping hand. And it called itself a system."
"W-What?!" Finn shouted, his tail puffed up. "S-So the reason you wanted to build a city to take over the kingdom of Nethir is because of this system thing?"
"Yes. That's why I'm confident I can do it. This thing gave me rewards and missions. And earlier, the system gave me rewards of new blueprints. Now I know how to make a campfire and a cooking pot!" Veric beamed happily.
"..."
"..."
"... I think I'm losing my mind staying with you, Mr.Veric."
"You already agreed to become my resident, so you can't take it back now."
Finn only sighed in resignation, feeling his lifespan shortened from the amount of shock he endured in just one day.
When they entered the cabin, everything looked plain.
No furniture, no fireplace, just smooth wooden walls and a cool floor that's already polished. Finn stepped inside, his wide amber-colored eyes widened, and he was darting everywhere.
"Whoa... it's so—empty."
"Yes, I can tell," Veric replied flatly.
Finn plopped himself onto the floor, sighing as he rubbed the wooden floor with his hands. "It feels nice too. So, this system thing makes all of this, right?"
"Yeah."
"That's incredible... oh, guess we'll have to make the beds and other things ourselves, right?"
"Probably," Veric replied, half-distracted. His gaze flicked upward, as if waiting for the box to appear to give him a new instruction. "And maybe, if I finish more missions given by the system, I'll learn more blueprints."
"Blueprints?"
"Yeah. You know, like crafting recipes."
"Oooh,"
Finn hummed in acknowledgement, then he lay down on his back, staring at the ceiling.
"It's nice that we don't have to sleep on grass anymore,"
"Yeah, it is."
A beat of silence passed before Finn suddenly sat up, eyes wide. "Wait! Should I sleep outside?"
Veric blinked. "Huh? Why?"
Finn fidgeted, his fox ears flattened and his bushy tail curled around himself. "I mean, you're someone important, right? And this cabin is supposed to be your house. I'm just a small fox. It wouldn't be right for me to sleep here, too, right?"
Veric stared at him for a second before chuckling. "You really think I care about something like that?"
"Um, isn't that how it works? Are people stronger than you mean they're more important?"
Veric shook his head, a faint grin curling his lips. He moved closer to Finn and sat beside him. His two fluffy tails sprawled across the floor, and his wolf ear twitched.
"You're my person now, Finn. You're not going to sleep outside. Not until I build you a house as well."
Finn froze, his expression softening. Then, almost shyly, he smiled. A small, genuine smile that made his eyes crinkle and his nose scrunch cutely. "You're really kind, Mr. Veric. Also, I've been curious for a while. Since you're a Ythra, you must be a noble back in Nethir, right?"
Veric looked upward for a moment, the image of his family's crest flashing in his mind—his massive mansion, his loyal servants, and his powerful father, who was always respected wherever he went. They all called him Young Master.
"I was,"
Finn perked up. "Does that mean I should call you with a proper title instead of using mister?"
Veric smirked. "You can call me whatever you want. I don't consider myself a noble anymore."
"B-but, you still have noble blood. You're a Ythra!" Finn gasped. "I think it's appropriate if I call you Young Master!"
The title hit Veric like a ghost from the past. Veric only chuckled lightly, shaking his head in amusement.
"Suit yourself,"
"Yay!"
Finn grinned from ear to ear, clearly delighted, and went back lying on the floor and curled himself there.
And then, the system suddenly appeared.
[Current Mission: Find a New Resident.]
[Rewards: Basic Construction Blueprint Reward & "Heart Of Inspiration".]
"?"
Veric stared silently.
How in the world is he supposed to find a new resident in the middle of nowhere?
And what is "Heart Of Inspiration"?