The chaos did not end on its own.
After the first shock passed, people started talking again. Then laughing. Then arguing. Voices overlapped. Some tested the ground with their feet. Others joked about how real everything felt.
"Best realism ever," someone said.
"Why does it hurt when I scratch myself?" another replied.
"Where's the intro?" a voice shouted.
Liam waited.
He stood among the broken stones and watched them burn through their excitement. When he stepped forward, he didn't raise his voice or wave his hands.
He spoke once.
"Silence."
The word carried farther than it should have.
Conversations stopped unevenly. A few people blinked, surprised they had gone quiet. Others frowned, sensing pressure they couldn't explain.
Liam looked over the group.
"You stand within my land," he said. "This territory has no name yet. No walls. No food stores. No protection."
A few people laughed.
"Good NPC opening," someone muttered.
Liam didn't react.
"I am the lord of this domain," he continued. "You will address me as Lord Liam."
That earned some laughter, but it was thinner now.
"So you're the quest guy?" someone called out.
"If that helps you understand your place," Liam replied calmly.
He took one step forward.
"You were brought here because this land requires people," he said. "What you do here is your choice. How long you remain is also your choice."
That line drew attention.
"If you wish to leave," Liam said, "you may return to where you came from at any time."
Several people immediately said, "Log out."
Two vanished on the spot.
A moment later, both reappeared, laughing.
"Okay, yeah," one said. "My body's still back home. That's wild."
Tension eased. Smiles returned. A few people relaxed.
Liam continued without acknowledging it.
"But understand this," he said. "Time here does not stop when you leave. This land does not reset. What happens here remains."
"Hardcore survival," someone muttered.
Liam gave a small nod. "That is a fair description."
He paused.
"While you remain in my territory," he said, "you fall under my authority."
A man near the edge laughed. "And if we don't listen?"
Liam looked at him.
Not angry. Not threatening.
Certain.
"Then you will not remain," he said.
The laughter faded.
Liam turned and pointed toward the stream.
"Water is there," he said. "Form lines. Five at a time. No pushing."
For a heartbeat, no one moved.
Then someone did.
Then another.
People began lining up without discussing it. A few frowned, confused by their own feet moving, but they didn't stop.
Most followed.
Not everyone.
A tall man near the edge scoffed. "Guys, relax. He's just an NPC."
A few people laughed, relieved.
"This is scripted," the man continued. "There's no way this matters."
Liam turned to him.
"You were given a command," Liam said evenly. "Follow it."
The man crossed his arms. "Nah."
The mood shifted.
"Just line up," someone whispered.
"It's a game," the man replied. "Calm down."
Liam spoke again.
"This is your warning."
The man laughed. "Or what?"
"You are no longer welcome in this land," Liam said.
The effect was immediate.
The man froze mid-laugh. His body flickered, edges breaking apart like smoke pulled by wind.
"What the—"
He vanished.
Gone.
Silence fell hard over the ruins.
Someone gasped. Another stepped back.
"Did he just get kicked?" someone whispered.
A few people said "Log out" in panic and disappeared instantly.
The rest stayed very still.
Liam felt the system confirm the ban behind his eyes. He ignored it.
"Continue," he said.
The line at the stream moved again.
This time, no one argued.
Fear replaced jokes.
When water was settled, Liam raised his hand.
"Those who know how to build," he said, "step forward."
Several people moved.
A woman lifted her hand. "BuildWaifu."
A few quiet chuckles followed.
She sighed. "I stand by it."
"Those who can hunt, forage, or survive outdoors," Liam said.
A man stepped forward. "BushWookiee."
More soft laughter.
"Medical experience," Liam said.
A woman raised her hand. "HealSenpai."
Someone muttered, "That fits."
"Organization and planning," Liam continued.
A man adjusted his glasses. "SpreadsheetKun."
Liam nodded.
He turned to a broad man who had already been quietly guiding people away from crowding the stream.
"You," Liam said. "You've been directing others."
The man shrugged. "SirBonkAlot."
A few people laughed despite themselves.
Liam did not.
"You five will lead groups," he said. "You answer to me. Others answer to you."
Something changed.
They straightened without realizing it.
Liam faced the rest.
"There is no food prepared," he said. "If you wish to endure the night, you will help build shelter and search for something edible."
No one mocked him now.
"Anyone who interferes," Liam added calmly, "will leave."
No one tested that line.
Groups formed. Tasks spread. Movement replaced chaos.
As the sun lowered, the ruins finally grew quiet.
Not because they thought this was a joke.
But because they understood who ruled this land.
-
[LORD SYSTEM]
Status: Active
World: Gaia
────────────────────────
System Energy
────────────────────────
Reserve: 1000
Starter Pack:
Free Summons Remaining: 0
Summon:
Unavailable
Cooldown: Active
────────────────────────
Territory
────────────────────────
Territory Name: Unregistered
Development Level: None
Settlement Status: Temporary Camp
────────────────────────
Population
────────────────────────
Citizens (Gaia): 0
Players (Earth): 99
Registered Players: 100
Equipment Delivered: 100
Eligible for Summon: 0
Total Population: 99
Players:
Active: 99
Disconnected: 1 (Banned)
Rank Distribution:
Rank 0: 99
Rank 1+: 0
────────────────────────
Important Individuals
────────────────────────
- SirBonkAlot | Rank 0
- BuildWaifu | Rank 0
- BushWookiee | Rank 0
- HealSenpai | Rank 0
- SpreadsheetKun | Rank 0
────────────────────────
User
────────────────────────
Name: Lord Liam
Rank: Rank 0
Warrior Energy: 0