The settlement, as many of the primordials called it, was a small but living place—the only location they could truly call home. There were no more than five thousand of us, and each person had an assigned task. Together, we built shelters, defended our borders, and cultivated the few resources the land offered us. It was an imperfect space, with dirt roads and simple houses made of wood and stone, but it was ours. The sense of belonging grew with every new structure.
Among all the primordials, one stood out without ever intending to: Eldrin. At first, his ideas were simple observations and suggestions. He proposed building a wall around the settlement to protect us from beasts and establishing coordinated hunting groups to reduce risks. He suggested organizing food distribution, creating farming zones, and even improving construction logistics. At first, everyone ignored him or considered him only temporarily useful, but his ideas proved effective. Over time, and without seeking it, the system formally granted him the title of "Leader of the Primordials."
Eldrin's Point of View
Life as a leader was not easy. Every decision multiplied into responsibilities. What had initially seemed like a symbolic title soon became a tangible burden. The primordials depended on me to maintain the settlement's security, food supply, and organization. Every mistake could mean hunger, injury, or even death.
I murmured, "Status," and the transparent screen appeared before me, displaying information I already knew by heart, yet still needed to confirm.
Name: Eldrin
Race: Primordial
Title: Leader of the Primordials
Cultivation: Mortal (Initial)
Class: None
Combat Power: Mortal (Initial)
Basic Skills:
[Universal Language (Level 1)]
[General Knowledge (Level 3)]
[Basic Meditation Technique (Level 1)]
[Basic Evaluation (Level 1)]
[Basic Leadership (Level 1)]
[Basic Analytical Thinking (Level 1)]
Combat Skills: …
I sighed when I saw it. Every time I looked at my title, it reminded me that I couldn't relax for even a moment.
"Leader, are you listening?" Sophia's voice—my assistant—pulled me out of my thoughts.
"Don't call me leader—and yes, I'm listening," I replied, aware that my tone was harsher than I intended.
"Then what do you think about the situation?" she pressed.
I looked out the window of my improvised office, built from wood and stone, with two small windows and a door that opened onto the settlement's central courtyard. The room was modest: a medium-sized table, two cabinets, and four chairs—just enough to work and coordinate.
"How much food do we have left?" I asked, knowing the question was critical.
"Enough for a week, if we ration it carefully," Sophia replied, her expression troubled.
"And the injured or dead?" I asked again, the weight of responsibility crushing every word.
"About twenty percent of those who went hunting are injured, but most are minor wounds—and fifteen hunters have died," she answered, meeting my gaze seriously.
I understood. The situation was still under control, but the numbers were slowly rising, and if we didn't intervene soon, a crisis would be inevitable. The settlement depended on every hunter and every crop. Every mistake had tangible consequences.
As I reflected on this, I heard a light knock on the door.
"Leader, are you in?" a familiar voice asked.
"Come in," I replied, somewhat distracted.
It was Sylvanas, known for her skill in hunting and her singular beauty, always carrying a curious and determined look.
"Excuse me," she said, her tone showing respect and a hint of uncertainty.
"Go ahead—and please, call me Eldrin," I replied, letting her step closer.
"To be honest, Eldrin, hunting has been getting very dangerous lately," Sylvanas began. "The anzu patrol the areas where we usually hunt, and our arrows can't reach their altitude."
"I'm aware," I replied. "Is that what you wanted to report?"
"No… I was thinking that if hunting is becoming so dangerous, we could raise our own prey. We just need to find a species that reproduces quickly and can sustain us."
My mind froze. It was so simple and obvious that I almost felt embarrassed for not having seen it sooner.
"You're a genius, Sylvanas," I finally said. "How did I not think of something so simple?"
The idea was brilliant. Not only could we secure our food supply, but we could also create resources for other uses: construction, agricultural labor, and controlled hunting. Our dependence on wild hunting would decrease, allowing us to plan for long-term survival.
As I reflected, I looked out the window, watching my companions work throughout the settlement. Each one had a purpose; every action was part of a greater whole that kept our community alive.
"Seems I still have a lot to learn," I murmured to myself, as the wind gently swayed the branches and the sounds of the settlement filled the small office.
I could only hope to be worthy of my title.