The sun was setting behind the mountains, casting an orange glow over the ruins.
Uther stood at the center of the growing village, hands on his hips, surveying the work.
The smithy was coming together nicely, with Garrick already working on the basic farm tools. The inn was almost done, and Elena had cleared enough land for the first crops. The air felt different now — like they were starting to build something real.
But Uther knew the village still needed more people. It wouldn't survive on just three souls, no matter how skilled they were.
"Alright, time to recruit," Uther muttered to himself, walking toward the newly constructed house — which, for now, served as a temporary inn.
As he walked, Uther found himself thinking about the villagers they needed. People who could help. Hunters to protect them from the wild monsters outside. Maybe someone who could cook properly. The village needed people who could defend and supply.
---
The First New Recruit: Mara the Hunter
It didn't take long before Uther spotted someone in the distance, walking toward the village. A young woman with a bow slung over her back, her eyes sharp and alert as she scanned the surroundings.
Uther raised a hand in greeting, a casual smile spreading across his face. "Hey there. You lost or just passing through?"
The woman paused for a second, eyeing him with suspicion.
"I'm looking for work," she said after a moment. "I heard there was a place that needed people."
Uther nodded, not missing a beat. "Well, you're in luck. I've got room for people who can pull their weight."
She raised an eyebrow but walked closer. "What kind of work?"
"Well," Uther said, grinning, "I'm trying to build a village here, and it's going slow. I need someone who knows how to deal with the wild monsters out there. Someone who can help with defense and maybe even hunt for food. Think that's something you can do?"
The woman looked Uther up and down for a moment, sizing him up. Finally, she gave a small nod.
"Name's Mara. And yeah, I can do that. I've dealt with monsters before. I know how to stay alive out here."
"Good," Uther said, a little relieved. "I'm Uther. I run this place. For now, we can offer you a bed and some food. In exchange, you'll help keep the area clear of monsters, and you'll be part of the crew as we build things up. Deal?"
Mara didn't hesitate long. "Deal."
The System chimed in immediately:
> [New Villager Recruited: Hunter (Mara).]
[Village Population: 4.]
[Special Function Unlocked: Monster Hunting.]
---
The Second New Recruit: Joren the Cook
As Uther showed Mara around the village, he spotted another person coming down the path — a middle-aged man, slightly round in the middle, carrying a bundle of herbs and some simple cooking tools.
"Hey, you looking for work too?" Uther called out, raising his hand again.
The man stopped, his eyes lighting up. "Actually, yes. I'm Joren. I used to cook at an inn up the coast before... well, before things went south."
Uther gave him a friendly smile. "Joren, huh? Well, you're in luck. We're in need of a cook. We're building an inn, and trust me, you don't want me trying to make dinner every night. How about you take charge of feeding the village and keeping everyone happy?"
Joren laughed. "I can do that. I've cooked for dozens before, so a small group like yours won't be any trouble."
Uther gave a satisfied nod. "Great. I'll get a kitchen set up for you in the inn. If you can keep the food flowing, the people here will be much happier."
The System chimed once more:
> [New Villager Recruited: Cook (Joren).]
[Village Population: 5.]
[Special Function Unlocked: Village Kitchen.]
---
Adding More Houses
The village was starting to take shape. But to truly grow, they needed more homes. Uther quickly got to work, using the System to construct a few more basic houses.
He called Garrick over to help with the building, knowing that the Smithy was far from finished, but the houses had to come first. The villagers needed somewhere to sleep.
"Hey, Garrick," Uther called over to the blacksmith, who was hammering away at a piece of metal. "I'm going to need more houses for the people we bring in. Can you help me with the construction? We'll need a few more places for everyone to settle."
Garrick glanced up from his work and grunted. "I can help. But we'll need more wood and stone. Do you have that?"
Uther checked the resources list and nodded. "We've got enough for a couple more houses. Let's get those up first, then I'll see about adding a few more amenities."
Garrick gave a small smile. "Sounds good to me."
---
New Recruits and Building Progress
With the village starting to grow, Uther continued assigning tasks where they were needed.
Mara, now stationed as the Hunter, went out every morning, scouting the forests for any monsters that might try to attack.
Joren set up a small kitchen in the inn, preparing simple meals with the herbs Elena had gathered.
Garrick worked tirelessly in the Smithy, not just forging tools but also creating defensive weapons for the villagers.
The next couple of days passed quickly. Uther kept his eye on the construction of the houses and other buildings, making sure everything was progressing smoothly. They were still in the early stages, but the sense of progress was real.
The village was no longer just a ruin. It was becoming something stronger, something worth protecting.
---
Current Status:
Smithy: Functional, but still needs some finishing touches.
Inn: Almost complete, with a small kitchen set up.
Farm: 1/3 planted, more crops coming soon.
Village Population: 5 (Garrick, Elena, Borin, Mara, Joren)
Monster Hunting: Active (Mara).
Kitchen: Functional (Joren).