Chapter 2: The System Awakens
The humming stopped.
A clear ding echoed through my head, as though someone had tapped a crystal bell right next to my ear.
[Civilization System: Installation Complete.]
[Welcome, Lord Ray. Initializing Tutorial Protocol…]
I stood frozen. Mike and the other villager were still staring at me, now clearly unsettled not just by Ray's imposing armor but by my sudden change in expression. I must've looked like I saw a ghost.
I took a shaky breath.
"Ray…" I whispered. "Did you hear that?"
The Captain Knight shook his head. "No, my Lord. Was it magic?"
[This is not magic. This is the Civilization Management Interface.]
[You have been granted access as Ruler of the Fiefdom: Blackhollow Territory.]
Blackhollow? That name wasn't familiar. Then again, nothing here really was. I glanced around—crumbling buildings, farmlands overrun with weeds, a water well that looked like it hadn't drawn clean water in years. This was my territory?
I gulped.
**[Tutorial Objectives:
Survey your surroundings.
Establish resource collection.
Assign initial roles to population.
Build your first facility.]**
[Bonus Objective: Survive.]
Well. That's ominous.
Mike took a step forward, breaking my spiral of thoughts. "Are… are you really a lord?" he asked, unsure. "Not a bandit or a spy from the Baron's land?"
Ray took one heavy step forward, his gauntlet gripping the hilt of his sheathed sword. "Mind your tongue. This man is your rightful Lord. Sworn protector of this land by decree of the Duke himself."
"B-But he's just a kid!" the villager sputtered.
I raised a hand to calm Ray. "It's fine. They have every right to doubt. I would too." I met their eyes, swallowing the fear in my throat. "But I promise you, I'm not here to make your lives worse. I want to rebuild this place. All I ask is for a little faith—and a lot of hard work."
[Leadership +1]
[Villager Loyalty: Mike +5]
My heart skipped. That was… new.
Mike blinked, then dropped to one knee. "Then I'll follow you, Lord Ray. Just tell me what needs doing."
[New Tutorial Option Unlocked: Role Assignment]
[Would you like to assign Mike as a 'Gatherer'?]
Yes, I thought.
[Role Assigned. Productivity +10%]
This wasn't just some Sim game. It was a game—but it was real. These were real people. Real lives. And I was in charge.
I looked toward the forest edge. I could see old ruins hidden beneath moss and thorns. Past that, the mountain paths. Somewhere deeper, monsters.
And beyond all of it—the truth about why the Duke sent me here.
"Ray," I said slowly, "we need to fortify. Set up watch rotations. Tomorrow we scout east for a river. If we can find water, we can live."
He smiled slightly under his helm. "As you command, my Lord."
I clenched my fists, trying to feel brave.
[Tutorial Progress: 10% Complete]
[Next Step: Build Your First Structure – Shelter or Granary]
I chose Shelter.
Because this wasn't just my land anymore.
It was my responsibility.