".....and so, we'll be thanking you ahead of time, new village chief!"
Old man.....
Screw you.
I was currently standing on a makeshift stage in front of the entire village population. Whit had just finished giving his speech on the plans for the future and then suddenly decided to nominate me as the new chief.
I expected the villagers to disagree but...they all seemed to have expected it.
Was I the only person not notified of my own nomination? Really?
I feel like I'm being dragged around like some doll.....
Whit wrapped up his speech. "That's all for the announcement. Everyone is dismissed! Please ask your group leader for your assigned jobs for the next few days."
As the crowd started to slowly split into groups for the village renovation, Whit led me and the new knight captain into a temporary village center. It was just a simple tent set-up a few hours ago as a place for important meetings and reports.
Whit motioned for us to sit on the stools around the wooden table in the center. With a heavy sigh, he slumped down and crossed his legs.
"This bag of bones is getting too old for things like this. It was around time for me to retire. It's fortunate that you showed up when you did, Little Lynx."
I nodded my head to show my silent agreement.
Yeah, you really do seem too old for this. Although it isn't fortunate for me at all....
"We've successfully set up the various groups and appointed leaders. The largest group is for construction, the second is for hunting and patrolling, and the fourth is for the women and children to help with various tasks. It's pretty simple so far. I believe that they will first be focusing on building the barracks?" Vanir summarized.
"Yes, the village decided that securing shelter for the new people is the priority. After the barracks are finished then we'll start working on the walls, training grounds, and town center."
Sounds reasonable enough. Water and food is not a problem, we have hunters and a few farmers in the village. It also helps that the village is located in a bountiful forest near a river. There are many wells too. Even women and children can help by picking berries and transporting water.
Huh? Since when did I start thinking of this village as 'we'?
Whatever. I'll help them get started and leave after.
"I would advise you to also start building places like more homes, hotels, taverns, and shops once everything is done. I'm an abnormal case, but this place is halfway between two large cities. The road literally runs straight through the village. Although the mobs in this forest are level 40 to 50, it won't be long before you see more adventurers coming. It's better to take advantage of them and improve the village economy." I added.
Both Whit and Vanir hummed to my suggestion in deep thought.
"It's true that more and more adventurers are appearing.....that's a good idea, boy."
"Indeed, although this village is already self-sufficient, if we wish to grow further then funding is necessary. While we were traveling here I and my men stumbled across a mine, we can also use the ore from there and our many talented blacksmiths to improve tools, homes, and living conditions. I've noticed that many tools are still made out of wood and stone."
Iron and steel would definitely help out a lot. Coal as well. We can stop burning wood unnecessarily.
"Alright, I'll pick a few knights and blacksmiths to go with me into the mine. The sooner the better. With the addition of improved tools, we can start building the new barracks more efficiently and also reinforce the village buildings."
Well, things are moving along perfectly.
----------------------------------------------
It's already been a week since the village has started its full-out renovation.
Of course, since time is doubled in the game so technically it's been two weeks.
Nothing much happened at school. Tania hasn't contacted me yet so I'm guessing she's figuring things out by herself.
Eugene is surprisingly not clinging to me as much as before. What a relief. Apart from school, we don't talk since both of us immediately dive into Sapphire after getting home. I don't know what caused him to change but I'm thankful.
Just a few more weeks until the dorms are finished. I'm really not looking forward to it....
As for the Track and Field Meet which is happening soon, I'm definitely not going. Akane's threat to reveal that I'm Lynx won't work since I can prove her wrong with my Yuka identity.
Hahaha! My life hasn't been so peaceful in such a long time!
I just love doing nothing.
"Hey, Cheif! We've finally finished up the last section of the wall!" A villager yelled out to me with a large grin.
I looked over and admired the brand new wall. Built out of stone bricks and reinforced with metal, the wall was around a meter thick and 1 and a half stories tall. It wasn't anything mind-blowing but that would change with time. The back and front gates were half a meter thick made of wood and reinforced with metal as well.
I'm already surprised that we've finished both the barracks, the walls, and training grounds in just two weeks. Not to mention, the town center was already half-completed.
As expected of a village where half the population is over level 50. They don't act based on common sense at all.
"Little Lynx! Come over here, we're about to have another meeting."
I obediently followed Whit towards the tent. This time it wasn't just me, Vanir, and Whit. There were also the leaders of the various groups present.
"Progress is going as expected!"
.....this crazy speed is expected?
"Now that the major projects are finished, how about we split up the construction crew into groups to focus on the smaller issues?"
I nodded at Vanir's suggestion. "We'll need people to reinforce and improve the old village buildings and create better roads and streets. Some also need to finish the town center and start building shops and taverns for future visitors."
The village, or town, was built in the shape of a circle. The walls were also built around it accordingly. Since the traveling road which connected the two cities led right through the middle of the village the two gates were also placed accordingly.
"We should start with the main road. Most of the taverns and shops should be built along the road since then it would be more accessible to travelers. We'll also need to flatten and improve the quality of the road so that in the future carriages can also drive on it. Since the town center is being built in the middle, the road can split around it and merge behind. There shouldn't be a problem since the building isn't facing a certain direction but is being built with a circular base."
Whit chuckled happily after I finished speaking. "As expected of our new chief, you're very motivated!
The group leaders with us in the tent laughed along with him and bowed. "We'll set to it immediately."
They left the room with excited faces.
They sure are passionate....
"Hey hey, Little Lynx, what level are you now?" Whit scooched his stool over and whispered. Vanir copied him.
"Level 38."
His eyes opened wide.
"Already?! I knew that you were working hard these two weeks but what were you even doing?!"
Vanir answered in my steed.
"Chief has been going hunting with my knight squads. He used to be only level 12 but after hunting level 50 creatures with the help of my knights his level has risen drastically." He explained while peering at my curiously. "However, the fast growth was also due to his amazing martial skills. If he wasn't already proficient at fighting then there was no way he should have leveled up so quickly."
Whit nodded with a blank face.
"To think that you've almost caught up to my level....I'm really getting old....."
I shrugged. I really have to thank the knights though. Being carried by NPCs who are over level 50 really made leveling so much easier.
"Vanir, what level is your average knight now? They should be leveling up as well, correct?"
NPCs are like players after all. They can hunt and level up as well.
"Yes, the average level of my knights as grown to 60 from the increased amount of hunting and training. When we were...running away and under the rule of the ex-captain we didn't have any time to train nor did we have the motivation."
I'm starting to like ruling over a village. This grinding system is so satisfying...the only sad thing is that my pockets are still empty, all the gold and equipment I've had was given to the village for funding and improvements.
I don't mind, the levels are worth it. I've even gotten a new title called Leader. It boosts the overall stats of those in my party by 5%.
My character menu now looks a bit like this:
Lynx
Level 39
Titles: Hidden VIP, Disciple of a Marshall, Predator, Lone Hunter, Artisan, Aid, Soldier of Zircon, Leader
Class: Ranger
Achievements: 5
Health: 1780
Attack: 570
Defense: 465
Strength: 55 (+2)
Agility: 72 (+1)
Dexterity: 31 (+5)
Vitality: 32 (+10)
Intelligence: 5
Luck: 10
Charisma: (+12)
Skill points: 7
Skills: Air Step II, Shadow Walker, Vital Stab III, Dual Wielding, Disarm II, Stealth II, Kick I
Each skill takes 10 skill points to level up. I've also got the new skills Disarm, Stealth, and Kick which are the beginning skills for a ranger. I've managed to slowly get used to them. As of now...my Vital Stab should be able to instantly kill anyone under level 15. If I get a critical stab, then anyone under level 20.
It's pretty overpowered, not going to lie.
"Oh right. Vanir, once I get to level 50 I can get my first class upgrade right?" I asked the captain curiously.
He hesitated for a moment. "I used to be a swordsman but was appointed as a knight by my master at level 50 if that's what you are talking about.....I'm not sure about you since you're a ranger. But I've heard that they don't have the best classes....."
.....
Well.....it can't be that bad right? It's true that not many people chose the ranger as their starting class. Most people go for the popular ones like swordsman or mage.
"Never mind that! Little Lynx, it's already been two weeks but nobody knows what you even look like under that hood and mask. The only thing we know is that you're relatively young. This old man is curious about how handsome you are!" Whit suddenly changed the topic and started looking at me with shining eyes.
Uh.....