Leon's eyes snapped open, and he found himself standing in front of a quaint wooden cottage.
Without waiting for his groggy mind to catch up, Leon swiftly regained his senses.
An emotionless mechanical voice suddenly echoed in his ears.
"Welcome to the era of the Sovereign of the Whole Nation!"
"Dear Sovereign, congratulations on becoming one of the billion lords! The cottage in front of you is your lordly manor, and your primary objective is to build and develop."
"Here, you can wage war on cities and territories, command armies to conquer and fight battles, or remain hidden to reap the rewards."
"As your territory flourishes, you may encounter other lords. You must decide whether to forge alliances or engage in ruthless conquest."
"Furthermore, your territory is under a three-day protection period, during which you won't face any form of attack. Strengthen your power swiftly and plan for the future."
"Note: Treat your loyal followers kindly, for they are living beings as well."
"Warning: Exercise caution in your actions. If your territory is obliterated or you sustain fatal injuries, you will meet your ultimate demise!"
"Am I... transported?" Leon pondered aloud, the surreal scene confirming his suspicions.
The sky was clear, the sun radiant to the point of brilliance.
Encircled by a lush forest, Leon couldn't help but notice two suns in the sky—one large and the other smaller.
"But it appears I'm not alone in this transition; there are a billion of us," he mused, his amazement palpable.
"In any case, I need to grasp the dynamics of this new world rapidly, lest a single misstep results in actual death."
Before he could delve deeper into his thoughts, Leon's attention reverted to the modest wooden cottage before him.
It was an unassuming structure, showing signs of age and decay in certain spots, with patches of discoloration.
"Is this what they call a lordly manor? I hope it doesn't leak during rainfall," he murmured with a wry smile before tentatively entering.
As Leon stepped inside, the wooden floor let out a characteristic creak.
The room was compact, perhaps a dozen square meters in size, sparsely furnished.
Aside from a pervasive musty odor, the room contained nothing more than a sturdy wooden bed with a straw mattress and an empty wooden crate.
Before he could inspect further, a gust of wind enveloped him.
Shortly thereafter, fundamental rules of this new world flooded his mind, accompanied by numerous translucent options that could be summoned or hidden at will.
Among them were "territorial information," "chat channel," "trading center," and others.
Surprised, Leon took a moment to gather his thoughts before accessing "territorial information."
[Manor Level: 1 (you can receive 2 "First-Order Recruitment Orders" daily)]
[Owner: Leon]
[ID: 0013076067]
[Population: 1/10]
[Number of Buildings: 1]
[Storage Capacity: 0/100]
[Materials Required for Upgrade: Lumber x2000, Thatch x1000, Stone x500]
"So, this 'territory' consists of just a log cabin? It's akin to the starting point of a game, where advancement depends on consumption?" Leon shook his head, still finding it somewhat hard to believe.
With that thought, two antiquated wooden tokens appeared in his hands, seemingly conjured from thin air.
[Tier 1 Recruitment Order: Summons a random Tier 1 subordinate.]
"At this stage, I can summon two individuals a day... that's not too shabby, better than facing this alone," he mused, his gaze lingering on the recruitment order.
After a moment's consideration, he decided to refrain from hasty summoning and delve into the "Chat Channel" instead, aiming to gauge the situation and formulate a plan.
Currently, only the "Regional Channel (Home)" is accessible.
Clicking into it, Leon was met with a flurry of activity. Each message bore an ID number, followed by a name and a gender symbol.
"Where on earth am I? Wasn't I just having drinks with Miss at the nightclub? What happened to that fancy pad I rented?"
"Hey, I was just in LA. I borrowed 300 bucks from someone and now I'm in the middle of the desert. Can you believe it?"
"Guess what? I'm not the only one who crossed over! I thought my protagonist's luck finally kicked in... what a letdown!"
"Any generous soul willing to take me in? I have to livestream and hawk products tonight. I promise I'll meet any condition."
"I own two publicly traded companies. Whoever guides me back gets a cool 50 million!"
...
As more people acclimated to their situation, the conversation shifted from fear and nonsense to discussing territory and sharing experiences.
Most of the shared lessons were born from failures and hard-earned knowledge.
And nearly everyone understood the pressing matter: survival.
"Please, nobody venture outside the safe zone to scavenge for food. I lost two first-order, one-star farmers to a massive black-haired spider! It's horrifying!"
"Damn! I think I lost a farmer too. The other one scurried back and wouldn't leave the safe zone. But the issue is, we have water but no sustenance..."
"I've been possessed by the European Emperor. I've recruited a first-order, two-star hunter. I'm setting traps to catch prey! Mere mortals, tremble!"
"Help! A farmer of mine was dragged into the water by a crocodile-like it was a yacht. The poor guy's shivering by the swamp. What should I do?"
"Good lord! I spotted a massive fire-breathing lizard. Can you believe it?!"
...
Observing the flurry of messages in the chat channel, Leon's brow furrowed.
Clearly, this world differed drastically from his previous one.
And more importantly, it was brimming with danger.
After taking a moment to collect his thoughts, he regrouped, his composure restored, and began to analyze the clues he'd gathered.
First and foremost, the billion individuals who crossed over were predominantly young men and women—no elderly or children among them.
Secondly, irrespective of their backgrounds, everyone started with a humble log cabin.
Territory locations varied widely, encompassing forests, rivers, swamps, cliffs, and more.
Although water sources were easily found near most territories, food was an incredibly scarce resource.
Lastly, outside the safe zone of all the lords, monsters and fierce creatures roamed, presenting formidable adversaries.
Even the first-order subordinates many people had summoned were already victims of these formidable creatures.
"It seems that survival is a paramount concern for everyone, even before thoughts of conquering cities arise."
At this juncture, Leon gazed at the two valuable first-order recruitment orders in his hands, his mood sinking.
"I hope to recruit a skilled hunter who can set traps, at the very least to secure basic sustenance..."
However, it appeared that a few lords in the chat channel were recruiting hunters.
As a seasoned African chief, Leon wasn't holding out much hope for exceptional luck.
Just as he was preparing to use a recruitment order, the mechanical sound just now rang in his ears again.
[It is detected that the awakening conditions have been fulfilled, and the talent is awakening…]
[Dear Lord, congratulations, you have successfully awakened the unique god-level talent "Goldfinger Lv.1"! ]
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"The only talent? Goldfinger?"
After being stunned for a moment, Leon showed a look of surprise and joy.
As a senior fan of web literature, he naturally understands the meaning of golden fingers.
"Could it be the chance to change my luck?"
Excited, Leon immediately opened the talent description.
[One: Touch a specific item to upgrade the item.]
[Two: The upgraded items will randomly change qualitatively or quantitatively.]
[Three: Each item can only be upgraded once.]
"This is like turning a rock into gold!"
Closing the description, Leon couldn't wait to look at the first-level recruitment order in his hand.
Next to the two recruitment orders, the three words "Upgradable" were displayed.
"Upgrade!"
Without any hesitation, Leon focused his mind and chose one of them.
[Due to the first use of this talent, the lucky critical effect of the newcomer is triggered! Congratulations, your "Tier 1 Recruitment Order" has been upgraded to a "Tier 5 Recruitment Order"!]
"Straight... directly to the fifth rank?!"
Looking at the wooden token in his hand that instantly turned into a dazzling gold color, Leon was so excited that he almost felt like he could touch the sky.
According to the fundamental rules that he absorbed at the beginning, he clearly understood.
In this world, the strength of first-tier subordinates is no different from that of ordinary people.
And the fifth-tier subordinates can already be regarded as powerful figures.
The gap here is immense.
It's the difference between a lamb and a lion!
With such formidable strength, Leon couldn't help but think that his talent might be worth more than a million points...
Thinking of this, Leon's joy knew no bounds, and he immediately pressed the use button of the recruitment order.
In an instant, a golden gate of light appeared out of thin air in front of him.
Shortly after, a tall man with a beard and a height of at least 2.3 meters strode out.
With just a few steps, even the lord's mansion seemed to tremble.
Gazing at the opponent's robust, mountain-like physique and bulging muscles, Leon exclaimed inwardly.
Before his journey to this world, perhaps only the Hulk from movies could compare to this powerhouse!
"Reginald Knotweed, reporting to Lord Leon."
Seeing Leon, the newcomer immediately bowed and saluted, his voice rough, not out of mere respect, but genuine reverence.
With each gesture and movement, he exuded an aura of quiet confidence.
"This guy... is truly formidable!"
Feeling the potent energy radiating from the newcomer, Leon maintained a calm facade. He nodded in acknowledgment and then proceeded to inspect the newcomer's attributes.
[Name: Reginald Knotweed]
[Occupation: Berserker]
[Class: Tier 5, Two Stars]
[Loyalty: 50]
[Skill 1: Fury "Active" (greatly increases own strength, enters a weakened state after use)]
[Remaining skills are currently hidden due to insufficient loyalty]
"As expected of a Berserker. The strength after going berserk might even rival that of the sixth tier!"
Closing the attributes panel, Leon couldn't help but marvel silently.
"I wonder what commands Lord Leon has for me?" Reginald inquired, and simultaneously, a list of options appeared next to him.
Options like "Standby," "Territory Patrol," "Free Roaming," "Scouting the Perimeter," and more.
Suppressing his inner excitement, Leon donned a contemplative expression.
With Reginald's arrival, his circumstances had taken a dramatic turn.
The struggle for survival was now a thing of the past.
At this stage, the focus shifted to efficient development, a task contingent on understanding this new land.
Realizing this, Leon spoke up, "Let's start by scouting the surroundings, but don't venture too far."
Having made his decision, Leon wasn't concerned about Reginald's agreement. When the recruitment order was employed, an unbreakable master-slave contract was formed. Unless loyalty plummeted below 20, there would be no notions of rebellion.
"Understood! I'll conduct a preliminary reconnaissance within a 1-kilometer radius," Reginald affirmed with a bow before striding away.
As Reginald left, Leon didn't hesitate; he once again used his golden finger on another "Tier 1 Recruitment Order."
[Congratulations, your "Tier 1 Recruitment Order" has been upgraded to 98 "Tier 1 Recruitment Orders"!]
"This feels like a bulk upgrade! Quite a quantity leap," Leon chuckled, looking at the stack of orders on the ground.
Currently, the population cap for the territory is a mere 10 individuals, which is insufficient for the current stage.
Nevertheless, the sensation of multiplying resources brought Leon immense joy.
After all, others were limited to two recruitment orders daily, while he had nearly a hundred – more than he could possibly use.
Next, Leon postponed filling the population and decided to verify the resources available within the safe zone first.
Without a doubt, if the territory lacked food and water, indiscriminate population expansion could lead to disastrous results.
After a comprehensive inspection, Leon gleaned the following:
The log cabin stood at the center, enveloped by a translucent energy barrier that spanned about 30 meters in radius. The barrier allowed for free movement, akin to a protective shield in a strategy game.
Standing at the barrier's edge and gazing outward, Leon witnessed rapid, enigmatic shadows flitting through the jungle, accompanied by distant, piercing roars.
Evidently, the area beyond the safe zone was fraught with dangers.
Inside the safe zone, there were abundant trees and a crystal-clear stream. A continuous spring graced the stream, and occasional glimpses of small fish and shrimp darting about confirmed the presence of clean water.
"Seems like there's only water here..." Leon sighed, taking a seat on the wooden steps at the cabin entrance. He activated the communication channel to check on the status of other lords.
By now, most had come to grips with their circumstances and gleaned a general understanding.
However, the focal point of discussion was still the matter of sustenance.
"Oh, what misfortune! While felling trees with the farmers to gather wood, I accidentally injured my foot. Now it's swollen and painful; on top of that, I'm starving! Makes me want to cry!"
"Count yourself fortunate. At least you're better off than me. The farmers I summoned are famished, rendering them incapable of work. Goblins with sharp teeth and claws lurk beyond the safe zone, and there's nothing to eat!"
"May the heavens show mercy! My territory is nestled in the mountains, offering nothing but rocks. A black tiger guards the outskirts, and the only option I have is to chisel rocks with my two farmers..."
"And who are you kidding? The two farmers I summoned are elderly ladies. They've been starving since their arrival and won't budge without food! I was about to climb a tree to pluck fruits. At this point, I'm seriously doubting whether they're farmers or lords!"
"Alas, my plight is dire as well. I aimed to catch fish in the river, but instead of fish, it was my farmer who got swept away!"
"Kind soul up there, can you spare some food? Anything will do! My farmers were already undernourished before crossing over, and they haven't eaten in days
Fifteen minutes later, upon closing the communication channel, Leon mused over the situation.
"It appears that I'll have to send Reginald out to gather some food soon. With sufficient provisions, things should become much smoother."
Just as this thought crossed his mind, Leon witnessed Reginald's return.
He beheld Reginald's towering, robust frame carrying two equally massive creatures—one on each side. These creatures appeared lifeless, devoid of any signs of vitality.
Observing this, a grin spread across Leon's face, stretching from ear to ear. "My friend, it seems you've brought dinner."
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On the other side, Reginald eased the beasts' bodies to the ground and then approached Leon, saluting, "Reporting to the lord, the area within a one-kilometer radius has been thoroughly investigated. No signs of demon beast nests or other forces were found."
After a brief pause, he added, "Oh yes, I encountered these two minor reptilian obstacles on the way, so I took care of them."
Gazing at the "minor reptiles" in Reginald's grip, Leon's expression shifted to one of sheer disbelief.
What lay before him were the colossal forms of a black hexagonal bull, roughly the size of a baby elephant, and a blue giant python thicker than a hundred-year-old tree!
Especially the blue giant python, despite its lifeless state, its glossy thick scales, and the fangs that measured over half a meter in length in its mouth, all indicated that this creature had been far from benevolent during its lifetime!
"Lord Leon, do you have any further commands?" Reginald inquired promptly.
Observing Reginald's nonchalant demeanor as if he had been on a leisurely stroll, Leon didn't hesitate in the slightest. He responded, "Let's broaden the scope of the investigation a bit more. Gain a comprehensive understanding of our surroundings."
"As you command!" Reginald saluted again, then turned into a blur as he sped away.
Once Reginald was gone, Leon rolled up his sleeves and retrieved a wooden box from within the cabin.
This box served as the lord's exclusive storage unit.
Only Leon and those granted authorization could access it.
In essence, it functioned as a storage space, unique to him.
Though it currently held only 100 slots, items of the same type could be stacked.
Moreover, the box boasted an additional function.
Items could be selected for instantaneous, perfect decomposition.
Naturally, this included the remains of the two beasts before him.
With swift efficiency, Leon mentally transported the corpses into the storage space.
"Decompose."
Without a hint of hesitation, Leon initiated the process.
[You have decomposed the first-tier five-star beast, hexagonal earth bull, and obtained 1400 portions of beef, 50 beef tendons, 20 cowhides, and 6 horns.]
[You have decomposed the first-tier eight-star beast, bluestone mystic python, and obtained 1600 portions of snake meat, 30 pieces of snakeskin, and 2 rare venomous fangs.]
Witnessing the sudden influx of items into the storage space, Leon couldn't help but wear a satisfied smile.
This marked his first harvest in this realm.
Beyond the 3000 processed meat portions, the remaining items held immense value as materials for crafting equipment, to be exploited to their utmost potential in the future.
Especially the two rare venomous fangs—they held promise in creating exceptional weaponry.
What's more, after some experimentation, Leon realized that his golden finger couldn't react to consumable items and materials.
"It seems this talent only applies to functional items..."
Considering this, he speculated whether it could be applied to weapons and equipment. The outcome remained uncertain.
While pondering, Leon reopened the functional interface. However, instead of accessing the chat channel, he entered the trading center.
This feature allowed lords to engage in real-time transactions, regardless of distance, exchanging items as required.
Among the growing number of lords, many had specific needs.
Food for resources seemed to be the common exchange, with basic resources like wood, stone, and thatch being highly sought after.
Even foraged wild fruits, vegetables, and mushrooms were in demand.
Upon publishing an offer, it was promptly claimed by another user.
And meat? No one seemed to be putting it up for trade.
Observing this, along with the earlier chat conversations, Leon reached a conclusion.
Due to their limited combat prowess at this stage, most lords remained confined within the safe zone. As a result, obtaining sufficient provisions was a challenge.
"Does this imply that I can trade surplus food for other resources?"
Following this line of thought, Leon devised a plan.
With 3000 portions of meat, each weighing approximately half a kilogram, and Reginald available for hunting, the prospects were promising.
"While food is perishable, resources can construct and upgrade the lord's mansion."
In this light, so long as there's ample food, doesn't that make everyone in the early stage essentially laboring for me alone?
After resolving to proceed in this direction, Leon couldn't help but sport a grin reminiscent of a shrewd capitalist.
Reviewing earlier chat discussions, he gauged the average efficiency of most lords in collecting resources.
When fully equipped, a tier-one peasant could collect an average of 5 units of stone, 10 units of wood, or 20 units of thatch per hour.
Using this data as a foundation, Leon decided to initiate an experiment.
He started by anonymously listing 100 portions of snake meat in the trading center, testing the waters.
This, however, was more than just a simple exchange of resources.
[Trader: Anonymous]
[Item for trade: 100 portions of snake meat (1 portion per exchange, weighing 0.5 kg each)]
[Required Item 1: Stone (50 units)]
[Required Item 2: Wood (100 units)]
[Required Item 3: Thatch (200 units)]
Given that many lords frequented the trading center, attempting to secure food, this information triggered a near-instant uproar in various chat channels.
"A thousand portions of snake meat?! Am I seeing things, or is this for real? Anonymous boss, hats off to you!"
"But this mighty beast has quite the price tag! It's a bit steep, isn't it? Fifty units of stone for one portion—ouch!"
"You're telling me! With my peasants managing just 5 units of stone per hour, that's 10 hours for a pound of meat! That's just harsh!"
"Any other generous souls out there? Ten hours per pound is doable for me!"
"Could our gracious host consider us, too? Ten hours of labor for a pound of meat, we beseech you!"
"Upstairs, five hours of work for a pound is acceptable to us!"
"Could the boss bestow upon us the gift of flight? Let's bring down the dark-hearted anonymous dog!"
…
Amid the heated discussions, Leon couldn't help but feel satisfied.
This was precisely the reaction he aimed for.
Initiating a feigned dialogue under an anonymous guise, Leon deliberately set an extravagant price to deflate expectations.
His next move would involve unveiling his true identity, comparing prices, and consequently securing a fair deal for both parties.
Additionally, such an approach could endear him to the public, earning both reputation and profit—a win-win scenario.
No doubt, this food-for-resources method couldn't be sustained for long. However, it paved the way for the subsequent phase of development.
In the eyes of fellow lords, establishing a favorable impression was an auspicious start.
Furthermore, among a billion lords, undoubtedly, hidden talents were present.
By creating an anonymous, formidable adversary, Leon encouraged them to step forward, and their attention diverted from him.
After a brief period, as the chat channels ignited with indignation, Leon's grin grew broader.
The path he'd envisioned was unfolding.
With enthusiasm, he re-entered the trading interface, opting to gauge the waters first.
Then the anticipated moment arrived, heralding the appearance of the astute entrepreneur who had long awaited his turn.
[Trader: Leon]
[Trading: 100 portions of beef (1 portion per exchange, weighing 0.5kg each)]
[Required Item 1: Stone (20 units)]
[Required Item 2: Wood (40 units)]
[Required Item 3: Thatch (80 units)]
As the fresh trade information hit the platform, the chat channels erupted once again.
"Comrades, rejoice! The long-awaited boss is here! The meat prices are incredibly fair, and the trading center is buzzing!"
"Boss, thank you! I've secured a portion! Now the famished laborers can get to work, hehe!"
"Ha! Same here! My peasants with loyalty as low as 30 won't be shooting me scornful looks anymore! The powerhouse has come through!"
"Fantastic! We've got meat! The powerhouse is making a mark!"
"Sir, or rather, giant! Please accept my respects!"
"Everyone, save me a piece! It's only 1 unit of wood for a portion... Or is it too late?"
"Leon, you're a hero! A saga written with the sweat and blood of ten thousand souls! Lead us to overthrow that malevolent, nameless dog owner!"
…
Just as Leon had foreseen, within mere seconds, all 100 portions of beef had been claimed.
And he had successfully amassed 2,000 units of wood, 1,600 units of thatch, and 600 units of stone.
Gathering the resources necessary for the initial upgrade of his lord's mansion had turned out to be a breeze!
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