[Welcome to Eternals, a world teeming with countless races vying for supremacy. You, along with billions of Earthlings, are now "otherworldly lords," granted dominion over a sliver of this vast, unforgiving landscape.]
[Here, the rules of your former existence no longer apply; power dynamics are dictated by strength, strategy, and alliances.]
[Conquer territories, command armies, or manipulate events from the shadows—the choice is yours. But remember, survival is far from guaranteed. In this realm, your every decision could lead to triumph or catastrophe.]
[Your territory enjoys a seven-day grace period, a sanctuary from attacks—a brief respite before the storm breaks. Use it wisely. In this time, you must establish your domain, gather resources, and prepare for the inevitable conflicts that lie ahead.]
[And remember: treat your subordinates well; they are living beings, not mere tools. Their loyalty, or lack thereof, will determine your fate.]
...
The last thing Yin Zhi remembered was the comforting weight of his pillow. Then came a jarring jolt, a sickening lurch, and the smell of dry earth and dust filled his nostrils.
He blinked, his eyes adjusting to the muted light filtering through cracks in a dilapidated wooden shack. The structure leaned precariously, threatening to collapse at any moment.
A gust of wind rattled the loose planks, whispering across a seemingly endless plain of cracked earth.
The air held the faint scent of woodsmoke, acrid and sharp, mingling with something wild and untamed—a primal scent that spoke of danger lurking just beyond the horizon.
As he sat up, a dull ache throbbed in his head. This wasn't his apartment. He was in… another world? A strange, glowing panel materialized before him, its symbols unfamiliar yet somehow intuitive.
...
[Name: Yin Zhi]
[Territory: Level 1 Small Village]
[Rank: 0]
[Talent: Hundred Touch]
...
"Hundred Touch?" he muttered, studying the description that followed.
[Hundred Touch: After you touch an item, it will increase the quantity by 100x.]
A slow grin stretched across his face. This was… unexpectedly useful. He picked up a pebble near his feet, its rough texture surprisingly familiar.
With a mere touch, one hundred identical pebbles materialized, a small avalanche of grey tumbling around him, the sound a sharp counterpoint to the whispering wind. He suppressed a chuckle, realizing the potential of his newfound ability.
He was going to need to upgrade his resources. This wasn't a game; this was survival.
Next, ten wooden tokens appeared, their simple design oddly comforting in this alien landscape.
[Rank 1 Recruitment Tokens: Can randomly summon a Rank 1 sentient creature.]
The panel's next message popped up, a stark reminder of the limited time he had:
[Would you like to combine 100 Rank 1 Recruitment Tokens to create 1 Rank 2 Recruitment Token?]
Yin Zhi considered this logically, his mind racing. The information he had absorbed mentioned that ten well-organized Rank 1 soldiers could restrain a Rank 2 being.
But more numbers weren't necessarily better, especially given his current lack of resources.
After weighing his options, he decided to convert all his Rank 1 tokens into 10 Rank 2 tokens—a calculated risk. He had to make the most of his limited resources.
With a surge of determination, he activated the tokens, a thrill of anticipation mixed with a healthy dose of apprehension. A shimmering portal opened before him, a swirling vortex of light that seemed to hum with latent power.
Ten figures emerged, clad in simple yet magically imbued robes, their wands held aloft, their faces etched with a mixture of awe and apprehension. They knelt before him, their movements precise and respectful.
"Greetings, Lord!" they chorused, their voices echoing in the desolate space.
"Rise," Yin Zhi commanded, his voice calm despite the adrenaline coursing through him. He was no longer just a player; he was a lord, a leader.
They were summoners, a revelation that sparked a wave of relief through him. Capable of summoning beasts, they were a far more versatile force than simple infantry.
Among them was Lin Yuan, a Peak Rank 2 summoner on the verge of Rank 3. The others weren't far behind; the lowest was a 5-star Rank 2.
Not the infantry he had envisioned but perfectly suited to his current situation. He needed adaptability, not brute force.
...
[Name: Lin Yuan]
[Affiliated Force: Unnamed]
[Rank: Peak 2]
[Loyalty: 80]
...
Lin Yuan stepped forward, his eyes intelligent and assessing. "Lord Yin Zhi, we are at your command. We await your instructions."
Yin Zhi surveyed his surroundings, the vast, empty plain stretching before him. He needed a plan, and he needed it fast. The seven-day protection period wasn't just a buffer; it was a deadline.
He had to establish a secure base, gather resources, and build his strength before the attacks began. He couldn't afford any mistakes.
"Lin Yuan," Yin Zhi began, his voice firm and decisive, "I need a comprehensive assessment of our immediate surroundings. We need to secure water, food, and building materials. And I need to know what threats we face."
"Understood, my Lord," Lin Yuan replied, bowing slightly before turning to his comrades.
After receiving his order, the squad of summoners sprang into action, summoning various animals to scout the surroundings.
While the summoners were busy gathering intel, Yin Zhi decided to check the chat system.
It was divided into three categories: World Chat, Continental Chat, and Regional Chat.
He pressed World Chat and was immediately inundated with a blur of messages. The rapid-fire exchanges made it nearly impossible to extract any useful information.
Not surprised, he turned to the Continental Chat only to find it much the same. Given that there were three continents in this world, if the population was evenly distributed, each continent would host at least 2.7 billion lords.
Finally, he pressed Regional Chat, which was more manageable. Despite their continent having 21 regions, each larger than Africa, the number of messages was considerably less.
As he scrolled through, a few messages stood out:
"I was just at home playing around with a hotdog, how did I end up coming here?"
"Anybody got food?"
"I got ten farmers. What are they gonna do in the jungle?"
"Well, you're lucky; I got ten crippled goblins."
"It seems that for some people, they need to accept their deaths already."
Reading these chats, Yin Zhi summarized the situation. Many were hungry, lacking resources, and seemed to be struggling in this unfamiliar environment.
Realizing that he wasn't alone in his predicament brought him a semblance of comfort.
But it also reinforced the urgency of his situation. He would have to act decisively if he wanted to thrive in this new world.