Of course, Cronos wasn't the only one with a territory nearby.
There were many others, each with its own ambitions and challenges.
But that was exactly where his role came in. His town was struggling, and his purpose was clear — he had to restore Blackwood Town to its former glory and beyond.
He dismissed the tab floating in front of him and slowly made his way over to his bed.
As soon as he sat down, he caught the scent of the soup. The fragrance was intoxicating, a sweet, savory aroma that seemed to beckon him.
The bowl sat there, practically calling out to be devoured, but he didn't let himself rush into it.
He had a new sense of discipline now — he couldn't afford to lose focus on the bigger picture.
"Analyze," he muttered softly under his breath, his left eye glowing with a faint blue light as a tab appeared above the soup.
[Item: Hot Soup]
[Rank: C]
[Details: A delicacy to take right before beginning work early in the morning]
[Status: Healthy]
Cronos sighed, dismissing the tab. Even in this new world, he had to remain vigilant. Blackwood Town wasn't the strongest or most prosperous territory.
In fact, it was one of the most rapidly declining. But why? That was the question that haunted him.
It wasn't because of any external threat — no rival lord or monstrous force threatening his people.
It was the simple fact that the original Cronos, the one who had ruled before him, hadn't been up to the task. His father, the former lord of Blackwood Town, had gone missing over a year ago.
The leadership had fallen to Cronos, but the transition had been anything but smooth.
His father's disappearance had thrown the town into disarray, and the Council of Chiefs, instead of helping the new lord restore order, had been left to rule in his stead.
For a while, Cronos had allowed the council to do the heavy lifting, stepping back and playing a role that could only be described as a shadow leader. But that had been a mistake.
The council, instead of guiding the town to prosperity, had played a significant role in its slow decline. Their self-serving decisions had only worsened the situation.
It was time to take control. Cronos knew it wouldn't be easy, but he had to put an end to the council's influence over his territory.
The mission, after all, was clear.
He picked up the now-empty bowl from his lap and stared down at it, a moment of silence hanging in the air.
The quiet of his small hut gave him a rare opportunity to reflect on what had to be done.
"Missions," he muttered, the words barely escaping his lips.
[Mission Log]
[Mission (1) – Upgrade your territory to a C-Rank Territory (-)]
[Status: Incomplete]
[Rewards: S-Rank Skill Leadership]
[Mission (2) – Conquer a nearby Territory and consume it]
[Status: Incomplete]
[Rewards: Hidden]
Cronos sighed again, rubbing his temples. Both missions were of critical importance, but the first one was the more immediate task at hand. Upgrading the town was a must — Blackwood Town had to reach a C-Rank to survive in this competitive world.
Without that, he wouldn't have the resources, power, or influence needed to protect his people from other lords or threats that might appear.
But the second mission was just as crucial. To truly solidify his rule and expand his power, he would have to conquer nearby territories, absorbing them into his domain.
The rewards for this mission remained hidden, but he had a feeling they would be worth it.
Cronos put the empty bowl aside, running a hand through his silver hair. He couldn't waste any more time in his small hut, though.
The tasks ahead of him required more than just sitting here. He needed to take action.
His mind raced through the possibilities. He had to move fast — he couldn't let the council continue with their disastrous management.
They were a threat to everything he planned to build. Yet, he knew that simply marching in and taking control would be a mistake. Subtlety was key.
First, he needed to ensure that his town was strong enough to withstand any internal opposition.
He couldn't afford to let the people — his people — feel that his leadership was in question.
There was a fine line between being a lord and a tyrant. Cronos wasn't interested in ruling with an iron fist, but he couldn't be weak either. He had to build trust, and that meant making sure Blackwood Town's resources were properly utilized.
He could start by improving the town's defenses, making sure that his hunters and farmers had the tools and security they needed.
The forest that surrounded the town was dangerous, full of monsters and other dangers. His people needed to be prepared for anything.
And then there was the issue of the council. Cronos had to deal with them immediately and strategically.
They weren't going to give up their power easily, but he had to find a way to get them on his side—or at the very least, neutralize their influence without causing too much of an uproar.
As much as he wanted to charge ahead, Cronos knew that everything had to be calculated.
He would have to meet with the council soon, figure out where they stood. It was time to put an end to the terror that had plagued his town for so long.
With a deep breath, Cronos stood up, shaking off the weight of the situation. He had a long road ahead of him.
He approached the inner door of his bathroom, he needed to freshen up and call for a meeting with the council. There was no time to waste, He freshened up quickly and walked out with black robes, he sighed.
The only sets of clothing Cronos had were black robes, he didn't know why the original had a liking for black clothes but they didn't look half bad.
He straightened his face while walking to the door, before he could reach the knob, a knock echoed.
"Lord Cronos! The Council Of Elders summoned you for a meeting," The messenger said and Cronos smiled.
"Couldn't have done it better," Cronos muttered.