The town was in full jubilation. The air was buzzing with excitement, and the mood was infectious.
Farmers walked through the streets, proudly handing out apples and blueberries, their baskets brimming with the fruits of labor.
The abundance was so great that some people found themselves with five apples instead of the usual one, each piece of fruit plucked fresh from the orchard.
It was a feast for the senses, with the vibrant colors and sweet aroma of the apples filling the air.
The townsfolk, thrilled by the unexpected bounty, couldn't help but wonder where these apples had come from.
There had been no mention of a harvest, and yet the farmers were offering the fruit with wide smiles, as though it had been dropped straight from the heavens.
Whenever someone asked, the farmers just shrugged and mumbled something about Lord Cronos showing them the orchard, as though it was some divine miracle.
No one questioned it further; after all, when good fortune strikes, why ask too many questions?
While the people reveled in the little gifts they had received, Cronos sat alone, a figure of solitude in the orchard.
His back rested against one of the sturdy apple trees, and he lazily bit into an apple, savoring its sweetness.
His eyes were distant, lost in thought as he chewed, and for a brief moment, he allowed himself to relax. The jubilation seemed distant, as if he were observing the celebration from far away.
He had to admit, things were progressing far better than he'd imagined. The System, this strange interface that had become his reality, was starting to make more sense with each passing hour.
The more he explored it, the more he realized it was like something ripped straight from a game, only it was much more powerful, and far more dangerous.
He glanced down at the apple in his hand, the fruit's bright red skin gleaming in the sunlight.
As he chewed, his mind was focused on something far more pressing than the celebration.
"Anything I buy from the System," he muttered to himself, barely aware that he was speaking out loud. "I can place it anywhere I want as long as it's my territory. And not only that, I can upgrade anything within my territory..."
His voice trailed off as he processed the words. It sounded too simple, too easy, but it was true.
The System was more than a tool; it was an extension of himself. He had dominion over everything within his reach.
With a quiet sigh, he leaned his head back against the tree, letting the sun warm his face.
Despite the exciting possibilities, he couldn't afford to get swept up in it. Not yet. He needed time to fully understand the System before making any grand decisions.
"Skills," he muttered under his breath. A screen materialized in front of him, glowing faintly.
Cronos stared at it for a moment before he began reading through the list of skills he had inherited.
These were the abilities of the original Cronos, the one whose life had led to this point. But as he examined the list, he couldn't help but feel a sense of disdain.
---
[Leadership (D Rank / Level 1): Your ability to lead people that follow you, people that look up to you]
[EXP to Level up: 160 / 1000]
[Hunting (D Rank / Level 1): Your ability to hunt monsters and animals that you prey on for food]
[EXP to Level up: 100 / 1000]
[Rulership (D Rank / Level 1): Your ability to make your voice heard, to ensure that your subjects hear and obey your orders]
[EXP to Level up: 250 / 1000]
Cronos frowned as his gaze flicked over the list again. Leadership, hunting, rulership — each one felt so... basic.
So underwhelming.
The skills, while undoubtedly useful in their own right, were far from impressive. To think that this was all the original Cronos had to work with. It made him shake his head in disbelief.
He muttered bitterly under his breath, "What a wimp."
He couldn't help it. These skills felt like they belonged to a low-level adventurer, not someone with the power to control territory and command others.
His frustration bubbled up, but he quickly pushed it down. It wasn't the original Cronos's fault.
He'd had his limitations, just like anyone else. But now that he had taken over, now that he was in control, things would be different. He would make sure of it. He needed to grow, to learn how to use the System to its fullest potential. After all, it was his future at stake.
"I need more," Cronos muttered, his fingers tapping restlessly against the ground as he leaned forward. "These skills are a joke. I can't lead an army with this."
He couldn't help but feel a bitter taste rise in his throat. It was like the System was mocking him, giving him just enough power to start, but nothing more. Nothing that would make him unstoppable.
Still, he had to start somewhere. The System was clear about that. It was a system of growth, not instant mastery. Cronos's eyes narrowed as he considered the possibilities. He could level up these skills. He could improve them.
But first, he needed to focus on the basics. If he wanted to truly take control of his surroundings, he would need more than just leadership and rulership. He needed strength, and he needed knowledge.
Both of those would take time. But that was fine. He had time now.
The road ahead was long, and the power he sought would take time and effort to attain.
Cronos wasn't afraid of that. He knew what it took to build something from the ground up.
And now, with the System at his fingertips, there were no limits to what he could achieve.
He stood up, brushing the dirt from his pants, and took one last look at the orchard.
The apples that the farmers had given out were just the beginning. Soon, there would be more. Much more.