Day 7
The sun rose slowly over the camp, casting long shadows across the clearing. Alexander Maxwell stood near the edge of the barricade, his spear resting against his shoulder. His dark eyes scanned the forest for any signs of movement, his thoughts lingering on the events of the previous day. The addition of Tyrell to their camp was both a blessing and a potential complication.
Behind him, Elias leaned against one of the barricade stakes, watching Tyrell unload the bear's carcass near the storage shed. "I still don't trust him," Elias muttered, loud enough for Alexander to hear.
Alexander turned slightly, his expression calm. "He saved our lives."
Elias shrugged. "Doesn't mean he doesn't have his own agenda. Nobody helps for free."
Tyrell, overhearing the exchange, glanced over his shoulder with a smirk. "You know, I can hear you, right?"
Elias rolled his eyes but didn't reply. Alexander stepped forward, his voice steady. "If Tyrell wanted to harm us, he had his chance yesterday. Let's give him the benefit of the doubt—for now."
Tyrell gave a mock bow. "Glad to know I've earned a shred of trust. Now, where do you want this thing?" He gestured to the bear carcass.
"By the stream," Alexander said. "We'll skin it and preserve the meat. The hide might be useful for armor or trade."
A Test of Skill
As the three men worked on the bear, Alexander couldn't help but observe Tyrell. The newcomer's hands moved with practiced ease as he skinned the animal, his knife cutting through the thick hide with precision. It was clear that Tyrell was no stranger to survival in the wild.
"You've done this before," Alexander said, his tone neutral.
"Plenty of times," Tyrell replied without looking up. "You don't last long out here without knowing how to make use of what you kill."
Elias, crouched on the other side of the bear, raised an eyebrow. "And how long have you been out here?"
Tyrell shrugged. "A couple of years, give or take. Started off with a group, but things... didn't work out."
Alexander's gaze sharpened. "What happened?"
"Same thing that always happens," Tyrell said, his voice quiet. "People get desperate. Start looking out for themselves instead of each other. It didn't end well."
The silence that followed was heavy, broken only by the sound of the knife slicing through fur and flesh. Alexander didn't press further, but he made a mental note of Tyrell's words. Desperation breeds chaos. I won't let that happen here.
System Rewards
By midday, the bear was fully processed. The meat was stored in makeshift baskets lined with leaves, and the hide was stretched out near the stream to dry. As Alexander wiped the sweat from his brow, the system chimed softly, bringing up a new notification.
[Objective Complete: Process Large Game]
Reward: Unlock Path of Resources.
[Path of Resources: First Idea Unlocked]
Idea 1: Resourceful Gatherers Active
Personal Buff: +10% efficiency when harvesting resources.
Territory Buff: Settlers gain +5% yield from all resource-gathering tasks.
The notification faded, and Alexander allowed himself a small smile. The system's rewards were subtle but valuable, making each step of progress feel like a significant achievement.
"You look like you're plotting something," Elias said, breaking the silence.
Alexander shook his head. "Just thinking about the next step. This camp won't run itself."
Expanding the Camp
As the afternoon wore on, Alexander gathered Elias and Tyrell near the center of the camp. The newly constructed shelter and barricade stood as testaments to their hard work, but Alexander knew it wasn't enough. If they were going to survive—and thrive—they needed more people, more resources, and stronger defenses.
"We've made progress," Alexander began, his voice steady. "But we're still vulnerable. The barricade won't stop a determined attack, and we don't have enough hands to keep this place running."
Elias nodded slowly. "You're not wrong. But where are we supposed to find more people?"
"There's a village about a day's walk from here," Alexander said. "I've been avoiding it for now, but it might be time to start recruiting."
Tyrell raised an eyebrow. "You think they'll just up and leave their homes to follow a stranger into the woods?"
Alexander's expression hardened. "If we can offer them something better than what they have now, they might."
Elias snorted. "Well, I hope you've got a hell of a sales pitch."
A Scout's Warning
Before the conversation could continue, the sound of rustling leaves caught their attention. All three men turned, their hands moving instinctively to their weapons.
From the treeline emerged a young man, his clothes torn and his face streaked with dirt. He stumbled forward, his eyes wide with fear.
"Help..." he gasped, collapsing to his knees.
Alexander rushed to his side, kneeling down to steady him. "Who are you? What happened?"
The man struggled to catch his breath, his voice trembling. "Bandits... they attacked our village. Took everything. Some of us managed to escape, but they're... they're coming back."
Alexander's jaw tightened, his mind racing. This changes everything.
Tyrell crouched beside him, his expression serious. "If they're hitting villages, it's only a matter of time before they come here."
Elias cursed under his breath. "Just what we needed."
Alexander stood, his dark eyes blazing with determination. "We'll deal with them. But first, we need to know what we're up against."
He turned to the young man. "Can you walk?"
The man nodded weakly. "I think so."
"Good. You'll tell us everything you know about these bandits."
Preparing for the Unknown
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Alexander, Elias, and Tyrell gathered near the fire. The young man, now sitting with a blanket draped over his shoulders, recounted the attack in halting words. He described a group of at least a dozen bandits, armed with crude weapons but highly organized.
Alexander listened carefully, his mind already forming a plan. We need more than just a barricade. If we're going to survive this, we'll have to outthink and outmaneuver them.
Tyrell broke the silence. "What's the move, boss?"
Alexander's gaze swept over the camp, his voice firm. "We strengthen the defenses. We train. And when the time comes, we fight."