Chapter 2: The First Enemy
A red warning flashed across his interface.
"Warning: External Threat Detected."
His pulse quickened.
The screen displayed a section of the forest beyond the settlers' small village. Dark trees swayed in the wind, their twisted branches casting eerie shadows across the ground. And moving through the underbrush was something big.
At first, he thought it was just a normal predator maybe a large wolf or a bear-like creature. But as it stepped into a patch of moonlight, his stomach clenched.
It was huge easily three times the size of a man. Its body was covered in thick, matted fur, but beneath the tangled mess, its muscles rippled with raw power. Jagged tusks jutted from its lower jaw, curving upward like deadly hooks. Its eyes, dark and predatory, scanned the landscape with intelligence far beyond that of a simple beast.
It wasn't just a mindless animal.
It was a hunter.
And it was heading straight for the village.
---
Down below, the settlers were oblivious.
Some were still reinforcing their newly built huts, weaving dried grass into roofs. Others huddled around the fire, their laughter and conversation filling the air. The first traces of civilization. A fragile beginning.
And it was about to be destroyed.
His mind raced.
"I have to act now."
His eyes darted across his interface. He had six Creation Points now, thanks to the last mission. He pulled up the available options.
Summon a Warrior (3 Creation Points)Grant Knowledge of Weapons (2 Creation Points)Smite the Beast (5 Creation Points)
The last option was tempting. If he used it, the monster would be instantly wiped from existence. No risk. No casualties.
But something held him back.
If he solved every problem himself, the settlers would never grow stronger. They needed to learn how to fight.
His finger hovered over Grant Knowledge of Weapons.
A deep breath.
Selected.
---
Down below, the settlers suddenly froze.
A sensation warm, electric surged through their bodies. Their minds flooded with understanding. They saw visions of sharpened spears, sturdy clubs, slings that hurled stones with deadly force. Their hands twitched as if they had always known how to hold these weapons, how to use them.
The sharp-eyed man the same one who had first crafted tools was the first to move.
His gaze flickered with recognition.
Without hesitation, he grabbed a long, sturdy branch and began sharpening the tip against a rock. The others, sensing his urgency, followed suit.
Within minutes, the villagers stood armed. Crude spears. Heavy clubs. Simple, but deadly in the right hands.
And just in time.
Because the beast had arrived.
---
The underbrush rustled. A deep, guttural growl filled the air.
The settlers turned as one, their instincts screaming danger.
Then, it stepped into the firelight.
The sheer size of the creature sent a wave of terror through the village. It wasn't just big—it was monstrous. Muscles coiled beneath its thick hide, and saliva dripped from its massive jaws as it let out a bone-rattling snarl.
For a moment, fear paralyzed them.
But then, the sharp-eyed man stepped forward, gripping his spear tightly. His voice was steady, commanding.
"We stand. We fight."
A spark of courage ignited in the others.
They weren't helpless. They weren't prey.
They had been given knowledge.
And now, they would use it.
---
The first attack came fast.
The beast lunged, its massive claws slashing through the air. A villager barely dodged in time, rolling to the side as the ground shook beneath the impact.
The sharp-eyed man reacted instantly. He hurled his spear, aiming for the creature's exposed side.
The weapon struck but only barely. The tip scraped against the beast's thick hide, drawing a thin line of blood but doing little else.
Its dark eyes snapped to him.
And then it charged.
He barely had time to react. The creature was fast far faster than its bulk suggested. But just as its massive claws swiped toward him
THWACK!
A club slammed into the beast's face.
Another villager had attacked from the side, catching it off guard. The creature staggered, snarling in fury. More settlers seized the moment, hurling rocks and jabbing their spears.
It wasn't a coordinated assault. It was messy, desperate.
But it was working.
The beast roared in frustration, swiping wildly, but the villagers had learned. They didn't stand still. They dodged. They struck when it was open.
It was a battle of attrition.
And slowly…
The tide began to turn.
---
Above them, watching through the interface, the young man grinned.
"They're doing it."
They weren't just surviving they were winning.
And then, he saw an opportunity.
Another ability had become available.
"Divine Blessing: Strengthen one warrior (2 Creation Points)."
His eyes locked onto the sharp-eyed man. He was their leader. Their strongest fighter. If anyone deserved a boost, it was him.
Selected.
A golden glow enveloped the man's body. His muscles tensed, his grip on the spear tightening as a surge of power filled him.
His eyes widened. Then, he moved.
Faster than before.
Stronger than before.
He leapt, dodging a desperate swipe from the beast. His spear thrust forward—this time, aimed at the creature's exposed throat.
The weapon sank deep.
A terrible gurgling noise filled the air. The beast shuddered, its massive form trembling.
Then, with a final, ragged breath…
It collapsed.
Dead.
Silence fell over the village.
The settlers stood frozen, their chests heaving. Blood dripped from their weapons.
And then
A cheer erupted.
They had faced death.
And they had won.
---
"Mission Complete: Defend the Village.""You have gained 4 Creation Points."
A slow exhale.
The young man leaned back, staring at the screen.
He had watched them build their first homes.
He had watched them fight their first battle.
And now…
They were a people.
A real, growing civilization.
---
The village was changing.
After the battle with the beast, something in the settlers had shifted. They no longer saw themselves as just survivors. They were warriors, builders, hunters.
And that meant it was time to expand.