Leon exhaled slowly, standing over the corpses of the Shadowfang Wolves. His heartbeat was still pounding in his ears, but the tension of battle was fading.
He had killed for the first time.
It didn't feel like a victory—not really. There was no dramatic music, no sense of glory. Just the cold weight of survival.
And yet, something inside him had changed.
He looked at his hands—steady now, despite the bloodstains.
In his past life, he'd built an empire with his mind, not his fists. But in this world? Strength wasn't measured by profits and negotiations. It was measured by blood.
Ding!
---
[Extraction Available!]
Targets: Shadowfang Wolf Corpses (3)
Possible Rewards: Fangs, Hide, Meat, Shadow Essence, Skills
[Would you like to extract?] (Y/N)
---
Leon took a deep breath. He had already gained Shadow Pounce from the first wolf. What else could he get?
"Extract."
A faint blue glow pulsed over the dead wolves. Their bodies dissolved into shimmering particles, leaving behind black crystals and various materials.
Ding!
---
[Extraction Complete!]
Shadowfang Hide x3 (Armor Material)
Shadowfang Fangs x3 (Weapon Material)
Wolf Meat x6 (Food Supply +3 Days)
Skill: Night Hunter (Passive Ability)
[Skill: Night Hunter]
Enhances vision in low-light conditions.
Increases movement speed by 10% at night.
---
Leon's eyebrows lifted. "Oh, this is good."
A skill that made him faster and deadlier at night? That was huge.
Garrick approached, wiping blood from his sword. "My lord, are you hurt?"
Leon rolled his shoulders. "I'm fine." He turned his gaze toward the settlers. "What about them?"
The peasants were shaken but unharmed. Some stared at him differently now—not just as a noble, but as someone dangerous. Someone with power.
One of them, a young man with messy hair, swallowed hard. "M-My lord… what was that magic?"
Leon flicked his wrist, summoning the Night Hunter skill window. "A gift," he said vaguely. "And one we'll need more of if we want to survive."
Garrick's sharp gaze flickered toward the glowing system panel—but he said nothing.
Leon smirked. Let them wonder.
---
With the immediate danger gone, they gathered the spoils—the meat, the fangs, the hides. The river was theirs now.
But Leon's mind was already several steps ahead.
Food secured: The wolf meat added three days' worth of rations, and they could start fishing immediately.
Combat experience gained: He had tested his abilities and learned what he could do in a fight.
Extraction was OP: If he kept using it, he could gain even more power.
But there was one problem.
They had no proper defenses.
If wolves were lurking nearby, what else was out there? Bandits? Monsters?
Leon had no intention of waiting to find out.
As soon as they reached the settlement, he called everyone together.
"Listen up," he said, his voice sharp and commanding. "We survived today, but we won't always be this lucky."
The settlers nodded nervously.
"So, starting now, things change. We're building defenses. We're arming ourselves. If we want to survive in this world, we have to be stronger."
The settlers hesitated, but Garrick stepped forward, his voice firm. "You heard our lord. Start gathering wood and stone. We'll begin fortifications at once."
Leon glanced at the old warrior, appreciating his decisiveness. Good. Someone needs to handle the military side of things.
"Garrick," Leon continued, "I want you to train the settlers. Make sure they can fight if they have to."
Garrick raised an eyebrow. "All of them?"
"The ones willing," Leon corrected. "Start small. A core group."
The captain studied him for a long moment, then nodded. "Understood."
Ding!
---
[New Quest: Strengthen Your Domain]
Build basic defenses (0/1)
Train your first group of fighters (0/5)
[Rewards: Increased Territory Rank, Potential New Recruits]
---
Leon glanced at the system notification and smirked.
Looks like even the system agrees with me.
---
Before dismissing the panel, Leon noticed something new in the corner of his interface.
[A new function has been unlocked.]
---
[Lord's Authority System Unlocked]
Your decisions as a lord now directly impact your Authority Level.
Higher Authority unlocks new system functions, bonuses, and unique abilities.
[Current Authority Level: 1 (New Lord)]
Bonuses: None
Next Unlock: Level 2 (Basic Governance)
To increase Authority Level:
Expand your territory
Strengthen your domain
Earn the trust of your people
---
Leon's eyes gleamed.
So the system wasn't just about personal strength—it actually rewarded him for governing well.
This changed everything.
If he played his cards right, he could grow the settlement and unlock even more advantages.
He turned to his people, a plan already forming.
"Alright then," Leon said, grinning. "Let's get to work."
---