The earth's trembling began to subside, and the lights in the sky started to dim. They found themselves standing on a transformed landscape, staring at a future with many questions.

Sinclair stared at the new interface, fascinated by the transformation of his surroundings. The buildings he had once known were now infused with energy, and each displayed statistics reflecting its purpose.

He turned in a slow circle, using Valkyrie's Gaze on the house, barn, and tool shed. He was already familiar with the barracks as that was System implemented.

New Building: Hagerson Homestead (Rare)

Description: The Hagerson family home is steeped in generations of history and tradition. Its sturdy construction and welcoming hearth make it a place of safety and warmth. The homestead radiates a quiet strength, bolstering those who live and work within its walls.

Effects:

Sanctuary

: Provides a 10% health regeneration boost for occupants when resting inside.

Legacy's Blessing

: Enhances experience gained from training or study by 15%.

Heart of the Hearth

: Increases morale and reduces fear effects for all allies present.

New Building: The Old Barn (Uncommon)

Description: Once used for storing grain and livestock, the barn now serves as a multi-purpose structure vital to the daily operations of the Hagerson estate. Its weathered beams and spacious interior speak of countless seasons passed.

Effects:

Efficient Storage

: Increases resource capacity for grains and feed by 20%.

Safe Shelter

: Provides a 10% defense bonus to livestock or supplies stored during adverse conditions.

Rustic Charm

: Slightly improves morale for nearby workers.

New Building: Tool Keeper's Shed (Uncommon)

Description: This humble yet practical structure houses various tools and maintenance equipment, ensuring that repairs and projects are always within reach. Despite its modest appearance, it is the cornerstone of efficiency.

Effects:

Easy Access

: Reduces time required for repairs and crafting projects by 15%.

Well-Stocked

: Grants a minor boost to crafting success rates when using tools stored inside.

Sturdy Design

: Slightly reduces wear and tear on tools kept within.

His eyes wandered over each one, but he returned to the screen concerning his land, drawn to the field that allowed him to name his home. He wanted a name that would capture the essence of their community and the spirit of determination that had brought them this far.

A name came to him that resonated with his identity and the wild, untamed nature of the land they were discovering. He typed in "Wolf's Run," feeling a profound connection to the words. He pressed the confirmation button, and a gentle chime sounded.

The name appeared on his screen. Wolf's Run, I like the sound of that. But I figured the barn and tool shed would have been common at best. It must be a perk for being first.

Excitedly, he opened his menu and found the tab updated for his home. To his surprise, it was now technically classified as a city. The realization filled him with pride and a sense of accomplishment. They had come so far in a short time and were now on the brink of something even more remarkable.

Sinclair's eyes widened as he continued to investigate the city screen. The boundaries of his control had expanded remarkably. He zoomed out on his map, examining the defined area under his domain. The regions outside were shrouded in gray fog. Of course, they had the 'Fog of War' feature.

The dimensions were staggering. A location approximately 2 miles wide by 4 miles long was now under his jurisdiction. The sheer size left him momentarily speechless. They originally had 100 acres, but now they had just over 5,000.

With a racing heart, he turned to his family, who were still recovering from the shock of the recent changes.

"You won't believe this," he began, his voice filled with excitement and disbelief. "The area we control… It's expanded. We now have a territory that's 2 miles wide and 4 miles long, roughly."

"How is that even possible?" His dad asked.

Sinclair shook his head, still trying to wrap his mind around the revelation. "I think it might have something to do with being the first and being a progenitor. The system has recognized our efforts and granted us more responsibility." Remembering the adage, he chuckled ruefully. 'No good deed goes unpunished.' None of us had ever raised a city. This is going to be so much work. But instead of voicing that out loud, he just sighed and moved on.

Sinclair gathered everyone around, his eyes scanning the newly formed territory. "First things first, everyone. We need to take stock and see what else might have changed or been added to our area," he said. "Chewy, Leia, and Alice, I want you to explore inside the border. I have sent map updates to each of you." Sending map updates to each other was a nice feature once discovered. He had found it when they had made their first party but hadn't really paid it much attention then.

Chewy and Leia nodded in agreement. Of course, Sinclair. We'll be thorough, Chewy assured him.

We'll make sure to report anything unusual, Leia said.

Studying the map Sinclair had shared, Alice looked up with a furrowed brow. "I'll watch for any signs of life or structural changes. We'll cover the ground effectively. Umm… how am I supposed to communicate with them, though?"

Sinclair turned to her with a faint grin. "At first, we kept it simple. Two woofs mean yes, and one woof means no. If they start running, just follow their lead—it usually means it's time to move." He shrugged lightly. "We should think about setting up a training program for this kind of thing—make telepathic communication and basics like that part of a starter package for anyone staying here." Add that to the to-do list.

Amelia was already scribbling notes, nodding as she worked. Sinclair glanced over, chuckling softly at her focus. With his mom around, organizing details like this wasn't something he needed to stress about—she had it under control.

Sinclair turned to include his dad and mom, trusting their wisdom and experience. "Go to the shop and look for anything defensive we can use for the walls. Also, see if you can find any books or knowledge on this situation. We can't be the only ones who have been through this." He handed them 100 gold for a budget.

His father clapped him on the shoulder. "Don't you worry, son. We'll find what we need to secure this place." His mother nodded along.

Sinclair looked at Rose and Ed, "You're with me. We're going to make a little foray around the outside edge of the property and try to visit the direction some of the old homes I knew of existed."

Rose met his gaze. "Oooh, we get to see what nightmares the System created first. How lucky we are." Laughing and rolling her eyes, she motioned to him. "Lead the way."

Ed grinned, patting his weapon. "As long as it's not spiders, I am good with anything. Otherwise, I am all ready to see what's out there."

"Alright, everyone. Let's move quickly, but be cautious," Sinclair instructed, feeling the weight of leadership. We don't know what other changes might have occurred, so stay alert and report back if you find anything unusual."

With those final words, they split up to carry out their tasks. Sinclair led his team, Rose and Ed, in a straight path toward where his closest neighbor used to live. It was the fastest way to see what was outside his domain and what had happened to places not his.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

It took them fifteen minutes to get to the edge of his property at a slow jog. There, a noticeable difference in the land's condition struck them. The land seemed to have wilted past what Sinclair could recognize as his domain. The once-vibrant greenery appeared to be losing its life, and the air was murky and heavy with a sense of decay.

Rose wrinkled her nose, her face reflecting her disgust. "This is awful," she exclaimed. "It looks like the worst polluted air since my last trip to the city."

Ed, peering into the distance, shook his head. "Something's sucking the life out of the land. You can almost feel it, can't you?"

Sinclair nodded, his brow furrowed in concern. "The vitality of our domain is well-maintained while everything outside is decaying. We need to be cautious. Something doesn't feel right here."

He used his chat and sent a message to the rest of the team to explain what he saw. He stepped through the divide between his land and the outside and tried to send another message, but everyone's name was grayed out. He waved Ed and Rose through, and their names popped back up in his vision for messaging.

Stepping out of the dying lands, he messaged everyone, explaining what had happened. He said they would be back as soon as possible, but they could not follow them.

After that, the three continued, the sight of the deteriorating land weighing heavily on their minds. The stark contrast between Wolf's Run and the land beyond was a mystery they were determined to unravel. Yet, Sinclair couldn't shake the ominous feeling that the wilting land and polluted air were symptoms of a deeper problem. A problem that might soon reach their doorstep if they didn't act swiftly.

As they progressed into the gloomy landscape, the hairs on the backs of their heads rose, and an uneasy feeling settled in their guts as though unseen eyes were watching their every move. They arranged themselves in single file, Sinclair leading the way, Ed at the back, and Rose sandwiched safely in the middle. They reasoned that DPS and healers always go in the middle, though the logic did little to quell their growing anxiety.

They spoke in hushed whispers, every sound magnified in the eerie stillness. The landscape was a mix of scattered trees, with small hills rising and falling like the gentle waves of a disturbed sea. Shadows played tricks on their eyes, and the occasional snap of branches in the distance or the sound of rushed passage through the tree branches made them jump.

Sinclair noticed webbing here and there, a delicate thread at first but growing thicker the further they advanced. It clung to the branches, glistening in the occasional shafts of light that penetrated the canopy. Something about it made his skin crawl. Ed was going to love that the first thing we found was some sort of web spinner. Ten gold says it's spiders.

The landscape changed as they ventured deeper, becoming less familiar, twisted, and corrupted. They marched more than two miles past where Sinclair thought the house should be, a fact that Ed did not notice.

"Sinclair, are you sure we're going the right way?" Ed asked, his voice tinged with concern. "We're in unknown territory, but shouldn't we have reached the house by now?"

Sinclair stopped and surveyed the surroundings, his frown deepening. "Something's not right," he finally said. "The geography had changed as expected. The land itself has shifted everywhere. The proportions are all wrong. I expected some changes, but we have been rising in elevation, not staying flat like it used to be."

Rose shivered, glancing nervously at the thickening webs. "How do you think the System made changes this drastically in such a short amount of time? How much energy would that even take? …Wait, are those webs?"

Sinclair's eyes narrowed as he examined the webs more closely. "I don't know, but I don't like it. Let's proceed with caution. Keep your eyes peeled and stay alert. We're not alone out here."

They continued their march, the landscape growing more ominous and unfamiliar with each step. The feeling of being watched persisted to the point that Sinclair desperately wished that something would attack just to break the tension.

About 50 feet further in, as they were stepping between two imposing trees, a monstrous spider the size of a pony crashed down on Sinclair, knocking him to the ground. Its mandibles clicked menacingly, and its multiple eyes gleamed with deadly intent. A chill ran down their spines as they realized they had forgotten the rule they'd seen everyone forget in the movies: "Always look up."

The trees around them came alive with activity, shadows shifting and branches rustling with ominous sounds. Sinclair acted with lightning speed, rolling and throwing the spider against a nearby tree with such force that its body was crushed. They rushed through the opening, crowding together and scanning the area, now acutely aware of the faint shadows rushing closer through the tree branches.

"It's easier to see them now!" Rose exclaimed, her voice trembling. "What are these things?"

"Spiders," Sinclair snapped, his eyes narrowed. "And not just ordinary ones. They're everywhere."

"I knew it. I jinxed us. It just had to be spiders." Ed was visibly shaken a little at the monsters before them.

In the distance, Sinclair could just make out the corner of what looked like a structure or sign. His heart raced as he realized it would be challenging to get there without a fight.

"Ed, Rose, dash to that structure over there!" he yelled, pointing toward the faint outline. "I'll cover the rear!"

As they sprinted toward the distant object, Sinclair took out a spider or two, his movements swift and precise. He managed to analyze one of them as it jumped towards his back.

Name: Giant Shadow Spider

Description: A highly aggressive and cunning predator, the Giant Shadow Spider is notorious for hunting in coordinated packs, ambushing its prey precisely. Its sleek, obsidian-black exoskeleton provides natural camouflage in dimly lit environments, while its eight glowing red eyes pierce through darkness. Each leg is lined with barbs capable of rending flesh, and its venom is a potent neurotoxin capable of incapacitating or killing most prey within moments. These spiders are feared not only for their lethality but also for their territorial nature, often attacking intruders without hesitation.

Crafting Recipe: Chitin from these spiders is naturally resistant to slashing and piercing damage. Slabs of the material can be used in strengthening gear.

The information flashed in his mind. They had stumbled into a nest or something. He knew that this had not been a spider-infested forest 24 hours ago. His ability to focus independently on two distinct subjects barely saved him from face-planting when he saw the crafting recipe addition. Shit Shit Shit! Gotta check that out later. For now, gotta get indoors.

"Keep moving!" he shouted to Ed and Rose. "We need to get to that structure and figure out what's happening!"

With adrenaline pumping through their veins, they raced towards the mysterious object, the sounds of scuttling and hissing growing louder as the spiders closed in. The landscape taunted them, its twisted form making it seem farther and closer simultaneously. They were so close, though. Sadly, the spiders were getting closer, and they were not sure they would make it in time to find a defensible location.

With a final push of Focused Charge, Sinclair grabbed them from behind, and they reached the building. Their breath ragged from the sprint, they discovered it was an old mine entrance. The rusty rails descended at an angle into the darkness, and the sign overhead read "McFarland Mines." Sinclair's eyes widened as he recognized the name – McFarland was the family that used to own this place.

"The system converted their home into a mine," Sinclair muttered, storing the information in his mind for later analysis.

He pushed Ed and Rose inside the opening, and they found themselves in a small antechamber lit by flickering torches. A large metal door dominated the room, and the rails disappeared beneath it, leading further into the mine's depths.

"Cover the front door. I will try to open the next!" Sinclair urged, racing towards the door. He glanced over his shoulder, casting an immense Cleave skill at the spiders that were hot on their heels. Their terrifying forms were briefly illuminated in the skill's glow before being cut down.

Ed and Rose took up position inside the opening, their faces pale. Ed began to chant, his hands weaving intricate patterns as he cast his root spell, ensnaring some of the advancing spiders. Rose attacked with her water jet spell, the forceful stream cutting through their ranks.

"We will hold them off!" Ed shouted, his voice tense. Sinclair, can you open that door?"

Sinclair was already at the door, examining its mechanism. It looked old but solid, and he could sense that some kind of magical protection reinforced it.

"I'll try!" he replied, his fingers working deftly. "Keep them at bay!"

The battle raged on at the entrance, with spells and skills clashing with the relentless assault of the spiders. The antechamber echoed with the sounds of battle, and the walls trembled with the intensity of their struggle.

Sinclair's mind raced as he worked on the door. The mine held secrets, and he knew they had stumbled upon something interesting. But first, they had to survive, which meant getting beyond the door and away from the nightmarish creatures that hunted them.

With a final, determined push, he felt the door give way, and a rush of cold air greeted them from the darkness beyond.

"It's open!" he called to Ed and Rose. "Get inside, now!"

As he signaled them that the path was clear, Sinclair received a sudden message. A system notice flashed across his screen:

Welcome to McFarland's Mine

Description: Nestled deep within the rugged cliffs, McFarland's Mine is a place of mystery and danger. Once an abundant source of rare minerals, it was abandoned after a catastrophic collapse that claimed the lives of many miners. Rumors speak of strange noises echoing from within, shadowy movements, and treasures left untouched by the hands of time. Proceed with caution, as what lies beneath the surface may be far more treacherous than any treasure is worth.

Suggested Levels: 40-60 Inhabitants: Unknown Rewards: Unknown

Enter: Yes/No

As they stood at the mine entrance, Sinclair's heart raced. The spiders were relentless, and there was no guarantee that he could get both Ed and Rose to safety without entering the dungeon. The mine entrance was a choke point, and the spiders seemed to be growing more aggressive by the moment.

"Sinclair, what do we do?" Rose cried, panic in her voice.

"We have no choice," Sinclair replied, his voice filled with determination. "We'll have to enter the mine. It's our only option."

Ed looked at Sinclair; his eyes kept flickering back and forth from the monsters to his best friend. "We follow your lead. Let's do it."

Sinclair took a deep breath and selected 'Yes' on the system notice. A sudden rush of energy enveloped them, and the world around them began to twist and blur.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.