The world of Eryndor

The next morning, Leon woke to the sound of hammering and voices outside the shelter. The settlement was already buzzing with activity. Selene was overseeing Mira and Edric as they organized supplies in the new Resource Depot. Joren was sharpening tools near the campfire, while the faint glow of the system interface hovered before Leon's eyes.

[Settlement Level 2: Upgrades Unlocked]

• Workshop: Enables crafting of advanced tools and repairs.

• Barracks: Trains basic militia for defense.

• Basic Defense System: Unlocks defensive structures like wooden walls and watchtowers.

Leon's lips curled into a determined smile. They were making progress.

Building Priorities

Selene approached him as he stepped out into the crisp morning air, her arms crossed. "We've got a lot of options now, Leon. Workshop, barracks, walls… but we can't do it all at once. What's the plan?"

Leon opened the system menu, scrolling through the requirements for each structure.

• Workshop:

• Wood: 100

• Stone: 50

• Barracks:

• Wood: 200

• Stone: 100

• Basic Walls (per section):

• Wood: 50

"We'll start with the Workshop," Leon decided. "Better tools will make everything else easier."

Selene nodded. "Makes sense. I'll take Mira and Edric to gather more stone. Joren can help you with the wood."

"Good idea," Leon said. "Let's get to it."

Gathering Resources

Joren and Leon ventured into the sparse forest near the settlement, axes in hand. The dry, cracked earth made the work harder, but Leon's new Leadership Aura provided a subtle boost to their efficiency.

"Do you ever think about what this place could look like in a few months?" Leon asked, wiping sweat from his brow after felling a tree.

Joren glanced at him. "I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that we're even building anything here. Most people would've given up."

Leon chuckled. "Well, I'm not most people."

Joren grinned, his nerves from earlier fading as he worked. "I'll say this—you've got vision. I wouldn't be here if I didn't believe in it."

They hauled the wood back to the settlement, finding Selene and the others returning with carts of stone.

"We've got enough," Selene said. "Let's build this thing."

Constructing the Workshop

With the materials gathered, Leon activated the Workshop blueprint. The glowing outline of the building appeared near the Resource Depot, and everyone worked together to place the wood and stone in position.

As before, the system took over once the materials were in place. Beams and panels moved into position, forming walls, a roof, and workbenches within minutes. When the process was complete, a small but sturdy Workshop stood before them.

[Workshop Constructed]

[Tool Crafting and Repairs Enabled]

Mira stepped inside, inspecting the tools laid out on the workbenches. "This will make a huge difference," she said. "We can repair weapons, make stronger tools… even craft basic medicine with the right materials."

Leon nodded, a surge of pride swelling in his chest. "It's another step forward."

Defense Concerns

As the group gathered near the fire that evening, Selene brought up the topic of defense.

"We've been lucky so far," she said, her tone serious. "But luck won't last forever. If more bandits show up, or worse, we'll need more than just a couple of blades to protect this place."

Leon leaned forward, considering her words. The Barracks was the obvious next step, but it would require significant resources.

"The system unlocked basic walls," he said. "We could start fortifying the perimeter while we gather materials for the Barracks."

Joren spoke up, his voice hesitant. "What about scouts? We could send someone out to keep an eye on the area. It might give us a heads-up if trouble's coming."

Leon nodded thoughtfully. "That's not a bad idea. But we'll need someone fast and cautious for that job."

Selene smirked. "Sounds like you're looking at me."

Leon chuckled. "You're definitely the best fit. Are you up for it?"

Selene's grin widened. "Always."

Expanding the Settlement

The next few days were a flurry of activity. Selene scouted the surrounding area, marking potential threats and resources on a crude map they kept in the Workshop. Meanwhile, the rest of the group worked on constructing sections of the wooden wall around the settlement.

Each completed section brought a sense of security, though the task was slow and grueling.

During one of Selene's scouting trips, she returned with news that set everyone on edge.

"There's movement to the east," she reported. "A group of about ten men, armed. They haven't spotted us yet, but they're not far."

Leon's jaw tightened. "Bandits?"

Selene nodded. "Most likely. They're too organized to be wanderers."

The group fell silent, the weight of the situation sinking in.

Preparing for Conflict

Leon stood before the system interface, his mind racing.

[Urgent Objective: Defend the Settlement]

• Construct Defensive Walls: 3/10 Sections Completed.

• Train Citizens for Combat: 0/5.

"We don't have enough time to finish the wall," he said finally. "But we can train people to fight."

Selene nodded. "Mira knows how to patch people up. I can teach the rest how to use a blade."

Leon turned to the others. "This is it, everyone. If we don't stand together, we lose everything we've built. Are you with me?"

Joren, Mira, and Edric exchanged glances before nodding firmly.

"We're with you," Mira said, her voice steady.

Selene grinned, drawing her dagger. "Then let's get to work."

The Training Begins

Over the next two days, Selene drilled the group relentlessly. Leon focused on strategy, using the system's tactical prompts to plan their defense.

As the sun set on the second day, the settlement stood ready—or as ready as it could be. Wooden walls partially encircled the shelter, and the citizens were armed with crude weapons from the Workshop.

Leon stood at the center of the camp, his sword in hand. The others gathered around him, their faces set with determination.

"This is our home," Leon said, his voice steady. "No one takes it from us."

As the first shadowy figures appeared on the horizon, the group braced themselves for the fight of their lives.