The world of Eryndor

The morning after the battle, the settlement buzzed with a renewed sense of purpose. Despite their exhaustion, the group knew there was no time to waste. With the watchtower and reinforced gates now unlocked, their priority was to fortify the settlement before the bandits returned.

Leon stood near the half-finished wooden wall, reviewing the system interface.

[Defensive Structures]

• Wooden Watchtower:

• Wood: 150

• Stone: 50

• Reinforced Gates:

• Wood: 200

• Iron: 30

Current Resources:

• Wood: 80

• Stone: 40

• Iron: 0

"We're short on materials," Leon muttered, glancing at Selene, who was busy sharpening her dagger.

"Then we'll gather them," she replied without looking up. "But we also need to prepare for another attack. We might not get a second chance if they hit us harder next time."

Leon nodded, his jaw tightening. "Joren, Mira, Edric, let's split up and gather resources. Selene, you keep scouting the area. If there's any sign of those bandits, we need to know."

Selene smirked. "You got it, boss."

Resource Gathering

Leon and Joren headed into the nearby forest to collect wood. With Joren's newly crafted iron axe—one of the first tools made in the Workshop—the process went much faster.

"I didn't think I'd ever be part of something like this," Joren admitted, hauling a bundle of logs over his shoulder.

"Like what?" Leon asked, chopping down another tree.

"Building a settlement, fighting bandits… It feels like something out of a storybook."

Leon chuckled. "It's not exactly the life I planned, but it's ours now. We just have to make it work."

Joren nodded, a flicker of determination in his eyes. "We will."

Meanwhile, Mira and Edric worked in the quarry, collecting stone. Mira's delicate hands seemed ill-suited for the task, but she worked with surprising efficiency.

"You're pretty good at this," Edric said, wiping sweat from his brow.

Mira smiled faintly. "I grew up in a village like this. Hard work is nothing new to me."

Edric nodded, his respect for Mira growing. "Well, I'm glad you're here. We wouldn't have survived that fight without you."

Mira's cheeks flushed slightly. "Thanks. Let's just focus on getting this done."

Iron Discovery

Selene's scouting trip proved fruitful. She returned in the late afternoon with news that lifted everyone's spirits.

"There's an abandoned mine to the west," she reported, spreading a rough map on the Workshop table. "It looks like it hasn't been used in years, but I saw traces of iron ore inside."

Leon's eyes lit up. "That's exactly what we need for the gates. Good work, Selene."

She grinned. "Don't mention it. Just make sure we've got people to back me up when we start mining. That place could be hiding all kinds of surprises."

Leon nodded. "We'll prioritize it tomorrow. For now, let's focus on the watchtower."

Building the Watchtower

With enough wood and stone gathered, the group began construction on the wooden watchtower. As with the previous buildings, the system provided a glowing blueprint, guiding their efforts.

Everyone pitched in, lifting beams, hammering nails, and securing the structure. Despite the hard work, there was a sense of camaraderie in the air.

By sunset, the watchtower stood tall at the edge of the settlement. From its perch, Joren could see for miles in every direction.

"This will give us a huge advantage," Joren said, his voice tinged with awe.

Leon clapped him on the back. "It's not just an advantage—it's a symbol. We're not just surviving anymore. We're building something real."

[Wooden Watchtower Constructed]

• Visibility Increased.

• Early Warning System Enabled.

The Next Step

That evening, the group gathered around the fire to discuss their plans.

"The watchtower is a good start," Selene said, her gaze sharp. "But if those bandits come back, we'll need the gates to hold them off."

Leon nodded. "We'll start mining the iron tomorrow. Once the gates are up, we can focus on expanding the wall and training more fighters."

Mira spoke up, her voice hesitant. "What about food? We've been living off rations and scavenged supplies, but that won't last forever."

Leon frowned. She was right. The system had a Farming Plot blueprint available, but it required fertile soil and additional water sources.

"We'll need to scout for fertile land and water," Leon said. "Selene, that'll be your next mission after the mine."

Selene nodded. "Consider it done."

A Moment of Reflection

As the others drifted off to sleep, Leon climbed the watchtower. The view from the top was breathtaking—the stars seemed brighter here, untouched by the pollution of the cities he once knew.

The system interface hovered before him, its faint glow illuminating his determined expression.

[Settlement Status]

• Population: 5

• Structures: 4

• Resources: Limited

• Defense: In Progress

Leon clenched his fist. They had come so far already, but there was still a long way to go.

"We're going to make this work," he whispered to himself. "No matter what it takes."

Far in the distance, a faint flicker of light caught his eye—campfires, likely belonging to the bandits who had fled.

"They'll be back," Leon muttered, his jaw tightening. "But so will we—stronger, smarter, and ready."