Kaelan sat near the fire, poking at it with a stick. The flames crackled quietly. The air was calm. Garka sat beside him, munching on dried meat.
Zira returned from scouting. Her cloak fluttered as she stepped into the clearing. "We found someone. In the forest. They were hiding."
Kaelan blinked. "Someone? Like a person-person? Not a squirrel in a cloak?"
Zira rolled her eyes. "A real person. Looks like a kid, maybe a teen. They were scared but followed us back."
Garka stood, brushing crumbs off her lap. "Where are they?"
Zira pointed behind her. "Coming."
From between the trees, a figure stepped out. Barefoot. Mud on their face. Torn clothes. They looked tired but curious. Kaelan stood to greet them.
"Hey. I'm Kaelan. Welcome to... uh... this soon-to-be village."
The teen nodded. "I'm Tilo. I ran from a nearby camp. Too many rules. Not enough food."
Kaelan gestured to the small clearing. "We're building something here. Slowly. It's weird, sometimes loud, but no rules yet. Just don't steal my socks."
Tilo chuckled. "Deal."
[Main Quest Updated!] "Grow the Village: Population 6/6!" Reward: Small Resource Crate + Blueprint: Wooden Fence
Kaelan blinked. "Finally. That squirrel didn't count."
The system chimed again. [Resource Crate received. Item added to inventory.] [Blueprint unlocked: Wooden Fence.]
Garka peeked over Kaelan's shoulder. "We should build a fence. Might keep the weird forest goats out."
Zira nodded. "And maybe the frogs."
Tilo tilted his head. "What kind of frogs?"
"Big ones," Kaelan said. "And rude. One spit on me."
Tilo laughed. "Sounds fun."
Later, Kaelan opened the crate. Inside were bundles of wood, nails, rope, and a hammer that looked slightly used. He sighed in relief.
"Real tools. Not rock-on-stick stuff."
Garka leaned in. "Let's plan the fence. And maybe build another hut for Tilo."
Kaelan smiled. "Or just put him in the squirrel hut."
The squirrel, who had returned holding a nut, chattered angrily. Tilo jumped. "That's not a regular squirrel."
"Nope," Kaelan said. "That's Stash. He's got an attitude."
The next morning, they all worked on the fence. Brunna carried logs. Lio helped measure. Noka showed Tilo how to tie knots.
Kaelan hammered away, sweat on his brow. He paused, looked around. Six people, one squirrel, a real fire, huts, food, tools. It was starting to feel... real.
A system notification popped up. [Passive Skill Unlocked: Village Heart] Effect: Slight boost to morale and energy regeneration for all villagers in a 50-meter radius.
Kaelan grinned. "Guess the system isn't completely trash anymore."
Zira walked by. "Did you say something?"
"Nope. Just talking to the air again."
That night, they sat around the fire. Garka leaned against Kaelan. Zira sharpened her dagger. Tilo roasted a mushroom he stole from Noka. Noka glared.
The stars above were clear. The air was still.
Kaelan looked at the small group.
"Okay, guys... tomorrow, we plan the farms."
Tilo raised his hand. "Do I get a job?"
Kaelan pointed. "You're on squirrel duty."
The squirrel hissed.