The first rays of morning light sliced through the misty tree line, bathing the crude farming plots in a golden haze. The earth, still damp from the early morning fog, released a sweet, rich scent as steam curled lazily into the air. Birds with split tails and crested heads — Rin called them chiri — chirped among the ruins, flitting through the trees with a grace Kail had only seen in the highlands back home.
Kail stretched his back, the muscles sore from the day before. He wiped sweat from his brow with a rag made from old burlap sacks, grateful for the cool breeze that followed the sun's rise. His hand ached from gripping the Stone Hoe all day, but his smile was genuine. He'd never been one for simple pleasures, but there was something undeniably satisfying about watching the land transform under their hands.
Three field plots had already been tilled. The soft soil, now neatly turned, lay in perfect rows, ready to bear whatever crops they decided to plant. Another three remained. A day's work, maybe two. But it was progress.
Objective: "Farming Foundation – Prepare 6 Crop Fields"
Progress: 3/6 Complete
Reward: +6 KP + Soil Quality Scanner (Basic)
Kail looked at the Stone Hoe still holding together despite the cracks at the handle. The tool wasn't pretty—rough, worn—but it worked. And at the moment, that was all that mattered. It was a far cry from the sleek, powered equipment he was used to, but it was enough.
"It's not pretty," he muttered to himself, "but it works."
Rin walked up, dragging bundles of soft-root vines behind her. "If you're planning to till more land, we need a place to store the harvest. The lean-to's already full."
Kail nodded, wiping the sweat from his brow again. "That's next."
But first—he needed the axe.
Crafting the Stone Axe
Kail rummaged through the pile of materials they had gathered the day before. Hardwood, stone, rope. With the basic tools in hand, he set to work. The process wasn't quick, but he'd learned the art of patience in these new surroundings. His hands worked steadily, carving and tying, shaping the rough wood into something functional.
The Stone Axe was soon complete.
Blueprint Used: Stone Axe
Requires: Hardwood x2, Stone x2, Rope x1
Status: Crafted
Durability: 40/40
Bonus: Tree Cutting Speed +30%, Wood Yield +15%
Kail felt a small thrill as he swung the finished axe, the weight and balance familiar, the edge sharp enough to cut through the thick trunks of the nearby trees. It wasn't the high-tech equipment he was used to back home, but in this world, it was a step toward a more sustainable life. His grip was firm, his swing practiced. The rough edges of the axe felt natural, like an extension of his body.
The System chimed as the first tree fell with a resounding thud.
Blueprint Progress:
Storage Shed (Primitive)
Requirements: Hardwood x10, Rope x2, Stone x6
18% Complete (6/34 resources gathered)
"Looks like our next real structure won't build itself," Kail muttered under his breath as he continued to chop, the repetitive motion soothing despite the weight of the work.
Completing the Farming Objective
By mid-afternoon, Kail and Rin had finished the last of the field plots. Their backs ached, and the midday sun beat down on them, but there was satisfaction in seeing their work laid out before them—rows of freshly turned earth, ready to yield crops. This land would feed them, and it felt like a small victory.
Objective Complete: Farming Foundation
Rewards: +6 KP
Bonus Item: Soil Quality Scanner (Basic Tier)
KP Total: 1 + 6 = 7 KP
Kail felt a surge of pride as the System acknowledged their progress. This wasn't just survival anymore. They were building something. A foundation. They weren't just trying to make it through the day—they were setting the stage for something bigger.
Rin walked over, wiping the sweat from her brow. She looked at the six plots with an approving nod. "That's it, huh? The beginning of the kingdom."
Kail smiled, holding up the Soil Quality Scanner. It looked like something out of the old world, something that shouldn't exist in a place like this. The device had a dull-green screen, powered by a tiny mana crystal that pulsed faintly. It wasn't much, but it could provide useful diagnostics on the soil. With it, they could increase crop yield and ensure the soil remained fertile.
Soil Quality Scanner:
Portable Device – detects moisture, fertility, and rock layers.
Durability: 20 uses
Crop Optimization: Increases base yield by +12% when used before planting.
"Where'd you get something like that?" Rin asked, genuinely curious.
Kail grinned, looking down at the scanner. "Let's call it… a gift from the stars."
Planning the Village Core
That night, after another long day of work, Kail and Rin sat by the fire. The stars had come out in full force, scattered across the sky in a vast array. The fire crackled between them, the warmth a welcome reprieve from the cool evening air. Kail had drawn a rough map in the dirt, using sticks and his hands to sketch out the layout for their future village.
"I want to place storage here," Kail said, pointing to a space near the farm. "Later, build housing around a central square. Easy to defend, easier to expand. One day, we'll even lay stone roads."
Rin leaned over, her finger tracing the rough outline in the dirt. She nodded, adding a few notes of her own. "And where do the sky-houses go?"
Kail laughed, shaking his head. "Give me ten years."
Rin shot him a teasing look. "You're ambitious, I'll give you that."
Village Layout Drafted:
– Storage Shed (Started)
– Housing (Planned)
– Farming Zone (Complete)
– Gleystone Dial (Marked as "Unknown – Avoid")
Kail sat back, stretching his legs out in front of him. There was something calming about planning. Something reassuring about seeing the future laid out before him, even if it was only on paper—or dirt. The road ahead wouldn't be easy. They still had so much to do, so much to learn. But for the first time since arriving in Ravelhollow, Kail felt like they had a real chance at building something lasting.
The System chimed again, a reminder of their progress.
Rin Trust: 25/100
Trait Progress: Leadership Tier 0 → Near Upgrade
System Hint: Unlocking Housing will trigger "Settlement Tier I"
Kail glanced at Rin, a silent understanding passing between them. This was just the beginning. The first steps. But they were on the right path. The world was still wild, full of unknowns, but they had something important now—each other. And the tools to build the future they wanted.
Rin stretched, yawning. "You know, if you keep going like this, we'll be living in stone houses before the first winter."
Kail chuckled, stoking the fire. "One step at a time."
And for the first time since arriving, he believed it.
End of Chapter 9