# **Chapter 3 – Law of the Crimson Village**
The third day began with the soft toll of the system's morning chime, echoing like a distant bell across the plains. I opened my eyes to a sky painted with pale silver light and smoke drifting lazily from our fire pit. The world outside the hut was alive with the smell of wet grass and new beginnings.
Lü Bu was already awake, standing motionless atop a half-built wall, his crimson cape fluttering in the wind. The way he looked over the horizon, you'd think he was guarding an empire instead of a half-formed camp.
> [System Reminder: Lord Rank Upgrade Available]
> Requirement: Population ≥ 3, Build Barracks (0/1)
"Looks like we're finally ready," I murmured.
The day's work would determine whether *Crimson Camp* became *Crimson Village.*
---
Evan was stirring a pot of porridge when I stepped outside. His face had regained color since we found him, though his eyes still carried exhaustion.
"Morning, Lord Kino," he said, bowing slightly. "I checked the traps—caught two rabbits."
"Good. Save their fur. We'll need insulation for the barracks."
He blinked in surprise. "We're… building a barracks?"
I smiled. "We're building a future."
---
We began with the basics. Using the remaining stone and wood, I marked the perimeter beside the stream. The system flickered to life as if responding to my thoughts.
> [Construction Blueprint: Barracks (Tier 1)]
> Requirements: 80 Wood, 50 Stone, 20 Food
> Estimated Build Time: 6 Hours (Manual Construction)
Lü Bu glanced over my shoulder. "A house for soldiers. Good. It's time to mold men into blades."
"I'll take blades that can think," I replied.
He grinned. "Then I shall forge both."
We worked until the sun was high. Lü Bu lifted logs with one arm, moving faster than ten men. Evan and I handled the reinforcement—tightening ropes, layering thatch, patching the roof. By the time the shadows lengthened, the frame was done.
Sweat soaked my tunic. My hands were raw, but the sight before me—the first proper structure of our growing settlement—made it worth it.
When the final beam locked in place, the system flared with golden light.
> [Barracks Completed!]
> [Crimson Camp Upgrading → Crimson Village]
> [Population Limit Increased: 20 → 100]
> [Military Function Unlocked: Recruit Basic Infantry]
> [Bonus: Morale +15%, Stability +10%]
The faint red barrier marking my territory pulsed outward, expanding further into the plains. I felt a rush of warmth through my body—territorial energy, pure and invigorating.
Evan fell to his knees, staring in awe as the system's notification echoed across the plains like a divine decree.
> [Global Announcement: Lord Kino's Territory has reached Village Rank!]
> [Reward: +100 Wood, +100 Stone, +50 Iron to all territories within 5km radius.]
The World Chat exploded instantly.
**[World Chat]**
> *Ethan_US:* Who the hell is Kino?
> *Ling_CN:* Already ranked up!? Day 3!? Impossible!
> *Marcus_BR:* Must've cheated the system. No one gets a barracks this early!
> *Hidden User:* …
> *Kino:* …
I stared at my name on the screen, then quickly toggled the anonymity setting again.
> [Identity Hidden – Global Leaderboard Updated]
Let them guess. I had no intention of drawing attention yet. Power was safest when unseen.
---
As night approached, Lü Bu called out from near the training grounds. "My lord, the barracks await your command."
I walked to the open yard—a dirt clearing surrounded by torches and a wooden rack of crude weapons. Lü Bu stood beside it like a commander at inspection.
"Show me how the recruitment works," I said.
He gestured at the glowing sigil carved into the ground. "Feed the formation your resources and will. The system will do the rest."
I focused on the interface.
> [Recruitment Menu: Basic Infantry (Tier 1)]
> Cost: 10 Food, 5 Wood per unit
> Limit: 5 Units at current resource capacity
> Time: 2 Hours
I confirmed the command. Five silhouettes materialized in the circle, glowing faintly before solidifying into armored men. Their armor was mismatched, their weapons dull—but their eyes burned with life.
> [New Units: 5 × Basic Infantry]
> [Commander Assigned: Lü Bu]
The general studied them critically. "Weak. But trainable."
He turned to me. "Give me one week, and I'll turn these peasants into soldiers."
"I'll give you three days," I replied.
He grinned, the firelight catching his sharp teeth. "Then they will bleed early."
---
The next few hours passed in steady rhythm. Lü Bu barked orders; the soldiers obeyed. Evan fetched water and repaired the palisade. I watched the drills, analyzing every movement—attack speed, formation flow, efficiency. The system displayed data overlays whenever I focused.
> [Unit Cohesion: 63%]
> [Morale: 89%]
> [Training Efficiency: Moderate]
Good, but not enough. The world wasn't forgiving. And soon, we wouldn't be alone.
By evening, the wind carried faint sounds—metal clashing, distant shouting. I froze.
"Lü Bu."
He already heard it. "Battle. One kilometer east."
A faint glow flickered in the distance—firelight.
I checked the map projection. Another Lord's territory. Smaller, weaker. The boundary lines shimmered and bent, indicating combat.
> [Nearby Conflict Detected – Territory Clash]
> Participants: Lord Marcus (BR) vs. Lord Ian (UK)
> Outcome Pending
"They're already fighting?" Evan whispered.
"It was only a matter of time," I said quietly. "Resources are limited. Sooner or later, everyone turns to war."
Lü Bu looked at me from the corner of his eye. "Do we join the chaos, my lord?"
"Not yet," I replied. "We grow first. Then strike when they least expect it."
He smirked, clearly approving. "Patience is a dangerous weapon."
---
After dinner, I opened the system interface again. A new tab flashed: **[Law System Unlocked]**.
When I selected it, a list of empty decrees appeared.
> [Crimson Village Edicts]
>
> 1. [None]
"So this is how order begins," I murmured.
Each law cost *Authority Points*, earned by stability and loyalty. I had just enough for one.
I thought for a moment, then typed it in.
> [Edict 001: Theft within the Crimson Village is punishable by exile.]
> [Edict Successfully Enacted.]
Evan looked confused when I read it aloud. "Is that really necessary, Lord Kino? There's only three of us."
"Because there are only three of us," I said, "we need structure before chaos arrives."
He nodded slowly. "You think like… a ruler."
I stared into the fire. "A survivor first. A ruler second."
---
The night sky stretched endlessly above us, filled with unfamiliar stars. Somewhere out there, billions of other lords were building their dreams—or destroying them.
I checked the global leaderboard again.
**[Top 10 Lords – Updated]**
1. Iron Dominion – Lv. 2 Village
2. Sun Empire – Lv. 2 Village
3. Aegis Fort – Lv. 2 Village
4. *Hidden Name* – Lv. 2 Village
Even hidden, my progress pushed me up the list. I smiled faintly. Let them think I was a phantom. The less they knew, the longer I could prepare.
---
By midnight, the barracks torches burned bright. Lü Bu was still awake, drilling the new recruits under the moonlight. His voice carried across the camp like thunder.
"Again! You are soldiers of the Crimson Banner! You will not die crawling—you will die standing!"
The men roared back, exhaustion forgotten. Even Evan looked inspired watching them.
I stood at the gate, watching the glow of my growing domain spread faintly across the plains. For the first time, it felt real—not just survival, but purpose.
The world had thrown us into chaos. Yet here, in the middle of nowhere, order was taking root.
> [Territory Update: Crimson Village – Stability 85%, Morale 94%]
> [System Reminder: Next Rank – Town (Requirements: Population 50, Barracks Tier 2, 2 Resource Nodes Claimed)]
A long way to go, but every empire starts with a single flame.
As the night deepened, I whispered to the dark sky, "This world will know the Crimson Banner."
Lü Bu raised his halberd toward the stars as if hearing me. "Then let us make the heavens remember it."
The firelight flickered across our faces—one lord, one general, one dream.
Tomorrow, the real war would begin.
---
**End of Chapter 3**
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