Azrael entered his avatar’s body, still huddled in the small cave by his base. He stepped out, glancing at the sun that was high in the sky, as he stretched out his cramped muscles.

Before entering the game, he’d revised his little checklist, getting Sera to make a copy of it in the waiting room. Now he had access to it, even while in game. Bet the developers hadn’t thought of him using it like that. He smiled. It was a small victory, but a victory none the less.

After stretching out a particularly bad cramp, he picked up his spear from where it lay by the cave side. He’d debated a lot about what his first course of action would be. In the end, despite his reluctance, he’d decided he needed to speak with the villagers.

They were important to leveling up his ‘Lord’ class, which meant that he couldn’t get rid of them. Instead, he decided to use them. It meant that they were going to stay around for a little longer.

However, if they stayed here he needed to set some rules! His forest, his rules. Not that he was going to abuse that. He just figured that if he had them do things like gather food, or other things that he didn’t have time to deal with, then he would make use of that. Otherwise, they should stay as far away as possible.

Just then a piercing scream rang out, carrying across the water. A brief moment later it was followed by the howl of a wolf.

Azrael’s head whipped around in the direction of the village and he started sprinting. Hopefully, the wolves didn’t eat too many of his villagers. He still needed some to be a lord.

***

Village chief Cairn rushed out of his newly built house the moment the scream shattered the lazy afternoon peace.

Outside was in a state of chaos. Villagers ran through the village square in panic. Pandemonium reigned.

Some people were running to their newly built shelters for protection, while others ran towards the commotion, seeking to protect the village. In their hands were pilfered iron weapons.

From just beyond the tree line, he saw a group of three black wolves emerging. A small pack by any account, but more than the villagers could handle. They were herders and keepers, not fighters.

Previously hidden in the shadows these predators had emerged, alarming one of the villagers working in the newly established fields. Even as he watched they approached, slinking closer.

Cairn retrieved an iron sword from behind his door with a shaking hand. Their lord had commanded that they become stronger. If this was a challenge that he had set them, then Cairn would meet it.

With a final glance at the stone pillar in their village center he charged into battle.

***

Azrael arrived at the village at record pace, watching a group of men try to fend off three shadow wolves. Already two were suffering from grievous injury, while a third lay on the ground, heavily bleeding. Only two more remained standing.

The wolves themselves were in little better shape. All three of them had wounds across their bodies, bleeding red on black, while two of them were limping. Only their pack leader seemed in better condition.

For a moment Azrael considered just watching how the fight would turn out. If the villagers wanted to survive in the forest, then fending off wild animals would be a norm. He’d even warned them, when they’d visited his cave.

The pack leader lunged at one of the group and Azrael watched as the man struck out with his spear. Azrael cringed as the man thrust with his eyes closed, while stepping back. It seemed that it had been a miracle that they had survived so long.

Reluctantly he stepped out of the forest, charging a [Mana Bullet], before converting it to earth. It took a little longer than it took him to charge fire, but the wolves hadn’t noticed him yet, allowing him the little extra time.

Then, with an easy motion, he sent off the [Earth Bullet], letting it strike the lead wolf in the back of its skull. It crumpled from the concussive force. He barely had enough time to charge a [Fire Bullet] before the remaining two wolves were on him. The flames detonated in one wolf’s gullet, while the other charged to engage his spear.

With both wolves still moving towards him Azrael jumped back, letting the force of the wolf driving into his spear carry him further back. With a sharp tug he yanked the spear out of the creature’s flesh, leaving a large gaping wound.

He then lashed out with the butt of the spear, using it like a staff, striking the poor wolf across the side. It stumbled, fell and crashed into its comrade. They went down in a pile of yelps and fur.

Taking the opportunity to strike, he plunged the spear deep into the first’s eye, piercing through its brain, before charging another [Earth Bullet]. The projectile followed a similar path to the spear, destroying the second wolf’s skull.

He poked both wolves with his foot, to make sure that they were dead, before pulling out his spear. He grimaced at the blood and brain matter that clung to the weapon. Deciding he didn’t want to carry it he stabbed it into the earth and turned to the villagers.

The group of fallen warriors had finished off the concussed wolf, with the village chief separating its head from the body with his sword. He dismissed a few messages of skill gains for [Mana Bullet] and [Spear Arts], before surveying the rest of the village.

During the fight the rest of the villagers had slowly trickled out of hiding and were now nervously watching from the opposite side of the main square.

The fact that he recognised it as a main square was in itself already incredible, considering this had been a forest clearing not too long ago. As the villagers hesitantly began approaching, to tend to the wounded men, Azrael took the chance to look around the village.

Already a few basic wooden houses had sprung up on one side of the main square, which had previously been the clearing. The clearing itself was largely untouched, with the villagers instead focusing on the forest.

The trees had been cut down to make the houses, while the cleared land showed the beginnings of some fields. Two of the bison creatures were tied to one of the outer trees and placidly chewed on the forest green.

The whole village was surprisingly well developed for such a short time, but he had a suspicion as to why.

[Lord’s Domain]

The people are a Lord’s power.

This skill provides you with a passive, low level awareness of your domain.

Current Additional benefits:

New Beginnings: All citizens of your domain temporarily gain an increase to village building related skills.

Gratitude: The moral of your citizens will temporarily not decrease.

Sudden movement right in front of him caused him to dismiss the screen and take a cautionary step backwards. He relaxed when he realised that it was just the village chief bowing down to him. He sighed to himself. What was up with all the bowing?

It was only when the rest of the villagers began following suit that he spoke up irritated.

“Stop it” he said and the villagers jumped up like their lives depended on it. He mentally pinched the bridge of his nose and turned to the village chief.

Azrael placed a hand on the man’s shoulder and led him to the nearest house.

“You and I are going to have a chat”.