As the sun sank below the hills, Eli thought about a solution to his financial issues, and a means to produce or acquire more tools. He had a large stockpile of rudimentary crafting supplies, but the tools he found on the corpse of the goblin were little more than hammers, shovels, and saws. None of them would survive heavy use. Lost in thought, Eli walked along the banks of the western river, near his temporary bridge of roots and packed earth. While staring at a school of fish, he caught the reflection of a woman approaching him. It was Kata.

The woman walked with caution, and her hands on the hilts of her weapons. Her face showed signs of hesitation and dread, as if she despised the sight of her new landlord. Seeing her like this brought a numbness to Eli’s mind. Where guilt, remorse, and loss would normally take hold, resolve took hold. He had lost his family. They had died and been reborn as entirely different people. So had he. He would do what he could to ensure their safety and happiness, but he could not let his emotions control or confuse him any longer. Instead of waiting for her approach, he turned to face her.

“Kata, hello. How may I be of service?” Eli said, feigning helpfulness.

Her movement stopped, as a look of surprise replaced her somber expression, before turning into determination, “We want a plot of land. Our own land, near the forest and eastern mountain. On the other side of the river. There is game to hunt. We can pay.”

“Done.” Eli said, with a smile on his face.

He knew of the spot she was talking about. There was a small clearing, big enough for a small cabin and a workshop, tucked away in the woods on the other side of the eastern river. It was a large peninsula at the edge of his territory, with steep mountains at its back. It was one of the safest locations outside of the island itself. There was no access to it, unless you traveled up the river itself, then through miles of densely packed woods. Any attackers would have to first secure a foothold on the island, or where the two rivers converged in the southeast. It would keep them safe, and far enough away to not be a distraction.

“What do you mean done? What do you want in return?” Eli questioned, her eyes narrowing.

“All that I ask is that you use your tools, to help our settlement. You know some smithing, enough to make tongs, blades, shovels, hammers, and other simple tools. Your husband knows a little fletching, logging, and carpentry. I want you two to make tools, for our settlement. I also want you to act as wardens of that portion of my land, and train teams of hunters. You keep the land safe and give us tools and train our people, and the land is yours. No taxes, rents, or fees for one year. After that, we can come to a new agreement.”

“Why?” She asked, staring into his eyes, as if through him. “What have we done to earn such a favor? What’s stopping you from recalling the land, or changing the agreement?”

“Nothing. I will still own the land, but you can use it as you see fit. I want to keep people safe. You and your husband are both decent hunters, trappers, and fighters. Having you out there will limit the amount of monsters, and beasts that come down from the mountains. I'm giving you a job, an important one. Food, training, and basic tools are three of our top priorities at the moment. You can provide all three. You just have to open up to the possibility of working with people who aren’t elves or human. I will send you anyone with skill, including wolffen and other beastkin. If you can agree to those terms, and you think you’re capable, we have a deal. If not, then you can continue to live in your room in the temple until we make other accommodations. It’s up to you.” Eli finished, turning back to the river while awaiting her response.

While he knew she would be hesitant, she would also want an opportunity to settle down as far from the rest of society as possible. She would also want to prove herself. Kata was more than capable of training a team of hunters and scouts. She had trained him. Ellius would also want to stay as far away as possible. If he could barter for the land, and keep his family safe, he would. Their issue would be dealing with people they didn’t trust. After a few moments of silence, Eli sweetened the deal.

“If you agree to stay, and act as stewards of that land for one year, I will name you and your family the official wardens of the land. It will be yours in all but deed.”

After thinking on it for a moment, she agreed and a notification window appeared in Eli’s vision.

*Congratulations! You have gained a vassal!

Alyssa Miller and her family have become your vassals. By naming them wardens and giving them lands to govern, they can now form their own city, holding, fortress, or stronghold in your name. As stewards, they are responsible for the upkeep of the land they control, including but not limited to its defense, growth, and maintenance.

Bonuses: +10 growth of surrounding forest, +20% to meat production, -25% monster appearance and spawn rate (Phase Beasts, Giant insects, Ankulks, Blighted Beasts), *Congratulations! Your stronghold’s strength has increased.

Staring at the line about bonuses, Eli froze. His heart beat in his chest, and he swore at himself in his mind, Fuck. His lands were not nearly as safe as he thought they were. Not wanting to show his fear, he kept his back to Kata and thanked her for accepting his offer.

“Thank you, Kata. I know you will make great wardens. If you need anything at all, please ask, and feel free to stay in the temple until you’re set up.”

“Yes sir,” She replied, “Thank you for being so generous, we will do what we can to help, and keep the area free of danger. Is there anything else we can do, for now?”

“Tools,” Eli replied, “I need lots of tools, anything you can think of. “Ask James for any supplies that you need.”

Seeing her nod and bow slightly in her fading reflection made Eli even more nervous. He knew she could handle herself, and so could Ellius, to a point. It was their kids they were worried about. The zone of safety surrounding their land would vanish soon. After that monsters could spawn, and people could invade. What safety they had now would be gone in two days. With that in mind, Eli searched for James, Don, and Michelle. He needed to call a guild meeting.

It was dark by the time Eli rounded up all of his companions. Each of the three players was finishing up some task they said was urgent. When he argued that everything was urgent, they agreed to meet him in the war room in an hour. Sitting quietly, Eli waited in a soft chair by the large map filled table in the center of the aptly named, oh shit room. This would be the second time they used this room, both times were because things were coming apart While this time was less dire than the first, Eli felt like there was a lot more immediately at risk.

His and Don’s blight timers were nearly gone. They would run out of food. Myr needed tools, and in two days the forests would start spawning monsters again. Eli needed to get a plan together, fast. One that would protect as many people as possible and ensure that their settlement functioned properly. While Myr, the Kaitzen mayor, seemed more than capable, he could not handle everything. He had also passed off defense duties to the guild. It was their job to figure this out.

“Fuck!” Eli shouted, slamming his fist on the magically crafted table. “What are we going to do?”

“Calm down,” A voice called out, from behind him, “We got this, man.” It was Don, he was early.

“Sorry,” Eli replied, with a hit of embarrassment in his voice, “I didn’t think anyone was here.”

“No worries, I know you got a lot on your plate. Or at least you think you do.” The turta replied, putting his hand on Eli’s shoulder. “Try to remember that you have friends man, and about three hundred other people who can help. Life is a team game man, you don’t have to go solo all the time.” Hearing Don’s words gave Eli a small amount of hope.

He was about to thank his friend for his reassurance, when Michelle walked in, “What are you two nerds doing? Gunna make out? I can leave, if you need the room.” She chuckled, “I’m not up for that type of party tonight.” She continued, before bringing a hand to her chin, as if in contemplation. “You know what, fuck it. Let’s get weird.” She finished, winking at Eli and taking a seat.

“Dude, you’re such a troll,” Don laughed, as he took an open seat across from the tall woman.

“Uh, dude. I’m not a dude.” She responded, making the shape of an hourglass with her hands.

“Guys,” Eli chuckled, his friends' banter lifting his spirits, “I hate to interrupt your lover's quarrel, but we have work to do.” At his words, both of his friends scowled at him, as if he had taken away their toys. “Seriously, there's a lot of shit we need to figure out. I made Myr interim mayor, and Kata, is the warden of the peninsula now, but our shields fall in two days. The day after that, Don and I either need to be cured, or receive another treatment.”

With the mood severely soured, Don spoke first, “Way to kill the fun.” After a moment, his face grew more serious as he spoke, “I think we are a lot safer than you give us credit for man, we have 242 healthy people, who have eaten and have some sort of weapon. Nearly everyone is armed with something, and none of them want to give up their new home. That alone should keep most things away.”

Without letting Eli get a word in, Michelle continued, “Yeah man, those wolffen are tough as hell, even when half starved. Outside of trolls or ogres, those are the most resilient people I’ve ever seen. And they are far more intelligent and way better hunters.” She said, with a slight pause, “I saw one of them run down a deer today. Chased it for an hour before the thing just gave up. Then he killed it with his bare hands. Guy didn’t even use his crossbow or dagger. It was fucking brutal. Thing was skinned and bled in less than an hour. Cooked in two.”

“You’re joking right?” Don asked, his eyes wide.

“No man. I’ve never seen shit like that in my life. It was that Raccus guy, the one causing problems earlier, Alyssa’s friend. I think he wanted to prove himself or something. If we give these guys some decent armor and weapons, we have a small army of killing machines. I mean, that’s if we can get them to work together.”

“What do you mean?” Eli asked, not liking where her story was going.

“They operate in small familial packs. Each of the alphas, male or female, seem to fight for dominance. Roccus and this chick, uh Gray something, they were doing shit like that all day today. Trying to one up each other. She’s a tiny thing, but she’s sneaky as hell. Went off on her own for ten minutes, didn’t even see her leave, then she comes back dragging a dead buck behind her. Thing's throat was slit, like it didn’t even put up a struggle.”

“Well, it seems like you’ve found some decent hunters. What’s wrong with that?” Don asked.

“Yeah, that shit was awesome. But they scared off half of the woods when they started fighting each-other and bickering. What’s her face, on yeah Greysha, that’s what it was. She straight up challenged Roccus to a duel in the woods. Tried to take over dominance of his familial pack. If they worked together, we could have brought back enough food for the whole city. Instead, we got four deer and brought back three after feeding ourselves. The others listened to the two dumb-shits, because they were higher in the pecking order.”

As Michelle finished her story, James burst into the room with a huge smile on his face, “Sorry I’m late everyone. I had to grab something.” Staring at Eli, he got on one knee and opened his arms as if holding something. A moment later, a long redwood bow with a darkened string appeared. On top of it was a neatly folded set of green armor, a well-crafted belt knife, and a small belt pouch. “I think you were looking for these, my lord,” James chucked.

“Where?” Eli asked, grabbing the stack of gear from his friend like it was a gift from the gods. “How did you?”

Standing, James let bent at the waist and performed a mocking bow, “Well. After I, uh, killed you, I went looking for you in Dawnport. I figured you would pop up, remember everything, and come looking for me.”

“Yeah, that’s not how that happened at all,” Don laughed, “This dude ran off and almost got himself killed.”

With a glare from Eli, Don quieted and allowed him to speak, “Yeah, but how did you get this? And how did you know about my quest to get it back?”

“What quest?” James replied, “Well, hold on. Not important. I heard about you getting detained, then saw a wanted poster. So, I broke into the jail. You weren’t there, obviously. So, I checked the holding cell in the barracks. Not there either, but guess what I saw. An evidence locker with your name on it. So, I kind of stole it. Then went looking for you.”

“Thank you, I really appreciate it. But, do you have any idea how much trouble I’m in now. When you stole it, they thought it was me. They increased my charges and put a bounty on my head.” Eli said, equipping the bow. “It would have happened eventually, there was no way I could have gone to jail, while I’m blighted. But now I’m in serious trouble if I ever go back to Dawnport. They may even send people after me.”

“Uh yeah, that’s kind of the point of a bounty,” Michelle said, interrupting Eli.

“I’m sorry. I had no idea,” James said. “I was just trying to get you back and figured you would appreciate the gear.”

“No, I do. I appreciate it a lot. This is way better than what I have on, and it has sentimental value. I just wish it didn’t come at such a high cost. But, more importantly, what were you talking about when you said I would remember you? If it weren’t for the few memories I have, I would have no idea who you are. What were you expecting to happen?”

After taking a seat, James explained that Eli should have been brought back whole. His real memories, all game functions, everything should have returned. While he didn’t make the code used to bring Eli's back, he knew its functions. It was encrypted, and should not have been able to be read by the system itself. It was only supposed to interact with Eli’s avatar, resetting it to its normal functionality and removing all restrictions. It was essentially a single line hotfix intended for Eli only. He had no idea what went wrong, or how. While listening, Eli interrupted James story.

“If you didn’t make it, who did?” Eli asked.

“Your technical assistant Christian,” James answered, his head sagging, “No one else could figure it out. I tried, the entire dev team did. But I’ve always been the art guy. I do UI and game design, not AI and machine learning. You and Katarina, were always the Biotech and computer science nerds. He said, everything was perfect. As long as your body and mind were still stable you should come back, good as new. Then I would just have to get you to fix it. You know this stuff better than anyone else, or you did. Now, everything a mess.”

Looking at the man he knew was a lifelong friend, Eli sighed, “I know you did what you could. There’s no way anyone could have predicted this. It’s not your fault, and I wish it worked out according to plan. Unfortunately, we don’t have the luxury of time. I wish we could sit here and figure out what went wrong and how to shut this down, but there are more immediate issues. We have two days before this settlement is unprotected, and three before I need another treatment, get deleted, or turned into a mindless slave of the blight. Don and the NPCs may survive, but in what state. So, defending the stronghold defended and that shrine finished are our top priorities.” He wanted nothing more than to ease his guilt and pain, but knew there was more important issues. They had work to do.