Olek stood still. He kept a straight indifferent face, pulsing faint glowing mana through his staff to light up his appearance.
He was going to exactly what Marcus said, stay still, back straight, let him talk and bounce off of his deed.
Marcus then moved on, "I'm going to be the one to volunteer to take the responsibility to lead us through this desert - in finding food, water, shelter, and keeping us alive. But I'm not doing it alone, ever since I've arrived here I've been scouting the people with the most potential to form a front line, people who are already putting their heads and skills to use. People like Olek Bjorn."
"But even then! We're not doing it alone. You want safety? You listen. You pull your weight, if not fighting or leading then other ways! Everyone has a place. And you respect the ones capable of getting you through this shithole."
He lets his words settle, scanning the faces below.
The crowd stood still, a thousand faces lit up by scattered torchlight. Some looked at Marcus like some looked at a preacher - full of hope, desperation, and need. Others though, felt bitter, wary, guarded like beaten animals refusing help.
The crowd began whisper amongst themselves.
"He's right... we need to move. Now."
"About time someone stepped up."
"He's got people like that Olek guy?"
But not everyone agreed. There were a good few who voiced disagreement.
"Who the hell is this guy to lead?"
"He almost died just there. He's in over in his head."
"He's only standing there 'cause he-" a man pointed at Olek, "-put a hole in someone's neck."
Marcus let the noise roll over - listening to the mixed reactions from the rabble. He didn't shout for silence, as he wasn't trying to force them, but convince them.
"You're right," He looked at those who just spoke. "You are right! I almost died. And yet I'm still here, trying."
The crowd quietened as he spoke again.
"I am not asking for your trust at this moment in time. That's impossible even for me to give to someone. I'm not asking for that." His gaze swept across the crowd, his body moved with his words. "I'm asking for a chance. Because I don't see a single one of you even daring to stand in front of all one thousand of you in an attempt to keep you alive."
He gestured once more to the endless expanse of red and black dunes. "Out there? It's death. You go alone and you die, buried by the sand for eternity. But together, who says we can't make it out? I doubt this 'System' would give us an impossible task."
Marcus pointed at the pillar of light in the horizon, "Right now, that's our North Star, that's the only thing that matters to us!"
The murmuring dulled completely.
Taking another step forward, his expression calmed. "If any of you think you can do better- please! I implore you to be brave enough to take my position. I'll follow you instead."
He waited, heads turned to look at each other, many shaking their heads.
Marcus gave slow nods as if it was expected. "Didn't think so. And I don't blame you. For now, you follow me. I'm not better than you, or stronger - but I'm the only one here willing. And I'd rather die trying than sit here and wait for some sand worms to eat us alive."
The quiet lingered, you could practically hear the cogs turning in the people's heads. People began to sigh, standing straighter and nod. Others just stayed quiet - and like that, the hostility soon bled out of the air.
"He's right. If he wants the responsibility of leading us, give it your best shot."
"It takes some balls to try assert yourself as leader, I'll give him that much."
"...tch. Fine."
Marcus doubted everybody was convinced, he didn't need them to be, he just needed them to give him that chance, and that much - they were willing to give.
He speaks up louder. "So, if you are with me! And you are willing to take a chance on me, here's what I need you to do. An hour from now, I want you guys to make small groups, pack up your tents, and make your way to the central tent. From there we will move. We need to find a settlement or water before our supplies run out, that's our number one priority! You can use the Tutorial timer to track the time."
"I'll see you all in one hour!"
People began to move, finally dispersing back to their own encampments, some were conjoining groups along the way, merging into a larger group. Other more solitary individuals were seen scouting others like them, trying to find a group for the journey, others just kept on their own, not trusting the strangers around them.
Olek stepped forward beside Marcus, sighing in relief, relaxing his posture and expressions. "Well, seems like it worked for the most part."
Marcus nodded solemnly, "Indeed, now comes the hard part - actually earning their trust and respect. They're only this pliant because it seems like their only option, which is true enough."
Shrugging, Olek added, "Yeah. I knew it was a matter of time before someone like you were to appear."
He raised an eyebrow, "Did you now? I'm actually a bit curious to why you didn't step up, you've clearly got guts."
Olek let out a dry chuckle, "Me? No, no, I don't have the people skills needed to lead. I did what I did because I didn't want the DeFacto leader dying so early."
"Ah, the opportunist eh?" Marcus smiled at him, "Well, I'm appreciative of your timely help, I owe you one."
He nodded, "That was my intent, although to kill him was not. That was my first time using mana bolt."
Marcus looked at him a little surprised, "First time? It took the other magicians half a day of practice just to manipulate mana, let alone cast the spell, there's only one other person who managed to create flames and yet that was though quite some practice. Your affinity with mana must be quite high."
"Maybe." He simply smiled.
He didn't want to reveal his cards, it was obvious he had high affinity, yet not confirming how high would still give him some sense of mystery to these folk.
Looking toward the central tent, he flicked his head in it's direction. "Come with me, you'll want to meet the people I've gathered. They're all the fighters and thinkers I could find during daytime."
As soon as he said that, Olek felt a thump to the back of his head, "Olek, you stupid oaf."
He grabbed the back of his head and winced.
Turning around, he grimaced, with Carla's face written with anger. "You said to not separate, keep our heads down low, and wait for the opportune moment, and look what you've done! You left me alone and made a massive scene."
"Carla..." He pleaded.
That earned him another hit to the shoulder. "Don't Carla me Mister! And then what; you killed a-"
Marcus then intervened, speaking pleasantly, "Ah Olek, not as alone as I thought, is this your girlfriend perhaps? She's welcome to join us."
Both Olek and Carla heads jolted to look at Marcus, Olek's face awkward.
"Ah- W-what? G-girlfriend- M-me? And- and O-Olek?" Carla's face was flushed red with embarrassment, stuttering over her words.
Olek laughed, "No... we're just good friends. Marcus, this is Carla - Carla this is Marcus." he introduced the two.
Marcus chuckled at her reaction, evidently entertained. "Good, it's good to have others you can trust. The both of you should come along then I reckon, anyone with heads on their shoulders are welcome."
Olek sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I mean, trust is one thing, but head on their shoulders? That doesn't sound like Carla."
Carla shot him a death glare, her lips twisted into a strange grin. "Keep talking, magician boy. We're not done."
The three of them got off the tall dune, walking toward the central tent, the previous chaos of the camp was replaced with hustle and bustle, myriad groups forming and taking down their tents, talking and preparing themselves.
Carla looked to Marcus, "I didn't think they'd take action so quickly."
"Well, for half a day, they've done nothing but wait for something to happen. The smart ones knew that we were waiting for night time when the air cooled off, and someone to take charge. As soon as we have something of a plan, it's only natural people are eager to move." Marcus explained.
Olek chipped in, "And Carla, everyone here is acutely aware of how slim supplies are, if they don't take action and move, it won't be long till we run out completely. Panic may dull human reason, but if anything it heightens human survival instincts."
Marcus glanced at Olek, smiling. 'Seems like he's already evaluated the crowd. Best to keep him sweet.'
"I suppose you're right. I guess with all the dawdling I'd forgot we were a race who survived the ages through adaptation and cunning, not innate strength." She nodded.
For the first time since the Tutorial began, Olek noticed something change amongst the rabble.
They were finally getting somewhere.