Chapter 3 — The First Settlement
The morning mist slowly lifted from the Forgotten Creation Valley.
Sunlight poured across the mountains surrounding the valley, illuminating the forests, ruins, and the single wooden house standing near the river.
Aren Valerian stood in front of the structure he had created the previous day.
His first building.
A simple wooden house.
But to Aren, it represented something far greater.
The beginning of a kingdom.
A glowing panel appeared before his eyes.
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QUEST PROGRESS
First Settlement
Houses Built: 1 / 10
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"Nine more to go," Aren muttered.
The house itself had been created using nearby wood and stone with the Power of Creation. However, he had quickly realized something important.
Using this power consumed energy.
When he built the first house yesterday, he had felt exhausted afterward.
It meant the power wasn't limitless.
"Good thing the system didn't require all ten houses immediately," he said quietly.
Before starting construction again, Aren decided to inspect the valley more carefully.
If he was going to build a territory here, he needed to understand the land.
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The valley was larger than it had first appeared from the mountain pass.
A river flowed through the center, providing a constant source of water.
To the east lay a dense forest filled with tall ancient trees.
To the west stood rocky hills with visible stone deposits.
And scattered across the valley were ruins.
Broken pillars.
Collapsed walls.
Fragments of ancient buildings.
Aren crouched near one of the ruins and touched the stone.
Immediately the Power of Creation reacted.
Images appeared in his mind again.
Construction methods.
Ancient designs.
Stronger structures.
"These ruins…"
"They were definitely built with creation techniques."
Which meant one thing.
Long ago, someone with similar power had worked here.
Aren stood up slowly.
"This valley might be more important than I thought."
But before he could investigate further—
A loud cracking sound echoed from the forest.
Aren turned his head sharply.
Something was moving through the trees.
Heavy footsteps.
Then three figures emerged.
Gray Fang Wolves.
The same monster he had fought yesterday.
Except this time there were three of them.
The wolves bared their teeth and began circling him.
Aren sighed quietly.
"Of course."
He slowly drew his sword.
His Basic Swordsmanship was only F-rank.
But he had one advantage.
The Power of Creation.
The first wolf lunged.
Aren stepped back and swung his sword.
The blade cut across the wolf's side.
But the second wolf attacked immediately after.
Aren barely dodged.
Its claws tore through his sleeve.
"Too fast."
Three monsters at once was far more dangerous.
He quickly retreated toward the ruins.
The wolves chased him.
Then Aren suddenly placed his hand on the ground.
"Creation."
The stone beneath the wolves suddenly shifted.
Sharp stone spikes rose from the ground.
One wolf was impaled instantly.
The other two jumped back in surprise.
Aren didn't give them time to react.
He rushed forward and slashed his sword.
One wolf fell.
The last wolf hesitated.
Then it tried to flee.
Aren threw a broken stone from the ruins.
The rock struck the wolf's head.
The beast collapsed.
Silence returned to the valley.
Aren exhaled slowly.
"That was messy."
The system immediately appeared.
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MONSTER DEFEATED
Gray Fang Wolf ×3
EXP Gained: +60
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The level panel updated.
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HOST: Aren Valerian
Level: 1
EXP: 80 / 100
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"Almost level two."
Another notification appeared.
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MATERIALS ACQUIRED
Gray Fang Wolf Hide ×3
Monster Bone ×4
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Aren nodded.
"Useful."
These materials could be used later for crafting equipment.
But for now, his priority was still the quest.
Building houses.
He returned to the settlement area near the river.
Taking a deep breath, he activated the Power of Creation again.
Wood and stone nearby began to rise into the air.
Aren focused his mind on the structure design.
Beams connected.
Walls formed.
Roofs settled into place.
Within minutes—
Another house appeared.
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CREATION COMPLETE
Wooden House ×1
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The quest updated.
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QUEST PROGRESS
First Settlement
Houses Built: 2 / 10
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Aren wiped sweat from his forehead.
"Eight more."
However, something strange happened.
When the second house was completed, the Power of Creation reacted again.
The land beneath the houses glowed faintly.
The system displayed a new message.
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TERRITORY BONUS DETECTED
Ancient Creation Ground
Construction Speed +10%
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Aren blinked.
"Construction bonus?"
So the ruins weren't just decoration.
They were part of some ancient construction field.
This valley had once been used for large-scale creation.
Aren looked around the land again.
For the first time, he saw its true value.
"This place…"
"…is a perfect foundation for building."
His energy had recovered slightly.
So he continued working.
House three.
House four.
House five.
Each structure formed slowly under the influence of the Power of Creation.
By midday, five wooden houses stood near the river.
Aren collapsed onto the grass.
"Halfway done…"
Just as he closed his eyes—
The system suddenly flashed.
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LEVEL UP
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Host Level Increased
Level 1 → Level 2
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Another message followed.
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LEVEL REWARD
Creation Energy Increased
Physical Strength Increased
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Aren smiled.
"So leveling up strengthens me too."
That meant the more monsters he defeated and the more development he did…
The stronger he would become.
He stood up again and looked across the valley.
Five houses.
Empty land.
Ancient ruins.
Soon this place would be filled with people.
Soldiers.
Farms.
Walls.
Cities.
Aren raised his hand toward the open valley.
"Let's keep going."
With the Power of Creation…
Even an F-rank noble could build a kingdom.
And this valley would soon become the birthplace of something extraordinary.
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Powerstone Request
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