The two huntsmen, Nick and Nate, were a peculiar set of brothers. And if the two men didn’t refer to each other as such Sean would be unlikely to find the resemblance.

Nick was tall and dark skinned with short cut hair, and Nate was short, near midget status, with long blonde hair and blue eyes. They made for an odd pair.

The third man who stood between them was a newcomer, someone they’d found on their morning scout of the surrounding area.

“My lord, it looks like we're lucky! You have the opportunity to gain another subject. More manpower is always needed,” Leopold said. He was helping the newcomer by sharing food and water. The decrepit man had looked on the verge of death when the two brothers brought him into the village.

“System is this truly a new recruit or is one of the enemies you mentioned from the rules,” Sean asked internally.

[Insufficient data. Check for Brand.]

“What’s a brand?”

[All non-players have an irremovable tattoo, known as a ‘brand’, on their hands to denote their affiliation. By checking a ‘brand’ you can find out what group he belongs to.]

Sean looked down at the outsider as the man gulped down chugs of water—the pail had been brought over from the system spawned well.

The man had a blue tattoo on the back of his hand, but it wasn’t the owl with a sword through its talons like the people who’d spawned in the village. This man’s tattoo was a circle with a large slash through it.

“What does a circle with a slash mean?”

[It means non-affiliation.]

“That’s good then, how do I make him be affiliated with me? If I make him a subject that will make my village stronger I suppose? Is there any danger if I just add him?”

Sean was all in on gaining strength. If the violence the system spoke of were really going to happen, he wanted to be ready. And having another villager might help on that front.

[To gain unassigned subjects, offer the choice to the unassigned subject. Once offered, they can make a choice on whether or not they would like to fall under your affiliation. Non-affiliated subjects are typically not dangerous, but it depends on their profession.]

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Sean nodded to himself, happy with the system's answer, and took a few steps to be closer to the stranger.

“Hello, my name is Sean, but the people around here call me Lord Sean. What is your name,” Sean asked. The man had finished gorging himself on the rations Leopold had brought over for him.

“My name is Lerel. Many thanks for saving me, Lord Sean. I was accosted by bandits to the far east when I was traveling with my caravan and unfortunately lost track of my supplies. I traveled for days until I passed out and your men found me. I would've died if not for them.”

“Oh, you don’t need to thank me. I didn’t do anything,” Sean said sheepishly. Considering he’d just woke up an hour ago, and the hunters went out on their own, it was safe to say he had little to do with Lerel’s rescue. He still wasn’t used to the unfounded admiration that came with being a lord in the game. He felt more like an actor playing the role of a Lord rather than actually being in power.

“It was your hunter who saved me, so thanks are deserved,” Lerel said.

“You said your caravan was attacked by bandits,” Leopold asked. “What became of the caravan or bandits for that matter. Is it something we need to worry about?”

Lerel’s face turned dark as if he were recalling the events prior.

“I don’t know what happened, but I know there was a lot of fire. Most of us got separated during the escape so I don’t know what happened.”

“We’ll need to be on the lookout for bandit’s and other caravan stragglers. I’ll set the guard shift so we stagger it through the night like we agreed upon, my lord,” Leopold said.

“There’s another matter we must attend to, what will you do Lerel. We could use some extra hands here if you’d be willing to join me,” Sean said with his most dazzling smile–his smile wasn’t that dazzling.

“Oh thank you, my lord, but I must refuse your original offer. I can’t offer you my service. However, I would love to stay here until another caravan comes through, I must get back to my family and find out the fate of the Caravan members. I don’t mean to impose on you, my lord.”

“No, that's perfectly fine with me. I don’t know when a new caravan will arrive, but you can live in the empty barracks that are next to where my soldiers live.”

“System he won’t attack me right? How do I know if his profession is a dangerous one,” Sean asked internally. He was suddenly worried about sleeping in the mansion with a stranger who wasn’t affiliated living in the barracks near him.

[non-affiliated subjects with violent oriented professions like bandits or mercenaries would have a star with a slash through it not a circle with a slash. If you do not anger a non-affiliated subject they will not attack.]

“Leopold, do you mind showing him the barracks where he will be staying for the foreseeable future. I must convene with our two hunters here about exploring,” Sean said.

“As you wish, my lord.”

Leopold began to lead Lerel away, but the caravanner stopped with another request.

“My lord, I know you likely have so much more to worry about than a group of bandits, but if you ever get the opportunity to get rid of them, I request you do. I lost alot of friends in the attack,” Lerel said grimly. His head hung in shame. “They are a scourge upon the abandoned hills in the east, attacking many caravans. If you can do something…anything I request you at least try.”

Lerel’s voice was tinged with harsh sadness; his words cut Sean deep. It was becoming harder and harder for Sean to tell himself these people weren’t real that it was just some sick game. Every interaction was another reminder he was really awake and experiencing the strange world for real.

“I will do what I can.”

[Hidden quest: Eliminate bandits in the east for three silver tokens.]

Sean flinched at the unexpected system message.

Three silver tokens! I guess I’ll eventually be hunting bandits, Sean thought.