Chapter 1: A New World

The world around him changed in an instant. Just moments ago, John was sitting in a lecture hall, half-listening to the monotonous voice of his professor. Now, he stood in the middle of a vast clearing, surrounded by a dense and seemingly endless forest. The air was fresh, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth, but it did nothing to calm his racing heart. His thoughts pulsed with a single question: What the hell is going on?!

He looked around. The clearing was unnaturally even, as if deliberately prepared for something. The grass beneath his feet was soft yet strangely resilient, almost artificial. In the very center stood a peculiar structure—a massive stone altar with a glowing crystal embedded in it. The crystal pulsed with a soft, shifting light, cycling through shades of blue and violet, as if it were alive.

Beyond the clearing, the forest loomed—towering ancient trees with thick trunks and dense canopies that barely let any sunlight through. Strange sounds echoed from within the darkness—rustling leaves, snapping branches, and something heavy moving unseen.

"Hey!" John called out, but his voice seemed to vanish into the empty space. No response.

Then, suddenly, a translucent window appeared before his eyes, much like a game interface. The text displayed was in a language he could understand, though that did little to ease his growing panic.

"Welcome, Lord John Mercer. You have been chosen to participate in the Great Trial. Your goal is to develop your territory and survive in this world. You are granted a 7-day protection period during which your land will be safe from monster attacks. Use this time wisely."

Mikhail froze. His brain struggled to process what he was seeing. Is this a joke? A dream? Or have I lost my mind? He rubbed his eyes, but the window remained in place. New lines of text appeared below.

Available Actions:

1. Construct a Town Hall (Free).

2. Activate the Summoning Altar (Free).

3. Claim the Starter Development Pack.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

"Alright…" he whispered, trying to steady his breathing. "If this is real, then I need to act."

He hesitated for only a moment before selecting the first option—Construct a Town Hall. The ground beneath him trembled slightly, and before his eyes, wooden beams and planks began rising from the earth, assembling themselves into a small yet sturdy structure. Within moments, a simple wooden building stood before him. A plaque above the entrance read:

"Small Village Town Hall. Level 1."

The inside was empty except for a few wooden benches and a table in the center. It was nothing fancy, but it was a start.

Next, Mikhail approached the altar. As he neared, the crystal’s glow intensified, as if reacting to his presence. He pressed the second option—Activate Summoning Altar. The crystal flared brightly, and suddenly, ten figures appeared around the altar. They looked human, their clothing simple and worn, their faces filled with confusion.

One of them, a middle-aged man with graying hair, stepped forward.

"Are you our Lord?" he asked, bowing slightly.

Mikhail hesitated but then nodded. He wasn’t entirely sure what that meant, but there was no point in denying it.

"Yes," he said, doing his best to sound confident. "Welcome. Our first priority is to set up camp and figure out what resources we have."

As the summoned villagers began surveying their surroundings, Mikhail pressed the final option—Claim the Starter Development Pack. A small wooden chest materialized on the ground beside him. He opened it to find a set of tools: an axe, a shovel, a pickaxe, and a coil of rope. Among them was also a weapon—a heavy warhammer, its head engraved with strange symbols. As he picked it up, he was surprised by how naturally it fit in his grip.

"At least I’m not defenseless," he muttered, testing the weight of the hammer.

At that moment, another notification appeared before his eyes:

"John Mercer. Lord. Level 1."

* Strength: 5

* Agility: 4

* Endurance: 5

* Magic: 2

A small experience bar sat beneath the stats, reading: 0/100 XP.

John frowned. So I can level up? But how?

He turned to his newly summoned followers. Each of them had a faint, glowing tag above their heads displaying their basic stats:

"Peasant. Level 1."

* Strength: 1

* Agility: 1

* Endurance: 1

John exhaled slowly. "Alright," he said, addressing the group. "Let’s get to work. Who here knows how to cut trees? Who can help with building shelters?"

The villagers exchanged uncertain glances before a few cautiously stepped forward. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.

As they began organizing themselves, John felt the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders. He was their Lord now. It was up to him to lead them, to ensure they survived… and to uncover whatever secrets this world was hiding.