Palisade and Provisions
About two hours had passed.
"Phew."
Mu-hyuk finally stopped crafting and stood up.
He looked around with a satisfied smile.
Pretty clean, huh?
Not a single monster in sight. Of course, they'd respawn soon enough, but if he built the palisade connecting to the village before then, it would turn into a safe zone free of monsters for a full week.
Even these little details added up to real power, and Mu-hyuk had a solid grasp on territory management info from his future knowledge.
'Handle any monsters that show up.'
Thanks to the four skeletons with Command Authority, issuing orders was a breeze now—they'd carry them out without issue.
The village wasn't far, so the skeletons' field of vision skill would hold steady.
Reassured, he headed back to the village, where Rakak waited with preparations complete.
"You're back, my lord."
Dozens of gaunt men stood behind him.
"Introduce yourselves. This is the village chief."
The men shuffled forward awkwardly.
"N-nice to meet you."
"Welcome, sir."
They looked rough, no doubt about it.
"Have you eaten?"
"Pardon?"
"No, not yet..."
Mu-hyuk shot Rakak a glance.
A silent question: Why haven't you fed them yet?
Rakak looked troubled as he replied.
"We don't have much food. We have to ration it..."
"What about the gold I gave you?"
"Ah, to buy ingredients, we'd need to send folks to another village, and that takes prep time. Probably tomorrow at earliest."
"I see."
Mu-hyuk hadn't considered that.
"Hmm, no helping it then. Guess I'll have to show off my skills."
"Pardon?"
"What do you plan to...?"
Mu-hyuk grinned and pulled cooking tools and ingredients from his inventory.
He'd stocked up heavily just in case, more than enough for this crowd. Plus, with his cooking skill at level 16, the taste was guaranteed.
"Th-this is..."
Rakak and the men gawked at the sudden pile of gear and food.
"Let's get started."
Mu-hyuk's hands flew into motion.
A rich aroma rose in moments.
Gulp.
The watching men swallowed hard.
Rakak wasn't immune either.
"Hah, hahaha. Acting like a kid at my age..."
The scent was that intoxicating.
Soon, massive pots of hearty meat stew simmered, perfect for quick bulk cooking. He followed with giant sandwiches stuffed with veggies and meat, sliced into plenty of portions.
Stew and a mini-sandwich for each man.
"Thank you so much."
"Let's eat!"
One by one, in turn.
They cradled their shares like treasures and took a bite.
"Ahh...!"
Ecstatic expressions bloomed.
Those still waiting looked ravenous, eyes bloodshot, but they held back, patiently awaiting their turn.
"Enjoy."
"Th-thank you!"
It took time, but he fed every worker.
Rakak too, as a bonus.
Loyalty of some villagers increases.
Just feeding them boosted loyalty.
Made sense. Food was basic, vital—and desperately needed here.
Meanwhile, villagers trickled in, drawn by the smell.
Lots of kids, eyes full of hunger they didn't dare act on.
A deep, starving craving.
Mu-hyuk, focused on cooking, only now noticed. The men, wolfing down their meals, shared glances and realized too—they passed remnants to the crowd.
Damn...
He checked remaining ingredients.
Not enough for everyone.
Even with his bulk buy.
Flavor would suffer, but no choice—increase the volume.
His hands sped up; stew pots overflowed in no time. Depth suffered, but it filled bellies fine.
"Everyone, come get some food."
"R-really?"
"Yes."
He'd take responsibility for this village.
Build it up.
Loyalty of all villagers increases.
This investment was negligible. Illusion ingredients were dirt cheap anyway.
But he wouldn't just hand stuff out forever or micromanage. Early setup only—then let it grow on its own.
Taxes from growth would be his cut. He could focus on hunting while collecting.
When big content dropped, he'd show up and dominate.
This was prep for that day.
*
The workers had finished their stew.
"Ready to get back to work?"
"Y-yes!"
"Of course!"
They treated Mu-hyuk with deep respect now.
"Might as well palisade the whole village."
"The entire thing?"
"Yeah, it's small—should be quick."
"Understood."
"Let's go."
"Yes!"
"Right away!"
The men sprang into action. Some erected prepped logs around the outskirts; others crafted more.
Mu-hyuk observed, noting one man twice as fast as the rest.
Intrigued, he focused on him.
A gasp escaped him.
"Hooh..."
A carpenter by job, woodworking specialist.
Utilize him right, and he could establish a carpenters' guild.
That would unlock the job for others, speeding work dramatically.
Vital for future builds.
Not yet, though—no funds.
He approached Yohan.
"Impressive skill."
"Pardon? Ah, Village Chief. Th-thank you."
"Keep it up."
"Of course!"
Yohan's loyalty changes from Medium-High to High.
Simple praise did it for him.
Others too?
He tried another.
"Working hard."
Couldn't quite say "good job."
"Ah, thank you!"
"Just like that."
"Yes!"
No change.
Why?
He checked her status.
Already High.
Tough to raise from there.
Tried one at Medium-High.
"Really putting in the effort."
"Thank you!"
Praise given, but no rise.
Tch, figures.
NPCs lived real lives in Illusion, believing themselves truly human. Loyalty gains varied by individual, as did the triggers—only natural.
"No rush. Just precise, no errors."
"Yes!"
"Got it!"
Two hours in, the village outskirts were fully palisaded.
Palisade completed.
Palisade area designated as safe zone for 7 days.
One worry down. He headed north, building from the entrance onward.
Skeletons had cleared respawns, no threats. Pace quickened—until new respawns.
Kieeeaak!
Monsters charged with shrieks.
"U-ugh!"
"S-save us!"
Workers tripped, flailed. Some fled, some fought.
All thought the same: We're dead.
But no deaths came. Stationed skeletons obliterated the horde.
Giant Cyclops shone brightest—no casualties.
"You're safe."
"Ah..."
"I'll handle monsters. No worries. Take five minutes to recover, then back to it."
During break, they pieced it together.
"Those things are all..."
"The chief's summons, right?"
"He's incredible."
"Hope it's like this every day."
Some at Medium-High hit High. But no extending breaks.
"Back to work."
"Yes!"
Monsters respawned again.
Kieeeaak!
Still scared, but better than first time.
After repeats, roars barely fazed them—they just glanced over.
Work accelerated; palisade nearly done.
Final link triggered completion.
Palisade completed.
Palisade area designated as safe zone for 7 days.
Finally, a breather.
"Phew, all done."
"Good work, my lord."
"We all worked hard. Head home and rest."
"Yes!"
Sent skeletons to the Demon Realm, summoned his warhorse. Rode the crew back swiftly.
Dismissed the laborers home, then checked with Rakak on needs.
"First, the 50 gold you gave—I'll return it. I should've gone myself; my apologies. With this, get beans, millet, wheat, corn, and..."
"Anything else?"
"Small village, but talented folk."
"I noticed."
"Gear for them would help a ton."
Mu-hyuk nodded.
Definitely.
Proper tools would double carpenters' speed.
"I'll handle it."
"Safe travels, my lord."
Mounted up, accelerated.
Wind whipped his face.
Refreshing smile.
Users and monsters blurred by.
Kieeeaak!
Ignored, pushed faster.
"Phew."
Nearest big city.
Grains first.
Grain shop.
"Welcome."
"Yeah."
"Need something?"
Bought Rakak's listed seeds.
"5 gold."
"Here."
"Thanks."
For planting.
But immediate food too.
Food shop: invested more in long-lasting staples.
To supplement village crops and occasional game.
Next: development goods.
General store, probably.
Five deluxe woodworking kits, farming tools.
What else?
Brief ponder.
Buy it all.
Swept up anything useful or promising.
"19 gold."
Not burdensome. Player-unwanted, priced for NPCs.
Should suffice.
Satisfied, headed back.
"Already?"
"Yep."
"Haha..."
Unloaded goods.
"This much..."
"Enough?"
"More than. Perfect."
"Good."
"I'll plant seeds with the young ones."
"I'm crashing."
Watched Rakak and crew leave, then logged out. Late night—bedtime.
Palisade up.
No monster threats.
Carefree, he exited the capsule.