Day 3 in "Integration"

Will was observing his now much bigger village with a population of 30.

"It is fortunate that we got "Veteran Builder" (Common) (Medium) from teleportation gates, thanks to him despite that our main focus still is speed-building, we can now make higher quality homes"

As he was observing the village suddenly in front of Will appeared a blue box.

Quest

Goals:

Your village has to reach a population of 100 people

Reward:

"Minor Noble" (Uncommon) (Low) class

Ability to see your status

Access to temporary Noble Auction

Special Reward

After seeing rewards for the quest Will sighed with relief.

"So it is why I couldn't summon status screen, I even thought that this was a bug"

Will immediately went to a village and called Marcus who was coordinating villagers for building houses.

-My lord, do you have orders?

-Marcus, I need Doran to start producing weapons and Rey with 4 more men to scout surroundings, will there be any problems?

-My lord, the loss of 6 hands would be sensible.

-I know, but we have to do this it is very important. Firstly call Doran to my house then select 4 people who have combat-related classes or don't have any important classes for the village, and send them to weaponry with Rey.

-Yes my lord.

Marcus went to obey orders with a sour expression.

"I need to be prepared when the auction will open"

After few minutes Doran walked up, Doran was a brown-haired muscular man with bronze skin, he had very huge hands and gave a scary first impression.

From 3 days of observation, Will understood that Doran was a friendly man despite his looks, maybe a little bit overprotective when things concern his family, but usually a very friendly man.

-Lord, you called me?

Said Doran with a tone as if they were old buddies.

-Yes, I need you to start producing weapons, will there be any problems?

"When auction will first open everything would be in high demand, especially weapons. I have to use the fact that I have from the beginning both smithy and blacksmith to produce as many weapons as it is possible"

-Lord, there won't be problems with materials considering that in storage is plenty of them, but... To tell you the truth, as "Blacksmith Apprentice" I can't make complicated things.

-Well... there no need for complicated weapons, can you make a sword?

With some hesitation, Doran answered.

-Maybee... But its rank would be (Common) (Low) and it will take at least 3 days for one sword.

Will was a little disappointed by Doran's words.

"I didn't except an infinite number of weapons with the best quality from him, but two worst quality swords until auction won't make me much money"

Seeing the complicated expression in face of Will, Doran quickly added.

-But I can make spears and guarantee at least one spear in a day, maybe they won't be as good as the ones in weaponry but they will be (Common) (Medium) rank.

Doran with his wife already visited weaponry and said that every weapon and armor there was (Common) (High) quality.

-Doran if you would have an assistant can you guarantee two spears in a day?

After a brief pondering, Doran smiled and answered with pride.

-I used to working with my older son so if you would appoint him to me I can guarantee two spears in one day.

-Perfect! You can go to smithy, soon I will send your son to you.

"I think Marcus wouldn't be very happy to loss of one more hand"

Next Will went to weaponry where 5 people were waiting for him, from them except Rey "Military Captain" (Common) (High) and one more man who is "Militia" (Common) (Low) other 3 was without combat classes, they were classless and farmers so they weren't very important for the village in near future.

Will decided to not spend time on the introduction and get down to business.

-I called you because I want to make a scouting team headed by Rey, you are selected as members of this team are there any objections?

Will needed scouting team to know about places of interest nearby. He planned to make the scouting team later when he would have more people under his command but changed mind after learning about the auction.

"With an auction, competition between players is starting, so I have to act faster"

-Why you suddenly wanted to make the scout team? Is there any special reason?

Said Rey with barely hidden hostility.

"Marcus said to me that because of the beauty of Rey she was one of the targets that the previous lord aimed for his lust, so she sees me as an enemy because I am noble too. But it wasn't me who offended her, why she trying to ease her anger on me!... Calm down William, you just have to ignore her. She at least competent so just use her"

This hostility was more unpleasant than usual because it came from a beautiful woman. Rey was a dark red-haired girl with green eyes, bronze skin, and fair proportions, even if she wasn't in a taste of Will, he couldn't deny that she is very beautiful.

-Sooner or later our resources will finish so it better to know in advance what and where we can replenish. By the way, although your main mission is exploring if you would get a chance to slay some beasts and bring them to the village it would be good, and even better if these beasts will have hard skin suitable for making armor.

-Don't tell me you expect normal villagers with "H" rank power to slay beasts with bare hands?

-Of course I don't expect you to do it with bare hands, every one of you would get a set of armor, spear, and crossbow.

When Will said crossbow eyes of villagers lit up, despite crossbow's very slow reload and limited use for stronger persons who do to their strength can release much stronger force from the bow, for weak "H" grade powers crossbows are best weapons with which they can take down even "G" rank.

-But what about the defense of the village? If we take the best equipment and something will attack, villagers would be helpless.

-There no need to worry, our guardian spirit beast will deal with any threats.

After a reminder of the guardian spirit beast at the faces of everyone appeared reverence.

"How they can respect that arrogant bastard more than me?"

Due to remembering his first and only meeting with a guardian spirit beast, Will got angry.

"I got scammed! Well... maybe it is my fault, I needed to suspect something is wrong when a reward was that good. Unlike the description of subordinate summon token or pet summon token, description of guardian beast didn't say that he would be loyal, it was me who ignored it."

As Will was regretting his hasty decision, Rey spoke to him.

-If we will meet just beasts then crossbows will be sufficient but in case of meeting hostile humans, I need the sword.

-Of course, if you know how to handle it then you can take the sword. After taking your equipment tell Marcus about your mission and he will give you supplies for the road.

As the scout team took their equipment and exited weaponry, the time came for Will to make thing he didn't want to do at all, talk to guardian beast.

Will went some distance away from the village because he didn't want villagers to hear how the guardian beast was treating him.

-GUARDIAN SPIRIT BEAST!

After a second in front of him materialized a floating white orb.

-Human, I knew that you do not shine with your mind, but your stupidity surprises even great me. I thought that I was that clear in my unwillingness to interact with you that even you should've understood this, yet you dare to call me again...

Will Interrupted guardian beasts long speech of insulting him.

-Believe me, I didn't come here to see your glorious form of a floating white orb.

Will didn't want to stay in debt so he hit the most sensitive spot of guardian beast.

-HOW DARE YOU! I SAID THAT AFTER BREAKTHROUGH TO "F" GRADE I WILL TAKE THE FORM THAT VILLAGE WOULD WANT ME TO TAKE!

"It looks like even spirit beasts can be insecure about their look"

The only reason why Will dared to speak like that to this arrogant orb who was much stronger than him because Will was pretty sure that spirit beast can't actually harm him, if it could've then would've done so already.

Despite that the guardian beast doesn't take orders from Will, he still appears whenever Will is calling him so Will assumed that the orb has certain limitations and responsibilities.

Trying to finally change the subject and calm down naive orb, Will asked.

-By the way, why you don't have a name by which we can call you? It is uncomfortable to call you guardian spirit beast always.

-Stupid human, my name similarly my form will come from villagers, what they call me would be my name.

"Hmm... so if I will come up with the name and tell villagers to call him by that, then it will actually become his name"

-I called you to say that I sent the scout team with the best pieces of equipment that we have, so for some time village will be very vulnerable.

-Stupid human, even an idiot can understand that as long as I am here nobody would dare to attack my village.

"Your village huh... be calm William, think about him as if he is a child, little arrogant child"

-Okay, just wanted you to be alert, and if something happens don't forget to let me know.

-Stupid human, don't dare to call me for such useless things ever again.

When the arrogant orb has gone, Will went back to the village and decided to meditate at his home until night.

Meditation was much harder than Will expected, when he opened the manual on the first night, the knowledge about meditation just appeared in his brain. Will didn't fully understand how meditating worked but was able to meditate subconsciously.

He didn't like meditating, it was boring and demanded from you full attention and stillness.

"At least it's very refreshing, there is feeling as if my body is taking energy from around and my muscles drop by drop absorbing this energy"

After few hours of meditating, Will couldn't continue because of mental exhaustion and boredom.

"I think it is time for me to quit the game for the first time"

Will was that submerged to the game that he didn't quite it for 3 in-game days, which considering 1:10 time compression was more than 7 hours in the real world.

"I don't really want to quit the game, especially taking into consideration that even if I won't sleep and eat in the real world as long that I do it in virtual, nothing will happen with my real body. Although I don't understand how they did something like that, it is petty cool"

Will looked outside, it was dark. He thought about saying to villagers not to bother him, but taking into consideration that most of them should be asleep, and even if he will be delayed in the real world villagers won't dare enter his house without permission, he decided that there is no need of it.

He lay down on the bed and gave a mental command to quit the game, next moment darkness came, and after the second came the light as the cap of his apparat opened.

Will looked at a practically empty room that didn't change the slightest.

"Everything feels like a dream as if I didn't spend 3 days in the virtual world. When I think about it, I can't shake a feeling as if this virtual world... feel more real than the actual world"

After shaking his head to get rid of meaningless thoughts, Will got dressed, grabbed some snacks, and turned on the TV.

-We are witnessing the beginning of the new era! The era of a virtual world! I am sure that from now on Integration would be the main topic of the world!...

-... many people saying that the virtual world felt more real than the actual world. It is inexplicable, everything we are calling reality is coming from the real world, even if it is theoretically possible to make the virtual world feel nearly as real as the real world, it is inexplainable how they made it feel more real...

-... so many new streamers skyrocketed in popularity because of Integration...

-...after the release of the game passed less than 8 hours, but sales got an unprecedented level. Royal Road announced that despite the rising sales they are guaranteeing delivery and installation of apparat in 3 days after purchase...

-... gamers that missed the "Pioneer" title because of skepticism toward the game or other reasons, think that it is not fair to give first starters such big bonuses and filed a petition to remove bonuses that came with the "Pioneer" title or give this opportunity to everyone. Until now Royal Road didn't react to this petition in any way...

-Big companies wanted to invest in Royal Road but they were denied, without an opportunity to invest directly, these companies announced that they would invest in promising players...

"As expected "Integration" made quite a fuss... glad that I didn't miss this opportunity"

After taking a short look at channels Will decided to not waste any more precious time and check noble player's forum for useful information.

(Niko212) -Guys, villagers don't obey my orders. Any advice on how I can fix this?

(GreatTyrant987) -You are lucky compared to me, MY VILLAGERS KILLED ME!

(YourDad_66) -Friend... villagers can be not the most loyal fellows but they wouldn't kill you for anything, what you have done to them?

(GreatTyrant987) -I just wanted to check +18 content

(YourDad_66) -hdfbjdhf you totally deserved this then

(Sage_Egas) -You are such a pervert, first thing that you have done as a noble player is to abuse your villager

(Pro_King_1) -It is disgusting

(GreatTyrant987) -Let's don't forget that this is a game, I just wanted to enjoy all of its aspects

(Niko212) -It can be a game but NPC feel and react very realistically, you should have understood that from the beginning

(GreatTyrant987) -I thought that since they are my villagers they have to obey my orders, how could I expect such a turn of events? Because of death I even lost my "Pioneer" title with all bonuses that it gave to me

(Sage_Egas) -kjasldasd

(YourDad_66) -hkkhjhhk friend, many could kill to acquire this title but you so stupidly lost it. Press F to Pay Respect

(Niko212) -kjhdakjkjhs, F

(Sage_Egas) -F

(Pro_King_1) -F

(GreatTyrant987) -F :(

Will didn't found as much information as he wanted.

"I think after seeing fuss which formed around Integration, pro players decided to not share information that easy"

Before going back to the game Will checked his phone and saw that all his students canceled lessons for this week.

"I can swear that they all canceled lessons because of Integration. I am curious are their parents know about this? Well... I was going to cancel lessons anyway so this is good for me"

Seeing that he spent 1,5 hours in the real world which equivalent to 15 hours in the game, Will finally went back to the game.