Foundations, Professions, and the Forbidden Beach
"With this, will we become owners of a piece of land?" Sig asked quickly, her voice full of interest. Obviously, her merchant radar was going off like crazy in her mind.
"Yes. You can build your houses or shops, although you'll have to do it yourselves. I won't help you," Lua said calmly as everyone took a document with curiosity.
"Does owning land mean you have to pay taxes?" Bert asked seriously.
"There will be taxes once the settlement reaches one hundred houses. It will range from 1% to 5% of the land's value," Lua explained calmly, while Sia transmitted the data to her. After all, it was true she would need income to keep improving the settlement, using mana stones to pay for missions. She wouldn't always be able to go out to gather more when she ran out of reserves.
"Then that's fine," Bert said, thinking he wouldn't mind having a house here. "If Home Points increase the bonuses of a profession, it actually makes sense that the Decorator profession exists—it seemed pretty useless before," he added.
"Ugh... Even though I'd like to buy several plots in advance, we also need to bring in a lot of workers to help us. I'm sure none of you want to take the blacksmith profession," Sig said as she looked at the others.
They all shook their heads.
"After the harvests, it looks like there's a one-week period before you can plant on the same soil again. I wouldn't mind taking another profession, but looking at the new ones you brought, I think I'd like to become a rancher," Ganfall said calmly.
"I'll take any recipes I don't already have," Loli said quickly.
"I'm not interested. I just want to fight and explore," Joe commented calmly.
"I'd like a profession that relates more to the one I already have. Maybe Enchanter," Bert added.
"And you, little one? Do you want to learn another profession besides the one you already have? We have tailoring, which is sewing," Sig asked, looking at Liora.
"Yes," Liora replied without hesitation, her voice tinged with slight excitement.
So Sig handed her the two recipes:
[Recipe: Soft Leather Explorer's Vest]
Type: Tailoring Recipe
Quality: Common
Use: Allows crafting a light torso armor
Required Materials:
• 5 Rabbit Hides
• 2 Small Bones (for internal reinforcement)
• 1 Thread Bundle
• 1 Basic Sewing Kit
Description:
Detailed instructions to create a light vest designed for beginner explorers. Provides basic protection without restricting movement—perfect for those seeking comfort during long gathering trips.
🧵 [Recipe: Reinforced Rabbit Hide Hood]
Type: Tailoring Recipe
Quality: Common
Use: Allows crafting a light helmet with basic defense
Required Materials:
• 3 Rabbit Hides
• 1 Rabbit Horn
• 1 Thread Bundle
• 1 Basic Sewing Kit
Description:
Step-by-step guide to craft a reinforced hood with a small decorative horn. Offers basic head protection and a unique look that can boost the wearer's morale.
"Alright. Even though I'd love to build our houses right now, for now let's just pick a plot. Then I'll go look for three new helpers. You can do whatever you want, but today we're going out to hunt more ants. Since Uncle and Dean are high-level, they'll help us level up faster," Sig said briskly.
Everyone nodded.
They picked plots near Lua's house, since all the plots were the same but hers was right in the center of town, facing the plaza they had built. Once they were done choosing, Sig and Alfred logged out.
Bert asked Joe and Dean to help him set up a storage area in one of the houses to keep all the meat, since there was just too much. Although for a moment, another idea occurred to him.
[Horned Rabbit Meat]
Type: Cooking Ingredient
Quality: Common
Main Use: Cooking
Weight: 1 kg (per unit)
Description:
Lean meat harvested from a horned rabbit. Contains a slight amount of internal mana that gives it a delicate flavor and helps preserve it if stored properly.
Shelf life without refrigeration: 10 days before it starts to spoil.
• Shelf life in a cool place: Up to 3 months thanks to its natural mana.
It must be handled carefully, as its scent can attract nearby beasts if not kept in sealed containers or protected spaces. Highly valued by beginner cooks for its versatility and ease of preparation.
"Why did it never occur to us to use the meat as bait?" Bert suddenly said, while Joe looked at him with interest.
"Do you want me to help you build a house for yourself?" Lua asked Liora, who was staring curiously at the plot she'd picked right next to Lua's.
"But you said you wouldn't help," Liora replied, shaking her head.
"I did. But don't tell the others," Lua said with a slight smile.
"Alright... but... I don't like being alone," Liora admitted in a quiet voice, almost a whisper.
"Then how about you help me build my house, and you stay with me?" Lua offered gently.
"Really?" Liora asked, her eyes lighting up.
"Yes," Lua said calmly. "Let's go to the beach to gather clay and sand," she added, her voice soft.
At that moment, Bert, who was walking past Joe while thinking about using the meat as bait, overheard the last part.
"Wait... you're going to the beach? Didn't you say it was dangerous?" he asked with interest.
Loli also hurried over, almost running.
"Beach?" she asked quickly, curiosity bright in her eyes.
This caught Lua's attention as she realized everyone was staring at her, waiting for her answer.
"How about we all go and I show you where the danger really is?" Lua suggested, feeling all the expectant gazes on her.
So they all started walking as if on an excursion, following Lua and Liora, who skipped along at her side, her wings fluttering with excitement.
After a few minutes, they reached the beach—until then, something they had only seen from afar, afraid to get closer.
"Whoa…" everyone exclaimed, gazing at the vast stretch of sand and the crystalline sea that shimmered with a magical blue hue. The waves moved gently, and they could see some fish and crabs passing by calmly, as if nothing was out of the ordinary. It was also clear that the water wasn't very deep there.
"Do you see that line over there?" Lua asked, noticing everyone's astonished expressions just from seeing the beach, while she pointed to a spot about three hundred meters away, where the water suddenly turned darker. "Out there, it becomes so deep that it looks like the sea itself turns black. From that line onward begins the territory of the sea beasts. They won't leave their territory because most of them are enormous and have no interest in coming onto land, but if you cross that line, all the nearby creatures will instantly attack you without hesitation. It's said that even if humans and demons tried to conquer the entire world, the sea beasts alone could defeat everyone easily. The only reason they don't do it is because no one has ever trespassed into their territory—the ocean," Lua explained seriously.
"But you can safely use the shallow areas of the beach. They won't come here… well, maybe some smaller creatures might show up, but they're not dangerous," she added calmly.
"It really is wonderful," Loli said, staring at the horizon with an expression full of happiness and a touch of melancholy.
"It's certainly beautiful," Ganfall agreed, smiling faintly as he looked out over the sea.
Bert noticed Lua's puzzled expression before he spoke. "We've never seen the ocean or a real beach. Our sea is so polluted that just approaching the shore could put your life in danger. That's why no one can ever go to the beach—not even to look at it," he explained softly.
Then Lua understood why everyone was so emotional.
"Along the edge of that cliff over there, there are several caves where you can gather building materials. Though honestly, I don't know what's useful and what isn't. I just wanted to collect some clay to build my house," Lua said, pointing to the far end of the beach, where dozens of caves lined the rock face.
"Then I can help you with that. I actually know quite a bit about construction materials—I used to work sending some of them," Joe said confidently.
So they all walked toward the caves. As soon as they entered, they realized they were filled with all kinds of materials: salt crystals, organic remains like shells and coral, sea clay, limestone, sandstone, and compacted shell fragments.
"It really is full of materials," Bert commented. Even if he didn't recognize most of them, it was obvious they could be useful.
"Salt!" Loli shouted with excitement, since she needed it for cooking. The salt the system had given her for being the first to get a profession had already run out.
"You're in luck here. You can make mortar or just use the clay or sandstone," Joe said, nodding.
Lua looked at them before giving Sia an order, and Sia immediately began working.
Mission Activated
They have discovered a place filled with construction resources. And now, they just happen to have their plots ready to build their houses. Is it another twist of fate—or did someone make it all too convenient? It doesn't matter. If they can gather these materials, they will be able to build their homes. But first, let's help the lovely oni Lua build her house, so the poor oni without a home can sleep nice and warm.
Gather construction materials
• Help Lua build her house
Reward:
• 1 Large Mana Stone each
• Distiller Recipe: Fruit Liquor
"Wow, that's a pretty great mission," Joe said, eyeing the rewards—especially the recipe.
"But carrying all this material back to town will be a bit difficult," Bert added right away.
Lua took out two bags.
[Maximum Leather Bag]
Type: Container
Quality: Rare
Internal Capacity: 5×5×5 meters of expanded space (dimensional magic)
Special Use: Temporary bag, loaned for 72 hours
Description:
A leather bag enchanted with an internal space of five meters by five meters by five meters—the maximum volume achievable using magically treated leather.
This item is a loan valid for 72 hours. Once the time expires, it must be returned to Lua. If it is not returned on time, restrictions will apply to using similar magical bags again.
"You really are prepared for everything," Joe commented.
"I made them to sell, but I'll lend them to you for 72 hours. Even if you finish gathering the materials and just leave them stored in town," Lua said calmly.
"We'll take them," Bert replied quickly.
Then everyone began crafting some improvised tools using wood, rope, and whatever materials they had on hand, and they quickly got to work gathering everything.
Thanks to their level increases, their strength and stamina had improved a lot, so they could carry materials easily. Even so, the lack of high-quality tools slowed the gathering somewhat.
Joe focused on collecting sandstone, delivering a massive punch to a wall and bringing it down with sheer brute force. After all, they no longer had ordinary human bodies—their strength was proportional to their Strength stat, and each point equaled one more kilogram they could lift.
They spent about five hours collecting all kinds of materials—not only for Lua's house but also for their own, in case they decided to build later.
When they finished, they returned in high spirits, convinced they would come back to enjoy the beach from time to time just to relax.
As they arrived, they saw Sig standing with her hands on her hips, glaring at them with obvious annoyance—especially noticing they were coming from the beach.
"Why didn't you tell me you were going to the beach? I had to help these idiots level up so they wouldn't turn into spirits, and you all went off to have fun," she said, clearly irritated, while Alfred stood quietly at her side, guiding the new players.
🌐 [Player Information]
Name: Julia
Race: Harpy
Race Level: 0
Character Level: 1
Class: —
Affiliation: Pueblo Espiritual
Title: None
🌐 [Player Information]
Name: Steve
Race: Beaver Men
Race Level: 0
Character Level: 1
Class: —
Affiliation: Pueblo Espiritual
Title: None
🌐 [Player Information]
Name: Silver
Race: Kobold
Race Level: 0
Character Level: 1
Class: —
Affiliation: Pueblo Espiritual
Title: None
"Sorry about that, but we were doing a mission to gather building materials," Loli said, trying to defuse her friend's anger.
"Idiots. If you'd come back to tell me, I already gave Silver the blacksmith recipe. He can make shovels, picks, and axes now," Sig replied, still annoyed.
Luckily, the lights at the entrance of the settlement distracted Sig's anger, as more new players were arriving.