The sun rose slowly, scattering golden light across my small kingdom. The air carried a crisp freshness, and for the first time, I felt a sense of stability. Today was the day my first companion, the NPC, would arrive.
I walked around the newly built shelter, inspecting every corner: the straw bed, the tool corner, the small window for observation. Everything seemed ready. My mind raced with possibilities—how would this NPC interact with me? Could I trust them to handle the responsibilities I'd prepared for them?
The Arrival
A soft rustling came from the treeline near the river. I tightened my grip on my spear, instinctively alert. Slowly, a figure emerged—a humanoid NPC, wearing practical clothes, carrying a small pack. Their eyes were sharp, scanning the area with the calm precision of someone used to survival in the wild.
"Welcome… to your new home," I said, my voice calm but tinged with excitement.
The NPC nodded, smiling faintly. "It seems well-prepared. You've put thought into this layout… I can work with this."
The way they spoke carried confidence and experience. I could tell immediately that this wasn't a beginner—they knew the land, resources, and survival tactics.
A notification appeared in my vision:
[Companion NPC has arrived!] [The NPC can now assist in resource gathering, defense, and basic crafting.] Assigning the First Tasks
I decided to start with simple instructions, but the NPC anticipated much of what needed to be done.
Collecting wood: The NPC selected branches not randomly, but by size, straightness, and durability—exactly what we would need for the next shelter upgrade.
Gathering stones: They picked strong stones suitable for foundations, avoiding weak ones that might crumble later.
Monitoring crops: They inspected the garden, identified potential weak spots in the barriers, and reinforced them with small stakes.
"Your garden here," the NPC said, "needs a slightly higher fence on the north side. Rabbits tend to sneak in with the morning sun. I'll handle it while you focus on the larger structures."
I watched in awe. This NPC wasn't just following orders—they were making decisions, solving problems, and improving efficiency as we went.
First Mini-Quest: Wildlife Defense
Midday, a rustling came from the bushes. A small group of wild rabbits hopped toward the crops. Normally, I'd have to chase them alone, but today the NPC reacted immediately.
They moved with precision, placing a temporary barrier while nudging the rabbits away. Then they turned to me, "We might need a trap here. It's better than repeatedly defending this side."
Another notification popped up:
[Companion NPC successfully defended crops!] [Experience points earned: +10]
I realized that having a knowledgeable companion transformed my small kingdom. Survival was no longer just about manual labor—it was now about strategy and foresight.
Learning from the NPC
After the wildlife incident, we sat together by the shelter. The NPC explained several things:
Tool efficiency: How to sharpen spears and axes with minimal effort, using specific stones.
Plant selection: Which seeds were safe and which could be toxic. They identified wild herbs near the river that could supplement our food supply.
Construction insight: How to distribute weight when building higher structures to avoid collapse.
I listened carefully, asking questions. Their explanations were clear, practical, and surprisingly patient.
"Even a small mistake now," they said, "could cause major setbacks. Planning matters as much as strength."
Evening Reflection
As the sun dipped low, painting the sky with orange and pink, I looked around. The NPC had set up small drying racks for harvested herbs and organized tools neatly in the corner of the shelter. The garden barriers were reinforced. The shelter was stronger than ever.
A soft system notification appeared:
[Level 2 Progress: 30% complete towards next milestone.] [New task unlocked: Construct defensive perimeter around main shelter.]
I exhaled, feeling a mix of relief and determination. The kingdom had grown beyond my solitary efforts. With a companion as intelligent and skilled as this NPC, survival had turned into governance, strategy, and expansion.
For the first time, I truly felt like a leader.
"This is the beginning of something much bigger," I thought, "and together, we'll make this kingdom thrive."