Lord of Solva: Players as My Pawns

The atmosphere was tense, but there was a sense of cautious hope as Shaoran, Jerry, and the three of Jerry's men trudged through the jungle. The survivors moved slowly, their steps heavy with exhaustion. They had barely managed to scrape through the brutal battle, but now, they were ready to explore the land further.

As Shaoran moved ahead, his eyes scanned the dense foliage, constantly alert for any new threats. The jungle was eerily quiet now, as if the land itself had recoiled from the violence of the past day. His thoughts briefly drifted back to the battle—the pain, the bloodshed—but he quickly pushed it aside. There was work to be done.

After what felt like hours, they stumbled upon a small grove of trees, their trunks thick and their leaves heavy with the weight of moisture. It was here that Shaoran noticed something unusual—a small cluster of fruit hanging from a low-hanging branch. He approached it cautiously, but the fruit seemed safe. Jerry, despite his usual skepticism, seemed to sense the same thing. His hand reached out, and he plucked one from the branch, biting into it without hesitation. It tasted sweet, but there was a slight tang to it.

Shaoran picked a few as well, inspecting them before biting into one himself. It was refreshing, a welcome change from the grimness of the previous days.

"Fruit's good," Shaoran said, his tone casual. "At least something went right today."

Jerry grunted in acknowledgment, still processing the events that had unfolded. The two men stood there in silence, letting the fruits restore a small amount of energy.

Their attention was quickly drawn to something else: a low hum from the direction they had been walking. It wasn't the sound of wind or animals—it was something different. They moved toward it, and before long, they found themselves in front of a small, clear pond, its surface gleaming in the fading light of the day.

"This will work," Jerry muttered, eyeing the pond cautiously, as if it were another potential danger. But the water was clear and calm, and it seemed like it could sustain them for the time being.

They knelt down and filled their makeshift containers with the water. It wasn't much, but it was enough to get them through the night.

Shaoran was about to turn and leave when his eyes were drawn to the distant edge of the jungle, where something glinted faintly in the dimming light. He motioned to Jerry, and they made their way over to the source of the gleam.

As they approached, they saw a rough stone wall, partially hidden by the thick vegetation. The glint they had seen earlier was now more apparent—silver ingots, embedded in the wall, their surfaces shiny and pristine despite the surrounding jungle's neglect.

Shaoran examined the wall closely. It was strange to find such a treasure in a place so remote, but the system had given him the coordinates for the silver mine. And now, it was clear why.

"Silver," Jerry said, his voice tinged with awe. He reached out and touched one of the ingots, running his fingers over its smooth surface. 

Shaoran nodded, but his mind was already working. "This is your find, Jerry. It's yours."

Jerry looked up at Shaoran, his face still hard, but his eyes now filled with something different—consideration. He took a long look at the silver ingots, then at the mine. He knew this could be more than just a source of raw material. 

"This place…Ok I am slowly getting hooked.," Jerry admitted, his voice low, almost to himself.

Shaoran didn't respond right away

Jerry's mind seemed to be working overtime, his thoughts racing. He could feel the wheels turning in his head as he contemplated the business opportunities. The mine, the land, the resources—it was all in front of him. He didn't have to fight tooth and nail for scraps like he had back in the earth. Here, he could build an empire of his own.

After taking another long look at the mine, Jerry finally spoke, "I'll take it. All of it."

Shaoran gave a slight nod, approving Jerry's decision. "It's yours. Do with it as you see fit. But remember, you'll be sharing it with your people. There's no one here who can take it from you."

The two men shared a glance, an unspoken agreement passing between them. Jerry knew he had a chance to carve out a new future in this strange world—and Shaoran knew that Jerry's ambitions could help them both in the long run.

As they left the mine behind, they made their way back to the rest of the group. The remaining members of Jerry's gang had already set up a rudimentary camp, making the best of what little they had. Some had started to gather water, while others were working on basic shelter. The mood was grim, but it was clear that they were starting to pull together.

Later that night, the campfire flickered brightly in the center of the clearing. Some of Jerry's men had gathered wood and built a crude wooden bucket, and they were busy preparing for the most important part of the night. Shaoran had mixed the blue healing potion into the water. It wasn't much—just a few drops—but it was enough to transform the water into a powerful restorative.

Jerry and Bai were among the first to drink from the bucket, and Shaoran watched closely as the blue liquid slid down their throats. The healing potion was a potent mix, far stronger than anything they had been able to find in this world. The effects were almost immediate.

Within moments, old Bai's , crippled body began to show signs of recovery. His skin seemed less worn, and his breathing steadied. Jerry, too, visibly relaxed, the pain of the previous day's wounds starting to fade as the healing potion took effect.

One by one, the others took their share of the water. Every single person, from the most injured to the least, felt the rejuvenating effects of the potion. The exhaustion, the wounds, the bruises—all began to heal. The tiredness faded from their faces as they recovered.

Shaoran took his own portion of the water, watching with satisfaction as the blue liquid worked its magic on his own body. He felt his muscles relax, his stamina returning in a wave of warmth. The fatigue from the battle, from the constant strain of the previous days, seemed to dissolve completely.

As the night settled in, Jerry and Shaoran sat side by side, their minds racing through everything they had just witnessed. Jerry broke the silence first, leaning back with a thoughtful expression.

"Hmm... So, you said you wanted to start a game company. But now, I see it was all just a front. You're planning to bring others into your fight, right?" Jerry said, his voice calm but his eyes sharp as he glanced at Shaoran. "I get it now. After seeing everything, I understand what you're really after. All I need is a plan, and I'll help however I can."

Shaoran nodded slightly, appreciating Jerry's understanding. The air between them had shifted. They were no longer just survivors. There was a shared purpose now.

Jerry then looked around at the remaining 27 men, their eyes filled with uncertainty and curiosity. "And when do we go back?" he asked, his voice steady but with a hint of impatience.

Shaoran checked the system's prompt, his eyes narrowing slightly. "After 12 hours. If we can mine the ruston quickly, we might be able to speed things up."

Jerry stared at the ruston, an unfamiliar material to him. It shimmered faintly in the dim light of the campfire, and he pondered its potential. "Hmm," he muttered to himself. "I haven't seen anything like it before."

His thoughts were interrupted by the quiet murmurs of the others. They all watched Jerry, waiting for his lead. Jerry's gaze swept over them, and for a moment, they felt like they were about to be judged. But then, the voice of Old Bai broke the tension.

"Hey, Shaoran," Bai called out, his voice steady but carrying a weight of experience. "I know you didn't want me involved in this, but I'm a man of war. After that fight, I feel... like I'm in my prime again. I have a son back home, studying in cadet college. His fees still need to be paid, and I'm thinking... why not join you? Maybe as your cook. You need someone strong to feed everyone here, and I can survive in conditions like these."

Shaoran turned to Bai, a slight smile forming. "You're more than welcome, Bai. Your strength and experience will be invaluable."

Jerry, who had been quiet during the exchange, looked at Shaoran, then at Bai, and finally back at the group. He was starting to see the pieces falling into place. This wasn't just about survival anymore. It was about building something—something that could change everything for them all.

Before the moment could settle into silence, a cry pierced the night air. The sudden sound startled everyone, their bodies going rigid as they reached for whatever they could find—sticks, weapons, anything that might offer protection. It was a cry from the mine.

Everyone turned their focus to the sound, and Jerry wasted no time. "Let's check it out. Stay alert."

Shaoran and Jerry, along with the three men who were still able to walk, moved quickly toward the mine. As they neared the entrance, they saw Gorx standing at the opening, his massive form blocking the view. He looked uneasy, his posture tense.

"Human... don't go," Gorx said, his deep voice filled with concern. "Only Master come. Tika giving birth."

Jerry and Shaoran exchanged looks of confusion, and for a moment, nobody moved. The atmosphere was thick with tension, until one of Jerry's men—a paramedic—stepped forward. His name was Raj, and though his expertise was in human anatomy, he was still willing to help.

"Let's go," Jerry said, and Raj followed them into the mine. Shaoran remained calm but alert, watching their surroundings carefully.

Inside the mine, they saw Tika, a massive creature—one of Gorx's kin—laying on the ground, her body trembling with the effort of giving birth. It was a sight none of them had ever expected to witness. Raj immediately went into action, preparing hot water and basic supplies with the knowledge he had. It was clear that this was unlike anything he'd dealt with before, but he wasn't about to back down.

The hours dragged on, with the quiet sounds of the mine punctuated by the murmurs of Raj and the soft cries from Tika. After what seemed like an eternity, six goblins were born, their tiny bodies wriggling in the dirt as they took their first breaths.

The system's voice echoed through the mine, startling everyone.

[System Notice: First intelligent life form born in world Solva.]Reward: World Mana Core.World Mana Core will be installed in 7 days.

A stunned silence followed. Shaoran's eyes flicked to the system notification, and he knew that this was a significant moment. The birth of intelligent life here would surely change the dynamics of the world they were building.

Gorx, clearly overjoyed, hugged his newly born children tightly, his deep voice filled with pride. Shaoran watched the scene with an unreadable expression, but deep down, he knew that this was just the beginning.

"Prepare a feast for them," Shaoran told Gorx. His words were simple, but they carried weight. Gorx immediately shot a glance at Shaoran, his eyes alight with understanding.

Without hesitation, Gorx ran off into the jungle, disappearing into the foliage. Half an hour later, he returned, carrying an impressive variety of fruits and vegetables. They were unlike anything the group had ever seen—strange shapes and colors that seemed foreign but full of promise.

Bai, taking charge as the designated cook, immediately set to work. He started a separate campfire, gathering the vegetables and fruits that Gorx had brought. Skewering them with sticks, Bai expertly prepared them, roasting them over the flames. The air soon filled with the mouthwatering smells of cooking food.