Legendary Shelter Survival Guide

"So, the threat is over now?" Sarah asked cheerfully, her bright smile lighting up her face as she walked beside Lucas.

She still felt a bit off from their fight just now but seeing how Lucas had taken a bigger burden, she tried her best to cheer the mood.

The whole team was heading back to the shelter, carrying the corpses of the Kobolds.

"And here I thought we were going for negotiations, Lucas," Jerry teased, unable to resist pointing out what he saw as Lucas's mistake. He had been waiting for an opportunity to highlight someone else's error for a change.

"It didn't go as planned, but the negotiations aren't over, Jerry. This guy," Lucas gestured toward the unconscious Kobold, "will give us all the information we need about their territory and how we should approach it from now on."

Lucas then turned his attention back to Sarah, leaving Jerry grumpy and muttering under his breath.

John remained silent during the journey. It was his first time traveling this far outside the shelter after a long time, and he was still captivated by the details of the forest and its serene beauty as if it was his first time.

"Oh, by the way, how is the progress of the phase going? Is there anything I can help with?" Sarah asked, her wide, innocent eyes brimming with curiosity.

"I appreciate the offer, but we've already completed most of the objectives. Now we're working on the extra points for territory development. Each advancement increases a rank we can't see yet, but it will be revealed at the end of the phase, and as you know, we ae going for the first rank." Lucas explained.

"So, if we keep making better tools with smithing, will the points increase?" Sarah asked.

"According to the guidelines, the more skills people develop that benefit the territory, the more points we'll earn. It includes us creating tools too, however, the most significant points come from constructing new structures," Lucas replied. He paused in thought. "We're still far from having a proper territory. Everything we have built is still in the center of a very big territory, but we need to expand once this situation is resolved."

"Uncle John," Lucas called, turning to him.

John nodded.

"I'd like to prioritize upgrading the shelter after we finish the huts. What do you think?" Lucas asked, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

Sarah chuckled softly. She could tell Lucas was trying to distract himself from the toll of taking a hit from the Kobold's emotions during the fight. Crafting and territorial development always lifted his spirits.

"That's a great idea," John said with an analytical tone. "We can make do with the huts for now. The furniture can be postponed. Just list everything we need for the upgrade, and we'll start gathering resources again."

Both Jerry and Sarah quieted down as the discussion turned serious. Even Jerry knew when to hold back.

When the conversation lulled, Jerry spoke up. "So, Lucas, what did you think of my fight this time? I handled those two Kobolds with ease," he said proudly.

Sarah groaned, while John shook his head with a smile.

Lucas, however, sensed something beneath Jerry's tone. Amidst the pride, there was a hint of anxiety—he was genuinely seeking feedback.

"You did well today," Lucas began, "But your movements are still stiff. We can fix that with some morning training. Also, while your strength was good, you were too focused on the two Kobolds in front of you and forgot about protecting the fighters in the back, which in a tank is a big red flag."

The others expected Jerry to feel rebuked, but he simply nodded, listening closely and asking further questions about improving himself.

The group traveled peacefully through the forest. Monsters and animals surrounded them, but none dared approach. It wasn't because the humans were particularly strong, but because the creatures' heightened instincts warned them to stay away.

Lucas seemed normal to the others, but his overbearing aura kept even the boldest predators at bay.

Since the establishment of the territory, the forest had grown more diverse. Herbivores and predators coexisted in a balanced ecosystem. Strong monsters hunted weaker ones, while weaker creatures dominated those beneath them.

Bill had kept track of the monsters and their territories on the map for Lucas and while he could have dealt with them, Lucas had insisted on letting them grow stronger, seeing potential advantages and resources in the process.

After several hours, the group finally returned to the shelter. The gates were locked, and when they opened them, the people inside barely reacted, too absorbed in their work.

Ella was busy training her tamed creatures with precise commands. Haley was organizing and preparing trade orders for the channel.

Sarah was nowhere to be seen, which wasn't unusual. Bill was near Haley, chatting casually—it seemed he'd returned hours earlier.

Barney and Sean were absent, while Mike was working on one of the hut walls.

"We're back!" Jerry shouted, finally drawing everyone's attention.

Ella's face lit up at first, but her smile turned into a frown when she noticed the Kobold corpses.

"I'll take this one to the hut outside. Uncle John, you can explain everything to them. I'll join you shortly," Lucas said with a smile before walking off.

"Pft…he just dumped all the work on you!" Jerry laughed, annoying John.

"He's doing something more important than this," John replied, heading toward his wife.

Lucas entered the crude hut on the outskirts of the shelter. It was the first structure Mike had built when his skill level was still in its beginner phase.

The hut had a basic chair and table in the center, crafted by an older man from another territory. Lucas placed the Kobold's severed legs on the table and carefully sat the unconscious creature in the chair.

'His fighting spirit was admirable, but it seems to have drained him completely. I'll need to make this quick,' Lucas thought.

Placing a hand on the Kobold's scaly chest, Lucas activated his newly acquired skill.

'This skill is an evolution of the skill I've used for years. I know most of its basics, but if I'm still this low-level with it's evolved version…then there's more to it than I understand,' he thought as darkness engulfed his vision.

Lucas hovered in the pitch-black void, scanning his surroundings.

"I was careful with the Lesser Treant, but with you? I don't need to hold back," Lucas muttered, his eyes sharp.

Big crimson chains burst from his palms, spreading in all directions at a quick pace.

*"KAAAAGGGHHHH!!!"* A wretched scream echoed, and a ghostly Kobold materialized before Lucas.

When the ethereal body materialized, the chains stopped moving and returned, quickly latching onto the ethereal figure. Some pierced its body, while others wrapped tightly around it, binding it completely from neck to toe.

*"You bastard! What are you doing to me?!"* the Kobold roared.

"You're lucky I spared you when all your comrades died because of your idiotic ego. Be grateful," Lucas replied coldly, he clenching his right fist slowly and the chains around the Kobold tightened, eliciting another agonized scream.

*"S-STOP!!"*

"I want a peaceful Kobold in my territory. Do I make myself clear?" Lucas demanded. Although by the frown on his face, it seemed he already knew that it would be difficult to get it be calm.

The Kobold thrashed but eventually nodded, its defiance broken.

"Good."

Lucas opened his eyes, returning to the crude hut, his hand was still at it's chest. The Kobold, now awake, glared at him with pure hatred.

"I've been calling you forever, Lucas! What's going on?" Jerry's voice came from the entrance.

Lucas removed his hand from the Kobold's chest, revealing a black rune where his palm had rested.

The Kobold instinctively swiped at Lucas's neck, but when they reached close, its claws froze inches away.

Jerry panicked. "Lucas, watch out!"

Lucas raised a calming hand. "Don't worry, Jerry. It can't harm anyone anymore—it's our prisoner now."

*"Why can't I move?! What did you do?!"* The Kobold exclaimed, struggling against invisible restraints.

"It's the consequence of trying to harm your captor," Lucas said, stepping closer and looking it right in the eyes.

The Kobold's veins bulged with rage, it swiped the claws again only to stop inches away again which deeply infuriated it.

"Wow, that's amazing!" Jerry exclaimed, his fear giving way to awe.

Lucas walked to the entrance casually and calmly stated, "You're forbidden from attacking anyone in my territory, be it my people or any monsters even if they were attacking you. You're also not allowed to leave this boundary until I say so."

He stomped his foot, drawing a line across the entrance.

The Kobold, enraged, looked at the line and it almost felt like it was driven crazy.

It attempted to leap past the boundary and at Lucas, despite its missing legs, prompting Lucas to sigh in disappointment.

It seemed there was a lot of domesticating to do before the wild could be taken out of the Kobold.