If there was one thing Derrick had learned in the past few days, it was this—
Power didn't exist in isolation.
It attracted attention.
Unwanted, unpredictable, and often inconvenient attention.
And right now, Titan Hollow had just crossed the threshold from "irrelevant speck on the map" to "something that probably shouldn't exist."
Seven giants.
An organized settlement.
A growing territory claim.
Yeah… that wasn't subtle.
Derrick leaned against the watchtower railing, staring out at the forest with a thoughtful expression that didn't quite match the sarcastic mess running through his head.
"Seven giants," he muttered under his breath. "Any other isekai protagonist would already be declared Demon King by now."
Tor, standing below, looked up slightly.
Derrick waved a hand. "Don't worry about it. Cultural reference."
Tor blinked once, then went back to being a mountain.
Honestly, Derrick was starting to suspect Tor's entire personality revolved around being quietly judgmental.
Below, Titan Hollow was evolving.
Not dramatically. Not magically. But steadily.
The difference from just a few days ago was almost absurd.
Back then, it was chaos with extra steps.
Now?
It was structured chaos.
Which, according to Derrick, counted as progress.
The outer wall was finally beginning to resemble something intentional rather than a random collection of rocks stacked by giants with questionable architectural instincts. Bor and Krag were currently engaged in what Derrick could only describe as competitive construction—each trying to place larger stones than the other like it was some kind of prehistoric flex contest.
Grom had taken over what looked like training duties, which mostly involved teaching villagers how not to die immediately when something large and hostile appeared. His teaching method was… direct.
Very direct.
"Move faster," Grom rumbled.
A villager tried.
Failed.
Fell flat on his back.
Grom nodded approvingly. "Better."
Derrick pinched the bridge of his nose.
"…we'll refine that later."
Near the center, Ragor was coordinating the ogres with surprising efficiency. Meat storage had been reorganized, tools were being distributed, and for once, no one looked like they were about to starve or panic.
Progress.
Actual progress.
Which, naturally, meant something was about to go wrong.
DING.
Derrick didn't even react this time.
"Of course," he muttered.
The blue screen appeared in front of him, crisp and annoyingly calm.
---
[System Notification]
Territory Status Update
Titan Hollow – Emerging Settlement
Authority Level: Low → Developing
Control Zones: 1 (Stable)
New Directive Available
---
Derrick straightened slightly.
"…now this is new."
He focused.
---
[System Directive Unlocked]
Objective: Establish Permanent Control
Requirements:
- Expand to 3 Controlled Zones
- Establish Food Sustainability System
- Repel External Threat (Confirmed)
Reward:
- Authority Growth
- System Expansion (Locked Feature)
---
Derrick stared at it for a long moment.
Then let out a slow breath.
"…yeah, that tracks."
Because of course it did.
This wasn't a survival game anymore.
This was a strategy game.
And not the chill, build-your-village type.
No.
This was the kind where if you miscalculated once, everything collapsed.
"Three zones," he muttered. "Food system… and an external threat."
Tor spoke quietly. "You expected this."
Derrick snorted.
"I expected problems. Not a quest log."
Still…
It was useful.
Because now the direction was clear.
And Derrick liked clear.
He pushed himself off the railing and stretched.
"Alright. Time to level up."
By midday, the core members of Titan Hollow stood gathered again.
Not because they were told to.
But because they knew something was coming.
That, more than anything, told Derrick his authority was stabilizing.
Ragor stood with arms crossed, expression serious.
The villagers were quieter now—less chaotic, more attentive.
And the giants…
Seven massive figures stood behind Derrick like something out of a final boss intro scene.
Derrick glanced back at them.
"…yeah, this really does look like I'm about to start a boss fight."
No one got the reference.
Tragic.
He faced forward.
"We've stabilized the first zone," he began, voice steady but carrying. "That was step one."
No exaggeration.
No unnecessary drama.
Just facts.
"But that's not enough."
He pointed toward the forest.
"That area? That's just one piece."
Then toward the river.
"We need control there too."
Finally, toward the distant rocky terrain beyond the valley.
"And there."
A villager frowned. "Why all three?"
Derrick smiled slightly.
"Because if we only control one… we're easy to cut off."
Silence.
Understanding followed.
Ragor nodded slowly.
"Water. Food. Defense."
"Exactly," Derrick said.
Then his expression sharpened slightly.
"And we're not the only ones thinking like this."
That landed harder.
Because now they knew.
There were others.
Watching.
Planning.
Possibly moving.
Derrick crossed his arms.
"So we move first."
The group heading toward the river was smaller this time.
Not because Derrick lacked manpower.
But because this wasn't about force.
This was about control.
Tor and Varka accompanied him, along with Ragor and a handful of villagers who had proven they could think under pressure.
The walk was quieter.
More focused.
Derrick didn't speak much this time.
He was observing.
The terrain shifted gradually as they approached the river. The soil became softer, darker. Vegetation thickened. The air carried moisture.
Good signs.
Very good signs.
"Farming potential confirmed," Derrick muttered.
Ragor glanced at him. "You talk strange."
Derrick smirked. "You get used to it."
The river itself came into view soon after.
Wide.
Steady.
Clean.
And, most importantly—
Unclaimed.
At least, visibly.
Derrick crouched near the edge, letting the water run through his fingers.
"…yeah, this works."
He stood up, scanning the surroundings carefully.
Too quiet.
Again.
That was becoming a pattern he didn't like.
Before he could think further—
DING.
---
[System Notification]
New Zone Detected
Resource Zone: Freshwater Supply
Status: Unclaimed
Condition: Establish Presence
---
Derrick let out a small breath.
"…convenient."
Then—
Something snapped.
Not loudly.
But clearly.
Derrick's head turned instantly.
"Don't move."
The group froze.
Even Tor stilled completely.
From across the riverbank—
Movement.
Not animals.
Too controlled.
Too deliberate.
Figures emerged slowly from the tree line on the opposite side.
Humans.
Armed.
Organized.
The same group from before.
Or at least similar.
Derrick's eyes narrowed.
"…well, there it is."
One of them stepped forward slightly, clearly the leader.
Their eyes met across the river.
No words.
No gestures.
Just… recognition.
Two groups.
Two claims.
One resource.
Classic.
Derrick almost laughed.
"Of course it's the river. Why wouldn't it be the river?"
Ragor shifted slightly. "Fight?"
Derrick shook his head.
"Not yet."
Because this—
This wasn't a fight situation.
This was something else.
A test.
A standoff.
A negotiation without words.
Derrick stepped forward slightly, just enough to make his presence clear.
Then—
He pointed behind him.
Tor stepped forward.
Then Varka.
Two giants.
Visible.
Unmistakable.
The reaction was immediate.
Tension.
Shock.
Fear.
The other group stiffened.
Their formation broke slightly.
Derrick saw it clearly.
"…yeah," he muttered. "Thought so."
He didn't push further.
Didn't provoke.
He simply stood there.
Calm.
Confident.
Unmoving.
After a long moment—
The opposing group stepped back.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Then retreated into the trees.
Derrick exhaled.
"…good choice."
Ragor looked impressed.
"No fight."
Derrick shrugged.
"Didn't need one."
But his eyes remained on the forest.
Because this wasn't over.
Not even close.
DING.
---
[System Notification]
Zone Control Initiated
Freshwater Zone – Contested
Progress: 18%
External Presence Detected
Warning: Conflict Probability Increasing
---
Derrick smiled faintly.
"…now that's more like it."
He turned back toward the group.
"Alright. We're claiming this."
No hesitation.
No doubt.
Because now—
It wasn't just about survival.
Or growth.
Or even power.
It was about competition.
Real competition.
And Derrick?
He had no intention of losing.
As the river flowed quietly beside them, reflecting the sky above, one thing became clear—
Titan Hollow had officially entered the game.
And this time—
The world was watching back.
------
A/N-
Guys, Comment and review so I can also know your opinions and this book can get a better reach. Also send those POWER STONES.