Ruler

[The tutorial has ended.]

'Finally' he had been waiting for the tutorial to be over forever now. He sighed as he looked at Carus, who was hugging his father in an emotional moment. He didn't want to get involved in all that, so he just checked all the notifications he was getting.

[+10,000 merits have been awarded for surviving the tutorial.]

[You have gained authority over the Forest of Giants.]

Just as all the giants were celebrating the crowning of the new village chief, the forest was also planning to celebrate the crowning of the new ruler. Suddenly the ground shook, catching everyone by surprise. As it stopped shaking after a bit, one of the guards came running from outside the gates. While trying to breathe, he said.

"BB Beasts…Monsters… surrounded" 

The poor guy was having a hard time even breathing. He must have seen something horrifying as Jack was picked up by Carus. While the elder chief ran towards the gate, he only saw something that made his eyes widen in fear and shock. 

Every single animal in the forest had come together; no one was hurting each other, but all of them had surrounded the giant village as if they were waiting for someone. Suddenly, a bird—the same bird that lived on the tree next to where Jack first made his base—came flying towards Carus. The elder chief and Carus, along with the guards, thought this to be an act of aggression, but Jack spoke up. 

"Stop." They all looked at the tiny man on Carus's shoulder as he jumped onto the bird's back, who flew over to the middle, right in front of all the animals who were looking at Jack. He stepped onto the bird's head, looking down at all the creatures as he smiled. 'I can get used to this,' he thought while speaking.

"Down"

His voice was firm, and the singular word responded among the forest as every single animal present there bowed its head. From the proud lion to the sly fox, the giants, who had been confused by then, found their bodies moving on their own as all of them also got on their knees, bowing. 

"Ah, chief, I feel like we never had a proper introduction. My apologies for that."

He sat as he smiled, and slowly the wind started blowing as white particles danced around him and the bird. The forest was welcoming its new ruler, and the commemoration ceremony was going on. As white light particles spun around him in a circle, slowly forming a crown on his head, the crown was pure golden in color with a green gem in the middle. 

"I am Jack, and this forest, along with everything in it, is my property. The one true ruler you can say. Also, you may lift your heads now."

He chuckled while giving the last command. It felt so dramatic, but it was fun, and there was no way he was going to lose on the presentation part now, was he? As soon as the introduction was over, everyone was able to move again. Well, the giants and the animals merely raised their heads as he ordered. It was at this moment that the elder chief realized how badly he had messed up; if it hadn't been for his son, he would have ended up angering the one who has authority over the whole forest. That won't be a pretty sight to see for anyone. He wanted to apologize, but he didn't find the strength in him to do so. Just then, he found Carus bowing down to the ground as he spoke.

"We are sorry for the way we treated you, Your Majesty, on behalf of the whole giant race, and as the chief, I apologize." 

"Hmm, an apology won't do; I want your head," Jack said as everyone's face turned pale, including Carus, but he was willing to make the sacrifice. That was until he heard the sudden burst of laughter. "Chill out, dude; it is whatever. I couldn't care less for the whole your majesty charade; I just wanted to look cool. Anyway, the forest comes under me now, so no beast is going to attack the village, you guys understand?"

All the beasts nodded their heads in submission before returning back to their own territories in the forest as he sighed. "Well, as your ruler, I would like to give my first decree. Prepare a bed. I want to sleep, man, and when I wake up, let's party for fucks sake." 

He told everyone in a nonchalant tone while smiling. As the bird carried him back into the village while they prepared a bed and room for his size, he checked some other stuff, giving Carus and the old chief some time with the people that they needed.

[You have been given the title "Devil's Ace.]

[The player leaderboards have been released.]

"Oh, so we have a leaderboard system, huh? Well, it makes sense, but how is it even decided who ranks where?" He wasn't sure how that would even work, but he decided to check it out anyway, only to find out the whole thing was blank right as another screen popped up.

[Rankings will be decided after the test match.]

[Time until the test match: 48 hours]

"Interesting…"