6 First Encounter

After settling the matter of naming his Elite Guards, Michael moved on to other matters. His eyes wandered a bit before coming up with an urgent issue. Clothes. If they were going to grow as a newly founded civilization, then they would need to adjust their simple way of life.

Luckily, he wasn't originally a lizard, so he allowed them to skip some of the time they would have spent thinking about the direction they would need to develop in.

He looked at the five lizardmen before him. "Fetch me Milizaus." The lizardmen nodded and hurried out of the small enclosed space that was dedicated to him. Soon after, they came back with the aged lizardman trailing behind them.

"Leader." Milizaus bowed before him, "What do you need me for?"

Michael studied the changes that had taken place within the old lizard before speaking.

"We have evolved. With evolution comes development and so, we need to develop our blooming civilization. We need clothes, a steady source of food, and a better place to lay our heads at night. What worked for us as lizards yesterday wont work for us as lizardmen today. As such, I will be putting you in charge of directing our people in finding the resources we need to develop."

Milizaus blinked with a clueless look on his face. "Clothes, leader?" Hearing the question directed at him, along with the clueless look that was plastered over the faces of the lizardmen before him, Michael mentally palmed himself. Of course, these fools were lizards just a few hours ago. It's no wonder they had no idea what clothes were.

Michael looked around, trying to spot something he could use as an example for them. His eyes settled a strip of cloth that hung over the entrance of his little cave, which marked it as the leader's cave. He walked over and held it in his hand.

"This is a strip of cloth. Clothes are used in covering up the body." He motioned at their bare bodies. "Standard morals call for adequate clothing in a proper civilization. If we can get more of this, then we can produce enough clothing to provide for our tribe."

The lizardmen were nodding enthusiastically with each word Michael spoke. Even Milizaus was listening to him fervently. He had given up on the idea of manipulating Michael, seeing as Michael was so knowledgeable, unlike their former leader who only hungered for power.

After a while more of explaining to them, Michael sent Milizaus off to do his duties. As for his newly formed Elite Guard, he had decided to take them on an excursion outside the confines of the small cave. Soon enough, he would have to move the Lizardman tribe out of the cave and into the wilderness.

Just before they were about to set off, the game system suddenly popped up a notification.

[Milestone Goal reached - Civilization Builder.]

-Milestone condition - Start up your own civilization.

-New Title gained - Heart of a Leader.

- Title bonuses - +50% morale boost when commanding your subordinates.

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Michael's eyes widened slightly when he saw the notification. Unlike the former Milestone Goal he had reached which only assisted him in fights, this bonus could be used at anytime to keep his people's spirits high.

Pushing aside the notification, he continued to led the lizardmen out of the cave and into the tunnel that led to the outside world.

For the young lizards, they had never ventured out of the cave so they were extremely curious about everything they saw. Every scurrying rat drew their attention like amazed children. Michael could only sigh and shake his head each time it happened.

The game system soon dashed the cheerful atmosphere when it sent him a few warning notifications.

[Warning! D rank energy signature detected ahead.]

Michael's vigilance rose a few levels as he stopped in place and rose his hand, signally for the lizardmen behind him to stop as well. Sensing their leader's raised vigilance, instinct kicked in and they stopped in their places, spreading their senses outward. The tails swayed with each passing second and their tongues slipped from between their teeth in a low hiss.

A few seconds after, two figures emerged around the turn a few meters away. Eudora walked forward with her staff propped up before her, ready to cast a spell at a moment's notice. Brutus was just a step behind. For the first time since they arrived within the mountainous region, he finally held his twin hammers before him, ready to pounce on any foe the moment any form of aggression was detected.

They pair had noticed the Peak E rank energy signatures a minute earlier, raising their level of vigilance. From what they knew, this cave was only frequented by weaker F rank creatures. To suddenly stumble upon several Peak E rank creatures was a surprise.

Michael's eyes widened as soon as the pair of adventurers stepped into view. Eudora's slim build, with her robe that accentuated all her voluptuous curves threatened to give his poor lizardman nose a nosebleed. Her dark skin n particular caught his attention; unlike the more normal dark skin that humans featured, hers was bordering black, a tell-tale sign of a Dark Elf, one of the more obscure races in the vast world he now inhabited.

Her partner on the other hand was a pure human. His square face, and the dark brown hair framing it gave him a strict look. Paired with the dual hammers he wielded, he gave off a vibe that oozed seriousness from the every pore.

The game system which viewed their information only confirmed his guesses.

[Dark Elf]

-Rank - D - Early

-Growth Stage - 4/4

-Overall Energy level - 590 points

-Rank Elevation not possible.

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[Human]

-Rank - D - Middle

-Growth Stage - 4/4

-Overall Energy level - 700 points

-Rank Elevation not possible.

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'Both D ranks...' Michael's eyes narrowed. He turned his head slightly to take a look at the lizardmen behind him. Their eyes were narrowed to slits and they had already deployed their serrated tongue, the poisonous blades swaying before them. 'This won't do...'

Before any side could act up, Michael decided to try something. He raised up an arm, drawing the attention of both sides. Eudora's eyes focused on his arm. She slightly raised her staff, readying herself to shield herself from any attack.

"Hello, outsiders. What brings you to our humble abode?" His smooth voice traveled through the darkness, easily reaching Eudora and Brutus, whose eyes were opened wide with shock when they heard him speak.

Michael stood up straighter, taking on the demeanor of a serious leader. A slight breeze blew by, ruffling the edges of the cloth he had tied around his waist earlier.

"Attack it!" Brutus lunged forward without warning. He didn't have to think twice to know that whatever creature that had developed intelligence in the wilds like this was dangerous.

Before he could get close enough, five purple-coated serrated tongues darted before him, forcing him to stop in place.

"Hiss-" Aiden and his brothers stepped forward in a threatening manner. They refused to stand by while their leader was being attacked.

"Stand down." Michael waved his guards own. "The man doesn't pose a threat to me. Maybe the lady, but not him." His eyes briefly strayed towards Eudora's position. In truth, despite how calm and collected he seemed on the outside, he was completely shocked by Brutus' outburst. He didn't think communication would fail on the first attempt. He realized that diplomacy might not be his greatest tool in this situation but he still felt obliged to try.

"If you insist on being violent, then I wouldn't mind reciprocating your actions." With a wave of his arm, several footsteps echoed behind him. Lizardmen soon filled the space behind him, making for an intimidating sight.