Chapter 34. Building a Fence
“Check!”
[Fance Blueprint]
Grade: D
Description: A blueprint that allows you to construct a wooden palisade.
Use Condition: Carpenter-related professions.
After finishing work at the lumberyard, Aren returned home and immediately unfolded the reward blueprint.
“You’re really going to build the palisade right away?”
“Of course.”
“Hmm.”
Alfredo, sipping water nearby, set his cup down as his eyes lingered on the blueprint.
Then, recalling his long-forgotten role as a mentor, he began to speak.
“The palisade is essential to protect the village. Do you know why?”
“Well, because it keeps us safe?”
“That’s one reason, but there’s another.”
“What is it?”
“It marks territory.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Aren tilted his head, confused.
Seeing the curiosity in Aren’s eyes, Alfredo smiled and cleared his throat.
“It’s the first line that keeps intruders out before they even step in.”
The palisade served many purposes —
It kept out monsters and other dangers,
but it also drew a clear line that defined the village’s territory.
“A palisade means: ‘This is my land.’ It’s both protection and declaration.”
Alfredo sighed as he continued.
“There was once a beginner village that didn’t build one. A few monsters wandered off the path… and by the next day, there was nothing left but dirt.”
He looked at Aren meaningfully.
“No watchtowers, no guard posts — only ruins. That’s when everyone learned: every village begins with a wall.”
Aren nodded slowly.
They were still in the middle of a hunting ground.
Anything could happen at any time.
‘Better to fix the barn before the cow runs away.’
“Use.”
[Fence Blueprint Registered]
[You can now construct a Palisade using the Star’s Design skill.]
“Star’s Design!”
[Star’s Design activated.]
[Select a structure to simulate.]
[Available: Chief’s House, Residential House, Restaurant, Clothing Store, Guard Post, Lumberyard, Palisade.]
A faint hum filled the air as a miniature Fence appeared on the table.
It was a simple ring of wooden spikes surrounding the village.
Aren touched the model, adjusting its form.
‘If I just stick it in the ground like this, it’ll pull right out. I’ll need support beams in the back.’
“And maybe stairs and a small lookout tower on top?”
Once he started, he couldn’t stop — tweaking this, adjusting that.
But when he placed a tower structure onto the miniature—
Thud!
It collapsed.
“Huh? It broke?”
[Your skill level is too low to modify the structure further.]
[Resetting design.]
“…Guess the tower’s on hold.”
Apparently, his skill level limited how complex a design he could make.
‘So… the more intricate it is, the higher the skill requirement. Makes sense. Still, if I level up the skill, I can do it later.’
No need to rush.
‘For now, focus on durability. Choose the material next.’
He worked swiftly, hands moving nonstop, assembling and reassembling the model.
Several times the simulation reset, but each time he rebuilt it — staying just below the system’s breaking point.
Finally—
[You have successfully designed the Palisade that will protect your village.]
[Star’s Design skill experience has increased.]
[You’ve obtained the miniature model: Palisade of Protection.]
The design was complete.
“Design finished. Shall we start construction right away?”
“I’d love to, but…”
Aren checked the time in reality — past 1 a.m.
‘Yeah, not tonight.’
“I’ll do it later. Rest until I’m back, alright?”
“Yes, sir. But… Aren.”
“What is it?”
“Well, you do know… building a palisade isn’t quite like building a house. It might be… too much for just the two of us…”
Alfredo’s voice trailed off nervously.
Aren smiled — and then—
[You have logged out.]
He turned off the game.
Later that night.
“Whew…”
After finishing another long workday, Juhyun opened the fridge and grabbed a drink.
“Ugh… that bastard Lee Manager kept me late again.”
He checked the clock. 9 p.m.
Considering he was supposed to leave at 5:30, that meant over three hours of unpaid overtime.
All because of that jerk.
Ten minutes before clock-out—
‘Well, time to call it a day~’
Just then, Lee Manager dropped a thick stack of papers on his desk.
‘What’s this?’
‘Tomorrow’s meeting materials. Have it all sorted by morning.’
‘…It’s ten minutes before closing.’
‘So? You don’t want to do it? Hah… This is why high school grads can’t be trusted. Back in my day, we stayed late if the boss asked. Kids these days…’
‘…I’ll have it done by morning.’
‘Tch. Should’ve said that first.’
Juhyun clenched his jaw at the memory.
‘That guy’s the devil.’
He took another sip of his drink. The cool sweetness helped him think.
‘Should I just quit?’
He pulled out his phone and checked his Illusion account balance.
“139 gold, 107 silver.”
Roughly ₩1,390,000 — over a million won even after fees.
‘Not bad for a start…’
If he could build more houses and grow his village, his earnings could multiply.
‘Let’s see how things go by the next payout.’
He exhaled.
“Alright. First things first — let’s finish that palisade.”
Putting on his headset, Juhyun lay on his bed and launched the game.
[Launching Illusion…]
That night, he drove another stake into the ground.
Logging back in, Aren and Alfredo headed toward the village outskirts.
Aren took out the miniature palisade and activated it.
[You have used the Fence Miniature.]
Blue outlines appeared across the terrain, marking the build zone.
“Good. First one goes here.”
Aren opened his Star’s Bag and pulled out thick oak logs.
[Sturdy Oak Log]
Grade: C
Description: High-quality oak harvested at the lumberyard.
Perfectly processed for palisade construction.
Requirement: Level 20+, Strength 30+.
Lumberyard logs were a cut above the rest — rare even in the real world.
‘Imagine the furniture I could make with this wood…’
His hands itched to craft, but he shook his head.
‘Focus. Fence first.’
“Still, it’s nice not having to haul all this manually! If not for the bag, I’d be crippled by now!”
“Right?”
Aren chuckled, unloading the remaining logs.
Without the Star’s Bag, this project might’ve taken days.
“Let’s begin.”
“Ahh… yes, sir.”
“Start digging here.”
Following the glowing guide circle, they raised their shovels and dug into the soil.
Thump. Thump.
After clearing out roots and rocks, they made a deep hole.
Aren lifted a log, steadying it upright.
As the log slid into place—
Thunk.
The guide circle turned bright green.
‘Perfect fit.’
“Looks solid.”
“Then let’s pack it tight.”
Together, they tamped the soil and fixed support braces around the base.
“Seems sturdy enough, right?”
“Indeed… but…”
Alfredo looked down the endless blue line stretching across the field.
“We’ve only done one…”
Hundreds more to go.
Aren patted his shoulder.
“Let’s keep going.”
“…Yes, sir…”
Red Storm Guild Hideout.
After being forced out of their previous territory, the Red Storm guild hastily relocated.
Their new base was smaller and cheaper — humiliating, but temporary.
“Ugh! This is ridiculous! We’re stuck in this tiny dump because of him!”
Bianca slammed her desk.
Guildmaster Brandy had told her to endure it for now,
but her patience had limits.
She whispered to her scout through the guild channel.
[Bianca: Status?]
[Daida: Still watching. Looks like he’s… building a palisade?]
[Bianca: A Fence?]
She drummed her fingers, thinking.
Directly attacking a village would draw noble NPC attention — not worth it.
But…
‘If no one catches me, does it really count?’
Her lips curved into a smirk.
[Deida: Should I interfere? Stop the build?]
[Bianca: No. Wait until it’s finished. Then we strike.]
[Deida: …Understood.]
“Let’s make sure he learns what happens when you cross Red Storm.”
But she didn’t yet know—
that this petty revenge would someday come back to haunt her.
Days passed.
Building a palisade was simpler than a house — but far more time-consuming.
‘Can’t play as much because of work…’
Even so, Aren logged in daily to make steady progress.
Finally, after much sweat and grinding—
[You have successfully constructed a Sturdy Oak Fence.]
[Star’s Design skill experience increased.]
[Quest “Build the Palisade” completed.]
[Village satisfaction +10%.]
[Discontent -10%.]
[Village reputation spreads across the continent.]
[Migration chance increased.]
[Safe Zone effect activated.]
[Strength +2, Vitality +2, Dexterity +5.]
A flood of notifications filled the screen.
And then—
[Someone has taken interest in your village.]
[A traveler has asked for directions to your land.]
[New Quest: “Incoming Settlers.” Accept?]
“What’s wrong?” Alfredo asked.
“New settlers incoming.”
“…Did you just say taxpayers?”
“…”
Aren quickly averted his gaze.
He wasn’t wrong.
