Chapter 102: The Day before the Storm
Ill give you 100 000 Nexus coins as an investment to get you and your fellow vigers on the right track. You should know that the number of crystals I can sell is limited at the moment, as we need them for the war preparations. But enough tost you for a few weeks of cultivation shouldnt be a problem, Zac said after mulling it over for a few seconds.
There were only 6 vigers with four eldery men and two olddies, and their expenditure shouldnt really impact their daily production. He didnt mention anything about paying back, as he might as well consider it a gift in case they proved useful. If not, he could alwayse to collect at ater date.
The Vietnamese vigers looked excited, and quickly got to their feet and bowed toward Zac, who lightly nodded back. However frowns appeared on the other group of people, who also started to re at the fishermen.
Why are you only giving them all those resources? What about us? one of the men angrily asked.
They seem like they can be useful to my town, you do not. Why should I spend Nexus Coins on you? Zac said with a dismissive nce, which only made the former tourists angrier.
There are various tasks that need to bepleted on this ind. Go earn your keep if you want coins but dont want to fight. Mr. Trang, take your vigers ande with me, Zac continued and started to head out.
The fishermen quickly followed in tow, but when the tourists tried to follow a re from Zac stopped them in their tracks. As he left the infirmary he briefly updated Janos who sighed and reactivated his illusion, keeping the humans inside.
Next he walked over to Adrans canopy. Adran was a stocky demon who was in charge of the logistics of the temporary town, and one of the people who had been present at the meeting discussing the town design some time ago. He was amon nonbat ss called Administrator Zac learned earlier, which was an important reason for his current position.
It was apparently quite simr to the Scribe ss that Zakarith possessed, but their differencesy in their upgrade paths. The Scribe ss had upgrade paths that veered toward the mercantile ss. It could actually also be upgraded into Inscriber, a craftsman ss that focused on inscribing fractals onto gear.
Administrator focused more on the management of towns and countries. It could be upgraded to things like Magistrate in the future, where the individuals almost became like supeputers, keeping track of innumerable things in their heads. It apparently also could be upgraded into certain mentalist sses.
There actually wasnt a too rigid system that split up the types of sses, but it was rather fluid. Some sses were mixes of various things, and the type of ss could change when evolving it. Of course, nning out your path from the start often was preferable in order to not allocate attribute points in the wrong direction.
Zac had Adran make arrangements for the humans. He simply provided the Nexus Coins and different lodging for the fishermen. For anything else they first would have to prove themselves. As for the tourists he set some ground rules to whip them into shape. If they didnt volunteer in doing some tasks around the camp, then work would be handed out. If they didntplete it then no food or lodging that day.
He didnt want groups of people who just drifted about like in Fort Roger. And if they wouldnt pick themselves up like the fishermen, then Zac would drag them forward no matter their opinion. Besides, he had a feeling that iing second monster horde would help them realize their new reality. If thousands of monsters charging at them didnt wake them up, nothing would.
After dealing with histest citizens he left to look for Alea. After asking around he found she was meditating on top of the repaired wall. He soon found her sitting down with the sun in her back, illuminating her horns to truly look as though they were licks of fire.
Zac did not want to interrupt her meditation and simply sat down close to her and gazed out over the mostly prepared battlefield.
Youre back, Zac suddenly heard Alea say after some time and looked over at the demoness.
I am d to see youre better, Zac said after some hesitant silence.
Your pill was very effective, Alea answered as she looked calmly at his face.
The intent stare was starting to make Zac a bit ufortable, and he tried toe up with something to discuss. Finally, he detailed his excursion through the teleportation. The Ishiate, the mink, and Fort Roger. Alea calmly listened through the story, seemingly content to let Zac bber on, until he got to Emily.
This human, is she cute? she asked with a light voice.
Shes just a kid, Zac answered with a roll of his eyes. Then he caught himself as it felt like he was defending himself to a girlfriend.
Hmm was the only answer from the demoness as she slowly closed her eyes to keep meditating. Zac felt that he was approaching a weird territory and with a grunt got up to his feet. Before he jumped down the wall he looked down on the meditating demoness a few seconds.
Thank you, he said before he left. That was the real thing he wanted to convey. Alea had risked her life to help him in the battle against the Fiend Wolf and was still recuperating from its attack. She was under no obligation to do that but she still did it, and Zac was truly grateful.
With that, he was done with everything he needed to do for now. The demons knew what they needed to do, and Zacs only goal now was to get stronger. He didnt want to get mired down in weeks of battle again. The few days of freedom as he explored the new made him feel alive, and he was anxious to get back to it.
The fact that the beastmen closed their portal was a bit troubling as it threw a wrench in his ns, but since that small vige managed to buy a teleportation array already then many other towns would likely follow suit soon. Perhaps even a government-run one that wanted to gather people.
He went back to his camp and to his surprise saw Ogras and Emily sit under a red canopy in afortable chair each, contentedly watching a movie. They obviously were sessful in setting up the new Television, as it currently was showing a rom movie with an extension cable running through the illusion array, presumably toward the camper.
He wanted to kick the demon and make him do something more productive, but he also felt that it might be good for Emily with somepany. The apocalypse obviously had toughened her up, but both her parents were killed just a week ago, and no one could simply shake that off.
I am going to absorb some crystals before the next horde arrives, dont disturb me unless it is something important, Zac said as he looked over at the demon.
No problem, I can charge up the energy storage of your tin can through that wire, so we wont need to disturb you, Ogras answered without taking his eyes off the TV.
Zac nked out a second before he understood the demon meant the campers battery and the extension cord.
What are you doing? Emily perked up as she looked over at him.
I need to train and get stronger, Zac answered.
Can I do it too? she eagerly asked. Zac had noticed her hunger for power since they started traveling together, and was very much in favor of it.
Not until you turn 16. Find Alynter, shell help you prepare. If you follow her instructions you will have better prospects in the future, Zac answered with a shake of his head.
Oh the disgraced teacher will finally have a student again, Ogras said with a pitying nce at Emily.
Wait, what do you mean? Zac asked with a start.
She got fired because of her, uh, unusually strict training methods in our n. She was mainly brought over here because she already had thenguage skill and people figured she would make a good ve driver, Ogras said with a widening smile. Otherwise what use would a teacher have during an invasion? Did you think we would go around opening a bunch of schools for you humans?
The eyes of both Zac and Emily widened at this, and Zacs image of the calm and properdy shed with the image of Alyn screaming on top of her lungs while whipping a bunch of ves.
Well Dont let her overdo it. Emily, stay strong, he said as he entered his camp.
Wai- the teenager tried to interject, but another shield superimposed over the illusion array. It was a<strong> [F-Grade Small Scale Defensive Array]</strong>, the cheapest and weakest defensive option in the town shop.
It wasnt something Zac bought to protect himself, but rather a means to show the surroundings he didnt want to be disturbed. It only cost 75 000 Nexus coin, and a random punch by him or Ogras would break it. It was, however, effective against a girl who still hadnt started on the path of cultivation.
For the next four days he simply sat down and absorbed his <strong>[E-Grade Nexus Crystals]</strong>. He was able to absorb roughly 2 a day, and he already consumed two of them before. He left his 10th andst crystal for emergencies though. During the whole time he barely slept or ate, he just sat down and let the huge power wash over him.
He stood up and after a quick shower and dinner he opened up his quest panel.
<strong>Incursion Master (Unique): Close or conquer incursion and protect town from denizens of other alignments for 3 months. Reward: 5 E-Grade Nexus Crystals, town upgraded to City, status upgraded to Lord. (1/3) [1:03:22:34]</strong>
A bit over a day remained until the next wave started, and only the finishing touches were needed now. He removed his defensive array and walked out to the makeshift movie-canopy. During the four days it had gotten some upgrades, with walls that kept the re out of the TV, and a rug and coffee table. It was however empty so he headed toward the town.
After asking around he learned Ogras was with Adran, and walked over. As the two saw Zac approach they nodded toward him.
How are the preparations?
Everything is finished. This time we had time over to create a few siege weapons as well. They might be useful, and they can even be manned by the nonbat sses or your new citizens after some training. The only thing remaining is purchasing the aces with Nexus Coins, Ogras answered. I have taken the liberty of collecting three million Nexus Coins for the war effort. I mean five million. He continued, correcting himself after a re by Zac.
Zac nodded and after some discussion purchased a few defensive measures.
How are the humans? Zac asked Adran after that was done.
The old people are working hard cultivating with Nexus Crystals. Their leader has even gained a decent speed at killing Barghest by now. He has been getting assistance though, of course, the administrator answered.
The youth are a bit more troublesome, but theyre getting there. Nothing is as effective in getting people in line as a few days of filling oldtrines and digging new ones, Adran continued with a small smile while Ogras openly snickered. Oh and speaking of thest little human, here shesing.
Zac turned around and saw Emily approach like a small thundercloud. Next to her a visibly irate Alea and Alyn were walking along. Zac sighed and stood up, and unhesitantly started to powerwalk away.