Chapter 35: The Calm Before the Storm: A City's Last Stand
Ash meets with Robin and tries to understand the reason behind his solemn expression. After some discussion, he learns that Robin is panicking because there aren't enough people to manage the city properly.
Ash understands Robin's concern but doesn't have a solution for the labour shortage yet. So, he tells Robin, "Try to manage as best as you can for now. I'll see what I can do in the meantime. Please understand, my friend, Nexus City is still very small—both in level and population—so we need time to grow. Just do what you can. I won't blame you for any mistakes caused by lack of manpower."
Robin sincerely thanks Ash for his honest words, though he leaves with a disappointed face.
A few minutes pass.
A system window pops up in front of Ash. He looks at it:
Time left before monster attack: 5 hours
Seeing the system message, he confirms that his city is about to face a monster invasion. He sighs at his luck, his eyes nervous and his expression cold. He thinks, "Maybe I used up all my luck obtaining that treasure box, so now I have to face a monster attack. What should be the appropriate response or countermeasure?"
After some consideration, he decides to first distribute the new weapons from the cache treasure box to the new soldiers. Then, he takes some time to bind the magic pond with the altar, knowing it will increase Nexus City's power against the incoming monsters.
A few minutes later, Ash informs everyone about the monster attack and the time it will occur. He receives a positive response from everyone, which makes him happy. He doesn't want cowards or soldiers who would abandon their comrades in battle. He believes that cowardly soldiers are a disaster for the city and a threat to discipline—which could cost him his life. So, he tells Ram to make sure every soldier learns discipline before anything else.
Ram tells Ash that he'll inspect the city's traps along with the new soldiers and perform maintenance to ensure they're ready to kill and trap the monsters.
Ash gives his permission and says, "Do as you see fit for defending the city." Then he notices Ram's confident expression, eyes gleaming with anticipation for battle. Ash thinks, "Ram really loves to fight. He feels like a war maniac, but I'm assured of the city's safety in his hands. He's the type who'd fight to the death if there's even a slight chance of victory. I trust my gut feeling. I hope this battle ends soon and without any casualties."
Ash gives one last order to Ram: to take care of the new soldiers and teach them how to preserve their lives when fighting powerful monsters.
He then watches as Ram and the new soldiers head toward the Nexus City exit gate.
Ash thinks, "Now I need to focus on my second task."
He checks the status of the magic pond again.
Name: Magic Pond (Item - Resource)
Requirement: Must be bound with altar to be used
Quantity: 1
Status: Good
Ability: Increases mana-refining efficiency by 100%, stores mana mist for efficient use, instantly and fully converts mana cores
Description: Gathers all mana mist produced daily by the city and stores it for cultivation. A superior platform for large-scale mana cultivation, often used by large cities. Highly practical for armies and group training.
Grade: White
After reading the details, Ash wonders, "What is White Grade?" After a moment, he decides to ask the Nexus Altar.
Seconds later, a response appears in his mind. The altar explains that White Grade is a superior grade compared to low-grade, mid-grade, and high-grade. Treasures above high-grade require mysterious conditions and indirect participation from the entire plane. The type of treasure created depends on chance—it may be incredibly useful or completely ridiculous. In short, treasures of this grade are extremely rare and highly valuable.
Ash feels satisfied learning this, and his eyes shine with a rare smile. He walks steadily toward the altar core to bind the treasure. After a few minutes, he stands near the core, takes out the magic pond item, and places it inside.
Two minutes later, the altar reacts. The core's temperature rises, but it's minimal compared to when the guide's mark was bound. So, Ash waits for the altar's instructions.
A few minutes later, another system window appears:
Binding with Magic Pond in progress...
Please select a location to place the Magic Pond within city jurisdiction.
A semi-visual of the city appears in front of his eyes, along with a projection of the magic pond. He's amazed at the clarity but doesn't waste time. He drags the image of the pond and places it near the garden area of Nexus City, maintaining enough distance to keep the two areas distinct.
Ash thinks, "I'll assign Evan to manage the pond along with the garden. The magic pond will replace the mana tree as the primary cultivation source for my people and soldiers. I'll divert mana from the mana tree into the pond covertly. But I also need to prepare for other city owners coveting my treasure. It's a headache to protect treasure once you have it. I need to strengthen my army and the city fast before those villains come for what I own."
Seconds later, a new window appears:
Time required to fully bind Magic Pond to the city: 12 hours
Ash looks toward the selected area and sees it enveloped in a thin golden shield. The pond itself is hidden behind it.
After satisfying his curiosity, he heads outside the city to prepare for the upcoming monster battle.
Standing at the exit gate, he takes a deep breath. "I'm nervous about this attack. Maybe fighting monsters regularly will make me stronger. But a little fear before battle is better than making a fatal mistake. I hope everyone survives without casualties."
Minutes later, he sees the others maintaining and expanding pit traps. He asks Ram, "Where did you get the wood for the expansion?"
"My lord, I asked Robin because I felt you were busy. I didn't want to disturb you over something minor," Ram replies, looking slightly panicked.
"Don't worry about that. Just do what your responsibility demands to protect the city," Ash replies with a smile. Internally, he thinks, "It would've been better if Ram and Robin told me, but city defense is more important. Both are working hard." After some thought, he focuses on the big picture, knowing wood supply won't be an issue soon as the population increases.
Seeing everyone—soldiers, Ram, Evan—working hard, Ash decides to help. It feels wrong to stand idle while others labour for the city's defense.
Three hours pass.
Ash notices the expansion and maintenance work is almost complete. He sighs. His face and clothes are untidy, like everyone else's. He thinks, "I should buy new clothes from the market building to boost morale—for myself and my soldiers."
He checks the system window for the monster attack time.
Time left before monster attack: 30 minutes
Ash turns to the others. "Let's rest for now. The attack will start in 30 minutes."
He observes their expressions. Ram looks confident, his eyes shining. Evan and the others look nervous, though they try to appear strong. Ash decides not to mention it—it wouldn't change the situation.
After a moment, he turns to Evan. "Go and bring Robin for the battle."
Robin bows before Ash and then heads toward the city gate.
"Ram, check the soldiers' weapons and teach them some tactics to help them survive this monster attack," Ash commands with a smile.
"Okay, my lord. I will do my best for the city," Ram replies with a polite bow.
Twenty minutes later, everyone, including Evan, is present and armed. Ash sees nervousness on their faces—his own heart races too—but he steels himself.
"I'll do everything I can to survive in this world and become the strongest."
He sees the attack time again.
Time left before monster attack: 5 minutes
Seeing the window, he calms his nerves.
Ash clenches his fist. "I will announce few things for all of you to listen, so listen with your mind fully open.
First—I decide to implement reward system of the territory for all the warrior who will fight alongside us. That is, every monster you kill for city in times of monsters attack, you have all rights of all the spoil you gets from the killed monsters."
Just as he finishes speaking, a faint rumble spreads through the ground. His eyes narrow. That's not wind. That's not footsteps.
A system window flashes in front of his vision.
...
.....
Warning: Early signs of monster movement detected.
Estimated impact time may change.
...
.....
His breath catches for a moment. He turns slowly toward the city gate, where the others stand frozen.
"They're coming," he says, voice low, steady.