Glosil closed his mouth, grimacing.
“The people need to see their leaders,” Blaze said, helping out.
“All right, there are a number of non-combat missions, back up for different operations. You’re right, you two are the strongest people we have right now, which is also why I would like to invite you to help out training people who are taking on new courses to get their qualifications. Medic, sharpshooter, tempering the body and their mana,” Glosil finally agreed.
“Let us know where we can be the most use.” Erik didn’t want to push too much. It was putting Glosil in an awkward position and giving him more to worry about. “Just know, if you need us or this turns on us, then Rugrat and I will back up you and our people with everything we can muster.”
Rugrat grunted in agreement as he secured his duct-taped skull and took the rest of Egbert’s bones into his storage ring.
“Speaking of covering for people, we need to talk about Vuzgal, about Hiao Xen and Chonglu. I think it is time we made Chonglu the new acting city lord. If the Willful Institute comes for us and Hiao Xen is in power, it will make things look bad on him and the Blue Lotus. I don’t want to piss off an association over this.”
“Rugrat is right. The last thing we need is an association that needs to be angry with us to uphold their honor,” Elise agreed.
“Delilah?” Erik asked.
“Get it done. Elan, make sure that he has the most up-to-date information. Elise, make sure that the merchants don’t get bold with the new leader. Commander Glosil, can you increase security just in case? Erik, if you talk to Hiao Xen and Head Lu of the Blue Lotus, that could go a long way in making sure Hiao Xen and the Blue Lotus look good and keep them clear of us if there are any issues.”
People jotted down notes. Delilah waited until they finished before patting the desk. “Anything else?” A glance told her all she needed to know. “We have a lot to do, and the Ten Realms doesn’t wait on anyone. Operation Doomsday will commence. Chonglu will be promoted, and we’ll settle everything in the Beast Mountain Range. Let’s just hope there are no other surprises in the near future.”
After the meeting, Erik quickly headed home and took a sleeping potion.
==========
You have 5 attribute points to use.
==========
Erik put two points into mana and three into mana regeneration, checking his stat sheet.
==========
Name: Erik West
==========
Level: 62
Race: Human
==========
Titles:
From the Grave II
Blessed by Mana
Dungeon Master IV
Reverse Alchemist
Poison Body
Fire Body
City Lord III
Earth Soul
Mana Reborn
Wandering Hero
==========
Strength: (Base 54) +51
1050
==========
Agility: (Base 47) +75
682
==========
Stamina: (Base 57) +35
1380
==========
Mana: (Base 27) +79
1060
==========
Mana Regeneration: (Base 30) +61
55.60/s
==========
Stamina Regeneration: (Base 72) +59
27.20/s
==========
3
Meokar
Colonel Domonos Silaz looked at Meokar. His hand was never far from his weapon. His rough complexion seemed to suit the sweat and dirt from several weeks of hard fighting and limited sleep. The wind from the mountains ran through the gaps in his armor as he stood on the wall of Meokar, looking over the once-proud city. Smoke rose from where different fires were burning out. Buildings had been smashed apart by attacks. The Willful Institute’s castle was in a state of ruin. Those that had been left behind as the rear guard were turning into motes of light, their tombstones already looted.
Lieutenant Colonel Zukal cleared his throat as he walked up. “Seems that the Grey Peak Sect are eager to get us to move along with all the pleasantries.”
“I think they might have figured out there was something else going on here. But they’re polite enough to not say anything, and they hate the Willful Institute.” Domonos looped his fingers under his breastplate.
“So, are we at war now?” Zukal asked.
“That’s what Commander Glosil told me.”
“Well, then.” They stood there looking at Meokar without seeing it.
“Well, best get moving. Time waits for no man, and no Commander waits for a Colonel.” Domonos grinned and stretched his shoulders in his armor. “Get our people ready to move. We head out in two hours. Have everyone ready to move out in thirty.”
“Yes, sir. Where are we headed?”
“Several forces have recently hired the Adventurer’s Guild. We will be linking up with reinforcements, adding in new blood, and then breaking up to go to the different battlefields. The veterans of Meokar will support and stiffen the other campaigns.” Domonos pulled his fingers from his vest and turned to Zukal.
“What about the Regiment?” The close protection details, select veteran squads, and most of the command from the Dragon Regiment under Colonel Domonos had been part of the fight for Meokar. Any that hadn’t been in the battle had operated secretly behind Willful Institute’s lines, inside their cities. Only a few key members of the Adventurer’s Guild knew about the Alva Military’s involvement.
Others thought that they were veteran members of the Adventurer’s Guild.
“Ours is not to question where we go, it is to go and do as we’re told.”
“Sir, yes, sir.” Zukal mimicked a brand new private. The two officers broke into grins.
“We’re breaking into three units. One will support Jasper, another Blaze. The third will stay with us. We’re heading to another city in the Third Realm. We’ll get more information once we meet up with our reinforcements.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll make sure they’re ready to move.”
“Good man.”
Zukal headed off.
Domonos shifted his sweaty armor some more. Around him, people rested where they were. Organized in an all-around defense, they sat where they could, talking to one another in hushed tones.
Closing his eyes, he recalled the flashes of light from the impacts of the penetrators, the rumble of thunder, the dust storm that was thrown up. Everything from leaving Reynir to arriving at this moment. If someone were to ask him about it, it would be a blur of actions followed by reactions, plans falling apart, and being thrown back together again.
Now, as he stood there, it all came back to him in startling clarity. Like a student before a grandmaster, he studied everything he had done. He had fought in competitions before, against small groups, one-on-one… But had never participated in a battle on such a scale. He’d trained and trained and trained. His first battle had gone off without any major fuck-ups, but instead of relief, he felt that he had much further to go. A moment of indecision had allowed the enemy to get ahead of them, and he felt a great pressure to perform better next time.
4
Uproar Within Alva
Erik crossed his arms as the close protection details marched toward the totem. They had dressed in civilian clothing, and some were acting as guards for traders.
“Feels wrong,” Rugrat said, standing beside him at the window.
“We’re used to being the people deployed, not the ones sitting back and watching it all going on,” Erik agreed.
The silence stretched.
“Fuck. I feel like a fucking... I don’t know, something useless.” Rugrat went back to his desk and dropped into his seat. His desk was covered in blueprints of his new railguns. Egbert’s skull, still showing faint lines, sat in a corner of the room in a restrictive formation.
“It’s not some small village facing
a horde of beasts anymore.” Erik turned from the window.
Rugrat raised a palm. “I know, but we’re always at the rear of this shit now. Grates on me. We should be out with the special teams at least.”
“I get that, but if we show too much power too soon, then everything could come the hell apart. Until we’re needed, we train. We get stronger so that if we are needed, we can destroy anything and everything in our way. That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t ever be used.” Erik’s voice turned cold.
Instead of shivering, Rugrat’s mouth lifted slightly, and he nodded. “Sure, but it feels like we’re always being held back. Erik, that isn’t us.”
Erik uncrossed his arms, shrugging. “Well, what the hell do you want to do?”
“Hell if I know!” Rugrat smashed his hands into his desk, breaking it. “Mother fucker!” He barked and kicked away from the desk, standing up from his chair.
Erik didn’t say anything, waiting. Rugrat was a powder keg right now.
“Fuck! There’s nothing to do but train more, make more weapons! Shit, I’m a marine, first and foremost.”
“And sometimes we have to do the shitty things, waiting for the right time to strike. It’s harder because we can see everything that’s going on.”
Rugrat grunted, seeming to calm down somewhat. He took a deep breath, letting out his anger. “So, more training.”
“More training.” Erik flexed his arm. The cracked coal-like skin and silver mercury veins had spread into his hands now. The spread had moved through his entire body. Only a necklace at the base of his neck was stopping the progression to his head.
He looked up from his broken body. He needed to work through his metal tempering—and fast. He could barely call forward forty percent of his strength.
Erik took a quick glance at his body cultivation quest.
==========
Quest: Body Cultivation 4
==========
The path cultivating one’s body is not easy. To stand at the top, one must forge their own path forward.
==========
Requirements:
Reach Body like Diamond
==========
Rewards:
+24 to Strength
+24 to Agility
+24 to Stamina
+40 to Stamina Regeneration
+100,000,000 EXP
==========
If Egbert was awake, he could ask his advice. He had looked in the library but hadn’t found anything useful. Not many had made it to this high a cultivation in the lower realms. There would be more information in the higher realms.
“How is your Mana cultivation?” Erik asked as he looked at those quests as well.
==========
Quest: Mana Cultivation 2
==========
The path cultivating one’s mana is not easy. To stand at the top, one must forge their own path forward.
==========
Requirements:
Reach Vapor Mana Core
==========
Rewards:
+20 to Mana
+20 to Mana Regeneration
+50,000,000 EXP
==========
“I formed my liquid core and I’m working toward my solid core,” Rugrat said
“We didn’t get much time in the last couple of months to increase our cultivation. Just think of this time like consolidating our gains.”
“I fucking hate when you say consolidating our gains. We increased in levels. Isn’t that enough?”
“You know it’s not. Levels were great when we were weak. Now the biggest changes come from cultivation and from our gear. Increasing our levels adds, certainly, but not nearly as fast.”
“Maybe we can absorb enough mana to calm down that fricking drill,” Rugrat suggested, finally getting into it.
“Way of the Ten Realms, right? On one hand, we’ll tap right into the Ten Realms. On the other, it could turn the entire First Realm against us.”
“Dancing on the blade’s edge: exciting as hell, boring as hell, and fucking scary all at the same damn time.”
There was a knock at the door. It opened to reveal Gong Jin. “Are you ready to head to Alva?”
“Time we accelerated things there,” Rugrat said, clearing his desk. “I’ll check in on the weapons development afterward.”
“I’ve got an appointment with Bouchard about my metal tempering.” Erik grunted as he stood up. Now, just moving took a lot out of him.
“You good?” Rugrat asked.
“Never better. Let’s make sure the Beast Mountain Range is still standing.”
Erik and Rugrat appeared in Alva. Nervous energy filled the living floor of the dungeon. People glanced at the open space in the middle of the floor. The pillar of mana no longer shot up into the mana storing formation. For the first time since the dungeon core had been activated, the air above the dungeon core was empty.
If one looked at the dungeon core itself, it was still gathering mana, compressing and turning it into a spiraling drill of power, directed below. The city was darker as the mana storing formation weakened, supplying the city with power and burning up in the process. As the mana stones burned up, powder like ash or snow occasionally fell to the ground to be swept away.
Formations along the walls carried power into the city now.
There were fewer people in the streets. Many had headed off to secure locations, though it wasn’t quite a ghost town.
“I’m going to head to supply depot two. Good luck with your cultivation,” Rugrat said.
“All right, have fun with your factory lines.”
Rugrat gave him a wave and headed to the outer reaches of the dungeon. The floor had expanded so much that the teleportation pads along the outer edge of the living floor were now only a third of the way out to the center of the city.
George jumped off Rugrat’s shoulders and dropped to the ground.
“You can go off and play. Don’t get into trouble.”
George barked. He expanded in size and went back to the teleportation pad, probably to head to the fire floor again. Give him and Davin something to do.
Rugrat glanced at the members of Special Team Three that had been assigned to protect him. They were scanning for threats even now.
People might be scared of the changes occurring in the dungeon, but they were focused. Alva had given them everything. Most of them had little more than the clothes on their backs when they arrived. Now they were powerful crafters, rich merchants, happy shop owners, and strong soldiers.
Alva was much more than their origin; it was the place where they had recreated themselves. Soldiers marched through the floor, helping fellow citizens, happy to assist as needed. Merchants reported to the supply depots, adding ammunition, armor, and medical supplies to their loads to pass on to the units preparing for battle against the Willful Institute.
Two thousand people applied to join the Vuzgal military a month, four hundred a month in the Beast Mountain Range, and even more joined the Adventurer’s Guild.
Rugrat didn’t know what to think of it all. He took out some plans and studied them as he walked. It was something that he understood.
He passed through a guarded checkpoint, entering the supply depot. Inside, the warehouses were just iron beams with machinery functioning within. Crafters walked up and down the lines, making sure that they were operating as required. Ammunition for rifles, grenade launchers, mortars, railguns, and repeaters were produced. Thousands of rounds of ammunition were made per hour on assembly lines across Alva and Vuzgal.
The people working the lines were recognized as crafters by the Ten Realms, but they’d only been introduced to the career path a few days or weeks ago. They were part of a new cohort of quality testers and factory workers. Their task was to take crafters’ specialized knowledge and crank it out en masse.
Armor, pants, shirts, MRE’s, and medical supplies, potions, IV setups, and gauze... The infrastructure was massive, and it had been oper
ating without pause.
Rugrat headed for one of the newest assembly lines.
“Fancy seeing you here,” Rugrat said to Taran, holding his fist out to his old friend and fellow Expert Smith.
Taran bumped his fist back. “I was making friggin’ nails when you showed up in Alva. Now I’m working on railguns.”
“Change of pace. How is the secondary barrel assembly line?”
“Slow. It was the first assembly line built, after all. Not armor or rounds. Those things are much easier to produce. We’ve got all kinds of parts and formations. Not as complicated as the semi and full auto rifles, thankfully. Our production is already higher than the rifle assembly lines.”
Rugrat looked around. There were several groupings of machines that fed into assembly areas. “I heard there was an issue with the magazines?”
“Yeah, had some feeding issues. We’ve been working on the magazines. The linked feeder units are doing better.” Taran pointed to an assembly area where people were working at benches where ammunition belts were laid out. “Adapted off the belt-fed guns from the ships Yui and his people used to capture the Water Floor. Uses small rotation formations to feed ammunition right into the weapon system. It means you have a larger capacity overall, but if you run out of ammunition, it takes longer to unhook the bottom of the belt and hook in a new box.”
Rugrat grunted. “Not perfect, but it will work; gives our people a massive ammunition capacity. Might be best to operate them as sharpshooter or machine gun teams. One on the gun and another working on the ammunition.”
“That should work. Hate not giving them the best product, though.”
“Who knows? It might be more effective that way,” Rugrat said, looking at the different areas. There were people putting barrel blanks into machines that milled them down into barrels. Others added threading, then boring. Each was scanned and tested by a smith for quality control. It was then fitted with heat dispersing formations that linked to the heat dissipation block rails that ran down the sides of the barrel.
Without the need for moving parts, the rear of the weapon from the chamber to the stock was lined with a series of inserts that were secured to one another with bolts.
Seventh Realm Part 1: A LitRPG Fantasy series (The Ten Realms Book 8) Page 4
