Chapter 7: The Ticking Light: A Countdown to Chaos
"Okay, first let's collect all the mana cores from the monster corpses," Evan says with a smile.
"What is a mana core?" Ash asks, his eyebrows lifting in curiosity.
"It's used to grow our level and fuel special buildings, altars, and other things. But the most important thing is that it's useful for everyone, and it's also used as currency for trading all over Eldros," Evan explains in a calm voice.
"And every mana core has a level. If a mana core is obtained from a level 0 monster, it's a level 0 mana core. Level 1 monster, then it's a level 1 mana core."
Ash says, "Okay Evan, how do I grow my level?"
"You have to use mana cores or mana stones in an altar and absorb the released mana mist to grow levels fast. Otherwise, you can just sit on the city altar—it will release some mana mist to absorb very slowly, the mana it absorbs from the outside environment," Evan explains patiently.
Ash's eyes brighten. "So, the city altar is the only source of crossing levels, and it absorbs mana from outside the city and refines it into mana mist."
"Yes," Evan nods. "A higher-level altar provides lots of mana mist in the city, helping average people or warriors grow stronger."
Ash grins. "Okay, let's loot the spoils and head back to the city."
After 5 minutes,
In Nexus City...
Ash whispers, "Status window..."
...
City: Nexus City
Ability: Territory Defense Double
Description: In the event of city defense, all the attack power and defense power of people and buildings becomes double.
Altar Level: 0
Upgrade Requirement: (wood *1000, stone *250, 50 mana core (level 0))
Production: Mist mana level 0 *10 per day
Area: 625 square meters
Status: Very small village
Building: Guide mark *1 (active)
Warehouse: wood *34, mana core level 1 *1, mana core level 0 *11, rabbit monster hide level 0 *11, rabbit monster hide level 1 *1
Population: 2
Specialty: none
Attack Power Level: 0 (80/1000)
Description: City's power level to attack enemies
Defense Power Level: 0 (20/10000)
Description: City's defense power level against enemies
Ash thinks deeply, Now, the crack in the golden light is recovered. We can finally focus on other things. The golden light protects us for at most 14 more days. How do we utilize these days for the growth of the territory? First, I'll grow my level today. Tomorrow, I'll focus on resource gathering and other things to expand the city.
Ash calls, "Status window..."
...
Name: Ash (Altar Owner)
Age: 24
Status: Healthy
Abilities: none
Level: 0 (0/100 mana mist level 0)
Weapon: Low-grade gun, 14 bullets
Ash tells Evan, "Take some rest and eat some food. After that, manage our food. This responsibility is given to you. And remember, tomorrow maybe a new friend of ours will come, so manage the food carefully and beware of wastage. I'm going to increase my mana mist refining, so relax for some time. Bye."
In Nexus City Altar,
Ash thinks, I should use the level 1 mana core so I can save the level 0 mana cores for altar upgradation.
...
Mana Core Level 0
Description: It can provide 1 mana mist of level 0
Mana Core Level 1
Description: It can provide 1 mana mist of level 1 or 10 mana mist of level 0
Ash places the level 1 mana core in the centre of the altar.
A window pops up...
...
*Use mana core level 1 1: mist core level 1 *1 (Option 1)
*Use mana core level 1 1: mist core level 0 *10 (Option 2)
Ash quickly selects option 2.
Blue mist begins to swirl gently, emerging slowly from the altar.
Ash sits quietly in the altar, absorbing the mist steadily as he slips into simple meditation.
After 1 hour
Ash murmurs, "Status window..."
...
Name: Ash (Altar Owner)
Age: 24
Status: Healthy
Abilities: none
Level: 0 (20/100 mana mist level 0)
Weapon: Low-grade gun, 14 bullets
After 4 hours, 10 minutes
Ash whispers again, "Status window..."
...
Name: Ash (Altar Owner)
Age: 24
Status: Healthy
Abilities: none
Level: 1 (0/100 mana mist level 1)
Weapon: Low-grade gun, 14 bullets
Ash's heart pounds—he's shocked to find he has reached level 1 after the mana refining session. Suddenly, information floods his mind: Eldros itself has granted him a beginner altar owner boost.
Ash grins faintly and thinks, Let's go meet Evan.
Ash wanders through the tiny city and finds Evan resting in a corner of the space.
Ash calls out, "Are you rested enough, Evan?"
Evan springs up and answers, "Yes, my lord."
Ash says with a smile, "Then let's explore outside the city. There are still 5 hours before sunset. What do you think?"
Evan nods quickly, "That is good, my lord."
Ash nods. "Okay, let's go with full preparation."
Evan responds, "Okay, my lord."
After 10 minutes,
Ash and Evan depart from the city.
Another 10 minutes later,
They arrive at a forest, where they discover a bronze treasure chest hidden between thick roots. They start cutting trees for wood.
Ash thinks, I should open this treasure in the city. It'll be safer and easier to transport.
Ash gives Evan the task of cutting trees while he begins to explore deeper into the forest.
5 minutes later,
Ash ventures further into the dense wilderness. Towering trees rise like ancient fortresses, their massive branches locking together to block out the sun. Tangled vines choke the life from weaker saplings, and the ground crunches with layers of fallen leaves, releasing the thick scent of damp earth and decaying foliage.
In the distance, beasts prowl, hungry for prey. Some, hidden in the shadows, gawk at Ash, their gazes heavy and full of primal hunger.
Ash grips his gun tighter, stepping forward with steady confidence, though deep inside he curses the world for not granting him a cheat to become instantly overpowered.
Suddenly, through the gaps in the dense trees, Ash sees a group of people chasing someone. The air crackles with the sound of fighting—lightning strikes and fire blasts light up the forest gloom.
Ash quickly hides in a cave, heart pounding against his ribs. A powerful oppression presses down on him—the auras of those people are overwhelming. He realizes grimly that even a single flick of their fingers could end his life a hundred times over.
Inside the cave, Ash notices another danger: a giant level 1 spider and countless tiny level 0 spiders asleep in the shadows.
Ash freezes, not daring to breathe too loudly. In front, deadly powerful fighters clash. Behind, sleeping monsters lie ready to devour him at the slightest mistake.
Ash watches the battle from the cave's entrance. Lightning-speed movements blur before his eyes. Deadly elemental attacks rain down. Eventually, the defender uses some strange equipment and escapes the area.
The attackers search frantically for him but eventually give up and leave.
3 hours later,
Ash carefully creeps out of the cave, moving silently through the trees toward where Evan should still be cutting wood.
30 minutes later,
Ash finds Evan, surrounded by a huge pile—at least fifty cut logs.
Ash calls urgently, "Evan, get ready. We're heading back to the city fast."
Without hesitation, they start moving swiftly toward the city.
15 minutes later,
They reach Nexus City safely.
Back in the city, Ash opens the bronze treasure chest and finds a low-grade axe, knife, sword, twelve pieces of hard bread, five bottles of drinking water, and a low-grade shield.
Ash hands the food items to Evan and commands, "Status window..."
...
City: Nexus City
Ability: Territory Defense Double
Description: In the event of city defense, all the attack power and defense power of people and buildings becomes double.
Altar Level: 0
Upgrade Requirement: (wood *1000, stone *250, 50 mana core (level 0))
Production: Mist mana level 0 *10 per day
Area: 625 square meters
Status: Very small village
Building: Guide mark *1 (active)
Warehouse: wood *84, mana core level 0 *11, rabbit monster hide level 0 *11, rabbit monster hide level 1 *1, low-grade axe *1, low-grade knife *1, low-grade shield *1, Market (unique) (Blueprint-resource) (stones *200, wood *50), low-grade house blueprint (stones *100, wood *25)
Population: 2
Specialty: none
Attack Power Level: 0 (80/1000)
Description: City's power level to attack enemies
Defense Power Level: 0 (20/10000)
Description: City's defense power level against enemies
Now, in Nexus City,
Ash gazes up at the night sky, where a blood-red moon hangs ominously. The cold wind brushes against his skin.
Ash thinks quietly, My first night in Eldros... under the open sky, without a house or roof. I hope we can find stone for building a shelter.
He wraps his arms around himself, feeling the golden light's faint warmth still protecting the city—for now.
Ash stares into the distant darkness. Fourteen days left. I hope our morning will bring hope.