Chapter 9: The Oath of the Damned
After Ash arrives at Nexus City, he feels a sense of relief wash over him. He walks toward the city altar, eager to meet Evan. Once there, he finds Evan waiting, and they exchange greetings.
Ash asks, "How is the progress?"
Evan answers with a simple, "Good."
Afterward, Ash attempts to access his status window. To his surprise, he can see it clearly. A pop-up window appears before him...
...
Name: Evan (altar subject)
Age: 18
Status: Healthy
Abilities: None
Level: 0 (9/100 mana mist level 0)
Weapon: Low-grade sword, low-grade axe, low-grade shield
Ash's mind races. I can see the full status of my subject. He starts to reflect on the implications. It must be a hidden feature of the altar, he muses. Maybe it's kept hidden because it could stir chaos in the hearts of those bonded to the altar. Perhaps this knowledge is not shared, or Evan hasn't told me about it. But I hope I'm right in thinking that most altar owners keep it concealed. It'll help me gauge loyalty, and that's crucial. He remains silent, pondering the mystery of it all. I won't share this with anyone. It'll remain between us.
Ash speaks to Evan, his voice calm but firm. "Absorb the mana mist and adapt to your newfound strength. I'll wait for the newcomer. There's plenty of time before the monster attack."
Evan nods in agreement. Ash checks the time remaining before the attack, and a pop-up window appears...
...
Time left before attack: 6 hours
Ash thinks to himself, Half the time has already passed before the attack. It makes me feel like I'm moving too slowly, but I'm giving everything I have to this world. I can't afford to waste any more time. I just need to find something in my next trip that will make life easier, help my territory grow stronger, and allow me some time to relax before the fight begins. I have to give my all to defend this place, and before that, I need to set up spike pits to protect it. But first... I have to rest.
An hour later, Ash walks toward the altar and sees another pop-up window related to the attack...
...
Time left before attack: 5 hours
He arrives at the altar and calls out to Evan, his voice steady and clear. "Evan, come out and absorb the mana mist later. We need to create new spike pits and repair the old ones. Get up, my friend, we've got work to do. We have to defend the city with everything we've got."
Evan emerges from the altar, his expression determined. "Let's go, my lord. We need to do our best."
Ash nods, and together they head out of the city toward the location where the monsters are expected to strike. There, they survey the damage—the woods have been broken, and they need to replace them. Ash's mind whirs with possibilities. They're in luck, he thinks. The monsters will likely attack the same golden barrier they did yesterday, so they'll have the chance to expand the spike pit and replace the damaged wood with ease. They can also sharpen the wooden spikes, making the trap even more deadly for the approaching monsters.
Ash and Evan work quickly, expanding and upgrading the pit traps with practiced efficiency.
Four hours later, the work is complete. They step back, their bodies tired but their spirits focused. Ash scans the area, checking for any flaws in their work. After 15 minutes of inspection, he finds no problems. He turns to Evan and asks, "Should we head back to the city?"
Evan nods. "Yes, my lord. We should head back to the territory and relax."
As they approach the city gates, something catches their attention—a figure standing in front of them. The man is battered and bloodied, his clothes torn and soaked with blood. His face and stomach are badly wounded, his body covered in injuries. He stands as though he might collapse at any moment, yet he remains upright. Ash thinks, If I had even half of these injuries, I would have died a long time ago.
The realization hits them like a thunderclap: this man is not ordinary. He is strong, unnervingly strong, and his level must be high. Ash and Evan exchange a look of apprehension. They are outside the golden barrier, vulnerable, with no protection against this stranger.
Evan speaks in a low voice, his words heavy with warning. "In some altar cities, high-level people control the territory owner with their will. The owner can do nothing because they poison him or use abilities to control his life or the lives of his family."
Ash steels himself and walks toward the city gate, heading straight for the injured man with no hesitation. Evan follows, equally calm. Ash doesn't speak to Evan about their bold approach, but he knows Evan is sharp. The man is strong, but he also knows that Ash's confidence will keep things from escalating. After all, the man doesn't know that Ash is the city's owner.
Once they cross the threshold of the golden barrier, Ash stops in front of the injured man and asks, "Who are you, and why are you here?"
The man looks at Ash through pain-ridden eyes. "I am Ram. I was a knight from a city that has since fallen. The city altar was destroyed. I was defending it, but I had to flee. After wandering through the dark tunnels of Eldros, I saw the gates of this city and came seeking rest and protection, at least for a time. I'll move on to another city after that, but... I will give you one request and help you defend your city's altar as much as possible."
Ash's gaze sharpens. "Why should I believe you? How do I know you're not lying and planning to harm me or my city?"
Ram's voice is strained but steady. "I can take a mana oath with you, if you wish. It's the most binding oath. If I break it, I won't be able to absorb mana mist, and my level will stagnate. Over time, my level will drop because I won't be able to gather the mana mist required to progress. The higher a person's level, the more mana mist they need. Without it, they lose strength."
Ash considers the offer for a moment, his thoughts racing. Finally, after five minutes, he nods. He decides to make Ram a citizen of the city, trusting in the power of the mana oath.
Ram steps forward, holding his hand high. "I, Ram, take an oath on mana that I will not harm this city, its owner, or its citizens, provided they do not provoke me or try to harm me. I will defend this city while I reside here."
Ash watches the pop-up window appear before him...
...
Name: Ram (altar subject)
Age: ?
Status: Injured
Abilities: ?
Level: ?
A new pop-up window flash...
...
Level not high enough to see every detail of the subject.
Ash looks at Ram, his mind whirring with questions. He steps forward and places his hand over his heart. "I, Ash, take the mana oath that I will not harm Ram, provided he does not attack my city or harm me or my subjects."
He sees the look in Ram's eyes—he knows Ram must take this oath seriously. After all, breaking the oath would mean certain doom.
Ram enters the city without hesitation, his movements slow but steady. He looks at Ash, and then at the altar. Ash permits him to enter for mana absorption, understanding the urgency due to Ram's injuries.
Ram moves toward the altar and begins to absorb the mana mist, his body pulling it in eagerly.
Ash watches the pop-up window once more...
...
Time left before attack: 1 hour.