Chapter 14: The Birth of Nexus: Ash's First Steps in City-Building
After arriving in the city, Ash and Evan are both genuinely happy, their smiles wide and sincere. Ash thinks, Evan is happy because they'll have a house to sleep in. Ash, too, is happy—he receives the Mana Tree Seed and the promise of a place to call home.
First, they rest for a while, knowing that soon they'll have to focus on their tasks. Ash's thoughts swirl. Where should I plant the Mana Tree Seed? Where should I build the house and market? He ponders for a moment, then opens the status window.
....
City: Nexus City
Ability: Territory Defense Double
Description: In the event of city defense, all attack power and defense power of people and buildings 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 * 114, mana core level 0 * 15, mana core level 1 * 1, rabbit monster hide level 0 * 11, rabbit monster hide level 1 * 1, low-grade market blueprint (stones * 200, woods * 50), low-grade house blueprint (stones * 100, woods * 25), stone * 310
Population: 3
Specialty: Mana Tree Seed
Resource point: Stone Mountain level 1 (310 * mined / 1000 all stone mineable in new mine)
Attack power level: 0 (500 / 1000)
Description: City's power level to attack enemies
Defense power level: 0 (750 / 10000)
Description: City's defense power level against enemies
....
After seeing this, Ash starts to wander around the city, looking for the perfect spot to plant the Mana Tree Seed, and to build the house and market. After some time, Ash decides that the Mana Tree Seed should be planted near the city altar, while the house and market should be further away.
He sets his mind on building the house and market first. As he does so, a pop-up window materializes in front of him.
....
Would you like to make a house here?
Ash thinks about it and shakes his head. He hasn't selected this spot yet, but he knows that if all materials are available, the window will appear.
Five minutes later, Ash arrives at the spot he had in mind for the house. He thinks about it once more.
A pop-up window appears before him.
Would you like to make a house here?
Ash thinks to himself, Yes. He watches as a new pop-up form, announcing that the house will be built in two hours.
....
Afterward, Ash moves to the spot he picked for the market, conveniently located near the house for comfort.
As the Altar Owner, Ash knows he can arrange the city's buildings however he likes, as long as he spends some mana at the city altar. This ease of control brings him peace of mind.
Another prompt from the system appears.
....
Would you like to make a market here?
Ash thinks, Yes, and the system responds with a message: The market will be constructed in 3 hours.
Ash thinks, Status.
....
City: Nexus City
Ability: Territory Defense Double
Description: In the event of city defense, all attack power and defense power of people and buildings 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)
Blueprint: low-grade market (stones * 200, woods * 50), low-grade house (stones * 100, woods * 25)
Warehouse: wood * 39, mana core level 0 * 15, mana core level 1 * 2, rabbit monster hide level 0 * 11, rabbit monster hide level 1 * 1, stone * 10
Population: 3
Specialty: Mana Tree (produce level 0 mana * 1 per day)
Resource point: Stone Mountain level 1 (310 * mined / 1000 all stone mineable in new mine)
Attack power level: 0 (500 / 1000)
Description: City's power level to attack enemies
Defense power level: 0 (750 / 10000)
Description: City's defense power level against enemies
....
One hour later, Ash walks around the city again, and near the city altar, he pauses. Time to plant the Mana Tree Seed. He thinks, and immediately a prompt from the system appears.
....
Would you like to plant a Mana Tree Seed here?
He answers, Yes. He watches as the Mana Tree Seed sinks into the soil. The seed is planted, and a tiny purple sprout emerges in the soil.
Ash's heart swells with joy as he gazes at the little purple plant. This tree will provide so much mana for the city, he thinks with satisfaction.
Five minutes pass, and Ash rests, watching the plant grow. Suddenly, a new window appears in front of him.
....
Name: Mana Tree (Specialty)
Status: Occupied
Ability: Able to produce mana with different levels of trees
Level: 0 (growable)
Production: Mist Mana Level 0 * 1 per day
Description: After planting in the altar city, it will grow into a tree slowly and naturally produce mana for the city without harming the city's mana production. Its roots aid in the mana generation.
....
Ash smiles to himself and thinks, My status.
....
City: Nexus City
Ability: Territory Defense Double
Description: In the event of city defense, all attack power and defense power of people and buildings 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)
Blueprint: low-grade market (stones * 200, woods * 50), low-grade house (stones * 100, woods * 25)
Warehouse: wood * 39, mana core level 0 * 15, mana core level 1 * 2, rabbit monster hide level 0 * 11, rabbit monster hide level 1 * 1, stone * 10
Population: 3
Specialty: Mana Tree (produce level 0 mana * 1 per day)
Resource point: Stone Mountain level 1 (310 * mined / 1000 all stone mineable in new mine)
Attack power level: 0 (500 / 1000)
Description: City's power level to attack enemies
Defense power level: 0 (750 / 10000)
Description: City's defense power level against enemies
....
Ash feels a deep sense of relief as he sees the city now has a natural way of absorbing mana. People can use the altar, but the Mana Trees offer an alternative, relieving the city's pressure. The best part is, he doesn't have to worry about maintaining the Mana Tree—it grows on its own, needing only good soil and space for its roots to spread. This is a good thing for him.
....
After staring at the Mana Tree for thirty minutes, Ash finally moves on, heading toward the altar.
A few minutes later, Ash meets Ram, and they talk. Ash tells Ram that he needs to leave the altar because Evan must reach level 1 for the city's safety. Ram agrees, and after some more conversation, Ram asks for a level 1 mana core for his quick recovery. Ash nods in agreement.
A few moments later, Ash and Ram leave the altar and make their way to where Evan is resting. Ash tells Evan, Take this level 1 mana core and level up as quickly as you can. Go to the altar to absorb mana when you're done.
Evan simply nods, Okay.
As they walk away, Ash and Ram talk about Eldros and its customs. Ash learns that once someone reaches level 5; they can choose a class and gain access to the associated profession knowledge. The class also brings power upgrades. Secondary classes are possible but less important, as the primary class controls the person's level and strength. Occasionally, primary and secondary classes can merge, leading to the creation of a new class.
....
After some time, Ash realizes Ram is trustworthy. He asks him to stay in the city and swear loyalty to the altar of this territory. Ram is surprised—he had thought Ash wouldn't make him a citizen due to his higher level. After a brief pause, Ram agrees to Ash's proposal.