The construction work had begun.
Day and night, the workers dug waterways, powered by mana generators that lit up the entire site. They took turns resting, never stopping the work even for a moment.
For a week straight, they carved canals to feed water into the massive reservoir. Others reinforced the dam at the cliffside, adding extra waterways to secure the structure.
But another problem arose. Supplies for construction materials were running low.
At the same time, Kael's guild members and the hired hunters were just as busy, sweeping through the wilderness and clearing the island of monsters. Kael himself worked alone, his every step shadowed by Justin, who carried a camera. Justin's speed and skill made him the perfect videographer always managing to keep Kael in frame no matter how fast or explosive the scene was.
Then came a call.
"Sir, the ships are almost here. We're nearing the island."
Kael turned back toward the site immediately. When he arrived, he raised his voice so everyone could hear.
"Attention! Supplies are here. Some of you keep working we'll transport the materials and heavy equipment to the camp. And I've got good news. I brought help to build this city: additional skilled workers from Indonesia and Vietnam. Five thousand of them. Tonight, let's welcome them with a feast!"
"Yeahhh!" The workers cheered loudly.
Six container ships docked, along with a passenger ship full of new workers. Containers were unloaded into trucks and ferried back and forth to the camp. By the afternoon, the migrant workers from Indonesia and Vietnam finally arrived.
The Filipino workers had expected strong, burly men reinforcements ready to handle heavy labor. But when they stepped down, what greeted them were thin figures, bodies frail and malnourished, eyes lifeless.
The cheer faded.
"Can they even help us?" one Filipino worker muttered.
Another immediately snapped back. "Are you crazy? We looked the same just a month ago. Don't forget the world's in apocalypse. Farming's gone, food's scarce, people live on monster meat and scraps. Be grateful we're still standing."
An older man among the new arrivals stepped forward. His face was lined with exhaustion. "He's right… monsters ruined farmlands. Only indoor farming and artificial food remain. We've lived on whatever we could find. Many of us… left our families starving just to take this job." His voice cracked. "We even worked in Thailand a month ago, but it was a scam. We weren't paid, chased away with no food. Some of our brothers… even killed by Those gansters they are worst than monsters. When we heard your offer, boss… we came here with nothing but hope. Please… treat us well."
Tears streaked down his cheeks.
Kael stepped forward and placed a hand on the old man's shoulder. His tone was steady, reassuring. "Don't worry, old man. I'm an honest person. You'll be treated well here."
He turned toward the crowd. His voice thundered across the camp.
"Did you hear that, boys? They need food! Some of you, help the kitchen. Tonight we'll have a real feast. No booze this time ,drink protein shakes instead. We're eating meat. Fill your bodies with strength."
"Sir, yes sir!" the Filipino workers shouted, voices booming with energy. Engines roared as the trucks sped back to camp, dust trailing behind them.
Makeshift long tables were set up from the logs they had collected. Pots of steaming rice lined the tables, the air filled with the mouthwatering aroma of freshly cooked grains.
Kael clapped his hands. "Rice is good but we need meat."
With a casual wave, he released a pile of monsters from his subspace towering Ironhide Boars, each one as massive as an elephant.
Gasps erupted.
"Holy shit…" one worker whispered.
"Just how many of those things does he even have in storage?!"
The men didn't waste a second. Workers rushed forward, skinning the beasts and carving the meat with practiced hands. Hunters drew their blades and cut through thick slabs as though they were butter. Women hurried to prepare marinades, while men skewered huge chunks for the grills. Fires blazed to life, and soon the camp was flooded with the rich, smoky scent of roasting boar.
On the side, the newly arrived migrant workers sat quietly. Their eyes followed every movement, throats dry as they swallowed back saliva. Their bodies were weak, but the sight of so much food being prepared sparked a hunger they hadn't felt in months.
Fat was rendered from the boars to make cooking oil. Rice cookers never stopped steaming, metal containers piling high with white, fluffy rice.
And this was just one boar enough to feed five thousand people. But Kael wasn't satisfied. He wanted everyone to eat until their stomachs couldn't take anymore.
"Call the others still working on the dam!" Kael ordered. "We're butchering the rest of the boars tonight. This is going to be a real feast!"
When word spread, hundreds of men came running from the construction area. Their eyes lit up when they heard the menu: eight Ironhide Boars. Fired up, they joined in, carefully stripping the tough pelts worth millions on the market and setting aside tusks and teeth made from porcelain-like bone.
An hour later, Kael raised his cup of protein shake. The men gathered around, cramped together under the night sky. He floated into the air, his voice carrying across the camp.
"This is a celebration to welcome our new brothers. Eat as much as you want, drink as much protein as you want. Don't worry about the meat I've got hundreds of those pigs in my subspace. And none of it will be deducted from your paychecks. So relax!"
The migrant workers' eyes lit up, some of them trembling. A few even broke down, tears slipping quietly down their cheeks. For the first time in a long time, they realized they were working for a man who was righteous.
"Shhhh," Kael raised a hand again. "Another announcement… If we finish building the dam and the canal, I'll throw another feast. And that time we'll have booze. Not just that, I'll personally give each migrant worker a bonus of one thousand Kalza coins. That's ten thousand dollars. Look forward to it. Work hard."
The camp erupted in cheers and yelling.
The hunters Kael had hired looked on, stunned by his charisma. The four guild members felt a rush of pride, honored to be part of Kalza Guild from the very beginning.
The feast began. At first, the newcomers hesitated, still shy and unsure. But the smell of barbecue was too strong to resist. Before long, they were laughing and sharing stories with the Filipino workers, easing into the warmth of the group.
The air grew thick with the aroma of grilled meat. Rice bowls piled high. Fires stayed lit all night, men taking turns to keep grilling as the feast continued.
Kael personally handed out sets of clean clothes and protective gear for work. He even paid the workers ahead of schedule, so their families would receive money immediately. The migrant workers cried again, especially the old man who had first spoken to Kael.
And still they kept eating.
Then silence fell.
A sudden hiss cracked the air as Kael popped open a cold can of beer, sitting on top of a truck, smiling as he drank.
The men stared. Throats bobbed.
"Damn, that looks good…" one whispered.
Kael chuckled. "Alright, alright, I get it. Each of you gets osittin, only one. You've got work tomorrow."
"Sir, yes sir!" the men roared, grins breaking out.
The night filled with laughter, singing, and dancing. Some played cards, others played games on phones Kael had loaned them cheap Androids that would be paid off monthly deducted through their salaries. They snapped pictures, documenting the night.
Kael sat back, smiling.
Andrew stood nearby, watching him. "You really are amazing, Guild Leader."
"Ahh, it's nothing," Kael said with a grin. "Just enjoying myself."
Paul and Jordan were fooling around like clowns, while Liam read quietly by the fire.
Laughter and chatter echoed through the camp until late into the night.
By morning, everyone woke fully rested. Even the migrant workers, once looking like skin and bones, already seemed deducted more alive.
They ate breakfast, they drink coffee this time,some prefer warm milk.
They also take vitamins Kael had provided.
Because construction work was no joke.
And though many employers would never go this far for their men, Kael cared for his people. That care paid off. The workers gave their all, fueled with strength and morale. Progress on the construction sped up, faster than anyone expected.
After the feast and the heavy breakfast, the group had only managed to finish off three of the boars. Even after everyone had eaten their fill, five boars still remained more than enough to last them for days.
Kael called over some of the workers.
Asking to butcher additional 5 iron hide boar.
"Take care of the rest of the meat. Once it's done, I'll have it distributed to Settlement Sixteen."
The workers froze for a moment, eyes widening. Then grateful smiles spread across their faces. When they heard Kael's words, relief and joy washed over them. This means their family can enjoy this Good food.
They bowed their heads deeply. "Thank you… truly, thank you."
Kael only nodded, his expression calm. For him, it was nothing. But for them, it meant everything.
After the butcher work was done, Kael hauled all the monster meat back to Settlement Sixteen.
He still have over a hundred iron hide boar in his subspace.
With his Subspace, it wasn't difficult to move, but the constant weight gnawed at his mana reserves.
planned to sell off half of the remaining boar for money, and the rest would be the food for the workers, keeping everything inside his storage was draining too much mana from him.
Before leaving, he gathered the workers. "I'll be away for about a week," he said plainly.
Its my sister graduation, make sure to work hard guys I'll buy awakening potion for the younglings of settlement 16 as well.
But for the workers here that want to give a try just tell me I'll buy for you guys as well, but not for free it will be deducted to your future salaries as well.
Several young men agrees they also dream to be a hunter.
While I'm away also construct few temporary houses im planning to train few new awakeners here.
They nodded in understanding, though a few hunters quickly stepped forward, handing him lists and requests. Some wanted supplies, others rare items only available in the capital. Even his guild members asked him to bring back equipment.
Kael accepted their requests with a faint smile.
Then, without another word, his body shot into the sky. Wind roared in his ears as he surged forward faster than a jet engine cutting through the clouds like a streak of light.