Chapter 11: Whispers of the Fog
Name: Ash (altar owner)
Age: 24
Status: Healthy
Abilities: None
Level: 0 (0/100 mana mist level 0)
Weapon: Low-grade gun, 10 bullets, low-grade knife
...
Afterward, Ash speaks to himself, accessing his mind's 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 become double.
Altar level: 0
Upgrade requirement: (woods * 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 market blueprint (stones * 200, woods * 50), low-grade house blueprint (stones * 100, woods * 25)
Population: 3
Specialty: None
Attack power level: 0 (400/1000)
Description: City's power level to attack enemies
Defense power level: 0 (600/10000)
Description: City's defense power level against enemies
In the aftermath of a war with goblins, Ash and the others don't gain anything useful; everything they find is unusable, and the goblins' items reek. They throw the stinking goods out of the city, as these foul-smelling items are a health risk. Ash can't afford to deal with illness, especially when there are only three of them fighting for survival. And since goblins don't have mana cores, the city gains nothing from the conflict.
Ash, lost in thought, receives new information telling him he can now see the loyalty of his subjects toward him. The bond between him and the altar city is strengthening, and it's clear—he successfully defended the city without a single damage, proving his worth.
So, Ash focuses, trying to bring up this new information in his mind. A pop-up rings in his ear, and a window appears before his eyes.
...
Name: Evan (altar subject)
Age: 18
Status: Healthy
Abilities: None
Level: 0 (9/100 mana mist level 0)
Loyalty: 80
Weapon: Low-grade axe, low-grade shield
...
Name: Ram (altar subject)
Age: 55
Status: Injured
Abilities: ?
Level: 3 (?)
Loyalty: 20
Weapon: Low-grade sword
Ash thinks, "Ram's loyalty is low." He realizes he will have to work on raising Ram's loyalty. After all, a level 3 powerhouse in such a small territory is an exceptional asset. With Ram healed, it would be easier to upgrade the city to level 2.
Ash lies down on the cold ground, the city offering no shelter. Evan follows Ash and does the same, resting beside him. Ash says to Evan, "We need to go to the forest to gather more wood for the city's development. It will speed up our growth."
Evan replies, "Of course, my lord. I will follow your instructions."
Ash nods, "Good."
After 30 minutes, Ash and Evan set off toward the forest. Before leaving, they inform Ram about their plan to gather wood, and Ram nods in response.
Ash calls out to him, "Okay, we will come back soon."
In the forest, Ash and Evan take in the trees, soil, and sky. From a distance, they spot black fog swirling in the air. The fog feels unnatural, ominous. By now, they've chopped 50 pieces of wood.
They stop their work. Ash senses danger in the air. The black fog could be hazardous, and he feels it's wiser to leave the area. In his mind, the risk far outweighs the reward of staying. They gather their things, their steps slow, hesitant. As they move through the forest, they witness a wave of smaller and larger beasts, panic in their eyes as they flee from the fog.
They encounter some beasts face to face. But the beasts, sensing Ash and Evan's presence, turn and flee without aggression. Ash and Evan remain on high alert, taking defensive positions, but they do not attack. The beasts pass them by, unwilling to fight.
After 20 minutes, Ash and Evan arrive at the city gate. They look up at the black fog hanging heavily in the sky. Ash feels a chill as he watches monsters dissolve into liquid upon contact with the fog.
As they step into the city, they breathe a sigh of relief. The safety of the city feels like a protective embrace. Ash's heart pounds, a reminder of the danger lurking just outside the walls.
He thinks to himself, "The world of Eldros is truly dangerous. We'll encounter countless perilous phenomena ahead."
Thirty minutes later, a thick cloud of black fog approaches, swirling toward the city. Ash and Evan feel the warmth and safety of the city's golden light barrier surrounding them. The fog presses forward but is gradually pushed away, though its vast reach means it will take time for it to fully retreat.
After observing the fog for another 30 minutes, both Ash and Evan prepare for sleep. Ash mentally checks the city 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 become double.
Altar level: 0
Upgrade requirement: (woods * 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 * 11, 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)
Population: 3
Specialty: None
Attack power level: 0 (400/1000)
Description: City's power level to attack enemies
Defense power level: 0 (600/10000)
Description: City's defense power level against enemies
A few moments later, Ash contemplates that he and Evan will need to sacrifice some mana-refining time at the altar to help Ram heal quickly. He knows that Ram's strength will make defending against monsters much easier.
Ash also realizes the city is in dire need of more stone. How many more times can he sleep on the cold ground? If he doesn't build at least a few houses, the city won't be appealing to potential settlers.
He resolves that tomorrow; after waking up, he and Evan will go to the stone mountain to mine stones for houses and the market.
Ash looks at Evan and shares his plan. "We will go to the stone mountain I discovered to mine stone for houses and the market."
A small smile forms on Evan's face. The thought of a house to sleep in lifts his spirits—no one enjoys sleeping on the cold ground, after all.
Ash, watching Evan's smile, feels a surge of optimism. He knows that the days ahead will be better for both him and the city. He'll grow this place into something beyond belief.
After some time, Ash and Evan talk for 16 minutes. Ash watches the sky of Eldros as they settle in to sleep.
...
In the morning,