“Time for the heavy cannons, stay with me” A mental preparation was given them for the next patch of information
“Now half the people here knows about what I am going to speak of, but for the rest, what you are gonna hear will change the way you see the would we currently live in, You need to keep you mind open and except thing as they are” Ethan locks his hands, “follow me on this one”
Guy, Rina, Rowan, Jamey, Rob, Jessica.
One by one, Their jaws drop more and more as Ethan's speaks about ‘Status’, ‘Inspect’, loots, bestiary 101, levels, classes, mana stones, the world transformation, skills, dungeons, circles of powers.
Things of fiction are introduced to them one by one as part of their new lives, they would have not even dared believe such absurd words, but the floating screen of items they inspect and their own status is way too hard to ignore. Concepts heavily related and believed to be fiction, childish escapism became the pillars of knowledge right in front of their eyes.Rob stands up, knocking his clenched palm on the table, “What is this!? How long have you known this?! How can it even come to be?!”
“20 minutes in the collapsing of the world, I can't explain how and why but it’s a textbook game like concepts, we are practically part of an alleged real life RPG game, take a moment we continue in five minutes, We need you to be cool headed and calculated” Ethan demanded.
And so they do, Ethan doesn’t let a single word be spoken for three minutes, actively shutting up any attempt to reignite the conversation.
“We are going to use the current hierarchy in the way we distribute the information we just spoke of, this knowledge can't just be spoken with anyone. This can cause chaos. We can’t let any desperate survivor jump in the goblin cave and either die stupidly or get overpowered without knowing how to use his power and cause damage to either himself or to a fellow survivor”
The room now sits and brainstorming of the knowledge distribution bundles that could be spread around to create a proper, more solid order with the new world system instead of sawing panic among the survivors.
“Now that you all understand what skills are, know that I have one that recognizes someone’s hostility towards me. Like Rob here was, there are a few who are in the same state among the survivors. I don't know why they feel like that, but I don't have time to go one by one”
He stops speaking all of a sudden, clearly walking on eggshells as calculate every single word.
“How shall we deal with them? I don’t wish to create more misunderstanding like I had with jamey” Ethan says, eyes are locked in with jamey, “I want your opinion first, they might be bandits who wants the food and weapons and they might be desperate people that didn’t found a way to release their steam and emotions, heck they probably just don’t took liking to me as far as I know of”
“I offer to go up and speak first, I will try to make them have a clearer and proper perspective of you. Those who are still making your senses ticklish will be offered a one on one talk, this will be on you to handle and judge how to resolve it, whatever you will decide, you have my backing and understanding” Jamey speaks.
“With everyone knowing Jamey’s history with you, it is a very smart move to do, his support in this matter is much more effective than any of us” Dana adds.
“So it shall be, I will speak with those…bad apples. While I do so, Starting from the second floor people to the first, I want you, Rob, to plan a route for the first run that will leave an hour after the meeting. Plan the trip based on the old world map, we will improvise the road using well known locations and milestones.
The team will be led by myself, you as the deputy, 6 warriors armed with long knives.
It’s gonna be like a star trip, we pin a point, reach it, look for the people, we find them, we drop them here and move to the next point, repeat.
With me carrying dual wielding handguns or short sword like dagger for melee option and you the same with one handgun, we are a force not to be reckoned with.
If we won’t don’t find the people we look for we move forward to the next point, base the trip with your house as the first or second point” Ethan nods giving Rob the words he so eagerly waits for.
“Jamey, lead the way, time is of the essence.” Rob stands up hearing the last sentence.
“Love the excitement, you heard the man” Ethan gestures to everyone and stands up.
Jamey nods firmly and leads the way.
Ten minutes later, surrounded by 66 people, the council stands, Jamey looks around with a steeled look taking the front of the stage.
Behind him stands Ethan.
Behind Ethan, all who presented in the meeting room.
Dana instructed the guards to look unassuming in the crowd and look for people who show visible hostility towards the decision makers or calm down the crowd if things go south.
Jamey taking a step forward, the chattering of the crowd quieten and he starts speaking, “Welcome everyone to the first communal meeting of the black sun fortress, a few moments ago, we have been informed with you as our witnesses as Ethan took command our new home”, he Gesture towards Ethan.
“By now you all know of my unpleasant introduction with him, but you all should know that we have spoken things out. I, like many of you, was lost, I still am, I lost family, my world is a mess, and my arm will need a lot of time to heal” He takes a deep breath.
“In all of that mess and uncertainty, I needed an outlet for all my unresolved emotions and pent up anger for my incompetence, honestly, I still haven’t solved my feelings, but hearing the stories, seeing his actions, a realization came upon me, and I now know that I want to work for him, with him, for all of you! After me, he will go up and speak, his knowledge, his words, they will truly rattle you, excite you, scare you, be patient, and be the light this world needs right now and work with us for this little community we now in the most need for our children! for the sake of humanity!” He end up with gesturing Ethan to take the stage.
“First of all, everyone, please, be seated, this will not be short.” He starts to begin right away waiting for everyone to sit down.
When they do, he resumes, “Now, I want everyone to mentally command the word ‘status’, in your mind, think about yourself, about your own being”.
Not a second later the chatter of crowd wilding breaks in sync among the dozens of people, Even the guards were going crazy. staying quiet, unmoving, he raises his arm closing his fist, the well known, ‘shut up, the leader speaks now’ gesture.
He stays like that, slowly, the crowd realize that he will not give them the information they want - so they eventually shut up after a minute, the chants and demands for information became deathly glares for his nonchalant.
Continuing he goes mercilessly to the next command “look at any item or person, mentally call ‘inspect’”
The wild chatterting begins once more.
It only gets wilder and wilder, at some point he can't miss that they are all awestruck, looking at him.
While almost everyone is level 1, suspicions arise from the level 2 people who are not picked to work as guards, and a whole cacophony of disbelief comes alive when they see Ethan at level 6 behind him, Dana at level 4, and Leah at level 3.
Again he raises his hand and waits for the chatter to die down, and it does, eventually.
Among the crowd, Ethan already noticed a very few people smiling and nodding when he of the two commands, ‘men of culture, is see, I will speak with them later on’ Ethan nodded to them, sending them smile back.
“Now let’s begin, I noticed that a few among us, men of culture, such as myself , are already aware of these nifty tricks. For those who don't know, be advised, for two days now already, our lives, our world as we know it, has changed into an unknown scaled game of survival!”
Mana, levels, skills, abilities, classes, and bestiary 101, are taught in a very specific manner to the masses.
“In this world, one must find a path, a class, a profession and pursue it. Whatever you choose, may it be a path of war or a path of creation, killing and fighting are not the only way to level up…I hope” he whispered the last words.
“With more knowledge mana and further research I don't even disqualify the option of magic being wielded in the future” He pause looking at the crowd mumbling among themselves, “That’s about that, take a minute, and I shall continue speak when you are quite and ready for farther news and updates”
Letting the crowd digest the load of information for a minute he raised his arm, shutting them, this time it was much faster.
“About our new little place in this world, the planet has been transformed, it is now about 10 times its size, give or take. I wish to introduce the current administration , everyone will come and speak their names and role, they are to be addressed to by the name of the role they hold”
Each of the current councilmen stood up and spoke, the amount of people drawing his skill’s attention decreased to 7 people, as they spoke about progression and evolution of this fortress as a safe haven.
After the round of introductions, Ethan takes the stage once more, “And now for the four main goals that stand on top of the priority list” he looks around making sure they are all listening
“First, we are going to conduct search and rescue missions for the present survivors’ family members or important people. Stand to the left, if such a thing is relevant and Rob will come speak with you right away”
“Second, as soon as we see that recruitments and rescue runs increase our numbers, we will cultivate our professionals among us to properly adapt and rebuild this place. Dana, please, raise your spear” Ethan asks.
Moving forward she presented her spear, “who made it? move forward”.
An elderly man, with a warm smile and embarrassed look moves forward from the crowd, receiving a gesture to wait where he is, he nods.
“Dana, based on his ability and available tools, you are to make a decision of if he has a talent for us to cultivate” He asks of Dana, who nods seriously.
“Weapons and food take precedence. Green thumbs and indoor designers for an inner farming area is required” He speaks up and turns back to the crowd.
“Third, Daily training. Either combat or professional. You are all required to progress in level or ability. For those who show great progress and contribution, an easy leveling method called ‘boosting’ will be offered allowing you to keep on training peacefully and safely upgrading our place - A method where incapacitated monsters will be brought for you to dispatch them easily, gaining levels” to this offer many people nod their heads eagerness is evident in their eyes.
He takes a dramatic pause before another important update, “law and order, are to be enforced by Dana here and a group of fine warriors, misconduct will not be tolerated, and will be decided by my will, and by the advice of relevant people for each case. Punishment will be rations deduction, extra labor work, or in the worst case scenario, even death or exile will not be spared from a criminal. Guards make yourself known!”
A sudden call of war came from various places in the crowd, curiosity lit intensely in the eyes of all who took part in the war cry, leaving no place for wonder about who picked the role of a guard.
“As mean and evil as it sounds, we are still in our first stages of development and we can’t allow time and resources to be wasted on people who are not fully committed in out survival“ he stops talking and starts moving around the crowd, looking for hostile targets using the danger sense he asks from three people to move a side.
“Everyone, stay here and listen to the councilmens’ orders. first search and rescue mission leaves in an hour, Leah join me”
In an isolated corner, Ethan speaks with the first man who drew his attention, although the skill’s tug, the man has an honest and sad look in his eyes.
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“Cut to the chase, what’s your story, I can feel your ill intentions from miles away” Ethan states in a rush “I truly don’t have time for this, in one hour I'm leaving to help people stuck outside”
“I can't let go of the hate and resentment I feel towards you”, the young man, not older than Ethan speaks harshly of the bat, ”You showed up a moment before my fiance got caught by the goblins, I know where you come from and I hate myself for being weak” He stops speaking holding a burst of tears and emotions to run rampant.
“You were out saving people, but where were you when my fiance needed you? Had you been early in just a few minutes! I hate you, I can kill you and won't feel bad for it, but I admire your strength! I don't know what to do” He fell to his knees and cried.
“I have an offer for you, ” Ethan smiles innocently to the broken minded man, “I respect and thank you for your honesty. Stay with us, train, I will train you myself”.
The man stops crying from the shock of the crazy offer the new leader just laid out, ‘I said I am fine with killing him but he offers to train me?!’ The guy looked stupefied.
“Use your anger, your emotions, you past experience, use it all to build a castle on the ruins of a small mansion”, Ethan eyes turned serious and his voice turned colder, “You are not special, many people died in the last two days, people dying right now, and instead of going out and save them im dealing with you here, slap yourself awake. If you feel like I'm at fault, call me for a death battle, and commit to your feelings, but do it with honesty and dignity when time is right, how many women, couples, and kids needs the same help you were missing, go and think about it, we shall speak later on”
Dismissing the man to the communal area, to where the rest of the council is still figuring things around, walking around and writing things from people they are approaching or being approached by.
Gesturing to Leah, she sends forward the second man, his eyes telling his story quite clearly.
“Oh come on do you even try to hide your intentions?” Ethan burst out laughing, this man wants his power, it’s too pitiful, “It’s greed is it not?”
Looking at the skill requirement for evolutions he sees that he was correct.
[Ding!
Type: Passive skill
Name: Danger sense
Grade: Uncommon
Evolution requirement:
Avoid 500 attacks using danger sense [1/500]
discern the true intention of someone using this skill(3\50)]
‘This is practically cheating the system to be a truth detector skill’ Ethan shakes his head.
Moving past the angry man, the third one has the same look.
‘They are not even trying’ he looks at the couple with disappointment.
“Aren’t we a group of greedy little men? Are we not? There is no compassion in your eyes. you are alone, and this is just you being a dumb brute…” Ethan states making Leah make a suppressed laugh.
[Ding!
Type: Passive skill
Name: Danger sense
Grade: Uncommon
Evolution requirement:
Avoid 500 attacks using danger sense (1/500)
discern the true intention of someone using this skill(4\50)]
The third man Reddens from anger and charges Ethan, little did the brute know, he was targeted to be a scapegoat for a display of Ethans abilities.
Easily dodging his fists, the second man joins in the attempt to gain the advantage, they rain him with attack, some he dodges, some he blocks, Danger sense makes it all the more easier against level 2 hotheads.
Dodging his way to the communal area gracefully, the assault is now a show for everyone to watch.
Ethan dances around the two, dodging and blocking.
After a few dozens of attacks from the two he had enough, he is starting to get tired. He moves to the side with simple footwork he picked from the knowledge he drew from his skill “spirit of a warrior”, and releases a punch that breaks the ribs of the man who was third in line.
The second man recoiled from seeing the third guy falling to the ground with one hit, his air knocked out of his lungs.
This recoil, is the man's mistake and downfall, a powerful kick to the knee breaks it in a very unsightly angle, Jamey shudders by the resurfacing memories, ‘Heartless beast!’ he sighs internally.
Dragging them on the ground by their clothes, one at a time for where they were aching from, the chest area and the broken leg.
He put them 50 meters in the parking lot, drawing his knife, dana and three guards closing the area from visitors.
“I really need a reason not to kill you, you are not the kind to go out and make the world a better place, and that’s a problem, second guard on the right, what do you think?” Ethan suddenly addressed the guard that was joined by Dana’s order.
The guard he referred to looks at the two with mixed emotions.
“Do they seem like the type to change? Help people? Be nice or useful to anyone?” Ethan asks.
He walks to the guard and speaks out for everyone to hear, “Based on his answer, you either kill him, or he becomes a free man in the streets. Whatever he do, know it’s you who contribute it or caused it, may it be the rise of an hero, or the coming of a great enemy of ours. Do not fret from telling about what I am saying, let your friends and squad know the responsibility we carry”
To help the guard decides he walks to the guy with the broken ribs and kick the man by the ribs, “promise me you won't become a wandering murderer or sex offender and im letting you go right here and right now”
With a look of hate and defiance he says “I will kill you, even if it’s the last thing I will do!”
Walking slowly towards the incapacitated man, he stands in front of him freezing for a minute that felt for hours, and not only for him, he eventually slits the wounded man’s throat with a shaky hand, tears in the guard's eyes.
“Do you hate me?” Ethan asked the guard.
The other two guards and Dana are looking, anticipating the guard's answer.
“I understand what you mean, it felt as if this man was a ticking time bomb, in a world like that, he will just find a weak innocent guy or woman in no time, and his victim’s fate will be my undoing” He lowered his head.
“My kill count is 27” Ethan admits out of nowhere. The three guards and the broken legged men staring at him with fear and resignation, “of course a lot of monsters are in the list, so there is that, you wouldn’t even believe what’s going outside right now”
After such a confession no one dared to interrupt his words , “Dana, correct me if i'm mistaken”.
“For as long as I breathe, I shall be a testimony of your insight in this new world. I promised to accompany you since the day you saved me from that damn monster. You gave me this life as a gift, I am in your debt” She stated.
As the kill count was about to hit 28, Dana’s hand caressed Ethan’s to sheath the knife back.
She is squatted down by the broken legged man “Do you promise to not become a killer or a sex offender like my mom’s boyfriend?”
In that instant, they all understood what she insinuated to the wounded man, it was crystal clear - the duo’s choice of words and interaction although improvised, thought through perfectly to make the guards realise the story they wanted to spread around, as Ethan and Dana being close friends bonded by fate and loyalty.
“You two are a crazy couple” the man laughed wildly.
“Ethan, Me and everyone who ever follows my lead, shall carry your burden. your intentions are good, they always were“ she says and recreates that scene from back then.
A spear blade gracefully and decisively lodged itself in the man’s neck causing his flame to die out quickly, soon enough Dana looked at the space in front of her, no remorse in her eyes.
Looking at the scene, the three guards nod to each other, standing in front of the departing crazy couple, “We wish to serve under you, Head of internal defence!”
They say it together as if they were training for that for a while.
“Sure, let’s speak of it inside” She smiles, cleaning the blade of her spear with a piece of cloth she took from the dead man’s shirt.
“I'll take care of the two, go back” Ethan ordered and piled them, he came back a minute later and lit the two corpses of fire.
Finishing this up he went for a quick wash and took a black training outfit with red stripes he had from he took from a random shop.
His story of how he dealt with those two guys spread like a fire among thorns and Dana already had a line of people wanting to get recruited by her.
Rob had also a line, a smaller one though, that seemed like he was about to Finish the first recruitment and a list of places to look for survivors as well.
The rest of the people are speaking with Guy, Jessica or Jamey, Looking for a craft and supportive roles.
Overall about a 50/50 with combat to support recruitment ratio.
An hour later, three things were ready: The occupational requests listed by Zoe and Lily, the search and rescue first mission plan of attack and Dana with the decision about the old man who made the spear.
Skimming through the list swiftly, About 30 people decided to hold a weapon and act as guards, with different weapon preferences from the more generic Sword, shield and spear preferences, to the more unique requests daggers, katana, polearms with specific blade Shape even gauntlets.
Regarding the Making of the weaponry, Dana came back after speaking with the older man, “he has some fine abilities, he made knives and short swords from scratch in his past, but he claims to have enough knowledge to self study spears and more complex weapon weapons. The issue is the lack of tools and materials. He says he can improvise pointy metal bars from handrails or sharpen a piece of metal that has some balanced shape, but more scouting around is in order” Trying to remember his exact word she speaks once more.
“He also said, that with a a decent slab of 3 inch straight metal plates, portable battery saw and portable battried sand paper scraper he can create the most rudimentary grade weapons such as swords or axes”
“Check with Leah and Guy what can be supplied to him, I'll put them on our wish list when scavenging around” he smiled and turned to a group of seven, led by Rob, his face full of excitement and urgency.
They all wore the same face, they were excited and hopeful with their mission that summarized the essence of humanity in the world apocalypse - survive and get stronger.
Dana nodded to Ethan and took her leave.
The head of Offense, Rob, starts to speaking to the Ethan, “Those are the first to put up their requests, picked by role and size of group to rescue, mine is the second destination”
Looking at the group, Ethan asks, “If you don't have any requests, we shall move right away”.
No one responded, just furious head nodding.
Gathering all the 34 people who chose to pick up a weapons and take the role a guard, he warned, “be advised, here we have the goblins cave, no one is allowed to enter, we need every single one of you to save lives and maintain order when all the search and rescue requests are over in the next few days, we shall start an organized training routine and expeditions in there”
“Also in the private housing area, an hour of running from here, I encountered two wolves already, each one was at least 1.6 meters height, be advised.
These are the only two I have seen so far but who knows what we may encounter along the way, Maybe there is a gate just like this”
“For everyone guarding here, don't let your guard down from even people who look like the weakest and no one goes in without Dana’s approval! First team, we move” with this he turns and leaves with 7 people in tow, leaving Dana with 27.
“Two stand guard, two teams of two are to patrol this entire place in and out! The rest follow me, we are gonna find and build a training area” Ethan could hear Dana working the men and women already.
Walking the abandoned streets, Ethan’s group was by no means the same weak group he left with the last time, they were armed by more metal spears created by the old man, long knives, three hand guns, the ratio of five men and two females was also a deterrent for attackers to initiate assault - The first rescue mission of black sun fortress is on the way.
