Once a group of 30 elves departed in order to kick start the forestry industry, Mia approached me with a curious look.
[Master, regarding your request yesterday night… Did it work?](Mia)
“Yup. I am quite amazed at the fact that you can modify someone’s status page.”
[Master! I told you already that I can’t do anything of sorts… I only helped a bit in making your deception believable.](Mia)
Well she said that, but she looks quite proud. And she should be honestly. When she asked Alexandra to show everyone else her Status Page, I knew that I had stepped onto a future landmine. Sooner or later, people will like to see my own and all the lies will be unearthed. So I consulted with Mia and she explained that this ‘avatar’ of mine is something created through Manual Mode Override, therefore with her 'position' as the Manual Mode Assistant, she could make a slight alteration to my last name from 'Corbett' to 'Lewis', in order to sell my lie easier. She explained how something so minor, like changing one name won’t interfere with the game’s balance; on the contrary it would serve the purpose of the override which was (in theory) me being able to properly enjoy this experience.
[Michael, like you instructed another batch of 25 axes have been crafted and their quality is a bit better than the previous ones. Like you told us, we made sure to properly sharpen the stones used through grinding and used some of the best shaped ones. Also, regarding the wooden frame, Miss Mia instructed us into using a different tree with a stronger bark. So the end products are quite superior when compared with the first batch.](A)
“I’m glad to hear that. For the next step we’ll be creating some other tools. Have everyone gather around again.”
The class resumed with crafting a hammer that I then used into bringing into existence a shovel. There was no system prompt yet, meaning that the elves needed to put the items together themselves in order for it to award me with those much needed Research Points.
I was quite certain that once the research for Tools was completed, they will be able to properly create them, maybe of a superior quality as well.
I kept racking my brain for other useful early tools I could create, however beside the hoe and some thoughts about a threshing sledge later on, nothing came to mind…
“To create everything on the first day would be kind of ridiculous anyway. I should be content with this for now.”
[Master, what are we going to do about the stone resources? How can we gather those? Are we going to create pickaxes?](Mia)
“I thought so as well initially. But I literally haven’t got a clue about how to do that. We need them to be strong enough to actually be useful… do you have any ideas?”
[Why don’t we follow the same process as for the hoes? Instead, we’ll also change the wooden body that we use into one that will fit the requirement. For example, a wider end for the mining pickaxe and we can insert a stone of a stronger composition in it. After sharpening it a bit, we should be able to use it without any problems.](Mia)
Following Mia’s instructions which sounded quite unrealistic in the beginning, I was able to find an actual thick wooden branch that we pretty much combined with another and implanted the stone, using the newly created hammer.
Progress made in Tools research technology through discovery!
175 Research Points have been awarded!
“It seems like the first batch of hoes and shovels has been completed. How many, Alexandra?”
[Only 4 shovels that are usable and 6 hoes… they are a bit more complicated so the process is harder to replicate.](A)
“Is fine don’t worry. We have nothing but time…For now, shift the focus of the crafting to this.”
[This is?](A)
“Is called a pickaxe. It can be used to mine the stones we need to build things in the future.”
[I understand. How many do we need?](A)
“For now the same 25 with another amount of spares that count about the same, should suffice. When the numbers are met, gather a group of 30 people again, under the same format. 25 to mine, while 5 will guard. Oh, also, get another group of five elves to deliver the spare axes to the woodcutting squad. Preferably from the scouting group from yesterday.”
[What are we going to do after we create the tools for the farmland reclamation mas…Michael?](Mia)
“Ahem! We’re going to start as soon as possible and prepare the land. That way, the elves will be kept busy and get used to manual labor. We’ll be required to build the wall as well... soon enough... immediately after the Elven Huts will be completed…”
There were indeed many plans for the future, so I decided to focus on the present. For now, resources were required for pretty much everything.
The good news was that the Research Points generated daily, were increased by 150 due to the people crafting items continuously. That meant that I currently had 475 points and will be awarded another 150 at the end of the day. Probably I’ll get some extra points once they craft the first batch of pickaxes as well…
Progress made in Tools research technology through discovery!
85 Research Points have been awarded!
Progress made in Farming and Gathering research technology through discovery!
115 Research Points have been awarded!
“And with that I’m at 645, going for 795 by the end of the day. Even without any new ‘inventions’ I will complete at least the Tools technology research in a couple of days.”
After the necessary objects were created, a small army of almost 150 people returned back to the clearing. Beside the 50 pickaxes, there were an extra 50 shovels and 50 hoes and a group of twenty people was assigned the job of further increasing each of the four tools up to one hundred pieces.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
Then, 60 people were selected to start the arduous process of clearing two square kilometers of farmland to begin with, under Mia’s instructions. For the remaining almost 80 people, they were tasked with helping the two ‘resources units’ in the process of bringing the materials back to camp.
Without anything better to do and not wanting to join for the manual labor, I took Alexandra and another eight strong hunters (6 out of which were girls) in order to headtowards the East side of the forest. That's where the ‘newest’ dungeon was placed...
It was time for these newbs to learn how to properly ‘hunt’... for experience that's it!
[Michael, are you sure about this?](A)
“Alexa, you’re worried for nothing really. Especially since this dungeon should have only one floor and the levels of the monsters should be the same as ours. Not to mention their attributes that will certainly be lower. If we take you into consideration, you should be able to clean out the entire floor alone within minutes…”
There was no reply, but I could sense the tense atmosphere of the squad. It was to be expected given the backstory I introduced them to at the point where they were brought on Midgard. Being too lax would be a huge problem, but if they are too stiff, that in itself might be worse and affect their flexibility. I need this group to experience a proper fight and have them bathed in proper monster blood, not just animal’s.
“I selected you guys because you stood up in the hunting group. This cave we’re in front of is the dungeon I was speaking about. Once we enter it, I need everybody to be fully prepared to fight. Each one of you has a long stone knife, a spear and five javelins, while even more important you have me and Alexandra. Don’t worry too much, but don’t let your guards down! I’m going to count on you to listen to any commands that I’ll give while fighting!”
They immediately looked at Alexandra for confirmation and she was visibly upset about the fact that they did that.
[Michael is the most knowledgeable person in our entire group and the livelihood of the camp rests on our shoulders. We need to see what we’ll be facing against and prepare in advance. As far as today goes, we might not even engage the monsters, but we need to familiarize ourselves with them. If a fight occurs, I’m ashamed to say that my lack of knowledge will prove detrimental in leading you out safely, which is why I asked Michael to help us. Make no mistake, as he’s probably stronger than any of us here, even myself which received the blessing of the God of Chaos, when it comes to fighting strategies.](A)
Murmurs could be heard among the girls, while the guys were looking incredulously at me. That was obviously an exaggeration and while I understand the need to consolidate the trust they have in me, obviously lying like that won’t actually help. Anyway, she’s not far from the truth, as I have more battle knowledge and experience than the eight elven hunters here…
“But that’s the case only for normal elves! Please don’t put me on the same level or higher than a cheating woman such as yourself…” – I quietly complained in my mind
[Michael, everyone will listen to your commands, myself included. If there’s anyone that doesn’t, I’ll make sure to properly discipline them afterwards.](A) – she threatened
“While I appreciate that, I’m afraid that if they don’t listen, there might not be an ‘afterwards’ for that to happen. Keep in mind that while we’re not born warriors, the monsters in these dungeons are. In order to preserve their own lives, they will gladly take ours. Everyone be prepared! We’ll go with a box formation, which means that there will be one person in the middle and two people around him/her. I will be scouting up ahead, engage the monsters if required, or bait them into coming to us if we can find terrain advantages. The person in the middle will be Alexandra.”
[I should be at the front since I’m the strongest one here!](A) – she protested
“While that might be the case, you are also at the same level as us when it comes to your Job. If anything was to happen to you, the rest of the camp would be in horrible danger. So while it might sound heartless to the rest of you lot, in the worst case scenario, be prepared to trade your life to ensure that she survives!”
[[[Understood!]]]
Before she could complain again, eight shouts shook the silence of the forest, declaring their will to protect. I was a bit impressed even by their devotion to this girl. After all, they met only a day ago and while they are all from the same race and the same world (at least that’s what I told them), their unity is more than what I expected it to be. Maybe the presence of religion and the small event where Alexa was 'promoted' might have fortified that unity even further…
“Good! We might survive a fight with this still. The box formation that I mentioned has a good mobility and a good defense. I thought of getting some shields but for today’s worth of scouting we should be fine. One more time, the person in the middle is surrounded by two people in the front, two people in the back and two on each side. Depending on what we face, each side will act in accordance with my orders and with Alexandra as a core, we will be able to fight freely when faced against numbers that aren’t more than twice our own. Any questions? … Good! Let’s enter! Give me five seconds after I enter and then follow me. In case of monsters being nearby I can lead them away and give you guys time so you can enter formation. Don’t forget to follow my orders to the letter and I don’t want to hear any other sounds except for replying to my questions if I ever ask anything. Got it?”
[[[[Understood!]]]]
“Good reply! Have your spears ready! I’m going in…”
Passing through the same film which gave me the same skin-crawling feeling, I arrived in front of a valley that extended between hills and a huge waterfall that could be seen in the distance. I almost tripped when gawking at the surroundings. I saw it previously with the Kobolds, but that cave can’t really compare. This is like a whole different dimension altogether...
[Oh, wow!](A) – she exclaimed
The others were also taken aback by the scenery in front of them, so I gave them some time to properly enjoy it, while I let Alexandra know I’ll go ahead and scout. She wanted to follow, but I refused like a scared virgin, on the account of the remaining eight elves being ambushed. If that was to happen, she will be their only hope in survival given that they haven’t even seen a proper fight yet. I mean, how tough could the monsters possibly be?
Realizing that I should start tripping flags, I took a look around the place which was designed as this dungeon’s starting point and made a mental map out of it. There was a big wall behind me and a door made out of the same strange transparent film, therefore turned my eyes on the valley in front. The ‘room’ wasn’t more than twenty meters from myself to each wall, however it grew wider as I moved forward.
There wasn’t much for tall vegetation beside some bushes and shrubs, but those were quite abundant, so I took advantage of them and advanced slowly. When an animal-like cry broke the silence of the valley, I instantly faced the direction and prepared to run, if worst came to worst. Seeing nothing come my way, I thought for a bit before shaking my head and kept moving in the direction of the waterfall.
After the small hills covered in bushes ended, I saw what paradise probably looked like. Where the waterfall met the lake, a sight which felt impossible to describe in words surfaced. The crystal like blue sparkling waves kept crashing against the land, in an attempt to invade and expand its territory.
But the beauty didn’t last long as I was able to identify the source of the previous cry. It truly felt like being smacked on the head with a hammer…
“Must it always be something different?”
I turned around slowly, afraid to alert the creatures and rushed back to the spot near the entry of the dungeon where I left the elves. They were still looking around curiously, but when Alexa saw my serious expression, she signaled them to pay attention.
[What did you find?](A)
“A village of Murlocs. We’re going to attack it!”