Mathew walked in with Tyrone leading the way. He looked at the increased number of people near the front gates, and noted several people. The varying array of weapons and armors were staggering. He expected more repeated styles, yet he was comparing them to the army Henderson was training.
Keeping people of similar styles and training made it easier to replace roles for guard duty or patrol groups. While versatility also has its place, making it likely at least one person can solve a problem.
People with swords, axes, hammers, staves, and various metal knuckles were seen. Mathew even saw a few magical creatures. One of which was a red colored mana wisp similar to the two Mathew had out right now. “Must be a fire typed one, how mine are ice typed. If color coordination is to be trusted. What would a blood type look like?”
“We were planning on an invasion as you can see.” Tyrone said. “Most people who are fighters are already out here.”
Tyrone wealked over to a car and climbed ontop of it. “Alrighty everyone. Time to earn your pay. We go out there, kill the undead with Blue Oaks people, and beat that Dungeon. The System isn’t going to give us an easy time, so let’s end it here and now.”
A few cheers and claps echoed out. “I’m tired of living behind these walls afraid, I know most of you are too. Do your jobs, keep me and my people safe till the end. We can finish off the boss dude real quick.”
Mathew nodded and smiled, as if backing Tyrone’s words. “Mathew here wants to share some words too before we head out. He has information that can help us.”
He stood infront of the car, not ontop of it. “It’s as he said. The quest Blue Oaks’ people acquired is different from yours. Ours is more of a third party, to help where needed. This is your moment to shine! Raise of hands, who here lost someone to the undead?”
Almost everyones hands were raised. “Look around at who had friends and loved ones torn from you. None of you are alone today. Now a show of hands, who here trusts your leader Tyrone to lead you to victory?”
The crowd grew confused at this point, but a handful of shouts and cheers echoed. Mathew eyed and mentally noted those people the best he could. He did note a few glares and unhappy expressions.
“So some people already don’t trust him, that makes my job easier.”
Mathew gestured up to Tyrone. “Your leader Tyrone here is an exceptional fellow. He holds nothing back, willing to do anything it takes to win, is that right Tyrone?”
“Damn straight.”
“Tyrone, why don’t you tell your people what the future of our people working together could mean for us all.”
Tyrone scratched at his face, “Well, I imagine people will be safer obviously. New supplies, food, I know some of you guys have family or friends at that Air Base, so that would be nice to meet up with them. Not to mentoin I’ll get stronger, and be able to protect you all of course. Mathew mentioned a title for beating Dungeons?”
“That’s right! There are titles for Dungeons, many things give you titles, but we can share our information later about all that.”
“Not to mention, we can stick it to those snobby government officials. Said I would never amount to anything in life. Just because of how I look.”
That got the crowd to die down and Mathew refrained from visiblly cringing. “Dude, I really doubt that was the reason. You are just a shitty person. And I’m about to prove it here soon.”
A fireball was shot into the air in the distance, only Mathew and Tryone saw it. Before Tyrone could say anything Mathew continued. “I am happy to announce that before we leave, I have a few special guests to show off. If you could all turn around toward the governmental building and notice a crowd of people coming.”
Tyrone leaned forward and squinted. Everyone else turned as well, trying to see who these ‘speical guests’ could be. Mathew readied himself, in case Tyrone tried anything funny. A few others from Blue Oaks already were nearby to jump on the man, well aware of the plan, in case he tried to run away.
All care about the contract didn’t matter anymore. So long as he wasn’t the first to attack, Tyrone would get nothing but some UC. However, Mathew expected Tyrone to absolutely strike out first.
Q was the only person who didn’t turn around, raising an eyebrow at Mathew mouthing ‘What are you doing?’
Mathew winked at the older man just before the first shriek sounded. The group was close enough and people who wore chains and looked starved were visible. Tyrone turned down to look at Mathew.
“As you can see, there are a few people who were unable to make it to the first part of our lovely announcement of how we are going to free you all from the shackles that the undead placed on you. I figured we could start with the shackles Tyrone and his goons placed upon these fine gentlemen first.”
“You bastard! How did you find them?” Tyrone shouted at Mathew.
Mathew rolled his eyes, “Thanks for admitting you kept these men as slaves. You could have just lied saying they were prisoners or something.”
“You piece of shit, you set me up! Of course a white man would-”
Mathew cut him off, “Tyrone, it’s nothing to do with race. You are just a shitty person at the core of who you are.”
“Fuck you. Those men and women deserve it! They sat behind locked doors to let us die! Haivng us protect them instead of protecting us!”
“Like how you just asked everyone to protect yourself and your people to take the rewards of killing the boss for yourself?” Mathew asked slyly.
A murmur grew around the crowd. Mathew expected at least someone to attack him by this point.
“Like we are going to work with people who, like the rich folks, continue to rule over us. Come on everyone, lets kick these assholes out!”
“Now hold it there Ty.” Q said with his hands raise. “I think it’s time you stepped down from leadership, and hand that title over to someone else who deserves it. You stepped over a line by keeping slaves.”
“And having a necromancer.” One of the blue oaks people shouted. Pushing another man down onto the ground. His hands were handcuffed behind him.
The crowd started to shout.
“A necormancer? Why?”
“We hate the undead, why the fuck did you become one of them?”
“Ty, you said no necromancy was allowed! Why did you go against your word?”
Mathew turned to the man. “Tyrone, it seems ‘your people’ don’t agree with your actions.”
“I kept you all safe! I let him use necormancy to study it! To beat it!”
“And that excuses it?” Q said. “You hid it from us because you knew it was wrong.”
Mathew said it then and there in Tyrone’s eyes. He was a cornered animal. He pushed himself forward infront of Q. “Ty, don’t do it. You lose everything if you attack me. Be a smart man, don’t do it.”
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“Fuck you.” Were the only words the man said before he launched his spear forward at Mathew. It pierced into his gut and Mathew coughed up a bit of blood and smiled. “Ahh, there it is. You wanted to meet the leader of Blue Oaks right? Check that little screen real quick while I remove this thorn in my side.”
Tyrone’s eyes widened. “Impossible. Fuck! Shit! Fuck you! I’ll end you here and now. You piece of shit!”
The spear that was in Mat’s stomach appeared in Tyrone’s hands as he reached back to attack again. Before he could do so, three bolts of icy magic blasted him in the chest, several arrows and bullets, and several balls of fire were followed by a giant wolf pouncing ontop of him.
His screams echoed as he was mawed to death by Jeffery. Mathew shook his head in disappointment. He expected Tyrone to not die so easily. Yet the barrage of attacks were too much for him it seemed.
Mathew turned to the crowd. “As you can see, Tyrone was a shitty leader. I nominate Q to be your temporary replacement until the Dungeon is conquered, and proper amenities can be discussed under less pressure. Does anyone from New Watago disagree and think he or she is a better leader?”
When nobody said anything, Mathew turned to the man. “Here, open your menu.”
“Uh, Mat, you are bleeding.” Q said pointing to Mathew gut.
“I ate a pill before I entered the area. It’ll heal up in a bit, plus I see two healers running to me. It stings, but I’m fine. I’m giving you ownership of the New Watgo HC for now. I do expect good relations between us both though.”
Q raised a hand, “Nah keep it. You seem to have things figured out. If you really are the leader of Blue Oaks that is.”
Nodding, “I am. Are you sure? I am not here to take what isn’t mine by force.”
“Yea, keep it. Though, if you need someone to stay in charge here,I got a couple people in mind. We can hash that out later. Let’s go kill some undead.”
“What about the rest of Tyrone’s people?” Mathew asked very loudly, eyeballing them. “What should we do with his supporters?”
“Hey, we just followed orders…” One of them said with his hands raised innocently.
“Yea, we had to, or we wouldn’t get the good stuff. It was for our own survival!” Another said, a woman Mathew recognized as Cideny, her shotgun was on her back.
Mathew rolled his eyes, “Can they be anymore cliche? This isn't World War II…”
Q looked at the crowd, “If anyone agreed with Tyrone, get outta here. I’m sure everyone else agrees you have no place anymore. If you wish to start fresh, keep your yaps shut.”
Nobody said a word, and nobody moved. Mathew nodded and couldn’t believe how well everything went. His pretending of giving up the leadership willingly was exactly the ploy he had for Q. He pegged the man to respect that kind of action, and abused it for his own gain.
“That went surprsingly well. Now for what I expect to be the easier parts, which in turn will be the harder parts now…”
The rest of Blue Oak’s forces entered New Watago. Mathew spent a moment going over the current status of New Watago and realized there was little for him to do now. He had the ability to upgrade the Hearth Crystal, but figured that could wait till later. He did see the supplies were listed separately from Blue Oaks.
On the map, the two areas were colored blue. New Watago’s radius was slightly smaller than Blue Oaks. He hadn’t a clue how to claim the land between the two, but assumed it would happen over time.
He was patched up relatively quickly. Tyrone’s body was hauled off and burned with the bodies of undead that were used by the Necromancer. Mathew wanted to question that man soon, undead could be useful. Yet he would need to play his cards right. He just called out Tyrone for using it. He didn’t need to be caught the same way Tyrone was. He mentally filed that to be done later, probably after the World Quest.
Mathew did notice his [Contest] skill went up a level, and had a firm grasp of how to level it up now. It wasn’t a skill of a contest. A place where people perform. It was contesting against others. Acquiring victory over others. The verb version of the word.
He was satisfied realizing this. He now knew how to properly level up the skill. Something he has been curious about a while.
The larger man who was guarding Tyrone’s ‘court room’ came over to Mathew. “Damn, you got some balls boy. How long have you known the truth about Ty?”
Mathew looked up at him. “That’s for me to know. Are you coming to cause problems?”
“Nah, the opposite. I have an ability to take damage from others. Spent my points on Endurance and Strength. I hit like a truck, and can get hit by trucks. My nephew was a gamer and helped me figure things out. He’s too young to use the menus though. He’s up with his mother, my sister, in one of the nice and safe apartments. Anyways, I’m here to keep you alive Mr. Mathew.”
Eyeing the big man, Mathew thought it over. “How do I know you won't backstab me?”
He shrugged, “I could think the same thing. Don’t think I see you as weak. It takes balls to let yourself get attacked just to spite Ty. The balls of either a stuipd man, or a smart one. I’m leaning toward the latter.” He stuck his hand out, “Friends call me Al. My real name is Alan.”
Mathew stood up and shook his hand, “Well then Alan, if you want to help me out, I won’t say no to a damage sponge. Do you have any armor?”
Alan slapped his gut and laughed. “Nah, got an ability that fixes that issue. Bought it from the magic shop man last week. Dont’ worry about me Mr. Mathew. I’ll keep you safe so long as you promise to keep my sis and nephew safe.”
“Alan, my goal is to keep everyone safe from the invaders. I can’t do it alone, people like you who stand up to fight are exactly the ones we need to help out.”
Alan smiled at Mathew, “Good deal. I’m going to go talk to some others, and get my thwacking stick. I’ll meet with you before we leave.”
Mathew watched the bigger man leave and revealuated him inside his mind. Having devoted people who are actually on his side and want to be would be useful. People like how Madison viewed him. Someone trusted, something he can use in his favor.
Henderson came and found him not long after. “Show time. Scouts came back, Leo has most of the other city with him. Apparently Bob is missing in action. He went to fight Undead, and hasn’t returned since yesterday. They fear he is hurt, or wose.”
Mathew pursed his lips together. “Okay, let's get going. How many in total do we have going in?”
“With everyone? Just over three hundred. It will be packed. I was thinking of splitting it up into two teams. Everyone under Level 15 stays outside the Dungeon. Killing undead and ensuring nobody can enter from behind us. The rest of us go in, kick ass, and be home in time for dinner.”
“I couldn’t agree more with that plan.” Mathew said with a smile. “Good thinking.”
“I just want to say, good job with Tyrone. I know it’s hard having to kill people for the greater good. If you want to talk it out, I’m here for you. Just remember, you did the right thing.” Henderson left with those words.
“Only reason I plan to kill others, for the greater good. What I’ve always planned, even if others don’t see it my way.” Mathew muttered to himself, watching the woman walk off.