Standing on top of the wall protecting the inn, Zane stared at the battlefield for the seventh attack. After six attacks the battlefield had went through several changes. Most changes were unintentionally caused by the battles between the various adventurers and mana creatures. Other changes were intentionally caused by craftsman and laborers.

Giant pits and small craters littered the battlefield. The former was created on purpose and the latter was not. Craftsmen and laborers worked together to create ways to inhibit the movements of mana creatures. The giant pits were one of the many methods they created.

Inside of the giant pits, magical traps were placed on the ground. When the mana creatures fell in, the traps would activate. The mana creatures would be severely wounded or killed. After the traps were activated, it would take a few minutes to recharge before they could be used again.

Walls were created from the dirt that was removed from the giant pits. Many of the walls were randomly placed around the battlefield to slow down the mana creatures. A few of the walls guided mana creatures toward the giant pits. Other walls created choke points that a few adventurers could defend.

At these choke points, there were holes that would let adventurers enter an underground tunnel system. There were entrances to the tunnel system in other locations on the battlefield and the tunnel system let adventurers escape the battlefield. Each hole was a way for adventurers to preserve their life. Therefore, adventurers were very supportive of the creation of the underground tunnel system and the holes to enter it.

Of course, the craftsman and laborers didn’t work for free. At first, many adventurers grumbled when they were asked to pay for the changes to the battlefield. However, after each battle, less and less adventurers complained about their loss of points. They were able to experience the benefits that the skills of laborers and craftsman provided. Almost everyone agreed to paying the craftsman and laborers.

Zane looked to the inn to the left of the one he was defending. The battlefield wasn’t as developed as the one he would be fighting on. The walls were lacking in quality and quantity. The pits weren’t as deep, and Zane could tell the pits had less magical traps by the energy they emitted. Also, there wasn’t an underground tunnel system. The inn to the left of Zane was defended by the elven.

“The elven are really foolish.,” Diana said. “Instead of relying on human craftsmen they rather rely on elven mages. They can manipulate the earth, but the effects will never compare to what true craftsman can do.”

“I’m not surprised by the way they have acted,” Zane said. “I am surprised they have so few craftsmen. There are hundreds of human craftsmen, but less than ten elven craftsmen.”

“They were most likely expecting an intense battle, so they prioritized bringing fighters.” Old Saber said. “At least, that’s what many people from my world thought.”

“It still doesn’t make sense. The system guides people to the class that suits them the best. There should be a lot more than ten people who are suitable for the craftsmen class.”

“They most likely rejected the class that was most suitable for them and picked a class that would improve their combat abilities.”

“Nobody would do something so foolish.”

“You say that because you’re not thinking like they do.”

“Well, I don’t get their way of thinking either,” Diana interjected. “They reject classes that are suitable for them, but cling to their village points. If they were to sacrifice some of their village points, they would have better quality defenses and a way to escape from the battlefield. Instead.” Diana waved her hands at the defenses that the elven had set up. Zane nodded his head in agreement to what Diana said.

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“You have to look at things from there point of view,” Old Saber said. “We’re using our village points to buy items for ourselves. They are using village points to buy items to save their world. They are not willing to waste a single point. Even if it might cost them their lives.”

“I don’t think I can understand that concept,” Zane replied. “I don’t think I could sacrifice myself for the entire world.”

“I wouldn’t either.” Diana added.

“Haven’t the two of you read or heard stories about a hero saving the world?” Old Saber asked.

Zane and Diana looked at each other and shrugged before Zane answered. “There are stories like that on our world. But that’s all they are, stories. My teacher taught me that most heroes have a horrible end.”

“I enjoy listening to heroic stories, but I never treated them seriously,” Diana added. “I mean, how many people can affect the world while being weak. It makes more sense for people to focus on their class and try to affect the world after they’ve become stronger.”

“I agree with what you’re saying,” Old Saber replied. “The reason I mentioned stories about heroes was to help you view things from the elven perspective. They are heroes trying to save their home. And like most heroes, they are making bad decisions because of their emotions and lack of information. I’m sure they would make better decisions if they could control their negative feelings toward human beings or if they had better information about this world.”

“For example, before I came to this world, I decided I would place all my attention on my saber and nothing else. I would fight on my own, relying only on myself and my saber. However, after you explained the benefits of working in a group, I realized the error in my thinking. Without your advice I’m confident I would have obtained the Blood-Stained Murderer title, but I don’t think I would be close to obtaining the Blood Drenched Murderer title.”

Blood Drenched Murderer title gave a ten percent boost to stats and a fifty percent increase to damage. Diana and Zane obtained this title after killing approximately one thousand tier one mana creatures. Old Saber killed one thousand mana creatures and received the Blood-Stained Murderer title.

Zane and Diana were able to receive a greater title at one thousand kills because they killed multiple sentient beings before obtaining their class. Old Saber killed multiple sentient beings before obtaining his class, but those kills weren’t recognized by the system.

“Don’t mention it,” Zane replied. “When you joined our group, you helped improved the total number of mana creatures we killed. Without you we would have taken longer to obtain the title gained from killing one thousand sentient beings.”

“I’m worried about the rate that were killing mana creatures at.” Diana spoke sounding a little worried. “I only killed a little bit at a time before I obtained my class. I’m worried that we will soon be consumed by the desire to kill. Should we try to kill less mana creatures?”

“We’re all at the first tier so I don’t think there should be a problem. Plus, I don’t think it’s possible for us to kill less mana creatures right now. How do you feel Old Saber? Do you feel a powerful desire to kill?”

Before Old Saber could respond to Zane and Diana, a voice echoed from different areas on the wall. The trio turned their heads and focused their attention on Sophie. She was holding a white sphere that glowed with a white light. The voice originated from the sphere in her hand.

“Elves and humans. Brothers and sisters. Fellow adventurers. It is time to battle against the horde of mana creatures once more.”

Bruce voice could be heard from different parts of the wall. He spoke through the sphere which was given to multiple teams. This was one of the many changes that was made over the course of multiple battles. The spheres improved communication which improved everyone’s ability to defend against the mana creatures.

“After we finished killing all the mana creatures for this attack, we only have one more attack left. Stay sharp. We’ve already had enough deaths and there shouldn’t be any more as long as we work together. Were almost at the finish line. Just a little more and all of us will be going home with wealth and power.”

Having a commander has boosted the performance of all adventurers fighting against the Upheaval.

Commander’s Support

Buff: 30% increase in defense

Time limit: Until the end of the seventh attack of the Upheaval.

The commander support buff gradually improved after multiple attacks. The support buff was capable of increasing the attack of adventurers. When Bruce suggested the change, most people refused. Preserving their lives was at the front of most people’s minds and they thought a stronger defense was the best way to protect their life.

After everyone felt the buff activate, they knew that the battle would soon begin. Less than a minute later, the ground began to tremble, and roars could be heard from across the battlefield. Bruce’s voice began to echo on the wall a few seconds later.

“Defenders, attacker, all adventurers get ready. Craftsmen and laborers, you can begin launching your attacks when ready.”