Chapter 52: A Plan

Niko and Ivanic sat on an old wooden sofa in a dimly lit room, its medieval design fitting perfectly with the castle’s eerie atmosphere. The air was cool, and the flickering light from a few nearby sconces cast long shadows on the rough stone walls. The couch beneath them groaned with every small shift, its rigid frame offering little in the way of comfort. But in this brutal new world, comfort was a forgotten luxury, replaced by the cold reality of survival.

Before them was a glowing screen, a map of the surrounding territory flickering with small indicators and boundary lines, marking the domains of other factions. Niko leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, his eyes locked on the map with unwavering focus. Ivanic sat beside him, slightly hunched, his weathered face etched with lines of worry and concentration.

There was no time for small talk, no room for relaxation. The air was thick with tension as they discussed the future—their future—and the threats closing in on them from all sides.

Niko had come to trust Ivanic quickly, faster than he would have ever imagined possible. In this unforgiving world, trust was a rare commodity, often leading to betrayal or death. But Ivanic had proven his loyalty time and time again, offering both his wisdom and his unwavering support. He wasn’t just another survivor—they had become a team. Together, they were navigating a maze of threats, deceit, and power struggles that threatened to engulf them at any moment.

Ivanic broke the silence, his voice low but heavy with urgency. “We don’t have much time.”

His words hung in the air like a warning. Both men knew it was the truth. The clock was ticking, and the walls were closing in.

“The other factions won’t stay idle for long,” Ivanic continued, his eyes scanning the map, tracing the borders that now belonged to them. “The moment they find out you’ve taken control of this territory, they’ll come for it. Humans, especially those in Tera, are greedy. It’s only a matter of time.”

Niko's brow furrowed as Ivanic’s words sank in. He had anticipated this, but the reality of their situation made his heart beat a little faster. Control over this territory was a victory, yes, but it also painted a target on their backs. The factions, the clans, the ruthless scavengers of power—they would see this as an opportunity to strike, to tear down what Niko had built before it had the chance to grow.

“They seemed keen on expanding, especially near their borders,” Ivanic added. “The higher-ups in Tera might seem passive, but they have the Protectors to do their dirty work. They’re dangerous.”

Ivanic’s expression darkened as he spoke of Tera’s Protectors. Niko had seen firsthand the ruthless efficiency of those so-called guardians. While the higher-ups of Tera sat at the peak of their mountain, content with their wealth and power, the Protectors were the real enforcers, the ones who acted with brutal force whenever Tera sought to expand. Rumors had circulated about the decadence of Tera’s leadership, that they had grown complacent with their riches, indulging in frivolities while sending others to fight their battles.

But complacency at the top didn’t make them any less dangerous. The Protectors were trained, battle-hardened, and more than capable of crushing any resistance.

“They’ll probably try to use force if it comes to that,” Niko muttered, his voice low but steady as his fingers traced the outlines of neighboring territories. “But who said I’d give it to them?”

His eyes burned with determination, the flicker of defiance unmistakable in his tone. He had fought too hard to get here. He wasn’t about to roll over and let them take it from him. His territory. His future. Niko was ready to fight for what was his, even if it meant standing against the full might of Tera.

Ivanic frowned, leaning back slightly as he considered the gravity of their situation. “Tera is a massive threat,” he said, his voice dropping even lower, almost as if speaking the words out loud gave them more weight. “They’re like a boulder hanging over our heads, waiting to drop the moment we show any weakness.”

The thought lingered in the air, but Niko wasn’t willing to bend. And Ivanic could see that. He knew Niko’s resolve was unshakable. They had fought together, bled together, and survived together. Neither of them was going to let Tera or any other faction take away what they had built.

“I just hope we have enough time,” Ivanic said, breaking the tense silence. His eyes flickered toward Niko. “We need to level up. Fast.”

Niko nodded, the weight of Ivanic’s words not lost on him. Time was their enemy now. Every moment that passed was a moment their enemies could use to grow stronger, to make plans, to strike. They couldn’t afford to be complacent. Every day they delayed was a day they gave the factions surrounding them a chance to consolidate power and resources.

And Tera wasn’t the only threat looming on the horizon. Other clans had been discovered, their banners flying over distant territories. Some were unknown to Niko, their intentions were unclear. But that only made them more dangerous. Who knew how many of them would set their sights on his territory once word spread of his control over this land?

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Niko’s eyes returned to the map, tracing the borders of their newfound territory. He could feel the pressure mounting, the invisible weight pressing down on him. This was no longer just about survival. This was about dominance. Power. Securing his place in this world before anyone else could take it from him.

But power came with a price. He had seen that already.

"We’ll need more than just leveling up,” Niko said, his voice steady as he stared at the map. “We need a plan. Defenses. Strategies for when—not if—Tera or someone else comes knocking.”

Ivanic nodded, his face grim.

Time was their biggest enemy right now, even more than Tera. Every passing moment felt like sand slipping through their fingers, and the weight of impending danger was a constant pressure on Niko’s mind. They had just discussed their plan, and Niko had already begun to set things in motion. The threat posed by Tera and other unknown forces loomed larger than ever. But Niko wasn’t one to sit idle.

His newly summoned Rattans had been sent out to scout the area surrounding the castle, their sharp eyes and agile movements perfect for gathering intel unnoticed. What they found had been both surprising and concerning. There were far more monsters lurking around the base of the mountain than they’d anticipated—particularly rat-like creatures similar to the ones they had already fought. These monsters, while individually low-level, could pose a real threat in large numbers. But at the same time, they were also an opportunity.

The creatures, Niko realized, were a resource. Not just in terms of experience, but as potential new spirits to bolster his ever-growing army. If he could dominate and harvest them, these rat-like creatures could serve as a crucial line of defense, a buffer against the inevitable attacks from rival factions.

Niko had already allocated his newly gained status points from his ascension up the dungeon. Most of them went into intelligence, enhancing his ability to control more spirits and making his connection with them even stronger. He could feel the power humming in his mind, like a vast network of threads, each leading to one of his summoned beings. His command over them felt almost instinctive now. But while intelligence was his focus, Niko hadn’t neglected his physical attributes. He had placed points into strength, constitution, and agility, leaving him feeling like a completely new person.

Gone was the frail, uncertain Niko of Earth—the one who spent his days hiding behind a desk. That version of himself now felt like a distant memory, replaced by someone stronger, more capable, and more dangerous. His body moved with a new sense of purpose, his muscles responding faster, his reflexes sharper. He was no longer the man who had arrived in this world fearful and weak. He had become something else. Someone else.

As he stretched his arms, feeling the newfound strength ripple through his limbs, Niko rolled his shoulders and looked over at Ivanic. "Let’s get things moving. We need to level up if we’re going to hold our ground here. If Tera comes for us, we need to be ready."

Ivanic nodded in agreement, his sharp eyes already scanning the surroundings. “The Rattans did their job well,” he said, his voice calm but determined. “We know where the monsters are lurking. We start there. Clear them out, gain the experience, and fortify the area. If we do this right, we can create a defensive perimeter around the castle.”

Niko could hear the confidence in Ivanic’s voice, but there was also an underlying sense of urgency. They both knew that time was not on their side. Tera would come eventually, and with them would come the full weight of their power. If they weren’t strong enough when that time came, there would be no second chances.

The two men stood up from the old wooden sofa, their movements purposeful and precise. The room they had been sitting in was one of many within the vast, mysterious castle. It was dimly lit, the flickering light from the torches casting long, dancing shadows on the stone walls. The blood from the previous battles had long since been cleaned up, but the faint smell of iron still lingered in the air—a grim reminder of the violence that had already taken place here.

The castle itself felt strangely empty now, as if it were holding its breath, waiting for the next inevitable conflict. There was an eerie stillness to the place, a quiet anticipation that hung in the air like a storm waiting to break.

Niko led the way as they moved toward the massive front doors, their footsteps echoing loudly through the silent halls. With each step, Niko could feel his resolve hardening. The battles ahead would be fierce, and their survival was anything but guaranteed. But he had made it this far, and he wasn’t going to back down now. This castle, this territory, was his. He would defend it, no matter the cost.

As they approached the heavy wooden doors, Niko pushed them open with a firm shove. The doors creaked loudly, their ancient hinges protesting the movement, but they swung wide, revealing the world beyond.

They were greeted by the crisp, bright light of the day. The sun hung high in the sky, casting its golden rays over the landscape. It was a beautiful day, the sky a brilliant blue canvas dotted with slow-moving clouds. A soft breeze stirred the leaves of the nearby trees, filling the air with a gentle rustling sound that was almost peaceful. The contrast between the beauty of the world and the harsh reality of their situation was almost jarring.

Niko stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the landscape before him. From their vantage point atop the mountain, they could see for miles in every direction. The trail that led down the mountain was visible for a short distance before it became overgrown with cracks, grass, and dirt. Beyond that, the forest stretched out endlessly, a sea of green that hid both danger and opportunity.

Niko couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe as he looked out over the landscape. Despite everything, despite the cruelty and danger of this world, there was a serene beauty to it that was hard to ignore.

“Such a beautiful place in such a cruel world,” Niko murmured, more to himself than to Ivanic.

Ivanic, standing beside him, nodded solemnly. “Cruel indeed. But we’ll make it ours, no matter what it takes.”

Niko turned to face Ivanic, his eyes sharp and determined. "That’s exactly what we’ll do. But first, we need to make sure we’re strong enough to keep it. Let’s head down to the forest and clear out those monsters."

Ivanic agreed with a simple nod, and together, the two men began their descent down the mountain. The path was rough and uneven, but they moved with purpose, their focus on the task ahead. The monsters at the base of the mountain would provide them with the experience they needed to level up, to grow stronger, to prepare for the battles that were sure to come.

As they disappeared between the trees, the sun’s rays filtered through the leaves, casting long, jagged shadows across the forest floor. The hunt had begun, and Niko’s journey toward domination was just getting started.