Theo could have bought more things from Fenian, but it felt nice to have some money in his inventory. He was too focused on refining his processes and elevating the town to concern himself with anything else. The result of his laziness was that others in the town were picking up the slack. Only now, staring up at the town from the eastern road, did he realize how important that was. The alchemist’s plan had been to get people to be more independent, but it was hard to consider the right course of action. He simply had to give them direction and step back. No more prodding was necessary.

With the day waning and the exhausting event of dealing with Fenian done, Theo and Tresk wandered together. It was an opportunity to bond more, which they came to understand meant more experience with their [Tara’hek Core]. While the pair collected whole plants for the garden, the alchemist inspected his cores.

The first, and most powerful core he had was the [Drogramath Alchemy Core].

[Drogramath Alchemy Core]

Legendary

Alchemy Core

Bound

3 Slots

Level 13 (15%)

[Alchemy Core] given to the descendants of Drogramath.

Effect:

Increases the synergy of [Alchemy] abilities.

+4 Wisdom

[Unstable Material Handling]

He had 2 skills slotted into the core. [Drogramath Distillery Specialty], which gave him the ability to measure liquids and operate the stills, and [High Pressure Refining], which allowed him to work the pressure vessel. He had an empty skill slot and no idea how to get more skills. They came in 5s on his personal level and 10s on his core levels. Every 10th level for a core offered a skill only within the domain of that core. The 5s were free to use on everything.

[Drogramath Herbalist Core]

Rare

Herbalist Core

Bound

3 Slots

Level 12 (52%)

[Herbalist Core] given to the descendants of Drogramath.

Effects:

+4 Vigor

There was work that could be done with this core. Theo understood that a core’s rarity affected its level. The [Drogramath Alchemy Core] said it was level 13, but it functions much more like a level 50 core. That assumption took into account things he’d heard from Fenian about the other alchemists. Aligned cores operated in a different way than unaligned cores, it seemed. He gave a piece of himself to have that core inside him, but the results were worth it. Within the [Drogramath Herbalism Core] were 3 skills, [Drogramath Herbalism], [Drogramath Fermentation], and [Drogramath Inventory]. The herbalism skill gave him the ability to determine if something could be used for alchemy. The fermentation skill allowed him to use the fermentation barrels, and the inventory was just that.

This core desperately needed upgrading, and Theo had a feeling Zarali would know how to do it. It was a task for another time, but he still wanted to take stock.

[Governance Core]

Legendary

Administration Core

Unbound

2 Slots

Level 4 (2%)

Advanced [Administrator] core, reserved for leaders.

Innate Skills:

[Command Structure]

[Titles]

[Automatic Books]

Effects:

+2 Intelligence

The [Governance Core] had recently leveled up, and would hit level 5 soon enough. With this core, it was easy to see the effects of the legendary rarity tag. It came with 3 innate skills and interfaced with his mayor’s screen perfectly. There were still features that he hadn’t rooted out, leaving them as a mystery for now. The only skill slotted in the core was [Contracts], which needed examination.

[Contracts]

Governance Skill

Epic

Allows the user to create binding contracts between parties. These parties may be individuals, or entire towns or cities. The extent of the contract is agreed upon, including duration, payment, and expectations, by both parties.

Effect:

Allows the user to track contracts like quests.

Allows the user to create contracts.

Theo knew this was the most powerful skill he had, although he hadn’t used its full extent. This was a way to guarantee the safety of the town. He could put a clause in the contract that forced the person to not harm Broken Tusk or anyone in it. While he didn’t know what the outcome of breaking the contract was besides what he’d been told, he hoped it was compelling enough to keep being honest. The threat of some strange magical beast coming to collect on a debt of life would have to be enough to bind the contract.

Tresk and Theo gained a large amount of experience for the Tara’hek core while they replanted the garden. They introduced stat-bearing reagent plants to the garden, keeping the [Flame Roses] as far from the other plants as possible. The strange bush the roses grew on sent cinders sailing off occasionally, but it seemed mostly harmless. After applying more aerosolized growth potion to the garden and planning the next expansion out, it was a field of reagents. The [Spiny Swamp Thistle] plants had grown to 90% cultivation, and the tubers it produced were huge.

Theo inspected one [Spiny Swamp Thistle Root], noting the massive increase in size.

[Spiny Swamp Thistle Root]

[Alchemy Ingredient] [Cultivated]

Common

This [Spiny Swamp Thistle Root] has been cultivated. Selective breeding and applications of growth potions will increase the [Cultivation] modifier. [Cultivation] percentage increases yield and quality of this reagent.

Cultivation:

90%

Unit by volume:

11 units

Properties:

[Healing] [Regeneration] ????

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

His current garden of 20 plants should produce 220 units of essence, but the alchemist suspected there were hidden features to cultivation. The act of spending the rest of the day with Tresk and tending the garden saw growth in 2 cores. The [Tara’hek Core] almost grew to level 13, but the [Drogramath Herbalism Core] grew to 13, sending Theo’s personal level to 12. He inspected his character sheet before applying his free point.

Belgar (Theo Spencer)

Drogramath Dronon

Level 12

Alchemist

Core Slots: 3

Stats:

Health: 65

Mana: 90

Stamina: 75

Strength: 16 (+10)

Dexterity: 8 (+3)

Vigor: 12 (+4)

Intelligence: 16 (+4)

Wisdom: 25 (+6)

Points: 1

The benefit of increased [Intelligence] was already making itself known, and Theo wanted to push it beyond 20 before considering other stats. He applied the single point to [Intelligence], bringing him to 17, counting his bonuses. The effect of the intelligence stat and wisdom stat were very murky, but they paired well together. Unlike [Strength], which made a person physically stronger, they altered the way a person thought. [Wisdom] provided superior intuition into topics, but made the user unable to extrapolate information. Only when higher [Intelligence] scores came into play did they see the thread of knowledge winding around a topic.

The companions spent the rest of the day relaxing. They found their way to Xam’s tavern when the time was right, enjoying the company of the other members of the town. Alise arrived half-way through the meal to inform the mayor that Fenian had departed for the day, but promised to return at a moment’s notice in a time of need. She also informed them there was a meeting among the command structure the next morning for the siege. The new assistant informed the alchemist he needed to give titles and ranks to both Zarali and Xol’sa. The priestess got the title “Cleric” and the wizard “Town Mage”. They were both placed in a position directly below Luras.

Waking the next morning, Theo and Tresk tended the garden together before returning to the Tavern for breakfast. She served the same thing as the night before, a simple stew dish, but it provided a strength bonus for the day. The alchemist couldn’t wait for her to put on another banquet. They took their time with the breakfast, lingering on less important topics as though they could push away the impending monster wave by chatting. Only when Alise came to retrieve them did they give up that hope, trudging over to the Adventurer’s Guild.

Luras, Aarok, Zarali, and Xol’sa were gathered in the cramped office when they arrived. Alise assumed a position in the corner while Theo and Tresk found two chairs added for them.

“We have a solid strategy,” Aarok said, his face painted with resolve. “But you will not like this.”

“There were some miscalculations,” Xol’sa said, shrugging.

“That’s mostly my fault,” Zarali said, placing her hand over Xol’sa’s and flashing a warm smile. “An unexpected overflow of power.”

“I assume you have it under control,” Theo said.

“We do,” Alise said.

Theo turned to look at the woman, surprised that she had engrained herself in the command structure already. She had a hunger for this kind of work, and the alchemist wouldn’t do anything to get in her way. If she’d take care of the boring day-to-day things, he could focus on the bigger picture. Things like trade deals and the collection of resources were more important to him, and this took a lot of the strain off of him.

“There’s gonna be two waves,” Luras said, cutting to the core of the issue.

Theo turned his head again, locking eyes with the Half-Ogre. There was something different swimming in his eyes, a sense of belonging that the alchemist couldn’t place. It was as though something deep within him had shifted slightly to one side, but he couldn’t wrap his mind around it. His gaze lingered for too long and Zarali let out a sharp laugh.

“My dear brother might finally make use of his cores,” she said. “Tell me, sweet brother, what do you feel about your friend?” she asked, gesturing to Luras.

While she could be annoying, Zarali was right. He scraped his memories, looking for something that made sense. A flash in Luras’ eyes revealed the truth, but it was no simple thing to riddle out. Only with the increase to his [Intelligence], high [Wisdom], and the innate knowledge of his cores brought the truth to light.

“Baelthar,” Theo said, squinting at his friend. “Right?”

“[Baelthar’s Hunter Core],” Zarali said. “A legendary evolution of the [Hunter’s Core], and an apt core for such a powerful man.”

“Baelthar is the Ogre Patron of the Hunt, right?” Theo asked. “So, you found an aligned core.”

“Something like that,” Luras said, shuffling his feet on the spot. “Priestess Zarali helped with that. Baelthar and Drogramath get along, so they say. The trader helped.”

Theo almost forgot about the shocking news that there’d be two waves. He was too consumed by the primal sensation he felt while looking into Luras’ eyes.

“Two waves back-to-back?” Theo asked.

“We don’t know,” Xol’sa said.

“So, this is a briefing,” Aarok said, clearing his throat. “Theo and I spent most of our money on defensive towers and I’ve arranged them throughout the town. I scattered the [Firebolt Towers] along the wall in even intervals. I placed 2 [Fireball Towers] near each gate, except for the south gate. Only 1 there. 2 [Chain Lightning Towers] at the north, and 1 at every other gate. 1 [Frost Cone Tower] at each gate. [Dimensional Storage Crates] loaded with motes all over the wall.”

“We have enough potions for the siege,” Luras said. “But you should be ready to brew more on the fly.”

“I’ve laced the marsh with dimensional traps,” Xol’sa said. “They’ll displace some monsters for a short period of time.”

“I’ve consulted with Lord Drogramath, who promised to bless our fighters,” Zarali said, bowing her head in reverence.

Theo felt at a loss for words. It was as though the weight of the siege was meaningless. He sensed Tresk feeling the same thing. The only thing they could do was sit there and absorb the information.

“Tresk, you’re already familiar with your squad,” Luras said, tipping his head to her.

“I am,” Tresk said. “Buncha sneaky peoples.”

“And you’ve already done enough drills to know your role,” Aarok said.

“That leaves my sweet brother,” Zarali said, grinning. “What role will you take? Nothing like Belgar. He had combat cores.”

“I don’t want combat cores,” Theo said, shaking his head.

“Winning a fight doesn’t mean fighting,” Luras said, his gaze fixed on the middle-distance. “Theo ran support the last 2 sieges. That kind of work is instrumental.”

“Just so,” Xol’sa said.

The group went on talking about the tactics of the defense. Theo was excited to hear their plans, and how in depth they went. They had prepared for several scenarios, which had different arrangements for the adventurers. The siege could come from one side, then the other, or both sides at once. Aarok even had a plan for if all 5 dungeons unleashed their monsters at the same time. Each plan gave the alchemist the same role. Running supplies between the different stations and helping Aarok with the tactical map. After an hour of discussion, the meeting concluded abruptly.

[Aarok]: The monster wave will begin at noon. Please prepare accordingly.

“That does it‌,” Aarok said. “Now, we wait.”

Theo and Tresk excused themselves, Alise trailing behind them. She held a parchment in her hand and seemed to beg for the alchemist’s attention. When they made it to the monolith he turned to meet her gaze.

“Just a quick update,” Alise said. “I met with the producers of the town and got their long-term plans for production. Only a few had something solid, but I’ve urged them to establish growth. The [Administrator’s Core] lets me use more of the town’s features, so I’ll keep an eye on that.”

“How long have you been doing this, lady?” Tresk asked, laughing.

Alise blushed. “A day?”

“Seems like you’ve been an administrator your whole life,” Theo said. “You’re good at this.”

She blushed more. “Thank you, mister mayor. I’m just trying to earn my keep.”

“How are the toes?” Theo asked.

The woman smiled wide. She bent over and removed a shoe, revealing a set of freshly growing toes at the end of her foot. They were stunted at the moment, but not the small nubs she had before.

“I could never afford the salve up north,” Alise said. “Look! They’re almost back!”

“That’s great,” Tresk said, leaning close to the woman’s feet. “You’re gonna have new toes by the end of the week.”

“I can almost wiggle them,” Alise said, trying and failing to wiggle her new toes.

Theo was suspicious of the woman’s aptitude in her position but he assumed the best. Betrayal wouldn’t come from someone helping him establish his town. The contract would keep her from outright betrayal, and she was fitting in amazingly. All the alchemist could do was marvel at the amount of competent people that were drawn to his town.

The group spoke at the monolith for some time, and Alise revealed more about herself. She was shy, but Tresk had a way of wiggling information out of others. The Marshling wasn’t sly, just persistent. Alise had laboring cores, but often served as a go-between for a merchant in a small town north of Qavell. She often ran between many people, collecting numbers for shipment quantities or profits. Even without cores, she was expected to do the work of an administrator. It was only once her shell was broken that she gave up the truth.

Throk grabbed Theo’s attention before he left the square. The artificer was interested in buying all the smelter’s current supply of iron, something he was more than happy to do. There was no need to haggle. The price established by the system was informed by Throk’s recent sales, so he had the latest information. Iron bars were slightly more expensive than copper bars, coming in at a solid 50 copper coins per bar. Copper bars sold anywhere from 20 to 50 copper, but the alchemist had a feeling they would sell for the lowest possible price.

Theo and Throk established a contract where the artificer promised to deliver a [Dimensional Storage Crate] to the smelter. In exchange, he could take whatever bars he needed at market cost. Creating the contract meant that the funds would be deposited automatically, and they didn’t have to worry about manually exchanging money.

Tresk and Theo lingered there for some time, watching the blacksmith do his work. Smithing was the man’s primary job, and he was working on a few things for Sledge. Throk’s skills with his smithing core must have grown more powerful, because each swing of his hammer moved more material. There were even times when a hammer strike made no sense, shaping the metal into impossible shapes. Instead of deforming under the clang of a hammer, he punched a hole straight through it.

Eventually, the pair wandered to the smelter to inform Nira of the new arrangement. She grunted in response, barely noticing them as she worked the blistering hot crucible. They then made their way to the mine, where the miners were still diligently pulling ore from the caverns. Theo made sure they understood the importance of leaving before the siege, and they agreed. With only a few hours until the monsters were scheduled to arrive, they began packing it up.

Gridgen said there was a plan for the children, which Theo wasn’t aware of. A team of 5 adventurers were assigned to guard the kids specifically, who would have fun activities prepared at Xam’s tavern. Throk had created an artifice that would play rude sounds if you turned a crank on the side, something the alchemist wanted to see for himself.

As the pair made their way back to the monolith, noon quickly approaching, Tresk turned to Theo with a smile.

“I’m getting a fart machine from my dad,” she said, her smile spreading into a devious grin.

“Me too.”