"So were going to go level some of the citizens." D started to explain. "We need the new girl Ana to get stronger so she can keep adding points to manam that will help keep food production up. We're going to take Joe and Mike out to power level then a bit."

"Why they can level themselves in a safe way." Rob said

"I'm on edge we need to get back out there ourselves. Dan's going to stay and hold down the fort with Joe and Mike. Ana and the other girl Tiffany are going to be in charge or growing and protecting the food outside the gates." D said "In 5 days were going to move south to that territory stone and claim another one. We need more quality gear. We need more Exp."

"Ok so what's the plan for today then?" Rob asked

"Today we're just going to hunt for a few hours. We're going to do some damage but let Mike and Joe get the kills. We're going to have Dave stay with Ana and Tiffany at the site Ana picked out for food. If any beasts come Dave will do the same for them." D explained

"What about the report of the beast noises increasing all last night?" Rob asked

"I'm counting on them being there. We need to get some Exp and hopefully some loot. We won't do anything to crazy, but we need to start fresh. Grab Dave and Dan, tell them the plan for today. Have Dave inform Ana and Tiffany. I'll grab Joe and Mike." Dave said. "We meet at the gate in 15 mins."

Everyone met at the gate 15 minutes later. Everyone came prepared. Dan had some extra weapons to loan out. Mike and Joe were yet to get a loot box. Ana and Tiffany also had zero kills under their belts.

"Ok so Ana you and Tiffany are going to stay with Dave find a spot you believe you can really put in some good work getting food production going. Tiffany what's your class and mana type?" D asked

"This might sound bad but I picked it because it was strong not because it reflected me. My class is called Fire Demoness. And obviously my mana type is fire." Tiffany said

"That's pretty awesome actually. If any beasts come I'm sure Dave, Ana and yourself will be just fine then." D said with a smirk

"Joe, Mike your with me and D. We're going out to level you guys and hopefully get a loot chest." Rob said

At the gate Ana, Tiffany and Dave went right. There was some thicker foliage that way. Ana said that meant more furtile ground. Dave was going to help clear the area of larger trees. Then work with them on their mana manipulations.

Rob, Mike, Joe and D headed left out of the gate towards the area everyone said the beast sounds were coming from the night before.

Rob was level 5 and D was level 7 they need to push themselves, but also keep Mike and Joe safe. The plan was to stay out for 5 hours. Hunt and kill any beasts they came across for food. If they were lucky enough to come across a monster even better for the Exp.

After about 25 minutes of walking Rob caught some movement ahead in the clearing. For a second he wished they brought Leah to help determine the numbers they were up against. They were just going to have to make due with Rob's high perception for now.

As they entered the clearing they noticed something was off. Like really off. Different from any beast packs they had seen. The ground had been trampled so much it was dirt. The number of hoof marks was insane. This wasn't just a dozen beasts this was around a hundred. It was the only way this much damage could have happened so quickly.

"This doesn't seem right. What do you want to do D?" Rob asked

"I'm not sure it appears they're circling around the settlement opposite the way we came. We have to follow these tracks and see what's going on." D said "I wish we had a way to tell Dave to keep an eye out."

In the clearing there were still 4 boar rummaging around. Just kind of lingering and digging with their snots. D called Mike and Joe over. "This is your chance there's only 4 of them time to put in some work. Plus we need the meat. You guys ready?" D asked

"I guess." Said Joe

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"Of course." Said Mike

D and Rob hung back. They needed to see these two in action make sure they could handle themselves. D had used IDENTIFY on the boar and they were all level 1 except the farthest it was level 2. Mike has a spear and Joe had a standard sword. Mike was able to get within striking distance first. He jabbed out with his spear and the level 1 boar let out a small squelch grunt. Then shook and dropped where it stood. Exp, flowed into Mike. The other boar all turned at the noise. Joe was now almost within range. He sprinted forward and the level 1 boar charged right back at him. Joe side stepped the charge and raked his sword down the board exposed flank. It tore wide open have it's guts spilling out the side. It was a bloody mess. It dropped to the forest floor dead in just a few moments. Exp flooded into Joe and he leveled. Joe has killed some boar before he seemed confident with his strikes.

The level 2 boar looked engaged it started to charge at Joe who was now engaged with the last level 1 boar. Mike took a several step drop and threw the spare at the charging boar. D had to be honest, it was a fuckin great throw. It slammed into the Boars neck dropping it to the ground. Joe was quickly able to take out the final boar, with two slashes of the sword. The first across the snout froze it in place then a quick overhead downward slash to the side of its neck and it was finished. Mike had got enough Exp to level. A loot box appeared in the clearing. Just then D and Rob stepped out. "Nice work guys you handled that really well. Go claim your loot and I'll get some meat ready to be takin back." Rob said

Mike walked over staring at the loot chest. Joe did the same. It was the first time either had seen one, so they were unsure what to do.

D realized this and spoke up." You just touch it and your items will go into your inventory."

Mike reached his hand out an touched the chest. He was still in awe of the feeling of gaining a level. This was turning into a great day. When he touched the chest a message appeared in his minds eye.

:You have reached The Tusk War Hammer. When in a charge or sprint war hammer does +2 blunt damage to enemies. 1 minor mana potion: Mike was pumped he had his own weapon now.

Joe received only 2 minor mana potions. If he was let down it didn't show on his face. Joe turned back towards the group when disaster struck. A large jet black Dire Wolf materialized out of thin air just behind Joe. Mike started to yell, but it was on Joe in a heartbeat. The Dire Wolf sunk his fangs deep into Joe's upper leg. Blood was spurting out everywhere.

This was really bad they were a good 25 mins from the settlement. They had no idea about all the other beasts and now someone was wounded. They should have taken some healing potions or atleast someone who could heal.

Mike pulled out his new War Hammer and sprinted towards the Dire Wolf now clamped onto Joe. Mike let lose with a powerful swing at the Dire Wolfs flank. It hit so hard the Wolf let go of Joe immediately. Now the bleeding was much worse. Rob used Shadow Blink to jump into the tree behind the wolf. He pulled back his bow string and let an arrow fly. It caught the wolf in the front shoulder. It still wasn't down. Rob was shocked at the abuse this wold seemed to take. He used IDENTIFY on it and his mouth dropped open. It was a Level 6 Dire Wolf Alpha. His pack couldn't be to far away. Rob yelled to D "it's a level 6 alpha! We gotta move now."

D heard Rob yell and sprinted into the fray. He pulled his sword from his inventory and let a downward slash catch the wolf in the neck. It finally dropped down to the ground. Down but not dead yet. It took D another heavy overhead chop to kill it.

Joe was bleeding bad. Things weren't looking good for him. Mike pulled off his shirt. Trying to stop the bleeding. "Wrap it like as tight as you can. We have to move him." D said

About 2 miles away just outside the gate. Dave had cleared a good half an acre of land. He found that Tiffany was really good with her fire. She would torch the land he would use his lightning to exploded trees right down to the roots. Ana was just about to start growing some fruits and vegetables, when the felt the tremors in the ground.

"Are you doing that Ana?" Dave asked

"No not at all I haven't started yet." Ana said

"It almost feels like an earth quake." Tiffany added. They were all looking around but couldn't figure out where the rumbling was coming from. All of a sudden they could hear someone yelling. It was coming from the area near the gate.

"I've got a bad feeling come on we have to go now. Something strange is going on." Dave told them.

They all turned and started to sprint towards the gate. As they got closer Dave could make out it was Leah who was yelling. "Get inside, there's beasts all around hundreds of them." Leah yelled "where's my dad and the others?"

"We're not sure they went out for a hunt. They said they were going to be gone for about 4 or 5 hours. I'm not sure when they'll be back." Dave told her

"My senses are going crazy the whole south side of the settlement has hundreds of beasts. They're either fighting or traveling together. What should we do?" Leah asked

"Get inside and close the gate. The beasts can't come inside. We're going to have to figure out a way to mount an offensive attack from the walls." Dave said "Grab Dan and anyone able to do damage at range. Gina should have a list of classes and skills for the new comers."

"Tiffany we are going to need you to use your fire. I'll see what I can do with some lightning bolts. We're going to be in for a long day. If only Rob was here we could use his bow." Dave said shaking his head. This was the last thing they needed right now. They were trapped inside with a little food and no ranged weapons." He knew trying to send a bolt of lightning may not even warn D and Rob. He had no idea what direction they were in or how far away. Dan, Gina, Kim and himself were going to have to figure something out. They were going to have to figure it out fast.