With a few members of the group making it to level 10 there was much to go over. Rob and Mike hadn't made it back yet, but D went to grab a drink of water. He had grabbed two men he didn't know from the latest group and sent them out to gather some meat for everyone. It was getting late in the day, but there was still much to do.

Everyone was smiling and waving. Sending praise. D just knew they were lucky the horde was of rather weak beasts. He knew the longer this world went on the stronger the beasts would get. Power was what mattered now it seemed. He finally caught sight of Dan rushing over to him.

"That was an interesting battle. Most all of the citizens who have offensive mana, are able to cast now. With the meat we gather today we should be ok on protein. We need to get Ana out there to do her thing and get a garden growing." Dan said

"Did Dave tell you I want everyone involved in the battle to meet at the barracks I want to know how many levels everyone gained and how the stats are improving. I hit level 10. I was able to gain a new skill. We need to get you power leveled up to 10. Your healing will be much strong then. I bet you could even get a group heal skill or something that will upgrade the weapons you make." D told him

"Dave's telling Gina what to do. Where's Rob, Mike and Joe? Why did you grab Leah and run off?" Dan asked

"Joe was wounded badly. He was bleeding out. We can't go out to hunt without a healer or health potions. That was proved today I just hope Joe is alright. He was still in rough shape when we got Leah to him. I thought we were going to lose him." D said "Be at the meeting at the barracks in a few minutes. I have to wash some of this blood off me. Send someone to man the gate for when everyone gets back." D said turning to walk towards the training hall to fetch some water.

Dan yelled for two newer members to head over to the gate. He walked towards the town hall knowing Dave was still inside. Today was crazy but gaining levels like this was worth it. Plus the food they would get would be one less thing to worry about. Dan hoped Joe was ok. He was a good man. They hadn't lost anyone yet but the odds of keeping everyone alive was slim. This was a dangerous world. He thought just as he made it to the door of the town hall.

"And so we finished off the horde and D sent Rob and Mike back to get your husband and daughter. He said Joe was hurt pretty bad, but he didn't say anything else. Just that he wanted anyone who was part of the battle to meet at the barracks to go over level and stats. He didn't say why. Sorry Gina that's all I know for now." Dave was finished his recap for Gina as Dan walked in.

"What's the deal Dave" Dan asked

"Gina will explain it to you, but be over at the barracks in a few mins D has called everyone is the settlement over he wants a run down on levels and stats." Dave told him before walking out of the town hall.

About 30 minutes later everyone was assembled in the barracks. D was taking charge of this meeting even though Gina was the mayor. It was time to learn the settlements strengths and divide into more effective hunting parties. "Listen up most of you know who I am. Everyone calls me D. I'm one of the founders of this settlement. Right now we're a disgrace. We were almost done in by our first horde of beasts. Things will only be getting tougher the longer things go. So what I would like is for everyone who helped in the attack to step forward. Then we will all disclose our levels and stats. You don't have to go crazy just a quick rundown so we can start to plan for the future." D met there eyes. A lot of them seemed unsure what to do. No one seemed to want to go first. Maybe embarrassed by there level, maybe just nervous around all the people. D decided he would go first the break the ice. " As I said my name is D I'm now level 10 only 500Exp from level 11. My stats are all around 15 except for my mana which I've pushed up to 22. I'm trying to keep an even distribution with each level. Anyone want to go next?" He asked

"I'm D's brother Rob I'm also level 10 my highest stats are both 20 in perception and dexterity. My other stats are around 12 and 13. I'm also one of the founders of this settlement." Rob spoke looking to Dave as if telling him to go next.

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"I'm Dave. First of all thanks for listening to my when the time counted. I'm level 9. Only 300Exp from level 10. Like D I'm keeping my stats pretty rounded all are at level 12. I have an uncommon class so I don't have as many points per level to use." Dave said

Then there was silence. No one else seemed ready to speak. Mike stepped up. "I'm Mike. I'm not a founder but I'm level 6. My stats are all pretty low right now around 5 to 7." Mike then stepped back into the group before Tiffany stepped forward.

I'm Tiffany as most of you saw I'm a fire mana user. I'm not level 5 after the horde battle. My stats are all pretty low around 3 but my mana stat is at level 8. It seemed the best usage during the attack." She stepped back. Slowly but surely the rest stepped forward gave their name and a quick overview of where they were. Many who didn't have offensive mana were still level 1. Probably why they didn't want to step forward and expose themselves. Still D had a good idea of the power of the settlement. They still were a few citizens away from unlocking the town hall. He couldn't see a way to recruit people only time would tell. Still with a rough estimate of everyone's skills and stats it was going to be easier moving forward.

"One last thing I would like to add." D said "when I reached Level 10 I was offered a new skill. I believe that will be the same for most of you as well. If we're going to grow and have a good life here, we need everyone to level as much as we can. We're only as strong as the weakest link. Over the next few weeks I will be sending out lower level citizens with higher level to gain some Exp. We will also be sending out some of you to look for other survivors in the area. If you find anyone bring them to Gina for questioning before they can be allowed to join the settlement. We have a lot of meat to harvest so let's get to it and have a nice meal tonight. Also great job everyone coming together for our first challenge." D said. He could see everyone brighten up a little bit. The horde was dead food was aplenty and they had a plan to move forward. D left to check on Joe and Leah. He hadn't seen them at the meeting so he assumed Joe still wasn't awake.

D left the barracks it was a few hours till sundown. There was just always so much to do. Soon he hoped to have a routine in place to change that up. As there were more people and trust was being built, he could see things getting easier.

Joe walked over to the guildhall. It was only a two min walk, he dread every step. He had no idea if Joe was ok. Seeing as Joe and his family were some of the first people here he hoped everything would turn out for the best.

D knocked quickly on the door and walked inside. Joe was still unconscious. Leah was sitting over him. She looked in rough shape, tired and on the verge of passing out. "How's he doing?" D asked

"He hasn't woke up yet. I've used all my mana to heal him. The wound is closed, he seems stable but he hasn't woke up. I'm starting to get nervous." Leah said tears in her eyes

"Listen we don't know much about this new world. I'm sure if he's alive still he's going to wake up. Let's leave him to rest. Have your sister Kim come watch over him. Get some rest you look like you need it. Well have food ready soon enough. I'm sure you don't feel like celebrating, but everyone needs a moment to relax. It's been a nightmare of a day." D said

Leah nodded in agreement. She didn't stand to leave just yet but D knew she would soon. He turned and left walking back outside. The air smelled heavy of blood the wind pushing the stench of death over the walls from the dead beasts.

Today has been a tough day, but D knew there was going to be many more to come. He had plans he would need The Crews help but in a week or two things would be better. D was aimlessly walking around by the walls. A plan slowly forming in his mind. He was setting dead lines, coming up with plans. Rob was going to be a big part of his plans he needed his brother close. His range attacks were perfect when working with his close range damage. Mike had shown his worth out there. Dave as always was ready to go. Dan had really stepped up to get the citizens into the fight. He knew they could do this. Only one thing was nagged at him. When he went before the AI for his new skill he found out he was not the first to reach level 10. He wasn't even second. That meant people out there were ahead on them. Had put in more work had gain more power. In his mind this was not acceptable. If Providence was to succeed they needed to be at the front of the pack, not trailing behind. The next two weeks he thought that's going to make or break us. Either we hit the goals I've set, or we leave this place to go out for a real adventure. He knew Rob and Dave would be on board. He hoped to talk Mike into coming along as well. He didn't think Dan would go to travel when they were building something of a safety net here, but he hoped he could convince him if the time came.

It was time to gather The Crew and go over his plans. In his mind there was no time to waste. The sooner the better. Maybe he was nuts, but he still couldn't shake that need to grow stronger. Something constantly nagging in the back of his mind. He was missing something. He didn't know what it was, but he was going to push to get there.