~~~Lee~~~
"If a monster gets past you and you aren't dead or in critical condition, I will kill you myself," Lee said to the five men. "This is the first day of the rest of your life. Don't fuck it up." It was harsh, and probably unnecessary, but he really didn’t want to have to deal with something down the road.
They had only spare knives and a few weapons looted from their old base. No armor and no runes. Still, it was unlikely they would actually face combat. Between Jake and the monsters' greed for Lee himself, they'd be untouched. Not that they needed to know that.
"Nice of you to finally join us," he said to the aforementioned hunter. "I thought we agreed to leave at dawn?"
Jake was in a good mood, despite his gear being in tatters and only one of his runed pieces still holding charge. He grinned and gestured Lee away from the others. When they were alone, he said quietly, "I found one. Took longer to run down than I expected."
"One what? Oh, a... E-grade?" Lee felt a chill. It was too soon...
"Yup. Tough fucker, too."
"Wait, are you E-grade now?"
Jake shook his head. "Plus ten core, but only strength." He didn't look all that upset about it. Probably because it was just another excuse to keep hunting.
The group was ready and Lee took the front with Jake while he pestered the man with questions about the E-grade monster.
Turned out it wasn't even an animal. Rather, some kind of trash golem, or maybe trash elemental, that had carved a lair out of the landfill. Which explained the smell…
It had run away once it started losing, and Jake had to chase it through the maze of tunnels while fighting off a literal army of its F-grade minions. Which were also trash monsters.
That it had never fled the lair, even when it had the opportunity, was some comfort. Whether it could not leave or simply didn't want to, Jake didn't know. But Lee really didn't want to run into a random creature out here that was a whole grade above him. He expected his runes would still carry him through, but he hadn't forgotten the frog. Or the hawk.
"Checking in," Alejandro's voice sounded directly into his ear and Lee jumped. He saw the mana flying in along the thread connecting them, but it came through so fast that the warning was useless.
"Nothing to report," Lee said after touching the spell clinging next to his ear. The Communicator had cast his spell on Lee and Alejandro, and he'd been right about having to touch them to do so, at least going by what Lee had seen during the process. Assuming the guy didn't have more than one skill, and that he was a good enough liar to fool Jake.
Either way, it didn't matter. They would fight or they would die. If they proved themselves enough, he might consider reassigning the more useful ones. But only after talking to the people they'd wronged.
Sure, the communication spell was decent, and would likely get even better as it leveled, but more than that, it gave Lee the idea to create his own runic solution. It was something he should have thought about before, and he had a few ideas about how to make it happen. He wasn't sure if the runes would work like he wanted, and of course, couldn't test it until tomorrow.
Jake stuck with him once they got back, and Lee eyed him while Alejandro handled the newcomers—liberated prisoners and forced conscripts alike. It was good to delegate. As for Jake... "Aren't you gonna keep looking for E-grades?"
"I will, but I'll admit I'm curious about the whole Fort business. So, are you going to do it?"
"Maybe later," Lee said, feeling petty with the hunter. Jake had far too much fun forcing annoying shit onto him...
"I'm gonna follow you until you do!" Jake said, grinning and standing entirely too close. "Come on, do it!"
"What's in it for me?" Lee said. "Seems like you really want to see this, but I'm not in a big hurry here... If only there was some way to incentivise me..."
Jake brushed an imaginary tear from his eye. "Oh... they grow up so fast!" Then he laughed. "Tell you what, since you told me about your mana, I'll keep an eye out for skills that might work for it. Good enough?"
"I want first dibs on all the skills you find," Lee said. "I'll need an army to keep this place standing, and you're too lazy with just absorbing everything."
"Deal." Jake grinned. "You realize I can't absorb any more cores, right? Not even the stats from skill shards."
It was Lee's turn to grin. "You agreed to 'all' skills. I said nothing about grades of the skills."
Jake actually froze for a second, but his grin still grew. "Look at you. My little politician... I'm so proud!" He raised a finger. "It's a deal, but if I want to learn the actual skill myself..."
"Yea, yea. I'm not trying to cripple your growth. Just want you to stop wasting the rest."
He wasn't sure how the process would work, so headed to his apartment before pulling out the key.
Sapient Lair detected. Authority sufficient. Consume Key to Upgrade Sapient Lair into Fort? Y/N?
Lee accepted, bracing himself.
Select Fort Boundaries.
What did that mean? Was he supposed to walk around outside? Before doing that, Lee tried to picture the entire apartment complex in his mind, hoping to...
Greenfield Village will become Greenfield Fort. Y/N?
He could almost see it in his mind... as if a glowing line had outlined the complex... easier than expected. Lee chose yes.
Lee Cascade has created Greenfield Fort. Lee Cascade automatically promoted to Fort Commander.
You currently have 241 Non-residents occupying your Fort and one contested structure within the perimeter.
A new sensation filled Lee's mind. A sense of... wrongness. He immediately knew it was the non-residents, as well as an even larger feeling where the one building had gotten claimed by the other group during the lair event.
Something in the sensations told him he could invite the people to join, so he did, with just a thought.
Alejandro Morales has joined Greenfield Fort.
The almost instantaneous acceptance from Alejandro was nice, and another followed shortly after.
Maria Morales(+2 Child) has joined Greenfield Fort.
A few other names Lee didn't recognize scrolled past, then the five conscripts finally accepted, probably after prompting from Alejandro. He watched more people join, some he knew, some he didn't, until a name he'd been worried about finally appeared.
Saira Singh has joined Greenfield Fort.
Mary Singh has joined Greenfield Fort.
Her name was actually Mary... at least he assumed that was Mar. He didn't really care. Lee was just glad they joined. Saira hadn't spoken to him since the night before, and he was getting tempted to seek her out. She was too valuable to lose, something he hadn't fully considered the night before. Now, less tired and in slightly less pain, Lee would willingly execute the five conscripts immediately if she insisted. Power ruled, and she had power that was in high demand.
The messages tapered off until only twenty people remained as non-residents. Lee could feel them more clearly now, especially since they were all grouped up in the building he didn't control. Figures. Though there was one other. Jake never joined.
"You don't want to be a part of my empire?"
Jake held up a hand, his eyes closed. "There's something in the magic..." He opened his eyes. "I don't like it. Feels like something is trying to get in my head."
"That's..." Lee trailed off as his thoughts summoned information he hadn't known before creating the Fort. "I can give orders... and it will compel obedience..."
"Dude..."
"It's not as bad as it sounds… but not… good. I can't just compel everyone. It has a cooldown… I think it's to stop fights... or maybe compel the truth?" He could use something like that...
Jake was shaking his head. "Sounds shady as hell. Can people leave?"
Lee searched his mind again and found the answer. "Yes. But not while we are... at war?" It wasn't clear and not explained in words, either. More of a sensation, something akin to... conflict.
"Don't turn evil, Lee. I will hunt you down."
"You really have so little faith in me?"
Jake waffled his hand back and forth. "You know, power corrupts and all that."
"Says the most powerful person here?"
"I mean, I can't help it if I'm better than you."
Lee rolled his eyes and changed the subject. He'd figure out the whole fort business later. "Did you see the other message? About invasions?"
New Fort creation grants bonus protection duration. Protection remaining: (50:56:17)
Prepare your defenses. Fight.
He'd forgotten the message when they killed the panthers and claimed the sapient lair. After last night, and the terrifying glimpse of what was to come, he wouldn't forget again.
"I saw it. Something to look forward to. Assuming you don't steal all the kills again..."
"So you'll be here?"
"If I don't find a lair full of E-grades to hunt. Also, it doesn't say we 'will' get an invasion, just that we might. I want to see what we get, but I won't hang out forever waiting."
Lee hadn't thought of that. "Shit. Now I'm kinda hoping we get attacked immediately..." What if he went hunting and his fort got invaded? Would he get trapped outside a barrier like the one last night?
"On that note," Jake said, and turned to leave. "See ya."
Putting aside the worries he couldn't do anything about, Lee focused on Alejandro and was pleased but unsurprised to know where he currently was. In the garage, with May. One perk of being in charge. He also knew the conscripts were down there, too.
He'd been planning to get them at least some pieces of gear, not only to keep them alive but also to keep track of them in case they fled. Presumably they would want to hang onto such powerful items, and since no one but a select few knew Lee could track his runes, they wouldn't get away with it.
Lee would have preferred to put runes on their bones so they couldn't ditch the tracking power, but that might be a bit much. For now. If he figured out how to enchant his whole skeleton, there would be volunteers wanting the same treatment. Who would turn down power like that? Just because of a little pain? Well, some would. Some wusses.
Alejandro was arguing with May when Lee got downstairs. She wanted to get paid before loaning out more of the pre-enchanted gear. Greedy... but not unreasonable to lookout for herself and Dennis. Her husband being one of the more useless classes around, though to be fair, he had joined the guard despite not needing the free gear.
Nevertheless, it was time to change things up. Lee took a deep breath. This would be unpleasant... "May." She ignored him to keep complaining to Alejandro. "I'm renegotiating our deal."
That got her attention. "You can't..."
"I can, and I am." She took to step toward him, mouth opening and finger pointing. Lee talked faster. "I want equipment for the Guard, and I want it for free. We provide the materials and whatever else you need, and it doesn't have to be fancy, just enough that my enchants can do their thing."
"Absolutely not!"
"The Guard protects you. They protect everyone, and everyone has to contribute."
"You get a fancy title and think you can start throwing your weight around? You think I won't pack up and leave? Or will you imprison me here? Chain me to the forge? Huh!? Just try it!"
"Jesus, May! I said nothing like..."
"I am a free citizen, a businesswoman, and you want to rob me and..."
"Enough!" Lee shouted at the tiny woman. "Don't you fucking get it!? We're in a war! This isn't about your business and your profits. We're all going to die if we don't work together, and I'll be damned if there isn't a fucking unbreakable fortress waiting here when Stan comes home! You fucking hear me!? I will not let this place fall! No matter what! If I have to hold it up with my bare hands, I fucking will!"
May didn't respond, just stared up at him with her mouth hanging slightly open.
Lee was breathing hard and knew his face was probably bright red. He also felt like an idiot for screaming at her... but he wasn't wrong. He knew he wasn't wrong.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
"I'm sorry," he finally said into the lingering silence. "I shouldn't have yelled... but I'm not wrong. Didn't you see the message? We have two days until something comes for us." He didn't know that for sure, but despite what Jake said, he had a bad feeling...
"I'm not trying to rob you or enslave you. I'm asking for your help. Please help me protect our home. I won't let you fall behind. I want to be your shield, and all I'm asking is that you do what you can to make the shield stronger."
She stared at him for what felt like forever and then smiled. Lee almost flinched. "Bit over the top, but glad to see you've got some balls on you."
"W... what?"
"Shut your trap! You look like an idiot." May waved a hammer in his face. "Of course I'll help your damn guards. Just wanted to make sure you had what it takes since you're trying to be in charge here. You're too timid. Stand up for yourself. Raise your voice! Though... maybe a notch lower than you just did. And your face getting all red kinda ruins the image..."
"Um... thanks?"
"Take your shit and get out," she said to Alejandro, and then shoved a chunk of metal into the furnace. "And you," she said, rounding on Lee. "What do you know about the cores getting weaker?"
Alejandro fled. Lee shook his head and shared what Jake had told him while his face cooled. Why did he ever want to be in charge? This whole place was full of lunatics.
"I want first dibs on E-grade cores!" May demanded immediately after his explanation.
"No." Lee didn't know if she was making a real demand or just testing him again. "But I will give you first dibs on anything related to your class."
"Of course you will!"
"Just let me know what you need," Lee said. "We're going to set up some kind of... supply chain?" A chain of command? They would need that, and... Lee shook his head as he saw the veritable nightmare he'd just accepted on his shoulders. How was he supposed to do any of this? He didn't know the first thing about being in charge, much less the minutiae of keeping everything running... and then it hit him.
I can delegate! Now who should I... his thoughts jumped to that annoying man who wanted to tax people. He looked like he was begging for work. Now what was his name... Wilson? Just thinking about the man told Lee where he was, which meant he'd joined the Fort. And speak of the devil... he was coming right this way.
Dennis stopped him on the way out of the garage with a proffered banana. "You did good. She's not as scary as she looks, and personally, I thought the red face added a touch of emotional impact to your speech."
"Thanks..." Lee said and took the banana. He was hungry... "It wasn't a speech..." He would build something here for when Stanley came home. Something strong... something unbreakable...
He knew Stanley had to be trapped now. It was the only explanation. Even if he ran across the country, he wouldn't be able to help with a dungeon wall in the way. What he could do was build something here. Create a haven. Somewhere Stanley could rest when his fight was won... because he would win. He had to win!
He wouldn't fight alone, either. After nearly getting dragged to his death by Stanley, and more than once at that, Lee had an even more ambitious plan.
He would become immortal.
It was the only thing he could think of to help Stanley. If he bound himself with enough runes... If he refused to die... then maybe he could force Stanley to keep living when... no, not when. If.
It had to be possible! He would make the runes work!
A hand squeezed his shoulder, and Lee blinked. Dennis still stood before him. "You're not alone, Lee. We're in this together."
"I have to go." Lee pulled free and turned away as he blinked moisture from his eyes. Dennis didn't know what it was like. He hadn't felt his twin dying. Hadn't felt the pain as if it was his own flesh... hadn't teetered on the edge of the abyss... a breath from falling in.
Lee wiped his eyes with clenched fists as he walked up the ramp to the street. He needed to improve his runes for the plan to work, and he couldn't do that today. Better to focus on what he could do now. He reached the street right before Wilson came around the corner.
"Ah! Oh... Mr Cascade, just the man I was looking for." He recovered quickly from the surprise and smiled that same politician smile Lee remembered. "First of all, congratulations on the Fort. Very impressive. Now, about..."
"You're hired," Lee cut him off.
"Pardon?"
"You wanted to bring this place together, well that's what I'm doing, and I want your help."
"I... well... yes?" The guy seemed flustered.
Lee assumed he'd come after him for this very reason. "You wanted this, right?"
"Yes..."
"I need to know what we have. Classes, skills, resources. Everything we know about our surrounding area. Lairs, types of monsters, that sort of thing. How's the wall coming along?" He could see what looked like Bradley's stone blocks, bigger than he remembered, and stacked a couple feet high where the fence used to stand.
"I... I can do that," Wilson finally said. "But... I will need some authority. My class lit up when you created the fort, but I do not have the permission to pull info on our residents."
Lee thought about it, and the information was waiting in his mind.
Wilson Chambers promoted: Quartermaster
"Does that work?" Lee asked, and while he was at it, added another promotion.
Alejandro Morales Promoted: General
"I..." Wilson's eyes were unfocused and darting back and forth as he read something only he could see. "That should suffice. Though I can see we have several ranked positions that should be filled. I would need a higher position myself to make those appointments..."
"I see them," Lee said. "Let's get things started and I'll figure those out later."
"Well... my Administrator class will make this easier, but I would benefit from some assistants."
"Then that's your first task. I'm gonna go see why our holdouts aren't joining the fort." Maybe he just needed to scream at them?
Lee could feel more than a few of his runes in the problem building, but wanted to avoid using them as a bargaining chip unless he had to. The fewer people he had to threaten into compliance, the better.
Wilson mumbled something as he headed off and Lee went in his own direction. Alejandro found him before he made it to his destination. "Commander," he said seriously and then saluted before breaking into a wide grin.
"General," Lee said. "How are the troops?"
Alejandro sighed. "They are young, frightened, and not fighters, but they will grow."
Not exactly what he'd wanted to hear, but better than nothing.
"I have spoken with Saira," Alejandro said. "She wishes to speak with you as well, but before that... there is another issue I wanted to ask you about." He looked... worried.
"What is it?"
"Have you heard Silva and Alia's story?"
"Who?"
"The women we rescued last night..."
Lee rubbed his face. "I'm sorry. I don't think I learned any of their names..."
Alejandro shook his head. "You were tired and in pain. It is no fault. But they came from Mexico only two days ago... through the fence."
"That doesn't matter anymore, does it?" Lee couldn't imagine how anyone could care about borders now.
"They fled the gangs... Lee, it is bad down there... worse than what we saw last night. I want to help more escape... but I will need your help."
Lee didn't hesitate. "Sure." Then he remembered. "What about the timer?"
"It is not far. I think we should go tomorrow. Early. Find out what we can. Save who we can. But I won't let our home fall while trying to save others. It is a terrible choice, but we must protect ourselves first or we cannot save others."
Lee checked his debuff timer. He'd be good. "Am I going along to blow something up? Because I need to work on my..."
Alejandro shook his head. "I know you have a kind of magic sight, yes? That is what we need. Lee, they lost dozens at the fence... torn apart by monsters they couldn't see. They said it was ghosts."
That sounded terrifying... but maybe not for him. He could see Mar, after all. Assuming the monsters didn't have something really tricky, Lee didn't see how anything could hide from him. Mana was in everything now, even the air... but what if they didn't touch the air? Some kind of phase or reality shift? Still, between Mana Mind and his runes, it should be enough. "I'll be ready... Now where's Saira?"
She was in her garden.
"Saira, I'm sorry!" Lee blurted it out before she even turned around. "You too, Mar," he added to the invisible girl. "I wasn't thinking straight last night, and I should have taken your advice. You are more valuable to me than some random people. You want them dead, then they're dead."
Saira stood slowly and turned to him. "I am more valuable?"
Lee felt his face heating. "Uh... that came out wrong! What I meant is that you matter more..." That sounded bad, too. "I mean..."
He took a deep breath and spoke slower, trying to choose his words with more care. "You've helped me a lot. You've been there for me when you didn't have to. What I'm trying to say is that your opinion matters to me, and I should have taken that into account last night."
Did that sound good? He thought it did. But his heart was racing... Ah! Why did I ever want to be in charge!?
Saira just kept staring at him. "I'll kill them if that's..."
"No," she said, and Lee shut up. "I wanted them to die, yes. But I have had time to dwell on the matter... and I believe you made the right choice."
Lee really didn't want to change her mind, but he had to ask. "Why? If you don't mind my... asking..."
"It was because of you."
Lee swallowed. "M... me?"
"What you said about doubting your own choices in that situation. I was furious. Who would be so callous? So cowardly!"
Lee couldn't help but step back from the venom in her voice. He was a coward...
Then Saira abruptly knelt in the dirt, bent her head to the ground and said, "Forgive me, Lee Cascade. You are no coward. It shames me to have so quickly forgotten your sacrifices. My own pain blinded me, and it is all I can do to beg your forgiveness."
"Wha..." Lee hadn't expected this. Not in any way, shape, or form. Was it supposed to feel this awkward? He couldn't take it and moved to pull her up. "Please stop!"
To his immense relief, Saira allowed him to pull her upright. "I'm glad you don't hate me... but please never do that again."
"Can you forgive..."
"There is nothing to forgive. We help each other, right? We're... friends? That's what friends do, right?"
Saira finally smiled, though it was a small thing. "You are young. But wise."
"Woah!" Lee took a step back, raising his hands. "Let's not get carried away. I'm actually an idiot. You know I got eaten by a frog, right? And for no good reason!" He kept backing up. She seemed happy enough... or at least not angry at him. Better to flee before he fucked it up. "I'll just leave you to... this... garden..."
He fled. Not only was it feeling increasingly awkward, but he actually needed to make another visit in the Fort, and then he hoped to make a quick core run before it got too late.
You have entered Sapient Lair: [Building 7]
"You must be our illustrious leader," the young man said sarcastically when Lee walked into the contested building's courtyard.
More gathered at his words, emerging from apartments to leer down at Lee. All of them were young.
They're just kids, Lee realized. Not that he was 'that' much older, but the oldest here probably couldn't legally drink. "Yup, that's me. So what's the holdup?"
"Listen up, Boomer." That one hurt... he really wasn't that old. "We fought for this building and we're not about to give it up because you made some fancy fort thing."
Lee sighed. "You guys are our biggest hunters, right? I've seen you out there."
"Nah, that's Jake. He's the real hunter."
He hadn't mentioned Jake on purpose, and Lee definitely would not mention that he'd also refused to join. "Second biggest then. And you like having a safe place to rest when you're done, right? Having food, armor, weapons?"
"Hey, we pay for everything we get, and we defend ourselves."
Lee tried a different tactic. "I see you are enjoying a lot of enchanted gear. You know I'm the one who made those, right?"
"We paid for those, too!"
"Yea, we even paid your ridiculous buyout prices, you fucking greedy scammer!"
They wouldn't think it was so ridiculous if they needed ten times the cores of everyone else...
"Don't even think about trying to get those back!"
"That's not what I'm saying," Lee said. "I'm just trying to remind you how working together makes us all stronger."
"We got our own enchanter! We don't need you!"
"Really? That's great!" Lee exclaimed, and meant it. He'd been hoping to find someone to help. Plus, they might even be able to do things he couldn't. "What can they do?"
Everyone got quiet and Lee saw the boasting boy's eyes darting toward another boy. One who was glaring back. "You're the enchanter?"
He flinched, and then wilted. "I can't do shit! Alright!? Nothing like what you can. I don't even know how you do that crazy shit..."
"Dude! Don't tell him that!"
"I had an idea for making radios," Lee said. "Can your enchanting help with that?"
The young man perked up and his eyes unfocused for a few moments. Then he slumped. "No. Maybe after I level more..."
"I'm sure you can do stuff I can't. You might have noticed that my enchants are big, heavy things... I can't do subtlety. And on that note..." Lee didn't want to mention it, but the issue would come up either way. "You might have noticed my enchants are losing power. I'm the only one who can recharge them..."
"Bullshit! Enchants don't work like that," the enchanter said. "They last as long as the item and recharge from the ambient mana!" He was probably right. Only Lee didn't use enchanting. They were runes.
"You really think my... enchants can do that? You've all seen how overpowered they are, and the cost for that power is that they don't last forever." Not yet, at least.
"So it's blackmail, then?"
Lee sighed. Again. "No. No blackmail. You paid for them and I will recharge them as many times as you need. I'm just trying to show you we need each other. We all help each other out, make each other stronger. I want you guys out there hunting. Every monster you kill is one less for me to worry about. I also want you to have a safe place to come home to. For all of us to come home to."
"Apes together strong," one kid... young man said. Whatever that meant. Though it sounded like the right track.
They clearly had a leader among them; the young man who'd first confronted him, and the one now rubbing his forehead and glaring at the apes man.
"You like the buff your building gives, right?" Lee felt like he was making headway, so pressed on. "But you only get it while inside."
"Or on the roof," one of them piped up.
"Or the roof," Lee agreed. "Well, once you join, the entire fort will have an even better buff. Outside, inside, anywhere on the complex's property. This will still be your building, but under a larger umbrella."
"Your umbrella. Why do you get to be in charge?"
Lee laughed. "You want to do it? Because it's my first day and I already hate it. If you want to deal with all the people, and the problems that come with them, then be my guest. Personally, I'd rather be hunting. I don't want to deal with any of this, but I want this place; our home, to stay standing." He looked at the other man. "It's like you said, apes together strong. I'm just trying to bring us together."
Their leader had a stubborn look in his eyes. He was ready to give up, but didn't want to just back down. "We want more enchants, more armor!"
"Tell you what," Lee said, pointing at their enchanter. "You don't give up on that class. Level your skills. If you figure out radios, then I'll put all of you in indestructible full-plate armor like mine." He tapped his metal covered chest for emphasis. Not that it was really full-plate... but he had something else to offer.
"Plus, only a few people know, but I'm working on body enchanting." That statement earned a lot of interest. "So far, I've enchanted most of my bones; a very unpleasant process... but I'm still working on binding them to each other. Once I figure that out, it'll be another option for anyone who wants it."
Building 7 has joined Greenfield Fort.
Greenfield Fort is under your full control.
Buff Gained: [Greenfield Fort]
Lee looked up the new buff.
[Greenfield Fort]
100% Conception Rate
Reduced Offspring Incubation Duration(Dependent on Mana Density)
Accelerated Offspring Growth Rate(Dependent on Mana Density)
+10 All Base Attributes
+50% All Effective Attributes
+1% Defense against All Damage
+100% Health Regeneration
+200% Mana Regeneration
He saw the others doing the same thing, and from the widening eyes, it was better than they'd expected. Hell, it was better than Lee expected. He hadn't thought the mana boost from his own building would spread like that. It had also added an effective stat boost alongside an actual stat boost.
"Worth it?" He got a round of nods. "Good. Now I need to get back out there and hunt. You guys find any good lairs nearby?"