Chapter 2.48: Buncha Sneaky Peoples

Chapter 2.48: Buncha Sneaky Peoples

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 alchemists 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 [Tarahek 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 cores 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 hed 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 2 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]

LegendaryThe original appearance of this chapter can be found at Ñøv€lß1n.

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 mayors screen perfectly. There were still features that he hadnt 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.

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?

[Baelthars Hunter Core], Zarali said. A legendary evolution of the [Hunters 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 thered 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 dont know, Xolsa said.

So, this is a briefing, Aarok said, clearing his throat. Theo and I spent most of our money on defensive towers and Ive 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.

Ive laced the marsh with dimensional traps, Xolsa said. Theyll displace some monsters for a short period of time.

Ive 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, youre already familiar with your squad, Luras said, tipping his head to her.

I am, Tresk said. Buncha sneaky peoples.

And youve 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 dont want combat cores, Theo said, shaking his head.

Winning a fight doesnt 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, Xolsa 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 alchemists 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 Ive urged them to establish growth. The [Administrators Core] lets me use more of the towns features, so Ill keep an eye on that.

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

Alise blushed. A day?

Seems like youve been an administrator your whole life, Theo said. Youre good at this.

She blushed more. Thank you, mister mayor. Im 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! Theyre almost back!

Thats great, Tresk said, leaning close to the womans feet. Youre 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 womans aptitude in her position but he assumed the best. Betrayal wouldnt 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 wasnt 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 Theos attention before he left the square. The artificer was interested in buying all the smelters 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 Throks 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 didnt have to worry about manually exchanging money.

Tresk and Theo lingered there for some time, watching the blacksmith do his work. Smithing was the mans primary job, and he was working on a few things for Sledge. Throks 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 wasnt aware of. A team of 5 adventurers were assigned to guard the kids specifically, who would have fun activities prepared at Xams 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.

Im getting a fart machine from my dad, she said, her smile spreading into a devious grin.

Me too.