Chapter 39: The Whispering Pond and the Sleeping Giant
A few seconds later,
After further investigating the magic pond, he doesn't find any reason for the ground trembling—not even slightly. He thinks, "Maybe I imagined the ground trembling... but how is that possible inside the city? I'm protected by a golden light barrier. Something like that shouldn't reach me or affect the city at all."
After deep consideration, he decides to ask Nexus City about his doubt. The answer surprises him.
It tells Ash, "Maybe this magic pond has some hidden power… or perhaps a spirit slumbers within it. That could explain the dramatic change after you gave it mana. The illusion might've been a warning—a sign of some hidden danger threatening both the city and you."
A faint fear creeps into Ash's heart. The unknown—something hiding in the magic pond, beyond his control—unnerves him. But after ten minutes of calm breathing, he steadies himself. He thinks, "Whatever danger or spirit lies inside that pond… I'll use its power. I'll strengthen my army and build up the city's foundation. May God protect me in this path."
A few minutes pass. Ash decides to check Nexus City's system window to determine where to focus his energy next for development.
A window pops up in front of his eyes:
City: Nexus City
Ability: Territory defense doubled
Description: In city defense, all attack and defense power of people and buildings is doubled.
Altar Level: 0
Upgrade Requirement: Wood * 1000, Stone * 250, Mana Core (Level 0) * 50
Production: Mist Mana Level 0 * 10/day
Area: 625 sq. meters
Status: Very Small Village
Mana (Money): 0
Tax (from market & city): 0
Buildings: Guide Mark (low-grade) * 1 (active), Guide Mark (mid-grade) * 1 (active), Market (0/5 used, 5 free trades/day), Magic Pond (white-grade) * 1 (active)
Blueprints: Low-grade House (Stone * 100, Wood * 25), Furnace (Stone * 100, Wood * 25), Blacksmith Room (Stone * 300, Wood * 100)
Warehouse: Wood * 400, Stone * 10, Low-grade swords * 16
Population: 8
Specialty: Mana Tree (produces Level 0 Mana * 7/day)
Resource Point: Stone Mountain Level 1 (310 mined / 1000 total)
Attack Power Level: 0 (1000/1000)
Defense Power Level: 0 (10000/10000)
After reading through it, Ash thinks, "I'll collect everything needed to upgrade the altar. I'll hunt more beasts, gather mana cores—build up a supply. If more soldiers reach level 1, I'll feel better prepared for the monster wave."
He gazes up at the sky, where strange flying beasts drift across the blue, and the warm sun beams down gently. "Maybe I can tame those flying beasts one day. If I could, the city's efficiency would skyrocket. But I have no way to tame them right now. I've only been here for six days. Still... I need faster transportation. I can't walk forever in Eldros."
A few minutes pass.
Ash sees his soldiers sleeping on the bare city floor. "I need to build more houses," he mutters. He clears his throat and coughs loudly to wake them. In seconds, one soldier stirs, stands, and kneels before him in salute.
Ash nods in acknowledgment. The soldier moves to wake the others. Two minutes later, they're all up, kneeling respectfully.
Ash says firmly, "Prepare yourselves for forest exploration. Get ready quickly."
He leaves them and begins to wander again. He walks to the altar room, curious if anything has changed after bonding with the magic pond—but nothing stands out. He continues to the house to handle other matters.
20 minutes pass.
Ash now sits with everyone, eating his food with a calm smile. Robin serves food, quietly moving among them. After finishing his meal, Ash decides to gather more stone from Stone Mountain with his soldiers and Ram.
He debates for a moment—should he challenge the Level 3 flying tiger monster now?
No.
He sighs. "There's no urgency. That fight could cost us lives. If I wait a few more days, strengthen myself and the army, then we'll take it down easily. For now, focus."
He reminds himself how tonight's fights—against the monster wave and the magic pond—made it easier to convert 10 * Level 0 Mist into 1 * Level 1 Mist Mana. He suspects the forest holds more level 3 monsters, and his knowledge of the region is still shallow.
Ten minutes pass as they prepare items for the journey. Once everything is ready, Ash and the others depart from Nexus City.
As they walk, Ash checks his personal status in the system.
A window appears before him:
Name: Ash
Age: 24
Status: Healthy
Abilities: Fireball
Level: 1 (3/100 Mana Mist Level 1)
Items: Flame Sword, Recovery Pill (Level 1) * 2, Healing Pill (Level 1) * 2
Ash frowns, puzzled. "Why is my Mana Mist Level 1 refining at 3? It was 0 before."
He thinks it through but finds no answer. So, he asks the Nexus Altar directly.
Its reply surprises him.
The altar says, "Using mana repeatedly, even if it's not of the same level, can gradually refine it. This occurs even without the right altar level or energy source. The body adapts."
Ash nods slowly. "That makes sense. In a developing altar city, mana access is limited… but if we grow, so will our potential. Over time, everyone will become stronger."
He lets the question go and focuses on the present. They head for Stone Mountain.
Twenty minutes later, they arrive in the forest. Ash leads the way. Soon, Stone Mountain comes into view. Relief washes over him.
He checks the mountain's status.
A window pops up:
Name: Stone Mountain (Resource Point)
Status: Occupied
Ability: Mine up to 1000 stones
Level: 1
Description: 310 mined, so only 690 stones available. Mine with caution.
Ash reads it and gives the order. "Start mining. Use your weapons if you must."
He sighs inwardly. "I really need to save enough mana to buy tools—axes, picks… Using weapons or bare hands is too inconvenient. I need to escape this damn poverty. Let's hope I find some beasts to gather mana cores."
As others mine, Ash walks around the mountain, observing the area. "Maybe there's something valuable here…" But after hours of searching, he finds nothing.
He returns to check on progress. Almost 300 stones have been mined. He nods. "Time to head back," he says.
Ram and the others carry the stone. Ash walks empty-handed—he knows it's dangerous to travel burdened in the forest. A city owner needs to think beyond muscle work. "Resources are vital, but my role is strategic. I must lead."
On the way back, they encounter unfamiliar beasts. Ash and Ram discuss it briefly, then decide to attack.
Ash checks their status:
Name: Red Goat
Grade: Low-Grade Beast
Level: 0
Quantity: 6
Description: A red goat with a sharp mouth capable of chewing through wood and leather. Prefers to eat animals and drink the blood of living beings. Lives in packs. Female red goats can birth 6 children per year. Can control its own and enemy's blood for attacks. A dangerous enemy.
Abilities: Good Reproduction, Blood Control
Weakness: Fire
Ash raises an eyebrow. "Blood control? That's… rare. Dangerous too. I hope the soldiers can handle them."
He chooses his target and attacks. After a few strikes, he realizes they're not hard to kill—but the blood control is tricky. "This might be the second real ability I've seen from beasts after Berserk," he thinks.
He holds off finishing the kill immediately. He studies its fighting pattern for a few more minutes. Eventually, he slays the beast with a clean blow.
The others have already finished their fights.
Ash thinks, "Blood control… This might rival my fireball—or maybe even surpass it. Hard to say without seeing a Level 1 version."
They continue their journey back toward Nexus City. As they near the entrance gate, Ash spots something.
A giant.
A colossal figure sleeping just outside the golden barrier.
His breath catches. His heart pounds. His body freezes in place.
"What the hell… a giant? Sleeping near my city?" Fear slices through his thoughts like a blade.
They hurry inside the barrier, entering Nexus City safely.
Inside, Ash stands still, stunned.
"Why…? Why is a huge giant sleeping near my city? Is this a sign? What kind of shitty luck is this? A giant… just there, like some curse placed by fate itself..."
He clenches his fists. Despair trickles down his spine, cold and heavy.
"My fingers… legs… even my mind feel like they're breaking under this pressure."