Chapter 21: The Rise of Mana - Ash's Path to Power
After seeing the status window, his status window changes again.
.......
............
City: Nexus City
Ability: Territory Defense Double
Description: In the event of city defense, all the attack power and defense power of people and buildings become double.
Altar level: 0
Upgrade requirement: (wood * 1000, stone * 250, 50 * mana core (level 0))
Production: mist mana level 0 * 10 per day
Area: 625 square meters
Status: very small village
Mana (money): 33
Tax (from market & city): 0 * mana-mist level
Building: Guide Mark *1 (active), Market (5 free trades per day)
Blueprint: low-grade house (stone * 100, wood * 25)
Warehouse: wood *39, Rabbit monster hide level 0 * 11, Rabbit monster hide level 1 * 1, stone * 10
Population: 4
Specialty: Mana tree (produces level 0 mana * 3 per day)
Resource point: Stone Mountain level 1 (310 * mined / 1000 all stone mineable in new mine)
Attack power level: 0 (900/1000)
Description: city's power level to attack enemies
Defense power level: 0 (4000/10000)
Description: city's defense power level against enemies
........
.........
And he receives more information from the city's altar, explaining the status window's mana (money) panel. It tells him that all the mana-mist or mana cores in the possession of the city's owner would convert into mana (source) points. He can use these points for trading in the market or allocate them for mana refining for his use or another purpose. This means the city directly absorbs all the mana-core or mana-mist owned by Ash, along with his mana-producing resources like the mana tree and altar, creating greater efficiency for the city's owner. The mana stored by the city is considered purer, and refining this mana is easier compared to raw mana (used directly in the altar without giving it to the city for storage).
And, mana level - mana point:
Level 0 mana mist/core - 1 (one)
Level 1 mana mist/core - 10 (ten)
Level 2 mana mist/core - 100 (one hundred)
Level 3 mana mist/core - 1000 (one thousand)
Level 4 mana mist/core - 10000 (ten thousand)
Level 5 mana mist/core - 100000 (hundred thousand)
Level 6 mana mist/core - 1000000 (one million)
After receiving this information, Ash learns that as the city matures, it will gain more functions, some of which will require upgrades to the city altar, and some will not. The city and market taxes will also automatically be converted into mana points and stored in the city's mana storage for purifying mana. This will further strengthen the city over time.
He thinks about letting the people use this function of the city. After communicating with the altar, the altar informs him, "This function is not possible for other people yet. You must become more powerful first."
Ash is surprised that the altar can communicate with him, but he believes that in time, the altar can become more intelligent. He thinks, It's a good thing the altar is making it easier to govern the city. After all, when this function is made public to citizens, he can use the resources in emergencies, even in life-and-death situations. He can also identify exceptional and talented people in the city by monitoring their mana points.
Once Ash has cleared his mind on the advantage of the mana point feature in the city, his thoughts turn to how he can gather more mana points to buy the red pill for Evan's breakthrough.
Fifteen minutes later,
Robin is also checking the pill that could aid in the breakthrough, but Ash isn't satisfied with the quality of the pill. After all, Evan is his first follower in this world, and Ash can't afford to give him something less than the best for his breakthrough.
If Evan successfully breaks through, the territory's strength will increase, and every bit of strength is crucial. Ash is a cautious person, and he doesn't want to die prematurely in this world.
After some time, Robin says, "My lord, why not buy this pill tomorrow? Since monsters attack the city daily, we can eliminate them, and their cores will help us buy the pill."
Ash considers for a moment. Evan will need time for his breakthrough, and I doesn't have enough money. "Let's exit the market building," Ash says. "I've learned many things about the market; it's been an eye-opening experience."
Then Ash and Robin exit the market building. They notice the sky is beginning to darken, signalling the evening. They can't leave the city now.
Robin thinks, Good, after seeing the sky. He doesn't want Ash to think about hunting monsters at this time. He knows that if someone doesn't return to the city at night, few make it out alive. Some monsters become highly active, their power increasing under the cover of darkness. Robin doesn't want to disobey Ash's command or risk creating a bad impression.
But Robin's thoughts are wrong. Ash is a cautious person, and he values the suggestions of his followers. He knows he doesn't know everything and listens sincerely to everyone's perspectives.
Ash says to Robin, "Let's meet with Evan and prepare some food."
Robin replies, "Okay, my lord."
They meet with Evan, and Ash says, "Let's prepare food to eat."
Evan feels he's reached his limit with mana refining and agrees with Ash's suggestion.
Ash turns to Evan and says, "I'm giving you new responsibilities."
Evan responds, "My lord, I'm ready to face fire and ice for you."
Ash nods but doesn't speak. Then, in front of Robin, he says, "From today, you are responsible for the garden of the city."
Evan is surprised. The city's garden is where the mana tree is planted, and it's crucial for mana refining. He can already feel the mana tree growing, its output steadily increasing. He knows this is a huge responsibility. Ash has noticed this, which is why Evan is surprised and grateful for the opportunity.
Evan says, "Thank you, my lord."
Ash smiles but says nothing.
Ash then checks the status of the mana tree. A new window pops up in front of him.
...
.......
Name: Mana Tree (specialty)
Status: occupied
Ability: able to produce mana with different levels of trees
Level: 0 (growable)
Production: mist mana level 0 * 4 per day
........
............
Ash is surprised to see that the mana production has increased in the mana tree, but he makes sure no one notices the change.
No one notices, either.
Ash, Evan, and Robin go to prepare food.
Fifteen minutes later,
Evan and Robin are making food, while Ash gazes up at the sky. Robin had insisted Ash shouldn't make his own food, saying it wouldn't be respectable when others are available to do it. Evan agrees with Robin, so both begin to cook, and Ash's thoughts wander.
He's deep in thought, wondering how he can push the city's growth further. When will the day come when he no longer feels a shortage of manpower?
After some time, Ash compares the mana production of the altar and the mana tree. The mana tree's production is only half of what the altar produces. He realizes this is because the mana tree specializes in mana production, while the altar's main role is healing people quickly, refining mana, and ensuring the protection of the city. The altar manages the mana supply within the city and the defense of those outside the city.
Ash reflects, After all, the altar is the heart of the city.
As the food nears completion, Evan and Robin talk. Robin shares his experiences with Evan, and Evan listens with admiration. Ash watches them with a small smile on his face.
Five minutes later,
They sit down to eat, enjoying the food and appreciating the view. The stars stretch out above them, their light a silent witness to the moment.
Afterward, Ash tells Evan, "We're going to buy a red pill for your breakthrough."
Evan's eyes light up with happiness. "Thank you, my lord," he says.
Ash checks Evan's status. A new window pops up.
....
.......
Name: Evan (altar subject)
Age: 18
Status: healthy
Abilities: none
Level: 0 (90/100 mana mist level 0)
Weapon: low-grade axe, low-grade shield
......
........
Ash sees that Evan is nearing his breakthrough from level 0 to level 1. He's pleased with this progress.
After a few more words, Ash, Evan, and Robin head to the house to rest. They're all exhausted from the day's work and battles.