Chapter 23: Berserk Bear and Broken Bonds

After seeing the status of the altar city, Ash knows that he needs 17 more level 0 cores to buy the red pill for Evan's upgrade. He also realizes that he needs 90 stones to construct a new house for the incoming people.

Ash thinks to himself, No one likes to sleep on the ground. If his city can't even provide this basic necessity, the city's appeal will diminish. This will harm the long-term growth of the city.

The city must have more houses for people.

Ash also aims for a city upgrade in the coming days. Most of the resources he gathers will be used for the city upgrade. After all, upgrading the city will make his altar more powerful, enhance mana-refining efficiency, and increase the production of mana-mist. The city's defense and attack power will also get a boost.

After a moment of thought, Ash wonders, How much more resource will I need for the red pill and the city upgrade?

He decides to check the city's status.

City: Nexus City

Ability: Territory defense doubled

Description: In the event of a city defense, all the attack power and defense power of people and buildings is doubled.

Altar Level: 0

Upgrade Requirement: (woods * 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 (stones * 100, woods * 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 * 4 per day)

Resource Point: Stone mountain level 1 (310 * mined / 1000; all stone is 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.

Ash does some quick calculations. The resources he needs are almost entirely for the city upgrade and the red pill. He calculates: house - stone * 340, wood * 986, mana-core * 67.

Afterward, Ash speaks to Robin. "Prepare for our travel outside the city."

Robin nods. "Okay, my lord," he says, then adds, "My lord, I don't have a weapon."

After a moment of consideration, Ash tells Robin, "Go and ask Evan for his axe."

Robin nods and heads toward the altar to ask Evan for a weapon.

20 minutes later

In Nexus City, Ash practices with his knife, his body drenched in sweat as he pushes himself through hard exercises. His muscles burn with each movement, but he remains focused.

Moments later, he sees Robin returning with a low-level axe and shield.

Ash asks about Ram, and Robin tells him, "Ram is teaching Evan the best way to level up quickly and some mana-refining knowledge. It will take at least 5 hours for him to finish teaching."

Robin adds, "Ram also asks for your forgiveness for not accompanying us outside the city. Evan is in a new enlightenment phase. He says Evan's upgrade may surprise us."

Ash nods, his face unreadable. He doesn't respond to Robin. But inside, his thoughts race. Evan's upgrade is more important than seeing him off. Ram's actions aren't disrespectful to me. Not now. Not when Evan could become something more.

Ash and Robin decide to go outside the city to hunt monsters and gather resources for the city upgrade and house construction.

30 minutes later

Ash and Robin, armed and ready, step out of the city. Their weapons feel heavy in their hands, the anticipation of battle sharp in their chests.

15 minutes of traveling

They enter the forest, their eyes scanning the surroundings for suitable prey. After a few moments of deliberation, they decide to hunt level 1 and level 0 monsters, but only level 1 monsters alone.

A few minutes later

They spot two level 1 monsters together, hunting their prey. Ash and Robin exchange a glance and agree to hold off on attacking.

Five minutes later, they find a level 1 Stone Bear, alone and sleeping near a mountain. Ash watches the creature carefully, assessing its status to gain insight before attacking. A window pops up in front of him.

Stone Bear (Low-Grade Monster)

Rank: F-rank

Level: 1

Description: A massive stone bear with oversized fangs, capable of chewing through wood, leather, and even weak armour. It prefers eating soil and rock, living alone near mountains, using its immense size and strength to overpower prey.

Abilities: Berserk

Fast Reproduction – Mid reproduction rate compared to other monsters.

Gnawing Instinct – Can chew through doors, weak barriers, or ropes to escape traps.

Aggressive – Only fights when it feels powerful enough to defeat its opponent.

Weaknesses: Weak to water and blunt attacks. Easily irritated by loud noises.

After reading the monster's status, Ash decides to engage. He grabs the axe from Robin and gives his knife to him. Ash charges toward the Stone Bear, aiming to strike both of its eyes. The bear, still asleep, doesn't react in time. Ash succeeds in injuring one eye, but the other remains intact.

The bear roars in pain and fury, its movements quickening. It attacks with full force, but Ash is prepared, dodging the strike. However, the Stone Bear's fury surges. After a few more attacks, its remaining eye glows a blood-red, and its strength increases tenfold.

Ash is forced to scramble, barely avoiding the bear's deadly claws. Robin, seeing Ash struggle, steps in with his shield, fending off blows aimed at Ash.

Robin's movements are swift, his shield blocking the worst of the strikes. But the damage is undeniable—Robin has taken some hits. He is injured but still standing, while Ash barely escapes death with every passing moment.

As the battle drags on, Ash realizes the bear's berserk power is fading. After a few hours, it will collapse, Ash thinks. We just need to survive long enough.

For the next hour, the Stone Bear relentlessly attacks Ash, but Robin's shield always intervenes just in time. Robin bears the brunt of the damage, but his level 2 human abilities keep him from succumbing to the bear's savage blows.

As the bear's berserk abilities begin to wane, it attempts to flee. With a surge of energy, it runs away in the opposite direction, away from Ash and Robin.

Ash and Robin give chase, moving carefully to avoid detection. Thirty minutes later, the Stone Bear reaches a mountain, where it starts digging a pit in the soil. It hides itself, believing it's safe.

Ash and Robin, knowing they can't let the bear escape, cautiously approach. Ash hands the axe to Robin. "Finish it quickly," he says.

Robin strikes. The Stone Bear, already weakened, succumbs to the blow.

Afterward, Robin retrieves the mana core from the bear and presents it to Ash. Ash takes it, then calculates how many more mana cores he needs for the red pill and city upgrade. After a moment of thought, Ash realizes that he needs 57 level 0 mana cores.

One level 1 mana core equals 10 level 0 mana cores, Ash recalls.

Ash decides to check the city's status again.