Chapter 18: Market and house - DEFENSE KINGDOM

Chapter 18: Market and House

Now, Ram left towards the altar.

Evan and Ash are working outside to expand the pit trap and keep an eye out for anyone coming to seek refuge in Nexus City.

After 2 hours, Ash and Evan completed the trap's expansion and began inspecting it to ensure there were no issues. However, they didn't find any problems.

Afterward, Ash and Evan headed toward Nexus City, finally entering it.

Ash thought deeply, considering whether he should let Evan use the mana tree for his level growth. After a few minutes of contemplation, Ash said to Evan, "You should go to the mana tree to absorb mana mist. After all, you need to advance your level from Level 0 to Level 1."

Evan replied, "You're right, my lord. I need to increase my level for both myself and the city."

Ash responded, "Good, you understand. I hope you can upgrade your level quickly and without issues. Go ahead and absorb mana mist from the mana tree. After a few hours, I'll ask Ram to vacate the altar for your level advancement."

Evan replied, "Thank you, my lord, but I will need more time for my level upgrade."

Ash asked, "Why do you need more time for your level upgrade?"

Evan explained, "My lord, I feel that my body isn't ready to absorb all the mana mist for a Level 1 upgrade yet. Perhaps it's because I'm still young."

After a few minutes of deep thought, Ash reassured him, "Don't worry about the Level 1 upgrade. Just try your best for the evolution. I'm not going to judge if you waste some mana mist in the process."

Evan nodded, "Thank you, my lord. I will do my best to upgrade without failure and without wasting any mana mist."

As Ash watched Evan, he thought to himself that the evolution of a common person was always a trial in this world. He felt fortunate as an altar owner, since his level upgrades would always go smoothly, provided he had enough mana mist.

Ash reflected that this was one of the reasons why altar owners were often the most powerful individuals in their cities. He also considered the nature of Eldros' world, where the world's will likely favored the growth of altar owners, giving them an advantage in governance and leadership. He mused that societies led by powerful leaders progressed faster and became stronger. In contrast, a society without leaders faced more challenges. He noted that Eldros' world was built for military power, unlike the Blue Planet, where wealth and personal pursuit dominated society.

After some time, Ash decided to check his status. He said in his mind, "Status window."

A window popped up in front of him.

City: Nexus City

Ability: Territory Defense Double

Description: In the event of city defense, all attack and defense power of people and buildings becomes 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

Building: Guide Mark *1 (Active)

Blueprint: Low Grade Market (Stones *200, Woods *50), Low Grade House (Stones *100, Woods *25)

Warehouse: Wood *39, Mana Core Level 0 *33, Mana Core Level 1 *0, Rabbit Monster Hide Level 0 *11, Rabbit Monster Hide Level 1 *1, Stone *10

Population: 3

Specialty: Mana Tree (Produces Level 0 Mana *3 per day)

Resource Point: Stone Mountain Level 1 (310/1000 all stone mineable in new mine)

Attack Power Level: 0 (700/1000)

Description: City's power level to attack enemies

Defense Power Level: 0 (2000/10000)

Description: City's defense power level against enemies

After seeing the status window, Ash felt a sense of amazement. Every time he checked the status window, it provided him with the latest data about the territory, almost like a real-time update. He noticed the increase in defense power and the higher mana mist production from the mana tree. He also realized that the Mana Core Level 1 had a zero quantity, as he had given it to Ram.

Although the city's population situation was grim, Ash knew the altar had only been born 2.5 days ago. He needed to think about how to strengthen and build the city's military power.

A few hours later, Ash wandered through the city, trying to find the best location for the defense of the territory. He had 12 days of protection from the golden barrier, after which he would need to defend the entire city, protect his soldiers, and safeguard critical structures like the altar, mana tree, market, and house.

After observing the market and house, Ash thought to himself that he didn't know how to use the market yet. He had also not visited the house before, though its construction was completed a few hours ago. He walked to the house and was pleased with what he saw. It was a practical and spacious living area for four people. He marveled at the simple yet beautiful interior. After all, he had been sleeping on the bare soil and sky for the past two days after arriving in this world. Ash felt content that his days of sleeping on the ground were over.

A few minutes later, Ash visited the market building. It was a large, mysterious, and beautiful structure. As he looked at it, information flooded his mind. He realized how the market building worked. It was a unique building that every altar city could build. The world of Eldros provided this building as a gift or treasure to new altar owners.

The market building allowed cities to trade with each other without needing to travel. However, the building consumed mana mist or mana cores from monsters for teleporting goods. The amount of mana consumed depended on the volume, weight, and mana density of the goods. But there were five free teleportation per day, which didn't require any mana. The market building, like the altar, could absorb some mana from the atmosphere, without interfering with mana mist production.

Ash realized that this market building was unique. It connected most cities for trade, allowing each city to sell their unique products in exchange for mana mist. This trade system benefited both buyers and sellers. Ash was thrilled at this realization.

After a few moments, Ash thought to himself, "Now that I have the market building, I can truly survive and thrive in this world."

He checked his status window again: