775 T.D.o.N.B: Finish line, for now
In the span of the next twenty days, I accumulated 100 822 400 points. The number necessary for the upgrade. In terms of class points, I was already at 180.
Despite my previous flirting with the possibility of acquiring some crafting class, which would allow me to make enchanted weapons for the people, I decided that the fourth upgrade is more important because it was giving us access almost to anything we could think of. Materials such as kevlar, or different alloys of metal, which would improve the quality of weapons people could buy. It would also open other hunting grounds.
During that time the morale drastically deteriorated. People didn’t have enough to save for proper accommodations, and the weapons which could get easily damaged were also quite pricy because only one hunting ground was available, and what people wanted to invest the most, were themselves, not the items.
This changed when I put my hand on the device and bought the fourth upgrade. Everybody could immediately feel the change, as the ground shook. The ball for a moment froze, and the pedestal underneath it raised slightly, then another laid around it appeared after the bricks gave the necessary space. It rose from pitch black darkness which was hiding under the stone.
– We’ve made it! – I yelled immediately after the whole process was finished.
I received a few cheers and short applause.
– From now on it would be easier – I assured them briefly looking at all of those who were gathered in the city center.
Some were still coming, alarmed by the ground shaking, that something important was going on.
– Thanks, boss! – Marvin yelled.
This was the best reaction, as he clearly showed me through it that he was determined to push further despite being way outside of his comfort zone.
– Good job! – Celestine joined him.
This began a congratulatory chain, which turned into people lining up to use the device to check what news was available for them. I stepped a little bit back, making more space for them. I also did it to get closer to my wife.
– So… We’ve made it – she began the conversation looking at the line with her arms crossed on her chest and a smile on her face.
She looked tired with dark circles around her eyes. I was kinda worried about her because she was the only one who still had health issues. Despite everything, I didn’t fix her cancer problem, mainly because she wanted to do it by herself.
It was hard to say how far she was off with doing that because I had no idea how she was spending her points.
– Yeah – I was a little bit slow to say. – Now I’m gonna build us a house, so we can finally live here like people, and I’ll focus more on Leonel as I’ll begin gathering points for the next upgrade.
She slowly nodded, with a smile on her face, then I noticed a single tear that slid won her cheek.
– What is going on? – I asked immediately, alarmed by the view.
– Nothing. I’m just happy. We really made it – she chuckled a little.
This made me smile too.
– Yeah, we did. But in the grand scheme of things, this is just the beginning. There is so much more to do – I added.
– Yes, but we are a step from building our home here. Everybody knows this, so despite being exhausted by the living condition, lack of running water, electricity, and everything else, they are happy – she elaborated. – Maybe you should help them a little bit more? Have you considered building some place for those people to sleep in?
– No. I didn’t but maybe I will. A dormitory or something. The bare minimum where they can stay while building something by themselves – I nodded slowly, thinking about her idea.
Then I felt her hand on my shoulder. She leaned forward to kiss me on the cheek but stopped.
– You should wash – she said bluntly.
– Yeah… – I agreed.
Then laughing, she left. Joining the line to use the new version of the device. I observed her for a moment, but not too long since Tihana approached me.
– What’s next, dad? – she asked.
Although I just finished speaking about that topic with Celestine, I repeated my plans to her also. She ended up slowly nodding.
– Good plan, but what I was actually asking for, was the distribution of the hunting grounds. Does this upgrade mean we can begin clearing all four around the city?
– You won’t be able to do that – I warned her. – The bosses are way out of your league, and some of the monsters too. Well… Maybe not all the bosses, but the two of the definitely.
– I’ll keep that in mind. I think we should figure out what we can clear without you, and then later I’ll tell you what was left, so you can quickly deal with it. We shouldn’t waste resources – she agreed.
– I think I have a better idea – I said with a smirk on my face, as I thought about a slightly different approach.
– What do you mean? – she raised a single eyebrow.
– It’s a secret. Just do your thing, and tell me later what was left. I’ll deal with it on my own – I said and winked at her.
She grunted and rolled her eyes, then immediately left. She was clearly unhappy that I kept something from her, but I, on the contrary, found it funny.
My idea actually was to donate some class points to a few people, so I could accelerate their growth. With my ability to move around easily, time wasn’t really a problem. It could also be a good opportunity to hunt with Leonel and maybe Carmelita, but I wasn’t so sure if she would decide to go.
I could also slowly begin creating additional leaders in our smile society. I already had a few people in mind. Since I’m the one writing this story, you probably have the same people on your mind too.