[Chapter 326. Neighbors and Numbers]

"I see you have been busy," Searanox said, his voice steady despite the sight before him. "Did you build them or did the System give them to you?" His eyes swept over the setup, noting the clever design of the blood-collection system and the efficient fire pit that would conserve fuel while maximizing heat output. These were not the random constructions of desperate survivors; they showed thought and planning.

The blond man followed Searanox's gaze before answering, his focus moving from the gruesome setup to the newcomer's face. "The cart, yes. The pots, however, we made ourselves." A hint of pride crept into his voice as he gestured toward the vessels. "Took three days to get them right. The clay around here is surprisingly workable once you add the right binders." He ran his hand along the edge of one pot, tracing the rim as if demonstrating their craftsmanship.

From the larger building, a massive figure emerged, his shadow stretching across the courtyard like an approaching storm. The man stood nearly three meters tall with broad shoulders that spanned the width of the doorway. His bare arms were thick as tree trunks, covered in scars that spoke of past battles. He wore simple leather pants without a shirt, revealing a torso rippling with muscle beneath skin weathered by sun and hardship. His face was a mask of authority, framed by a thick beard reaching his chest and eyes taking in everything at once. As he approached, the ground trembled beneath his thunderous steps.

"Is that the one who wants to speak to me?" His voice rumbled like distant thunder, deep enough that Searanox felt it in his chest. The mountain of a man stopped before them, his shadow enveloping both Searanox and the blond guard, who instinctively straightened his posture.

`I swear to God, they're getting bigger by the day.`

Searanox thought, his mind calculating possible scenarios. This was not just another survivor; this was someone who had adapted to the System's changes—perhaps even embraced them. The size alone suggested a massive Constitution stat, but the intelligence in the man's eyes proved he was no simple brute.

"Yes," Searanox answered, projecting confidence despite the unsettling size difference. "The name is Searanox. I came to ask a few questions and maybe—"

"Where do you come from?" The giant interrupted, his gaze boring into Searanox with an intensity that made the air between them feel charged. He crossed his arms over his massive chest—a gesture seemingly more threatening than any weapon he might wield.

Searanox pointed toward the horizon where the sun had begun its ascent. "You may have noticed a dark shape in the distance." He could still see it in his mind's eye—the silhouette of the city against the sky, a monument to his determination and System-granted power.

"Yes, we have," the giant responded, his deep voice thoughtful. "It appeared after the light vanished." He paused, recalling a significant memory, his gaze distant for a moment.

"You could see the light from here?" Searanox asked, genuinely surprised. The distance between his city and this outpost was significant enough that he hadn't expected the glow to be visible from this far away, especially during daylight hours.

The mountain of a man nodded slowly. "During the night it was like a permanent sunrise over there." He gestured toward the city. "Even during the day, the sky glowed. We thought it was some kind of phenomenon at first—perhaps the System creating something new."

"What exactly was it?" the blond guard asked, his curiosity overcoming his initial wariness. He stepped closer, looking between Searanox and the giant with wide eyes.

Searanox inhaled, his chest expanding as the scent of blood and woodsmoke filled his lungs, grounding him in the reality of this outpost. "Okay... This is a guild base, right?" His voice cut through the quiet, steady despite the giant's imposing presence.

The mountain of a man nodded, his deep-set eyes locked onto Searanox. The movement was deliberate, almost ponderous, as if his body moved at a different cadence than ordinary men. "Yes." The single word rumbled from his chest, vibrating through the ground.

"Good. Then you saw the golden light of the System. Take that and multiply it." Searanox gestured vaguely, tracing patterns in the air as if illustrating an impossible concept. His mind flashed back to the moment his city was established—the radiance that poured from the golden sphere, transforming night into day and bathing the entire region in light. He remembered how the glow had bent around buildings, pulsing with a life of its own.

"Are you telling us that the light rivaling the sun was the creation of your guild?" the blond man asked, his voice sharp with disbelief. He took a step forward, his mismatched armor creaking as his hand instinctively rested on his sword hilt. In this world of System-granted powers and impossible transformations, something rivaling the sun seemed beyond comprehension—a display of power on a scale they had only dreamed of.

"No, not my guild. My city," Searanox said calmly, his voice carrying an undercurrent of authority that belied his lean frame. His pale features remained impassive as comprehension dawned on the giant before him. "I rule a city of close to a hundred thousand."

The number hung in the air between them, vast enough to warp reality. The metallic scent of blood from the nearby butchering station mingled with woodsmoke, making the declaration feel even more surreal.

"A hundred thousand? How are you feeding that many people?" Marvin looked over his base, his massive head turning slowly as his eyes swept across the forty-odd souls calling this outpost home. "We struggle to hunt enough for forty." He unfolded his arms and dropped them to his sides, the muscles in his torso rippling beneath his skin. "That would make you Searanox, the one from the announcement... Or an imposter. It's hard to believe that the recipient of the first global announcement is our neighbor." Suspicion weighted his deep voice, vibrating through Searanox's bones.

"Trust me, if I had a say in it, there wouldn't have been an announcement," Searanox answered, annoyance evident in the slight narrowing of his eyes. The global alert had brought unwanted attention to his city, drawing both potential allies and threats he had not asked for. "Anyway, I came here to see if the node was occupied, and to ask questions if it was." His gaze swept over the courtyard.

"Does that mean you want this node?" Marvin's hand went to the axe handle tucked into his belt—a subtle gesture of defense that Searanox didn't miss.

"No, I don't have enough Lodestones to take another. Expanding territory is quite pricey." Searanox ran his fingers along the edge of his defensive drone, the metal cool beneath his touch. The System's requirements for territorial expansion were exorbitant, designed to prevent rapid conquest.

Marvin laughed, the sound like rocks grinding together in a cave. "Good. That means we don't stand in your way... To be honest, I'm not sure if we could win." The admission cost him some pride, warring with the pragmatism keeping his people alive. He looked Searanox up and down, calculating eyes missing nothing—from the Dhampir's unnaturally pale skin to the sophisticated tech hovering beside him.

"If you want my honest opinion, I can answer that," Searanox said, looking up at Marvin from behind his sunglasses. The late morning sun cast long shadows across the courtyard, making the giant seem even more imposing.

"Sure. How long would it take?" Marvin asked, his voice laced with dread and curiosity.

"Four or five," Searanox said, scanning the outpost's defenses once more. He noted the barricades, the archers' nests, and the arrangement of their training equipment.

"Four or five what? Hours, minutes, seconds?" Marvin asked, crossing his arms again. The muscles in his forearms tensed, veins standing out like ropes.

"Maybe seven," Searanox answered, a slight smirk playing on his lips as he watched the giant's reaction.

"Seven what?" Marvin asked, irritated, his voice dropping to a rumble. The blond guard beside him took an instinctive step back, his hand hovering near his weapon.

Searanox laughed, the sound sharp in the courtyard. "I've always wanted to do that... I don't know your levels, but you can't be higher than fifteen. Let's say you're less of a threat than a dungeon. I would be done before noon." His casual assessment hung in the air while his long shadow stretched across the ground.

"Noon... Yeah, I can see that." Marvin's shoulders slumped, draining some of his imposing presence. "Would you answer me one question before we talk about whatever brought you here?"

"I can't think of a reason to say no," Searanox answered, his hand tracing the drone's metal edge.

"You fought a boss. The announcement showed only your name." Marvin took a deep breath, filling his massive lungs. "The second announcement of that kind showed a lot more—close to twelve, for sure." The comparison troubled him, weighing on his mind.

"That isn't really a question," Searanox pointed out, his tone analytical.

Marvin glared at him before asking, "Did you kill it alone, or were you the only survivor?" The question came out in a rush, needing to know if Searanox's power stemmed from individual strength or circumstance.

Searanox paused, considering how much to reveal. The truth was complicated; he hadn't truly defeated the boss, yet the System had awarded him the victory. "I was alone, but I wouldn't say I killed it. The System decided the fight was over." The answer was accurate yet vague, leaving room for interpretation.

"I played enough games in the past to know a global callout doesn't happen for just any boss," Marvin said, his voice carrying a mix of respect and envy. He understood what the announcement represented—a level of power setting this man apart from everyone else thrust into this reality.

Marvin slapped the blond man on the back with enough force to make him stumble forward. "Good judgment for not attacking him."

The blond guard nodded, his face showing pure relief.