Altera Village.
Altera stared at the clear skies with a complex expression, her pretty finger rhymically tapping on the varnished wooden table.
The protection period was already over for more than a day and… nothing happened.
It wasn't that she was complaining. After all, at the very least, they managed to get their much needed respite, and the resources have been recovered to a certain degree.
Actually, it had recovered much faster than anticipated.
This was because when people woke up, the first thing most did was start the production of everything needed in wars. This included gathering resources, making sure that the territory didn't lack it when in need.
She had also managed to make a few more bombs by this time, which was a miracle because she slept for nearly a whole day.
That mob really took a toll on her health and spirit.
So, she was thankful that they had some rest. It was just that the unknown was just intrinsically uncomfortable. There were times that the wait was no less torturous than the actual problem, and this was one of those times.
What she didn't know was that the site she chose to place Altera was in an area in a particularly difficult terrain to access. It was also amidst many other Terran territories that was much more accessible to mobs and were therefore attacked first.
However, whether or not they knew, they would definitely prepare enough for it.
She shook her head, studying the status of the base.
When the territory was upgraded, not only were there new building types available (which she'd be deferring until the first enemy arrived) but also the conditions for upgrading the buildings were made visible.
When the Weapon store was upgraded to two, it could create more varieties of E weapons. At level 3, it would be able to create level D weapons. Particularly, the sword, the spear, the axe, and the bow and arrow. The cost though was ten times as much as it was at level 2.
She still upgraded it, of course.
Although Brenda had also become a level C weapon maker, she was busy with innovations and didn't have time to supply the whole territory. Not to mention, she also had to create Level C weapons, something that a Level 3 Weapons store could not make at this time.
There was also the fact that her own factories could make Level E and D weapons for a much lower cost and better quality.
But, if she had the money, who would say no to the automatic production of standard weapons? This was especially true for normal citizens who couldn't get a hold of the higher-quality factory-made ones.
As for the warehouse, it was indeed nearly filled, but it should still have several more days before she met the requirements for its upgrade.
Judging by its constant production by virtue of basically unlimited resources care of her citizens, the warehouse should upgrade very soon.
On the other hand, the upgrade condition for the Training Hall was for the successful completion of 1000 fights against the strongest level 5 monster.
She needed to upgrade this one because she'd be hiring guards soon. The current ten rooms wouldn't be enough for everyone.
Unfortunately, this upgrade would take longer than others.
Very few people, including her, had actually dealt with this. They were definitely far from 1000 fights against a level 5, not to mention the added requirement of actually having to win the fight.
By estimate, they probably had less than a hundred wins after all this time. However, she believed that after the previous mob, more people would have gotten much stronger and would thus be able to win against the strongest monster.
She looked at the Population List on her Lord Panel, and she made a rough count on the high-level Terrans in the territory.
Level 8: 1
Level 6: 12
Level 5: 280
Level 4: 778
She reckoned this was a pretty good ratio. If everyone level 5 and above could fight (and win) a few times, then she'd meet the conditions.
She ruminated for a bit, composing another announcement in her head.
And so, after a while, a series of announcements echoed across the territory.
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[The Protection Period is Over! The average level of monsters outside has tripled!
[It is forbidden to leave the territory with teams of less than 10 people. The minimum level of leaving the walls is level 4 unless the average level of the entire party is level 8.]
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[Territory Announcement:
Now Hiring! Guards
[Requirements: Minimum level 4, with cumulative contribution points of 500 on record. Good moral character.
[Wage: 100 copper/day, 50 contribution points, 3 meals and accommodation included.
[Available Slots: 0/200]
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[Training Hall is 50% off for three days!]
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[Territory Announcements: All guards that defeat the current highest level monster ten times in the Training Hall will become a captain, without exception.
[Validity: Indefinite]
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[Contribution Point Rankings: Will show the Top 100 Residents in terms of contribution points. Can be set anonymous.
[Note: Will now be visible via the Village Center, in the same tab as personal contribution points]
"Minimum level was level 4, darn it!"
"They're hiring 200!!"
"There's still 1 more day! I'm at the peak of level 3! I can do this!"
"People who can beat the level 5 monster in the training hall ten times will automatically be captains!"
"I heard their salaries are 2 silver a day!!"
"Ppffff you say so like you could beat the level 3 one…"
"You shut up!" The man yelled, "Don't jinx me!!!"
The other just laughed, though he, too, would definitely try out as well.
…
There were also milder but no less meaningful reactions to the announcements. For instance, Cassie's.
Cassie was still with her grandma, though they were not gathering resources as they usually would at this time.
They were both sewing hems on face towels with many other women under Letty's store.
During the last war, these sold out quickly. Not only were they used as face towels, but also for other things like cleaning wounds and stopping bleeding.
After all, the number of medical gauze and medicines were limited, especially with their growing population.
Her grandmother smiled. "Well, they're hiring again."
Cassie nodded, "It's a good thing I reached level 4 during the last beast tide…"
The women turned to her, looking at her in interest.
"You're trying out, Cassie?" One woman said, and another nodded.
"Oh yes, I heard you joined the Olympics before?"
"You must be very good."
"We need more women fighting out there!" One said, and another nodded very excitedly.
"I'll make you good handkerchiefs and towels to use comfortably!"
Cassie blushed at the burst of attention and smiled shyly. "Thank you for your support!" She said, her heart lit up a bit more with the fervent support of her friends.
Her grip on the cloth tightened a bit, before she resumed her job.
The guardship could come later, the other jobs were no less important.