The Aphelion Phase was coming and the entire world had begun preparation for it. At the same time, most had certain expectations on the tragedies that had long felt inevitable.
No matter how many times they had gone through it and how many times they prepared, thousands would still lose their lives. It couldn't be helped. It was part of their lives.
However, Finn was not like them. For one, he did not grow up here and did not 'get used' to the losses during the Aphelion phase. He did not want to ever take for granted that these damned monsters would take some of his people away from him.
They were all staying in the inn. Not only for loyalty, but also because it was the objective choice. Despite the dangers, the staff instinctively understood that the Inn was the best place to be.
Most of all, they wanted to protect their home!
That said, Finn was not willing to carry this burden with a few people. If the damage was minimzed then the people of the safe zone would be the most to benefit from their guarding.
He already knew many people would return here with family and reinforcements, but he still wanted to invite was many people as he could.
As such, he sent origami birds to many people, and also sent specific ones to certain people of power.
For example, the Lotus Town Lord. Another example, the guilds there.
Since the monsters that would attack them were coming from the north to northeast of the Inn, those South of them would have to face fewer monsters than others. Similarly, the extension would also block a good portion of the monsters heading Southeast, lessening the threats for the territories there.
If they (those in the inn) killed the mob before most could even reach the safe zones, wouldn't that be the best-case scenario?
Even if they couldn't send forces, they could at least send funds.
[If you want the inn to stay strong, lower the number of monsters heading in your direction, then please send 1 gold (or item/equipment equivalent) for every 10 citizens you have. Exemptions are the people who will be fighting alongside me.]
[I will announce the list of donations made by each territory. Please rest assured that if you are located South of the inn, you will be able to benefit. If not, I will return what you gave me. You have my word.]
[Everyone who fights alongside me will stay for free and will be fed at least two times a day.]
This way, he could purchase every upgrade he could purchase, and also make sure people had enough equipment and potions to handle the prolonged battle.
This was a weeks-long battle, after all.
That said, he also continued to encourage people to join him. At the same time, he knew that he needed to do a bit more to ensure people's safety, but also to smartly increase his area.
The expansion module was not only expensive, but it also had a quantity cap. He had to be strategic in placing it.
Fortunately, he already had a few hundred thousand gold thanks to the hundreds of people who had gone there before, as well as the money he got from Leez.
First of all, he did not expand the land uniformly outwards. Instead, he expanded it horizontally, creating a delineation as if he were making a giant line barrier.
In an aerial view, it would look thin, but it would be thick enough so people could fight comfortably in their own areas. And because both sides of the barrier were within reach in a few movements, they could also have a wider activity area without bumping against others.
This so-called barrier delineation would be at least 2 meters at the end, and about 3 or four meters near the main areas, creating a tapered protected delineation because more people would definitely be hanging around near the inn itself.
The aerial image would probably be a waning moon shape, acting as a basin to 'catch' the mobs running in their direction. He still had a few thousand modules left, so the expansion on either side would be at least a few hundred meters each.
Speaking of which, he had always wondered what to do with that large expansion module cap. He thought, at the time, that he'd just use it as needed because it was so expensive. He never would have thought that he'd actually be attempting to use them all.
That said, he needed more funds to consume every module for this, but fortunately, Thussalem and the rest had agreed to sponsor him, and they were convincing others for him as well.
Another thing to do was to secure materials and equipment for everyone, to ensure they had a big mountain of stocks on hand to give to the people who would be fighting with their lives.
He was not able to immediately consume all the 9000+ modules today, but he did consume a good portion of them. All this was apparently enough to trigger a few things.
[Every default Barrier Upgrade Purchased!]
[Barrier Upgrade (Final) Available!]
[Barrier Upgrade (Final): Electrifying Snap]
[Information: Ability to cause heavy damage to enemies fortified-level and below. Damage varies based on enemy level, defense, and affinities.
Cost Per Shot: 100 Hearth Points
Cost: 100,000 Hearth Points]
[Purchased! -100,000 Hearth Points]
Finn's heart beat fast. The barrier finally had attacking functions!!
It would be like electrocution of sorts. However, he should still be careful about this since it uses points per shot. Fortunately, he could set things up so those hundred points were maximized.
For one, he set it to attack only fortified ranked monsters and above in its range. Those lower than that could be handled by the people fighting here.
After this, he went to stockpile his food and essence food. He likely wouldn't have as much time cooking during the Aphelion phase, so it would be good to stockup. Anyway, the cellar was practically a 'preservation' cheat.
Hopefully, he could create a lot more B-class essence food this time. Probably a small hill of them!
The other professionals also did their own thing: Syl making her runes, the alchemists with their potions, and the blacksmiths with the weapons. The goblins were focused on supporting them, bringing food and drinks as well as replenishing their stocks. They also prepared the materials for the temporary shelters, though most of that could wait until more people arrive.
Everyone busied themselves, doing their best to prepare their home as best as they could.