LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Preparation
The Verdant Mines were slowly transforming into a fortress. Reinforced gates, spike-laden barricades, and patrolling Iron Bastion dwarves stood as sentinels against the chaos threatening the mine's newfound prosperity. Ethan and Brandon observed the bustling activity, their minds churning with ideas to strengthen their defenses even further.
Ethan's HUD blinked with notifications from the Iron Bastion's system:
> New Feature Unlocked: Defensive Structures
Reinforced Walls: Requires 500 Iron Ingots and 100 Mithril Shards.
Spike Barricades: Requires 200 Iron Ingots and 50 Monster Bones.
Watchtowers: Requires 300 Iron Ingots and 20 Lumber Bundles.
The world was dangerous, and they needed to be ready.
---
Enemy Raid Detected!
The peace was short-lived as a notification appeared.
> Incoming Enemy Raid!
Shadow Consortium Scouts have been spotted. Prepare to defend!
"Shadow Consortium again," Brandon grumbled, gripping his weapon.
Ethan narrowed his eyes. "They're testing us, seeing how far they can push."
The two prepared for battle as a group of scouts emerged from the shadows of the forest. They were well-equipped and radiated danger.
---
[Status Window]
Name: Shadow Consortium Scout
Class: Rogue
Level: 35
Race: Human
HP: 3,125 / 3,125
MP: 1,000 / 1,000
Strength: 85
Agility: 120
Endurance: 70
Intelligence: 60
Wisdom: 55
Luck: 40
Charm: 20
Skills:
Shadow Step: Teleport a short distance. Cooldown: 10 seconds.
Deadly Strike: Deliver a critical blow. Deals 150% damage. Cooldown: 15 seconds.
Smoke Bomb: Reduces visibility. Lasts 10 seconds.
Equipment:
Dual Daggers of Venom: 35~45 Damage per hit. Poison effect applies over time.
The first scout dashed toward Ethan, blades glinting ominously. Ethan activated [Abyssal Veil], enveloping himself in dark energy.
Scout uses Deadly Strike!
Critical Hit! Ethan takes 313 damage.
Ethan's HP: 2,912 / 3,225
"Fast little bastards," Ethan muttered, countering with a punch infused with [Abyssal Impact].
Ethan uses Abyssal Impact!
Direct Hit! Scout takes 511 damage.
Scout's HP: 2,614 / 3,125
Brandon joined the fray, wielding his halberd with ferocity. "We can't let them breach the perimeter!"
Brandon uses Sweeping Arc!
Scout takes 327 damage.
Scout's HP: 2,287 / 3,125
The remaining scouts began circling, launching coordinated strikes. Smoke bombs clouded the area, reducing visibility.
Scout uses Smoke Bomb!
Ethan's visibility reduced by 60%.
Ethan gritted his teeth. "They're trying to blind us. Brandon, stick close!"
Ethan Strikes Back
Ethan unleashed [Abyssal Chains], summoning ethereal chains to bind the nearest enemy.
Ethan uses Abyssal Chains!
Direct Hit! Scout takes 615 damage and is immobilized.
Scout's HP: 1,672 / 3,125
The immobilized scout struggled against the chains, but Ethan followed up with [Dark Rend], slashing with abyssal energy.
Ethan uses Dark Rend!
Critical Hit! Scout takes 927 damage.
Scout's HP: 745 / 3,125
The scout's HP was dwindling. Ethan finished the job with a devastating uppercut powered by [Abyssal Surge].
Ethan uses Abyssal Surge!
Overkill! Scout takes 1,113 damage.
Scout has been defeated!
Brandon faced off against two scouts simultaneously, his halberd sweeping in wide arcs.
Scout uses Shadow Step!
Evaded! Brandon takes no damage.
Brandon countered with [Crushing Strike], shattering the armor of one scout.
Brandon uses Crushing Strike!
Direct Hit! Scout takes 475 damage.
Scout's HP: 2,650 / 3,125
The fight was brutal and relentless. Ethan joined Brandon, the two working in tandem to defeat the remaining scouts.
Ethan uses Abyssal Wave!
Wide Hit! Both scouts take 735 damage each.
Scout 1 HP: 1,915 / 3,125
Scout 2 HP: 1,915 / 3,125
The combination of Brandon's halberd and Ethan's abyssal abilities turned the tide of the battle. One by one, the scouts fell, their bodies dissolving into the game's digital ether.
The raid was thwarted, but Ethan knew this was only the beginning. Shadow Consortium was testing their defenses.
System Notification:
> Raid Defense Successful!
2,000 Gold earned.
Defensive Structures upgraded by 10%.
"We need to strengthen the perimeter even more," Ethan said, wiping blood from his brow.
Brandon nodded. "And prepare for larger raids. They'll come back with more next time."
As the day ended, Ethan reviewed the new crafting options provided by the Iron Bastion:
[Crafting System - Verdant Mines]
Mithril Weapons: Requires Mithril Shards, Iron Ingots, and Magic Stones.
Enhanced Armor: Requires Hardened Scales, Monster Bones, and Iron Ingots.
Utility Items: Smoke Bombs, Flash Bombs, and Traps.
The resources from the mines could now be refined into powerful tools of war. However, with great rewards came greater risks.
___
The Verdant Mines were bustling with activity as Ethan and Brandon worked tirelessly to expand their operations. Under the guidance of the Iron Bastion, they had turned the mine into a powerhouse of production. Dwarves hammered at forges, refining rare ores into high-quality ingots, while players and NPCs alike gathered to trade, craft, and arm themselves.
Ethan stood at the center of it all, monitoring the flow of resources. His HUD displayed the latest system notifications:
System Update: Advanced Crafting Mechanic
> New Crafting Recipes Unlocked:
Runed Mithril Blade: A lightweight weapon with enhanced magic conductivity.
Requires 15 Mithril Ingots, 3 Magic Stones, and 1 Rare Rune.
Reinforced Plate Armor: Heavy armor with high durability and resistance to physical attacks.
Requires 20 Iron Ingots, 5 Hardened Scales, and 2 Mithril Shards.
Aetheric Potion: Restores 50% HP and MP instantly.
Requires 10 Rare Herbs, 2 Magic Stones, and 5 Water Essences.
> Crafting Boosts: Players who control crafting hubs gain a 10% speed boost in refining materials and assembling items.
Ethan smirked. "If we control the supply of these items, we control the economy."
The market surrounding Verdant Mines flourished. Players traveled from far-off regions to acquire rare items crafted from the mine's resources. The prices of Mithril, Hardened Scales, and Magic Stones skyrocketed, and Ethan made sure the Iron Bastion kept the supply tight.
The economic ripple effects were massive:
Inflation: The value of basic crafting materials increased across the board as demand surged.
Scarcity: Rival factions struggled to gather resources, leaving their crafting systems lagging behind.
Monopolization: Players began accusing Ethan of price gouging, but no one could challenge the mine's production output.
Brandon glanced at the bustling trade posts. "You know this won't last forever. The Magisterium Arcanum and Shadow Consortium won't sit idly by while we get rich."
Ethan nodded. "That's why we need to fortify even more and expand our influence."
Ethan called a meeting with the Iron Bastion's leaders. Inside a stone hall within the mines, the dwarf commander, Thaldir Ironforge, laid out a map of the region.
"We've seen scouts from both the Magisterium Arcanum and the Shadow Consortium lurking near our borders," Thaldir said, his voice gruff. "It's only a matter of time before they strike."
"How soon?" Brandon asked, arms crossed.
Thaldir stroked his beard. "Days, perhaps hours. The Arcanum seeks magical artifacts, and the Consortium thrives on chaos. Both factions see this mine as their prize."
Ethan stared at the map, his mind racing. "Then we need to prepare for the worst. Reinforce the gates, lay traps, and arm every ally we have."
System Notification:
> New Defensive Options Unlocked:
Automated Ballista: Requires 30 Iron Ingots, 5 Mithril Shards, and 2 Magic Stones.
Explosive Traps: Requires 10 Gunpowder, 5 Iron Shards, and 1 Rare Rune.
Fortified Barricades: Requires 50 Iron Ingots and 10 Lumber Bundles.
Ethan quickly allocated resources to construct the new defenses.
As Ethan prepared for retaliation, the tension with the NPC factions grew.
Magisterium Arcanum: A group of high-level mages sent an envoy to demand access to the mines, threatening destruction if their demands weren't met.
Shadow Consortium: Ruthless assassins and mercenaries began attacking supply lines, attempting to starve the mines of resources.
Ethan refused to back down, knowing that any sign of weakness would lead to complete disaster.
Thaldir approached Ethan with a grim expression. "There's a way to keep both factions at bay."
"Let's hear it," Ethan said.
"We dwarves have an ancient relic buried deep in the mines—a Rune of Binding. It can create barriers to keep enemies out. However, it requires immense magical energy to activate."
Ethan frowned. "And let me guess, we need to retrieve it from some dangerous place?"
Thaldir nodded. "Aye. It's guarded by a golem forged in the fires of the old world. No player or dwarf has faced it and lived to tell the tale."
Ethan smirked. "Then it's about time someone did."
Ethan's control over the mine began to affect the entire region. Nearby NPC towns began allying themselves with Verdant Mines, offering supplies and manpower in exchange for protection.
System Notification:
> New NPC Faction Relationships Unlocked:
Hearthglen Village: Provides food and basic materials in exchange for ore.
Ravenspire Outpost: Offers scouts and intelligence in exchange for crafted weapons.
Dunwich Keep: Supplies soldiers in exchange for access to refined Mithril.
These alliances provided Ethan with the resources he needed to expand further but also painted a massive target on his back.