Theo woke the next morning to the sound of 20 slow bells. Where he expected a frantic, staccato call to arms, he found the mournful ring of peace. He wiped the sleep from his eyes, pulling the early warning crystal from his inventory and shaking his head. It was a deep shade of red, growing brighter by the moment. The difference between the last assault and this one was preparation. They were ready, even if Uharis wasn’t there as a backup. Tresk’s bed was empty, and the familiar smell of the same breakfast wafted through the open door. Dawn hadn’t broken, but it wasn’t far off.
The alchemist made his way into the lab, falling into his chair and staring out the window.
“They’ll be here soon enough,” Theo said.
Tresk waved him off, flipping her steaks. “No worries. I’m happy about Luras.”
The pair had talked, at length, about the Half-Ogre’s decision before bed. Tresk said he was lying to himself and she knew it, although Theo didn’t know if she was just posturing.
“His cores suck,” Theo said, pouring himself a cup of moss tea. “Not sure how you guys survived down here with common cores.”
“Oh! Mister fancy-pants legendary cores over here,” Tresk said, taking on a mocking tone. “Look at me,” she danced around the room. “Just gonna fix everything and be all cool and stuff.”
Theo laughed, choking on his tea and doubling over. “Stop,” he said. “I’m gonna spill my tea.”
“Well, set your tea down, cause I’m just getting started,” Tresk said, grinning.
“I’m right, though,” Theo said. “The difference between low-tier cores and the high ones is absurd.”
“I’ll agree with that,” Tresk said, nodding. “I mean, you get a boost in power but you still need to level the core. Unless you can find him a core that combines with his [Hunter’s Core], he’ll need to grind the new one up.”
Theo nodded, locking his gaze outside the window once again. That was something they had an enormous advantage on. He still didn’t understand the exact situation up north, but they certainly didn’t have so many dungeons nearby. Most people farmed the [Swamp Dungeon], but the others were growing steadily in power. Not at the same rate as the one in the swamp, but still noticeably. The alchemist had received little word on the other dungeons, only that the loot sucked and no one wanted to swim through either the [River Dungeon] or the [Ocean Dungeon].
That didn’t take away from Theo’s instincts on those dungeons. They’d be a valuable source of revenue, they just had one problem. The distance between Broken Tusk, and any of the other dungeons besides the [Swamp Dungeon] were great. It was at least twice as far, posing a serious problem. If Theo wanted ownership over those dungeons, he’d need to expand the town outward. The [Ocean Dungeon] was his first target. It was near the sea, and would allow him to construct a port. That idea still rattled in his head, refusing to dislodge itself. Another project for a man with too many projects.
Once Tresk served the steaks, Theo took a leaf out of the Marshling’s book. Instead of carefully cutting the meat into small sections, he picked it up with both hands and took a bite. She shot him a surprised look, taking a larger bite and glowering.
“It’s not a competition,” Theo said through a mouthful of meat.
“Yeah, it is!” Tresk said, taking another, larger bite.
They finished their meal and went together onto the street. There was a calm in the air that sent a shiver down Theo’s spine. It wasn’t the typical calm he expected before a fight, but a sense of normalcy that gave him hope. Those who were non-combatants were going about their lives as if nothing was wrong. Monster might have been preparing to assault the town, but within the walls they were safe. The alchemist would do anything to make sure that was a reality as long as he had strength.
With a deep breath, he approached the Adventurer’s Guild. Luras was standing, deep in conversation with Aarok. Adventurers were scattered around the hall, talking amongst themselves. Theo spotted the 3 brothers talking to Zan’kir and Zan’sal.
“Theo,” Aarok said, waving the pair over. “Have you met my new Captain of the Guard?”
Luras paled, casting his eyes to the floor.
“I’ve met him before,” Theo said, smiling. “Bit of a rapscallion, though.”
“Right. I’m just happy to have more competent adventurers,” Aarok said. “Well, those ‘al brothers are pretty strong. They’re a higher level than Tresk, but somehow I don’t think they have good cores.”
“Al brothers?” Tresk asked.
“Bal, Dal, and Ral,” Theo said, waving her away. “New arrivals—I told you about them.”
“I don’t concern myself with weaklings,” Tresk said, narrowing her eyes.
Theo gave her a swift punch on the arm. “Manner. Every adventurer is valuable here.”
Tresk looked shocked at first, then reserved. “Yeah…”
“If our Tara’hek is done having their moment,” Aarok said. “We’re not resting on the fact that we know how they’re going to attack.”
“We’ll split our force again,” Luras said. “Similar tactic, but we’re assembling a roaming group to keep the walls clear and relay information.”
“Do we have enough bombs?” Theo asked.
“And a few tricks you’re not aware of,” Aarok said, flashing a roguish smile.
Theo withdrew the crystal from his inventory. It had grown a brighter shade of red since he looked at it minutes ago. He returned it and withdrew the rest of the bombs he was working on. There weren’t as many as he’d like, but there were enough. No matter how much he wanted to doubt their ability to defend the town, he knew they could do it. He handed over the bombs to Aarok and Luras to distribute to the adventurers.
“Your healing potions are distributed to the masses. We can’t be more ready,” Luras said.
“I wonder what it's like up north,” Theo said. He blurted the words out, still musing on their unique situation. “Our adventurers are going to grow in power. Quickly. How does it work up there?”
“Nothing like this,” Aarok said, waving a dismissive hand. “The kingdom has a stranglehold on the dungeons, and monsters aren’t as common. People need to travel far to get their experience. Not like in Broken Tusk. Here, you can wake up and take a jaunt over to the dungeon and be home in time for dinner.”
“When we were going for the Irregulars, it was weird,” Luras said, smiling. “So many people take laboring cores, or trade cores, because it’s too hard to do adventuring.”
Theo fell into his thoughts as Aarok and Luras reminisced about the old times. The alchemist looked at his new citizens with a fresh perspective. Broken Tusk really could be many things to settlers. A place to settle down and perform basic labor, or a haven to strengthen themselves. That made the adventuring tax more important than before. If someone were to settle down here to advance their cores then leave, he would get nothing out of it. This way, they were at least paying their dues.
The group broke off, Tresk going to make introductions to the ‘fresh meat’, as she called them. They whittled the time away as the crystal grew in brightness. Theo didn’t know how the monsters spawned, and he didn’t care. As long as no one was out in the swamp when they did, it wouldn’t matter. He trusted those that ran the military aspect of the town to do the right thing. After only an hour of mingling and chatting about strategy, the wild clang of a bell sounded from outside. Without missing a beat, every adventurer in the room tensed and sprinted out of the Guild Hall before the alchemist could even react.
Theo trudged behind them, lagging at a considerable distance. He watched Tresk standing atop the battlements first, casting her gaze over the swamp. She winced every time the man rang the bell, standing right next to him but refusing to give up her prime position. The calmness in the air faded, giving way to tense expectations. The alchemist ascended the battlements, heaving breaths and leaning against the crenelations.
“Wait for it,” Aarok said, narrowing his eyes. “If they’re coming from the west, they should—”
No one heard whatever else the Half-Ogre sought to say. A ripple of explosions issued from deep within the swamp, momentarily deafening those atop the wall. Theo ducked behind the stone, plugging his ears and letting out a silent curse.
“What was that?” Theo shouted, digging deep into his ears as though to remove the buzzing.
“Bombs!” Luras shouted. “Throk made some bombs. They sit on the ground and wait for a monster to pass.”
“He made mines?” Theo said, springing from his crouched position.
“It was a surprise,” Tresk said, jumping onto the edge of the wall and smiling. “Now, I go to work.”
She vanished without another word. Luras drew his bow, Aarok turning to shout orders at the gaggle of citizens below. Theo just watched. He watched the absurd quality of their response. The filing out of a small group of adventurers, including the 3 brothers, the dutiful marching across the battlements, and the handing out of bombs and potions.
Theo plugged his ears again. The lightning tower shot out a deafening blast, shooting at something near the treeline. The alchemist only now glimpsed a pack of wolf-riding Goblins. Lightning tore through them, shredding a score in an instant and maiming others. Then the bombs went. Plumes of fire rose from that killing field, annihilating the rest of the outriders indiscriminately.
“New monsters,” Aarok said, nodding. “They’re not stronger than the last wave, but we’re going to see a new boss. I’m sure of it.”
“Keep me updated,” Theo said. “I’m going to check on the citizens.”
“They should be at the guild,” Aarok said.
Theo nodded, descending the steep stairs before another bolt of lightning took his hearing. The streets were mostly empty, save for the adventurers patrolling. Outside of the Adventurer’s Guild was a group of 5 adventurers, holding their weapons at the road and casting their eyes over the street. The alchemist smiled—they were sentries, intent on defending the townsfolk inside. Gathering everyone in the same place was smart, if they had the manpower to defend them. He reserved his judgment of the decision, trusting that Aarok knew what he was doing.
Citizens were milling around the open hall of the Guild. They chatted happily, eating something out of wooden bowls and smiling when their mayor came inside. Xam had set up a small [Flame Artifice] with a boiling cauldron on the far side of the hall, complete with a steaming pot of tea. Theo let out a single laugh, the absurdity of the situation not evading him.
“Did you see them?” Throk asked, coming up to grin at Theo.
“I heard them,” Theo said, understanding that the man was talking about the mines. “You made some artifice weapons?”
“Not really,” Throk said, shrugging. “I rigged some of your bombs. Well, 10 of them in a bundle. Just a little something I whipped up. The original intent of the artifice was to ring a bell automatically, but I hooked it up to a proximity sensor and cranked the power of the hammer up.”
“That’s genius,” Theo said.
Throk shrugged. “It was just for fun.”
More explosions issued outside. Theo found it hard to sit in here with these people. The logical part of himself said this is where he needed to be. Safe and away from the action, but he couldn’t stay. He needed to see how the assault was going. How effective were his bombs against the horde? Theo turned on the spot, waving and making for the door when something tugged at the arm of his silken robe.
“How's it going?” Azrug asked.
“It just started,” Theo said. “The bombs seem effective, though. Oh! Fenian is going to be here tonight.”
“Really? He said that? I have a lot of things I need to buy—and sell,” Azrug said, brightening up.
“Yeah. I need to scrounge up 50 gold for him,” Theo said.
“Oh. How much do you have?” Azrug asked.
“21,” Theo said. “I’ll figure something out. Don’t worry. Fenian is always willing to work with me.”
“Bet he’s gonna place a crazy order,” Azrug said.
Theo’s mind twinged. There was something he regretted from the last wave he wanted done this time. What powerful reagents would those monsters hold? They’d been looted for their gear, but no one was looking for stuff he could use to make essences. He nodded to himself, resolving to talk to Aarok on the wall.
“I need to have a word with our stalwart defenders,” Theo said, waving.
“Bye,” Azrug said, bringing his bowl of soup to his mouth and slurping noisily.
Instantly after leaving the hall, Theo heard the sounds of battle. Even the explosions were muffled in there, but out in the open air he could hear everything. A series of explosions issued far in the north, falling in his ears as faint thumps. Another sound from the south, then the east, joining in as a chorus with the west. The alchemist sprinted, slow compared to his adventuring companions, to the western wall. His eyes darted to Tresk’s health, watching it repeatedly drop and return to full. He knew better than to ask her what was going on. That would only break her concentration.
“How’s it going?” Theo asked, panting.
Luras was firing his bow into a sparse crowd of monsters. It was nothing like the wave that assaulted the other day, but as his eyes drifted toward the forest he saw the actual story of it. Piles of corpses sat after the treeline, flames rising off their charred bodies. The lightning turret let out another blast, and an adventurer fed it another mote from the nearby crate. The alchemist watched in amazement. They were doing great.
“Very well, this time,” Luras said. “Thanks to that drunk wizard, we had time to prepare. Yeah, they have the numbers, but we have the defending advantage.”
The boss is a two-headed troll! Tresk said. He’s coming for the walls—slowly.
Thanks.
Theo relayed the information to Aarok, who nodded. “I didn’t expect another troll, that’s strange. We’re seeing Goblins, but they’re different types. Is the troll approaching from the west?”
Theo talked to Tresk rapidly, getting details on where the troll was.
“From the west,” Theo confirmed. “He has a small army of Trolling with him.”
“There’s the wrinkle,” Luras said, looking back and relaxing his bow. “They’ll have the same regeneration as him, maybe a shared effect.”
“Right. They’re stronger together,” Aarok said, nodding.
Bal, the oldest of the 3 brothers, ascended the stairs of the battlement with a few strong strides. “East is almost untouched. The north has it bad, but they’re doing fine. The south is middling.”
“That’s expected,” Aarok said. “Ask the east to send what they can to the western gate. Here. How are the streets?”
“A few sneaky Goblins got in, but there’s not a lot. Their stealth sucks,” Bal said.
“Right. You have the streets then, Bal,” Aarok said. “Great job.”
Bal smiled, affecting a shallow bow before leaping off the wall into the town. He landed gracefully on his feet, sprinting as soon as he touched the cobbled street.
“We need a way to communicate during these battles,” Theo said, remembering what he came here to say. “Can you instruct the adventurers to look for reagents? Things that I could use for potions, once we’ve slain all the monsters?”
“Of course,” Aarok said, laughing. “I’m afraid they don’t know what to look for, though. Maybe you could come along for the clean up.”
“Good idea,” Theo said.
His [Drogramath Herbalism Core] would let him know what was useful. At level 10, it was more than just intuition. He could almost feel the magic in the herbs around him, but it was still in the early stages. Once he got that core to level 20, it would be a different story. Even though he didn’t know how he knew it, that was the fact. A linear progression of power that would continue… To what end? He didn’t know.
Theo sat atop the battlements with his commander, observing the monster’s attempts to breach the killing field. It seemed like a futile task. They threw themselves against that blood-soaked patch of marshy earth without regard to the fires, the lightning, or the endless ranged attacks of the defenders. Rain didn’t come as midday past, even into the late afternoon. Tresk gave updates on the advance of the boss Troll. When it finally crossed the line of fire, most of its Trollings were already dead.
[Boss Monster] spotted! Twin Foul Lords Gorak/Slobag has been sighted. This monster is stronger than regular monsters, use caution.
“Ready?” Aarok shouted.
They had a plan, apparently. Theo felt like a strange observer in a macabre game, standing there and wincing every time the lightning fired off. It arced, slamming uselessly against the large Troll. The creature was a more lumpen mass of boils and fat than the one he’d seen before. Two heads bobbled atop the thing, swaying with bald heads with vile features that sent the alchemist’s stomach turning. What happened next occurred quicker than Theo could register.
Several Freezebombs exploded, the ones with the [Web] modifier, snaring the remaining Trollings. The boss Troll shook the thin threads of ice off, moving deep into the killing field in a single stride. Fire bombs came next, a normal one, then a [Surge] modified one, in rapid succession. The Troll roared in pain, thrashing uselessly as the bombs kept flying. As quickly as the monster approached the gates, it fell to the ground, forcing a system message to appear in Theo’s vision.
[Boss Monster] defeated! Twin Foul Lords Gorak/Slobag has been slain. Bonus Wave!
[Bonus Wave!] Broken Tusk defeated the monster wave in 10 hours! Bonus wave: [Goblin Rush].
Theo’s brow knit tight. Aarok had a similarly confused expression on his face. With a mental command, the alchemist found he could inspect the bonus wave’s description.
[Goblin Rush]
Monster Wave
Duration: 1 Hour
Goblin Rush!
Every remaining goblin has been turned into a miniature Troll!
Experience gained from killing these monsters is increased.
[Monster Wave] gold is increased for each Troll-Goblin Killed.
Troll-Goblins drop rare loot more often.
Theo took a calming breath.
Get back to the town, Tresk, he said.