January 1899 was a month of heavy snowstorms.

Blizzards frequently blew off the mountains, and the snow accumulated in high drifts, blocking all access to New Midian. The road near the forest edge was almost wholly abandoned. The population was travelling by rail as the roads were too dangerous in these conditions.

Now and again, I would see a few hardy and brave travellers, but they were a rarity.

I had retreated to the church most days when the storms descended upon us. I had quickly fallen into my usual routine, now of what I call my winter duties—recounting my money and cleaning my guns.

My Hunters were effectively hibernating. I have seen smoke from a few of their chimneys on occasion, but they had not emerged. Harrington had spent countless nights here studying the magical Way of Athamos dagger. But this winter, he had withdrawn, saying he needed to consult his notes and think of what he had learned.

I was down in crypts below the church with a dismantled rifle before me. I've been slowly cleaning it for the last hour, taking my time. This allowed me to think about other things while keeping my hands busy.

I was wondering how large New Midian could become. When I first arrived, it would not have been a concern for me, but now it was becoming one again. I had thought over it before recognising the dangers becoming too large. I was hidden within my spatial bubble, but anyone with even a vague sense of distance would instantly see the problems that lay within, regarding what was shown without.

I was wondering if I could actually stop the expansion. Unfortunately, it was an automated process over which I had no control. It was tied to when I levelled.

I knew I was still far from my next level, but one of the great joys of having time on your hands is that you have ample time to reflect. I am haunted by those terrible words "what if?" as are many others.

I thought about the world around me. About those who were working directly or closely with me. Most of the time, I thought about my Hunters and what they were changing into.

There are too many variables even to begin to give an accurate prediction of the future now. Too many things were changing, making my memories of my world less relevant with every passing day. I still knew where the broad strokes of technological development were going, but the details I knew were now obsolete.

"How am I going to play this now?"

I often ask myself this question during these times and reflect on possible answers.

I had Herbert and his family as my immediate access to the outside world. The situation with Marshal Stone had shown me that I had some more limited power with the community of Crossway than I initially realised. The Way of Athamos had managed to dig its claws deep into the community. The Daughters of Medusa were strengthening their positions and influence within the media.

The end goal, of course, was to keep New Midian hidden from those who do not dream of it.

"But is that all I want?"

I had finished the two organisations with knowledge and direction, but could I reach for more? Should I reach for more?

I had a sizeable financial reserve in gold and silver which had not been touched yet. I could use that to fund my own corporation or trust, making myself ultimately a power player if I made the right moves. If I did everything right, I could negate my need to rely on the other two groups and maybe even subsume them into my own organisation I could create.

Logically, that was the smartest thing to do.

Something within me said it was the wrong decision.

I can't explain it. It was a feeling deep within me, telling me that this was not what I was meant to do. I spent some time analysing this feeling or impulse. It stood against every logical thought I had, and I knew it was an emotional response. I had always been aware of my emotions, but the distance from them I now exist with allowed me to act without interference from them. No, this was something else.

I spent many days thinking about it, debating the pros and cons of creating my own organisation. Every time I started moving towards implementing it within my mind, the same impulse returned.

I had to come to the unsettling realisation that this was another thing added to my mind when I was brought here and changed into a Dungeon Core. This ultimately led to another question that had haunted me for nearly three decades.

"Whatever changes had been made?"

I spoke out loud, but again, no answer came.

Mid-February marks the restoration of communication with the world.

Herbert and his son came by, dropping off a large number of papers for me to read.

I quickly collected them and brought them back to the church. I organised them into two piles, one for each publication. The local one was always thinner news and heavier on gossip, so I started with that. Once I finish them, I will turn to the Portland Times and get a better view of what's happening in the world.

The first story that interests me is the one about Crete's revolt against the Ottoman Empire and its subsequent union with Greece. It seems that even in this world, the Ottoman Empire was often referred to as the "sick man of Europe".

There are numerous stories throughout January of multiple ship sinkings in bad weather across the world. In a stark reminder of the power of the sea and how it should never be underestimated.

From the papers covering the middle of January, one story popped out and had me wondering about the future. The United American Workers Union was formed in the northeastern United States, with a focus on the state of New York. It was created when half a dozen major labour unions merged to represent their members better.

The Japanese Empire annexed Wake Island in the Pacific.

I see many stories of increasing use of automobiles in both Europe and America.

"At least that's progressing close to what I remember."

As I approached the papers covering the end of January, I found the story in the Portland Times that caused me to stop and do my best to remember what I could from my own timeline.

Delegates in Australia were meeting to form a confederation uniting them all into one political body. However, it was one of the arguments that stood out to me.

"Together we Australians will form a confederation that will cover this great land of ours. A confederation to improve all of our lives within an Imperial Federation."

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Imperial Federation?

I knew the term from playing alternate history scenarios and some of the strategy games I used to play. The British Empire had two paths ahead of it at the start of the 20th century. The first was to allow the Anglosphere countries to become dominions and gain greater independence. This was the path taken. The other was the Imperial Federation. A massive reform to the Empire, turning it from a centralised empire into a federation of nations. The path was never taken, and the idea died out in my timeline by the time of the First World War. However, here it seemed to have a more substantial support base.

"I will need to look into that."

Throughout the entire month, I had been noticing something else in the Crossway Chronicle. I have seen many articles and advertisements for the American Woman's Temperance and Morality League. It seems that they were back stronger than ever and pushing for the legalisation of alcohol as a first step in a crusade to bring back moral decency to the country.

I snorted, reading a lot of their propaganda. The problem was that I had to keep an eye on them. I remember the prohibition from my own time. It could mean strengthening my influence or a danger to me.

That brought up the issues printed in early February.

"Right, let's see what we got."

I reached for the first local paper and began to inspect the headline.

[Alert! Intruders are not recognised as Challengers.]

"Eh?"

I moved quickly from the church to the gates. Swearing the whole way.

My Hunters were stirring to the alert.

I looked around as soon as I arrived. Where were the intruders?

There!

Heading along the southern path were five bundled figures. The snow was melting, but was still piled up high in some areas. I moved up to them and began examining them. Five outdoor types that are becoming less common these days. I listened to their conversation as I studied them, and it was clear that they were treasure hunters.

I reached out to my Hunters and told them of the five men moving through the graveyard. Five intruders versus my six Hunters, I was confident in a speedy victory.

I needed to think where I was going to….

[Alert! Intruders are not recognised as Challengers.]

"What?"

The second alert message surprised me. I was momentarily stunned, but before I could turn my attention back to the gates, a shot rang out.

A jet of blood erupted from the neck of the fifth man in the group, who was the furthest back.

The other four members of the group scattered, taking cover amongst the gravestones and tombs. I turned and looked back at the gate and saw a group of seven other men now passing through the courtyard into the graveyard. All were armed with rifles.

The four original men had produced their own firearms and began aiming. Before I knew it, a full-scale gunfight had erupted.

"What the hell is going on?"

Bullets were flying between the two groups, and I winced as impacts from these bullets caused damage to the graveyard around the combatants.

I reached out to my Hunters and told them what was happening, and had them begin to gather close by. I didn't know what was happening or how it would end, but I needed to be ready.

As my Hunters did their best to get to the gathering point, I watched the unfolding battle. One of the men in the second group got hit by a ricochet and went down screaming in pain, but was still alive. Rifles and pistols were the primary weapons used, and they were reloaded when necessary. Both sides use these temporary lulls to try to gain better positions, but it was clear that neither had yet achieved dominance.

The distance between the two groups had decreased. A second man in the first group took a fatal wound as he was shot through the head while trying to get a clear shot at another in the opposing group. This was followed up by a man in the second group being killed as he moved between the gravestones near him.

That left eight combatants. The second group now had the distinct advantage of numbers. The first group was down to three, while the second group had five standing, with one wounded.

It was possible by the time the Hunters were ready that the second group could wipe out the first. That would make things easier, but it was too hard to tell which way this fight was going to end.

This point was reinforced when another member of the second group fell screaming in pain as he was shot in the gut. None of his companions could reach him, and from the injury he sustained, I suspect he will not last long without medical attention.

What stood out to me was that none of his companions were seeking to help him aggressively. A few made half-hearted attempts, but the bullets being sent in their direction dissuaded them from anything more.

I took a slightly higher elevation over the battle and got a better look at both sides' positions. They had fallen into a bit of a stalemate as each tried to get the firing line on the other. The rate of fire had also dropped, as I suspected they were saving on ammunition.

With the drop in shooting, the two men who appear to be leaders of both groups started yelling out insults and curses at each other. I listened to them as they sought to kill the other. From what I was hearing, they had agreed to come together to the graveyard to search it for this hidden treasure, but had a falling out somewhere along the line.

"I really need to get those rumours about this place and its treasure quashed."

The stalemate continued in the second man wounded died of his injuries. The others ignored him and continued shooting at the other group. This was returned in kind, but so far no one had got the advantage. From my elevated position, I began working out my own plan of attack.

The first group lost another man and was reduced to two. The second group was now trying to envelop them, but instead was forcing them deeper into the graveyard. Both groups were off the pathway now and navigating between the gravestones and mausoleums.

I tracked the route they were taking and decided where to spring the ambush.

"Okay, this is what I need you all to do. We have seven active fighters with a wounded man further back. Two of you need to take out the men being forced deeper into the graveyard. The others need to rush the second group and kill them as quickly as possible. They are all armed and ready for violence."

I got responses that they understood. Would they obey? I knew most would.

It took a couple more minutes for them to be where I needed them to be to spring the ambush. The fight almost caused them to move in a different direction, but thankfully, they stayed on the rough path they had been travelling along.

"Go!"

With my order, the Hunters sprang into action.

The closest to them were the two men of the first group. Their backs were to the deeper graveyard, so they did not see the two hunters coming up behind them. Rigger and Harrington were the closest to them. My Hunters moved up behind them quickly, weapons ready. Something caused one of the intruders to turn back, and he saw Rigger. He went wide, and he tried to turn, but my Hunter was far too close.

Both men died quick and bloody deaths.

[A Hunter has made a Kill.]

[A Hunter has made a Kill.]

That left the remaining five and the wounded man. Two Hunters were approaching the second group from each side. Rigger and Harrington would be moving up to join them as soon as battle was joined.

Blackstone closed with one man, but he was seen. His target turned and shot at him wildly, catching him in the shoulder with a rifle shot. This twisted him with the force of the impact, but he remained standing, quickly adjusting by turning with the impact. The fact that he had not fallen shocked the man, who was seeking the kill, allowing him to get in and finish the job with his hammer.

[A Hunter has made a Kill.]

McGregor managed to get close to another without being seen and added to the tally.

[A Hunter has made a Kill.]

Unfortunately, the others realised that they were now under attack by a third group and were reacting. They were turning to face their new attackers, firing at any opportunity. My Hunters quickly adjusted their attack pattern using the cover all around them to their best advantage.

The now distracted men did not see Rigger and Harrington moving to join the others.

Blackstone's size worked against him as he attracted the attention of another of the second group. The man had a repeating rifle and was firing at Blackstone, where he dodged between gravestones. Another bullet hit him, and he went down, not dead, and not badly wounded enough to stop, but seeking cover for the moment.

This allowed Roberson to get right up behind him without being seen, and the cleaver-like blade was buried in the man's throat. He died choking on his own blood.

[A Hunter has made a Kill.]

Two are left with one wounded.

The two remaining men quickly made the mental calculations of what was happening and decided that running was the best option.

Rodriguez ran down one of them before he could get more than a dozen steps. He jumped on him, bearing into the ground and tore out his throat with his teeth.

[A Hunter has made a Kill.]

He did not pause and was quickly back on his feet. His run was more like a strange bent-over charge. It was almost like he was trying to stop himself from running on all fours. The last man was firing over his shoulder with a pistol as he ran, all of the bullets missing the pursuing Hunter.

As soon as he was close enough, Rodriguez jumped again, knocking him down and set about mauling him with his teeth. He was screaming for a long time before he died.

[A Hunter has made a Kill.]

McGregor wasted no time pushing past Rodriguez as he relished the second kill and quickly hunted down the wounded man further back. He was trying to escape and was close to the gates, but didn't make it in time.

He died eventually.

[A Hunter has made a Kill.]

Once it was all said and done, the cleanup began. The problem was that there was nothing I could do about the damage from the bullets. Hopefully, the next level I achieve will repair the damage to the gravestones.

My Hunters went around collecting the bodies and preparing them for burial. As they did so, they gathered the loot from the bodies and the weapons. The horses eventually would be guided to Herbert.

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