Progenitor's Burden

Chapter 3.6: Send Backup Over


Gazing down from his perch in the sky, Sinclair could see an area within the mass of creatures draw his attention irresistibly. As he focused, he noticed the density of monsters increasing towards that point. After several tense minutes of observation, a colossal figure rose from what he had mistaken for part of the landscape. Towering over 15 feet tall, it uncoiled with a daunting presence. As it moved among the lesser beasts, it seemed to command and reorganize them with purposeful intent, resembling a sinister shepherd guiding its twisted flock. The sight was both mesmerizing and ominous, marking the beginning of a confrontation Sinclair knew he could not avoid.

Sinclair's mind raced as he assessed the dire situation. The sheer number of monsters, even if individually weak, posed a significant threat. Sheer force alone wouldn't suffice; he needed a strategic approach, possibly leveraging the terrain to create choke points to prevent being overwhelmed. His impressive stats were formidable, but in the face of such numbers, they might not be enough to prevent a swarm attack.

As the sun reached its zenith, casting a bright glow over the landscape, Sinclair resolved to seek help. The nearest potential ally was the town he had spotted earlier, perilously close to the monstrous horde's domain. The natural lay of the land suggested a possible path between the mountains and the town, potentially funneling the creatures directly towards the settlement.

Feeling a sense of responsibility, Sinclair decided to warn the town's inhabitants. They retraced their steps through the tunnel and descended the precarious trail, making their way stealthily toward the town, skirting the edge of the woods.

Approximately two miles from their destination, they encountered scattered groups of the twisted creatures. Each encounter was a grim reminder of the perversion of nature, filling Sinclair with a profound sadness. Together with Chewy and Leia, they engaged and eliminated these pockets of corruption, ensuring that the remains were incinerated to prevent any further contamination.

As they neared the town, their hearts sank at the sight that greeted them. The settlement was under siege, with hundreds of the grotesque monsters assailing its walls. Despite the grim scene, the town's fortifications were impressive: towering walls that stood 20 feet high and stretched 300 feet across, manned by numerous defenders.

Emerging from the forest, Sinclair and his companions quickly dispatched the last group of monsters they encountered. Taking in the scene, they realized the strategic value of the town as a stronghold. The relief of finding a defensible position, a fallback option in case their upcoming counteroffensive faltered, lifted a weight from Sinclair's shoulders. However, the immediate need to aid the besieged town loomed large in his mind.

As Sinclair surveyed the monstrous horde, a fierce determination surged within him. Clutching his Axe of the Valiant Skies, he yearned for the support of his distant friends, especially Rose, whose image briefly flickered in his mind. Shaking off the distraction, he readied himself for the onslaught.

"Stay alert and close," he instructed Chewy and Leia, his voice tinged with urgency. With a burst of speed, he closed the gap to the enemy, utilizing Storm Strider to bridge the final 40 feet in a blink. Plunging into the heart of the fray, he swung his axe in a wide arc, its blade singing as it cleaved through the mass of foes.

The axe, a masterpiece of craftsmanship, seemed an extension of his very being. He let out a resonant howl, the sound echoing across the battlefield, vibrating through the walls of the besieged town. Activating Primal Resonance, he drew the attention of every monster nearby, beckoning them like a siren's call.

Sinclair stood unflinching as the creatures surged towards him, their levels no match for his current abilities. He unleashed Hel's Wrath repeatedly, each spin sending deadly blades of red energy slicing through the horde. His Telekinesis skill, deftly controlled through his partitioned mind, launched metal projectiles at a relentless pace, each strike claiming another enemy. It's incredible what a high-speed ball bearing 2 inches in diameter does to the eye at high velocity.

Sinclair reveled in the battle's rhythm, his blood thrumming with the thrill of combat. But soon, he noticed the tide of enemies waning, a development he couldn't accept. With relentless energy, he dashed along the wall, leaping and charging into clusters of beasts, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. He rotated through his other skills, ensuring they, too, gained experience in the fray.

One by one, the creatures fell until the wall was cleared, each jump and flash of red marking Sinclair's unyielding advance. The town's defenders watched in awe as this lone warrior turned the tide, a whirlwind of fury and power that single-handedly broke the siege.

Chewy and Leia had been far from passive during the skirmish. They began their assault from the opposite flank of Sinclair's charge, methodically working their way towards the gate. By the time they reunited with Sinclair, he was in the midst of a conversation with the gate guards.

"You've witnessed just a fraction of the horde," Sinclair was explaining. "Allow me to speak with your leaders. United, we stand a better chance against this threat."

The guards, however, were visibly hesitant. One of them, shifting uneasily, voiced their concern. "We're grateful for your help, sir, but we can't just open our gates to strangers, especially when we don't fully understand what you are."

Sinclair turned to his companions, issuing swift orders. "Scout the perimeter, gather what intel you can. Keep in touch unless there's trouble; then head back here immediately."

With a mutual nod, Chewy and Leia disappeared into the forest, their large forms surprisingly agile as they stayed low to the ground.

The guard, eyeing their departure, queried anxiously, "Where are they off to?"

"They're scouting to anticipate any further attacks," Sinclair replied, his tone edged with impatience. "Now, will someone come to discuss this situation, or shall I enter to facilitate this discussion myself?" His question hung in the air, a clear indication of his dwindling patience and the urgency of the situation at hand.

"I cannot open the gates…" the guard began, but his words abruptly trailed off. In that moment, Sinclair, seizing the opportunity, activated Storm Strider again and soared effortlessly over the gate. Landing on the rampart, he took in the view of the town, which was markedly more advanced and populous than his own.

Upon his arrival, the soldiers on the ramparts instinctively pointed their weapons at him, though their demeanor suggested a lack of real intent to engage in combat. The soldier he had initially been speaking with turned ashen, stammering out what sounded like a mix of an objection and an apology. Sinclair, however, was focused on his objective.

"Where are your leaders? Get me an escort or bring them here, NOW!" he demanded, his voice laced with a growling undertone that underscored the urgency of his request.

At that moment, a calm voice interjected, "There's no need for that, friend." A man emerged from the nearest stairwell, approaching with a friendly smile. "I am the leader here, for the most part, anyway. My name's Clarence Husted. We're thankful for what you did, but what brings you here with such urgency?"

Clarence's demeanor was amiable, perhaps overly so, which gave Sinclair pause for a moment. He recognized the man's ability to handle tense situations with ease. Regaining his focus, Sinclair responded, "My apologies for the abrupt entrance. The adrenaline from the battle is still with me, and I don't appreciate being stonewalled. I've come from the mountains on a quest. My name is Sinclair, and I'm the lord of a town a few days' travel northwest from here." His explanation was straightforward, aimed at establishing a connection and conveying the gravity of the situation at hand.

Sinclair took a moment to compose himself, drawing deep breaths to calm his temper. He sensed Clarence's patience; the man must have been a saint before this to just be so calm.

"Do you have a private place where we can talk?" Sinclair inquired, his tone now more controlled.

Clarence regarded him with a contemplative gaze before responding. "Yes, there's a guard room nearby that should suffice." He led the way to a modest room, its simplicity marked by a roughly hewn table and a handful of chairs.

Once inside, Clarence gestured toward a chair, taking a seat himself. "Would you like something to drink or eat?" he asked. Almost as if by magic, a small feast materialized on the table in the blink of an eye, an array of dishes and refreshments laid out invitingly.

Sinclair chuckled. "I usually carry my own provisions. But I can always eat. Thank you." He began selecting a few items from the spread, his recent exertions having stoked his appetite.

"No worries at all," Clarence said, settling into the conversation. "Now, please share what you felt needed privacy from prying ears." His demeanor was attentive.

Sinclair, maintaining a semblance of composure, addressed Clarence directly. "The situation is dire. I'm on a quest to defeat a creature in the nearby valley. It's the source of the monsters attacking your town. There's an extensive backstory, but time is short. I lead a town myself and protect others. I can't confront what lies in that valley alone, and your town is the nearest to the threat. By the way, what's the name of this place?"

Clarence shifted seamlessly to answer, "Acrovney. We inherited the name when we arrived here. Its origin is unclear to me."

Sinclair internally connected the dots; Acrovney was a familiar name from his teleport list.

"Ah, Acrovney," Sinclair noted aloud. "I saw it listed when registering my town's teleport. I come from Wolf's Run, a name that's evidently in theme," he said, gesturing subtly to his wolf-like features.

Clarence nodded, his curiosity piqued but his focus remained on the pressing matter. "I surmised as much. Many questions, but little time. Please, continue."

Sinclair leaned forward earnestly, "In that valley, there are tens of thousands of those monsters, all of them high-level, ready to overrun the area. And there's the Myrkr, the creature I'm tasked with defeating. It seems to be controlling them in some way. That's part of the longer story I'll share later. We need to collaborate to withstand this onslaught." He punctuated his explanation with a bite of roast beef, hoping his urgency came through despite his mouthful.

Clarence responded to Sinclair's urgent demeanor with a hint of humor. "Quite the appetite, eh?" he remarked. "Our scouts reported similar observations about the pass you mentioned, which is why I'm inclined to trust your account. There's a growing list of questions, but for now, let's focus on the immediate situation. What assistance do you require from us?"

Sinclair outlined his plan swiftly and succinctly. "Firstly, we need a non-aggression pact. Once that's established, we can open teleportation links between our towns. I'll need to contact my general to bring in reinforcements, and in the meantime, your non-essential personnel can take refuge in our barracks. After the threat is neutralized, your people can return, hopefully paving the way for ongoing peaceful relations."

Clarence appeared agreeable to the proposal, his only concern lighthearted. "I'm on board with your plan, as long as you're not aiming for my position," he said with a chuckle.

Sinclair shook his head, "No, ruling isn't my ambition. My duty to protect the planet is overwhelming enough. Odin has me traveling far and wide to clean up lingering chaos. I'm more than content to let people govern themselves, as long as we can collaborate peacefully. I'm not here to force anyone's hand."

Clarence's expression turned contemplative, "Intriguing, every word you say opens up more mysteries. Do you come with an informational brochure or something? It might be useful. Otherwise, you'll find yourself repeating these explanations quite a bit."

Sinclair, recognizing the practicality of Clarence's suggestion for an information guide, acknowledged its value. Given the complexity of the situation and his limited time, a comprehensive guide would be instrumental in conveying the necessary details without the risk of omitting important information. "That's a good idea. Thank you. Let's get started on..." he began, but his words were abruptly cut off by a sudden, panicked message from Leia.

The situation was dire. Leia's mental shout conveyed that they were being pursued by an even larger and more powerful horde than they had been before. The destruction they had inflicted earlier had clearly drawn unwanted attention, and now a formidable threat was bearing down on them.

Sinclair! They are coming, and we only have a few minutes at best. We need the gate open, even if just for a moment, Leia's urgent plea echoed in his mind.

Springing into action, Sinclair quickly informed Clarence of the impending crisis. Together, they rushed outside, heading straight for the gate. They arrived just in time to see Chewy and Leia racing towards the gate, with an overwhelming enemy force in hot pursuit, mere hundreds of yards away.

Realizing the gate wouldn't open in time, Sinclair quickly devised an alternative plan. He threw two heavy ropes over the wall, preparing for a swift rescue. Mentally communicating with his companions, he instructed, Head for the ropes. As soon as you reach them, bite down and hold on. I'll pull you up and over.

The tension was palpable as Sinclair waited, ropes in hand, ready to haul Chewy and Leia to safety. The fate of his companions hung in the balance, with the monstrous horde closing in rapidly, threatening to overrun them at any moment.

Sinclair's muscles tensed as he pulled Chewy and Leia over the wall using the ropes, surprised by the effort it required. You two are heavy, he remarked through their mental link, a hint of strain in his voice.

Leia's response was quick and tinged with humor. Pot and kettle, isn't it, mountain man? she teased, lightening the moment as she cleared the wall.

Sinclair allowed himself a brief chuckle at Leia's quip before turning his attention back to the looming threat. Standing at the front of the gate, he assessed the situation with a determined gaze. "Well, no time like the present to get things started," he declared.

With a resolute jump from the rampart, Sinclair charged towards the advancing enemy. His decision was clear: he would confront the horde head-on, refusing to let them reach the walls of the town without a fight. His swift, decisive action demonstrated his unwavering resolve to protect and his readiness to face danger at the forefront. His final thoughts before contact were of his friends and wishing they could be by his side.

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Sinclair's heart raced as he backpedaled, narrowly avoiding a vicious swipe of giant claws. Doubt crept in, and he couldn't help but wonder why he had thought this perilous endeavor was a good idea. Oh right, he mused to himself, a wry grin breaking through his anxiety, I'm the hero of this story. Make a note to ask for some vacation after this. His laughter ringing out, was a fleeting respite from the impending chaos.

At this moment, he found himself in his element, determined to stall the relentless charge on the town. It almost felt like deja vu from his tutorial. His strategy was clear; he couldn't halt the onslaught, but he could slow it down. As he fought backward, his every move was executed with precision.

He aimed to buy the defenders more time and prevent the onrushing force from crashing into the town's sturdy walls like a tidal wave, potentially causing untold damage. The wall was an unyielding sight, but some of these adversaries were colossal.

Sinclair's body became a blur as he darted from side to side, wielding one of his favorite skills, Hel's Wrath, with a fluidity born of experience. No longer burdened by the need to calculate how much mana to channel into the skill due to his rather ridiculous stats, he unleashed red energy blades with abandon. The evolution of the talent was a revelation; it flowed effortlessly, responding to his instincts, and was immediately unleashed, adding a formidable edge to his offense.

At this relentless pace, Sinclair's skill was on the verge of becoming the first to reach level 31, poised to break into the advanced ranks. The anticipation of unlocking new perks filled him with excitement. While some skills had revealed their hidden potential at levels 10 and 25, the mysteries of others remained elusive, a puzzle he was eager to solve.

Amidst the charge of colossal foes, a moment of distraction led to an unexpected mishap. His attention wandered as he pondered the intricacies of skills, resulting in a nasty spill. His recovery was swift, a mere heartbeat, but he couldn't ignore the amused chortles of Chewy and Leia echoing in his thoughts. Mistakes like that will get you killed, he chided himself, gradually regaining momentum as he inched backward toward the town's gate.

Arrows and spells from the defenders began to find their marks among the enemy ranks. He maintained his focus, weaving his way through the heart of the battle. However, this phase under the scorching midday sun was short-lived. He approached the critical point, pivoted, and charged back toward the wall, utilizing the Storm Strider skill to vault back to its protective height. His efforts had significantly reduced the enemy's numbers, and the remaining defenders were steadily whittling down what little remained of the threat.

Amidst the respite, Clarence spoke words of admiration to Sinclair. "You are truly something special, Sinclair," he remarked, acknowledging the extraordinary feat he had just witnessed.

"It's all in a day's work," Sinclair replied with a wink, downplaying the feat he had just accomplished. "Honestly, though, I think a lot of the time it's just dumb luck and a pain tolerance skill that lets me get away with more than I should."

Clarence regarded Sinclair with disbelief and awe, though he chose not to contest the warrior's modest assessment. After witnessing Sinclair's prowess, arguing seemed futile.

The assault on the town's wall soon dwindled to a halt. Defenders rained down magical and arrow-based attacks, rendering the monsters incapable of surmounting the formidable barrier.

Sinclair shifted his focus to reinforcements, tapping into his panel for teleportation and making Acrovney available for visitation. "Could you show me your teleport crystal so I can send a message?" he requested.

"Of course, Sinclair," Clarence obliged, leading the way to the nearest ladder. Unfazed by the height, Sinclair, Chewy, and Leia leaped down. Their agility made the descent seem effortless.

As they traversed the town's heart, Sinclair made inquiries about the various buildings he observed, mentally noting each structure and incidentally creating a rough map of the city. This information would be invaluable for his companions, enabling them to navigate the city more efficiently.

Sinclair transmitted his message to his father through the teleport network, assuming his dad monitored it for incoming messages.

After a few minutes, a response arrived as a message reply, lacking the dramatic entrance the reinforcements had at New Hope.

Hey Son,

I've alerted General Valthorn, and we'll gather forces to send over. Rose and the team should arrive sooner, as I stand before them. Be safe and provide more information whenever possible.

"Good news, Clarence," Sinclair addressed the local city leader. "General Valthorn is mobilizing whatever forces we can muster, and my team will be here in a few minutes. They've been occupied with matters back in Wolf's Run."

"How many fighters can you bring to the field?" Clarence inquired, his eyes filled with a mix of hope and anticipation.

Sinclair pondered for a moment, estimating the numbers. "I'd be guessing, but we can gather around 200 people. It might be a good idea for your people who wish to stay in Wolf's Run to organize themselves while we wait."

Clarence couldn't quite believe his ears. Two hundred fighters. Sinclair hadn't stripped his settlement bare, which meant he had left behind around 20 to 30% of his fighters to maintain essential functions and protect the home front. Swiftly doing the math, Clarence realized that they had significantly more troops than he did, and if they were anything like their leader, they were formidable.

"Absolutely," Clarence agreed, nodding. "Let me make the necessary preparations. We've established a small, informal council that we can use to disseminate information. Please inform our Captain of the Guard if you require anything while I attend to this matter. It shouldn't take long." He gestured toward a figure standing nearby and slightly behind him, designating the apparent 'Captain of the Guard'.

Sinclair acknowledged the arrangement with a nod. "Thank you. Unless something urgent arises, I'll be here or back at the wall." He turned his attention to the Captain of the Guard, triggering a brief Valkyrie's Gaze.

Name: James Hawkins

Class: Guard Captain

Initially, Sinclair had assumed that "Captain of the Guard" was simply a title or a self-designation. However, he soon discovered that it was the man's class. It triggered a realization that he had been neglecting his analysis skills for too long. According to the skill, he should receive a wealth of information, not just superficial details. Sometimes, he received a lot of information, and other times, it was sparse.

When he had been in his tutorials, the data was massive. But out here, he got less. It made no sense. He thought about when he analyzed the trees and received more information. The usual explanation he gave himself was that he was always in a hurry, but this time, he had no such excuse. Why had his skill provided only rudimentary information?

Gazing back at the Guard Captain, he focused intently on the man and cast his Valkyrie's Gaze skill again. This time, he maintained unwavering concentration, feeling the magic flow out, gathering the essence of the man, and then returning. As the information filtered in, he sensed previously overlooked details and mentally sorted through the newfound data.

Name: James Hawkins

Class: Guard Captain

Level: 18

Health: 850/850

Mana: 150/150

Description: James, a recent inductee into the system, was an Army Ranger in the Old World military. With multiple years of experience leading and guiding new troopers, he possesses a strong will and quick wit, making him a sharp tactician who cares deeply for his charges.

Sinclair couldn't help but find the enhanced version of his Valkyrie's Gaze skill much more captivating. This upgraded perspective offered a deeper understanding of people he had never met, painting a vivid picture of their essence. It struck him funny that all he needed was to pay more attention. However, he also realized that he had briefly lapsed into daydreaming while trying to make the skill work better for him.

In his introspective moment, he noticed the status update:

Your skills have increased!

Valkyrie's Gaze: Increased from Level 15 to Level 16

With numerous individuals to rescan on his list, Sinclair refocused on Captain Hawkins. "Yes, sorry about that. I got lost in thought for a moment, trying to fine-tune this skill."

The Guard Captain inquired, "No problem, sir. I overheard you mention that you expect 200 people. Do we have an estimated time of arrival?"

The first wave is expected to arrive in batches of 20 people within the next half hour. My team of four and three wolves should be joining us any moment," Sinclair replied.

Ed's voice rang out on cue, "Oh, you mean like right now?" He tapped Sinclair on the back with his club.

Startled, Sinclair spun around, shifting into his Visage of the Wolf form in the blink of an eye, closing the distance between them in less than a second. He lifted Ed off the ground in a bear hug, a mix of surprise and joy filling the air.

"I told you that was a bad idea," Alice said as she strolled around the duo, observing their mock wrestling. "Hello there, I'm Alice. Please ignore those two."

The courtyard was filled with activity as the others stepped around Ed and Sinclair, who had descended into a full-on wrestling match.

"Boys will be boys," Victoria chuckled as she approached to greet them.

"Ed, Sinclair, get up here. You two are making us look unprofessional," Rose gently admonished them, her fondness for the two evident. She understood they needed to release some steam, but wanted to set an example for everyone else.

Sinclair was the first to disentangle himself and rise to his feet. "I don't have to be professional anymore. Power trumps professionalism in this world. Besides, you know how I feel about all that pomp and ceremony stuff."

Rose rolled her eyes playfully. "Yes, yes, not everything can be handled with an email. Silly wolf. Now, what brings us here? We just got back from dealing with those spiders, and I must say it was no fun. I'll probably have nightmares about spiders for a while. So, is there something the mighty chosen can't handle without the help of us mere mortals?"

Sinclair almost believed she was genuinely upset with him until he caught the subtle twitch in her eye. He grinned. "Ha, you almost got me there. But no, I do need help. I can handle a lot, but I do not want to risk making a mistake about facing thousands of enemies, twice my level."

"Captain, what do you have for us regarding sleeping arrangements? We can settle our things and maybe take a little tour of your fine city if you don't mind."

Captain James considered the request. "We have some warehouses that can be repurposed, I imagine. Let's have a look. I'll leave one of my men here to inform Clarence of our whereabouts. You can use my name; we have titles here, but are rather lax about them."

"Sounds good to me. I get tired of everyone calling me 'Lord' all the time," Sinclair replied with a chuckle. "Lead the way. And unless you want me to inquire about every building we pass, it's probably best to tell us what they are."

Rose couldn't resist poking fun at Sinclair. "Trying to spare people from your never-ending litany of 'who,' 'what,' 'when,' 'where,' and 'why'?"

Sinclair remained unfazed and deadpan. "Pretty much. It's just easier this way. The more you know, the better prepared you are." His friends had long since given up trying to figure out if he was joking, as they often benefited from his relentless quest for knowledge.

As they ventured deeper into the city, James began pointing out various buildings and their purposes to Sinclair and his team.

"Over there," James gestured, "is our General Store. It's where people can go to access the Market interface. You'll find a variety of goods there, from basic supplies to magical items crafted by our artisans."

Sinclair nodded, taking in the sight of the bustling store. He was curious where they would have gotten crafted items this early on. They had fledgling crafters back home still. "Sounds like a handy place to visit. I'll have to check it out later."

Their tour continued, and they approached a cluster of buildings grouped in a small square, all facing inwards. "This area is our Crafter's Corner," James explained. "It houses various trades, including leatherworking, blacksmithing, and woodworking. Crafters from these disciplines contribute to the city's growth and defense by creating essential items and equipment."

Sinclair looked intrigued. "Crafting is always a valuable skill. I'm sure we'll have a chance to interact with these artisans during our stay."

As they walked, they passed a set of buildings that appeared more functional than decorative. "Here we have our General Housing," James said. "Most of our residents stay in these bunkhouse-style accommodations while we work on constructing more traditional houses. It's a temporary solution to provide shelter for those who need it."

"It's essential to have a place for everyone, especially during times like these. Is there anything else we should know about the city?" he inquired, keen to understand the full scope of their situation.

James, walking alongside Sinclair, replied, "Not really. It's still in its early stages. But, we had a good head start when we spawned into a place that was already partially built." As they continued their stroll through the streets, James shared more insights about Acrovney, pointing out various features and plans for the city's development.

As they approached the warehouses, Sinclair and his team noticed Clarence and a few others already there, thoroughly inspecting the spaces. They were assessing the suitability of the warehouses for various uses.

"Clarence, good to see you here," Sinclair greeted him. "So, James here suggested these might work for housing?"

Clarence wiped his hands on his trousers and gave Sinclair a nod. "Hey there, Sinclair. We would use them to store food and other things, but this trumps that need. They're not bad, but we can make them much better with a bit of work. We plan to add a second floor and set up a bunch of bunks. It'll essentially be a two-story barracks, providing ample space for everyone."

Sinclair glanced around the spacious warehouse, picturing the transformation in his mind. "That sounds like a solid plan. We'll help out with the preparations, of course. Once my people arrive, we have some skilled builders in the lot since many of them are Beastkin and have been in the system longer."

Rose chimed in with enthusiasm. "It'll be like setting up camp, but on a larger scale."

Clarence grinned. "Exactly. With everyone pitching in, it won't take long to get it ready. We'll make sure it's as comfortable as possible." Pausing for a minute, Clarence asked for some clarification. "Beastkin? What are those?"

"We have a large contingent of people who are part beast, part human. We have Dragonkin, Bearkin, Wolfkin, and multiple others. That's not going to be a problem, right?" Sinclair's face had taken on a slightly stony countenance.

"What? No, of course not. I just haven't seen them yet and was uncertain what to expect." Clarence hurried to reassure him. "I will make sure to let everyone know. I know what it was like before, and I will not tolerate that behavior either. You have my word on that."

Nodding his head, they turned back to the work at hand. "All right, guys, let's pitch in and see if we can't get this closer to being ready for them when they arrive."

As they began coordinating the work, the atmosphere was filled with camaraderie and shared purpose, turning the warehouses into a temporary home for the group. It was nice to do some simple manual labor for the next hour. They managed to move everything out and cleaned the one warehouse used as barracks.

The material was even brought in to start the upright supports. Grid lines were laid out and marked for structure supports. Sinclair, being no stranger to building things on the farm, stepped in to lend a hand with the construction efforts as well.

A couple of hours into the work, Sinclair received a system message he had not seen before. Selecting it, he read the new prompt.

Profession Class: Carpenter

Description: The Carpenter is a skilled artisan specializing in the construction of wooden structures and the art of carving intricate designs into wood. Carpenters are vital in building everything from sturdy homes to finely crafted wooden decorations and furnishings.

1st Skill Choices:

Timber Framing: Carpenters are experts in timber framing techniques, allowing them to construct strong and durable wooden frames for buildings, bridges, and other large structures.

Wood Carving: Carving is a hallmark skill of Carpenters. They have a keen eye for detail and can carve intricate designs, patterns, and sculptures into wood, adding beauty and artistry to their work.

Do you accept this Profession Class? Yes/No

Selecting "No" on the menu, Sinclair was elated to discover how the system worked. It suddenly made sense why he hadn't received a profession or anything of the sort yet; you had to actively engage in a particular field of work to trigger the option.

"Hey, everyone, I just got offered a profession as a carpenter. It seems like you have to immerse yourself in the area you're interested in to unlock the profession," Sinclair shared with his companions. The information had unpacked itself from the base system knowledge he got from Turgrin. He was glad that it was answered now.

Rose paused in gathering building materials, her thoughtful expression signaling agreement. "That lines up with how the System operates with intent-based spells. We'll all need to consider what professions align with our interests and then actively pursue them."

Sinclair turned to Rose, curiosity in his eyes. "Have you thought about what profession you'll choose?"

Without hesitation, Rose replied, "I've known from the start that I want to become an enchanter or whatever version this system calls that role. I've always been drawn to those roles in our games and the books you've made me read."

Sinclair pondered momentarily before responding, "I'm not sure what I want yet. I've hardly had time to stop and think, and my plate is full. Surprisingly, I haven't been offered something like 'Beast Hunter' with all the monsters I've taken down."

Clarence arrived just in time to interrupt Sinclair's momentary respite from the world-saving duties. "Sinclair, your people are starting to arrive. Would you like to come with me to greet them?"

Sighing, Sinclair reluctantly set down his tools, leaving the menial task behind for someone else to handle. "Sure thing, Clarence. Lead the way." In the distance, he could hear people moving through the portal and making space as they came through. As they got closer, he saw more and more of his people in the streets of Acrovney, and he was proud to call them his people.

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