Level Up

New Class Skill: Ki Breaker. Breaks through auras, barriers, and protective techniques.

Creon fell down, tired. He had just soloed a mid sized level 45 goblin dungeon, and reached level 50. After the exp boost ran out for the players, leveling had become really hard. luckily most of the players in the Theocracy had gained around 20 levels during that battle five in-game months ago. the average level for all players was 50 now, with new players having caught up to the EA's. of course you always had one monster-player who lvl. 75 or something but those were rare.

Creon began making his way out of the dungeon, thinking about various things that had happened. After that battle, Creon got the mages guild to get the old teleportation cirlce under city hall working. Creon then had to go to each of the remaining cities, and convince them to unite under him. after a week of headache and useless negotiation, they agreed under the condition that they stayed rulers of there respective cities. Creon of course agreed under the condition that they converted. They had experience ruling so there wasn't any reason to depose them yet.

Creon spent the next month fortifying his new country. He didnt have walls set up. that would make it hard to move his own troops when it was time to expand. No, he mad roads, lots of them. they connected every major city and village there was, and then he personally constructed huge towers and forts at strategic locations. he put military outposts along all the roads to discourage bandits as well. Of course there was always some bandit clan or another that tried to make a territory in his country, but when they were found, they were taken alive, and forced to serve in the army for five years to account for their crimes.

Due to this policy, Creon had a standing army of around 40000, which wasnt bad for a country so small. Most of the army was deployed to the forts and towers, the rest patrolled the land. the cities were patrolled by the police force, headed by Captain-Commander Grimlock and his guild [PeaceKeepers] All-in all, The Friedan Theocracy may have been one of the smallest countries, but it was definitely the safest. They had been attacked several times from the west and north, and each time, the enemy had been repelled, with their best leaders dead and half the army gone. after a while the attacks just ceased. nobody wanted to throw their men away anymore

Creon had also became fairly good friends with Gabriel Skylark of the Ezzian empire. This was quite ironic as Creo was originally going to destroy him from the inside. the two talked often about several different things, including how difficult it was to be a ruler. At times like these, Gabriel would sometimes break his ironclad persona and say "Man, sometimes bro i just wanna say fuck it and hop back on call of duty."

They would both laugh and then they would go on about their day. The Ezzian Empire had completely absorbed Aquila, and were now on a campaign in the north. They were now one of the bigger countries out there, and many players were trying to emulate Gabriel's rise to power, albeit few of them ever rose as high as lord of a city.

The Magi had also grown fairly strong, with almost everyone in the country a believer. Creon had set missionaries into other countries as well, sowing seeds in the hearts of the people. in Ezzi, around half the people converted, and monasteries had grown almost over night. in his rapid growth however, Creon had not realized he made a powerful enemy, the four churches. after he had obtained around 200000 followers, they began watching him, and trying to counter his growth. Creon was tempted to just send some inquisitors for their heads and be done with it, but he decided to try a more peaceful approach. He would ignore them.

In the last two weeks, his friends had finally made it there from Covina. Creon had asked them to come so that he would have the final things he required before he started expanding. A stable economy and a good culture. His friends were merchants in this world, but venture capitalist in the other. if anyone can maintain an economy, it was them. first they regulated prices. an apple costing 2 copper in one village but a silver in another made no sense. Then they utilized the roads and introduced logistics to the farmers and shop owners, they made more transport and security jobs available, then added a tax.

The tax was based off sales, but since the prices were low with the new system, the tax wasnt even complained about. Big cities started having festivals every month, with different themes each time. towns and villages copied this, but could only afford it once every three months. This added to the culture of the country. people were happy, and more people were coming everyday.

Creon reached the exit and realized he forgot to distribute the status points. after adding them all to VIT, he took a moment to look at his Status window. Damn Ive come a long way

NameCreonClassVenerable Monk; ArchitectHealth2950Mana2050Level50Fame5600Health Regen/Sec5Mana Regen/Sec5Strength202Agility64Wisdom250Intelligence205Stamina640Vitality295Dexterity150[Fighting Spirit]525Endurance108Faith242109charisma275leadership17900Art147Concentration1200

After his newbie benefits ran out, the stat points werent rolling in like they used to, so he had to do alot of training to stay in the game. But as always, his faith stat and leadership remained op. I wonder if Gabriel's Honour and Leadership are like this as well? I'll ask him later Creon thought as he exited the cave.

As he shielded his eyes from the strong sunlight,something darted out of the shadows. Creon twisted his body and was about to kick whatever that was out of existence,but then it screamed "wait!" Creon's foot stopped three inches from its face. " I'm sorry if I scared you but please listen to me!" Creon looked again at what stood in font of him. It was a skinny, dark-haired halfling.