Another hour passed as Klyn and Grand elder Hegir, along with the other shaman, continued inspecting the unconscious Fluffball, trying to glean anything new that would help them in their research.

Walking up the short flight of stairs, Akira left the dark underground room and stepped out into the castle courtyard carrying a bundled blanket. He found Captain Pegleg standing near the entrance with a few of his two complaining officers.

While scratching his bony head, Captain Pegleg asked, “So...how is the bone thief demon?”

Akira pulled down part of the blanket and revealed the unconscious Fluffball who was still encased in his new ice armor.

Captain Pegleg and his officers jumped back in fright, letting several curses fly.

“That damned bone thief demon has evolved into an even more terrifying King demon bone thief!” cried Captain Pegleg in shock. He along with his officers could feel the holy aura coming from Fluffball. “What did you do to him?”

“I did nothing. It was the shamen that helped save his life. I thought you were planning to leave already, how come you're still here? Did you need to talk to me?”

“No reason,” said Captain Pegleg, looking away from Akira. “Since everything is all set we can leave now! I suffered many losses from those damned things. I have to go and replenish my forces. I'm going to gather more than I have ever commanded before so I can stop the scourge from giving me and my underlings a bad name!”

With that, captain Pegleg left the castle with his officers.

Zundar walked over to him and looked at the sleeping Fluffball for a second before turning back to Akira.

“That extendable sword you have needs to be changed to something different that works on those infected. How about using something like me?” said Zundar as he showed off his large and heavy two-handed war hammer.

“You're right, I do need something better, and so do the front line troops,” Akira thought for a few seconds before coming to a decision.

“The large two-handed hammers like yours don't suit me. I should just use a one-handed warhammer to go along with my shield,” said Akira as he nodded his head agreeing with himself. “Right, I'll have Delgar and the others start working on producing warhammers.”

“Awoo! Awoo!” both of the river forts let out a loud howl.

“Looks like Varbu is finally back from Jerora.”

***

Inside the castle's large stone meeting room, the grand elders along with Akira sat around the long table listening to Varbu's report.

“... the dark fog has not reached them. I would guess it would take maybe two weeks to travel to the dark fog from Jerora,” said Varbu.

“What about the demigods?”

“The demigods have also been blocked from making any attacks on the city because of the fog. That black fog is a blessing but also a curse.”

“And the situation in Jerora is...?”

“It has grown quite a lot. Their defenses and the army they now command is nothing to sneeze at. They can hold out but ask for more weapons and armor to be sent to them to further equip all the new soldiers they recruited.”

Varbu finished his report by giving information on the Infected they had encountered along their trip back to the ships at the unfreezing river.

“Your experience with them is similar to mine but I found a way to kill them quickly.”

“How?” asked everyone at the same time.

“The ones that seemed to have mutated all had crystal gems somewhere on their bodies. Just by destroying them the mutated infected crumbled.”

Ding!

Announcement!

Branch 3 stage 1 has been completed by blank! Branch 3 stage 2 has started! Use the information gathered from stage 1 to kill 100 of each low tier infected.

The announcement was vague but Akira's message was more detailed.

Branch 3 stage 1 completed!

You have fought and learned a great weakness of the many mutated Infected! Reward: 200 gold, 100 main quest points, +10 fame!

The crystallized gem core forms on those that have gathered enough energy allowing them to mutate into one of the many different infected classes.

The gem can be found on different parts of the body depending on which mutation the infected are. That gem is its life force and stores all its energy. Once it is broken it will weaken them causing them to collapse from lack of energy.

Branch 3 stage 2: destroy the core gem of 100 of each mutation to gather more information on each type and find ways to further exterminate the Molten onyx infected.

“I have already sent someone to talk with Delgar about ramping up the production of Warhammers for everyone. With them, we should have a fighting chance. Even with those that have not mutated, it will be easier to dismantle them with the hammers than trying to use our swords.”

Ding!

Kodria has reached the requirements and is now a 2nd tier City! New buildings can be found in the blueprint section.

“Was there another recent large influx of residents?” asked Akira.

“Oh that's right, you were gone when it happened. The Puman village disassembled their houses and took everything with them. They traveled all the way here and set up an encampment outside the trade plaza.”

“The north is becoming too dangerous even with Jerora becoming even stronger.”

“From all that we have gathered the only time the Infected left the dark mist was when they attacked Akira. So the villages not inside the range of the black fog should be safe but some still do not feel safe.”

“That's troublesome... what about the investment form earlier?” asked Akira.

“They were able to pay off most of it by selling off everything they could not carry, to Jerora merchants,” said grand elder Seoc.

“They have decided to stay here for a time before heading out to a more suitable place to set up their new village,” said grand elder Carl.

“Another good thing that has happened for us, is because of the abundant food and warm shelter the Gargs have been multiplying quite fast which means more cavalry soon,” said grand elder Àaron.

The blanket bundle in Akira's hands started to stir just then. The weight in his arms and the freezing air lessened.

A small fluffy blue-white furred head popped out of the blankets. With his eyes still closed Fluffball let out a large and long yawn revealing his sharp teeth as he tried to stretch.

The blanket that was currently wrapped around him hindered his attempts. He opened his eyes and looked around seeing everyone looking at him.

He looked up and found Akira staring at him as well.

“Yap!” said Fluffball in a lazy greeting.

“Good, you're awake. We can now start your diet and super special training!” said Akira.

“Yap!” said Fluffball in protest.

***

The Demigods were unsure of what to do and were just killing everything they found since they had not found the proper information.

“What the crap! Another stage has been completed!”

“Hurry, let's kill more of them!”

“We have to kill more or we will be left behind!”

***

Akira and Fluffball were running through the nearby snowy Forest that had deep snow as well as several monsters.

For a good workout, Akira had chosen this to help train their stamina with running and as well as fighting in the deep snow.

While Akira and Fluffball were in the middle of the super special training, a system message popped up.

Ding!

The requirements to open the sealed metal door under Kodria have been met.

Go find Zundar and have him open the door.