Our haul this time was quite impressive as we were able to find more equipment than in both previous dungeons combined. However, 80% of it were accessories. Thanks to that, we made some discoveries through experimenting on myself, while waiting for the chickens being roasted by lightning.

First off, there was a maximum of one necklace, two earrings and two rings that each person could equip. Unfortunately, I didn't find things like bracelets yet, so I am still hopeful and looking forward to the future.

Why two rings? Because that's how many Mia was able to equip and was denied the third (or rather it had no effect). Why Mia and not myself? Because I couldn't equip any rings since the two Pandora's Gifts were considered equipment/skills and I wasn't able to get any extra effect from them at all.

"I guess it's not good to be greedy, but at least I'm getting an idea of how the equipment works in this Game System as well..."

The earrings... I skipped those and handed them to Mia since her eyes were literally sparkling. AI or not, she is still a girl after all...

"It also reminds me of a dark period of my young adulthood which I would rather forget entirely... OOOOOOH! HOW EMBARASSSSSSSING!!!"

Necklace... I also skipped the ones we found because they looked very girlish and my small heart couldn't handle equipping that for a fight... What if the enemy makes fun of me and uses the opportunity where I am rolling on the ground in shame to finish me off?

"God damnit! I swear I will get divine-level blacksmiths ASAP! Uuuuuu! I also want accessories... Custom made! With life-steal and mana absorption, so I can spam macro keys and level like on a private server... Uuuuu!"

[…why does it feel that master is thinking about something strange again?](Mia)

"..."

By the time everyone returned to camp, Andrea and her group were already preparing lunch. There truly wasn't anything close to an atmosphere that would hint at the upcoming invasion, rather on the contrary, it felt like preparations for a festival judging from the excitement in the air.

[Michael, we brought all the poultry from the northern dungeon and after preparing it slightly, we had it stored in the Granary. It's almost at full capacity by the way...](Alexandra)

"I see. Thank you for the hard work… Everyone! Andrea and her group prepared a new recipe for today, so let's properly enjoy the feast before the battle!"

Cheers followed, but I kept thinking about things among the lines of 'what if they eat too much and they get stomach cramps while in battle!?' and couldn't eat too much myself as result, even if I looked forward to the curry.

Since Mia located the spots around the forest where plants similar to rice paddies were growing close to a river and 'migrated' them in the farming sector of the forest by the river, our civilization’s cuisine grew a bit.

Watching everyone enjoy the meal in front of them, my thoughts were plagued by multiple questions while I also kept formulating different plans for the defense. I wanted to use every little advantage I could, therefore I turned my eyes to the Social Policies tab in the world's interface with Mia's help.

[Should we stick with the original plan, still?](Mia)

"I am not sure anymore at this point. Since we are going to be attacked for the first time, I want to strengthen our defense and offense as much as possible..."

[Then, should we go for a policy from the Military reform?](Mia)

"I'll consider it and give you an answer soon..."

Time passed in a blink and soon, only ten minutes remained until the attack. Sentries were posted in all directions since it took us only three to four minutes to move at the fastest speed from one point of the camp to the other by using the paved roads we painstakingly created.

"However, it's kind of obvious where the attack will occur from, isn't it?"

How should I describe that? Maybe it was something similar to the portal created when I summoned Decarbia, however more twisted and with a malevolent aura to it. It was the type of feeling raising enmity against it, thing that pissed me off for some reason.

Please confirm the acquisition of Land Elites for the social policy at the expense of 104 Culture points.

Yes / No

"Knock yourself out..."

Opening the interface for the Land Elites description, I nodded my head slightly.

Discipline

In a military structure, discipline refers to a soldier's willingness to follow legitimate orders, to respect superior officers, and to put their life in jeopardy or even die when required. Disciplined soldiers are expected to uphold the dignity of their uniform when off-duty and to protect the weak and helpless. Lapses in discipline may lead to military punishment or even courts-martial and discharge.

Benefits: +25% increase in basic attributes (STR, AGI, END, INT) when fighting under the leadership of a general or commander.

Cost: 104 Culture Points

Since both Laurence, Alexandra and myself counted as one of the such 'commanders', I selected this one for the attribute boost. 25% increase might not be much for a lowly one as myself, but when looking at the Status Pages of Mia, Alexandra and Decarbia, they were literally receiving a minimum of 25 points in their main attributes.

Apparently, once the Game System actually came into play, once one hits Level 10 and gets their Job, their main selected attributes receive a boost worth of five points per level. Take Mia for example: until she reached Level 10, just like everybody else she got 1 attribute point each time she leveled up. However, once she got her Bard Job, her Intelligence, Wisdom and Magic received a five extra attribute points increase each.

So one could consider that once Level 10 (AKA Job Tier 1) is reached, each time one levels up, their main attributes grow by six points.

Confirmation received! Deducting 104 Social Points! Bonuses pertaining to the selection made will begin being applied to your civilization!

Nodding my head while taking into consideration extra improvements all Elves received due to upgrade the World Tree underwent, all preparations we could make were already verified at least five times over.

All that was left was for the 'event' to commence...

Warning!

Warning!

Countdown has almost reached the end!

Time until the invasion: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... 0! Initializing event... Opening portal and allowing the connection to be created...

Invader's army arrives on Midgard! Calculating the defender's numbers and overall strength... Designating the number of invaders allowed passing through the gate...

"The number? Shouldn’t it be only one dude from the Devil faction? There’s the option to get team-tagged!? Also, do the invaders already have a civilization and they send the specific number of troops, or..."

Due to preselection, entry is permitted to only one invader...

The invader side is granted 2 billion Soul Points to purchase units!

"IS THIS A TOWER DEFENSE TYPE OF EVENT!?" - I couldn't help but retort

The number of Soul Points given to the invader was four times the starting points I had when buying the Elves, so it made me despair quite a bit.

However…'purchase units'? In that case, the attacker will be able to use units from the Western Fire Dungeon worth of those 2 billion points?

"Would that be enough for a dragon?"

[MASTER DON'T THROW SUCH IRRESPONSIBLE FORESHADOWS!!!](Mia)

Difficulty rank of the event established at SSS!

"Wao... We're fucked!"

Due to the influence of the World Tree, the overall level of the invading army has been reduced by two levels!

"Nah, scratch that! We're good to go!"

[Is master bipolar?](Mia)

I felt tears of gratitude pooling in the corner of my eyes due to the World Tree. A cheat is a cheat after all!

"These bastards! Wasn't the level of attackers supposed to be one!? How could the World Tree drop the level in that case? What bullshit is this!?"

Confirming levels of invaders between 11 and 13! The event can now begin! Good luck to both sides!

I felt like suddenly throwing up blood… Nevertheless, there was not sufficient time for complaints, as the skies literally broke apart, giving way to one person. The inviolable feeling that being was exuding, was similar to divinity yet felt complete opposite to it, evoking fear in the hearts of the ones who felt its presence. Nevertheless, I was certain that the being in front of me, was the enemy my civilization is supposed to face this time.

"That's a God for certain. Or rather, since it's from the invading faction, I guess it's more correct to say that he's a Devil..."

[Master should learn some from that person...](Mia)

"Leave me alone!" – I grumbled to the unnecessary comment

Probably hearing our banter and noticing our camp, he gazed in our direction filled with disdain, looking down on us as if of us like ants. I was really ticked off seeing that and...

"This cunt! Imaginarium activate! Custom D-eagles! Pandemonium, activate! Infuse water and lightning attributed mana in the weapons!"

*BANG* *BANG*

Two instant shots were fired at the point where he opened his mouth to say something. Sneering at his stupidity for acting like the last boss of a game when he's just a small fry, I watched the rapidly advancing bullets aimed at his head and... lower region. What? I was pissed off at his condescending attitude!

[Hmpf!] - he coldly snorted

A thick wall of transparent mana manifested in front of him, easily blocking the two attacks.

[It seems like the rumors are true. The faction under the new Star Lord is comprised entirely of hatchlings. To think that the ruler of this planet is as rude as to not come and greet this great one! Does he truly not fear that I will trample on his civilization in a dominating manner worthy of my name!?]

The 80's villain who kept referring to himself as 'this great one' roared to everyone's eardrums displeasure.

" 'This great one'? Wao! Aren't you ashamed to utter such embarrassing nonsense aloud when you are just a small fry? Aren't you a similar shitty Devil belonging to a Star Lord in your faction to begin with? Oh, right! I wonder if in their faction they are still called Star Lords…"

I somehow managed to hold my complaints in, since I didn't want to engage in a conversation with this small time trash. However, is there such a thing as a set of rules to this competition between the two divine factions?

Since he mentioned that the ruler of the world must greet the invader, probably there is still an amount of curtsey between players.

[Did this great one made you fear me just by showing my face? Why aren't you coming to greet me already!? With such bad manners, no wonder the ants under you dared to attack me. Like master like servants! Hmpf! It seems like the great Abigor needs to make an example of you for your entire lowly faction to take heed! Hehehe! Even in the previous rounds I have played, there was not a point where 2 billion Soul Points were given out on the first round! HAHAHA! I shall burry your small camp, you rude thing!](Abigor)

Seeing that bastard pointing at me, I couldn't help but snort and shoot two more shots his way. The mana infused in the bullets was much less since I wanted to save as much as I can for the actual battle, but seeing how the small fry called Abigor did not attack the camp himself, he probably is restricted from doing so.

"His power is probably way above mine, so his deity rank must be also. Now then... What's his first move going to be?"

Warning!

Warning!

The first wave of the invasion will begin shortly...

"So it really is tower defense-like!?"

[There's no time for jokes master! Look there!](Decarbia)

Above the forest, about a kilometer in front of the wall, mana coalesced into a visible pool and a large portal opened, while though it, a large horde of monsters entered the fray. From a distance, they looked like 10-12 years old human children… but with small horns, red skin and yeah... bat wings.

Name

-

Name

Value

Name

Value

Job Name

Level

Progress

Race

Fire Imp

STR

33

Magic

63

Imp Soldier

11

88%

Sex

N/A

DEX

76

Charm

15

Age

100 years

AGI

93

Luck

60

World

Midgard

END

43

HP

860/860 (+8.82/sec)

INT

46

MP

630/630(+5.15/sec)

WIS

56

Skill List Name Level Proficiency Mana Steal (Passive) ??? ??? Endow (Active) ??? ???

"... is what it says. But really now, how many of them are there!? Didn't they already break past a couple of hundreds?"

[Imps!?](Decarbia)

"Hmm? Is there a problem?"

[Yes! Not only do they steal mana, but where Imps appear...](Decarbia)

Just before she finished her words, the portal bloated and spat out another batch of demons walking on all fours, with huge horns.

[... Horned Demons usually follow!](Decarbia)

Name

-

Name

Value

Name

Value

Job Name

Level

Progress

Race

Horned Demon

STR

83

Magic

33

Horned Demon Soldier

12

74%

Sex

N/A

DEX

52

Charm

15

Age

100 years

AGI

46

Luck

60

World

Midgard

END

62

HP

1260/1260 (+12.82/sec)

INT

36

MP

420/420(+3.15/sec)

WIS

26

Skill List Name Level Proficiency Burning Fury (Passive) ??? ??? Explosion (Active) ??? ???

The more physically oriented demons, beside the fact that they looked quite terrifying, they also had an ominous and a foreboding skill called Explosion.

Looking with imploring eyes at Decarbia, she moved her line of sight not to meet mine and answered in a low voice.

[While the Imps steal the mana from their enemies or the world itself, they can supply it to the Horned Demons that use it to infuse themselves with and literally explode themselves. I have seen the results of this combination among the Warlocks back in the Underworld... It's not something to take lightly given their numbers...](D)

"Those little things can steal mana!?"

[Those 'little things' are more proficient at manipulating mana than I am, master. They usually create a small pouch that is something akin to a small sub-world where mana is stored and compressed. They can bestow that mana when the pouch is full and then the onslaught can truly begin...](D)

"Compressed? Is it visible? That pouch?"

[It is. But is quite difficult to enter the battlefield and fight the Imps in melee to destroy their pouches since the Horned Demons guard those little bastards tightly. Also, if you recklessly try to destroy it, it can explode and kill you with ease since it is like having a bag of methane gas on your person.](D)

"That... we might be able to use to our advantage..."

Just by a rough estimation, the number of monsters at our doors was swollen to over 500 hundred and this was only the 'first wave'. In addition, that was not the only surprise...

Initiating the protection system, based on the defender's camp fortifications... Fortifications located! Applying buffs...

You can now view the status of your fortifications.

"..."

[...](Mia)

[Michael, look! There a 5 million number on our walls!](Alexa)

"..."

[...](Mia)

[Master! The archers placed in the towers reported that they received a buff that increased their attack speed and the damage they deal three fold! It is visible in their Status Pages.](Decarbia)

"..."

[Master...](Mia)

"I know... Don't say it... Haaaah... We'll take what we can and make use of the most of it!"

Declaring so through gritted teeth, I looked again at the over 5 million defense points our walls and gates had. Besides the overall defensive value, the gates and the walls themselves also had similar hitpoints that probably signified how, once depleted, they will collapse with utmost certainty and our camp will become vulnerable to the invader’s attacks.

Things have truly became interesting…