It took only two days for all the preparations to be finalized for their assault upon the Green Kingdom and the Elf Dungeon. Thanks to Henderson’s heavy questioning of Keith, they had enough information to properly prepare for their attack.

Mathew was curious how Keith was able to talk as much as he did. From what he knew, Keith was in a contract similar to the one he had set up between himself and Major Payne. Yet, they knew how many humans were still there. As well as the best route to take, where the elves set up attack points along the road, and where the Dungeon entrance was.

The attack would be done in two parts. The first one was to take the Green Kingdom’s Hearth Crystal. Once Mathew had claimed it, he could then have the Guardians come and help defend the area. It would take them over a day to get there on foot for them, but Guardian Prime was ready to push forth a thirty-member squad with one Guardian Elite as soon as it was claimed.

There was not much else they could do unless they claimed a Dungeon closer. The Volkar Dungeon was closer, but there were trees and natural terrain in the way. Utilizing the abandoned roads would be quicker for everyone.

Mathew had little to prepare on his end. He was always ready for a fight. His personal storage was filled with various staves for him to drain the mana out of thanks to his [Staves] skill. Medicine, weapons, and a few pre-made portable rituals were all tucked away in the walk-in closet-sized space.

Those who were going to attack were all battle ready. Only those who were above level twenty were allowed to go, except for those with support skills like Cherry. Henderson ensured everyone knew the plan and that nobody was going to play hero, especially with the most crucial bit of information Keith told them.

The Feather Halo clan was an Apprentice ranked Dungeon. Their leader, Dyvis Grenra was at least Level 50. That was just a lowball guess according to Henderson based on the information she acquired from Keith. Mathew was guessing the elf was closer to Level 100, which made this entire operation even more dangerous.

Mathew, Agnox, and Cherry would be sitting and doing nothing for the most part. Expending as little energy as possible. Zack, Lindsey, and Henderson were the three strongest in Blue Oaks after Mathew. All three of them were pushing toward Level 35. It was unfortunate they were stuck at Level 24 during the World Dungeon. It only widened the gap between people.

If Mathew was being honest, he hated the idea of doing nothing. Yet he understood and promised he would avoid pointless actions. The Blue Oaks Leader was forced to place his trust in other people so that they can do their assigned jobs.

Final preparations were finished and the army of Blue Oaks was ready to push forward. Most people were motivated once word of the elves enslaving humans started to spread. Henderson’s word was slightly more trusted than Mathew’s, only because he was in a political position. Nobody liked the idea of slavery. Several people remembered when Major Payne forced them to attack Mathew against their own will. The fact that the Elven Dungeon Boss could do something similar without a contract caused a motivated fear to surge. If they didn’t stop the clan here, who would?

As Mathew waited, many people came by to wish him luck or a simple thumbs up. It showed that they were placing their trust in their leader to finish this. What started as a simple attempt to steal a Dungeon had grown into something else.

Henderson walked over to Mathew with a smile on her face, “We are ready to move out. All the teams have their assigned roles and jobs. You have command, any last minute speeches to inspire your people?” She said a bit sarcastically. Yet, Mathew liked the idea.

He jumped up on top of the truck and looked out at everyone. In total, nearly two hundred people would be marching to fight. That wasn’t including the thirty-man strong support unit. Mathew smiled as he looked at everyone and pushed his [Contest] skill while mixing in his Axiom of Bolster. He’s only used this combination defensively or aggressively. He had never done it this way, but the action came to him automatically, as if he always knew he could.

“Today begins the expansion of Blue Oaks. Not only to liberate and save other humans from hostile Dungeons but to start the unification of Earth. Every one of you have chosen to do this of your own choice. For that, you have shown to have pride. Pride in yourself. Pride in the humans of this planet that have fallen. You are choosing to do this because it is the right thing to do and because it is your choice.”

“Any of you could have chosen to stay here in the safety of this growing city, but look to your left and right. Look at those who are fighting next to you. We are citizens of Blue Oaks. Nobody stands in our way and tells us what to do. Not some hostile alien invaders who are here to steal our resources. Not other people who think they can be in charge simply because they used to be. So, let us go and show these elves that they made the wrong choice by coming and trying to take our planet!”

Mathew raised his spear up in the air as he finished his short speech. His words carried far across everyone, captivating them. All of their faces changed to show determination.

“For my family!”

“For those who died!”

“Fuck the hostile invaders!”

“For Blue Oaks!”

Shouts of other people declaring their reason to fight echoed out. Mathew felt a power reverberate back toward him that was of the same flavor as his own Axiom of Bolster. These were his people. He was a Leader, both in Profession and in actuality. Gone were the days that he sat at a desk dealing with people’s broken hearts.

In just six months, he had changed to be someone he dreamt of being. Forging his own path in life. Creating his own power. Nothing was going to stop him now. A blue screen winked into existence in front of Mathew as well as everyone who listened to his speech.

Profession based Skill unlocked:

Inspiring Speech | Novice 1

You have spent time leading your people with your words more than your actions. Giving them purpose and reason to follow you has developed into this skill. Anyone who willingly listens to you and views you in a positive manner gains a +10% to all stats for 24 hours.

Warning: This skill is tied to your Profession and Title [Hearth Crystal Owner]. Loss of either of these will remove this skill from you permanently.

“Well well well. I was wondering when I would get something related to my profession.” Mathew mused. Everyone in the crowd saw the 10% bonus to their stats and erupted into shouts of glee.

“With this, the Elves don’t stand a chance!”

“I finally reached 300 in my Strength! Nothing can withstand my might!”

“Mathew! You are the best!”

“Thank you, Mathew!”

“Let’s go Leader Mat!”

Mathew jumped down and loaded into his personal vehicle. Everyone else followed his example. There were not enough vehicles for everyone, so most people had to walk. The mana-powered military vehicles were mostly loaded with supplies or people who were too slow. Mathew’s own vehicle was just for Jeffery to have a place to be carried. With his armor, he weighs a few hundred pounds.

The convoy of Blue Oaks followed along the abandoned highway of the old world. Anything within a day's travel of the city had been looted. Most cars were hauled back to be taken apart. The materials were reused such as metals and electronics. The group of people belonging to the Technomancer loved messing with them.

So, the roads were clear. Already signs of no maintenance could be seen. Cracks were slowly starting to appear. Weeds were growing from the concrete showing their dominance to grow almost anywhere. The grass was unkept and nearly thigh-high on either side of the road.

Several people were in charge of removing any obstacles along the road as they traveled. It would take them three days, and that was done on purpose. For those who excelled at speed and long-distance travel, they could do it in just over a day on foot.

Based on maps, they could get there in the evening of the second day, but that would mean people were tired from traveling all day. So, the choice to push early on the third day was made.

Abandoned towns and cities were scattered between Blue Oaks and the Green Kingdom. They picked places that were semi-defensible with buildings that could house everyone. Abandoned schools, auditoriums, and large churches would be used.

The entire travel time everyone was on alert for any form of an early attack. Yet nothing came. Even on the morning of the third day of travel, nothing was seen. That was until they entered the Green Kingdom’s area of influence officially.

Henderson had a map of where that line was, and it was obvious. Up till that point the roads had cars scattered around. Only some were partially looted. Everything else was left alone. That was until a visible line.

Cars were stacked up on the edges of the road, creating a tunnel. Anyone could easily get over the wall, even those from before The System showed up. The wall was two cars high and easily climbable.

The sudden appearance caused people to stop moving. Henderson had sent out scouts to investigate the area. After an hour, nothing was found nearby. No traces of any traps or prepared surprise attacks.

Carefully, the order was given to press forward. Everyone had their head on a swivel and was ready for any form of attack. Their slower speed meant any scouts could report on them faster, but the alternative was rushing headlong into a trap.

Half an hour of slow movement showed nothing happening to them. Several people started to not be as keen of their surroundings to the point of jokes being made of the elves running away in fear.

Mathew knew they didn’t run away. According to his research, they never do unless their goal is achieved or they are 100% certain they can’t obtain their goal. He looked around for any possible signs of an attack.

Shouts brought his attention to look upwards. The morning sky was blotted out as hundreds of arrows were starting to rain down on them.

Without a moment of hesitation, thanks to the warning shout everyone threw up shields to protect themselves. Physical, magical, and technological barriers protected everyone. The thundering percussion of the arrows caused a moment of deafness.

“Another wave!” Someone shouted just as the first volley ended. This time it came from a different direction but on the same side.

This volley had various colors mixed in. Mathew raised his [Mana Shields] once again protecting him and his summons. This time some offensive attacks were used to destroy the arrows. Fireballs, electric arcs, and other various means were thrown up at the arrows destroying most, but not all of them.

It was only ten seconds before a third volley came. Henderson started to bark orders just before it landed. “Teams 1, 5, 7, and 8 go take care of the ambushers! Everyone else MOVE!”

Mathew watched as four teams of people broke from the main convoy and ran toward where the arrows came from. He silently wished them luck and to hurry back.

Everyone moved forward, keeping an eye out for more volleys. Only one more full-force volley came followed up by a significantly weaker volley. Only a moment after the weaker volley landed did a giant lightning strike land where the teams ran off to.

“That would be Lucas. The show off…” Henderson rolled her eyes.

Mathew hadn’t thought the lightning swordsman had such a spell. It’s been too long since he last talked to the man. “Any other surprise guests here to help, I need to be aware of?”

“You’ll see. I told you, our job is to get you to their leader for you to kick his ass. You forget the influence you have. Even the Technomancers are here working with the rest of us. They are going to help us siege any defenses.”