Cecelia led Nolan’s group through the courtyard. The place looked less like the fallout from a disaster to an actual camp with each passing hour. The smell of rot and decay that had permeated was starting to finally abate.

  People had finished hauling off all the antling corpses into a pile for those that decided to try their hand at hunting or butchering professions. She hoped those professions would bear fruit as the chitin of the ants seemed to be a decent starting point for armour or weaponry based on conversations with Hector.

  Those that had passed during the previous night, and those that had been slain at the hands of the animals who had resided here previously had been buried and remembered. Not in the courtyard itself, but a smaller grassy area one street over. It was a scenic little garden that provided a place for those that had lost a loved one or a friend some solace and place to mourn.

  The time for mourning could be now. Soon, it would be time for action.

  They passed stalls taking shape, people laying out supplies and hammering together makeshift benches. A few survivors swung weapons in awkward practice. Cecelia made a mental note of them, and of the ones sitting alone, arms wrapped around their knees or staring at nothing. Maybe they’d come around. If not, she could deal with a few burdens.

  “This place doesn’t look much like a camp,” Jules said, his tone more blunt than curious. “How long have you been here?”

  “Jules.” Nolan shot him a warning look.

  “It’s fine,” Cecelia replied easily. “We found this place being run like a concentration camp.” Her tone turned grave. “It was horrific.”

  Nolan’s expression darkened. “Convicts?”

  She nodded. “I see you’ve come across them too.”

  That got a grim nod from him, even Gordon’s usual curiosity was dulled for a beat.

  As they walked, she told them the story. Meeting Reggie, what the camp had been, and how they’d taken it. By the time she finished, they’d reached a quiet corner with a few intact chairs and a low wall to lean against. A faint breeze stirred the dust there, carrying the muffled sound of hammering from the far side of the courtyard.

  “I do not know where you stand on killing other people,” Cecelia said, meeting their eyes in turn. “Judge if you want. I don’t regret anything I did to help those monsters reach their maker quicker.”

  “No judgement,” Nolan said without hesitation. “I’d have done the same.”

  “Same,” Morgan murmured, rubbing her hands together absently as if brushing off a memory.

  “Then tell me about your group,” Cecelia prompted.

  Nolan leaned forward slightly, elbows resting on his knees. “The four of us landed here with six others. We were managing against the ants—barely. We had a mage—Ruby. She was… made for this place. Took down antlings left and right without hesitation. Without her… some of us wouldn’t be sitting here.”

  Cecelia wondered, briefly, if she’d have lasted this long without Leo. Maybe. But the times he’d saved her from the brink… not worth dwelling on. She’d prove her worth by the end of this tutorial.

  She tuned her attention back to Nolan’s story as he was finishing. A story about their early survival and fights. It was nothing she hadn’t experienced herself so far.

  “Day four,” Nolan continued, “things changed. Ruby vanished in the night. No tracks, no sign of a fight, just gone… Arguments broke out, we started blaming each other and eventually honed in on a younger man in the group. He’d been caught spying on women more than once, claimed he was ‘lost’ or ‘just curious’.”

  Morgan spoke without looking up. “There was something in his eyes. Something empty. I didn’t buy his innocent act for a second.”

  Nolan’s jaw tightened further. “We cast him out. Didn’t kill him. Although we probably should have. He came back with three convicts. It was… a blood bath.” He exhaled slowly, hands shaking slightly as memories arrived.

  He raised his voice slightly. “They fought like animals. They were enamoured in the violence as if they lived for it. It took everything we had to put them down. By the end of it all, only us four survived.

  His voice faltered so Gordon picked up the thread. “Since then, we’ve scraped by. Fought ants when we had to, found a few others along the way… Blood Moon took them too. Guess it’s just us that make it through.”

  He was a far different story teller from Nolan, quick and to the point. She could appreciate the haste. Curiosity only went so far before the weight of the story set in.

  Cecelia inclined her head. “You’ve had your fair share of struggles with no doubt more to come. I hope you consider staying. We could definitely use the fighters. Your strength will be needed for the push to the Tower.”

  Jules stared at her like she’d grown a second head. “You want to go to the Tower? Are you crazy?”

  “Uninformed, maybe,” Cecelia said lightly.

  Jules shook his head, his voice gaining urgency. “The closer you get, the more ants you see. Not just the number though, they have higher levels, higher aggression. It’s like they’re guarding it.”

  “Doesn’t change my mind,” Cecelia replied, silver eyes catching the light. “That tower holds power. I can feel it.”

  Nolan exhaled slowly. “I see. I don’t see us surviving a push to that tower. Not without better fighters or at least more of them. Sure, that Leo kid is incredible, if a bit reckless. But those others out there wouldn’t last five minutes against those higher-level ants.”

  “You’re correct. Which is why I suggest we go and clear a Dungeon.”

  Gordon’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. “Is that the place Leo got his cool armour?!” He leaned forward like a conspirator. “Did he get those sparkly eyes there too?”

  Cecelia chuckled at his energy. “Yes. He and Ashley cleared that dungeon and got the rewards, including the armour. As for the eyes… those aren’t something one just stumbles across I’m afraid.”

  “I’m so down to go to the Dungeon,” Gordon said, grinning. “Can’t wait to see what I get.”

  “Any objections?” Cecelia asked.

  The silence that followed was answer enough.

  “Excellent,” she said, pushing off the wall. “Take the night to rest, hold up wherever you wish. Be ready at first light tomorrow.”

  ~

  Leo extricated himself from Ashley’s and Lena’s clutches as he hobbled out into the courtyard, clothes dripping and hair plastered to his head. Droplets pattered onto the dust, making tiny dark spots as he went.

  When Ash had dragged him off to “get him cleaned up,” he’d expected a cloth and a bucket of water. Not a complete powerwash cycle from a Water Essence mage that was experimenting with her mana.

  He could still hear the maniacal laughter echoing in his head from the pair, delighted in the act.

  He had to admit, seeing Lena control her magic with such precision stirred something in him. His own Essence control felt clumsy by comparison. Maybe it was because she was a mage class… maybe her intelligence stat left his in the dust.

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  Or maybe she actually practices, he thought, chuckling.

  The camp was slowly coming together. They still lacked proper living quarters and an organised working system, but Rome wasn’t built in a day, and they had plenty of time to build theirs up.

  Moving to find Hector, he spotted him directing some of those focused on professions. They had some kind of toolbelt on that looked like something a carpenter or workman would wear. Something that must have been included in one of the Tutorial store bundles. He did wonder how they’d afforded it all.

  “Yes, over there. No, over a bit,” Hector called, guiding someone carrying a bundle of stone.

  “Hey, Hector,” Leo greeted as he approached, water still running from his clothes. “I’ve got a few ant corpses in here,” he tapped his ring, “anywhere specific you want the fresh ones?”

  “Leo. Hello.” Hector’s tone was polite but distracted, eyes still scanning the workers. “I’m not exactly sure, Cecelia told me that I was to be in charge of managing the people focusing on professions but I don’t really know why.”

  Leo smiled. “Makes sense. People here look up to you. Plus, you’re not part of the group that came in swinging, makes it feel less like we took over.”

  That made Hector pause, tilting his head as if considering it for the first time. “That… actually does make sense.” He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “I used to be a postman. Not exactly leadership material.”

  Leo laughed under his breath. “I worked in IT and now I'm an aspiring martial artist punching giant killer ants. Trust me, your old job isn’t an issue. You’re doing great.”

  Hector’s brows drew together. “I thought Ashley said you used to be a boxer. Said your calling was to punch things.”

  Leo groaned, dragging a palm down his face. “Don’t believe her. She’s just trying to cover up the fact that she’s actually royalty.” He leaned in conspiratorially, glancing around to ensure no one was listening. “ A Princess, visiting from another country.”

  Hector’s eyes widened. “A princess?!”

  “Shh!” Leo pressed a finger to his own lips. “Not so loud. Not everyone knows. If you speak to her alone, call her ‘Your highness’ she’ll know you’re in the loop.”

  Hector nodded seriously, as if receiving state secrets.

  He felt a little bad deceiving Hector as the man genuinely seemed to be nice, but if Ashley wanted to play these kinds of games then she best be ready for the counter strike.

  “Now, about those ants?” Leo prompted.

  “Oh, right. Uh, over there.” Hector pointed toward a shaded section near the courtyard edge.

  “Thanks!”

  As he was walking off, he could hear Hector muttering, “A princess…” forcing a smile to form on his face.

  Leo walked over, pulling corpse after corpse from his ring. Each thud onto the packed earth felt good. It was tangible proof he was contributing, like turning in a quest and watching the camp’s ‘base level’ tick upward.

  “Leo.” Cecelia’s voice startled him.

  His shoulders tensed. Mentally prepping himself for the incoming scolding storm. He turned slowly, head dipping.

  “I’m sorry about before. I should have thought things through,” he quickly admitted.

  “Hm? Oh yes, you definitely should have, and I’m glad you realise why. But I could have explained things a bit less… aggressively, pardon me for not,” she said dryly.

  “But that’s not why I’m here.” She folded her arms. “I’d like you to try and find some people that have any fighting talent whatsoever. Spar with them, see what they can do. If you do find any diamonds in the rough, send them my way.”

  It sounded easy enough.

  “Sure, I can do that,” Leo said, straightening. “Why?”

  She smirked faintly. “I’m going to take a few groups to the Beast Pens. Hopefully catch up in levels to you and Ashley. At the very least get some new armour and SC. I can only supply so much to these people.”

  Leo raised an eyebrow as he thought about it. It made sense to go to a dungeon at a higher level. It could just mean easy loot as long as they didn’t get overconfident. A smile started to creep across his face as he remembered clearing the dungeon. Such a great feeling. One he hoped to experience again.

  “Alright. I’ll find some people and send ‘em on to ya.”

  She nodded. “Good, thanks.”

  Wandering through the camp, Leo scanned faces for anyone who looked interested in fighting. Instead, people seemed to peel away whenever he got close, a sudden fascination with the ground, or an urgent need to be somewhere else.

  Not as easy as it sounded.

  He quickly sought out Hector again, one he knew wouldn’t avoid him.

  “Hey, sorry to bother you twice in one day,” Leo said. “But could you help me find some people that are interested in fighting and getting stronger? Cecelia asked me to help her but everyone is avoiding me for some reason.” He looked behind him and people looked away once more.

  Hector winced. “Yeah, they are a bit apprehensive of your strength. It’s not like they fear you, just that with your new–” he pointed at Leo’s face. “Sparkly thing going on, they aren’t sure how to act around you.”

  How did he keep forgetting that he had… Disco eyes. By now with how often Bjorn had teased him, he should at least realise that people may look at him differently. He was the highest level, called their strongest fighter, and had sparkly rainbow eyes.

  Of course they avoided him. This was all new to them, Leo just took it in a better stride.

  “I’ll find people that want to fight and send them to you.” He paused. “It’ll be easier if I do it myself. No offense,” Hector said apologetically.

  Leo waved his hand. “None taken. Thanks man. I’ll set up an arena or something for sparring, maybe some kind of firing range in the meantime.”

  Beginning his wander anew but with a new purpose, he considered what kind of place would work well for his plans.

  There was the building that was filled with… yeah not that one.

  Or perhaps the courtyard itself, although it seemed to be filling up with people working on their professions, and he didn’t want to bully his way in. It was better to let them have their space.

  The Goliath building however. That could work.

  Jogging over, he went in to see how everything now looked, as it had been a while since he’d last been in here.

  The stench hit him first, the smell of rotting insect flesh as it littered the ground in uncleaned chunks. The worst offender being the Goliath corpse, which sat untouched from the fight.

  Surrounding it was chunks of rubble in differing sizes, all scattered thanks to the Goliath charging through the wall. It was a bit of a defensive blindspot, he would admit. But the whole camp had defensive holes right now.

  Ron was at the far side, loosing arrows into crude targets drawn on the stone. The twang of his bowstring echoed in the ruined space.

  “Nice idea,” Leo said, walking over. “Having more than one target helps for different encounters.”

  Ron nodded. He almost went back to shooting again but instead spoke in a quiet voice, “My thoughts too.”

  Smiling, he replied, “Mind if I set up a little sparring area mate? Maybe use some of your targets? Cecelia wants me to find people worth training up. Apparently you guys are going to the dungeon tomorrow.”

  Ron’s arrow went wide.

  “She didn’t tell you?” Leo asked.

  “Not yet.”

  “I wouldn’t be worried, you guys will clear it no worries.”

  “Mm.”

  Leo left Ron to his practice and started setting up his area. He moved chunks of rubble with ease thanks to his high Strength and stacked some high enough to work as a training dummy of sorts. Others he made into a little obstacle course. It was not all that pretty, but for an hour or so’s work, it would do.

  Hector arrived sooner than expected, bringing with him a slew of fighters of varying class types. He definitely wasn’t expecting so many people. There were ten in total, not including Hector himself if he wanted to join in.

  “Leo! Sorry it took so long,” Hector apologised. “It took a little convincing.”

  “No worries! Thanks for finding so many. Did you want to participate too?”

  “No, thank you. I think I’ll focus on my profession,” Hector replied gratefully. “I’ve done enough fighting already to know I don’t like it.”

  “Gordon? Is that you?” Leo asked, spotting the man’s head just behind the group.

  “Yeah! I wanna try fighting you too!” he said excitedly. “I brought Morgan too, figured she could help with anyone who got hurt.”

  “Sounds fun,” Leo mused, before speaking to Morgan directly, “Thank you for your help.”

  She nodded, eyes firm.

  Leo moved into a better position to address the group as everyone lined up loosely to listen.

  “Okay people, thanks for coming,” Leo began. “I’ve asked you guys to be here because Cecelia is looking for more fighters, and you guys seem to be interested. She’s asked me to assess you as best I can and send you to her if you pass.”

  Clapping his hands loudly, he continued, totally in his element despite his usual dislike for public speaking. This was fighting stuff, he lived for it. “We’ll start simple. Name and class, one at a time.”

  He gestured to the first in line. “Let’s start with you.”