The Manaverse

Slatewell Town Hall - Board Room

Granite City

Adam Slatewell sat at the head of the boardroom table. His fingers tapped together impatiently as he reviewed his menus. His board members would arrive shortly so he was taking advantage of the brief silence.

Ascension had been good to Adam. He felt ten years younger and his modifications during the process made him look the same. His hair was now a glorious shade of dark brown and his eyes were a deep, piercing grey. He had no idea what a Foran Human was, but he had accepted it. His other title option had been a beast-man of some kind.

Besides that single silver lining, Adam was having a very bad time. Nothing had gone right since the night of the Monster Wave.

Sure, he had received a massive bonus from the Safe Zone Ruler Quest. He still had an entire extra System Granted building he was allowed to build once the barrier dropped and the Lock Down ended. He also received an increase to his Ruler Title and an obscene amount for gold for the Safe Zone's coffers.

Adam was now a Baron. The title allowed him to own two settlements instead of one, have a higher control over the Safe Zone's menus and settings, and appoint Lords under him. All he needed was to increase the Safe Zone to higher settlement tier to increase the title further.

Once the Safe Zone was able to upgrade all the way to a City, he would be an Arch Duke. Yet, that wasn't an option just then. It would likely to be months, at least, before the Safe Zone could meet the ambient Manaether levels to even become a Village, let alone a City. It had something to do with reaching Steel Rank levels of magic. He reviewed the requirements again.

Name: Camp Slatewell

Type: Safe Zone Settlement

Rank: 833,990

Ambient Manaether: Stone Rank

Buildings: Main Hall, Normal Rank

Residential Towers, Normal Rank

Graveyard, Normal Rank

System Shop, Normal Rank

Adventurer's Guild, Normal Rank

Next Settlement Rank: Outpost

Requirements to reach Next Settlement Rank: Main Hall 1/1

Population 833,990/20

Ambient Manaether: Copper Rank

The conference room door opened and the six members of his board walked in. Walked wasn't quite the right word. Each carried themselves into the room differently, wearing black and red armor or robes.

Namona Harris walked in first, a nervous energy coursing her figure. She's the Head of Housing and was responsible for ensuring the population will have enough housing within the year deadline. She's in her mid forties with silver, grey hair and the pointed ears of an Elf. She was wearing a red robe. Adam's impression of her had gone up quite a bit since her devastating news that they weren't likely to meet the eighty-five percent quota for the Lock Down. Yet, he still considered her weak.

Garrett Grundson, the Head of Personnel, walked in after her. His stance was closed off and defensive. Having chosen a Beastkin variation, his salt and pepper hair had taken on a chestnut shade and his teeth and tail resemble those of a squirrel. He was wearing leather dyed black with red accents. Adam had seen Grundson fight and, for a squirrel man, he was vicious.

The elegant Yolanda Serrano, Head of Healthcare, strode into the boardroom confidently in a black robe. Her pale blue skin and hair and coal black eyes reminded Adam of a Sea Nymph from legends and fantasy. She had the easiest job out of all the Executive board members over the last two weeks as the number of wounded and injured had significantly decreased with the implementation of the barrier.

Andrew Larrison, Head of Sustenance, scuttled in, hoping to not be seen. He was presented with two different bug like title options, so he had chosen to remain an Earth Human without a bonus. He looked identical to his previous appearance, a plump man with a ring of brown hair sporting a bald spot. His red leather armor didn't compliment him at all. While Adam agreed with his decision to not be a bug, he considered Larrison to be the weakest member of his Executives.

Catherine Kammy, the Head of Lore and Education, strode in like a normal person. She too chose to be a human. Her Title Race was something called a Bohemian Human. Being the youngest of his Executives at twenty-six, Kammy had taken over for her mother who had died in the bunker.

Matthew Todd, the Head of Security stormed into the room, acting as if he was king of the castle. Normally, Adam wouldn't mind, but today his main enforcer would be required to explain himself.

With Adam at the head of the table and three members sitting on each side of him, he gestured. "Report." His words were calmer than he felt.

The first executive on his left, Larrison, stuttered as he began his report.

"I- we- well, the stock of food is holding strong. We have enough left to feed everyone one of the survivors for another week if need be. Th- the fact that many of the Adventurers purchase their own food from the shop or that odd booth has helped in this tremendously. Our chefs are progressing as expected, with most of them on the cusp of level one with the highest leveled cooking skill being level two. As long as they continue their growth at this rate, they should be able to stretch the supplies even further. We project no food shortages as long as the Adventurers turn in supplies they way they did before the Lock Down."

Adam nodded slowly. "Very good, Larrison. How are we handling Radiance?"

"H- handle them, sir? H- how should we handle them? Aren't they a legally operating business?"

As was usual, Larrison flinched when Adam gave him a hard look.

"Yes. They are legally taking a majority of the profits available at the moment. While we do receive taxes from the business each time they tender a transaction, that doesn't change the fact that if we don't get ahead of them they will take all the profits going forward and it will be hard to take any back. So, what plan do you have to "handle" them?"

The atmosphere turned tense as everyone watched Larrison closely. Each of his Executives knew that his answer would impact the rest of the meeting.

"Th- the only th- thing I can come up with is opening a competitor. B- but I would need Adventurer personnel, preferably ones who were actively hunting prior to the Lock Down."

Adam looked at Garrett Grundson silently. Grundson nodded and Adam looked back to Larrison. "Done. You have forty-eight hours to submit a business plan to my office for approval and projections."

"Th- thank you, Baron Slatewell." Larrison squeaked, going silent.

His neighbor, Namona Harris, spoke after Larrison, not dumb enough to wait to be called on. She was just as nervous but had much better control over her words.

"As directed, Baron, we have the Safe Zone wall almost completed. We project the final length will be up by no later than this evening. This will leave only three spaces for the installation of gates to the east, south, and west. As far as housing goes, we have already begun the construction of two long houses. Each will hold around five thousand people per floor. Based on the building time, we should finalize all the required buildings within eleven months, just in time for the deadline. This isn't including any calculations from the purchased land and the time frame for completion is expected to shorten further as the Builders increase in level." Harris finished. Her relieved breath was nearly silent.

"I saw the construction project by the Eastern wall, where the Sparkling Estates Apartments used to be. It was split in half. What did you put up there? It was well done." Adam praised. The new building wasn't a wondrous construction by any means. But it looked very sturdy and thoughtfully made. It also appeared to be modifiable.

Harris looked panicked for a brief second while she glanced over the notes she'd brought with her. The moment dragged on but she raised her head and spoke just before Adam was about to say something.

"Th- that is not a Safe Zone funded project. Neither is the removal and rebuilding of that entire block."

Adam knew the answer but asked the question anyway. "Whose is it then and why are they building inside my Safe Zone?" Without increasing in volume, he made the final four words feel like thunder was rolling.

The effect hit home as Harris started to tremble slightly. Adam didn't want her to be scared of him, but they all needed to know his expectations for his possible Nobility.

"It is because the building is the Safe Zone's orphanage. We approved the reconstruction on that basis and because it wasn't going to cost us anything. The Builder is one..." Harris shuffled through her papers for the name. "Derrick Harrison. He used to run a local bar, the Stoney Jigger."

"How is a barkeep now suddenly a Builder? I don't remember his name on the list of Hunters so I doubt he has the money for Skill Orbs." Adam asked patiently. Again he knew the answer, but he wanted her to say it.

"He is a member of the Radiant Crusaders. It is common knowledge that their guild passes out Skill Orbs to all of their members, and other civilians."

Adam was perfectly okay with the charity, especially since it didn't come from his coffers, but he was getting tired of hearing the group's name. "Can we scoop this man up for our own?"

"No, my Lord. He said "under no circumstances would he leave his guild." Harris said glumly. "We tried increasing the offer of employment so it was very generous, and it didn't work."

"I see. Serrano?"

Yolanda Serrano was ready for the focus to fall on her next. She sat next to Harris and had been around long enough to get the picture.

"We have an all time low as far as injuries and wounded people. The number of reported colds and other viruses or diseases has also decreased to record lows within the city. We started with six healing tents. Those six have since been upgraded to clinics, are fully stocked and are ready for the Lock Down to end. As for the temporary tents from before, they are ready to deployed within the twenty-five kilometer area once it is safe to do so. As that will be five times as much space, we are already working on creating more tents. We are aiming for ten more to begin with. Lastly, we still have not had a single report of a single pregnancy, nor has any women had their cycle. We don't know why. There are a handful of women who were pregnant before the Initialization. They are all between six and seven months along however. If there are women less far along, they haven't come forward. We will report when we know more. Is there anything else you need me to see to, my Lord Baron?" Serrano finished with a small bow.

Adam successfully stopped the small grin the motion brought to him. He only nodded. "Not at the moment. Just be ready for later today. Kammy?"

Unlike her mother, who said as little as possible, Catherine Kammy was more serious and direct. Adam liked that.

"We have already arranged for classes to start for all the children and young adults. We were able to locate multiple people with an Education Skill, which makes imparting knowledge easier and increases a student's retention a small amount. We are using the apartment complex on the west side for this. We have more than enough personnel to begin a formal education program. When would you like that to begin, my Lord?"

Unlike Serrano, Kammy didn't bow. She did, however, give Adam a sultry look. The expectant look in her gaze at the end of her report could be taken in multiple ways. Adam noted it, but ignored it.

"Begin tomorrow. Have you already planned to sponsor the attendance of the orphans?"

Kammy didn't hesitate to answer Adams question. "We have. We have already spoken with Matron Magatha. She was more then excited to have something for the older children to do."

"Is there any way we could get the Matron for our school? Move them into the buildings around the school?" Adam asked. This time he only anticipated the answer, but he was correct and it made the already boiling irritation within him grow.

"No, my Lord. We... warned her that we might move the orphanage over there anyway and she indicated that she would just pass on the job opportunity then." Kammy was nonchalant in her response, as if she had done what she could. "Do you want us to move the orphanage over to the school anyway?"

Adam sighed. It made a lot of the tension in the room lessen slightly. "No. Leave it with her. She is too well known by the parents of the zone because of her mad dash to the casino before the Lock Down. It's thanks to them feeling safer with their children being around her that many of them went up into the Towers instead of down into the bunker." What infuriated him about it was that she too was associated with the Crusaders. "Grundson. Anything you need or anything to report?"

Grundson's tone was smooth and confident, but his stiff tail and the fidgeting of his cheeks made it clear he wasn't comfortable.

"We have been able to fill all of the available slots from the night of the Wave. We have had a little turn over, but that is to be expected with how little space we have and how many people are in here. However, there is one incident I want to report." Grundson took a small breath in preparation and plowed through. "We had a potential managerial candidate put in their notice."

Adam's breath hitched and half the assembled people flinched. "Who?"

"Wendy Sims. She has left and intends to join a guild."

"Shame. She was promising. Do I even need to ask which guild she is going to?"

Grundson visibly swallowed. "The Crusaders, my Lord."

The only indication the news made any impact on Adam was the creaking of his chair's arm rests when he gripped them tightly.

"I see... Todd. Why has my population decreased by a further four people?" Adam turned his fiery gaze on his right hand man. The sharp toothed, human looking Fae didn't react past a shrug.

"The... criminals wouldn't speak. Some didn't make it. It's part of the process."

Adam considered his next words carefully. "Is Operation Complete the Quest secure?"

Todd only nodded.

"Please tell me Carry wasn't one of the four, and if he was, did he give up his information?"

"He lives, my Lord. However, he still hasn't broken yet. We know he did something, but we have no proof and he won't tell us. Keep him?"

Adam sighed. "For now. Yes. As for why you are all here now. First order of business is about the fourth building. I have decided on an Academy as it is a requirement to reach the rank of City. So, congratulations Kammy. You will be getting a System Building." The subtle waves of jealousy were clear to see. Everyone except Todd and Kammy instantly tensed up and they all looked at the newest member. Adam continued.

"Second, I have a decision to make. Upon my promotion to Baron, I have been granted leave to anoint three Lords under me." He scanned everyone. With a thought and a mental nudge to his guide, each person in the room other than Adam let their gazes shift to reading their new Quests. "Each of you has a Quest. The first three to adequately complete their Quests will become the Lords or Ladies for Slatewell City."

Of course, Adam gave everyone the opportunity to finish reading their Quests. However, three of them had been carefully worded so that his Lords and Ladies should be Todd, Grundson, and Serrano. Kammy could take Grundson's slot, but only if she works really hard and gets very lucky while he doesn't try at all. Each was assigned a task in line with their current positions too. That way he wasn't asking them to do something they haven't been doing for weeks now.

"Is there anything else we need to discuss?"

The question was a dismissal and everyone understood that, no one speaking up. After the requisite five seconds had passed, Adam gestured their actual dismissal with a waving flick. "We will meet again tomorrow to discuss the first day after the Lock Down. Todd, please wait in the hall and Kammy stay behind."

The unnamed individuals filed out of the room, each feeling light and glad no one got dressed down. Kammy had sat back down. After the door closed, leaving the two alone, Adam sat back in his chair.

"Any questions about your second assignment?"

She shook her head. "Not really. It seems straight forward."

"Think you will be successful?"

Kammy looked into Adam's eyes and shrugged. "I don't see why not. But everyone is different. How long before I fulfill the final step and do I have to specifically seduce him?"

Adam waved a hand. "If you can find out what I seek without it, then feel free to skip the step. As for the last step, after you get the information and it's not too late, before he tells anyone. If it is too late, then immediately upon acquisition."

With a languid stretch, she rose. "I'm assuming the usual fee will be paid in Gold and not these stupid food credits, right?"

Adam nodded. "Despite five thousand dollars being worth less than half that in gold, if not less, I will pay you the full amount in gold pieces. But only if you are completely successful. Should you fail to contain the information, it will be a value exchange instead."

Kammy's eyes widened. The implication of a couple hundred gold versus five thousand gold landed right where Adam wanted it to. She bowed then stood to leave. Before she made it out the door, she turned back to Adam.

"What if he does not have the information?"

"We don't want to lose any Adventurers if we can help it." Adam said calmly. "Send in Todd."

"Understood." Then she was gone and Todd was walking back in.

Adam and Todd nod to one another as the latter sat in his usual spot.

"Is it possible Carry just hasn't told anyone?"

Todd shrugged. "Are you willing to risk it?"

Adam grunted. His displeasure was evident but he also knew Todd was right. Yet, Adam wasn't evil. He didn't want people to die unnecessarily. It was also made clear to him that he needed around a million people to keep his Safe Zone operational, if not more. Being so far under that line sent chills through him.

"Look, boss. Look at it this way. If we are wrong and he hasn't spilled the beans but take care of him, we are good. If we are right... Well, you'd be wishing we had."

Adam only nodded again. Then he looked at Todd. "No more deaths. Not until fertility has been reinstated."

Todd's chuckle caught Adam off guard. "Are you planning on telling Serrano you know when that will be?"

Adam sighed again. "No. There's no need. It's less than four months off. Let her spin her wheels. She'll give up on figuring it out when the injured start to come in again."

"Why are you keeping it from her?" Todd looked curious. He must have been very curious if the emotions were showing across his features.

"She's very into the idea of guiding the re-population of Earth. I already have enough unrest with the survivors. I don't need her preaching the positives of conception when we don't really know what's next."

Todd chuckled. "If you say so boss. Anything else?"

"Todd. No more deaths. Say it."

The Head of Security growled. "Fine. I won't intentionally kill any more civilians without your direction."

Adam tapped the table, while saying nothing.

"Grr. Fine. I'll go out of my way to make sure they don't accidentally die. But I want an old school dungeon." Todd huffed.

"Done."

Todd left silently and Adam turned his seat around so he could look out the windows at the Safe Zone below. His mind started swirling around the damn Crusaders again, so he dived back into his personal status and waited for the Lock Down to end.

Name: Adam Slatewell

True Name: Adam Alexander Slatewell

Title: Baron

Rank: Stone

Level: 0

Race: Human - Foran

Guide: Artificial

Guide's Name: Jeeves, Stone Rank

Attributes:

Body: 1

Mind: 0

Available Attribute Points: 0

Characteristics:

Body:

Strength: 11 (3)

Constitution: 13 (1)

Agility: 10

Mind:

Intelligence: 12 (2)

Wisdom: 12

Willpower: 13

Available Characteristic Points: 0

Equipped Skills: 5/5

General Skill Pool: 10/XXX

Non-Combat Path Equipped Skills: Administration, Level 1

Persuasive Words

Smithing

Combat Path Equipped Skills: Power Strike

Stealth

General Skill Pool: Magical Bolt

Political Aura

Bark Skin

Healing Touch

Mercantile

Staves

Swift Footing

Walking

Mounted Riding

Affinities: Light Magic

Water Magic