Alec and his group slowly made their way through the abandoned streets of the once cheery city. He couldn't help but feel sad for the once bustling city, as its once busy and well lit streets were now replaced by an empty and dark depressing atmosphere.
It was even more unnerving to hear a scream or two suddenly ring from the distance only to be immediately cut off, announcing the passing of another poor soul. Alec, who was currently riding with Alene (Magdalene), turned to stare at his exhausted group.
It had been an hour since his conversation with the so called administrator. Since then, his small group had been assailed many times by the monstrosities that now prowled the streets. He had been confident at the beginning of their trek back to his apartment... but now, worry only filled his heart.
The once proud spirits that he commanded were exhausted and had been working to the bone in protecting them. He tried to help them by conjuring equipment for them to use with his newly created tablet, only to find that they couldn't use anything he had made from the creation system.
He could only attribute the problem to the fact that the spirits were linked only to the [Peerage] system and not the creation system. It was the only logical explanation to him as the administrator didn't seem willing in giving him all the information he needed.
[Alec]: "Were not going to make it... at the rate were going, it'll take several more hours before we can even see my apartment. It really sucks that I don't have the mana to create even a small car at the moment, seeing that the cars around us are all busted."
He sighed as he stared at his status again, focusing on a blue bar with the symbol 32/1000 mp.
[Alene]: "If that's the case my liege, I suggest we make camp. I'm afraid my squads on their last leg and might collapse at any moment."
[Alec]: "We really don't have any other options at this point."
With that, the two began searching for a place to sleep. Alec thought that a simple office building would have been fine, considering they just needed a place to rest. Alene, though, had other ideas.
[Alene]: "I think its better to find a hotel here to turn into a base. I know that my lord is fond of his apartment room, but we'll be fighting who knows how much or what just trying to reach the place. While its good to grind for experience points, its too early for us since we're just starting."
[Alec]: "Plus, having a base in the middle of the city would benefit us in the long run. Scavenging runs would be faster, it's easier to defend considering the buildings make for good structural barriers and our control over the city would be stronger as were better able to respond to outside threats."
[Alec]: "We can even post someone on a building and have them keep watch and just signal us if anything is happening in the surrounding area."
Needless to say, Alec was thoroughly convinced. Though, his plans of returning back to his apartment didn't change. After all, he had many sketches and ideas in that room which could help him think of things to create with his system.
So, the two made a list of goals that they wanted to achieve.
End goal: Survive against other four system users
Primary goal: Learn more about the [peerage] and creation systems, reach my apartment
Current goal: Set up a base, gain experience points, level up
Once they had a set list to achieve, Alec began to think of the nearest place that they could stay. He recognized where they were and immediately thought of a place... though, it definitely was an area that he would rather avoid.
Hoping the girls wouldn't misunderstand, he tapped Alene's shoulder and explained,
[Alec]: "I know a place we can stay. It's the closest hotel in the area and should be pretty easy to defend."
She nodded. They slowly made their way through the wrecks that littered the streets. Some places, body parts of varying types could be seen with blood splattered across the pavement. Alec couldn't help but feel wary until an idea popped into his head.
Taking out his tablet, he looked at the amount of mana he had.
[Alec]: "Hmm... 63/1000. Recovery seems pretty bad, but it should be enough for what I'm about to draw."
Alene turned to look back at her master fiddling with his tablet. She saw him drawing what appears to be a small flask. He then colored the liquid inside blue and soon it materialized in front of them. Her master didn't even think twice and before she could stop him, gulped the contents in one sitting.
[Alene]: "My liege?!"
Worry could be seen in her eyes as she had no idea what her master just drank, but she set it aside seeing that nothing was happening to his body. Though, she couldn't help but think that his astonished look was quite adorable.
[Alec]: "I can't believe that worked."
He looked at the amount of mana he had and noticed that it had increased to 403/1000. With this experiment, he now didn't have to worry about his mana running out. He was still limited considering a thousand was the max amount that he could consume. Considering his previous test, a thousand should be enough to create materials, weapons and equipment.
He had already tried drawing out another character to help them only to notice that his mana was being consumed at a rapid rate. Before he knew it, he could only draw a rough outline of the characters head before all of his mana was consumed.
He also found that once he failed at completing a drawing, he had to start over as his previous drawing would release all of the mana he poured into it. In other words, his system was broken... but it had its limits at the moment.
He could only imagine how it would be like once he gains some levels. He then made a couple more mana potions and even tried other types of potions. He also added a storage function to his tablet and immediately stored all of his potions into it.
He also gave his tablet a transforming function which allowed it to turn into a watch. The watch also has a hologram effect which allows him to access his menu. It felt very game like to him as he browsed to each of the tabs.
[Alene]: "My lord, we may have a problem."
[Alec]: "... yeah, that's a problem alright."
They all stared at the road in front of them. The streets on either side were blocked off by rubble. It created a sort of funnel allowing only small number of people to enter through. With the steeds the girls had, we would have to go through three at a time considering the size of the horses.
Not only that, he could see a huge amount of monsters on the other side. They were very impatient as they began to squeeze through the small narrow path. They then heard sounds behind them and soon saw another group of monsters. Before they knew it, they were surrounded on all sides.
[Alec]: "This is gonna be a hard fight."
[Alene]: "Worry not my lord, we'll fight to the very last. Form a Cantabrian circle! Kill those that get near!"
Alene quickly guided her steed to the middle of the formation as the rest began to urge their own in a small canter around them. They then picked up speed and soon, a formation of circling riders could be seen. Each of the knights held a sword to their side, ready to pierce at the incoming attackers.
The first monsters finally made it to them, though their bodies were instantly shredded to pieces at the series of swords that tore through their skins. As each knight passed a monster, they would swing their sword until the monster fell dead. Of course, some of them made it pass the line, though it was quickly impaled by Alene's sword.
Alec was also helping as best as he could with a spear he drew earlier. At this point, he was already numbed to sight of gore and battle as it had been the norm to him since an hour ago. On and on, the siege continued as their small group held off a seemingly endless horde.
[Alec]: "We need help... wait, can't I just draw a book for the [Peerage] system?"
With this epiphany, he called towards Alene and shouted over the clamor of battle,
[Alec]: "I'm going to create a book for the [Peerage] system and see if I can equip it to myself."
[Alene]: "Understood, I will defend you with my life!"
[Alec]: "... it's better if you don't actually die, please."
Transforming his tablet, he began to draw out the book he wanted. At first, he tried making a book with thoughts of the marine corps of his country. But, no matter how much mana he puts or how much work he puts into the drawing, nothing was happening. He couldn't understand why it wasn't working, until he stared at the girls around him.
He then realized his mistake and started to draw out another book. His thoughts were filled with the essence of the book as he imagined a legion of warriors with high defensive and attack capabilities yet were highly flexible to adjust to the changing battlefield. He then added a twist by thinking of possibly turning the soldiers into automatons who were reliant on mana.
When he completed the drawing, a bright light could be seen and before he knew it, he was holding onto a big leather book with an image of a scutum with a symbol of a gear in the middle. Wasting no time, he equipped it to himself and before he knew it, twenty figures had appeared.
Alec could tell they were all females due to their petite figures, but he was very unfamiliar with the culture. All he knew was that, guessing by their armor, they were all from the later Roman Empire.
They all wore armor made from strips of metal that were fashioned into circular bands, held together by leather straps. They also wore what appeared to be chain mail along with a purple tunic that reached their knees and the sleeves that covered to their elbows.
The tunic was also held in place by a decorative belt that matched the appearance of their greaves and armguards. They all wore a helmet that covered most of their head though the front was open which allowed all to see their fair faces.
Three of the figures stood out from the rest. Two wore bear skin that covered most of their back. One held what appears to be a standard that held a small cotton flag with an image of a scorpion and the words, 'Cohortes Prautoriae.' Circular and square sheets were also attached to the pole beneath the flag. A small statue of what appeared to be a female attired in flowing linen holding a sword and shield with angel wings unfurled could be seen atop of the standard.
The other one had what appeared to be a huge yet thin trumpet that curled around itself. As for the last one, she had no bear skin covering her back but her helmet was uniquely designed and had long strands of purple horsetail that seemed to reach her back. Out of everyone, she exuded the most pressure.
[???]: "Consul, your orders."
The girl had spoken out in Latin, but Alec immediately understood what she said.
[Alec]: "Make a defensive circle around us and help fend off these monsters."
[???]: "As you command."
She then turned to her peers, unsheathed her sword and yelled out,
[???]: "FORMATION!"