As we went back down the tunnels I checked my profession.
Ore Manipulator: Manipulate ore inside the inventory. Change the form and structure of the ore and implement it into the world. Larger forms or structures have a higher mana cost to implement. Skills: Ore tracking. Mining skill (C-Rank).
Activating my ore tracking, I noticed that there were a few spots along the cave tunnels, that shone a low red light.
I went to one of the lights and confirmed that it was an iron deposit.
"Wait up guys. I want to try my profession, I think I can gather iron here."
They all gathered around me, curious to see how it worked. But I soon realized it required a pickaxe, an iron pickaxe to be precise. And the worst of them, cost 5 silver in the shop.
So eventually we had to move on, not being able to mine at the moment.
Leaving the portal, we waited for it to crumble. But it didn't happen. The blue whirlpool of light froze and hardened. Blocking access.
"I have a theory." Rolf spoke again. "Some portals crumple and disappear, while some, like this one. Only freeze when the boss is dead."
He went to tap the portal, showing what he meant.
"My theory is, that they are different altogether. Maybe these ones, will open again at a later time. Like in a game when the monsters have reappeared, or respawned, if you will."
Thomas then spoke, "that's a rather enthusiastic theory. But we really don't have a way of knowing. We will have to check on it with a certain time interval, or keep a permanent outpost here, to find out."
Calf then butted in. "Frey, I know it's not my place to ask this. As you and your group has already changed everything for the better, for all of us. But the fact that we might have a possibility, to provide professions for everyone in camp. If the theory is true, that is. Then I implore you to station your company here."
I looked surprised at Rolf and Chioma in turn, but I couldn't read their expressions. I guess this choice was entirely up to me.
If I made a personal camp here, providing a safe outpost for the camps denizens. Then I would be alone, but at the same time, gain favor with the people in the camp. My units could suppress any orcs that would appear, generating a low, slow, but steady supply of currency. Also, I would be able to explore, and raid dungeon portals undisturbed.
The more I thought about it, the more certain I became.
"Allright Calf. I will do it. But on one condition. If I am to secure this area, and thereby access to the dungeon. Then I will be claiming an access fee. 5 copper for any one person who wants to enter it."
Chioma had to cover Rolf's mouth behind Calf, or he would have burst into laughter, from my ingenuity.
Calf just looked at me, judging. Even though he was just 18 years old, the transformation had made him extremely perceptive. Charlotte and Thomas just kept a neutral position in the negotiations, accepting Calf's attempts to exploit me for protection.
"Considering the favor you have already provided us, and acknowledging the benefits from having access to learning professions. Not to mention the suppression of the orcs, who could otherwise be a formidable threat to our camp. I accept the terms Frey."
He smiled as we gripped each others hands, shaking in agreement.
He was so fast to accept, making me wonder if I could have charged even more...
"That concludes the deal then." Rolf was in high spirit again. "I will go back, and stay around the camp Frey. I want to meet up with Magnus."
Before he left with the others, Chioma following him, as I had noticed they were growing closer to each other. He whispered into my ear.
"We need to know what goes on in the camp. While you're here, I think it's best that we will stay there and gather information."
They had almost vanished, leaving me all alone, when I called out, "tell my units to get back here!"
Rolf just waved as they disappeared.
"Okaay... What should I do now?"
I was just looking around. A lot of ruins encircled the portal. With a bit of work, I imagined I could make good fortifications out of them. Reducing the access to the portal to two gates, positioned down either side of the path, or the former street.
While I envisioned how to build my very own camp, a horned-rabbit jumped by. Remembering how they had been extremely fond of mating, back in the dungeon. I realized that the number that had escaped before I closed it, could have multiplied exponentially.
I drew my sword, swinging it with my right hand, then throwing it to my left, swinging it again.
I had always been a right-hander. My left arm and hand felt completely clumsy. But now, after having used the sword dual wielding tome, my left hand was as good as my right.
I chased the rabbit for a while, I was much faster than it was. But the dash skill was annoying. Just as I seemed to catch it, it would dash out of my reach.
I did eventually catch it, and just as I was about to skin it, my units returned.
"Awaiting orders, Commander!"
4 archers, 4 swordsmen, and 12 spearmen. Only a single woman. Formed two lines of 10 before me.
I paired a swordman with an archer. Giving them simple instructions.
"Scout the surroundings. If you find any hostiles, do not engage, but report back to me." They disappeared in four different directions.
I made the 12 spearmen clean up the area. And when they were done, they should start to clear the ruins. So I could have a better view to plan how to form the camp, using the environment.
I continued to skin the rabbit. I was completely new to it. But I had seen my units cut into some places, then pulling the skin away. Cut open the belly and remove all the entrails.
It was so messy. Blood, fur and entrails covered the ground around me. I had a long way to go before I would be somewhat decent, in preparing fresh game.
The sun was getting lower, as my spearmen and I shared the meat. Just a few bites since there were 13 of us. I guessed I had a few hours left before the night would come.
The units I had dispatched started to return.
I gathered a rough idea of my surroundings.
My primitive camp, with the portal in the center. Was about 150 meters of plain grass and bushes, around the portal. Then ruined buildings and trees formed a passable barrier. A path went through the whole area, the former street. Extending about 300 meters down the path Rolf and co. had walked, back to the Captain's camp. On the other side, it reached just 150 meters, ending at the building ruins accordingly. Making it perfect for a gate in the wall I wanted to build.
The wall-gate path, led to a few other paths that turned left and right. But ended at the huge horse statue, or at the river. The longer path, led to the area I had taken, going to the camp the first time. My units only reported two portals in that direction, none of them a serious threat to us.
I was more interested in the wall-gate path. They had reported a lot of portals and activity in that direction. They had even spotted another human camp there, but smaller in size than the one we were now a part of.
There was a portal with strange, huge insect-creatures. 6 short legs, scaly body and a stinger on a long scaly tail, that was bend forward over the insects body. At least, that's how my units described them.
The portal that really took my interest, was one were small, dense, human-like monsters had appeared. They were slow, but strong and had big beards.
I couldn't help myself but to think about dwarves! And dwarves meant gold! At least in the stories...
As the spearmen continued to clean up the inner area. And stacked stones and bricks into piles. I had gathered some of the stones, and put them into my inventory.
There I experimented with my profession. I was able to mentally visualize how I wanted the stone to look like. I could even fuse additional stones to increase the size. In the end, I had a stone chair with a high back, that I withdrew from the inventory. But it didn't just appear. I could see the frame of it, shining green as I looked over the nearby grass area. I decided to try and mentally put it down.
When I let go of my mental grip on it, it materialized in the spot where the green shape of it, had been. At the same time, I lost 6 mana points.
"Hmm. I guess it doesn't take a lot of stone or mana to make a chair like this." I was talking to myself, as some units stopped working, to look at me. I just waved at them and they continued their tedious work.
Realizing that a chair was one thing, but if I wanted to create an entire house... That would be something else. Luckily, I had a lot of mana. So I could possibly make one room at a time.
Eventually, I gathered the four archers and swordsmen. Leaving the spearmen behind to guard the place. And went out, to meet the insects.