Bab 20: Chapter 20: Strength in Unity
Chapter 20: Strength in Unity
The dawn was heavy with fog, shrouding the settlement in a cool gray mist. The sounds of hammers and saws echoed through the air as settlers continued to fortify the walls and expand their fields. Each member of the settlement moved with purpose, their actions driven by the shared goal of survival.
Adam stood near the eastern edge of the settlement, observing the newly expanded fields. The fertile land stretched before him, the dark soil freshly tilled and ready for planting. A few settlers worked diligently, their hands calloused but their spirits high.
<System Alert:
Settlement Objective Progress:
Expand cultivated land: 85% Complete. Recruit and train settlers: 7/10 new settlers added. Fortify settlement defenses: 65% Complete.
Current Progress: 80% toward Level-Up.>
"We're so close," Adam murmured. He turned to Leila, who was inspecting the irrigation system.
"How are we looking?" he asked.
Leila wiped her brow and nodded. "The irrigation system's working as planned. We'll have enough water for the crops, but we'll need to start planting soon if we want to see results before the next system challenge."
"Understood," Adam said. "Let's prioritize the crops that grow quickly and can sustain us in the short term."
Using Agricultural Insight (C), Adam quickly identified the most suitable seeds for the current season. Carroot plants, thick-leaved greens, and mountain tubers would be their staples for the coming months.
Preparing for the Unknown
Adam called a meeting with the settlement leaders. Kaelith, Bren, Saria, Mira, and Leila gathered in the central hall, their expressions focused as Adam outlined their next steps.
"We've made good progress, but the system won't let us stop here," Adam began. "We're at 80%, but we need to push harder. Fortifying our defenses is the final key."
Kaelith crossed her arms. "We're running low on materials. The walls are solid, but the outer defenses could use more traps and barriers."
"I can organize a resource-gathering team," Bren offered. "The forest is dense with timber, and we've spotted a rocky outcrop to the west. Should be enough to strengthen the perimeter."
"What about manpower?" Saria asked. "Seven new settlers is great, but we're still short-handed."
"That's why we're going to look for more," Adam said. He unrolled the weathered map they'd found at the abandoned camp. "This map highlights nearby points of interest. We'll split into two teams—one to gather resources, and the other to search for potential recruits."
Resource Run
Bren led the resource team into the forest, accompanied by a group of settlers armed with axes and tools. Adam stayed behind, coordinating efforts and keeping an eye on the settlement.
Bren's team worked efficiently, felling trees and loading the timber onto makeshift carts. They reached the rocky outcrop and began chiseling away at the stone, their efforts yielding a mix of granite and iron ore.
But the forest wasn't quiet. As they worked, the underbrush rustled, and the team froze. From the shadows emerged a group of boar-like creatures, their tusks glinting in the sunlight.
<System Alert:
Creature Identified: Stone Boars (Common Variant).
Stats: Strength C, Defense B+, Agility D.
Abilities: Hardened Hide, Charge, Earth Sense.>
"Looks like we've got company," Bren growled, hefting his axe.
The Stone Boars snorted aggressively, pawing at the ground before charging. Bren barked orders, and the settlers quickly formed a defensive line.
Using Iron Wall (C), Bren held the boars at bay, his axe cleaving through their hardened hides. The settlers followed his lead, their coordinated strikes overwhelming the creatures.
When the dust settled, the boars lay defeated, their carcasses providing both meat and valuable hides.
<System Alert:
Stone Boars Defeated. Resources Gained: Stone Boar Hides, Hardened Tusks.>
Recruiting New Allies
Meanwhile, Adam led the recruitment team to a marked location on the map—a ruined watchtower deep within the forest. The structure was overgrown with vines, its stone walls crumbling with age.
"Spread out and search for signs of life," Adam instructed.
Mira and Kaelith moved silently through the area, their keen eyes scanning for movement. It wasn't long before they found a small group of survivors huddled in the watchtower's base.
The survivors were wary, their clothes tattered and their faces gaunt. A man with a scraggly beard stepped forward, holding a rusted sword. "Who are you?"
"We're from a settlement nearby," Adam said, his tone calm and reassuring. "We're building a safe place, and we could use people with skills like yours."
The man hesitated, his grip on the sword tightening. "Safe place? There's no such thing in this world."
Adam activated NPC Attraction (D), the subtle influence easing the man's tension. "You're right—safety is relative. But together, we stand a better chance."
After a tense moment, the man lowered his sword. "If you're telling the truth, we'll come with you. But don't think we'll trust you easily."
<System Alert:
New Settlers Acquired: 3.
Settlement Objective Progress: Recruit and Train Settlers (10/10).>
A Growing Power
Back at the settlement, Adam's team returned to find the resource run a success. The additional timber and stone allowed the settlers to finish the outer defenses, completing the final objective.
As the last piece of the fortifications was put into place, the system chimed with a familiar alert.
<System Alert:
Settlement Objective Complete!
Settlement Level-Up Unlocked.>
A surge of energy radiated through the settlement, the system's power enhancing the land and its people. The walls glowed faintly, their durability increasing, while the fields flourished with new growth.
<System Upgrade Reward:
Increased Resource Yield (+20%). Enhanced Defensive Structures (+15% Durability). Bonus: Unlock Advanced Crop Varieties.>
The settlers cheered, their hard work paying off. Adam stood at the center of it all, a sense of pride swelling within him.
"This is just the beginning," he said to Kaelith, who stood beside him. "We've leveled up, but the challenges are only going to get tougher."
Kaelith smirked. "Good. I was starting to get bored."
Adam chuckled, his gaze shifting to the horizon. The settlement was growing stronger, but the world beyond remained a mystery filled with dangers and opportunities.
"We'll face it together," he said, determination in his voice.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone