Endless Horde: Through the Eyes of a Godking

If they want a simple light or heat source, they would need something beyond the ordinary. There are a few options offered by the Lifestyle Guild and they work just fine. However, due to the harsh environment of the Outer World and its unpredictable nature, these options are either unreliable at times or downright expensive for common expedition teams to afford.

There is an option to rent these items, but there is a crap ton of rules that need to be followed so it's almost not worth it.

Even as they are, Team Elric couldn't afford to buy or rent these items, mostly because they use up merit points just as fast as they're earning them.

That's why when Cedric said that he had an alternative, Elric was instantly exhilarated. And now, he's staring in wonder at the tiny lantern in front of him.

It didn't release any strong brilliance, just enough to illuminate all corners of the tent. The heat it provides isn't that special either, just enough to keep the chilling and malignant atmosphere of the Outer World at bay.

"Amazing!"

Nevertheless, Elric was all about it.

True, compared to the light and heat source available in the civilization, this ain't much. But out here? It might as well be a blessing from the heavens itself.

Aside from the skill required to craft this thing, which Cedric said he's willing to impart to the team, there are no other downsides to this.

Compared to other available equipment out there, this one was cheaper to make. Additionally, so long as one is skilled enough, they can make as many as they need because the materials they use are fairly common. You just need a few scraps of metal to create a vessel for the rune, turn it into a lantern, engrave the rune inside, and there you have it. It can't get any simpler than that.

What really makes this special is that it's resource-friendly, in Human terms at least.

"It's really using corruption as a fuel to provide heat and light, this is awesome!" Elric raved about his observations.

That's right. The Lantern Rune doesn't need anything else aside from demonic corruption as its fuel source. So long as there's corruption around where it is and the rune is activated, it will continue providing light and heat to its user.

"I can modify this rune to either increase its heat or light output. The heat could go high enough to be used to cook food or boil water. It can also be turned into a flashlight as well. Sadly, the modified rune wouldn't be able to handle both functions at the same time. A choice must be made before activating the rune.

I can make some if the team needs it, along with the regular Lantern Runes of course." Cedric added, breaking Elric out of his immersion. mp _yr now.

"If you can, then please do so. Lord knows we're in dire need of warm food." Elric's expression was almost begging.

Yeah, it's the simple pleasures of life that you'd miss once you're exposed to an extremely hostile environment like this. Even warm meals are a luxury out here.

"Actually, I'd like to start with a few base improvements first. But before I could do that, we need to get rid of the stalkers outside."

Elric's face turned serious upon hearing this.

"Stalkers?" He replied, urging Cedric to clarify what he said.

"Three-eyed Demon Hyenas, more specifically. They're working with Dark Sand Alligators and have been stalking the camp. They fled when Miss Fiona and I arrived, which is probably why neither Francis, Erica, or Floyd sensed them. But they didn't go that far, I guess you'd sense them about 5 kilometers southwest of the camp." Cedric explained.

"Ah, I see. I'll tell the team, don't worry. Thanks for the heads up."

"Be careful though," Cedric warned. "I was able to briefly see them, and I don't know if what I saw was real, but I think those creatures are slaves."

"..."

"There's a slave scar around their necks...I think. I didn't see clearly since they were already retreating when I wanted to take a closer look, but it definitely looked like one."

Bang!

Elric slammed his hand on the desk with a dark expression. He snarled and swore: "Shit! Motherfucker! That son of a bitch dares, huh!! Well, fuck him. If he wants to die, then so be it."

The tall and bald team captain snorted and furiously walked out of the tent with Cedric following him behind. He then marched towards a nearby watchtower and smacked the alarms which blared through the entire camp.

Within five seconds, everybody in the camp gathered around them. Even the slumbering ladies woke up at the first ring of the alarm and hurriedly huddled with the team.

Despite the team's exhaustion, their ferocious killing intent remained strong and heavy. Just by this, you can tell that they're no ordinary people. Every single one of them is ready to slaughter their way out of this place if the situation calls for it.

"What's up? Are we under attack? But I didn't see any. Oh, Cedric! Hey, man." Darwin, the magic user of the team greeted him as soon as they were gathered.

Cedric nodded at him in reply but refused to say a word. It's here that Elric said:

"No, we're currently not under attack, but in a few hours, we will be. That is if we don't attack first."

"Okay, I need context here, Cap. Why and how are we attacking first?" Francis asked while cleaning his daggers. All traces of playfulness were gone on his face.

Instead of replying directly to him, Elric looked at Cedric and said: "Tell them what you told me just now."

Cedric nodded and proceeded to repeat the things he told Elric a few moments ago. As he explained, he saw the dawning realization on the rest of the team's face, which was then replaced with anger and killing intent.

Francis gripped his dagger tightly after hearing Cedric's explanation, and with a low voice, he said: "I see. Thanks for letting us know."

He then turned to Elric and asked: "How do you want us to do this and when are we going?"

Elric then began briefing the team with an attack plan. Cedric listened of course. He still needed context as to why the team reacted this way, but he figured that now was not the time for questions.

However, he did notice that the other people in the camp, the ones who were not part of Team Elric, lowered their heads and oozed with guilt. They didn't dare to say a word or even look at any members of the team.

"...we move in an hour, that's all," Elric concluded after making battle plans. He then looked at the rest who were not part of his team and said: "You will be held accountable for what he has done. If you don't want us to unleash our anger upon you, you will go to the holding chambers willingly and stay there until we're called back. Refuse to participate and we will declare you traitors.

What's it gonna be?"

The collective killing intent of the team, minus Cedric, pressed down on the strangers, making it hard for them to breathe. One of them replied:

"We will comply. Thank you for showing us mercy, Captain Elric. And we sincerely apologize for what our members have done. His intentions are solely for his own and does not represent us."

"Hmph, your reasons are meaningless to me. Tell that to the judge instead. As far as I'm aware, I've already been merciful to let you all enter our camp and share our resources with you. The fact that your teammate dares to sell us out should be enough for me to execute all of you. Be grateful that I could understand your plight, but do understand that this will be the last time.

All of you will be under strict surveillance from now on. Show as much as a wrong twitch and you're dead. Are we clear?"

"Yes, yes! Thank you for sparing us." The same guy replied with a lowered head.

"Floyd, Darwin, take them to the holding chambers and lock them up," Elric ordered, to which the two immediately followed.

As Floyd and Darwin rounded up the strangers and took them to the holding chambers, Elric released an exhausted sigh and looked at Cedric:

"Thanks for letting us know. We'd be in serious trouble if you didn't warn us. I'd take you with us but your skills are needed here so you'll be staying along with the girls. This shouldn't take us long."

"While we're away, work on base improvements. I'm giving you a green signal for any developments you could think of, just give me a run down after we return, alright?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Good. Now, go and make yourself busy."