> [Constructing the Dining Hall.]
> [Deploying 1 engineer.]
> [Constructing the Forge.]
> [Deploying 1 engineer.]
> [Constructing the Training Ground.]
> [Deploying 1 engineer.]
> [Constructing the Barracks.]
> [Deploying 1 engineer.]
> [Constructing Battery No. 1.]
> [Constructing Battery No. 2...]
...
After confirming we had a surplus of Occupation Points, I selected every building with a potentially useful name.
My view was filled with messages about the buildings under construction.
“Do I still have points left after all that?”
We had held control over the occupied territory for a long time, so it made sense. Even after picking out every building that seemed useful, about half of the points remained.
‘A shame there's no [Autonomous Defense System].’
Some facilities must unlock only after the fortress levels up. Considering the fortress is named [Mobile Fortress], it’s likely that leveling up will reveal additional features.
However, one phrase caught my attention:
> [Deploying 1 engineer.]
A message from the system. Curious, I glanced down at the ground below.
The soldiers, still excited by the fortress’s appearance, were exploring. Then, a few of them abruptly stopped, standing still and staring into the air.
“A system message must have appeared for them.”
For the awakened, this behavior wasn’t unusual. They seemed to be reading an invisible message and then scampered off somewhere.
Though I couldn’t see their faces, I assumed they were the engineer awakeners.
I chuckled. “Kind of cute when you look /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ at it this way.”
Up close, they might be gruff older men with hairy legs, but as they reached the open area, they began working on something.
> [Constructing Dining Hall...]
> [Estimated time - 3 hours]
> [A bonus is applied based on the abilities of the deployed engineer.]
“Hm.”
As expected, buildings didn’t just pop up; engineers were necessary to complete construction. Moreover, bonuses were given depending on the workers’ abilities.
In that case, I knew exactly what I had to do. “Time to bring them some snacks.”
With three hours required for construction, I had more than enough time to whip up a treat.
“Snacks? Oh, thank you!”
“Much appreciated, Sergeant!”
I went around the construction sites, delivering snacks I’d made for the workers. While construction paused during their meal, they quickly resumed.
> [Blazing Passion-]
“Woohoo!”
Fueled by food, the engineers returned to their work with renewed enthusiasm.
As a result:
> [Dining Hall Lv.1 has been completed!]
> [No, wait! Something’s happening!]
> [The workers’ passion and skill shine through!]
> [The completed Dining Hall’s level has increased.]
> [Dining Hall Lv.2]
“Oh.”
Every building ended up completed at level 2.
---
After getting a rough understanding of the fortress, I sat down in the large conference room in the inner fortress.
“You...built all those structures without consulting the unit?”
“Hehe. Got too excited when I saw the word ‘Dining Hall.’”
“...Good job.”
Minjae, who led the meeting, spoke up. “Thanks to the fortress, defense will be much easier, especially...”
He gazed out the conference room window at the fortress walls.
> [Battery No. 1 Lv.2]
> [Battery No. 2 Lv.2]
> [Battery No. 3 Lv.2]
Huge cannons sat atop the walls.
“Those defenses will be particularly useful.”
I had constructed all available defensive facilities with our surplus points. Although I was initially surprised the fortress wasn’t “complete,” it turned out not to matter much. Tanks from the Ammunition Battalion were also being relocated here.
Our defensive installations were now practically flawless.
However...
“We’re short on manpower.”
The number of troops in Chuncheon was just about 200.
“On that note, some of the city’s awakeners have expressed willingness to cooperate,” Minjae added.
While the city’s awakeners were generally low-level, seeing the summoned fortress likely made them feel more secure about defending.
Most would be compensated with combat rations, making it a fair trade with no loss to us.
“Not a bad idea,” I mused.
However, their levels were still too low.
‘We need more than just weaker forces.’
What we truly needed were elite soldiers. Forces comparable to our unit’s youngest recruits would be ideal.
“Sergeant Shin?”
“Where are you headed?”
As the other officers started planning the defense, I got up and replied, “You all are better at strategizing.” The combat-oriented officers had a strong sense for battle, and with Lieutenant Kim, a [Commander] awakener, they didn’t need my input for the details.
“I’ve got my own work to do.”
It wasn’t the time to sit in a meeting. As I left the conference room and descended the fortress stairs...
-If no other solutions arise, I might try something myself.
Ariella’s voice whispered from the shadows.
Increasing the vampire count...
‘Not a bad idea.’
Recently promoted to baron, Ariella now required much less time to create followers. If enemies didn’t attack soon, she could raise at least a hundred more vampires. Their power had likely grown as well.
However, vampires still needed to consume blood to survive, and while we could currently use monster blood, this would become unsustainable as their numbers grew.
Also, her followers were mostly created by “recycling” criminals or looters.
“There aren’t that many criminals in this city.”
-True. We’ve practically run out after the recent additions, and there aren’t many monsters that can be turned into vampires.
In this city, awakeners wouldn’t dare commit crimes around our unit. The more dangerous types had probably moved on to other regions.
-Must they be criminals? Even weaker humans turned into vampires would be efficient...
“Do you want to starve?”
-...
Becoming a vampire was a fate worse than death. Turning innocent people wasn’t an option.
-Then what do you intend to do? There isn’t much choice.
“There is...a way.”
-What?
“It’s just...an uncertain one.”
Among the buildings constructed in the fortress, one had caught my eye.
**[Barracks Lv.2]**
In standard military terms, a barracks was just a place for soldiers to reside, but with the world now half-operating like a game, the word [Barracks] had an additional meaning.
‘A facility to produce soldiers.’
---
Leaving the conference room, I made my way to the barracks. I had visited it earlier while handing out snacks to the engineers.
At the time, my thoughts were simple: ‘This is supposed to be a barracks?’
I arrived at a small altar in the fortress’s basement—a central area located on the first underground floor.
**[Barracks Lv.2]**
The altar had a large basin at its center, as if meant for placing something within, with strange patterns carved on a massive door behind it.
The engineers said they didn’t fully understand the design but simply followed the blueprint that appeared in their minds.
“It’s less of a barracks and more like...” I muttered, “a demon summoning altar.”
Regardless, I approached the basin at the altar’s center.
> [Activating Barracks Lv.2]
A message appeared before me.
> [Soldier summoning is now available for the fortress.]
> [Current stationed soldiers: 0/200]
> [Summoning has been halted.]
> [Please register a catalyst for summoning.]
Reading that last line made me frown.
“A catalyst?”
Shouldn’t soldiers come out for free if I’ve built the facility?
“There’s no way I’d have any...”
But just as I muttered in exasperation...
> [Detecting {1} available summoning catalyst.]
> [Dragon’s Tooth]
“...Or do I?”
It showed I had a catalyst. ‘Dragon’s Tooth.’
This item was a reward I’d received long ago, around the same time as Vimana.
“When I founded the first guild.”
It was a reward for creating the first guild, but it had proved too valuable to use or even try processing.
‘Based on its description, it’s a match for Vimana.’
Since I hadn’t found a use for it, I placed the Dragon’s Tooth on the basin.
> [Would you like to use the catalyst - ‘Dragon’s Tooth’?]
> [Summoning Soldier - Dragon Soldier x10]
> [Dragon Soldier]
> [A force of soldiers created by dragons to guard their treasure hoards, imbued with strength and an insatiable greed.]
> [Dragon Soldiers made from the powerful Dragon’s Tooth are supreme guardians, trusted to protect the dragons’ most precious vaults.]
> [As soldiers born to guard treasure, they are exceptionally efficient in defensive battles.]
> [Dragon Soldiers will never tire and will carry out their duties until destroyed.]
“Oh.”
The description made it clear these soldiers would be immensely powerful—guardians comparable to Vimana itself.
Still, there was one drawback.
> [Warning!]
> [The catalyst used for summoning will be consumed.]
“It’s a one-time use?”
If I summon ten Dragon Soldiers with the Dragon’s Tooth, I’ll lose that precious item.
‘Even if they’re strong, only ten of them?’
And I hadn’t even seen them in action yet.
If half of them were destroyed in the upcoming monster wave, it would be a huge
loss.
“Too wasteful.”
But despite racking my brain, I couldn’t think of any other viable option.
“Guess I have no choice.”
I prayed these ten would be as powerful and durable as possible as I prepared to drop the tooth into the basin.
“Sergeant Shin! Here you are!”
“Hm?”
Corporal Jeon Gwangil approached me, descending the stairs.
“Oh, Gwangil. What brings you here?”
“Heh, I came to report the meeting results.”
“Ah, you could’ve reported later.”
“No way, Sergeant! As our leader, you should know...um?”
Gwangil’s eyes settled on the item in my hand.
“What’s that you’re holding?”
“Oh, this? Just an old item—”
“It looks like a bone. Are you planning to cook something with it? Is that bowl a pot?”
“...”
The Dragon’s Tooth was ivory-like in color, easily mistaken for bone.
“Well, not exactly. I was going to...”
Wait a second.
‘Bone?’
Yes, it was similar.
Teeth and bones were composed of similar materials. And if this “bone” was large enough...
“Gwangil.”
“Yes?”
“You’re a genius.”
“...???”
Leaving the puzzled Gwangil behind, I headed straight for the fortress kitchen.
> [Activating Dining Hall Lv.2]
> [A bonus is applied based on the cook’s skill level.]
> [Additional bonuses are added to the dish.]
Already familiar with the kitchen’s layout, I was immediately drawn to a massive cauldron.
Big enough to cook for a hundred soldiers.
With a grin, I filled it to the brim with water.
The composition of teeth and bones was quite similar.
And with a bone this big...
“This will make the perfect broth.”
It might be a bit thin, but...isn’t that the charm of military cooking?
