saiki

ch 36

Two days had passed.

The dawn of Stage Start Day arrived.

At long last, the city wall repairs were finished.

"There were many areas where we had to hurry because of time, but it should hold up as a city wall."

I laid a comforting hand on the shoulder of the Mason Guild leader, whose head remained bowed.

"You've done well, you've really worked hard."

The morning sun rendered the newly refurbished walls with a radiant glow.

Reflecting on the vast amounts of resources and funds used to mend these walls, I couldn't help but feel a deep respect.

Clank! Clank!

Among them, the newly installed automatic turret moved its barrel with a menacing noise.

I stroked the massive barrel as one would a puppy's chin. It felt dependable.

'We have ample resources.'

On the city wall, arrows and cannonballs were stacked high. We had more than enough to perforate dozens of monsters.

'We've also bolstered our ranks.'

I spotted soldiers inspecting their armor and weapons on the wall.

The Twilight Brigade.

These were the warriors of the Cross family, who, alongside Margrave Cross, had defended this city for a lifetime.

Their original number was around a thousand, but the Margrave's retirement had scattered most, leaving around three hundred.

'This isn't just any group of three hundred.'

It was not merely three hundred soldiers. They were veterans, more familiar with this front line and more skilled at slaying monsters than any other.

In a time where every single soldier was a godsend, this was the most valuable reinforcement I could hope for.

I decided to reward all of them with a generous weekly bonus.

'We've also completed setting up the kill zone.'

We'd upgraded the wooden fence wall, also known as the kill zone, which directed the movement of monsters.

Further, we'd strewn numerous minor barricades and traps on the path to the southern city wall.

The city wall was armed with a plentiful array of revamped artifacts, cannons, and ballistas.

"We are ready."

I declared confidently.

"Come on then, monsters!"

During the countless resets and game replays, over 700 times, I'd never been as prepared as I was now.

Confidence surged. I felt certain that I could navigate the stage flawlessly, even in the face of unexpected variables.

Thud! Thud!

Suddenly, a scout on horseback rushed into the city wall. He was part of the scouting party dispatched the day prior.

"News from the scout base!"

The soldier's voice echoed across the walls.

"The monsters are on the move!"

"...!"

Simultaneously, a faint tremor stirred beneath our feet.

A thick dust cloud billowed up in the not-so-distant horizon. It signified the approach of the monster vanguard.