Morning arrived, marking the beginning of the second day of preparation. A lot of progress had already been made since the first day. Lakan surveyed the tasks assigned to the task managers

  The orcs' barricade construction was coming along well. A four-meter-tall wall, currently three meters long, had already been constructed. The final structure was planned to be twelve meters long, with rocks reinforcing the inside and sturdy logs forming the outer wall, covering the left side of the base.

  "We have three days left to complete this barricade," Drogath said. "With the materials ready, we should make significant progress today. Tomorrow, we'll move on to the left barricade. And don’t forget what the dwarves said—make it a triangle."

  With the barricade steadily taking shape, the fortifications would soon be in place. Meanwhile, the terrakins had been working efficiently, both in expanding the animal network and digging the moat.

  "We’ve already tamed forty insects of different kinds, ten birds, and three land animals," Orrin reported. "But we need to increase their numbers to improve the speed of information relay. What about the moat? How’s the digging going, Mosswick?"

  "The moat is halfway done. We've finished the front, and by tomorrow, we should have it surrounding the entire base," Mosswick said. "The boars are excellent diggers, especially the monster boars. Their powerful bodies let them dig much deeper and faster."

  Orrin nodded. "What about the paralyzing powder? Are we on track?"

  "We’re keeping up with the expected amount," a terrakin answered, wiping the sweat from his brow. "But if we get extra hands to help, we could exceed our target."

  Lakan offered a reassuring nod. "Some of the others have been making fast progress. Once they’re done with their tasks, I’ll have them come and assist you." His voice was steady, carrying the weight of leadership, yet warm enough to show his appreciation for their hard work.

  The terrakins had been the fastest to reach their expected output. Meanwhile, the dwarves' weapon-making was on schedule and expected to be completed by the third day of preparation.

  "The number of weapons is increasing rapidly," Dalangpan reported. "Most of them are stone weapons, and the metal-tipped spears are already finished. By the fourth day of preparation, we’ll be able to assist with other tasks. Is that alright with you all?"

  "Yes, Elder Brother!" the dwarves responded in unison.

  "Good. Then let’s finish our work for today," Dalangpan commanded, the dwarves works tirelessly to have enough weapons to spare when the monster wave arrive, the weapons they are making are iron tipped spears for the warriors and stone spears to spiked up the ground of the moat and pit fall.

  After checking in on and assisting with various tasks, Lakan was satisfied with the progress made so far. His survey was not only to ensure that everything was proceeding according to plan but also to identify any potential improvements or additional strategies that could strengthen their defenses. Every aspect of their preparation was crucial—there was no room for mistakes, no margin for error. They had to be meticulous if they wanted to survive the monster wave. His mind raced through the various elements at play the fortifications, the weapons, the resources, and the morale of their people. Each piece of the puzzle needed to be perfectly aligned to withstand the inevitable onslaught.

  "How’s the hunt going, Sir Zarik and Sir Baloga?" Lakan asked expecting a great haul from the great warrior and their trainees.

  "We hunted quite a lot today and extracted one hundred and twenty magic gems of various levels," Zarik said. "What do you plan to do with them?"

  "It’s an investment," Lakan replied. "There will come a time when these magic gems will be useful to us."

  However, what they didn’t know was that Lakan planned to use these magic gems to strengthen himself, to reach the level of the Great Warriors. As a leader and the only one who could wield magic, he believed that his abilities would be crucial to the defense of the base. But if he used that magic, there was a chance that people would look down on him, as it was a technique commonly associated with humans.

  Baloga nodded. "If that’s the case, we trust your judgment. As long as it benefits the group, do what you need to. Here, take them."

  "Thank you for trusting me," Lakan said, accepting the gems.

  With his inspection complete, Lakan reflected on the progress they had made. Thorgana’s group had been instrumental to their success. “I should reward her for their efforts” he thought.

  Then, he turned to his own task—training. He found a small cave, a secluded spot where the others wouldn’t easily find him.

  Lakan arranged the one hundred and forty magic gems in a circle on the ground. Sitting in the center, he closed his eyes and focused, forming a circle with his hands. He trained to accumulate mana and expand his reserves so he could use more advanced spells. As a former slave, he could sense mana but had never dared to gather it. Doing so would have drawn unwanted attention since he was considered a product of taboo. But now that he was free—and with a monster wave approaching—he needed to prepare thoroughly.

  Recalling the teachings from the book his father had given him, Lakan followed the method for increasing mana reserves. The technique involved exhausting almost all of his mana and then recovering it by drawing in energy while forcing a rapid release of his remaining reserves. This fluctuation pushed his body to normalize mana flow, strengthening his ability to absorb mana steadily.

  "Hah… this is exhausting," Lakan muttered, dripping with sweat. He had depleted his mana multiple times, forcing himself to endure the intense strain and fatigue. Determined, he performed the technique one last time, extending the duration. His body trembled from fatigue. Finally, he collapsed to the ground, taking a moment to rest. Then—

  "Fireball," he chanted. A flickering sphere of fire appeared in his hand, forming from thin air. He had used a spell from the book his father had left him—a book filled with various magical techniques. The first spells Lakan had learned were Fireball and Mudflow, foundational abilities that had helped him understand the flow of mana and the essence of elemental control. Now, as he stared at the burning sphere in his palm, he felt the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders. Magic was both a gift and a burden, and how he chose to wield it would determine the fate of those who relied on him.

  Lakan had used Mud Flow while fighting Mogdar, softening the ground and causing him to slip. Due to his previously low mana reserves, his spells had been weak, but they had still been enough to catch Mogdar off guard.

  Lakan was excited to see that he had cast a normal-sized fireball. Before, it would have been much weaker.

  Lakan said with a smirk "To think that Fireball would have its full power and size… This method has definitely increased my mana," enjoying the result of his training.

  Humans dominated this world despite being physically weaker than other races, thanks to their proficiency in magic—second only to the elves. Humans and elves were the only two races capable of using magic. With it, they could create powerful phenomena for both attack and defense. Recently, they had begun developing a new magical technique called Magic Frame, designed to enhance their physical abilities using magic. Over time, this technique allowed them to rival the physical capabilities of other races.

  After casting a fireball, he proceeded to unleash multiple fireballs in succession, rapidly draining his mana reserves. Each time he exhausted his energy, he focused on recovering it as quickly as possible, only to release it again in a relentless cycle. By repeatedly pushing his body to normalize the flow of mana, he could feel his reserves expanding, gradually increasing beyond their previous limits.

  "I’m just going to train my magic today and increase my mana reserves—to add another layer of defense against the monster wave. Then, from tomorrow onward until the battle, I'll focus on honing my Beastman techniques," Lakan murmured, clenching his fist.

  For hours, he repeated the process, pushing his body to its limits. He cast spell after spell, exhausting his mana reserves only to replenish them again, strengthening his control and endurance. He studied the magical techniques written in the book his father had left behind, committing each spell to memory. Fireball, Mudflow, and several others—each new spell increased his arsenal, making him more prepared for the battle ahead. As night fell, his body ached with fatigue, but his spirit remained unwavering.

  Stolen story; please report.

  Meanwhile, hidden in the shadows, a group of beastmen gathered in secret. Their voices were hushed, their expressions tense as they exchanged wary glances.

  "Since Rhazak's task ended in failure, we need a new plan to climb to the top of the hierarchy," said an old beastman, Rhaegor—Rhazak’s grandfather. His eyes burned with ambition, his tone laced with frustration.

  "But how are we going to do that? Do you have a plan?" one of the beastmen asked, his voice uncertain.

  "You know I’m the second eldest in our group. If we can remove Ulganar from his position, I can take his place as the new Elder," Rhaegor declared, his voice dripping with confidence.

  The other beastmen exchanged uneasy glances, shocked by the boldness of his plan. If the others found out, they would be executed or, at best, exiled. "Are you planning to kill him?" one of them asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "That would throw our entire group into chaos."

  Rhaegor scoffed, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Can you think of another way? If we succeed, we will reap the benefits. We will no longer be under the rule of those who claim to act in our best interest." His eyes darkened, lost in his vision of the future—a future where he restored the lost glory of the beastmen.

  "If we do this and they find out, they’ll either execute us or exile us—worse, they might even harm our families," another beastman muttered. His hands clenched into fists, his concern not for himself, but for those he cared about. If their betrayal was discovered, even their families would suffer—if not through punishment, then through the scorn of their own people.

  Rhaegor leaned in, lowering his voice. "We’ll poison him little by little so it looks natural. He’s already old—it will seem like a natural death."

  Before they could continue plotting, a voice cut through the shadows, stopping them cold.

  "Arrest them!" Zarik commanded. "You old fools are planning our group’s downfall! Our glory as beastmen is long gone—don’t be blinded by greed. I would have killed you already if Elder Ulganar hadn’t asked me to simply arrest you."

  "Zarik! Why are you siding with them? Have you lost your pride? Do you really think we’ll survive the monster wave under their leadership? They're so desperate that they're even asking a child for help!" Rhaegor said angrily.

  "I’d rather take orders from a child than from fools like you!" Zarik snapped. "You’re endangering all of us by plotting to kill the Elder when a monster wave is approaching!"

  Zarik had already sensed their malice and had been spying on them, just waiting for them to act.

  "Drag them away and imprison them! We can’t have fools like this in our group. Also, notify the group leaders and Elder Ulganar," Zarik ordered.

  The day ended, and the third day of preparation began. The imprisoned beastmen were put on public display for their verdict the next morning. The public was confused as to why there were imprisoned beastmen.

  "These fools plotted to kill Elder Ulganar so that Rhaegor could take his place—right in the midst of the approaching crisis. With my fellow beastmen and Baloga as witnesses, I call upon the leaders of each race to deliver their verdict," Zarik declared.

  A commotion took place within the group.

  “Why did they want to kill Elder Ulganar, why do they want to cause trouble to all of us when the Monster Wave?”

  “They just want to be in the position as the Elder since that old beastman Rhaegor is the second eldest here”

  “What a greedy bunch, is all the beastman really like this, It’s good that Lakan is not like them, they should just be thankful.”

  After the public announcement, a private discussion was held among the leaders to determine the fate of the betraying beastmen. The tension in the room was palpable, the weight of their decision pressing upon them like an invisible force. Each leader understood that their verdict would set a precedent, shaping how their people would handle betrayal in the future. Would they choose mercy, ensuring unity in these dire times, or deliver a harsher punishment to discourage any further treachery? As voices rose in debate, the fate of the exiled beastmen hung in the balance, awaiting the final decision of their leaders.

  “We should expel them. Killing them would only create fear within our group, and in the future, the people may oppose our rule. We might be the leaders for now, but I don’t want that title if it means ruling through fear," Dalangpan said, his voice firm yet burdened with the weight of responsibility. He glanced at the others, his expression resolute yet troubled. "Our people must trust us, not cower before us. If we execute them now, what message will that send? That we rule with an iron fist, ready to strike down anyone who steps out of line? I refuse to lead that way."

  “Nah! We should kill them," Baloga argued, crossing his arms and leaning forward with an intense glare. "People like that will seek revenge, even when they’re the ones in the wrong. And what’s wrong with ruling with an iron fist? This is still the early stage of our community’s development. Without strict laws and severe punishments, fools like them will just keep causing problems that hinder our progress."

  His voice carried a sharp edge, his frustration evident as he scanned the faces of the other leaders. "Fear is a powerful tool. It keeps people in line. If we let them live, we might as well invite more traitors into our midst. Are we really willing to take that risk?"

  “We must kill them,” Drogath stated, his voice laced with fury, his hands clenched into fists. His brows furrowed in anger as he slammed his palm against the table. "They threatened to kill Elder Ulganar! We cannot afford to be lenient when such betrayal runs this deep. If we show mercy now, who’s to say there won’t be another plot? Another traitor? And what if, next time, they succeed?"

  His gaze moved from one leader to another, ensuring they grasped the gravity of his words. "We must make it clear that betrayal will not be tolerated. But we must also be measured in our actions. Justice, not cruelty, must guide our hand."

  “I will side with Dalangpan. It is more reasonable not to kill them, since we need unity now more than anything else," Orrin said, his voice steady but thoughtful. "Our people have only just gained their freedom. Their minds are still clouded with fear—fear of the unknown dangers lurking here, and fear of being pursued once again by the kingdom. If we start executing our own, we may fracture what little trust and stability we have built."

  He glanced around the room, searching for understanding in the eyes of his fellow leaders. "Right now, we need to show strength, but not through bloodshed. A divided people cannot stand against the trials ahead. If we let paranoia and vengeance dictate our choices, we will be no better than the oppressors we escaped from."

  “What about you, Lakan? Your words carry more weight,” Zarik asked.

  “I agree with Uncle Dalangpan and Sir Orrin,” Lakan spoke up, his tone resolute yet laced with empathy. "We shouldn’t instill fear within the group. If we execute them for attempted murder, others might turn against us. And to add to Leader Orrin's statement, with the looming threat of the monster wave, people's fear will only grow. That’s why I propose that in the upcoming battle, we prove to them who they can truly rely on."

  His eyes burned with determination as he continued, his voice carrying a conviction that resonated with those around him. "I’m not going to be a leader who hides behind others. These people have endured too much pain from slavery. It is our duty to be the ones who give them hope, not another reason to live in fear."

  “Too soft, kid! Too soft!” Baloga scoffed, shaking his head in disapproval. His sharp eyes locked onto Lakan, frustration flickering in his gaze, though a hint of reluctant acceptance lingered. “If that’s the path you’re set on, then fine, I’ll follow it—for now. But hear me well, boy.”

  He jabbed a finger toward the table, his voice turning grave. “I already lost one comrade in that battle, all because of those bastards. And if another falls due to their treachery, I won’t hesitate. I’ll cut them down on sight.”

  He leaned back, arms crossed, his jaw tight with restrained anger. “We may be an easygoing race, but that doesn’t mean we’re fools. Mercy has its limits, and I won’t stand by if it threatens our people.”

  The room fell into silence, the weight of their opposing views hanging thick in the air. Their opinions clashed like steel in battle, each argument shaping the course of their people’s future. This decision would not only determine the fate of the betrayers but would also set the foundation for how justice would be carried out in their growing community.

  But as the rules dictated, the vote had spoken—the majority leaned toward expelling the traitors rather than executing them. And with that, the verdict was sealed.

  “If that’s the case, then the vote is in favor of expelling them,” Zarik declared, his voice firm and unwavering. His piercing gaze swept across the room, ensuring that everyone understood the finality of the decision. “Let this be a warning to all—betrayal will not be tolerated, but we will not rule with blind vengeance either. They will leave these lands, stripped of the protection and unity we offer. From this point on, their survival is their own burden to bear.”

  After the verdict was decided, the expulsion was imposed immediately. The ruling was publicly announced, and Rhaegor’s group was officially cast out. As the expelled beastmen departed, Elder Ulganar stepped forward, his expression grave as he prepared to address the gathered crowd.

  Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward, puffing out his chest as he addressed the entire room. "What we need now is unity, not hatred. We are still developing, still finding our footing in this new land. As your acting leader, I want us to stand together as one. This land will be the home of the next generation, a place where all races can coexist without fear."

  He looked each leader in the eye, his voice steady but firm. "We will not condone any betrayal that happens again. Please, don’t let greed or past grudges consume you. We have already suffered so much—we must learn to see eye to eye. No race is above another. We are all equal, and together, we will build a future worth fighting for."

  With his words, the group grew stronger despite their loss. The red moon loomed overhead redder than before, signaling that the coming catastrophe was near. The third day and fourth day preparation has ended with all the preparation already done, tomorrow would be the last day to prepare. Would their unity hold against the monster wave?