Liam decided to splurge some points to buy the most important upgrade first.
"Whoah, what's this?"
The others cried out in surprise as the town's wall suddenly changed drastically. It became taller and thicker, the wood emitting a black gleam. Just from looking one would feel that the wall turned into an impenetrable blockade.
Liam paid a full 80 points, but he wasn't distressed. The wall was separated in segments, each with its own HP, which had tripled after this upgrade, reaching 30.000 points.
On top of that its defensive attributes had increased as well. It would take Force of Nature forever to break into the base now.
However, the wall wouldn't help them recoup their points. Thus, Liam moved his hand, causing two large towers to appear. Two mysterious constructs occupied the towers' flat tops, hidden under large cloths.
Each of the towers cost another 40 points. So far Fonor saved the guild 40 points. Liam contemplated for a few seconds before deciding not to be too greedy.
With a thought Liam spent another 32 points to buy a healing well.
"Hey!"
Cyclone jumped away in surprise as a large basin appeared next to her. It was filled with a red liquid exuding a vigorous vitality. Just smelling its natural fragrance could elevate exhaustion.
Suddenly a wave of light spread from the basin, washing over the guild members. Cyclone felt a brief elevating force but when she glanced at her status, nothing had changed.
"Expert, is this thing broken?"
"It's doing just fine. This healing well will spread a healing wave every five seconds, which can recover up to 4000 HP per player."
"Not bad. But I guess that won't work infinitely?"
"You're right. The well will dry up after restoring 40.000 HP."
Cyclone nodded in understanding, quite satisfied with Liam's arrangements.
"Great. Did this cost us a lot?"
"It's alright. I spent 192 points on the entire defence."
Suddenly Cyclone shivered, staring at Liam, asking with a quivering voice:
"Points? Not gold? But points?"
"Sure."
"You surely aren't talking about guild war points, right?"
"Of course. What else?"
Cyclone raised her hands, looking at them in disbelief. She could see all those precious points slipping from her fingers like fine sand.
Braag standing next to her wore a similarly distressed expression, prompting Liam to shake his head at them.
"Don't be like that. We need to invest in order to win this war. Don't take this lightly."
"Couldn't we have given up the base?"
"And do what? Fight an uncertain war outside?"
"Ok, ok. You know what you're doing, expert."
Cyclone sighed faintly coming to terms with the situation.
Subsequently Liam led his small group up the walls, observing the distance for any signs of the enemy.
As the seconds ticked by Cyclone couldn't help but ask:
"What if the people we fought chase after Silver Blade?"
"It depends on Silver Blade's judgement. With both sides at even numbers, she will fight if possible and otherwise escape."
"Wouldn't that put us back to square zero and give the relic to Earthquake?"
"Yes. But if it really comes to this, we can only say that Force of Nature was better prepared. Silver Blade would only be forced to run if the enemy has some trump card on their own."
"Let's hope..."
Just as Cyclone was about to answer, movement could be seen in the fog. A row of burly tanks stepped forward, followed by the reorganized Force of Nature.
Liam squinted his eyes, making a rough count, realizing that the enemy received some reinforcements. He was surprised as this meant that Silver Blade would have even more of a number advantage on her side.
"They must have something to rely on..."
Dream Avenue stared down from the wall at the slowly approaching Force of Nature.
Golden Fang wore a solemn expression as he gave the signal to stop. He scanned the enemy's base, realizing that it had received additional reinforcements.
He solemnly advised his fellow guild members:
"Brothers and sisters. This time we need to be quick. Earthquake waits for us!"
An unified roar answered Golden Fang, shaking the floor as it rolled towards Dream Avenue.
On Liam's orders the members of Dream Avenue had hidden themselves behind the wall's battlements, forcing Golden Fang to send out scouts, wasting additional time.
Force of Nature had discovered the team heading towards the relic but couldn't gauge their exact numbers. Thus, Golden Fang made sure their surroundings were clear before daring to act.
He pulled something out of his inventory. It was another scroll, tattered and looking like it would turn to dust upon the slightest movements.
Liam carefully peered at the enemy and couldn't help but lament that Force of Nature indeed came prepared. If this scroll turned out to be too powerful, they might really lose their base here.
Under the expectant eyes of this guild members Golden Fang activated the scroll. A magic circle appeared, revolving quickly.
Liam stared at it with a sharp gaze before letting out a sigh of relief.
Indeed, we are still early in the game. No one should have access to those top scrolls yet.
While Liam was relieved his friends grew anxious peeking at the revolving circle. It soared high into the grey sky, disappearing from everyone's vision.
Suddenly a vague figure appeared, stirring the fog. It seemed to fall from the sky, entering the battlefield at an incredible pace. It got faster and faster, making it difficult to discern its appearance.
Cyclone, still shocked from earlier, caught a glimpse which allowed her to guess the figure's origin:
"Another one of those grey giants! Please tell my that's an illusion too!"
"Not quite. But it can't harm players much."
Just as Liam calmed his fellow guild members the giant war troll reached the floor. Its weight rivalling whole buildings caused a massive impact. If the floor weren't indestructible, a crater the size of a city would've been formed.
The massive impact caused disastrous vibrations to shake the surroundings. An earthquake gripped the town, trying to tear it down. A few of the decorative houses were immediately reduced to rubble.
Stone and wood crashed left and right of Fonor causing the man to frown and rearrange his glasses.
Meanwhile the players' faces showed distress and fear. Although the earthquake dealt little damage to players, the disorienting shock was not a pleasant experience.
Everyone held onto the wall for dear life. Cyclone's lips quivered, her skin turning a sickly green.
"Oh no, that's worse than being on a ship..."
Cyclone had to focus all her will to prevent herself from vomiting. She didn't want to be seen like this. She closed her eyes and imagined herself on a flowery plain embracing a slight spring breeze.
Among Dream Avenue it was actually Braag who stood incredibly stable with his shorter dwarven body, followed by Liam who held onto the wall with one hand, scanning the fortification's HP with some worry.
The earthquake didn't deal much damage to players because it was targeted at buildings. The war trolls body disappeared, but the might of its fall continued to reverberate, continuously decreasing the wall's HP.
When each segment reached 25.000 points the earthquake finally subsided. Cyclone carefully opened her eyes, drawing deep breaths akin to a drowning person.
Golden Fang instantly ordered Force of Nature to attack, not giving the enemy any time to recover. Seeing this, Liam also began to act.
After ordering everyone to get into position Bleary Mirage darted up one of the towers. Reaching the top, he threw away the cloth with a sudden tug, revealing a ballista armed with a massive bolt, its tip gleaming murderously despite the lack of sunshine.
The ballista wasn't difficult to control, only aiming it needed some skill. While manning the machinery Liam glanced at the other tower where one of the few warriors present mirrored his actions.
In the distance Golden Fang suddenly felt his heart flutter. He noticed the movements above the tower, drawing a deep breath, warning his companions:
"Be careful..."
Just as his words fell a conspicuous sound rang through the battlefield announcing the release of a dangerous arrow.
Golden Fang glanced at the sky, following the bolt's trajectory with trepidation. A moment later he furrowed his brows, realizing that the attack would hit the ground before them.
Bang!
It came as expected and the bolt missed, its wooden tail sticking out of the ground. Force of Nature let out a collective sigh of relief despite the next bolt following instantly.
They subconsciously underestimated the projectile before their expressions suddenly turned to horror.
"DODGE!"
Golden Fang screamed anxiously but it was already too late. The next bolt arrived, slamming squarely in the chest of one of their most powerful warriors.
The tall woman had no way to resist the attack. She was grabbed by the bolt, flung back into the other warriors, almost being nailed to the floor.
Fortunately, C showed some mercy and pulled her body out before she hit the ground, sparing everyone the gruesome sight.