"Are we seriously going to spend the entire day arguing?"
A deep voice interrupted the argument.
The bulky man stepped forward, drawing everyone's attention away from Asura and Aphelia.
He looked toward the countdown above the village.
[11:42:36]
"We have less than twelve hours before the monsters arrive. If we don't start preparing now, it won't matter who gets to be the leader."
The man turned toward the other survivors.
"My name is Braxton."
He raised his right arm.
CRACK!
His hand began transforming again. Thick fur spread across his skin, his fingers lengthened into claws, and the muscles around his forearm expanded.
Small stones and loose dirt rose from the ground, circling his arm.
"As you can see, my ability is useful for construction and defense."
He lowered his hand, allowing the floating debris to fall.
"So, here's what I'm going to do."
Braxton pointed toward the damaged buildings.
"I'm going to work on the village's defenses. Anyone with experience in construction, carpentry, engineering, building traps, or anything similar can join me."
Several survivors exchanged glances.
One of the men near the map raised his hand.
"I used to work in construction."
"Good. You're with me."
Another man stepped forward.
"I know a little about carpentry."
"That works too."
Braxton nodded before turning toward Nex.
"If what that kid said earlier is correct, we could be facing a thousand enemies tonight. Maybe even more."
Nex frowned.
"I said it was only a guess."
"I know."
Braxton crossed his arms.
"But we don't know how many waves are coming either, do we?"
Nex shook his head.
"Exactly."
"Then we prepare for the worst."
Braxton turned back toward the crowd.
"Twelve hours might sound like a long time, but it'll disappear quickly once we start working. We need barriers, traps, and something to stop those goblins from rushing straight into the village."
He pointed toward the forest.
"Anyone going out to gather food and water should collect enough for everyone. We'll be spending most of our time building defenses, so don't expect us to go hunting too."
A few survivors frowned at his commanding tone.
However, Braxton continued without caring about their reactions.
"If you want to survive, contribute. I don't care what you're good at. Find something useful to do."
He glanced at Nex again.
"And don't come back with food for only two people while the rest of us are working."
Nex clicked his tongue.
"We'll bring back what we can."
"Good."
Braxton nodded.
"Then let's stop talking and get to work."
Several people began moving toward him.
Faust watched the exchange with mild interest.
'At least one of them is thinking about the actual problem.'
Braxton's approach was straightforward. Instead of wasting time with more speech, he had identified a task that needed to be completed and started recruiting people who could help.
'And his ability should make construction considerably easier.'
Faust glanced at Braxton's arm.
The man had demonstrated the ability to manipulate earth and stone. Depending on its limits, he might be able to construct barriers much faster than ordinary workers.
Of course, that would depend on how much material he could control and how long he could maintain the ability.
'Still, he's probably the most useful person for preparing the village.'
Before Faust could think further, a laugh came from the side.
"Hahaha! You people are making this far too complicated."
It was the red-haired man.
Asura stepped forward, casually playing with a flame between his fingers.
"Construction? Traps? Gathering wood?"
He shook his head.
"We're fighting goblins, not an army of demons."
Several survivors turned toward him.
"So what are you suggesting?" someone asked.
"Simple."
Asura raised his hand, allowing the flame to grow larger.
"Those of you who know how to fight should come with me."
He looked around the crowd.
"If you don't have any useful skills besides fighting, then why waste your time carrying wood and repairing old houses?"
Braxton frowned.
"And what exactly are you planning to do?"
Asura smiled.
"I'm going to secure my own area."
He pointed toward the western side of the village.
"See those buildings over there? That's where my group will stay."
The survivors followed his finger.
There were several houses clustered together near the western edge of the settlement.
Asura continued.
"From now on, that area is under my control."
The statement immediately drew several reactions.
"Under your control?"
"Since when did you own part of the village?"
Asura shrugged.
"Since I decided to protect it."
He looked around with a confident smile.
"Anyone who joins me will be allowed to stay there. I'll make sure you survive the invasion."
Then his expression hardened.
"But if you're not part of my group, don't enter my area without permission."
He paused.
"Otherwise, we'll have a problem."
The atmosphere grew tense again.
Aphelia frowned.
"You're claiming part of the village for yourself?"
"Why not?"
Asura looked at her.
"That little creature never said we had to share everything."
He gestured toward the western buildings.
"As long as the village survives, it shouldn't matter where we decide to stay."
Aphelia opened her mouth, but Asura continued speaking.
"Besides, a smaller area is easier to defend. I'd rather protect a few buildings properly than spread my people across the entire village."
Some survivors appeared to agree.
After all, there were only thirty of them. Defending every building against hundreds of monsters might prove impossible.
Asura noticed their reactions and smiled.
"See? At least some of you understand."
He opened his palm.
WHOOSH!
A flame sprang to life.
It grew larger, twisting above his hand before stretching into the shape of an animal.
Within seconds, a tiger made entirely of fire stood above his palm.
Its body flickered and moved as Asura manipulated the flames.
Several survivors stared in amazement.
"Whoa!"
"He can even do that?"
"That's amazing!"
Asura grinned.
The fiery tiger opened its mouth, silently baring its fangs before breaking apart into smaller flames.
"Like I said, I'll protect anyone who follows me."
He looked around the crowd.
"But if you join, you follow my orders. I don't want people questioning every decision I make."
Several people began moving toward him.
Most were carrying weapons, although a few appeared to be joining simply because they wanted the protection of someone with a powerful ability.
Asura looked pleased.
Then his gaze shifted toward Leslie.
"Of course..."
He gave her a wink.
"You're always welcome in my area."
Leslie immediately lowered her head.
Nex's expression darkened.
He tightened his grip on his spear and glared at Asura.
The red-haired man chuckled before turning away.
"Anyway, Braxton."
"What?"
Asura pointed toward the western buildings.
"Since you're so eager to build defenses, strengthen that area first."
Braxton stared at him.
"Why?"
"Because that's where my group will be staying."
Asura smiled.
"Like I said, a smaller area is easier to defend. If you focus on protecting those buildings, the rest of us can handle the fighting."
Braxton let out a scoff.
"How naive."
Asura's smile faded.
"What did you say?"
"I'm planning defenses for the entire village, not just your little corner."
Braxton pointed toward the surrounding buildings.
"Those goblins aren't going to ignore the rest of the village just because you decided to stay in one place."
He shook his head.
"If they destroy the other buildings, our score will drop regardless of how well you protect your area."
Asura frowned.
"So you're refusing?"
"I didn't say that."
Braxton crossed his arms.
"If you want specialized protection for your territory, offer something in return."
"Something in return?"
"Resources, supplies, points, whatever you can provide."
Braxton shrugged.
"Make it worth my time, and I might consider helping you after my main work is finished."