[8] Preparation

"So expensive..."

Adam let out a long sigh as his eyes scanned the rows of weapons displayed on the walls and inside the glass cases of the blacksmith's shop. Swords, spears, daggers, and axes were neatly arranged, their gleaming steel tempting to the eye. However, what caught Adam's attention the most wasn't the quality of the weapons but the prices displayed on each tag.

5,000 Del. 7,500 Del. 10,000 Del.

Those numbers felt like a mockery. He glanced at the thin wallet in his hand, opened it, and was met with a harsh reality—only 1,000 Del remained. And that included his monthly allowance, which was supposed to cover his food and daily necessities.

Damn, with this much money, I can only buy cheap junk.

He grumbled inwardly as his gaze shifted to the lower shelves, where the more... affordable weapons were placed. There was a plain iron sword for 700 Del, a dull dagger that probably couldn't even pierce the skin of a small monster, and a cheap spear with a slightly bent tip. He let out a heavy sigh.

Low-quality weapons like these were usable, but only to a certain extent. Their blades dulled quickly, cracked after a few clashes, or worse—broke in the middle of battle. If that happened while he was surrounded by monsters during the wave, his life would surely end in an unpleasant way.

But there was no other choice. With reluctance, Adam picked up the plain iron sword, which at least looked somewhat usable. The weight was decently balanced in his hand, though the steel was clearly not of the best quality. After confirming that there were no major defects, he handed the sword to the shopkeeper and paid 700 Del.

"Thank you for your purchase," the shop owner said in a flat tone, as if aware that Adam wasn't a profitable customer.

Without responding, Adam left the shop, sheathing the sword at his waist, and exhaled. His remaining money: 300 Del.

Hah... Now, to the potion shop. I at least need a potion for emergencies.

He walked toward the marketplace district, where shops lined the streets, offering all kinds of goods. The sun was beginning to set, turning the sky into a golden-orange hue, and the streets grew crowded with workers returning home after a long day.

After a few minutes of walking, he arrived in front of a small shop with a sign that read "Alchemia Potions." As soon as he stepped inside, the mixed scent of herbs, oils, and magical powders filled his nose. Wooden shelves were stocked with glass bottles containing colorful liquids, some faintly glowing under the lantern light.

An old woman with round glasses perched on her nose stood behind the counter, eyeing Adam sharply.

"What do you need, boy?"

Adam went straight to the shelf labeled with potion prices, scanning for something within his budget.

1,000 Del. 800 Del. 500 Del.

High-quality potions were obviously out of reach. Eventually, he found a small bottle priced at 250 Del, labeled "Weak Recovery Potion."

This is all I can afford... better than nothing.

He grabbed a bottle, walked to the counter, and placed it there.

"Just one?" the old woman asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah," Adam answered briefly, handing over his 250 Del.

The woman sighed and shook her head slightly but said nothing as she took the payment. After giving him the potion, she gave him one last glance before adding, "Be careful, boy. The world isn't as kind as you think."

Adam didn't reply. He simply put the potion into his pouch and left the shop. Now, he only had 50 Del left—barely enough to buy food.

Well, at least I can eat at the dorm... but that means I'll have to survive on just dinner for a week.

The thought made his stomach feel emptier, but complaining wouldn't change anything. The most important thing now was to survive tomorrow's wave and gather enough materials to sell. If he succeeded, he might be able to fix his financial situation.

With steady steps, Adam left the marketplace. The night was beginning to fall, and preparations for tomorrow's battle had begun.

In the distance, Fallrun City—one of the cities affected by the wave—was beginning to feel the weight of impending danger. The city was 32 kilometers away from Erona Academy, a considerable distance if traveled on foot. But Adam didn't have time for a slow journey.

He chose a faster way—the steam train.

Not as a paying passenger, of course. He was a stowaway.

In the middle of the night, he sneaked into the back of a freight train transporting supplies to the city. No comfortable seats, no warm cabins. Just piles of wooden crates filled with provisions and weapons for a city preparing for a monster invasion. Traveling by domestic train was clearly not an option for someone who couldn't even afford food.

The train moved with a steady rhythm, its vibrations pulsing through the wooden floor where Adam sat. Cold air seeped in through the cargo gaps, making him take a deep breath. No one noticed his presence—not even the train workers who occasionally walked around the car.

Time passed. Three hours felt quick.

As the train finally slowed, Adam got ready. He waited for the right moment, then swiftly jumped off before it came to a full stop. Landing on the dry ground near the tracks, he kept his body low to avoid drawing attention.

No one noticed him. Good.

Without wasting time, he quickly moved away from the station, climbing a small hill on the city's outskirts. From there, he could finally see it—something he hadn't laid eyes on in a long time.

"It's been a while since I've seen this view..." he murmured.

From the hilltop, he saw the chaos below. A horde of monsters.

Hundreds, maybe thousands, gathered in a vast area, covering the land like a sea of darkness. They moved wildly, yet there was still a clear pattern to their formation. And in the center of it all—stood a figure far larger than the rest.

The Alpha Monster.

There was no doubt. This wave wasn't just a random attack by stray monsters. This was a coordinated assault.

These creatures had emerged from a dungeon break that had occurred some time ago. That meant there used to be a dungeon in this region—one that had gone unchecked for too long, allowing its level to rise uncontrollably until it finally collapsed, releasing its horrors into the outside world.

Adam narrowed his eyes, observing how the Alpha Monster stood atop a massive rock, surveying its army with a gaze full of dominance.

So that's their leader...

The wave would soon begin moving toward the city. If Adam wanted to make the most of this situation, he had to act fast.

I need a strategy. There's no way I can take on this entire horde alone... but I don't need to fight them all. I just need to hunt the right targets.

Weak monsters wouldn't yield much profit. If he wanted to earn big, he had to go after rare monsters—ones with valuable materials.

Adam took a deep breath, formulating a plan in his mind.

"Alright... Let the hunt begin."

With firm steps, he moved toward the battlefield.