Chapter 16 I’m Getting Goosebumps

[Sunday, September 11, 2022]

~It has been a little over a week since I first arrived in this world—eight days to be exact.

It hasn't been all bad but a lot has changed since I first arrived.

As always, the denizens treat me with awe and reverence. All in a day's work for a Hero.

I have to always maintain this public image for myself in order to remain on the safe route.

These people must never discover my most biggest secret—

—That I'm actually not Overpowered!

Fortunately, I'm quite good at deception, so they don't suspect a thing. Hehehe.

As a result of my modern knowledge, my in-depth understanding of the principles of this world, as well as my personal skills, I have successfully maintained my facade.

Water was no longer a scarce resource in the settlement, and the environment has become far more conducive.

Also due to the hefty Karmic Value in my possession, I could obtain two Solar Panels thus generating a decent amount of electricity.

Even though the Sun was practically useless in this environment due to its minimal heat , by focusing its rays on the Solar Panels, it became extremely useful in generating electricity.

Magic is indeed a wonderful thing.

In addition, as the settlement didn't consume high amounts of electricity, the energy produced by the panels could sustain the entire community.

I also obtained a few giant batteries and outlets, so I could utilize some of my electrical appliances.

How have I been able to accomplish all these? The answer is knowledge!

Every night, I studied the structure and installation methods of certain useful equipment.

In addition, since I can obtain books and manuals from the Junkyard, I have a constant stream of knowledge from my world.

That's how I have been able to install the Solar Panels, outlets, and wires needed to form a simple electric system.

Of course, the heavy labor is done by my loyal followers, I only give instructions.

So far, so good.

I know I started off with a priority list based on Maslow's Hierarchy Of Needs, but at this point, I'm just going with the flow.

Since there are many issues to correct, I'll just choose the ones that are most convenient for me.

That doesn't mean I'm insensitive to the people around me, though. After all, I'm doing this for their sake as well.

In fact I have provided a few necessities for them already.

One is clothes.

Their rags were a sight for sore eyes, so I told them to dispose of everything.

Clothes are cheap in the Junkyard, so I simply went shopping and purchased some comfortable wear for them.

Also, as the reward I obtained from the System for accomplishing this, exceeded the amount I used to purchase the clothes, I didn't consider it a loss in the slightest.

Kitchenware and several other utilities were also replaced by more modern items.

They weren't the best, but… at least they're usable and better than what was obtainable previously.

Stuffs like plates, cups, pots, blenders, etc. have been brought from my world.

'',

I feel I'm modernizing this place too much, but it's the only way I can survive.

Of course, I know using technology isn't the only path to success. This is a world full of magic and stuff, after all.

That's why I've decided to also leverage the knowledge I have of T.W.T.S.S. and develop this settlement by utilizing the principles of Magic.

Solving the water problem, by using a Special Rune to absorb moisture from the air, was only the start.

Several commonplace Magic Circles/Runes could be used for various functions.

The humans however have no knowledge of all this because the Demons hoard all the information on technology and advancement.

And so, by utilizing the references from my Tablet, I managed to solve more problems using the Runes.

One of the most important was agriculture.

As they lived in a wasteland with no acre of fertile ground, the people here had long given up on farming.

Their food supplies, and even water—among others—were obtained from other settlements.

In exchange, capable individuals from this settlement worked odd jobs and performed needed services for the other settlements.

Depending on the supplies they required and the quantity, the representatives sometimes took up to a month to gather enough supplies.

This method was however inefficient because the Camp had no manpower to spare, especially with the constant demon invasion. Hence, I decided to create more efficient solution to obtain food.

Using a large Magic Circle to encompass a large stretch of land on the very outskirts of the town, I was able to successfully create fertile land.

Magic is wonderful, after all.

Of course, Sarah and everyone else who could use Magic had to pour their Mana into it, as well as resonate with the Mana Veins in the ground for support.

Eventually, the previous wasteland became completely fertile.

I also added another Magic circle to improve the soil's nutrients, and even obtained some fertilizers from my world—for a superior effect.

The most important factor was how to cultivate crops as in a quick and efficient manner.

Fortunately, I had the right Spell for that.

[Blessing Of Harvest], a Middle-Tier Spell, is able to speed up the processes of a crop's growth.

Depending on the amount of Mana expended, as well as how often it is used, crops can be grown at an abnormally fast rate.

From my knowledge of the novel, this was how Demons cultivated their massive farmlands.

Since there were legumes and other grains in the settlement, I used those as experiments. I also taught the townsfolk the Spell.

Having Sarah and every other capable person engage in a Mana Ritual to perform it, we were thus able to initiate the growing phase, making it quicker.

At the moment, even though it has only been a few days since the project began, the crops were already nearing maturation.

That's because I made sure they used this Spell at least three times a day.

As for recovering their depleted Mana, I used another Magic Circle that gathers the Mana Particles around, allowing anyone who steps in to automatically recover.

Unfortunately, it doesn't raise the Mana Cap, else I'd have been dwelling in the Circle every second of the day—considering the meager amount of Mana I possessed.

In a few more days, we should be able to harvest our first set of crops, which is a good thing.

The farmland isn't very huge— its more of a garden actually —but that's only for the moment. I'm thinking of expanding our territory soon, but that's a matter for a more convenient time.

For now, I simply wonder how these inexperienced people will fare when harvest arrives. They've never cultivated crops before, how much more harvesting.

I'm sure we'll pull through, though.

On a better note, the absent townspeople who left to get supplies will be arriving tomorrow.

'The latest_epi_sodes are on_the Nov elB i n website.',

They already sent someone ahead of them, so I'm certain of the information.

While I should be happy about the increased manpower of the village, as well as due to the fact that their arrival would also be instrumental in my plans to conduct a census… I'm a bit anxious.

What if they are skeptical? What if they see through my facade?

The current villagers were able to buy into my bullshit because they were awed by my display to the Demon Horde the last time.

They had not been able to look past that first impression. As a result, their respect, demeanor and countenance towards me is influenced by that first impression.

But, these newcomers won't be like that in the slightest. They had not been there, so they would be more objective in their view of me.

It is very worrisome.

At best, I think they'll want me prove myself to them. Even if Sarah tries to stand up for me, it's an unavoidable occurrence.

But if the proof they require is combat based, then I'm royally screwed.

Although I've raised my Stats naturally through physical exercise, I'm nearly at the peak of growth attainable using that method.

My current stats are also barely decent for a warrior, and I have zero fighting experience.

Magic is out of the question as I'm only Level 5. I also haven't cleared any major Quest, neither have I defeated anyone, so I can't even Level Up.

The only rewards I'm obtaining are based on my Accomplishments. If I didn't come up with something impressive, my gig could be up.

So basically, I'll have to try my hardest today and tomorrow. If I can impress the incoming group with what I've done so far, just as I impressed the scout who came ahead of them, then I should be able to wiggle my way out of proving myself.

For now, I'm happy I don't have to worry about the Demons.

Since the Low-level ones won't approach this area, and there has been no sighting of a Middle-Ranked one yet—according to Sarah's dependable reports—I should be good for some time.

At least, until the state of this settlement stabilizes.

Whew! Alright then, this has been a long Entry, so I'm going to stop here.

Let's do our best today as well!~

[End Of Daily Log]

,m *******************

The black Demons shuddered in fear.

While they were savage beings who only knew how to respond to their basic instincts which were geared towards destruction, they weren't entirely oblivious to their situation.

The Demons whimpered and trembled as a single entity emerged from the darkness.

This had been their turf for so long, yet someone of unbelievable power had just emerged.

Usually, they would fight with all their might to defend their territory. However, this was no ordinary newcomer.

"You. Weak." The terrifying voice of the higher life form rang in their ears, sending shivers of terror down their spines.

A being capable of speech, yet not immune to the savagery that characterized their kind.

Yes, the entity standing before them was none other than a Demon who stood at a level beyond what Low-Level Demons could ever attain—both in intelligence and power.

A Middle-Ranked Demon!

"Territory. Mine." The voice rang ominously, and the Low-Leveled Demons nodded in complete agreement.

Any form of resistance would only bring about pain… and death!

And so, with fearful reverence, the pack of Demons bowed before their new leader.

With a wide grin that displayed a pair of sharp teeth, the monster above monsters uttered those dark words of foreboding.

"Everything. Mine!"