God Ash: Remnants of the fallen.

Chapter 354: Preparations and Discussions.

"And so, we should attack from here..."

Hunter said, pointing at a rudimentary map placed on a huge slab of stone with rocks as paperweights.

Susan took a glance at the map and shook her head,

"I think we should hold out on the mountain for a while longer. We have the range and height advantage, so we should use it."

Every member of the group was seated in a small stone room adjoining the cave where the previously heavily injured were kept. They sat around a huge slab of stone that acted as a table. On the stone slab was a semi-detailed map that had been drawn by Jenny, as well as the other scouts in Hunter's camp.

The map outlined the details of the mountain's interior and exterior, as well as the surrounding area and the area occupied by the {Blood Abomination} army.

Cain, who was busy coupling a magical device looked up from his work with a frustrated expression,

"We can't afford to wait or make use of our advantage. What we need is speed. As long as we move fast enough, everything else wouldn't matter."

Susan frowned, "But that means the casualties will go up."

Cain shrugged, "There's nothing we can do about that. The best we can do is try to minimize our losses as much as possible."

Cain's brows creased as he let out a sigh,

'The attack is coming. I can feel it...'

And he wasn't alone in feeling that way. Jenny had a worried expression on her face as she spoke,

"From the reports this morning, it seems like the {Blood Abomination} army will soon be on the move."

Cain nodded, "I thought as much."

A tired but accomplished grin appeared on his face,

"However, our preparations are complete. If they want a fight, I can guarantee that they will not be taking us alive at the very least."

Hunter nodded, a smirk dragging at the sides of his lips,

"Indeed."

Jenny smiled wryly, "Are they really that impressive?"

She was referring to the guns that Cain had created. It was only natural for her to be skeptical. After all, the majority of the weapons and equipment they had all been using had come from the monsters, mutant beasts, and Devils they had slain.

Cain beat his chest in pride, "I can assure you. The quality of my work is no less than what the system can provide for you. However, it is best that you see for yourself."

Cain pulled two {Magnum GT-01} from his inventory and passed them to Jenny...

As she inspected them, he spoke,

"I was able to make close to three hundred of them, so we have plenty to spare. As for ammunition, we have a limited supply, but it will get the job done. That is all I can manage with the time we have."

Ignis who had been silent couldn't help but speak up. Shaking her head, she sneered at the strange-looking items,

"Are those things supposed to be weapons? They look like something dwarves would make."

Cain was getting tired of the constant criticisms from the Cherufe Spawn. Although she had signed a [Body and Soul] contract with him, he unfortunately couldn't make use of it to shut her up. As such, he could only ignore her,

"They might look strange to you, but they are very effective," Cain said dismissively.

Ignis snorted, "Either way, they will not be killing the Aether beasts as fast as I can."

Cain smiled, "Is that a dare?"

A sinister grin appeared on her grey face, "It is..."

Cain smiled mischievously, then proceeded to continue his work. Still, Even as he used his metal-controlling powers to fit an extremely small piece of metal into a tiny joint, he continued the conversation,

"Hunter, how are the preparations on your end?"

Hunter shrugged, "The men are doing good. Although Pluto doesn't grant magical abilities, he makes up for it more than enough with the physical blessings and boosts in physique he provides. They are strong enough to get the job done at the very least."

Cain nodded. All this was being done because Cain couldn't have so many people become burdens to him. If they wanted to survive, they had to earn it with their blood, sweat, and tears.

As long as they pulled through and survived, it would show they were worth enough to have resources invested in them...

Cain already had a vision of the path he wanted these beastmen to take should they survive. Just because they couldn't use mana didn't mean it was the end of the world for them.

There was more than one source to draw energy and power from after all...

'Not like my survival is guaranteed...'

Cain had no misgivings about their situation. He and his teammates were in the same pot as these beastmen. Their survival was hanging in the balance as well. No one was safe from the cruel jaws of death...

The only lamp in the room flickered for a second, casting shadows on every one of them. Their faces showed their fatigue and longing despite how things were now, they were all still very young. Their lives had changed so abruptly, and although they had dealt with this change impeccably, that didn't mean the change was a welcome one.

This change was even more noticeable for the beastmen. Every single one of these men had lived an ordinary life. Some of them even had families that lived in City Z proper.

They were not accustomed to violence. The entire world wasn't. Wars and fighting had become a thing of the past for centuries. Crime was something that existed only in fairytales. And now, here they were, battling for their lives. Simple martial arts training just wasn't going to cut it...

Cain's mind drifted as he realized he had been in these cursed lands for way too long...

'After this, no more inter-world traveling for me for a while...' Cain made up his mind resolutely.

"Let's end it here. You should all get some rest and make your preparations. We have a big fight ahead of us..."

Susan nodded with a sigh. Then she glared at Cain, "You should get some rest as well. You've been working nonstop ever since we got here. Have you even healed properly from that whole debacle with the Primordial Devil?"

Hunter shook his head, "I still can't believe you encountered something as scary as a Primordial Devil..."

Cain shrugged, "I don't feel some type of way particularly..."

Susan frowned, "That is because the damage you sustained wasn't just physical."

Standing up, she moved towards the exit,

"Just make sure you get some rest. We are counting on you..."

Jenny flashed him a smile, "She's right, you know? If you collapse during the battle, things will be harder for us."

Cain felt the weight of responsibility on his shoulders for the first time in his life. He folded his arms,

"Don't worry. I'll stay alive."

With that, the group disbanded in the meantime. Cain sat there motionless for some time before he continued with his work. He was planning on making a few adjustments to the {Magnum GT-01} to make it more suitable for him to use.

After a few more hours of continuous work, he was finally done. Sitting on the table before him was the new improved version of the {Magnum GT-01}.

It looked vastly different from the original...

'I think I'll name you {Hand of Midas}.'

***

{Congratulations to host... You have improved the Rare grade magic weapon, the Magnum GT-01 and it has been evolved into the Epic grade magic weapon, Hand of Midas}.

{+400 to Mana}.

{+100 to Spirit}.

{Your proficiency in the skill, Magic Craftsman, has increased}.

***

Cain had once read the story of the great King Midas, who had been blessed with a fitting curse. He thought the name of the King was fitting for his new weapon.

The first custom weapon he had created for himself...

***

{Hand of Midas}:

Description: The blessings of a greedy King are also a curse. Forged and crafted from quality metals and magic stones found at the heart of a mountain, this firearm possesses the power to fell powerful creatures with a single shot.

***

{Hand of Midas}: (Epic)

Strength: 20.

Agility: 70.

Control: 2.5.

Durability: 1,000/1,000.

Weight: 50kg.

Skills: Bullet Manifestation, Magic Bullet Manifestation.

***

The {Hand of Midas} wasn't too different from the {Magnum GT-01}, GT meaning Golden Touch, the name of the blessing and curse Midas possessed.

If the (Magnum GT-01} could be considered a prototype, then the {Hand of Midas} was a semi-finished product. However, Cain couldn't complain because the system considered it an epic-grade weapon.

That just solidified the fact that the weapons and tools provided by the system, baring a few of them, were made by beings just like him.

'However, the system just said I don't qualify for the trading feature. Perhaps when I reach Tier 1.'

Still, he was quite pleased with the results. The weapon was a lot bulkier than what was given to the ranger beastmen. It was also much more awe-inspiring. The stock and barrel were covered in numerous runes. There was a huge glowing green crystal on both sides of the weapon.

The green crystal was connected to the runes, giving them an ethereal neon glow. Although it was still a handgun, it looked more like a double barrel shotgun with how bulky it was. The weight was no problem for Cain though.

But he didn't make just one of this. He made two. Meaning double the firepower. He intended to go all out. He realized that he could be taking full advantage of the freedom the system provided.

Spells... Skills... Weapons... Tools... Abilities...

The possibilities were endless...