The Impending Crisis

Early the next morning, Alex rose with the sun. After a quick meal and a brief inspection of his territory, he set out with his six third-tier plants. Today, he wasn't heading for the plains, but instead aimed to explore the forest bordering his land. Previously, he had avoided it due to his lack of strength, but now, as a third-tier summoner with a squad of third-tier units, he felt confident enough to venture in. Who knows? He might even stumble upon something unexpected.

With his small army in tow, Alex plunged into the dense forest. The canopy above was so thick that only slivers of sunlight pierced through, casting an eerie gloom over the surroundings. In the distance, the occasional roar or shriek of beasts echoed, sending chills down his spine.

It didn't take long before Alex encountered his first monster: a lizard the size of a crocodile.

[Name: Shadowscale Lizard]

[Race: Beast]

[Tier: 3]

[Strength: 33]

[Constitution: 28]

[Agility: 44]

[Spirit: 32]

[Skill: Shadowmeld (Becomes intangible, blending into the darkness, nearly invisible to the naked eye)]

[Description: A monster that thrives in darkness, known for its speed.]

"Take it down," Alex commanded his plants.

The Shadowscale Lizard, which had been gnawing on its prey, noticed Alex and let out a hiss. In an instant, it dissolved into a shadowy blur, darting through the darkness toward him. Its movements were so swift that it was nearly impossible to track with the naked eye.

But Alex's plants were no pushovers. Before the lizard could close the distance, a barrage of vines lashed out, attempting to halt its advance. To Alex's surprise, the creature nimbly dodged the vines, slipping through them like an eel. In moments, it was within five meters of him, its jaws wide open, ready to strike.

Just then, several wooden spikes erupted from the ground, piercing the lizard's underbelly and halting its charge. A flurry of vines followed, impaling its body.

[Third-tier Shadowscale Lizard slain. 12 Mana obtained.]

"Nice work, River," Alex said, glancing at the Flower Sprite who had just lowered her staff. The wooden spikes were her doing, a testament to her mastery of nature magic. Despite the lizard's speed, River had struck with precision, ending the fight in a single blow. Her royal lineage truly showed.

Pleased with the praise, River flitted about joyfully, leaving trails of glowing pollen in her wake. Alex noted that she had gained 1 experience point from the kill. To reach the fourth tier, she'd need to slay 50 third-tier monsters—a daunting task, but not impossible.

"Let's keep moving," Alex said, and the group pressed on.

With the Treant Berserker leading the charge and the Poison Thornvine and Flower Sprite providing support, the journey was relatively uneventful. They encountered several second and third-tier monsters along the way, netting Alex a decent amount of Mana. By now, he fully understood the importance of Mana in this world. It was the key to recruiting more units and strengthening his territory. Only by amassing enough could he hope to survive once the seven-day grace period ended.

After over an hour of trekking, Alex finally reached the heart of the forest.

"Hold up!" he suddenly called out, halting the group. They were nearing the forest's edge, and danger could be lurking just ahead. Cautiously, Alex climbed a gnarled ancient tree, peering through the branches to survey the area beyond.

What he saw left him stunned.

Less than two hundred meters away, a translucent barrier stretched from the ground to the sky, marking the forest's boundary. Beyond it, a sea of monsters stretched as far as the eye could see, their numbers so vast they blotted out the horizon. Among them were creatures far more terrifying than any third-tier monster Alex had encountered.

"What the…"

Alex's jaw dropped. He hadn't expected this. It seemed the barrier was holding the monsters at bay, preventing them from entering his area. Was this the reason for the seven-day grace period? To keep these creatures out?

If so, his situation was far more dire than he'd imagined. Once the grace period ended, this horde would flood in, sweeping through the forest and attacking every territory in its path. And with his land so close to the forest's edge, he'd be the first target.

No wonder he'd been hearing distant roars. This was the source.

If he hadn't stumbled upon this, he'd have been caught completely off guard. He couldn't afford to sit back and wait. He had to act now.

Panicked, Alex scrambled down the tree and hurried back to his territory, his mind racing. He had thought this world was relatively safe, allowing newcomers like him to grow and adapt at their own pace. But now he realized they were merely in a temporary sanctuary, shielded from the true horrors outside.

As he rushed through the forest, the image of the monstrous horde burned into his mind. By the time he reached his territory, he had calmed down enough to start formulating a plan.

First, his location was somewhat advantageous. Nestled at the base of a mountain, his territory was only exposed on three sides, making it easier to defend. Additionally, the forest's vast expanse meant the monsters would likely spread out, reducing the immediate threat. If he could fortify his defenses and recruit enough units, he might stand a chance.

Yes, this was dangerous, but danger often came with opportunity. If he could withstand the onslaught, the rewards would be immense. He could use the battles to grow stronger, recruiting more units and turning the tide in his favor.

"Five days left…" Alex muttered, his brow furrowed with determination. For the first time, he truly understood the terror of this world. There was no time to waste. Using the hundred-plus Mana he'd earned today, he began recruiting more units, preparing for the storm to come.