80 Chapter 80

Author: I left a # SYSTEM NOTIFICATIONS # in the previous chapter, and I was supposed to replace it with the actual notifications as I write them in different files on Manuskript (That's what I use to write), which is why a lot of people weren't able to understand most of the MC's monologue. I've replaced them in the previous chapter, but I'm adding them here in case you're too lazy to go back.

< You have leveled up! >

< Evaluating performance… >

* Ding *

< You are eligible for rewards! >

< +3 DEX Gained! >

< +2 CON Gained! >

< +3 CHA Gained! >

< +2 Stat Points >

< [Sprint] has leveled up! >

< [Detect Bloodlust] has leveled up! >

< Skill Gained! >

[Weapon Mastery: Firearms. (Passive)] LVL 3

Increased weapon accuracy.

Increased proficiency with firearms.

[Sprint. (Passive/Active)] LVL 4

*Passive:

-12.5% Stamina consumption while running.

*Active:

Cost : 1.8 SP/sec

Increases your sprinting speed by 17.5%.

[Detect Bloodlust (Passive)] LVL 2

Range: Variable.

Detects Bloodlust targeting you.

< Quest Complete : Defend the Prison. >

Objective: Defend the prison from the attack led by Randall and Dave's group.

Bonus Objective: Kill all members of the group.

*Rewards:

-> EXP

-> Book: Survival Bows

-> 1 Stat Point

*Bonus Rewards:

-> + 2 END

-> 2 x [Minor Regeneration Potion]

-> Library

< System Feature Unlocked: Library >

Description: By looking at any written document, you can now save it in the library to access it at any time. It can also be used for note taking.

< +1 WIL Gained! >

< Skill Gained! >

[Pain Resistance. (Passive)] LVL 1

Increased pain tolerance.

Reduced effects of pain.

< Status >

Name : Xenon

Age : 16

Level : 17 | Progress : 0/200

Stamina (SP) : 400/400

STR : 21

DEX : 20

CON : 8

END : 18

CHA: 30

WIL : 8

INT : 25

WIS : 15

LUK : 11

Unused Stat Points: 15

**- Narrator -**

Xenon was a subject of everyone's worry when he got shot, even those that fundamentally disagreed with his methods, yet the results spoke for themselves. They came to realize that they were in more danger than they expected if even after planning an ambush for the enemies, one of them got shot regardless. Xenon was deemed as a "smart lad" at the very least in their minds, so they understood he was well aware of the dangers of what he was proposing to do. Yet he volunteered, risking his own life so that the others didn't have to.

An overwhelming victory is an understatement for that battle, as the other group hardly stood a chance. It is interesting to note that what made the battle as easy as it was, were the machine guns Xenon brought, so a great amount of credit for their success goes back to him.

Fortunately, Xenon's life was not at risk since he woke up after two days. Hershel confirmed that while he would need a long time to come back to full health, it wasn't truly that problematic now that their situation was somewhat stable.

All of their resources were currently poured into building shelters for the animals since they would be their primary source of renewable food in the future. It was complete by the third day after the battle, at least a first version of it was. Now, it was time for them to discuss what their next step was. The new additions to the group were surprised when an overwhelming majority insisted they wait a few days so that Xenon could assist. They valued his opinions immensely by now, and using Shane's argument, Xenon had thought of everything through a lot further than they believed, so they might benefit from a discussion that included him. Xenon was positively surprised when he was informed. It felt great that his efforts were finally paying off.

He was able to walk by the second day, although there was still some pain involved, he made sure not to show any external reaction to it, helped immensely by his relatively high WIL stat. He commended them in his head for their decision, because he did indeed have plans for this place. He had been planning to take the prison since the first time he met the group, so he developed quite a few ideas over time, ideas he was able to organize into written documents thanks to the note-taking ability he now had access to.

To Xenon, it was the most useful feature of the system so far. It only required his imagination for what he could draw, even though there was some limitation to it. For instance, he could not just paste a picture from his memory into it. It can perfectly be used to draw, but it is more like a drawing application controlled by his thought. It excelled most in taking written notes, drawing diagrams, tables... Not to mention, there were no limits to what he could keep saved, and it could be organized into sub-folders like a computer. Xenon thought that he had access to a computer at first but only loaded with a file manager and a notepad.

He started making plans and sorting them by order of importance, also preparing his arguments for each of them. Nobody prevented him from having access to his notes while he talked, giving him an almost unfair advantage in arguments if there were any to be had at all. And he seriously doubted it, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared.

The majority of his time was spent reading any books he got his hands on, beginning by finishing that one on Set Theory. He was able to do a few of the exercises in it by himself now that he didn't need ink or paper to take notes. He also read that one on Survival Bows, that went directly to the library, unsurprisingly. It wasn't very long, it explained some theory behind bows, something he was extremely interested in. He had studied the basics of mechanical engineering in his previous life, but most of the knowledge was fuzzy for him since at the time he wasn't very passionate about it, so he studied just to pass the exam with the minimum grade. He was far more interested in the subject now though and promised himself to look for books on the subjects when he got the opportunity.

The rest of his time was spent mostly talking to Amy, Beth, and Jimmy, whom he got to know better. He also played a few times with Carl and Sophia, which earned him some brownie points with Lori and Carol; the latter was already very fond of him.

They were gathered in the cafeteria after breakfast to have that discussion they've been postponing. It gave them some time to think things through and to rest, as they've been working nonstop for the past few days.

"We've delayed this long enough by now." Shane began as he always did. "So, who wishes to go first? Xen?" They looked at him, a few with some expectations in their eyes. Xenon looked around, noticing the looks everyone was sending him, before nodding his head.

"I do." Xenon nodded his head seriously. "Before tackling the subject, I wish to thank everyone for your trust and patience. I have been thinking about our situation for a long time now before we even went for the CDC, so I do have some insights into what the future holds for us, and how we ought to prepare for it. I have several issues I wish to raise today that we can hopefully discuss and come to solutions." A few of them were impressed by his well-thought words, even though a few gave him weird looks.

"The first problem I think we should be concerned with is our security. Now, I know what you're thinking: We're in a prison, it's locked from the outside, we have fences surrounding us so we are pretty safe. And while that does seem like a correct assumption at first, in reality, it's not." Xenon did his best to articulate his words clearly so that everyone could understand him. "The fences are our last line of defense, and they are not infallible, not against walkers, and absolutely not against people. Though the latter is a different issue. What I am talking about is that fences can only take a limited amount of stress. What they should be useful for is buying us time. Not defending us indefinitely."

"What do you mean by that?" Rick asked with a frown, not exactly understanding his statement.

"Well, consider the following scenario. A hoard of about a thousand walkers is headed this way. You may think it's far-fetched, but it's not as implausible as it sounds. It will eventually happen. Now, how useful do you think the fences will be, especially if it's focused on a single side?" Xenon asked them, and he could see that they were seriously considering the issue.

"The fence will hold for an hour at best if the range of the attack is concentrated enough. Maybe less..." Jim answered.

"Exactly. What I am trying to tell you, is that the fence can never hold forever. Periodic stress leads to fatigue, which leads to deterioration of structural integrity. And don't forget that several waves of walkers will crash into the fence."

"Should we reinforce it then?" Shane asked him. "We've got plenty of trees around us, it should cover it."

"It would be better to build an outer layer altogether." Hershel remarked.

"Neither of those would be a permanent solution." Xenon shook his head. "In fact, I'm not sure we can find a permanent solution with the resources available to us now. If we could build a sturdy wall around us, then yes, it is possible. Otherwise, we'll just be delaying them. And regardless, we can't afford to be surrounded by walkers, because we'd be trapped inside."

"Tell us what you have in mind then." Jim urged him.

"It's pretty simple, actually." Xenon eased their worries. "We just have to eliminate any small pack of walkers that come nearby. If there is a big hoard coming our way, we deflect it like we've been doing before."

"We could build some defenses around us, delay the walkers and maybe trap them. Makes them easier to deal with." Rick proposed.

"Wooden spikes could work." Xenon added.

- To be continued -

AN: Again, I'm really sorry for the messed up schedule. As I've said in the previous chapter's notes, (that I noticed very few people read by the way, hence the reason I'm writing here instead) I have a lot going on at the moment, and it's taking most of my time and attention. The quality of my writing has suffered too in the last drafts I've published on p@treon, so I'll have to rewrite them.

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