Shock Troops and Religion

Barracks (Level 1)

Cost: 10,000 TC

Stone: 1000

Wood: 500

Generates one level 1 skeletal warrior every 5 minutes

Archery Camp (Level 1)

Cost: 15,000 TC

Stone: 500

Wood: 1000

Generates one level 1 skeletal archer every 5 minutes

However, Dante quickly hit a snag—or rather, several snags. Building up his forces was going to be a time-consuming affair, and the kicker was that the troops he could muster were about as intimidating as a bunny in a hat—not exactly the fearsome army he had envisioned. Heck, Dante himself had more Might than a level 1 skeleton warrior!

Just when he thought the situation couldn't get any more exasperating, he realized he was completely out of Stone or Wood. And where was he supposed to start looking for such resources? Was he expected to don flannel, grab an axe, and channel his inner lumberjack in a throwback to medieval resource gathering? Or perhaps morph into a miner, lantern in hand, delving into the dark recesses of the earth in search of stone?

Fortunately, nestled among the daunting list of options, there was a beacon of hope that perfectly aligned with Dante's current predicament:

Shock Troops (Skeleton warriors)

Cost: (Varies with level)

Generates a skeleton warrior of the specified level

This option emerged as a glimmer of hope at the end of a very dark, resource-deprived tunnel. It required Tutorial Coins—the one and only resource Dante had—though the amount needed varied depending on the desired level of the warrior. Finally, a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to bolstering his skeletal ranks without the headache of resource management. Yet, the reality of the situation soon revealed itself to be less than kind to our aspiring conqueror:

"What the hell! Might as well sign over my soul at this rate. 5000 TC for a single level 10 skeleton warrior!" Dante's frustration boiled over at the exorbitant prices. Just to offer some perspective, Dante—or more precisely, Virgil under his directive—would need to defeat 100 level 10 skeletons to gather 5000 TC. And now, the system brazenly demanded that entire sum for merely one warrior.

As Dante's anger swelled, he fixed a fiery stare at the screen. "Are you freaking kidding me? I'd expect to haggle a better price for a golden unicorn that poops diamonds!" he shouted, his voice echoing off the walls. "This is downright robbery! Not even the renting prices... Well... no... wait a second." He halted mid-rant, a sudden realization dawning on him.

Dante paused, his fervent outburst momentarily derailed as he recalled the exorbitant prices from his old world—where not only were the costs of rent, housing, and healthcare sky-high but also where a cup of coffee could rival the expense of a small treasure, and the price of a decent education seemed to require a king's ransom. In stark contrast, the prospect of parting with 5000 TC for a level 10 skeleton warrior in The Game suddenly seemed less ludicrous. With a reluctant chuckle, he conceded, "Maybe the system isn't as merciless as I thought," his initial rage subsiding as he recognized that the old world had indeed established a formidable benchmark for financial severity.

This introspection led Dante to a begrudging appreciation for The Game's economy. Sure, it was steep, but suddenly the thought of "investing" 5000 TC in an undead warrior seemed almost... reasonable, especially when free from the old-life financial burdens that once loomed large. "Paying 5000 TC for a skeleton that won't complain about skyrocketing utility bills, or demand the latest smartphone, actually sounds like a bargain," he mused, the absurdity of the comparison bringing a smirk to his face.

The more he thought about it, the more the demands of The Game's economy started to seem almost kind in comparison to his past life's financial challenges. Dante's mind inevitably wandered to the specter of student loans, a looming financial behemoth that once cast a long shadow over his future. The mere memory of those digits climbing like a relentless vine was enough to send a shiver down his spine.

However, a spark of realization soon lit up Dante's mood, remembering that in this new world, the chains of his old life's debts were irrelevant. The burdensome student loans, a daunting cloud that once darkened his future, were now nothing more than a distant memory. "I won't have to pay the loan back! To hell with the bank!" he thought gleefully. This shift from one reality to another had inadvertently granted him financial freedom from one of his biggest worries. The thought of leaving such a colossal debt behind in the old world, never to trouble him again, brought a mischievous and triumphant smile to Dante's face.

Now in a significantly brighter mood, Dante pondered the strategic purchase of skeletons to shift the battle in his favor. Despite the seemingly lengthy internal debate, thanks to Dante's enhanced Mystique stats, his thought process operated at lightning speed. In the real world—or rather, the outside battlefield—Virgil and the skeletal knight had barely exchanged a couple of quick strikes during Dante's rapid-fire contemplation.

Dante weighed his options carefully:

1. Virgil alone would not be able to defeat the enemy commander. Not only did the knight possess superior equipment, but the skeletal mount he rode added extra force and lethality to his attacks, consistently forcing Virgil into a defensive position. And in terms of stats and technique, they were roughly equal.

2. The cost of skeleton warriors varied drastically, from a mere 100 TC for level 1 minions to a staggering 100,000 TC for those at level 20.

3. He faced a choice between quality or quantity. Although he preferred the former, the skeletons likely wouldn't be considered Virgil's summons, making Strength Infusion probably ineffective. Therefore, even arming them with better weapons wouldn't significantly impact the battle. This left quantity as the more appealing option.

4. Budgeting for post-battle development was crucial. Dante knew he couldn't afford to deplete his reserves on this skirmish alone. Future infrastructure and army enhancements depended on a careful allocation of resources now.

These considerations led Dante to a daring decision. 

Shock Troops (Skeleton warriors)

Order: 250 level 1 skeleton warriors

Cost: 25,000 TC

Confirm purchase

He understood that, in the broader context, deploying a swarm of lower-level skeletons might not dramatically shift the balance of power. However, it could afford Virgil the necessary distraction and support to alter the course of battle. This strategy was a gamble, relying on the mayhem of sheer numbers rather than the finesse of skill—a bold strategy that showcased Dante's adaptability and readiness to employ unconventional tactics when confronted with challenges.

***

They had been progressing rather quickly, having dealt with more than a hundred foes in what Alice considered to be close to 4 hours, although it was a bit hard to gauge the passage of time without a proper reference.

The battles had been getting progressively harder, but they were also getting stronger themselves, having already reached level 4. Alice also received a pleasant surprise when she reflected on the reality of The Game itself. She had concluded that there must be some omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent existence behind it, perhaps one or maybe several. She also guessed that the 'Gods' ruling The Game were probably not any of those described in history, neither the Greek nor her Christian tradition. And while she was raised heavily on Christian values, her belief was not strong, as she saw religion as a means of one man controlling another and committing atrocious acts later justified as faith, quite contradicting the apparent dogmas of the religion itself. 

This led her to believe The Game was governed by a different type of God or Gods, entities far superior to humans, that could control them on a whim and grant them skills and powers without complications.

All these internal musings had actually received a response from The Game itself, further strengthening her theory:

Enlightenment gained: Basic Insight of The Game (Rank 1)

Awarded for gaining a better understanding of The Game.

Award: +1 SP

Alice had considered sharing this newfound knowledge with Thaleia, hoping she might also receive the boon it granted. However, her very light and indirect approach hit a wall in the form of the Amazon's unwavering faith in her religion. The fact that Thaleia had apparently met an entity that introduced itself as Athena during the induction only made it more difficult, leading Alice to persist in her efforts.

'In her blind devotion, she mirrors my past blindness—choosing comforting fables over glaring truth. How pitifully naive.'

Alice looked ahead, anticipating another easy victory for Thaleia against the unskilled foes. Despite their increasing numbers, varied weapons, and even the use of barricades in their camps, it all seemed futile. The disparity in skills and stats was too significant.

But then, an unexpected twist unfolded. Alice observed a swift movement through the air, yet Thaleia merely adjusted with a slight motion, continuing to dispatch their opponents with little reaction. 'An archer? I suppose it was about time,' Alice mused. She had anticipated the emergence of ranged attacks, warning Thaleia of the necessity for vigilance, and they had always been ready. 'It would be pathetically foolish, wouldn't it? To be undone by a mere arrow just as your adventure begins.'

***

The scene unfolding around the fortress resembled a meticulously orchestrated siege from ages past, but now with a slight twist: skeletons. The last remaining catapult, its crew unfazed by the surrounding tumult, was diligently preparing its next deadly volley, ready to unleash havoc on the fortress walls once again. Nearby, a battering ram, propelled forward by a fresh wave of skeletal soldiers stepping in for their fallen brethren, resumed its march towards the embattled gates. High above, archers perched in siege towers crept steadily closer, their presence foretelling a relentless barrage of arrows aimed at any brave or foolhardy defenders.

Amidst this chaos, a lone skeleton in tattered robes, brandishing a staff, was embroiled in a fierce confrontation with a knight. This knight, sheathed in shining armor and mounted on a steed that seemed forged from the flames of battle itself, was steadily gaining ground. The skeleton, despite demonstrating remarkable agility and prowess, found itself being methodically driven back by the knight's unyielding attacks. The sound of metal clashing against bone resounded through the air, marking the rhythm of their deadly exchange.

And at that moment, to the attackers' surprise, the fortress's door slowly creaked open. 

And out they came.