Chapter 18

I returned late and hurried to meet the craftsmen and unload my backpack. In addition to it, I filled two extra bags with weaker zombie parts on my way back.

"Meridin, how did you manage to collect so much stuff?" The young Patrick, one of Mr. Giovanni's students spun around me in delight. "With so many herbs, we can synthesize a few flasks of poison and test our theories by mixing them with our necromantic mixtures from the zombies. Come back tomorrow night, I'm sure we'll have something interesting for you!"

"Here, take these zombie parts too.", I reminded him, pointing to a small bag that had been in my backpack until recently.

"Oh this ones, we have plenty of those. Lots of people brought us zombie parts already. We're even wondering what to make with them."

"Those are special parts, from mutated zombies. I've been collecting the most mana-rich parts from them."

Hearing that, the young alchemist's eyes lit up again. He hurried to reach out with his already full hands, but realized he wouldn't be able to grab the bags like that. He then tried to put down the backpack with the precious herbs, but they were rarer than even the zombie parts. A look of comical confusion appeared in his eyes and I started laughing.

"What is it, what is it?" said Patrick perplexedly.

"Nothing," I answered while laughing. "Let me help you."

We then took the stuff to a special pavilion full of reagents and I even got a receipt for my support.

The craft group had also grown considerably. There were several new tents and work stations.

Along the way we talked about the various experiments and their results, and I often asked questions. So I learned a lot of new things and even took 40 minutes to practice what the alchemists had learned in the last few days.

"That's right, keep the fire at that level, now add the green zombie eyes. Stir the mixture slowly, gradually adding mana into the three-geometry formation, using the control runes at the top. Excellent, you're doing very well. Your mana control is much better than mine. Now, add the purified blood from these two flasks....."

I have to interrupt here because of a copyright issue. I cannot give you the full alchemical recipes. For now. Until I get permission from the alchemists' union. But hopefully, you get the idea.

After I finished my alchemy studies, I said goodbye to Patrick and headed to a more secluded spot, took off my clothes and bathed in the river. It was cold and uncomfortable.

"What I wouldn't give for a warm shower right now. As well as a comfortable seat in front of the TV and some peaceful time to watch some movies... What is Sofia doing now? Is she thinking about me.." Lost in these thoughts, I paid no attention to the occasional people passing by and after thoroughly washing my body, I began washing my clothes. It was tedious and hard work. The blood stains wouldn't wash off no matter how much I brushed them, and the smell of sweat and zombies could still be smelled in their fabric. "I hope professional laundry and similar businesses will appear soon. Besides, I need more clothes."

I got out of the river and wrapped myself in a big towel that cost 8 currency units, and a little later I bought and put on a standard gray robe costing another 10 currency units. I loaded my wet clothes into my wet backpack and hurried to my favorite tent pitching spot.There I spread out my clothes, lit a fire with the wood I had purchased earlier, and left my imp to tend the fire and guard the tent. (The wood was not sold directly at the store, but was one of the things I could trade at one of the restaurants for items from the store.) Then, starving, I made my way to а restaurant.

The nightlife was going full force. There were many bonfires burning and a couple of groups of volunteers were keeping an eye on the zombie town and nearby forest. I was sure that the political groups behind those volunteers would manage to secure their places in the future rule of the human camp.

When I say "groups" I may be misleading you a bit. Things were considerably more chaotic and there were all sorts of individuals on the political scene. Most people, however, didn't have the desire, energy or time to deal with such things. The people who talked about politics were less than 20-25% of the camp, and those who actually did anything - less than 10%. And George Bristol knew most of them.

So when I ordered my dinner (five grilled fish with chives, fruit and nuts, and a Mongolian-style venison soup) I headed to my political ally's table.

"Hello George" I said and shook his hand.

"Good evening Meridin" George replied as he shook my hand in a professional handshake.

Then we started talking about what was happening on the political scene over the past days. I also talked about the zombies and groups I had seen. I had tried to memorize which were the strongest hunting groups, their hunting habits and hunting areas. I knew that if we managed to get their support, we would have some serious political advantages in the future.

"How is your relationship with the alchemists and other artisans?" he asked.

"Excellent, excellent. I must advise young Patrick to become their representative and join our group, along with the two old foxes Mr. Giuseppe and Mr. Delucci. The latter is highly respected in crafters' circles and everyone respects his opinion. Furthermore, the activities of the artisans attract widespread public interest, and besides, I have reliable inside information that by the end of the next day, the alchemists will have a limited supply of poisons and other surprises to offer to the public."

"This will help their cause greatly. As time goes on, more and more people will see the benefits of alchemy."

"That's right," I agreed. "I'll visit the leaders of the hunting groups tomorrow. Offering them easier access to those limited supplies of poisons for political support will be interesting. How are things going with setting a date for the election?"

"Your suggested three days is woefully inadequate, but then again there's so much to do," George sighed.

"I'm telling you, we need to act quickly before the various political groups have time to react. Tomorrow night would be the best time for a snap election. We need to announce it first thing in the morning and hold it tonight. We have enough support for now."

"Okay, okay. If you insist. I don't know what you're in a hurry for, though." My colleague reluctantly agreed.

"There are several reasons, but the most important is that this damned island is not a peaceful place. Things are stable for now, but there's no telling what might come out of the jungle tomorrow. We have no time to lose. Besides, we're competing with other races for the future of humanity."

"I know, I know, save the speeches for tomorrow morning."

We continued our political preparation and our meetings with the different political figures. We made alliances and attracted supporters. We prepared speeches and а political platform. And the night was progressing relentlessly.

"I need to go to sleep George." I said with a yawn while looking at my neatly scribbled notebook.

"Go Meridin, I'll stay a little longer."

"Goodnight everyone." I greeted the rest of our companions and hurried to my pavilion.

As I walked to my tent I reflected on the currency units I had spent in the last few days. The main point being that I had invested all my remaining currency units in materials needed for tomorrow's elections.

"I haven't managed to save anything," I thought with a sigh, "Whatever, I hope it's worth it". I thought to myself once again. "It's all the tower ghost's fault with his annoying questions. And the weird choices I had to make when I killed the miniboss."

Despite my fatigue, I used my full mana pool to do my summoning experiments and training, and finally when I was done I used my last mana to summon my special creatures for a better rest and was soon blissfully asleep.

In the morning I didn't manage to wake up at the time I wanted. "Dammit! Why aren't there any clocks on this crappy island!", I sighed in annoyance.

Today was a special day. I wanted to go hunting or practice my skills, learn magic and alchemy, but I knew how important it was to get this camp in order. "We need law and order", my father always preached to us, "The law keeps our animal instincts in check, and the order makes us productive. Who wants to live in a lawless society, where every day is a battle for survival, and every night you are hoping that no one will come and rob and kill you in your sleep."

Thinking about my father and my family I slowly started my day.

My clothes were almost dry and I hurried to put them on. Then I hurried through my morning routine.

After that I met with several people from the Crafters group, then my fellow instructors, then Otto, Garat Breg, and a few other powerful individuals from the hunting groups I was familiar with.

A little later on a specially cleared field, we started to build a large improvised stage. We had a lot of brochures and other materials displayed there and several volunteers were explaining our intentions and platform to those passing by. By 9am, there was quite a crowd and various political activists began to answer questions and explain their positions.

Although we were organizing this event, it was free for everyone and anyone could have their say. Instead of arguing with the other political figures about speaking times, we agreed to give equal time to everyone. Naturally, those who organized the event had the first pick of a few things and some advantages, which I am not at liberty to discuss here.

This morning there would be no training, instead the instructors were explaining about the benefits of these urgent elections and the need to organize a common human camp with common rules and thoughts. The last few days, the few lawyers we were able to enlist had been hard at work on the beginnings of our simplified legal system.

At first things were simple. There were a few "forbidden" things, such as murder, rape and other serious crimes that the future "government" was obliged to pursue and punish. After that, everyone was free to do whatever they wanted.

However, anyone who wanted to stay in the camp had to agree to abide by its laws. Most of which had yet to be figured out.

Our group proposed the creation of a quasi-military organization. People were to perform certain services on a rotating basis, such as patrolling the camp, participating in its defense when needed, and sharing some of their currency units in the form of a voluntary tax.

These currency units and other incentives would be used as rewards in a variety of different missions to grow our organization.

For example, when there was a need to explore new territories, to build buildings and fortifications, or to carry herbs and minerals for the healers or artisans, missions would be given with corresponding rewards.

On the other hand, several special organizations such as an army, a police force, an alchemy laboratory, a training and skills academy, and a hunter's guild would be established.

They were going to use most of the taxes collected, but the plan was for some of them to become self-sustaining units.

Governance and the creation of new laws and rules was left to a group of elected representatives, and one of the tasks before them was to work out exactly what they would be and how far their future powers and duties would extend.

This system was fairly democratic, considering the circumstances, but at the same time it was intended to help establish, as quickly as possible, the military and other units necessary for the survival and safety of the people in this new world. It was clear to us that this system was temporary and when we encountered other people and organizations or problems, we would have to reconsider and redo many things.

We were especially clear about the fact that 5,000 people were going to join us after we left the Tutorial. Or rather, we would join them. Since we are only a 1000 people, mostly unprepared for this insane multi-planetary, civilization changing challenge. We are only hoping to somehow get by for the next few months and hopefully rejoin with the other humans.

"What would be the benefit of being, for example, in the military?" asked Mariella, the healer from Garat Breg's group. "They would be risking their lives after all."

"They will be able to fight many creatures that give currency units and increase their strength. They will have access to specialized coaches and thus learn many new skills. They will receive food and wages, which however modest, will give them a measure of security." I said.

"Will that be enough?" joined Russell.

"I don't know, but I believe it will. After all, only the bravest of people had chosen to select a class and continue to the tutorial. Ones who aren't intimidated by hardship and have volunteered to explore this world."

"Are you going to enlist in the military?" asked Otto.

I once again thought about my place in all of this. I thought about all the strange stuff happening to people in fantasy litrpg books.

"If something really weird doesn't happen today, like for example being betrayed by an evil political conspiracy, or if we don't get attacked by an army of strange creatures who humiliate our camp and force us to flee for our lives, in the coming months, I would probably be part of the political apparatus." I thought.

"I don't know, we'll see," I answered Otto reservedly.