(Bonus chapter for 'Novice Village Chief Taipal,' 2/5. His name was too long to fit in the title!)
Late at night, after most of the players had logged off, Murphy wandered over to the defensive line the "Cadman Self-Rescue Army" had set up in the city. Maxim immediately stepped forward to report.
His loyal servant had spent the past several days holding the line here. After going through so many battles, his whole demeanor had changed. He was steadier and more grim than before, his gaze sharper—he looked like a drawn sword.
"Looks like you're close to reaching the Black Iron rank."
Murphy gave him a once-over and asked:
"Are you ready for your Trial of Strength?"
"There aren't any suitable opponents right now, my lord. The astral beasts in the outer city aren't Black Iron-level, and your brave, fearless warriors have nearly wiped them all out."
Maxim sighed.
"I'll have to put off my trial for now. But, Lord Murphy, aside from a few remote corners, your warriors have already scavenged just about all of the outer city.
"Thanks to their markers, the collectors from the survivor camp Mirian manages have also found a wealth of supplies in the city ruins—things that can still be used.
"I think we can wrap up the search."
He gestured toward the black snow that kept falling around them.
As before, this strange phenomenon occurred when astral energy came into contact with the material world. The snow vanished as soon as it hit the ground, leaving the ruins blanketed in a vast, desolate snowfall.
He continued:
"Lady Triss said the heavier snowfall means the astral energy is returning. This disaster will be over soon. Perhaps we should move on to the next step, burn away these shadows, and get your grand plan underway."