The Rise Of A Porter

Arnold stepped inside his domain and saw a sight similar to the other times he has been inside the domain. The only thing different from the others was the increase in the amount of chaos inside the domain.

Asterios was wrestling with Panzer, who was holding up the there better than Arnold expected, even Bad-Breath was exchanging friendly blows with Duke, while the remaining undead summons of Arnold cheered them on. Even the automatons active inside the domain and were discussing weapons modifications, technology and the usual stuff, which was a rare sight as they almost always aimed to conserve their energy. Dread was intently watching the hounds play among themselves. Natasha was sulking around a corner, as usual, while Talos and Alice were chatting among themselves.

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'I wonder what they are talking about?'

But before he could inquire about that, his summons noticed his presence and immediately stopped whatever they were doing and rushed towards him. This happened every time he stepped foot in the domain, and it always made Arnold smile. It was weird but He kinda felt like a father who came to visit his children, he knew it was absurd but he didn't care.

"Alright guys, as usual, I need your help." Arnold began his speech, "You might be knowing about the recent developments, and now it's too much work for me to handle alone that's why I'll like you guys to ease a bit of burden from on me."

"We'll do as you please, master." As usual, Talos was the one to speak first, after all, he was their unsaid leader. The others happily joined in.

At their reaction, Arnold smiled and nodded, "Alright then listen up! I'll make different teams to accomplish a variety of tasks based on their specialisation. Firstly, I need a few of you to continue making the weapons and gears. Talos, you and the automatons would be in-charge of it, but don't forget to repair the destroyed automatons before you do that, it'll increase your productivity as a team."

"We're on it!" Talos said and left with the automatons to repair their comrades, who were destroyed by the ogres yesterday.

"Secondly, we need to form an assault team whose task would be to go out and hunt monsters regularly, but be vigilant as we still don't know what might be hiding out there. Asterios, you'll be leading the assault team. Take the golems and the undead with you and a couple of automatons as well so that if you find anything suspicious or anything weeks that you'd want me to look at, you can contact me anytime."

Asterios huffed loudly in agreement. After all, battles were one thing he loved doing.

"Alice, you'll be accompanying the assault team as well. Even though most of them can resurrect, it's a pain in the butt to wait for hours for that to happen and with your healing abilities to back them up, they'll be able to battle recklessly without worrying about getting destroyed."

"I'll do my best." Alice acknowledged Arnold's 'request'.

"The hounds will keep an eye on the base, Cerberus, you'll be leading them as usual." Arnold continued.

The hound barked to confirm his master's command.

"And finally, Bad-Breath, will help the new friend of ours, Allen, to train and grow stronger. Everything clear?"

Since they were given their tasks they nodded at Arnold's question and went about to prepare themselves. The crowd soon dispersed, but Arnold still had things to take care of.

"Now since that's out of the way, Asterios, Dread, come over here for a moment. I've got something for the two of you."

Dread and Asterios exchanged confused looks while Arnold fetched something from his inventory. A moment passes and he pulls out the weapons he had made for them.

"I present to you, Storm crusher, a Warhammer handmade by yours truly, for the Minotaur whose aid has been crucial to me," although Arnold exaggerated about the help a bit still it was true, "and Futusunumitama-no-Tsurugi, a classic katana, made by the ingredients of the monster you slew, it's light, fast, and destructive. Something only someone of your calibre can wield."

The minotaur and dreadnought were dumbstruck for a moment and continued to stare at the weapons, then at Arnold and then at each other. Arnold wasn't sure whether they liked their weapons or not.

"Um... you guys didn't like-"

But before Arnold could even complete what he was saying, the minotaur immediately went to his knees. It was something Asterios rarely did because despite being monsters, Minotaurs were a prideful group and thus they rarely kneeled before anyone.

They'd rather die than getting disrespected but at that moment Asterios was kneeling right in front of Arnold while everyone else silently watched them. Soon Dread followed Asterios' example and kneeled as well. Arnold was deeply moved by their gesture, but he thought they were overdoing it. In the end, he had to order them to raise themselves as otherwise, they weren't going to stop anytime soon.

After that Asterios went towards the others and visually boasted about his new Warhammer while Dread immediately started swinging the katana, trying to get used to it. However the moment Arnold turned around, he was met with the ominous gaze of his other summons, even those not single word was exchanged between them but Arnold knew exactly what they were thinking.

"Fine, fine, I get it. I'll make more weapons and gears for all of you... but, you guys would have to bring your own material for that and I'll make whatever you want, good enough?" Arnold smiled and shook his head.

He was already planning on making a specialised weapon for everyone but he never expected them to so freely express their desires but he was happy that they did so. After sorting out everything, he returned to the normal world and saw a few soldiers were looking for him, most probably wanting to meet him, and then he heard Amanda's voice.

"You said the Section Chief was here?" She barked at the nearest soldier.

"Y-Yes ma'am!" The soldier immediately answered back.

"Well I can't see him, can you?" Amanda asked the soldier in a sarcastic tone, but she seemed to be bothered and concerned about something.

This time the soldier didn't reply and silently stood there, his eyes fixed on the ground as if Arnold would've burst through the earth and present himself in front of them.

"And honestly! What type of Section Chief is he when he isn't available in the time such a crisis?" Amanda spat out, but just as she did that, Arnold waited next to her.

"Seesh, give a man some break will you?" Arnold yelled once he was right behind her, "After all, it's only been a few hours before I've been given that rank."

Amanda got startled and jumped back when she heard Arnold's voice but quickly managed to regain her composure before speaking again.

"Sir! there have been sightings of monsters that are gearing straight towards the alpha base."

"That's weird... why would they do that?"

"We have no idea..."

"How many of them are there?" Arnold inquired about the enemies headcount.

"Around a hundred mutated ogres and goblins... maybe more," Amanda answered back with a solemn expression in her face.

"A hundred you say... well then, I'll welcome them here myself then." Arnold's lip curled up.