Gacha Kingdom Building

When is it a good time to give up?

I think it's fine to do it once all other options have been exhausted.

Unfortunately, this also means fighting to the bitter end.

Even if the opponents are stronger and faster... It's no excuse.

There are still plenty of ways to fight back.

There's always a trick or two to pull. One element they might fail to notice until it is too late...

As long as it is possible to outsmart them, there's still hope, even if it looks like an unwinnable battle.

However, when they are not alone...

When they have allies on their side with such technique and precision in their fighting styles that it is impossible not to focus on their every move...

Miwen: "Cassandra...?"

Cassandra: "..."

The answer should be simple.

Outnumbered, I try to even the odds.

An ally of my own.

But this time, the sharp-tongued, always quick to make unnecessary comments black sword of mine, was completely unresponsive to my calls.

I held her in my hands like I did ever since she joined us, and yet... Her stats weren't being shared with me anymore...

If not for my training without her, this would have been over in the first few blows.

However... The situation was still bleak. I could defend myself, but only barely.

The first strike... Then the second... All the way until the fifteenth.

In what felt like a single second I had moved my body in all possible directions, dodging by the skin of my teeth.h.

But all of my effort... The training I have done since I obtained [Gacha Kingdom Building]... The tips and knowledge I got from the girls...

This was all it amounted to.

My assailants were unrelenting. They didn't seem to wear out as much as I did, and their faces were plastered with gleeful yet eerie smiles.

For me, it was a matter of survival where even the slightest mistake would spell the end.

But for them... My struggle to keep up with their assault only made for better entertainment.

Fighting back against them... Wasn't viable.

There weren't big enough opportunity windows for me to strike back. It took me all I had to dodge the blows coming my way.

They were all too fast, too strong, and too precise... Before I could regain my footing properly, I already had to deal with the next strike and the one after that.

There was barely any time to breathe, much less think...

I was starting to be swayed by their rhythm...

And worse, one of them was suspiciously falling behind the others...

I could see it in their eyes. They were provoking me... waiting and calculating the best chance to catch me off guard.

They knew their chance was going to come sooner or later. They didn't need to wear themselves out...

I was already cornered. It was only a matter of time until I showed an opening.

And if I was dumb enough to take their bait...

Then that only made the battle quicker.

Not even magic could save me...

Their mage harassed me with annoying spells, breaking my stance and forcing me into awkward positions.

Sublime support, but it didn't end there.

Every time I tried to defend myself with a spell... Even without chanting... They were ready for me.

As if reading a book, my every move was accounted for as they multi-tasked between harassing me and countering my magic with the perfect element.

With the fistfighting and sword strikes to worry as well, I had no choice but to give up on the magic. I didn't have the luxury of paying attention to any more than I already had in front of me.

Suffice it to say, as predicted by my opponents, I eventually slipped up...

I don't think I made any mistakes. I was simply overwhelmed and there was nothing I could do about it.

There was too much coming my way, too quickly...

Unfortunately, this was all that they needed to launch an impossible-to-dodge strike.

All I could do was brace myself for it... But I refused to give up.

It was as strong as I expected. Once their fists connected to me, I was sent flying...

But that gave me a chance.

That immense impact gave me enough momentum to run at max speed.

I was thrown over a long distance... It was a good headstart...

I hoped I could escape for my life while I still had one...

That hope was quickly shattered.

My chaser was both quick-witted and quick-footed.

They already suspected I would try to pull something off, and the moment I landed, they already prepared themselves to give chase.

No matter how much strength I put into my legs, I could feel them gaining on me. Their steps were becoming louder as they approached me, and I was surprised to look back and see how close they already were.

Running from them was impossible. Leaving my back exposed would guarantee my capture.

However... While I couldn't fight the entire group by myself, now that we had put a good distance, there was a chance for me to strike back.

It was a one on one... And I didn't even need to win. This was the best odds I could hope for.

As long as I could catch them by surprise... Grab their arm when they strike and throw them back...

I could buy enough time to escape.

It was my best bet, and I saw a glimpse of victory once they extended their arm to attack me.

However, suddenly as I turned to face them, I felt incredibly sluggish.

A quick glimpse at my status revealed everything I needed to know. Two debuffs appeared written there: [Decreased Speed] and [Increased Gravity].

Miwen: "What? When did-"

I didn't have the time to think or get mad about it.

My arms were too slow for me to react in time... The next thing I knew, my opponent grabbed me by the collar and threw me back into the fold, the sky and the ground flashing before my eyes multiple times until I finally landed on the ground.

...Surrounded.

It was impossible to escape.

It was impossible to fight back. Read exclusive chapters at empire

And I could feel my body wearing out...

Still...

I stood up... Only to hear the words that made my very soul tremble.

??????: "Open the gates of a hellish land and bear witness to the undying flames. I call upon the Everlasting Fire of the Ash World!"

....Hah.

Haha.

Giving up, huh?

This would definitely be a good time.

As proclaimed by the spellcaster, giant gates opened in the sky.

From them, a storm of pure fire was unleashed.

Realistically, even if I were to use all of my mana to cast a water spell... I don't it would be enough.

Their output was higher. They were much more powerful.

Even with the element disadvantage... This approach was hopeless.

Instead, I chose something else.

This was fire magic, no matter how strong... Precisely because it was this strong...

It was bound to burn a lot of oxygen...

As long as I could surround it... Close it off...

Then it would dissipate on its own.

A structure as big as those gates would cost me a lot of mana. Especially since I had to create the earth instead of taking it from the ground thanks to their mage keeping an eye on my every move...

I also had to mask my intentions by casting a water jet just to get them off me...

It was a lot of work... However, it seemed to work.

Miwen: "Sorry, but it seems like you need to-"

??????: "Sorry, but you didn't think this pitiful magic was enough, right?"

They could have at least given me a minute to act smug...

The flames burned through the earth like it was a thin sheet of paper.

I was reinforcing it as much as I could but... They only had to concentrate the flames in a single point to break through...

With doom approaching and my mana running out...

Miwen: "Now would be such a great time to bring out a giant sword to protect me, Cassandra."

Cassandra: "Cassandra is not available right now. Would you like to leave a message?"

...

Yeah, right...

Without her, all I could do was create a dome around myself and hope that it was enough to block the flames.

All of my magic was gone with that, but... I at least survived...

????: "Surrounding yourself in darkness. Are you sure this is a good idea?"

...I had already crossed out fighting and escaping.

But now, I couldn't even hide.

Her attacks came from multiple directions. By moving through the shadows, Lana was as fast as Mia.

No... She might even be faster.

It was like she was teleporting all around me.

After fighting the rest of the girls for hours, this was the end for me.

I gave up and accepted my loss.

Mei: "Master, I've come to inform you that the skill you asked me to level up for you has reached my current level. I'd also like to bring lunch if you have already finished your business."

Miwen: "Great. I'll take a look and decide on the next one then."

Mei's Gift works a little like a system, allowing her to use the points she obtains by performing her duties to do a few things.

Among them, the one I find most useful is her ability to increase the level of one skill her master has.

I've been using that on a few specific skills but there are a few limitations.

For starters, the skills can't pass either my overall level or hers, whichever is lower between the two.

And it also takes a very long time. Training them up is actually way more effective.

However, nothing impedes me from doing both, so I'm using her Gift more as an accelerator for the skills I want to train.

Claire: "Where do you think you are going, mister?"

Miwen: "Hm? Don't you wanna have lunch?"

Claire: "Not before you go to Isabella's room and do your job."

My job, huh...

It's been a couple of days since the end-of-the-year party.

In the old gazebo, illuminated only by the night sky, Isabella confessed that she had fallen in love with me during this year.

Then, after stealing my lips, she made a request.

For us to go further.

However... I refused.

Which is what led to this whole mess.

While Isabella didn't disclose this to the girls... While I know they would probably be okay with it...

I still thought they should know about it.

But surprisingly, they didn't show much respect for my decision.

If anything, they got mad that I didn't lay with Isabella.

Claire: "You must be feeling like you're hot stuff now, huh? Going around and breaking the hearts of innocent girls as you please. Maybe I should burn down that thing you are so proud of if you're going to-"

Miwen: "Pfft! You expect me to believe that you of all people-"

Cassandra: "Hey, hey, HEY! Let's not do things we will regret, right? I still need that to live!"

Somehow, it seems like there's someone even more worried and protective of my son than me.

Miwen: "So now you're on my side, huh?"

Quite ironic considering how she abandoned me when I was fighting for my survival.

She even went as far as blocking me from getting her stats and skills...

Cassandra: "Huh? What were you expecting? The girl wants to be pounded, I can relate. I'll always take the side of a girl asking for dick. What is really surprising here is you refusing her."

Mia: "Oh... So this is what this was all about..."

She... Didn't even know?

I was surprised that Mia of all people would be on the side of me sleeping with Isabella considering she's the leader of the anti-playboy camp, but I suppose this explains...

Actually, it does not.

Miwen: "Why did you attack me if you didn't even know what was happening?"

Mia: "What do you mean? I saw them kicking your ass, so I thought it would be fun to join. Since Licia was attacking you, I figured they must have had a valid reason. Maybe you did something so perverted that it crossed a line..."

So she joined the fray against me first, and only then she stopped to think about what might be going on.

And even though she realized she didn't have any clue, she still enjoyed every bit of it...

I can hardly blame her though...

After all, while Claire was the most passionate about it, the one who truly started the problem was Licia.

Miwen: "What gives, Licia?"

Licia: "I'm keeping a promise. I told Isa she should be more confident in herself, and that I would punish anyone who lets her down. I was expecting that to be the prince, but... Whatever. I think you have been punished enough for now."

If that's what she did to me, I can only imagine what she would do to someone else...

Licia: "Look, Miwen. You know that I don't really say anything about who you want to be with. But this time, it's a bit of an exception. I'm really cheering for her happiness, so I need you to give me a real reason."

...It's hard for me to complain about that.

I think most of the girls share Licia's sentiments. It's not that they don't care about how I feel, but they can't help but be sad and angry for Isabella's sake.

If Isabella had confessed her love for another guy, only to be turned down... I'd probably be at his throat as well.

I can understand where they are coming from. I also feel like it's a shame. Isabella deserves to be happy and live a fulfilling life. And I'd like nothing more for her to realize her love ambitions.

It's just that...

Miwen: "You remember why I felt so compelled about this world? It wasn't because of Mia. I didn't even know it was the same world as the first event."

Licia: "...You said it was a provocation, right?"

Correct.

Isabella's Gift and the way she's called in the event description is a direct jab at how I used to call and think about my sister.

The way she's described... As a complete victim, powerless to do anything on her own...

That's also the reverse of how Maya is. She's a girl who will seize the moment and fight for what she believes in no matter the odds, and ultimately, she always finds a way to come out on top.

But I always had this deep desire to help her.

One that I barely could quell as the girl is almost infallible.

The only times I was able to help her were by doing something bad. Something she would never be able to do on her own...

The ones responsible for this event... They understood how I felt, and they were using Isabella to play with this feeling.

It was a targeted attack. Showing they knew everything about me and could use or fulfill my every desire.

Even the ones I have long since left behind...

However, even though I knew that...

Even though I came to this world prepared for it...

I ended up falling for the trap.

Being able to take care of Isabella the way I did...

I truly began to see her as the little sister I never had.

Unlike all the other girls, she needed my help with everything, and I felt proud of helping her grow step by step into the woman she became.

However, even though I can clearly see her as the beautiful woman she is now...

When it comes to romance... The idea doesn't sit right with me.

I still see her as a girl I want to help and protect.

Isabella: "Hm... Is that so? You could have said all of that before..."

Miwen: "Yeah, well... It's not like you gave me much space or time to think."

In the end, Licia and the others were satisfied once I properly put into words how I felt.

But they also insisted that I should tell it to Isabella.

That night, I didn't really have the opportunity. I myself wasn't aware of why I felt so inclined to reject her.

Even now, while I do think my reason is valid, I can hardly say it's logical.

Isabella and I have no blood relation. She is not my family.

But I think that doesn't really matter...

The only thing that saddens me is that after everything, I'm the one making her unhappy.

I'm sure this is what the ones behind this intended. For me to ironically hurt myself and the one I wanted to protect.

But... I'll make sure they pay for this as well.

Isabella: "Then, that just means I have to break that image, right?"

Miwen: "...Eh?"

Isabella: "Hmph. You thought I'd be sad over this? Pfft. Nothing ever comes easy to me. Thanks to you, I've learned how to do my best to get what I want. So... You should prepare yourself. Soon enough I'll make myself your number one."

She was putting up a front.

I could instantly tell.

However, she was also being sincere...

It wasn't enough to sway my feelings one way or another, but... I was proud of her attitude.

I couldn't help but be hopeful that she would realize her wishes.

Miwen: "Right... I'll be patiently waiting then."