After Surviving the Apocalypse, I Built a City in Another World novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1: PROLOGUE

In an Unknown Land filled with gloom, death, and—paradoxically—the prosperity of natural resources, there was a place called the Grave of Villages.

It was located right at the heart of the human territory, in the geographical center of this world.

The number of villages destroyed in the area through the millennia was immense, and so were the villages continuously built in the place due to the available resources.

It was also one of the better hunting grounds for low to mid-level fighters because the monsters were not too weak, but not too strong for people above the Villager level. In the terminology from their hometown, it was a perfect 'grinding spot'.

At this time, this was where a small group of foreigners—men from another realm—were staying to train in the most efficient way available to them. _{fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com}

"This place is really creepy," one person said as he chewed on his barbeque, some of the sauce falling on his shoes.

His name was Turbo, a combat medic, though at this time his main enemy was wasted sauce. The man was not bad-looking (he was even known to be a bit of a male fashionista back home) but his blonde hair had turned taupe from all the grime accumulated from their endless adventures lately.

All his previous cleanliness had long gone down the drain, which had irked him so much when they first arrived at this place but, fortunately, he adjusted well. "I mean, seriously..." he mumbled, looking around.

Even if it was dark, they had enhanced vision and the two moons provided enough illumination for them.

What crept him out was that this place had great resources, but the monster mobs were consistent at certain times.

It was as if the resources were there to attract food for the mobs...

He shivered.

No wonder villages—which only had fighters around level 10 or so—would almost always give way after a while. The consumption of energy and manpower probably couldn't keep up with the barrage of enemies coming at them.

The others didn't say anything, though they understood his sentiment. It was just that they weren't here to stay, only to train, and so that was what they ought to focus on.

Seeing that his teammates were being boring, Turbo looked around and realized someone wasn't there.

He frowned. "Where's the captain?" The dark-skinned man beside him looked at a nearby hill, nodding in that direction.

"I saw him go over there."

"Surveying?" he asked. "It's our third day here..." "Just focus on your own food, Turbo." A voice next to them sneered, before taking away the remaining barbecue stick.

"Hey!" The blonde frowned and glared at the newcomer, who was crossing his arms as he stood above them, arrogantly holding someone else's food.

Jake was a man with quiff hair that he somehow managed to maintain despite their lack of resources. He ate the food he 'borrowed' in a few bites, making the other gasp.

The man didn't seem affected by the stares and met Turbo's eyes. He pointed at him using the now-empty stick.

"Don't talk behind the Captain's back! Don't you know he has eyes everywhere?" The others were prepared to beat him up but then he looked in a direction, shoulders slightly slumped. "He... probably just wanted to be alone for now."

He would've looked cool and introspective... had he cleaned up the remainder of the sauce on his mouth.

So he still received that small beating regardless.

...

At this time, the aforementioned 'Captain' stood still above the hill, his form illuminated by two moons. His handsome silhouette formed a contrast to the otherwise desolate view. His body was tense and alert, ready for whatever major changes would occur in a while.

However, he also knew that night would be quiet for a bit longer, so he allowed himself a moment of respite. He knew that he wouldn't be able to rest for a long time after the fight began, after all.

The man took out a phone from his void space, his sharp eyes immediately softening as he saw the image of his beloved.

A small smile crept up his lips, making his features even more prominent. Normally, the man had an undeniable aura of masculinity and strength—the type of person who demanded attention wherever he went.

At this moment, however, he was alone, somber, and simply looking intently at the photos on his palm. He now revealed a rare vulnerability that had only ever been visible to one person.