Tower of Heaven

Fifty years was a long period of time. Atlas' current lifetime was not even that long. However, in terms of the current situation, it was no more than a blip.

In fifty years, how much could the Neurics develop? With their exponential growth rate, it may have seemed like they could go out and conquer the continent immediately, but it wasn't that simple.

The ones who conquered the continent would not be the Neurics, but instead, the Igni Neurics that they evolved into. In other words, the current generation was not going to be the same as the one who saw the light of day for the first time.

They were only creating the stairs that led to the surface.

In fifty years, the most prominent change was the spread of religion amidst the Neurics. Yin never took credit for anything she did, instead attributing it all to the Shinnim. When the other Neurics saw the person they idolized treating another being so highly, they naturally became curious about that being as well.

Within the original one hundred Neurics, faith in the Shinnim spread without any objection. The generations that were born from them were taught the Shinnim's Will from birth, so there wasn't a problem with them either.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

The entire society became reliant on their God, and in his name, they achieved wonders that were previously unattainable for them.

They created basic forges for the first time, expanded their mine systems, and built a proper village with fortified homes and buildings. With new tools for mining and creation, they had so much potential that they didn't know what to do with.

The cavern they lived in had been expanded as much as it could without interfering with the territories of other races. There were now social classes, though they did not come with discrimination quite yet. People were proud to be born as forgers, miners, and any other role they could possibly receive.

Neuric society was currently being supported by a God and moving in a direction it never would have touched without him. Naturally, they were doing things uncharacteristic of them.

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Their society stopped relying on the random independent activities of the Neurics and instead started to focus on collaboration between the species.

However, they were not ready to see the sunlight just because they'd become somewhat functional as a society. In their current forms, they would be turned to ash before they could even achieve anything.

The Neurics of the present had a different path to follow. After all, Atlas did not only provide them the tools to grow.

He introduced them to weaponry and gave them their first taste of the concept of violence. They had been living peacefully these fifty years, but those in power were not satisfied with this kind of life.

Yin, Ye, Uk, and Rok were gathered together in the main building of the village. Other than them, there were some vassals and proteges present as well.

The rest of the villagers aged as Neurics did. Their average lifespan was only around fifty years in the current circumstance.

However, these four specifically had a mystical power. The Shinnim's Grace allowed them to live past their lifespans in order to lead the people properly.

Atlas figured that it would be too difficult if he had to contact a new Saintess and Hero with every generation. The current leaders would eventually pass, as they were not immortals, but they would live long enough for a system to be established to choose the next Hero and Saintess.

That fact had nothing to do with the current situation. At the moment, the current Hero and Saintess had met with their generals in order to address an important issue.

"We are running out of space," Uk said, his voice serious.

"We cannot stay in this cavern any longer."

With the expansion of their population and activities, they desperately needed more space. The cavern they'd occupied until this point was perfect for a group of Neurics that never grew past a hundred and some members.

The Shinnim turned them into more than that. They could no longer be content with what they'd been protecting.

"The Shinnim's original wish is for us to take to the surface, but we are not ready yet. I have been saying this for years. We must first siege the clans on our borders. This is the only way to train our troops and gain enough space for our people," Ye said.

Yin rubbed her forehead.

"Rok, what do you think? Must we go to war?"

Yin was the pacifist among them, as her role was that of a Saintess, but she had some sense. She knew that if violence was necessary, they had to use it. Otherwise, the Shinnim would have never introduced them to weaponry.

As for Rok, he had evolved to a different level from the rest of them, making his opinion a weighty one.

His body was at least a foot taller than the rest, and subtly, one could feel the rough and raw sensation of qi from his body. It was extremely rudimentary, but as the hero, he was the one who would lead his race into the ranks of cultivation and self-improvement. He had access to a very early form of qi.

Thus far, his role had been to help wherever help was needed. He was universally loved because he had directly helped the villagers more than anyone else.

Looking at the table between them, he shook his head.

"From the beginning, the Shinnim wanted us to fight."

He remembered the silver tablet that started his journey.

"That tablet said that I will lead our people to victory. Our current situation is not victory. It may be dangerous, and we may face disaster, but this is a move we must make. Otherwise, the only ones suffering will be our own people.'

Their population was ballooning. The hundred of them had quintupled. It took the entire area of the current cavern to contain their population, but that meant there were Neurics sleeping in the mines and forges. It was not a good way of life.

Yin sighed.

"Okay. Usually, none of you agree on anything. If all of you feel the need to say the same thing, then I cannot ignore it."

She looked around the room, addressing everyone present.

"We will not attack immediately. Uk, Ye, I want you to train our people properly so we do not lose anyone in battle. Rok, keep training. You will be the one to lead them into battle."

""Yes!""

They all responded together in a militaristic fashion. The conversation continued for another hour as plans were made before everyone dispersed.

Uk and Ye immediately started preparing, and Rok returned to his home.

A great change would take place in the home of the Neurics soon.

And they would be the ones to bring it about.

'Perfect.'

Hidden within their ranks, Atlas nodded in satisfaction. They were following the path that he set for them perfectly.

'Struggle and learn. You will become true warriors. Grow and evolve through combat and forging, and when you finally reach the surface…'

He grinned at the prospect.

'...you will become true spirits of conquest.'