Chapter 54: Renovating the Base
Two days later, Marcus went to the bank and withdrew three million kinah. He then used the conversion system.
[Currency Conversion]
Kinah → Military Credits
Rate: 1 Kinah = 10 MC
His eyes didn’t linger.
He selected the amount.
3,000,000 kinah.
The number appeared clearly.
[Convert 3,000,000 Kinah → 30,000,000 MC]
His current balance was 6,794,540 MC.
Adding thirty million to that would push him far beyond his initial limits. Enough to build. Enough to equip. Enough to expand without worrying about running dry too early.
"This is necessary."
He tapped confirm.
[Conversion Complete]
[+30,000,000 MC]
[Total Balance: 36,794,540 MC]
Marcus leaned back slightly.
"That’s more like it."
After that, he went to the main road and raised his hand slightly.
A passing carriage slowed.
"Where to?" the driver asked.
Marcus stepped up.
"Outskirts," he said. "East road. Past the main trade route."
The driver nodded.
"Got it."
Marcus climbed in, settling back against the seat as the carriage started moving again.
The carriage rolled forward, wheels creaking softly against the stone road before shifting into the rougher rhythm of packed dirt as they left the main district.
Berm slowly faded behind him.
The tall stone walls.
The crowded streets.
The noise.
All of it gave way to open land and quiet air.
Marcus sat still, one arm resting on his knee, his gaze fixed ahead. The driver didn’t speak much, only focusing on the road as the horse maintained a steady pace.
Minutes passed.
Then more.
The road stretched longer, straighter, with fewer signs of traffic. Occasional carts passed by, traders heading in or out of the city, but nothing that slowed them down.
Eventually, the driver glanced back slightly.
"This far enough?"
Marcus leaned forward just enough to look past him.
"Stop here," Marcus said.
The carriage slowed and came to a halt.
Marcus stepped down, boots hitting the ground with a firm thud. He reached into his coat and handed the driver his payment without looking.
"Keep the change."
The driver blinked once, surprised, then nodded quickly.
"Thank you, sir."
Marcus didn’t respond.
The carriage moved on, leaving him alone once again.
Now that he is here, it’s time to renovate the land.
He opened his system and then selected the infrastructure tab. It’s time to build a modern military base.
Marcus stood in the middle of the open land, the wind brushing past him as the system interface hovered in front of his eyes. This time, he didn’t just scroll past things. He slowed down and read every entry like he was planning an actual build order.
"Alright... no shortcuts," he muttered.
He tapped Infrastructure → Base Essentials.
A list expanded.
Reinforced Perimeter Fence (Modular Sections) – 120,000 MC
Guard Tower (Standard, 360° View) – 45,000 MC each
Base Gate System (Vehicle + Personnel) – 80,000 MC
Internal Road Network (Compact Reinforced) – 250,000 MC
Drainage and Ground Stabilization System – 180,000 MC
Marcus looked at the numbers, then at the land.
"Start from the outside."
He selected the perimeter fence first.
[Purchase: Reinforced Perimeter Fence – 120,000 MC]
The moment he confirmed it, the ground at the far edge of the property reacted. Steel posts slammed into the soil in a perfect line, one after another, like an invisible force was driving them down. Thick metal panels followed, locking into place between each post, forming a continuous barrier that stretched outward in all directions.
Marcus watched the line expand until it completed a full enclosure around the fifty-two hectares.
"Good."
Next, he selected guard towers.
He didn’t hesitate.
Eight positions. Corners and midpoints.
[Purchase: Guard Towers x8 – 360,000 MC]
At each selected point, the ground shifted again. Steel frames rose from below, assembling upward into elevated platforms. Ladders snapped into place, railings locked in, and the towers stood tall, each one angled to cover overlapping sightlines across the perimeter.
Marcus stepped back slightly, checking the spacing.
No blind spots.
"That’ll do."
He moved to the gate system.
[Purchase: Base Gate System – 80,000 MC]
The section of fence facing the main road split apart. A reinforced double gate formed, thick metal plating layered over a rigid frame. Beside it, a smaller personnel access door appeared, both integrated into a single controlled entry structure.
Marcus nodded once.
"Controlled access from the start."
Now, he moved to the internal roads.
The base still had basic paths, but he needed something more solid.
[Purchase: Internal Road Network – 250,000 MC]
The ground trembled lightly as wide strips of compacted surface spread across the base. The main road extended from the gate straight toward the headquarters, then branched into secondary lanes leading to the barracks, storage, and training field. The texture changed from dirt to a hardened, reinforced surface that could handle weight.
Marcus walked a few steps onto it, testing the feel under his boots.
"Vehicles won’t have problems here."
Next, he selected the drainage system.
[Purchase: Drainage and Stabilization – 180,000 MC]
The soil shifted subtly across the land. Channels formed along the edges of roads, slopes adjusted slightly to guide water away from structures, and the previously dry stream bed reshaped into a proper runoff path.
Marcus crouched slightly, touching the ground.
"Yeah... this won’t flood."
He stood up again and moved to the next category.
Structures → Personnel Support
Barracks Unit (Standard, 20 Personnel Capacity) – 150,000 MC
Mess Hall (Full Kitchen + Dining) – 220,000 MC
Sanitation Block (Showers, Toilets, Water System) – 140,000 MC
Marcus looked at the empty space beside the existing barracks.
"Expand."
He selected two more barracks.
[Purchase: Barracks x2 – 300,000 MC]
The structures formed instantly beside the original one. Long rectangular buildings, identical in design, doors aligned, windows evenly spaced. Enough to house sixty men comfortably.
"Capacity secured."
Then the mess hall.
[Purchase: Mess Hall – 220,000 MC]
A larger building rose near the center of the barracks cluster. Wide entrance, ventilation openings, interior layout already structured for cooking and dining. Not fancy, but efficient.
Marcus imagined recruits lining up, trays in hand.
"That’ll keep them fed."
Next, sanitation.
[Purchase: Sanitation Block – 140,000 MC]
Behind the barracks, a functional structure formed. Water tanks connected to pipes, drainage lines running below. It wasn’t visible in detail, but Marcus understood how it worked.
Now, he shifted to training.
Training Infrastructure
Obstacle Course (Basic Infantry) – 200,000 MC
Marksmanship Range (100m Standard) – 300,000 MC
Drill Field (Open Formation Ground) – 100,000 MC
Marcus walked toward the open stretch of land.
"This is where they’ll be shaped."
He selected all three.
[Purchase: Training Package – 600,000 MC]
The ground transformed.
Wooden barriers rose, ropes stretched between posts, climbing walls snapped into place. A long straight lane cleared itself, targets appearing at measured distances, evenly spaced. The open field flattened further, marked faintly for formations and drills.
Marcus stood there, looking at it.
Not imagining anymore.
Seeing it.
"...Yeah."
Then he moved to storage and command.
Structures → Operations
Armory Upgrade (Secured Racks + Access Control) – 250,000 MC
Command Center Expansion (Planning Room + Comms) – 400,000 MC
He selected both.
[Purchase: Armory Upgrade – 250,000 MC]
[Purchase: Command Expansion – 400,000 MC]
The storage building shifted, walls thickening, interior racks forming in organized rows. Reinforced doors locked into place.
At the center, the headquarters expanded slightly. Additional rooms formed, internal partitions aligning into a proper operational layout.
Marcus let out a slow breath.
Then checked the system.
Total spent so far.
He did the math quickly in his head.
Perimeter, towers, roads, drainage, barracks, mess, sanitation, training, armory, command.
"Around five million."
Right where he wanted it. But there’s more work to be done.