NOVEL'S EXTRA: I Will Die at the Peak-Chapter 79: Planning

Nothing happened throughout the night. Silence had seeped into every corner of the room.

The two moons hanging in the sky had long set, replaced by the first lights of morning. Rising from the east, sunlight filtered through the broken window with a pale glow.

Asogi glanced sideways at his father. Ravien was still asleep. He remained motionless, lying completely still.

A few hours had passed when Ravien’s eyelids slightly parted. He slowly sat up and, with a few short movements, gathered himself. He rolled his shoulders, turned his neck, then stood up from the bed.

While the cool, fresh air of morning drifted in through the broken window, it began to disperse the heavy stench accumulated during the night.

Ravien adjusted his clothes and scanned the room. Looking at his two sons, he spoke:

"You’re awake, aren’t you?"

Asogi immediately lifted his head. His voice was lively and eager:

"Yes, Father, I’m awake."

Juuhra, still lying on his back with eyes closed, muttered lazily:

"Yeah."

Ravien walked toward the window. Upon reaching the ledge, he paused and filled his lungs with fresh morning air. After taking a deep breath, he turned around:

"Today, I’ll have tasks for both of you. Simple work, but it needs to be done."

Asogi’s eyes widened. Sitting up curiously, he asked with excitement:

"What is it, Father? I’ll do whatever you ask!"

Juuhra stayed silent. Deep down, he already sensed it would be another tiring chore. He didn’t protest, but chose to hide his reaction. Then he slowly got out of bed.

Ravien turned to both of them. This time, his voice was clearer:

"Asogi, I’ll send you to the forest again. Bring more wood from there. As much as possible. You’ll have to make five or six trips. Juuhra, clean off the branches and rough edges from what Asogi brings. Stack the trunks by the entrance, and carry the scraps to the back."

Asogi lifted his head immediately. His eyes sparkled; his voice was nearly hurried:

"Yes, Father, I’ll do whatever you ask!"

Juuhra didn’t even turn his head. He sighed softly, then got up with a blank expression. He neither objected nor approved; he simply acted out of obligation.

Ravien headed for the door. His mind was already filled with plans for the day.

"I need to finish drawing all the house projects today," he thought. He opened the door with a creak and stepped outside.

Asogi got up, paused for a moment, then started walking after his father.

Juuhra, without breaking his silence, turned toward the broken window. He opened the wings and glided down with the wind. He landed lightly and smoothly on the stone ground.

Asogi, descending the stairs, saw an empty bone cart before him. The wood inside had already been unloaded. Juuhra was already working without a word. He was breaking down trunks, quickly stripping off branches.

He held a blade formed from dense black energy. It resembled solidified dark smoke. He wielded it so skillfully that Asogi’s eyes widened in amazement. A chill ran through him, a strange tightness formed in his chest.

"What is this... It looks like Father’s style... Hand motions, muscle control... And I’m still just learning to balance myself," he thought.

A wave of jealousy began to rise inside, but he quickly suppressed it. Holding his breath, he muttered to himself:

"Just a coincidence."

He walked toward the nearby black horse. As he approached, the horse pulled its head back and shook its mane, clearly agitated. Its eyes locked onto Asogi—cautious, yet defiant.

Asogi paused. The resistance from the horse triggered a strange vibration in his body. The sensation spread from beneath his skin, awakening a repressed fury. His pupils shrank, lips tightened.

"Hey..." he said, his voice deeper and more primal than usual.

"...don’t even think of defying me, you lowly creature. I’ll devour you alive... So bow down."

Asogi’s aura intensified. The ground seemed to tremble slightly. Silence fell. Even the fur of a headless wolf far away stood on end; instinctively, it tucked its tail between its legs in fear.

Juuhra noticed the shift. He glanced at his brother and muttered in a calm yet weary voice:

"Another rage fit... Hope he doesn’t come this way. Dealing with him is always a pain."

The horse backed off in fear, then slowly knelt down. Its gaze avoided Asogi’s.

Asogi looked down on it with a sense of dominance.

"That’s right... Know your place, you worthless thing," he said coldly.

The wave in his mind hadn’t fully faded, but it was time to act. He mounted the horse and lightly pulled the mane. With a sharp motion, he rode through the open gate. The black horse and red-furred wolf galloped toward the forest with full force.

Ravien entered his study. The room was tidy; simple yet functional. Everything had its place. He walked to the desk and sat down. He pulled the ink bottle closer, opened a drawer, and laid out several blank papers.

---

(POV – Ravien)

How will I design these houses now?

They must be simple but solid. Not just for shelter; they must serve people involved in production and small business owners. Structures that function as both homes and shops.

I leaned back. As I tried to gather my thoughts, images from my past appeared. I remembered wooden houses I’d seen in different countries.

I always loved the two-story ones the most. Living space on the upper floor, small shop below. For the system I plan to establish, these buildings would be ideal.

I picked up the pen and began to draw. I started with the exterior: roof, wall junctions, entrance. Then moved on to interior: floor plans, stair placement, well-lit areas... I detailed everything carefully.

This process took about three hours. At last, I managed to put the idea in my mind onto paper. I designed five different buildings. All were two-story. Upper floors for living, lower floors suitable for small businesses.

One of them was plain but spacious. Specially designed to function as a warehouse, storage, or food reserve. The others were adaptable housing models suited for different needs and terrains.

But the real challenge was just beginning: city planning.

I pulled new papers in front of me. Took up the pen again. Drew, erased, started over repeatedly. Hours passed, and still no satisfying layout emerged.

Am I struggling because I’m thinking too big? Or is it simply because this is my first city plan? I don’t know.

Just as I was about to reach for another paper, a sound came from the door.

"Tap tap."

I raised my head and turned toward the door.

"Come in."

The door slowly opened. Haldvir stepped in with a tray in his hands. He carried a steaming cup of tea.

"S-sir. I brought you some tea," he said in a timid voice.

On the other side of the door, XZ silently waited.

"Leave it by the desk," I said, eyes still fixed on the papers.

Haldvir gently set the tea down and quietly left. Left alone, Ravien decided to take a short break. He picked up the cup and poured a little tea.

With the rising steam, a strong floral scent spread through the room. A blend of lavender and dried herbs soothed his tired mind.

He brought the cup to his lips and took a sip. His eyes wandered to the window. He looked up at the sky.

The two moons were still visible; the sun hadn’t fully risen yet, but its light was present. In this brief silence, his inner world was just as calm as the outside.

"This won’t end with just building a city," he thought. "Economy, security, healthcare, agriculture... I’ll have to think of everything. My knowledge may be limited, but I more or less know where to begin."

He took another sip. As the warmth filled his hands, his thoughts grew deeper.

---

Elsewhere

In one of Lacrima City’s training fields, right at the center, Lieno stood tall, staring at the men lined up before him.

Each sat in a different pose; some crouched, others leaning against something. Indiscipline had become a regular habit for them.

Lieno, with an unreadable expression, broke the silence:

"Everyone looks ready, don’t they?"

The reply didn’t take long, but it didn’t come in unison either. It echoed in scattered, messy voices:

"Yes... yeees... yesss!"

These men who once swore to become knights were now ready for banditry.

Lieno paused for a moment, then spoke in a tone as clear as his inner voice:

"Alright. We’re ready now. Everyone, put on your bandit gear. We’ll set off slowly."

He turned to his assistant standing nearby. His voice lowered slightly, but his resolve remained firm:

"Inform the scout team too. We’re moving out very soon."

All the knights wore strange outfits made of torn and filthy leather armor. They began heading toward the lower grounds—everything was ready now.

---

(A mysterious voice: "30 hours remain until the coming of Kheret, Goat of God.")