TAKE ON ME [Survival LITRPG Apocalypse]

Tess blew out a long breath. The pounding in her chest slowed.

She had been worried about boring everyone with her Headless Dungeon speech, but the teams and onlookers were quiet and attentive.

Tess cleared her throat. "Okay, let's talk about each main role and its function within the team."

She explained the more obvious roles, such as main tank, healer, and damage-dealer. She then expanded on other roles, such as off-tank and crowd control. "If your role is crowd control, always prioritize that over damage. If you're an off-tank, always pick up a loose target before worrying about damage. So far, my best lesson is to keep a clear head, don't panic, and don't rush; just do what the team needs you to do."

Tess scanned the crowd. Helen was at the front of the onlookers; her arms were crossed, and she scowled at Tess.

"Erm, all right everyone. Let's take a quick break. We'll look at some formations next."

The [Cooks] handed around clay cups with steaming liquid inside.

Tess declined one; Helen was marching over.

"Why wasn't I chosen for a team?" Helen's normally maternal voice was harsh. "The word is you approached all these people, even begged some. I didn't see you at my door. I've been keeping the kids safe, and I helped defend the hill last time."

Oh crap.

"Is it 'cause I'm old?"

Tess flinched; it was exactly why she hadn't picked Helen.

"I hear you, Helen." Tess blew out a huff of air. "And that's fair. If you want, I'll find a spot for you. I'm planning to get more teams going right away. When I do, I'll come see you first. Deal?"

Helen didn't reply immediately. She kept her arms folded.

Tess mentally berated herself.

Eventually, Helen nodded. "Fine. But I'm holding you to that."

Tess took a few moments to compose herself before she called everyone to attention. She announced the start of the formation demonstrations.

Tess accessed her [Battle Map], and set down a simple team-versus-single-monster formation for Team One that she had saved in her interface.

"We're starting small, to help you see how—"

"Why are you in charge of this?"

Blake. Of course.

"Are we seriously entrusting our town's defense to a teenage girl?"

"Oh, so now it's OUR town?" her Dad sneered.

However, it was her Mom's reaction that made Tess do a double-take.

Hana marched up to Blake's face.

"She's done more to keep people safe than anyone else here," Hana hissed. Her deep brown eyes were so fierce they looked capable of cleaving Blake in two.

Blake actually staggered back.

"Mom, it's okay!" Tess called.

Hana didn't move.

"Young man, you need to stop being part of the problem and be part of the solution." Helen growled at Blake.

The crowd murmured and exchanged glances with each other.

Over at Team Three's tree stump, Bridget cradled her head in her hands, as though wishing she could sink into the ground like the buildings.

Tess turned back to Blake. "If you have any better ideas for Foundation's defense then I'm all ears. And if you want on a team, then we can discuss that."

Blake stepped around Hana—who kept him locked in her death-glare—and looked around, his lips pursed. His eyes landed on Bridget.

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Bridget reddened, but stared defiantly back at him.

Blake nodded, and sniffed. "I'll make my own team," he announced. "We'll handle our own training."

He stormed away. Stan and a few others followed him.

Tess's Dad shook his head. "It is always something with that fucking guy."

Tess swallowed, and nodded. Things had started so well, and now they threatened to crumble. She mentally shook herself. "Let's move this along."

The crowd gradually settled, and Team One moved into formation. Tess took her position in the center.

"Pay attention everyone! We're going to break this down, step by step. Placement is key. Every buff, and every attack, has a limited range. Every fight relies on you being exactly where you're supposed to be at the right time."

Tess nodded to Tom at the front of the formation. "Take Lord Tom Damascus there. As our main tank, it's obviously very important he is in the right place at the right time."

Tess hoped her plan would work. Mentally, she sent party invites to the other five team leaders, and formed a raid. As the team leaders accepted, Tess's [Battle Map] filled with information on all sixty people, including their health and mana bars..

She focused on a large stump in the center of the raid, which was close to her team. With a thought, she marked the stump with a large skull icon. Several people ooh'ed.

"Let's first talk about a simple team-versus-one-monster formation. That stump is the monster. In Team One, Lord Tom Damascus is in the front of the group as the main tank. To the side, Lady Kate Damascus functions as a physical damage provider, and she can pivot to off-tank as needed."

Tess went through everyone's roles, and how their role influenced their position in the simple formation. She fielded a number of questions.

"What if the creature gets past the tank and off-tank?"

"What if the tank is hurt? When do we heal?"

Tess answered as best she could, with the rest of Team One helping to clarify.

Next, Tess ran through several common scenarios, and broke down what each role should do.

"Let's talk about a fight with two or more Pygmies. Main tank handles two, off-tank picks up one. Damage focuses on a single target assigned by the battle master. In this case, there is no crowd control since an off-tank is more reliable. However, the crowd control should be ready in case of surprises. As your team grows, and as you get used to each other, you will be able to adapt and figure out what works best for you all."

Tess also talked about spell rotations. "Those with damage-over-time spells, like my mother, can apply your spells to target one, then move to target two, then three, and so on. Spread out your spells for maximum effect. Let the direct damage roles finish off the targets."

Tess turned to Jill in Team Two. "Debuffing classes; same idea. Debuff the first target, then move ahead of the damage dealers to the next targets. Prep those monsters with your debuffs so they die faster when the damage rolls in."

The tutorials and explanations dragged on for two more hours, punctuated by endless questions from the trainees. Tess patiently addressed each one, and guided the teams through various scenarios and formations. The sweat trickling down her back froze in the chilly air, but she ignored the discomfort.

Tess assigned the next formation to Team One. Amber fidgeted in Tess's peripheral vision.

Dammit, she's bored. That means others are too.

Tess took a deep breath. "Now, let's talk about flanking maneuvers." She gestured toward the monster-stump. "Amber, as our direct physical damage, usually sits back and plays an opportunistic role. If you are of the same role, then you will be responsible for—"

Amber bolted forward. She leaped onto the stump, and used it as a springboard to launch herself into a dizzying series of flips and twists. While in the air, she slashed up and down the stump, and left long deep gouges in the wood. She landed gracefully with her arms outstretched.

The crowd gasped, then cheered.

Tess fought the urge to roll her eyes. "All right, everyone," she called out, her voice cutting through the chatter. "Let's move on to something more engaging for all of us."

Tess beckoned the pre-recruited group of children milling nearby. They rushed forward with eager faces.

"Let's expand our training from a single working group to everyone working together. We're going to form a defensive line, as if we were protecting the hill, and all six teams will be active at once. We're going to protect the community behind us."

Tess gestured to the children. "In this scenario, the kids will be playing the role of Headless Pygmies. And let me be clear," she yelled, her voice echoing across the field, "no one will be using real weapons or spells. This is for learning purposes only. No exceptions. No one is getting hurt today."

She turned to the teams. "Whoever is in the back; pay attention to how difficult it is to see a single Pygmy when it's standing right in front of your tank. Work with your battle master to adjust your positioning, so your team can see the target clearly. However, do not be foolish and break formation. Pay attention to your attack plan."

Tess took a deep breath. "Okay," she shouted, and her voice rang with authority. "Let's give it a go!"

A child sprinted toward each main tank, their small forms dwarfed by the adult defenders. As the children took their positions—pulling faces and blowing raspberries at the teams—a collective murmur rippled through those behind the tanks.

"I'm an archer," Sophia called. "How am I supposed to shoot them from this position?" Her team's 'Pygmy' was obscured by Mike's broad frame.

The teams' strategists fumbled with their skills, trying to maneuver their teammates into more advantageous positions. Each of their spells manifested differently, which added to the confusion. Eric's burning flags hovered in the air, indicating the direction and role he wanted his team to assume. However, some people on other teams confused it with their own team's signal, and broke formation. Other battle masters—pissed at their inability to control their skills—resorted to frantic pointing and shouting.

Tess's father quietly observed the chaos. His arms were folded, and his face was impassive.

Tess almost deflated.

He thinks this is a waste of time.

She almost caved and asked for Bo's advice. Instead, she moved from team to team and worked with each strategist, doing her best to help them navigate their command spells. However, in the end, the best advice was to sit and practice—as Tess had.

The training wore on, and the scenarios grew more challenging. Groups of ten children charged at each formation, whooping and hollering at their 'opponents'. Tess regularly switched up the attackers' formations and objectives to keep the defenders on their toes.

The mock battles evolved; everyone now wore strips of cloth—like a game of flag football—to indicate when they had taken 'damage'. The defenders were streaked with grime and sweat, but they were growing wiser with each encounter.

The Sun started to dip below the horizon, and Tess called a halt to the training.

"That's it for today! Thank you, everyone." Tess's voice had become hoarse. "We've learned some big lessons today. Come tomorrow, we are more prepared for the monster wave than ever!"

A cheer went up from the exhausted defenders.

Tess gave a weary smile.

The trainees dispersed, many walking with a tired spring in their step. Most teams stuck together as they walked up the hill.

Eager new recruits swarmed around Tess—Helen among them. Her mind was already spinning with the logistics of adding new teams. Finding equipment, salaries for training, organizing and paying for patrols and escorts . . . It was a daunting task.

If I don't do this, who will?

Eric fell into step beside Tess as she started up the hill. "We need to explore the rest of our land," she said, lost in thought. "Find more ways to generate income. If I had more Copper, maybe we could look into some of those special projects Charlie mentioned, like machines of war, or mounts . . . "

Her imagination went into overdrive with the possibilities. Cavalry charges, chariots thundering across the battlefield . . .

With the right resources and training, we could be in the last 100 million.

Tess almost didn't hear her father's booming voice over the crowd's din.

"Everyone, I have good news!" Bo's face was split in a wide grin. "The Town Hall is nearly complete! Please join me tomorrow morning to celebrate this important milestone for our community."

Of course. He's more interested in his building projects.

Bo caught Tess's eye.

"And, while I have your attention," he said, "let's raise a cheer to my daughter, who led such a fantastic training session today!"

Her father held her gaze as he raised an imaginary beer.

"I underestimated Lady Tess Robinson," said Bo. "I won't make that mistake again."

The crowd erupted in cheers, and Tess's face flushed.

Bo strode toward Tess, and enveloped her in a hug.

Tess smiled, but then she spotted Finn limping away from the crowd, toward the Robinson Shack.

"You did a great job today," Bo whispered. "People look up to you, and they . . . we trust you."

That thought scared the hell out of her.