21 Ch. 18- Monster Break Preparation (1/2)

(Mira's POV)

The Monster Break has finally come, at noon today the planar gate will be opened to monsters and any in the surrounding areas will be attracted to it through some sort of homing beacon or something of the like.

Despite having witnessed the phenomenon multiple times, humanity still has no remote clue as to how it happens, we've just chalked it up to magic or the powers of the deity and left it at that. It really doesn't matter, because from what I've heard is that nothing can stop it until it turns off by itself after 6 hours.

I'm a civilian, so it's not really my job to worry about this type of thing, but I can't help but worry about it not only out of concern for my own safety but for Thomas who will be fighting with the other summoners today.

I'm currently being guided along with the rest of the civilians in our middle sector in the south area of the city to the monster break shelter, it was created after the many civilian casualties that occurred during the first monster break when monsters managed to make it past the fighting summoners and through the gate.

They rampaged and wiped out any human or building they came across, they were only stopped after enough summoners were able to get away from the battle in the monster plane and cross over to ours and slay them, unfortunately, this was about 2 hours later and the damage was immense.

I still remember hiding in our dingy apartment located in the outer sector terrified that the monsters would sense and kill us. It seems the only good thing that came out of being poor is that we were far away from the gate and the subsequent monsters that managed to get through and go on a killing spree.

The inner sectors were devastated, and as a result, the shelters were made a priority to prevent anything like that ever happening again or at least on such a scale. It seems similar things happened within the other continental cities and they had similar ideas to help preserve the safety of their many civilians.

The shelter I'm in front of is similar to that of a nuclear shelter with thick steel encasing the entire outside frame and door to prevent monsters from getting through.

There were many panicked women and children along with the occasional civilian man in line, the women and children were given priority as they were considered humanity's future and would be able to bolster our population and as a result, our fighting force as well.

I was no less freaked out, but I hid it well and tried to reassure some of the panicked children near me that seemed to not have any parent nearby, they were either orphans or their parents were summoners fighting off the monster hordes.

The scanner was necessary not only to keep track of who was in the shelter and where they could be found but also so that no available summoner could hide as fighting during the break was mandatory for anyone signed up with the association. It was a harsh but mandatory rule that served to ensure that as many people as possible were fighting off the monsters, thus reducing the chances of monsters breaking through and causing destruction and mayhem.

I eventually found a wall to sit down and lean back on and just began to pray to the deity that had changed our lives forever that Thomas would make it through this coming battle safe. I would wish for the safety of everyone fighting for those who couldn't, but that was unrealistic and I figure it would be best to save my prayers for those I truly cared about, which at this point was only Thomas.

I knew he was strong after seeing his tier 3 summons and him nearly winning that tournament, but I couldn't help but worry. After all, there were many summoners stronger than him who had perished due to bad luck or a strong monster on the chaotic battlefield.

I have even heard that there are a few tier 4 and 5 monsters that come out, their presence is always devastating and usually requires multiple strong summoners to bring down. Not to mention that Thomas is still a relatively new summoner whereas other summoners who have been summoners since the beginning have years of experience and have had a much longer period of time to grow strong.

The increasing strength of each monster break doesn't reassure me either, but I try not to dwell too much on it and just continue to hope for my brother's safety, after all, he's the only family I have left.

(Thomas's POV)

The alarm had rung at 8 this morning alerting that all summoners registered with the association were to report to the gate in preparation for the monster break starting at noon. The extra time was needed to organize the few millions of summoners available and get them registered before going through the gate.

The registration was to ensure that summoners were accounted for otherwise they would be considered as a deserter and any further business with the association would be cut off, which means no buying or selling of any summoner related goods.

This was incentive enough for any summoner to participate in the monster break despite the danger, not to mention that us summoners were the only ones capable of keeping our family, friends, and neighbors from being wiped out by monsters.