Dungeon Raider System-Chapter 514: Anthropology saves the day

It took Uriel all of five minutes to notice many things the army was doing wrong in their camp and although he wasn't very keen on helping others without a payment, as a volunteer member of the army he couldn't let them struggle with the basics.

'If people die in this dungeon, It should be to traps or cryptids, not due to incompetence.' He thought in the meantime Ridge gathered volunteers to learn from Uriel.

"I'm sorry, but not many soldiers volunteered." Ridge said in an apologetic tone when she showed up with less than ten soldiers, most of them of the evolved rank.

"It's fine, as long as they're willing to learn I have no issues."

"Thanks for being so understanding, but are you sure you can build lodgings for all the soldiers today?"

"Of course not, I'm not a miracle worker. It should be better than whatever you have going on here, though." Uriel said as he pointed at one of the shabby cottages that looked more like a bird nest rather than a house.

"We've been working on those for days..." One of the soldiers let out a dejected sigh.

"Hopefully, you'll learn to work smarter, not harder. First things first, does any of you have a trait to manipulate earth?" Uriel asked and a young man lifted his arm. He had bags under his eyes and looked the same as the average slum dweller, but emitted the energy signature of an ascended hunter. "You've had it rough, huh." Uriel said after throwing him one of his energy drinks.

It wasn't pity the reason why he did it but because having someone with such a trait would spare him a lot of work.

"Today, you'll learn how to build a hogan. It's a primitive house made with common materials that will keep you warm and safe from the chilly winds. First, you'll need to build a frame with wood, like this." Uriel explained as he placed two thin logs parallel to each other, then placed two similar logs on top of the first ones only this time in a transversal manner.

"Then, you'll have to reinforce it with mud."

"I have a question, Mister Sage." A female soldier asked.

"Yes?"

"Why can't we just process the logs into boards and build just using wood?"

"Because we don't have the tools or the time for that, besides, packed dirt offers a better thermal insulation than plain wood." By speaking in front of the soldiers, Uriel felt the same as though he was giving a class. He pictured himself as a professor and acted the same way he thought a professor should.

Instead of asking them to start building immediately, Uriel explained how to do it and also the reason why it had to be done in that certain way. This allowed the soldiers to quickly grasp the concept, but Uriel wasn't content with just that, he also showed them how it was done before even letting them touch the materials.

Thanks to the ascended with the trait to manipulate earth, building became a lot easier and instead of the frail earth domes he'd been building for days, the result was a reinforced structure covered in mud. It had a hole in the center to provide ventilation, allowing a pitfire to be placed in the middle of the structure.

"Mister Sage, what if it's hot instead of cold?" Asked the lieutenant when she saw the finished product. It fitted all their needs and was way easier to build than what they've had up to that point, but she still worried about the heat because, even without a sun, the second world was always in daylight.

"Well, on hot days, the Navajo used to sprinkle water on the floor. When the water evaporates, the humidity inside increases and it cools off the inside. Building isn't just putting a roof on top of your head, it's technology meant to preserve energy and protect humans while also providing comfort."

"I see, by adding insulation we won't need to use so much firewood and if all it takes for the building to remain cool is to sprinkle some water, then we'll still be comfortable even in hot days." Another soldier explained as a smile formed on his face.

"I don't know who that Navajo guy, but he clearly knows what he's doing!" The soldier with the earth manipulation cheered. With the new building technique, the shelters were sturdier and easier to make, which would lift a huge weight from people with earth manipulation trait's shoulders.

"The Navajo were among the original inhabitants of this continent. They lived in places with little water and long droughts, which is why they relied on resilient crops. Speaking of water, I know the army must have enough people that can manipulate the water element, but keep in mind that water gets contaminated easily, so..."

Uriel proceeded to give a lengthy lesson about the many Navajo survival skills and techniques. It was an interesting topic and Uriel realized he loved teaching, especially when his 'students' were so invested. After a little bit more than an hour in which the soldiers learned many useful skills and also got enough physical rest, they were more than eager to start the construction process.

However, there was one last warning Uriel needed to give them before they got to work.

"Before you guys start building the hogans, keep in mind that you can't dig in random spots. These islands are filled with hot steam and a wrong move will cost you at least a hand." Uriel knew exactly what he was talking about since on their first expedition in the dungeon, the exact same thing happened to Sam.

"How can we know where to dig, then?"

"If there's grass growing on the soil, then it's most likely safe since it means the temperature is suitable for plants." Uriel replied and the soldiers rushed to work.

"At first I had my doubts, but now I see why you didn't need to bring your men. This was really helpful, especially the ideas for water reservoirs."

"Water has always been the top priority for survival... It's the element of life after all." Uriel spoke before realizing how deeply true it was. The memory of the drops of water flying towards him and healing his wounds was still alive on his mind and even though he didn't miss Water warlock's presence within him, he would be lying if he said he didn't miss the advantages that came with it.

With Water warlock's blessing, Uriel didn't need to worry about his safety and was able to face enemies way stronger than him. Not just that, he rarely felt cold and the blessing also enhanced his looks to the point where everyone who laid eyes on him always wondered what kind of skin care products he used.

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Now he was just like a regular heavenly rank hunter. His trait was extremely rare and he was also able to conceal his energy signature, but other than that he was in as much danger as everybody else, only he had failed to truly grasp it until the day he saw Sam use his skill against the holy rank hunters and the titan at the same time.

"Once again, thank you for your time, Mister Sage, let me accompany you to the exit." Ridge offered, but Uriel politely declined. He wasn't expecting any trouble on his way out and as fun as teaching turned out to be, he felt psychologically drained and wanted some time for himself.

Before exiting the island, Uriel took a glance at the endless line civilians waiting on the queue to enter the dungeon. Without Sam's earring, the shortcut entrance to the dungeon that led directly to the second world remained sealed which meant that everyone who wanted to get inside needed to cross through the first world.

It was dangerous, filled with traps and completely dark which slowed the migration process. As uncomfortable as the people without a home were in the different floating islands, their situation was a lot better than the ones just arriving.

They carried distraught expressions on their faces and barely spoke between them, taking only short steps whenever someone was granted entry. It made them look like zombified versions of themselves and as luck would have it, Uriel found a familiar face among the soldiers who supervised the newcomers.

"Amy? When did you join the army?" Uriel asked.

"Sage!" Amy exclaimed as her face lit brightly for a second, then she continued with a wry smile. "Didn't you hear? It's a requirement to be granted entry to this place..."

"Huh?"

"Yes, they take people safely through the first world, but before entering the second world they force people to join under the threat of leaving them there."

"But that's extortion!" Uriel exclaimed in a loud voice. "I'll have a word with Captain Silvermane before leaving."

"You can try, but he's not the one in command." Amy let out a sigh as her feline tail dropped low behind her.