The Factory Must Grow - [Book 2: The Forge Must Glow]

Constructing a portal is a monumental undertaking, yet the Forerunners have guided dozens of civilizations to that end and know exactly what is needed. Thousands of laborers to source and process materials. Hundreds of brilliant artisans to design and fabricate complicated mechanisms. Dozens of powerful mages to weave the requisite magics. As the culmination of years of work, they tear a hole in the fabric between realities and travel between worlds. There is simply no reasonable way which only five people, prepared for a standard Isekai scenario yet now stranded on a hostile and alien world where meresurvivalis a challenge, could ever build a portal. But reasonable people don't become Forerunners. Additional tags: base/factory-building. Note: I tend to write things because I have some idea or obsession which I feel absolutely compelled to share with people. With Factory, that obsession is "Wow. Modern infrastructure is awesome. There's so much cool stuff that goes into literally everything we take for granted. I want to learn more about this and write it into a story." A huge thanks to Selkie Myth and the folks at Kart Studios for the cover art.