After returning to the dungeon, I was warmly greeted by Auriel, my trusted lieutenant. She eagerly started to report the events that had taken place in the dungeon during my absence in the Nexus realm.
"Raiya, I have some important information to share with you," Auriel began. "Valthorian conducted a thorough investigation of the surrounding area and discovered three small-scale cities nearby. However, each city is encased in a massive barrier that seems to allow only those with a specific mana signature to enter. It appears that the inhabitants receive this signature when they leave the barrier."
I nodded, absorbing the information. The existence of these cities piqued my curiosity. "Did Valthorian manage to find any trace of the Heroes Faction?" I inquired.
Auriel's expression turned somber as she replied, "No, Master. Despite his best efforts, Valthorian was unable to locate any signs of the Heroes Faction within the vicinity."
"Very well. We must remain vigilant and keep an eye on these cities," I said, contemplating the significance of this new discovery. "For now, I want Valthorian to summon two Wraithlings to keep watch over each city discreetly. Instruct them not to engage with anyone but to report any developments immediately."
Auriel nodded and made a note of my instructions. "Understood, Master. I will relay your orders to Valthorian right away."
"Good. Now, let's move on to our current resource situation," I said, shifting my focus to our immediate needs. "We are lacking in gold and souls, which are essential for our dungeon's growth and development."
Auriel pondered for a moment before speaking. "We can generate gold by selling potions from the healing well. However, our main challenge lies in obtaining a stable source of souls. That can only be achieved by advancing our crypt center to a tomb nexus, which will unlock the soul fruit farm."
I nodded in agreement. The soul farm was a critical milestone for our dungeon's progress. "Then that shall be our first priority," I declared. "We need to build the healing well, upgrade the crypt center, and then focus on training our dungeon monsters."
Auriel took notes of the plan, ensuring everything was recorded accurately. "Understood, Master. I will make sure the necessary preparations are made."
"Excellent," I replied. "Before we proceed, call Valthorian here. I wish to discuss something with him."
"As you wish, Master," Auriel said with a hint of intrigue. She excused herself to fetch Valthorian while I used the opportunity to check the required resources for upgrading our dungeon.
Moments later, Valthorian entered the room, his aura exuding a blend of confidence and curiosity. "You wanted to speak with me, Master?" he asked respectfully.
"Yes, Valthorian. I wish to know more about your soul calling skill," I inquired. "What are its limitations, and what is the cost involved?"
Valthorian stood at attention, ready to explain. "As a soul lich, I can control up to 250 units at the moment. This power is granted by my unique abilities. To create a ghost or wraith, I require the soul of a living being. Each summoned unit possesses 50% of my original strength."
"Intriguing," I remarked. "Do these units need to be housed in shallow graves, like the rest of our undead forces?"
"No, Master. The ghost and wraith units require no additional upkeep. Once they are created, they serve under my command without the need for external housing," Valthorian clarified.
"That's good to know," I replied, nodding in approval. "How many souls are needed to summon each ghost or wraith, and how long does it take to create them?"
"For each unit, I require two souls, and I can summon up to 20 ghost or wraith units per day if I focus solely on this task," Valthorian revealed.
"Very well," I said, considering the possibilities. "I need you to summon 10 units per day for now. The rest of the time, focus on honing your own abilities and strength."
Valthorian saluted and replied, "Understood, Master. I will follow your orders diligently."
"Good. You are dismissed," I said, granting him permission to leave.
With Valthorian gone, I decided to check the cost of upgrading our crypt center to a Tomb Nexus. It would require 2000 Gold, 500 Souls, 300 Stone, and 200 Wood, along with one soulbinder's assistance and a time frame of 10 days to complete the upgrade.
Satisfied with the information at hand, I headed to the kitchen to prepare a simple steak for myself. The dungeon's resources were limited to the animals Valthorian hunted, but it would suffice for now.
As I savored the meal, I contemplated our dungeon's future. The discovery of the nearby cities and the looming threat of the Heroes Faction made our journey all the more challenging. Yet, with careful planning and the loyalty of my companions, I was confident that we could thrive and prosper in this ever-changing world.
The days passed, and we diligently worked on our objectives. The healing well and crypt center upgrades were progressing steadily. Meanwhile, the soulbinders worked tirelessly to gather the necessary resources for our expansion.
In the midst of it all, I found solace in the moments of reflection, reminiscing about my past and the path that led me here. The memories of my parents and the time we spent together fueled my determination to succeed, not only for myself but also for the legacy they left behind.
Finally, the day arrived when our crypt center was transformed into a majestic Tomb Nexus. With its completion, the soul farm was unlocked, and a stable source of souls became our reality.
The soul farm proved to be a crucial asset, providing us with a steady stream of souls to bolster our forces. As the days passed, our dungeon grew stronger and more formidable, attracting adventurers and challengers from all corners of the realm.
In the future our encounters with the outside world will increased, and with it came new challenges and opportunities, both coming from the world and the Nexus realm
In the face of uncertain future I am caught in the dilemma of the future goal I would take. Will I change my view of the world if I succeed and become one of the behemoth in this world or will I became the Tyrant of past history.