Liam teleported to New Jersey and located the service entrance to Stryker's basement, concealed by a cliff near the estate. He traversed the secret tunnel, cautiously avoiding the use of his magic to remain undetected.
"Okay, you've got this, Liam! No stinking homunculus or anything else is going to stand in your way."
As Liam entered the mansion's basement, he prepared himself for an epic showdown with Stryker's homunculus guards.
"Welcome, honorable guest. Please follow us, and we will escort you to the study."
"What?"
Much to his astonishment, they greeted him as a guest and led him to their master's study.
Liam followed the homunculi silently through the dim corridors of the mansion's underground levels. His gaze swept across the mansion's interior, and a strange sense of calm washed over him—though it was fleeting.
Beneath the rustic beauty and charm, he knew there were secrets that could unravel everything. He glanced at the homunculus guards, who stood motionless, awaiting his response with an air of patience. Their sudden allegiance was unexpected, but not entirely unwelcome.
The air smelled of old parchment, alchemical reagents, and a hint of metal—remnants of Stryker's years of research. The flicker of enchanted lanterns lit their way as they descended deeper into the heart of the mansion, passing rooms filled with strange equipment and arcane diagrams scrawled across walls and tables.
"You want me to take over the mansion's master wardstone?"
Liam asked, raising a brow.
The leading homunculi, a slender female with alabaster, porcelain-like skin, inclined its head.
"Yes. Without a master, the wardstone's power will diminish. Should that happen, our survival is at risk since we are advanced combat models. Master Stryker engineered us in his subterranean lab, and our mana cores are linked to the wardstone."
Liam's expression remained neutral as his mind whirred through possibilities. If he accepted the wardstone, not only would the homunculi obey him, but the mansion and its defenses would become his. And with his two other targets, Victor Hale and Gavin LeClair now both dead, the estate might serve as a valuable outpost.
"Why me?"
Liam asked sharply, narrowing his eyes.
"As Master Stryker had no heirs... You were marked as a potential master the moment you entered the estate, as you were a distant relative. The mansion recognized your magical affinity."
The homunculus clarified, reminding Liam that nearly all pureblood mages are closely related to one another.
"And you have no ill intentions toward the estate—unlike the traitors we had to put down, who assaulted Master Stryker."
Liam's lips curled into a faint, cold smile.
"You think you know my intentions."
The homunculus tilted its head.
"Only what the wards tell us. Will you accept, or do we wither away within the year?"
After a long pause, Liam nodded slowly.
"Fine. Lead me to the wardstone."
"The Binding Stone was damaged in the battle."
Another homunculus answered.
"Its magic leaked into the estate's wards, becoming part of the infrastructure. With master Stryker dead, and the Binding Stone fragmented, only a master can stabilize the mansions wards. If you do not accept the master wardstone, this place—and we—will deteriorate within a year."
The homunculi bowed and led him deeper into the mansion. They passed through a series of winding corridors, each hallway lined with arcane sigils glowing faintly on the walls.
They eventually reached an ornate door reinforced with iron and carved with glyphs of protection. The homunculus leading the group opened it, revealing Stryker's study. It was both grand and eerie—walls lined with shelves holding ancient grimoires, glowing crystals, and alchemical tools.
At the far end of the room stood a fake bookshelf, that led to a hidden chamber at the very heart of the estate. At the center of the room, atop a pedestal, rested the master wardstone—a large, pulsating crystal, emitting a dim golden light. It seemed to hum with latent power, the magic waiting to be claimed.
Liam stepped closer, examining the wardstone. Its magic radiated like the heartbeat of the estate, thrumming through the walls and into the homunculi themselves. He could feel the threads of arcane power stretching throughout the mansion, waiting for someone to take control.
"You said you were combat models?"
Liam asked, glancing back at the homunculi.
"Yes."
The tallest among them confirmed.
"We were designed to defend the mansion at all costs. Typically, a regular homunculus lives for ten years, but as high-level models without a master, our magic cores stop producing mana, and our bodies will rapidly deteriorate without magic."
"Okay, enough about your impending demise! I've already agreed to take charge."
Liam interjected, his outburst giving way to contemplation.
Assuming command of the mansion was a significant undertaking. Yet, with Victor Hale and Gavin LeClair gone, and the Binding Stone's magic woven into the estate. The mansion could serve as a formidable stronghold for his future endeavors.
Liam felt a surge of power ripple through him as the notifications appeared, the weight of the Binding Stone merging seamlessly with the estate's master wardstone, feeding the wards and the homunculi's very existence.
His senses expanded far beyond the physical boundaries of the mansion—he could now feel the entire 8-acre estate humming with life, as though the land itself was breathing in sync with his own heartbeat.
Ding!
[You have taken control of Stryker's Estate]
[Master Wardstone Activated: All estate functions, homunculi, and defenses are now under your command]
[New Passive Talent Unlocked: Sanctuary Dimension]
Sanctuary Dimension:
-The estate has shifted into a pocket dimension under your control. Time and space behave differently here; you determine the flow of time, weather, and terrain.
-All objects, creatures, and structures within the estate are now bound to your will. Any changes made within the pocket dimension remain unless you decide otherwise.
-The estate is hidden from external threats as it's in a pocket dimension—those outside its dimension cannot detect or access it unless you allow them to.
-Teleportation Gateway Unlocked:
You now have the ability to enter and exit your Sanctuary Dimension at will. Additionally, you can establish anchor points to create various exit points around the world.
The subtle shift of magic was exhilarating. It was as if the entire mansion had folded away from the physical world, taking everything within it—structures, artifacts, and even the homunculi—with it.
Liam closed his eyes briefly, feeling the intricate threads of power woven through the pocket dimension. The weather bent to his thoughts—a calm, cloudy evening coalesced over the estate. He could sense every blade of grass, every artifact within the walls, and every homunculus moving through the mansion as an extension of himself.
He grinned. This place wasn't just a refuge—it was a sanctuary under his complete control.
Liam pulled his hand away from the wardstone, thrilled by the prospects of what he could now achieve with a concealed pocket space entirely under his control, as the surge of magic stabilized within him. The homunculi noticeably perked up, their figures becoming more stable as their connection to their magic cores was restored.
"You will follow my commands from now on."
Liam stated firmly.
"Yes, Master."
They said in unison, bowing slightly.
Liam turned toward the shelves, his mind already racing. The fact that Hale and LeClair had been bold enough to attack Stryker hinted at something far larger.
They had been after more than just the Binding Stone—they had acted with purpose and desperation. There was more going on here than he initially thought, and the key to unraveling it might be hidden within the estate's secrets.
"Start cataloging everything left behind by Stryker."
Liam ordered.
"I want records of every project, artifact, and magical defense linked to the Binding Stone. And bring me any intelligence you have on the people Hale and LeClair were working with."
The homunculi bowed again and moved to carry out his commands. As they left the study, Liam gazed out of the arched windows overlooking the empty void beyond the mansion grounds. The pocket dimension, with its unique power and the mansion's concealed secrets, was now his to command.
A small smile tugged at the corner of Liam's lips. Whatever plans Hale and LeClair had set in motion had failed—but that didn't mean he couldn't learn from them. He intended to use the resources at his disposal to uncover exactly what had driven them and make sure no loose ends remained.
This wasn't just about revenge anymore. With the mansion's power now in his hands, Liam was playing a far bigger game. And he didn't intend to lose.
As he explored the boundaries of his new domain, the homunculi returned to the study. The leader, an elegant, silver-haired combat model, bowed deeply.
"Master, we've begun cataloging Stryker's research and artifacts. There is much you may find useful. Additionally, the alchemical lab contains several prototype vessels—we suspect they were experiments in creating more permanent forms for us."
"Interesting."
Liam murmured.
"What else?"
"We've found encrypted notes mentioning Victor Hale and Gavin LeClair's involvement with a group called the Order of Ebon Claw. They sought the Binding Stone to bolster their influence. According to Stryker's notes, the artifact wasn't just powerful—it had the potential to tether an entire dimension to one's soul and even manipulate time."
Liam's gaze sharpened. The implications of manipulating time were enormous. If Hale and LeClair had succeeded, they could have created an army of loyal, immortal followers—or worse, altered history to their advantage. Fortunately, their plans had been cut short. Now the stone, fractured as it was, rested securely within his domain.
"Is there anything else on the Order of Ebon Claw?"
Liam asked.
"Only fragmented mentions."
The homunculus replied.
"They were recruiting powerful individuals—mages, sorcerers, and alchemists—and gathering ancient artifacts. Their true goal, however, remains unclear."
Liam nodded thoughtfully Recording all the notes.
"Continue the catalog. I want every useful piece of information at my disposal."
The homunculi bowed once more and dispersed to their tasks, leaving Liam alone in the study.
Liam's fingers brushed over his Purple Heart wood desk in his study and an idea formed in his mind. The ability to enter his new estate wherever he desired could be a game-changer.
He could relocate to new locations with his anchor points to strategic positions, hide from enemies, or create a safe haven that only he and his allies could access. The thought made him smile.
"Let's see the those fuckers find me now."
Liam whispered to himself.
With a flick of his wand, he conjured a mental map of the estate and began shaping it—extending paths, reinforcing walls, and erecting new barriers along the outer edges.
He summoned the homunculi from various sections of the mansion, instructing them to fortify the defenses and prepare for the unexpected. If for whatever reason the Order of Ebon Claw made their way into his pocket dimension, looking for the Binding Stone, they would find far more than they bargained for.
The Sanctuary Dimension hummed in response, adapting to Liam's will. The very land bent to his desires, terrain shifting and barriers rising where he imagined them.
Satisfied for now, Liam withdrew from the master wardstone's connection and took a deep breath. Power, security, and secrecy—everything he needed was now within his grasp. The mansion, with its wealth of resources and the fractured Binding Stone, was the perfect tool for what was to come.
But his work was just beginning.
"Soon."
Liam murmured, his gaze distant and calculating.
"The Order of Ebon Claw will know what it means to cross me."
And with that, he turned to begin planning his next move.
Ding!
[Quest: This Is The Path I Walk. Not You Or Anyone Can Change That]
[Bonus Objective 1: Eliminate three key Klan leaders responsible for your family's murder]
[Reward: Super rare Gold-Tier Item Sanctuary Dimension Expansion]