A strange chill lingered in the air, carried by an unsettling breeze.
Lin Daiyu could feel it, a coldness that seeped through the land. Yet instead of fear, she felt a calm warmth. She glanced at Lucian, who stood deep in thought, gazing at the expanding territory that was slowly taking shape.
The place was barren and rugged, vastly different from the grandeur of the Jia Estate where she once lived. But unlike that gilded cage, this land felt real—it felt like home.
As Lucian paced, muttering something incomprehensible about "armored pigs" and "wild boars climbing trees," Lin Daiyu tilted her head, puzzled by his behavior.
After a moment of hesitation, she reached out and gently took hold of his hand.
"Master," she said softly, her voice soothing like a gentle rain. "Is something troubling you?"
Lucian jolted at her touch, his thoughts snapping back to the present. A blush crept across his face as he turned to her, stammering. "It's… it's nothing. I was just thinking about the Barracks. The units it produces are… let's say, unusual."
Lin Daiyu's lips curved into a faint smile, her bright eyes glinting with amusement. "No matter what they are, Master, I'll protect you."
Her tone was light, but the sincerity behind her words was unmistakable.
Lucian cleared his throat, trying to shake off the moment of awkwardness. Yet the warmth of her hand lingered, grounding him in a way he couldn't quite describe. Almost instinctively, he tightened his grip, intertwining their fingers.
Lin Daiyu's cheeks flushed, but she said nothing, her gaze dropping to their joined hands.
"Let's move on," Lucian said abruptly, releasing her hand and stepping forward. "We have work to do."
Lucian retrieved the two Arrow Tower models from his inventory. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the first model toward one corner of the territory and the second toward the opposite corner.
The models expanded as they fell, growing rapidly until they became two wooden towers standing tall on the edges of the domain.
[Arrow Tower]
Level: 1 (0/100)
Function: Fires 1 arrow per second
Stock: 100/100
Attack Range: 200 meters
Description: A simple defensive structure, each arrow as powerful as one fired by a skilled archer.
Lucian glanced at their stats and nodded. "Decent. These should hold up against the next wave."
But his gaze quickly shifted to the glowing [+] symbol on each tower. His Mechanical Kidney was ready to work its magic.
"Let's see what we can do with these."
Without hesitation, Lucian activated the upgrades. The familiar five-colored light enveloped both towers, the glow illuminating the surrounding land. Lin Daiyu, standing nearby, watched with interest, her hands clasped neatly in front of her.
"What do you think they'll become?" Lucian asked her, his excitement evident.
Lin Daiyu smiled gently. "Whatever form they take, I trust it will suit your needs, Master."
As the light faded, both towers stood transformed. However, to Lucian's surprise, the two structures now looked entirely different.
"What…?" Lucian muttered, stepping closer to inspect the changes. "Same starting point, but two unique upgrades?"
He activated the interface for the first tower.
[Inferno Tower]
Type: Elemental Defense Tower
Level: 1 (0/200)
Function: Fires Fireballs (1 shot every 10 seconds)
Stock: 10/10
Attack Range: 500 meters
Description: Launches powerful fireballs capable of devastating enemies within a large radius.
Lucian's eyes lit up. "An Elemental Tower! And it's fire-based, too. Perfect for early waves."
Fire towers were relatively common among Void Sovereigns, but they were prized for their effectiveness against large groups of weaker enemies. The Inferno Tower's fireball, though slow to recharge, could easily obliterate clusters of foes.
"This will make defending a lot easier," Lucian said, nodding approvingly.
Eager to see the second tower's stats, Lucian opened its interface. His excitement quickly turned to confusion.
[Fart Tower]
Type: Gas Defense Tower
Level: 1 (0/200)
Function: Releases Weak Poison Gas (1 stock per second)
Stock: 100/100
Attack Range: 200 meters
Description: "Run for cover! The gas is lethal!"
Lucian froze, his face contorting in disbelief.
"Fart Tower?!" he exclaimed, barely able to keep his composure. "What kind of absurdity is this?"
Lin Daiyu, standing beside him, couldn't suppress a soft laugh. "Master, the Void's ways are mysterious. Perhaps this tower will surprise you."
Lucian groaned, rubbing his temples. "First armored boars, now this. What kind of Sovereign am I supposed to be?"
Despite his frustration, Lucian couldn't deny that both towers added significant defensive capabilities to his territory. He decided to leave judgment on the Fart Tower's effectiveness for the next wave.
He turned to Lin Daiyu, smiling wryly. "Well, that's enough excitement for one day. Let's rest and prepare for tomorrow."
Lin Daiyu gave a small nod, her expression softening. "As you wish, Master."
As they returned to the hut, the strange chill in the air dissipated, replaced by a quiet warmth. For the first time since descending into the Void, Lucian felt a sense of comfort—not because of the growing strength of his territory, but because of the bond forming between him and his first hero.
Whatever challenges lay ahead, he wouldn't face them alone!