The air was calm once more, with the stench of battle fading away as the last of the elite Dark Hunters disintegrated into ash.
Lucian stood amidst the battlefield, surveying the aftermath. His gaze turned to the two directions where his defenses had held strong.
The [Fart Tower] and [InfernoTower] had performed admirably, their potent combination of debilitating gas and fiery explosions decimating waves of enemies with ease.
Meanwhile, on the east side, Lin Daiyu's efforts were just as effective. The ground was littered with neatly arranged corpses, a stark proof to her precise and devastating blows.
Lucian grimaced. "I was the slowest of the three fronts... My sword broke like a twig, and I had to rely on Peppa." He patted the steel-clad boar by his side, grateful for its assistance.
[Battle Results]
Enemies Defeated: 42 Elite Dark Hunters.
Rating: SS.
Base Rewards: 42 Void Origin Stones.
Bonus Rewards:
250 Void Crystals.
2 [Arrow Towers].
1 [Forge Building].
Equipment: [Gauss Sniper Rifle].
The rewards were bountiful, though Lucian couldn't help but frown at the 250 Void Crystals.
"Why couldn't it be more?" he muttered but quickly shrugged it off. "Still, this is a great haul."
He collected the Void Crystals and Origin Stones before turning his attention to the other prizes. The [Arrow Towers] and [Forge] were valuable additions to his territory. However, what caught his attention was the Gauss Sniper Rifle—a piece of advanced technology he had only read about in textbooks.
"I'll check this out later," Lucian said, storing the rifle and focusing on the loot.
Lucian glanced at the 42 loot boxes scattered across the battlefield. His anticipation grew as he began opening them, one by one.
"Obtained: 3 Void Crystals."
"Obtained: 1 Void Origin Stone, 1,000g Bread."
"Obtained: 5 Void Crystals."
"Obtained: 8 Void Crystals, Iron Spear."
"Obtained: Territory Building: Wooden Wall."
By the end, Lucian had amassed:
165 Void Crystals.
10 Void Origin Stones.
Several basic supplies like bread and water.
Equipment: Iron Spear.
Territory Building: [Wooden Wall].
"Not bad!" Lucian exclaimed, satisfied with his haul.
The [Wooden Wall] was a particularly welcome addition, finally allowing him to replace the flimsy [Fence] that had protected his territory until now.
Lucian returned to the cabin with his spoils, where Lin Daiyu awaited him. She sat gracefully at the table, her chin resting lightly on her hand, watching him with a faint smile.
"Did my lord obtain any treasures?" she asked softly, her voice carrying a hint of teasing warmth.
"Quite a few, actually," Lucian replied, grinning. "One of them might be just the thing to upgrade our defenses."
He retrieved the Gauss Sniper Rifle from his inventory, holding it up for Lin Daiyu to see.
[Gauss Sniper Rifle]
Type: Equipment.
Level: 5.
Quality: White.
Attributes: +3 Spirit.
Ammo: 9mm sniper rounds.
Range: 0–2000m.
Description: "A sniper rifle without a scope. Still quite impressive."
Lucian marveled at the sleek design. "Back on Earth, this would've been a weapon of mass destruction. Here, it's just a common piece of gear."
Lin Daiyu tilted her head curiously. "It seems powerful, though not as elegant as the techniques of this world."
Lucian chuckled. "You're not wrong. Let's keep it in reserve for now."
He stored the rifle and then pulled out the [Wooden Wall] model.
"Well, it's not a stone wall, but it's a step up," Lucian said.
Lin Daiyu walked over, inspecting the structure with a critical eye. "It is much stronger than the fence. This will serve us well for now."
Lucian smiled, appreciating her approval. He then turned back to the remaining building models—the two [Arrow Towers] and the [Forge].
"We're running out of space," Lucian muttered, glancing at the limited area within the perimeter. "I'll need to expand the territory soon."
With the day's work complete, Lucian stood on the porch of the cabin, gazing out at his growing territory.
Lin Daiyu joined him, her presence a soothing counterbalance to the challenges ahead.
"Tomorrow will bring new battles," she said softly.
Lucian nodded. "And new rewards. Together, we'll face whatever comes."
A faint smile graced her lips as the two stood in quiet companionship, the dusk settling over their domain.