The two moons hung low in the sky, their pale, ethereal glow casting a soft light over the territory of Abyss. The illumination danced across the newly constructed warehouse and residential houses, their wooden and stone surfaces reflecting the moonlight in a quiet, serene shimmer. Zhao leaned back against the rough wall of the Lord's House, the coolness of the wood seeping through his clothing, grounding him as his mind buzzed with the day's whirlwind of events. He had summoned godlike subjects, amassed a fortune in resources that defied comprehension, and ranked up to Black Iron 3-star—all within hours of arriving in Central Land. The exhaustion weighed heavily on his shoulders, his muscles aching from the constant tension, but the exhilaration pulsing through his veins kept him alert, his thoughts racing with possibilities. He glanced at his subjects—Acel, the towering Eternal Sovereign of Spear; Rita, the graceful leader of the Elemental Archers' Squad; and the four Battle-Hardened Workers, Marcus, Leo, Clara, and Finn—each a living testament to the Million Times Multiplier System's extraordinary power. Their max loyalty stood in stark contrast to the struggles he'd observed in the chat, a beacon of reliability amidst the chaos of this alien world.
The chat had painted a grim, almost pitiful picture of his fellow lords from Planet X10089, most of whom were grappling with low-rank, disloyal subjects and a pitiful lack of resources. Zhao opened the interface again, his curiosity piqued, eager to see if anything had changed since he last checked. The screen flickered to life, its golden edges glowing faintly in the dim light, displaying the ongoing conversation among the lords, a mix of despair, frustration, and faint glimmers of hope.
Chat
Alexis: My D-rank subject keeps wandering off. Loyalty's at 20%. Anyone else having this issue?
Scott: Mine's a C-rank warrior, loyalty 50%. Barely listens unless I bribe him with food.
Rita: Got a B-rank builder, loyalty 70%. At least he's useful for basic structures.
Marcus: How are you all even progressing? My subject's a D-rank scout with 30% loyalty—useless!
Jade: I summoned a C-rank farmer, loyalty 40%. He's slow, but I've got a small crop going.
Liam: My E-rank miner's at 25% loyalty. Keeps dropping tools and complaining.
Kara: B-rank healer here, loyalty 60%. She's decent, but I've got no one to heal yet.
Tomas: D-rank hunter, loyalty 35%. Caught one rabbit, then sat down for a nap.
Elena: I got a C-rank smith, loyalty 45%. He forged a dagger, but it broke in an hour.
Vik: E-rank fisherman, loyalty 20%. He's scared of water—how is that even possible?
Alexis: This is ridiculous. How are we supposed to survive with these subjects?
Scott: At least you've got something. My warrior tried to fight a slime and ran away.
Jade: Anyone figured out how to increase loyalty? Mine's stuck at 40%.
Liam: I tried giving mine extra food, but he just ate it and slept.
Kara: Maybe it's tied to territory upgrades? Mine's still at Black Iron 1-star.
Tomas: Same here. I've got 5 wood and 3 stone—nowhere near enough to build anything.
Elena: I've got a hut and 10 stone, but my smith keeps demanding better tools.
Vik: I'm stuck with a pond and no fish. My fisherman's useless without a rod.
Marcus: Wait, has anyone ranked up yet? I'm still Black Iron 1-star.
Alexis: Same. My subject's too lazy to gather resources.
Scott: Black Iron 1-star here. Killed a slime, but no rank-up.
Rita: I'm Black Iron 2-star! My builder finished a well—got some EXP from that.
Jade: Lucky! My farmer's too slow to finish anything.
Liam: How are we supposed to fight that legion with these subjects?
Kara: I don't know. My healer's the only one I've got, and she's fragile.
Tomas: We need better summons or more resources. This is impossible.
Elena: Agreed. My smith's whining about ore, but I've got none.
Vik: I heard someone summoned an S-rank subject. Is that even possible?
Alexis: No way. We'd know if someone got that lucky.
Scott: Probably a rumor. Highest I've heard is B-rank.
Mina: Hold on, I just got a D-rank cook, loyalty 30%. Burned my only piece of meat!
Nero: My C-rank archer, loyalty 50%, shot an arrow into my own foot. Great start.
Zoe: B-rank mage here, loyalty 60%. She's okay, but mana runs out fast.
Hiro: E-rank trader, loyalty 25%. Tried to sell me my own stone—scammer!
Lina: D-rank alchemist, loyalty 35%. Brewed a potion that exploded in my face.
Alexis: This chat is just depressing. Anyone have good news?
Rita: Well, my well's helping with water. That's something, right?
Scott: Barely. My warrior's still hiding from slimes.
Jade: I've got 10 wheat from my farmer. Progress, I guess?
Liam: Progress? My miner's napping under a rock.
Kara: At least no one's died yet. That's a win, right?
Tomas: Speak for yourself. My hunter got scratched by a rabbit.
Elena: My smith's complaining again. Says he needs iron, not excuses.
Vik: Anyone know how to fish without a rod? My guy's just staring at the pond.
Marcus: Forget fishing. Has anyone built anything besides a hut?
Rita: Just my well. Took forever, but it's done.
Alexis: I've got nothing. My subject's too busy sulking.
Scott: Same. My warrior's more scared of me than the monsters.
Nero: Anyone else's subject just… useless? My archer's now refusing to shoot at all.
Zoe: My mage keeps asking for mana crystals. Where do I even get those?
Hiro: My trader's trying to barter with a tree now. I'm done.
Zhao closed the chat, a smirk tugging at his lips as he shook his head. The contrast between his situation and theirs was almost laughable—his subjects were S-rank and above, each with max loyalty, their efficiency and power unmatched, while others floundered with disloyal, low-rank summons that seemed more hindrance than help. His territory, Abyss, was already thriving, with a warehouse stocked to the brim, an Elemental Training Centre, and two residential houses, all thanks to his amplified resources and the tireless efforts of his workers. But he was acutely aware of the looming threat of the Hell's 1987th Legion, a force that would test even his extraordinary advantages. The 7-day Novice Period was a fleeting shield, and he needed to prepare, to fortify Abyss into a stronghold capable of withstanding the coming storm.
He stepped out of the Lord's House, the cool night air brushing against his skin as he called out to Marcus. The four workers were still tending to the fire, their rugged figures silhouetted against the flickering flames, the scent of burning wood mingling with the faint metallic tang of Central Land's atmosphere. Marcus, the leader of the Battle-Hardened Workers, quickly appeared before Zhao, his weathered face illuminated by the firelight, his posture attentive and respectful.
"Do you know any territory defense blueprints?" Zhao asked, his voice steady but laced with urgency. He needed to bolster Abyss's defenses, and blueprints for structures like walls or barracks could be the key to surviving the legion's assault.
Marcus bowed his head slightly, his expression apologetic. "Sorry, my lord, but those are things only engineers have. If you want some, you'll need to summon an engineer."
Zhao sighed, a faint note of frustration escaping his lips as he ran a hand through his hair. "It seems I'll have to wait," he muttered, his mind already turning to his remaining summoning scrolls—2,999,990 of them, each a potential solution to his current limitation. But first, he needed to assess his territory's status and take the next step in its development. He opened the Territory Management panel, the screen materializing before him with a faint hum, its golden text glowing softly in the moonlight.
|Territory Management|
Name: Abyss
Territory Level: Black Iron 1-star
Area: 1km x 1km
Population: 10/20
Warehouse: 900 Wood, 900 Stone, 1000 Leather, 340 Exoskeletons, 1000 Golden Sand, 100 Diamond Tier 4-Star Monster Cores, 340 Gold Tier 5-Star Monster Cores, 420 * 1 million Poison Sacks, 210 * Legendary Tier 1-Star Monster Cores, 10000 Meat
Buildings: Lord's House (Black Iron 1-star), Elemental Training Centre, Warehouse, Residential Building (x2)
Blueprint: Residential Building, Warehouse, Well, Watchtower, Resource Mill
Resources: 1100 wood, 1100 stone, 1000 leather
Requirements for Territory Upgrade: 10 stone, 20 wood, 10 leather, 2 residential buildings, population reach 5 (Can Upgrade)
Zhao smiled lightly as he reviewed the panel, a sense of satisfaction warming his chest. "It seems they went mining and cut trees while I was in my room," he murmured, appreciating the workers' initiative. The resource totals had increased—1100 wood and 1100 stone—more than enough to meet the upgrade requirements. "It also seems like I can upgrade my base," he added, his eyes narrowing with determination. The "Can Upgrade" prompt glowed invitingly, and Zhao didn't hesitate. He clicked the Upgrade button, his heart beating a little faster as he anticipated the changes to come.
Suddenly, the entire territory began to glow, a soft golden light emanating from the ground and spreading outward. The barrier, a translucent dome that marked the boundary of Abyss, shimmered and expanded, stretching beyond its original 1km x 1km confines. The air hummed with energy, a subtle vibration that Zhao could feel in his bones, and the Lord's House creaked as its wooden walls thickened, a faint layer of stone reinforcing its structure. The system's voice chimed in his mind, a cascade of notifications flooding his vision.
(Congratulations, you are the first lord to upgrade the territory)
(Reputation +500)
(You have got the title "Forever First")
(Reputation increased by 500)
(Movement speed of soldiers +30%)
(EXP accumulation speed +30%)
(Territory resource consumption -50%)
(Your territory has reached Black Iron Tier 2-star)
(You have got the blueprints of Barracks, Wall)
(Ding… Million Times Multiplier System has been activated)
(You have unlocked the blueprints of Eternal Legion Stronghold and Eternal Guardian Bastion)
Zhao stood frozen, his breath catching in his throat as the notifications piled up, each one more astounding than the last. Not only had he unlocked the standard blueprints for the Barracks and Wall, but the Million Times Multiplier System had enhanced them into the Eternal Legion Stronghold and Eternal Guardian Bastion, structures of unimaginable power. Normally, such enhancements would raise concerns about resource costs—high-quality materials like celestial stone or mythic ores might be required for such advanced buildings. But Zhao had discovered one of the system's most broken features: it amplified the output, not the input. This meant that the construction costs remained the same—200 wood and 100 stone for the Stronghold, 50 wood and 50 stone for the Bastion—despite their vastly enhanced capabilities.
"This is too broken," Zhao couldn't help but sigh, a mix of disbelief and amusement in his voice. The system's mechanics defied all logic, granting him power that no other lord could hope to match. He opened the details of the Eternal Guardian Bastion first, eager to understand its capabilities.
|Eternal Guardian Bastion|
A formidable, radiant barrier of reinforced celestial stone encircles the territory. Its surface is etched with glowing protective runes, providing unmatched defense without towering unrealistically into the sky.
Construction Cost: 50 wood, 50 stone (system amplifies output, not input)
Durability: 1 billion/1 billion
Height: 10m (Increases with territory level)
Zhao's eyes widened, his mind reeling at the numbers. The durability of 1 billion was beyond comprehension, far surpassing anything he could have anticipated. Even if all the lords of Planet X10089 combined their attack power with extraordinary luck, they might barely reach a million—yet here he stood with a wall boasting a billion durability. It was a defensive structure that could shrug off even the most devastating assaults, a fortress wall that rendered Abyss nearly impregnable. The 10-meter height, while not as extreme as it could have been, was still formidable, and the note that it would increase with territory level hinted at even greater potential in the future.
Next, Zhao examined the Eternal Legion Stronghold, his curiosity piqued by its promise of an unstoppable army.
|Eternal Legion Stronghold|
A supreme training and command center that produces an unstoppable army of elite warriors in vast numbers. It forges soldiers of unparalleled power, equipped with elite weaponry, and coordinates their efforts with flawless precision, capable of overwhelming any adversary through sheer force and strategy. Soldiers can stay inside the dimensional space.
Construction Cost: 200 wood, 100 stone (system amplifies output, not input)
Can Train: Eternal Knights (SSS), Eternal Archers (SSS)
Training Cost: 100 leather, 100 food, 10 stone, 10 wood (system amplifies output, not input)
"What the hell is wrong with this system?" Zhao couldn't help but curse aloud, his voice a mix of awe and exasperation. The Eternal Legion Stronghold wasn't just a barracks—it was a war machine, capable of producing SSS-rank soldiers like Eternal Knights and Eternal Archers at a fraction of the expected cost. The training requirements—100 leather, 100 food, 10 stone, 10 wood—were modest, especially given his vast resources, and the system's amplification ensured that each soldier would be a powerhouse, far surpassing anything his peers could summon.
Determined to see it for himself, Zhao walked to an empty patch of land within Abyss, his steps purposeful despite the fatigue tugging at his limbs. He selected the Eternal Legion Stronghold from the blueprint menu and confirmed the construction, spending 200 wood and 100 stone. A golden beam of light descended from the sky, its brilliance illuminating the night, and the ground trembled slightly as the structure took shape. When the light faded, a building of utter glory stood before him, its architecture reminiscent of ancient fortresses from Earth's history. Its stone walls were tall and imposing, etched with intricate carvings of battles and victories, and two statues of knights, each wielding a sword and shield, flanked the entrance, their stone gazes fixed and resolute. The air around the Stronghold hummed with faint energy, a testament to its power and purpose.
Zhao didn't enter immediately, his curiosity turning back to the Territory Management panel to confirm the changes. He opened it again, the screen glowing brightly in the moonlight.
|Territory Management|
Name: Abyss
Territory Level: Black Iron 2-star
Area: 2km x 2km
Population: 10/50
Warehouse: 900 Wood, 900 Stone, 1000 Leather, 340 Exoskeletons, 1000 Golden Sand, 100 Diamond Tier 4-Star Monster Cores, 340 Gold Tier 5-Star Monster Cores, 420 * 1 million Poison Sacks, 210 * Legendary Tier 1-Star Monster Cores, 10000 Meat
Buildings: Lord's House (Black Iron 1-star), Elemental Training Centre, Warehouse, Residential Building (x2), Eternal Legion Stronghold, Eternal Guardian Bastion
Blueprint: Residential Building, Warehouse, Well, Watchtower, Resource Mill, Eternal Legion Stronghold, Eternal Guardian Bastion
Resources: 900 wood, 1000 stone, 1000 leather
Requirements for Territory Upgrade: 100 stone, 200 wood, 10 leather, 5 residential buildings, population reach 15, Lord's House reach Black Iron Tier 2-star
Zhao nodded as he reviewed the updated panel, a sense of accomplishment settling over him. The territory had expanded to 2km x 2km, and the population limit had increased to 50, giving him room to summon more subjects. The Eternal Legion Stronghold and Eternal Guardian Bastion were now part of Abyss, their presence a game-changer in his preparations for the legion. He had plenty of resources to train soldiers—1000 leather and 10000 meat far exceeded the training costs—but he needed to ensure a steady supply of stone and wood for future upgrades and soldier production.
He turned to Marcus, who stood nearby, his hands clasped behind his back. "Marcus, organize the workers to gather more stone and wood tomorrow. We'll need a steady supply for the Stronghold and future upgrades."
Marcus nodded, his voice steady. "Yes, my lord. We'll start at first light."
Zhao then addressed Rita, who stood with her archers near the training centre. "Rita, take your squad and patrol the perimeter tomorrow. Use the poison sacks to prepare for any threats. I'll summon more subjects to bolster our forces."
Rita bowed her head, her melodic voice calm but resolute. "As you command, my lord."
Finally, Zhao looked at Acel, who stood tall and imposing, his spear gleaming in the moonlight. "Acel, scout beyond the Bastion tomorrow. I need to know what threats are out there and where we can find more resources like iron or steel."
Acel knelt briefly, his deep voice echoing with loyalty. "It will be done, my lord."
Satisfied with his assignments, Zhao felt a surge of confidence. Abyss was growing stronger by the minute, and with the Eternal Legion Stronghold and Eternal Guardian Bastion, he was well on his way to turning his territory into an impregnable fortress. The Hell's 1987th Legion might be a formidable foe, but Zhao had the tools—and the system—to face it head-on.