The midday sun blazed high above Abyss, its golden rays bathing the territory in a warm, steady light that chased away the lingering chill of dawn. The two moons had long since faded, their ethereal glow replaced by the vibrant clarity of day, but the air still carried that distinctive metallic tang of Central Land, a constant reminder of the alien world Zhao now commanded. The Eternal Guardian Bastion stood firm, its radiant stone surface shimmering under the sunlight, the protective runes glowing faintly as they adjusted to the territory's 2km x 2km expanse, consuming a quarter of its original resources to grow proportionally. The Eternal Legion Stronghold, with its ancient, fortress-like architecture, loomed nearby, the two knight statues at its entrance standing sentinel, their stone forms bathed in light, exuding an aura of unyielding strength.
Zhao stood at the center of Abyss, near the Lord's House, his gaze sweeping across the territory. The previous day's efforts—summoning 20 SSS-rank soldiers (10 Eternal Knights and 10 Eternal Archers) and appointing Valorn as Eternal Commander, Balor as Eternal Knight Sub-Commander, and Lyra as Eternal Archer Sub-Commander—had transformed his forces into a structured army, ready to defend and expand. The workers, Marcus, Leo, Clara, and Finn, were already out gathering more stone and wood, their S-rank efficiency ensuring a swift return. Acel, Rita, and their squads patrolled the perimeter, their movements coordinated and precise, while the new commanders oversaw initial training and defense preparations. The territory thrummed with purpose, each subject playing a vital role in fortifying Abyss against the impending threat of Hell's 1987th Legion.
Zhao opened the Territory Management panel, the screen materializing before him with a soft golden glow, its text updating in real-time as his subjects worked.
|Territory Management|
Name: Abyss
Territory Level: Black Iron 2-star
Area: 2km x 2km
Population: 30/50
Warehouse: 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, 1000 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: 2000 wood, 2000 stone, 2000 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
The leather depletion from the soldier training had been replenished by the workers, their efficiency filling the gap. The stone and wood were more than sufficient, and the meat reserves could sustain further summons or training. Zhao recognized, however, that even with the strongest wall and formidable army, without sufficient resources and engineering expertise, Abyss could not survive the legion's assault. His current subjects lacked the specialized skills to design advanced defenses or construct mechanical structures beyond basic gathering and combat.
He turned his attention to Valorn, who stood near the Stronghold, his armor gleaming and his presence commanding. "Valorn," Zhao called, his voice steady and authoritative. "How are the Knights and Archers adapting to their roles?"
Valorn approached, his steps measured and confident, his eyes sharp with the wisdom of an eternal commander. "My lord, the Eternal Knights under Balor's command are excelling in defensive drills at the Bastion, their Blade Mastery and Eternal Shield skills ensuring they can hold any line. The Eternal Archers, led by Lyra, are integrating seamlessly with Rita's squad, their Precision Shot and Elemental Barrage abilities enhancing our ranged capabilities significantly. They're ready to patrol and engage, but we need more resources to sustain their training and expand our numbers."
Zhao nodded, his mind racing with strategies. "Good. Keep them sharp. I'll summon more subjects if needed, but first, we need leather and iron. Acel should return soon with scouting reports—use that information to prioritize our next moves."
Valorn bowed slightly. "As you command, my lord. I'll coordinate with Balor and Lyra to ensure our forces are prepared for any threat."
Knowing the fact that even though he had the strongest wall and many soldiers, without sufficient resources and engineering expertise he could not survive, Zhao decided to summon more subjects to address both the resource gap and the engineering issue. He pulled 10 summon scrolls from his inventory of 2,999,970 and tossed them into the air. The scrolls burst into golden light, splitting into two groups as they soared and condensed.
(Ding… Million Times System activated)
(You have summoned SSS-rank Engineers – 5 members)
(You have summoned SSS-rank Siege Engineers – 2 members)
(You have summoned S-rank Builders – 3 members)
(Congratulations, you are the 1st lord to summon an SSS-rank engineer squad)
(Reputation increased by 500)
(You get the building Engineering Hub)
(Loyalty of subjects increased by 10)
(You have unlocked the Achievement: "Master Engineer")
(Achievement Reward: Passive Skill "Construction Efficiency" – Reduces building construction time by 50%)
A golden beam of light flashed, and the Engineering Hub materialized near the warehouse—a sleek, metallic structure with blueprints and advanced tools lining its walls, its surface etched with efficiency runes that pulsed with a faint blue light. A place where engineers could rest. Zhao checked the details of the Engineers' leader, a figure of technical brilliance and innovation.
|Subject Overview|
Name: Elara
Title: Engineering Prodigy, Master Builder
Age: 30
Rank: SSS
Class: Engineer (SSS)
Territory: Abyss
Loyalty: Max [S-rank and above classes will have max loyalty. They won't decrease.]
Race: Human
Skills: Advanced Construction (SSS), Blueprint Mastery (SSS), Structural Analysis (SS), Resource Optimization (S), …
Next, he examined the Siege Engineers' leader, a specialist in siege warfare and fortifications.
|Subject Overview|
Name: Draven
Title: Siege Master, Fortress Architect
Age: 35
Rank: SSS
Class: Siege Engineer (SSS)
Territory: Abyss
Loyalty: Max [S-rank and above classes will have max loyalty. They won't decrease.]
Race: Human
Skills: Siege Design (SSS), Fortification Tactics (SS), Trap Engineering (S), Explosive Crafting (S), …
Finally, the Builders' leader appeared, a rugged figure skilled in rapid construction.
|Subject Overview|
Name: Brant
Title: Builder Lord
Age: 32
Rank: S
Class: Builder (S)
Territory: Abyss
Loyalty: Max [S-rank and above classes will have max loyalty. They won't decrease.]
Race: Human
Skills: Rapid Construction (S), Foundation Stability (S), Material Handling (A), Team Coordination (A), …
Elara, Draven, and Brant knelt before Zhao, their voices firm and resolute. "We serve the lord of Abyss." Zhao assigned Elara and her Engineers to design and optimize defenses, focusing on leveraging the Eternal Guardian Bastion's growth and planning upgrades for the Eternal Legion Stronghold. Draven and his Siege Engineers were tasked with planning siege defenses and traps around the Bastion, ensuring no enemy could breach Abyss easily. Brant and his Builders were instructed to construct additional structures, such as wells and resource mills, to support resource gathering and territory expansion.
As the new subjects set out, Zhao returned to the Eternal Legion Stronghold to check on Valorn, Balor, and Lyra. The commanders were overseeing the Eternal Knights and Archers, their training drills echoing through the chamber. Valorn approached Zhao, his armor clinking softly.
"My lord, the soldiers are adapting well, but we need iron and steel to maintain their equipment and expand the Stronghold's capabilities. The Engineers, Siege Engineers, and Builders should help, but we must remain vigilant. Acel's report is due soon."
Zhao nodded, his mind racing. "Keep training. I'll reinforce our defenses and ensure we have the resources to sustain growth. The Engineers are required to make more buildings in the territory, and the Siege Engineers will design weapons of war. Brant's Builders will speed up construction."
Zhao left after saying that, his steps purposeful as he headed back to the Lord's House. The population had risen to 40, leaving room for 10 more subjects. He knew Acel, Rita, and Marcus would return soon with their reports and resources, and the new Engineers, Siege Engineers, and Builders would accelerate construction, defense planning, and resource collection. But before he could focus on further expansion, he realized a critical step remained: upgrading his Lord's House to meet the territory upgrade requirements.
He opened the window for the Lord's House, the screen materializing with a soft chime.
|Lord's House|
The place of beginning and end.
Provides increased comfort.
Increases mana, health, and stamina regeneration by 30%.
Rank: Black Iron 1-star
Upgrade Requirement: 50 wood, 50 stone (Can be upgraded)
With 2000 wood and 2000 stone in reserve, Zhao pressed the upgrade button without hesitation. The Lord's House glowed with warm golden light, the wooden walls expanding and reinforcing with stone accents, the interior growing more furnished with sturdy furniture and glowing runes. When the light faded, the structure stood taller and more imposing, a true residence befitting a lord.
He opened the updated status:
|Lord's House|
The place of beginning and end.
Provides increased comfort.
Increases mana, health, and stamina regeneration by 50%.
Rank: Black Iron 2-star
Upgrade Requirement: 100 wood, 100 stone, 50 iron
"Oh, it seems the hut turned into a house," Zhao said with a smile, his voice carrying a note of satisfaction. "Looks like it's time to upgrade the territory again."
He opened the Territory Management panel and clicked the upgrade button. The entire area glowed once more, a brilliant golden light spreading outward as the territory boundary expanded, the dome stretching to encompass a larger area. The Eternal Guardian Bastion grew with it, its runes pulsing as it consumed additional resources, while the other buildings shimmered with newfound strength.
(Your territory has reached Black Iron Tier 3-star)
(You have got the blueprints of Archer Tower, High Cannon)
(Ding… Million Times Multiplier System has been activated)
(You have unlocked the blueprints of Marksman Tower, Infinite Cannon)
Zhao's eyes widened, his heart racing with excitement. The upgrade not only expanded Abyss but also introduced new defensive structures, amplified by his system to unprecedented levels. He went to check their details, the screens materializing before him with a faint hum.
|Marksman Tower|
A supreme ranged defense structure that deploys elite marksmen with pinpoint accuracy. Produces and directs SSS-rank sharpshooters equipped with infinite ammunition and enhanced vision, capable of striking targets from vast distances with flawless precision.
Construction Cost: 100 wood, 50 stone (system amplifies output, not input)
Capacity: 100 SSS-rank marksmen
Firing Rate: 10,000 shots per second
Range: 1,000,000 meters
Feature: Infinite Ammo
Training cost:10 leather,10 wood,10 stone,10 meat
|Infinite Cannon|
A supreme siege weapon that unleashes devastating barrages of energy depending on the monster core used, obliterating enemy forces with overwhelming force. Produces and coordinates SSS-rank artillery units capable of leveling entire landscapes with pinpoint accuracy.
Construction Cost: 150 wood, 100 stone (system amplifies output, not input)
Firing Rate: 5000 shots per minute
Range: 2,000,000 meters
Feature: Energy Barrage – Each shot deals 20,000,000% increased damage, with a 50% chance of causing area-of-effect explosions
Attack power: depends on the monster core used
Zhao stared at the screens, his mind reeling at the power of these structures. The Marksman Tower and Infinite Cannon were not just defenses—they were weapons of war, capable of turning Abyss into an impregnable fortress. With Elara, Draven, and Brant now on his side, he could construct these buildings swiftly, leveraging their skills and the "Construction Efficiency" skill to reduce build times by 50%.
He turned to Elara, who was already at the Engineering Hub, consulting blueprints with her team. "Elara, prioritize building the Marksman Tower and Infinite Cannon. We need these defenses operational before the legion arrives."
Elara nodded, her voice confident. "My lord, with our skills and the Hub's efficiency, we can have them up within hours. Draven's Siege Engineers will assist with the cannon's placement, and Brant's Builders will handle the logistics."
Zhao watched as his subjects sprang into action, the territory buzzing with renewed energy. As with his current level to say that he was invincible among the new lords was an understatement.