《System Nemesis》


 1 Restar

    Between the howls and wails, the screams and cries of women being raped in plain sight, human flesh being sliced and eaten like a delicacy, a middle-aged man was desperately running, yelling his lungs out.


    ''''Why.... WHY!!! YOU ABSOLUTE FUCKERS!!!''''


    His clothes were tattered and soaked in blood, and his body was beyond recognition and barely holding on. He was trying to flee the hellish scene that was occurring behind him. His remote village, the one in which he had lived in for his entire life, was now a beacon illuminating the night.


    ''''Whyyyyy areeeeeee youuuuuuuuuu runninnnnnnnnnnng awwaaayyyy froooooom usssssssss?''''


    Terrifying low growls could be heard behind him. Mixed with his own panting, he could hardly order his lungs to keep functioning and his heart to keep pumping blood.


    The humanoid creatures pursuing him were practically shadows, which were barely distinguishable. Their eyes, similar to black holes, were watching their prey struggling for its pathetic life.


    Faint and sinister giggles reverberated through the gory night. Their appearances varied from one to another. Some had a crimson fur, while others had bones protruding from their backs. Several were running on four limbs like wolves and others had an anatomy similar to ghouls.


    They had rows of teeth akin to sharks and their pearly whiteness, tainted with blood, terrorized any soul nearby.


    Their long, acute claws inspired terror in whoever encountered them, often breaking their remaining bit of willpower. These creatures could be compared to the spawn of hell.


    ''''STAY AWAY FROM ME!!! I''LL KILL YOU ALL!!!''''


    How did it come to all this?! How?! His thoughts were in utter chaos while he desperately tried to augment the pace of his wretched body.


    Derrick Tarlin, 37, was the abandoned son of a mercenary. His mother died giving birth to him. It was also the reason why his dad had left him behind.


    When he reached his teens, he learned that his father had been killed in a bar while celebrating an accomplished mission. He was raised by a good foster family, so he didn''t feel a single ounce of sadness. His biological father was basically a stranger.


    His early childhood had been all right, but good times always came to an end.


    At the age of 12, his two foster parents, which were his only relatives, caught an illness and died. They left him everything they owned, which was a small plot of land at the outer limits of the village.


    He had lived a peaceful life, although mostly alone. It suited his loner personality a lot. He didn''t mind occasionally lending a hand when neighbors were in need, but he would never take the initiative.


    Now that everything was coming to an end, he couldn''t help but yearn for something different. Only in the face of death would someone be confronted with his past choices.


    His hectic breathing finally stabilized and it became profound and raspy. Derrick''s face, previously full of terror, looked serene after coming to the conclusion that this was the end of the road.


    His inability and weakness was something he hadn''t cared about before. He respected soldiers that trained every day, hoping to be promoted, but he also pitied them. Why hurt yourself and hope for something that most of them would never be able to reach?


    He now realized that he had been wrong. Of course, they were chasing after their goal and hoped to live a more comfortable life, but there was another, more meaningful reason. It was a job that allowed them to fight back, to protect what was theirs.


    A slight smile appeared on his unshaven face and his rough traits smoothened out. Oh, regrets...


    However, there were no do-overs in life. If there was, he would enjoy everything he had missed on, be it women, possessions or strength. He wouldn''t dare hold back. Sadly, those were now the ramblings of a dying man.


    The monsters surrounded him and cautiously observed the soon to be corpse.


    ''''An interesting human.... It looks like he stopped begging for his life... he he he...''''


    The cackling ghoul-like creature advanced from the encirclement and sized up Derrick. It even licked its black lips in anticipation of the feast that was about to unfold.


    ''''You''re quite right... My body has already gone past its limits and I''m already at death''s door... It''s pointless to run further...''''


    The creature''s eyes turned into crescents, pleased by Derricks'' answer. Who didn''t like a hand-delivered meal?


    ''''Quite smart of a human facing death... I''ll even make an exception... Any last words before we devour you?''''


    Derrick took one last breath and looked at the hideous creature, staring at it with a gaze full of hatred and contempt. The slight smile grew even larger, giving him a wicked appearance.


    ''''I''ll be waiting on the other side... And when we meet... We''ll see who gets to eat who... hahahaHAHAHAHA.... ughhh!!!''''


    As blood rushed up his throat and leaked at the corners of his mouth, his sinister appearance aggravated to the point that he looked like demon.


    During his maniacal laugh, his punctured lungs finally gave out, causing his whole body to collapse on the ground, dyeing it a scarlet shade. His mind went blank, while his consciousness started leaving his battered body.


    ***


    After what appeared to be a few minutes, he suddenly woke up. He was startled at first, but realized that he had indeed died.


    He hadn''t materialized and everything around him was black, without an ounce of life. Derrick was basically a spirit in the absolute void.


    ''''So this is what happens when you die... You just drift in darkness... That''s actually underwhelming... I wonder if I''ll just fade away into nothingness''''


    When Derrick''s thoughts were starting to drift, a prompt showed up in front of him.


    [Welcome Derrick Tarlin! This is System : Nemesis]


    [Would you like to take revenge? Yes/No]

 2 Selection

    ''''Ah?! What is this? Have I finally gone crazy?''''


    Derrick looked at the prompt and started to study it. He couldn''t grab it, nor could he make it disappear. Its glow was the sole light in the area.


    *BEEP*


    [Would you like to take revenge? Yes/No]


    Once again, the characters flashed in front him.


    ''''Shit... It can''t be worse than what''s happening right now... Yes, I want to take revenge!''''


    [Selection accepted! Beginning transfer of host in a new body... 10%...33%...71%...94%...100%. Moving Host to a new location on the continent...]


    A vortex of light suddenly appeared, clearing the darkness that shrouded him. Everything afterwards went too fast.


    Before he could even make sense of what was going on, he was already opening his eyes. His whole body ached and his brain felt like it was being torn apart. The sizzling headache was probably the worst one he ever had.


    ''''What the hell? Have I really been revived?? Is it my old body? No... This is different...''''


    His breathing was rough and the intense pain was unbearable. He was forced to close his eyes and relax.


    A couple of hours later, when the pain started dissipating, he tried to move once more.


    ''''So... I was reborn. And... Uh? I''m naked?! Well, it''s a new body, so it would have been weird to already have clothes on...''''


    There was hardly any light. After observing his surroundings, he deducted that he was in a small cave. Surprisingly, his vision was quite good, and he was able to make sense of a great deal of things around him.


    ''''This new body of mine... Wow... I''ve really done it!''''


    After finding a small puddle of water that could be used like a mirror, he started inspecting himself. His body was that of a young man of approximately 16 years old. He had a sturdy physique, and was quite handsome. He was also quite tall.


    His past brown hair turned golden and his green eyes now had an unfathomable depth to them. After finishing his inspections, Derrick''s expression grew serious. He had never heard of anything like that happening to anyone.


    ''''I remember seeing a system of sorts when I was drifting in the dark... where is it now? Has it vanished?''''


    Without finishing his train of thoughts, a window appeared in his consciousness.


    [System : Nemesis] [Welcome Derrick Tarlin! You have been granted a second opportunity to take your revenge. Here are your current stats]


    [Derrick Tarlin, 16 years old (Body), 37 years old (Mind)]


    [Class : None]


    [Strength : 1.5]


    [Agility : 1.0]


    [Endurance : 1.0]


    [Vitality : 2.0]


    [Magic Power : 1.0]


    [Traits : Enhanced body, Enhanced vision]


    [Skills : Appraisal]


    ''''Well... This is quite interesting... I never thought that I''d get a second chance like this! System, what do those stats mean? What''s a class?''''


    [A class is a path that you choose and it will grant you skills and traits related to it. You may even create your own skills if your mastery becomes high enough]


    ''''I see... How do I choose a class?''''


    [The system can grant you a list of Classes to choose from. Would you like to see it?]


    ''''Yes! Also, show me all their descriptions''''


    [The system has 5 classes to choose from : Necromancer, Sorcerer, Spartan, Hunter and Berserker]


    [Necromancer : Specialized practice of dark magic involving communication with the dead ¨C either by summoning their spirits as apparitions or raising them bodily. This class will allow you to summon or tame more entities the more you grow. It''s a rare and powerful class, but it is also despised]


    [Sorcerer : Practice of magic using their knowledge. In the magical world, they are jack-of-all-trades, but master of none. It''s an uncommon class. They are respected as scholars who pursue the path of truth and are well viewed wherever they go]


    [Spartan : A warrior class that has a very high ceiling in terms of military prowess. They are able to master all weapons and develop a keen sense of fighting tactics. Their body strength is next to none, and they possess unparalleled agility. They are common in the general population, but their mastery shown in this class is basically nonexistent]


    [Hunter : A tracking class that specializes itself in its sneaky, highly effective assaults. They are able to display a high level of ingenuity and rarely fight on the front lines. They can be compared to assassins. Their tracking ability also evolves with the host each time he succeeds in capturing his prey. Their memory capacity is next to none]


    [Berserker : A tank-type class that specializes itself in pure, unrestrained brute strength. Its might is incomparable and the vitality displayed is frightening. The backlash of such a class is their inhuman blood-lust that makes them lose their rationality. They are usually the trump card to win wars. It''s also a rare class that terrifies the populace]


    After reading through everything thoroughly, Derrick started pondering. Right now, he was in an unfamiliar environment, devoid of anything but rocks and soil.


    Without weapons, the Spartan class was useless. His knowledge was also nonexistent, which eliminated the Sorcerer class. Without materials to make traps, being a Hunter was also not ideal. Derrick also liked being clear-headed at all times, which only left one option : a Necromancer.


    ''''Ah... I guess being a loner again is unavoidable... However, all I need to do is become powerful enough to just destroy all that stands in my path, which doesn''t sound too bad...''''


    A smile started to show on his new face. He would be viewed as a heretic that practiced dark arts, but he couldn''t care less. What he wanted was to make those creatures pay. He would never feel that powerless ever again. The resolution in his eyes grew more fierce and an inextinguishable fire of lust for power was lit.


    ''''System, I want to be a Necromancer!''''

 3 Transformation and the Cave

    [Choice accepted! The body will undergo a transition to accommodate the abilities of a Necromancer! Beginning procedures!]


    ''''AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!''''


    An indescribable pain suddenly surged in Derrick''s body. It felt like all his cells were being destroyed and recreated from scratch. He, who had just suffered from the backlash of getting a new body, realized he made a mistake by not waiting for a full recovery.


    He could only grit his teeth in agony and endure. After a few minutes, it was simply too much, and he lost consciousness.


    ***


    A couple of hours later, he slowly woke up and still felt quite dizzy. He was limp from the severe reaction of the transition.


    ''''That''s what happens when you don''t think and get caught up in the flow of things... I almost lost my life because I was stupid... Oh well, now everything''s done. Let''s see what I got! System, show me my stats!''''


    [Derrick Tarlin, 16 years old (Body), 37 years old (Mind)]


    [Class : Necromancer]


    [Strength : 2.0]


    [Agility : 0.8]


    [Endurance : 1.2]


    [Vitality : 1.8]


    [Magic Power : 5.0]


    [Traits : Enhanced Body, Enhanced Vision, Death''s Valet]


    [Skills : Appraisal, Contract (0/2), Summoning (0/1)]


    [New trait! Death''s Valet will give you the ability to encounter the souls of every creature dying near you before they are lost in the void!]


    [New skill! Contract is the ability to make a contract with a recently diseased creature. This skill may evolve as the user grows!]


    [New skill! Summoning is the ability to summon one of your contracted souls as a body of flesh! Its original abilities will be amplified by 10%. This skill may evolve as the user grows!]


    ''''Shit! I knew it... I damaged my body quite a bit by not waiting... However, I still gained a lot in other areas''''


    After resting and comprehensively read everything, Derrick started to wonder about his location.


    ''''It''s nice to get all this, but I still need to leave this cave! Where is the exit?''''


    He started poking around the dark cave and finally found a little hole, in which he could barely fit his rather big body. The hole lead to another cave, which was completely different from the previous one.


    It was enormous. However, the light was still very dim inside. In the middle of the space was a small lake being nourished by a water fall coming from the roof. Large stalactites also protruded menacingly from it. The scene baffled Derrick.


    ''''Such a huge place! It definitely leads to the outside world... I just have to find the correct path, and we''re all set''''


    Although it had already been a day since Derrick had ''received'' his new body, he was still not hungry. He estimated that he could last 20 to 30 days in his current condition, which was miraculous.


    ''''What... what is this thing?!''''


    It looked like a mix of a bat and an eagle. Its body, covered in glistening black feathers, was the same size as Derrick and its wingspan was around 5 meters. Its sharp fangs and long black beak were emitting a strange liquid, as if salivating at the idea of meal falling in its lap.


    ''''System, what the fuck is this!???''''


    Derrick started to panic while facing the monstrosity. He still didn''t have a lot of fighting power and his two skills were currently useless to him. He would have to either run or fight to the death. Derrick had a second chance at life, and he was not about to squander it.


    [Using appraisal skill!... This is a Nightmare Bat. Thought to be extinct. Here are its stats...]


    [Nightmare Bat]


    [Strength : 4.0]


    [Agility : 2.5]


    [Endurance : 3.0]


    [Vitality : 1.0]


    [Magic Power : 1.0]


    [Trait : Echolocation (Allows it to locate prey without using its vision)]


    [Weakness : Cannot swim]


    ''''Are you kidding me?! What am I supposed to do with a weakness like that???''''


    [Appraisal skill will evolve and be more precise if its user grows stronger]


    ''''That''s one passive-aggressive system right there... AH! Curse this place!''''


    After seeing the terrorizing stats of his opponent, Derrick''s remaining confidence went down the drain. He was trying to identify his retreat path, and he would fight to live another day.


    Suddenly, a desperate idea crawled in his brain. His gaze still on the horrifying bird, he started inching in the direction of the lake. He had 100 meters to go to reach it, which would probably take him 10 seconds in a mad dash. Every inch he could gain right now would give him a better survival rate.


    *SCREECH*


    The Nightmare Bat hissed loudly as if guessing the intent of Derrick and instantly charged at him!


    ''''AHH! Why am I always in these stupid situations! AHHHHHHHHH!''''


    Derrick was dashing like a mad cheetah towards the water. He had managed to place himself between the water and the creature, which had given him a head start. The bat was flying at a demonic speed, making up most of the ground between them. It was pointing its huge talons at Derricks'' back, ready to mince him and finish the kill. They were almost over the lake when he decided to jump and spin in the air. He was now face-to-face with the bat.


    ''''YOU''RE COMING WITH ME FOR A SWIM! HAHAHAHA!''''


    When the creature realized what was happening, it was already too late. Before Derrick''s jump, he had aimed for one of the bats'' wing and was now firmly grabbing it, not letting go. The monster howled in regret as it fell from the sky like a rock.


    *SPLASH*


    With their velocity, they both arrived in the water. The bat''s struggle was fierce, but short-lived. In its panic, it opened its mouth, flooding up its lungs. After a minute, it started to sink at the bottom of the lake, which made Derrick let go. He swam to the shore and breathed heavily while laying on his back.


    ''''I must have done something wrong in my previous life! Why the hell is this always happening to me?!''''


    While cursing his luck, a window appeared.


    [Would you like to make a Contract with the Nightmare Bat?]


    Shock appeared on his face, followed by a sinister smile.


    ''''This is what they mean by getting fortune from terrible situations...''''

 4 Io

    "Yes, make a contract with the Nightmare Bat!"


    [Contract Established! You now have 1 contract left]


    "Let''s see this thing in action. Summon!"


    The ground rumbled and black mist started seeping out from it. The dark particles in the air were gathering together, making various shapes.


    A second later, you could see dark bones, organs and flesh dancing together, creating an amalgam that rapidly looked like a living being. When the process ended, the shadowy monster was looking at Derrick with its big, glowing red eyes, awaiting orders. It would look pretty majestic if it wasn''t so terrifying.


    ''''This explains why everybody hates Necromancers... This is enough to scare the shit out of people! I remember there also being a 10% overall boost when I summon right? Show me''''


    [Nightmare Bat]


    [Strength : 4.4]


    [Agility : 2.8]


    [Endurance : 3.3]


    [Vitality : 1.1]


    [Magic Power : 1.1]


    [Trait : Echolocation (Allows it to locate prey without using its vision)]


    [Skills : None]


    ''''This is the first subordinate I get and its already pretty powerful... The road ahead should be smoother. Now let''s think of a name for you... How about Io?''''


    [Creature named successfully]


    ''''Io, scan the remaining part of the cave with your Echolocation. We have to know if we''re alone or not''''


    [Echolocation in progress... 237 entities found]


    ''''Ugh! What...''''


    Derrick was flabbergasted and honestly scared. The cave was huge, but he never thought that there would be so much life down here...


    ''''This system really makes things difficult... It transports me somewhere unknown, gives me an unfamiliar body and makes me fight monsters twice my strength... There''s a price to pay for everything I guess''''


    After getting his composure back, Derrick started thinking about his next steps.


    ''''It''s too bad that the bat fell at the bottom the lake. I could have stripped it to make food, weapons, armor and clothes. This should be my priority. We''ll need to find an isolated beast and hunt it down with that in mind. Second, we should know our path of retreat if things go haywire''''


    ''''Io, find me the exit!''''


    [Scanning of the cave using Echolocation in progress! 15%...33%...62%...87%...100%]


    A map suddenly appeared in Derrick''s consciousness. It had the layout of the cave, with a thin yellow line surrounded by pulsating red markers indicating enemies.


    ''''Let''s get started! I really want to leave this forsaken place''''


    Derrick started eyeing Io and realized it was a bit bigger than when it was alive.


    ''''Io, is it possible for me to ride you?''''


    The creature in front of him looked like it understood his request and made a few disgruntled noises before bowing and lowering its wing.


    After jumping on its back, he realized that it was easier said than done. Io didn''t have a large back, making it quite an unstable mount.


    ''''Guess I''ll have to train to avoid any accidents..."


    While sighing on top of the beast, Derrick started analyzing the map. After a few seconds, he finally found a suitable target. It was far away, and the environs could be taken advantage of. It was a golden opportunity.


    As if it was reading his mind, Io didn''t wait any longer and took flight, which almost ejected Derrick off his back. While cursing the beast and steadying himself, they headed to their destination.


    ***


    ''''We''re almost there and our prey is barely moving. Looks like I''ll finally be able to catch a break!''''


    Derrick was rejoicing at the idea of a fast hunt. When he was done, he would get out of this cave and explore the region the system had sent him to.


    That idea was thrilling him to no end. After fantasizing a bit, he calmed himself and focused. He couldn''t mess up anymore. His blood started boiling in anticipation of the new challenge ahead.


    ''''We''ve arrived!''''


    Their hunting ground was a small valley, littered with depressions and rocks. The patterns were random and weren''t interconnected. There was also a small pond fed by the central lake.


    ''''Let''s land and be cautious. We can''t be discovered, or we''ll be under pressure and our advantage will be thrown out the window''''


    They landed on a small hill overseeing the valley and started looking for the unknown entity. After a while, even though they had been paying attention to the surroundings, they still couldn''t see any movement. He looked at his map again and there was still a flashing red mark, rendering him perplex.


    ''''System, use appraisal on this region!''''


    [Using Appraisal... Life Form detected! Dark Furcifer Pardalis!]


    ''''Well that explains why we can''t see it!''''


    When he was younger, he had read about a species of reptiles that could adapt their camouflage to their environment, which allowed them to evade unwanted gazes.


    ''''Show me its stats''''


    [Dark Furcifer Pardalis]


    [Strength : 3.5]


    [Agility : 3.5]


    [Endurance : 2.0]


    [Vitality : 3.0]


    [Magic Power : 3.0]


    [Trait : Cold Blood (Allows it to lower its temperature to survive in different climates), Camouflage (Allows it to morph with its current environment), Tongue Lash (Allows it to snatch its prey at long distances)]


    [Weakness : Sudden Temperature Changes]


    ''''We can do this if we''re careful. The problem is we still don''t know where it is...''''


    Deep in thought, he finally sighed and a mischievous smile appeared on his face. He got out of his hiding spot and started walking towards the valley.


    ''''Io, hide in my shadow and be ready. This man is about to become a tasty snack''''

 5 Cold-Blooded

    Derrick was walking forward with confidence, staying alert and watching from where the attacks could come from. He was stark naked and had no defense whatsoever. A single misstep would be his end. The only thing he could hear was his heartbeat and footsteps.


    *Thu-Thump* *Thu-Thump* *Thu-Thump*


    It was beating faster and faster, but it wasn''t from fear, it was from pure excitement. He had to say that hunting was a thrilling experience. Even though he was a loner, he loved fighting when it wasn''t too one-sided because of the adrenaline rush it provided. It was an addictive experience.


    Meanwhile, the reptile was hidden, not making any sound or heat. The valley seemed to be at a standstill, like a calm ocean before a storm. Io was diligently watching Derricks'' rear, hidden in his shadow and waiting for the opportunity to strike. As a creature made of dark matter, it could shift into the shadow of its master without difficulty.


    A few meters in front of him, he spotted a fallen piece of stalactite on the ground and took it.


    "Better than nothing!"


    He continued forward and descended in a U-shaped depression. It was the perfect trap to lure it out. With practically no way out, he was like a sitting duck.


    "Come out you bastard... I know you''ve been watching for a while..."


    Derrick had been feeling an apprehensive gaze for quite some time. It slowly turned icy and malicious as if he was a lamb in a slaughterhouse. He knew the reptile was about to make its move.


    "Get ready Io, we''re about to have some fun!"


    Derrick''s pupils narrowed and his muscles expanded, gorged with oxygenated blood. Io also got excited and the shadow was slightly trembling. Suddenly, two large emerald eyes appeared in the darkness and a long slender tongue exploded in Derrick''s direction.


    The tongue was terrifying, with rows of inverted bones designed to ensnare its prey and kill it in one fell swoop.


    "HERE WE GO!!! COME AT ME YOU UGLY FUCKER!!!"


    Derrick sprinted forward, armed with his broken stone pike. A split-second after the tongue reached him, he dove over and using all his weight, thrust forward in order to impale it. His poor timing caused his right shoulders'' flesh to be mercilessly ripped apart.


    *SCREECH*


    The chameleon let out an ear-piercing cry while black blood spurted everywhere, covering Derricks'' entire body.


    ''''IO, IT''S YOUR TURN! GO FOR IT!!!''''


    As if acting like a portal, Derricks'' shadow let out a creature that flew straight at the reptile, with no other thought than ripping it apart. The Nightmare Bat, covered in black mist, blazed across the darkness with its shining red eyes and lacerated the poor chameleons'' face while it continued to shriek like a dying pig.


    ''''Enough Io... It''s my turn...''''


    While holding his shoulder, Derrick walked forward and looked at the beast in front of him.


    ''''You thought I was an easy prey... I''ll not let you die that easily...''''


    His eyes were burning with rage and his face contorted in a devilish way. He looked around and found a sharp stone. It seemed enough to be used as a knife.


    He walked in the direction of the wounded animal. The reptile body kept crawling forward, sensing the imminent danger. It was letting out small cries, imploring mercy.


    Derrick arrived next to the creature and ruthlessly stabbed in Io''s previous inflicted wounds, carving out its skin from its twitching muscles. The dark blood kept gushing out everywhere until the already weakened heart gave out. Silence returned to the cave, giving the impression that the fight never occurred.


    Derrick was surprised by his bloodthirsty behavior. Was this an after-effect of the Necromancer class?


    [Would you like to make a Contract with Dark Furcifer Pardalis? You only have 1 contract remaining]


    Derrick thought and declined. Even though the creature had interesting abilities, it wasn''t worth investing his last spot. There were surely more powerful foes out there and it would be a shame if he couldn''t ''recruit'' them.


    He proceeded to carve out every useful piece and started crafting equipment. He was a lonely person that relied on himself, so being a handyman was only natural.


    A few minutes through the ordeal, a prompt suddenly appeared in Derricks'' consciousness.


    [You have developed the skill : Craftsman! Every weapon you make will have a higher chance of granting abilities! This skill will evolve with its users'' growth]


    ''''That''s it! We''re getting somewhere now...''''


    After a few more hours of labor, he was done.


    ''''Let''s see what we have here! System, appraise the weapon and armor I made''''


    After butchering the entirety of the animal, Derrick finally had food, clothes, armor, a weapon and a bag.


    [Sorrow of Furcifers'' Lance]


    [Grade : Unique]


    [Attack Power : 3.0]


    [Abilities : Stealth Hit (Able to disappear from sight in combat, allowing for faints and deceit)]


    [Description : Made out of the bones of a Dark Furcifer Pardalis. The torture it received while it was alive granted the bones one of its innate abilities]


    [Pardalis Vengeful Armor]


    [Grade : Unique]


    [Defensive Power : 3.0]


    [Abilities : Camouflage (Allows its user to disappear from sight if the user''s slowly or not moving), Cold Blood (Allows its user to conceal his heat)]


    [Description : Skin of a Dark Furcifer Pardalis repurposed into armor. With its strong desire for revenge, the beasts'' skin evolved, keeping its abilities even after death]


    ''''I''ve done well! These items are insane to hunt and ambush monsters. We might have to reevaluate what we do next. Hunting the remaining entities in the cave has become an option for us''''


    After the fight, Derrick decided to set up camp and rest. He had to nurse his injury, or he would throw his life away. The harsh conditions allowed no room for error. He was lucky his body was sturdy and healed fast.


    ''''This cave really has nothing... No vegetation of any kind, no wood... That means no fire too. Guess I''m going to have to eat the meat of that lizard raw... Although I don''t really need to, I''m sure it would help me heal a little faster''''


    He grabbed a medium-sized skin pouch and laid it bare on the floor. Copious amounts of red meat appeared, and he couldn''t help but salivate. The smell was also quite enjoyable. It had been awhile since he had eaten anything substantial. He just hoped it would be tasty.


    ''''Here goes nothing!''''


    After getting a mouthful and swallowing it whole, another prompt appeared in his consciousness.


    [Ingestion of raw Dark Furcifer Pardalis meat... Hosts'' abilities are being enhanced! Recalculating...]


    A warm feeling suddenly erupted from his stomach and rushed in his entire body. The massive amount of energy caught him unprepared, and he fainted on the spot. After a few hours, he woke up with a small headache. Io was still there, standing guard.


    ''''System, what the hell just happened?!''''


    [Hosts stats have all increased! Would you like to see the result?]

 6 The Hunted becomes the Hunter

    His light headache was gradually vanishing, and he nodded towards the imaginary prompt in his mind.


    [Derrick Tarlin, 16 years old (Body), 37 years old (Mind)]


    [Class : Necromancer]


    [Strength : 2.3]


    [Agility : 1.1]


    [Endurance : 1.5]


    [Vitality : 2.1]


    [Magic Power : 5.3]


    [Traits : Enhanced Body, Enhanced Vision, Death''s Valet, Gluttony]


    [Skills : Appraisal, Contract (1/2), Summoning (1/1), Craftsman]


    [New trait! You have acquired the trait Gluttony. When you eat the meat of monsters you''ve vanquished, you will acquire a part of their strength and, in rare occasions, inherit one of their skills! You can also feed meet to your summons to accelerate their growth]


    Derrick was floored. Such growth was phenomenal, to the point where he couldn''t help but think he was blessed by the gods. While getting off the ground, he started inspecting his surroundings, making sure he didn''t attract other creatures. When everything was clear, he went towards Io who still stood guard and patted him.


    ''''You''ve done well earlier. I''ll definitely make you stronger in the future''''


    After thanking his companion, he looked towards the meat that was still laying on the pouch.


    ''''I can''t be that vulnerable again... I''ll have to figure out a way to consume this in a safe environment''''


    After packing his things, he left the bloody scene and headed out, leaving the depression. He was resolute and his gaze was full of determination. He knew what he had to do next.


    ''''System, show me the map of the cave''''


    The design of the cave appeared in his mind, along with the remaining 236 red dots and the path towards the exit.


    ''''Time for the hunt to begin...''''


    Derrick''s face slightly contorted and his heartbeat accelerated. After the fight he just experienced and what he gained, this cave was clearly a blessing in disguise. Leaving anything behind would be a terrible waste.


    ''''Let''s find another lonely beast. I''m not strong enough to take on these small groups. There''s one pretty close..."


    However, before proceeding, he kept thinking and slapped his forehead.


    "But it could also mean it''s strong enough to have its own territory... Ahhhhh...''''


    After a long sigh, he came back to his senses. He had indeed risked a lot by coming here, and he knew that a creature that was alone was not necessarily an easy prey. It could turn into his downfall.


    ''''Anyway, my rotten luck seems to have turned around and overthinking things won''t accomplish anything either. I''ll just have to stay cautious. Let''s go!''''


    He jumped on Io and they immediately left. They flew in the cold and moist ambient air for a few minutes before landing on a small, rock-like hill. It didn''t have any cover, but it was still far away from their target and it allowed them a fair viewpoint of the battlefield.


    ''''What the hell is that thing?! It looks like a fucking dragon!''''


    Using his Enhanced Vision, he could see every detail of the beast, sending chills throughout his spine. It was dozens of meters long and ten meters high. Its body was covered in dark greenish scales and its eyes were pitch black, seemingly without pupils. Its legs were long and muscular, equipped with razor-sharp claws. A massive tail was swaying around, waiting to act like a club that would turn its opponents to smithereens. It also had a long, slender purplish tongue hanging out of its mouth. It gave off a poisonous aura and accompanying it were teeth that would lacerate anything they came in contact with.


    ''''System, use Appraisal!''''


    [Viper Varanus Komodoensis]


    [Strength : 1?]


    [Agility : 1?]


    [Endurance : 1?]


    [Vitality : 1?]


    [Magic Power : 12]


    [Traits : ???]


    [Weakness : ???]


    [The Host isn''t strong enough to see all the stats!]


    ''''Ah?! I''m too weak to fight this bastard... Only my magic power is strong enough to detect its counterpart. Thank god I didn''t charge in there... I''d be dead in an instant...''''


    After analyzing the creature for a while longer, his fear disappeared and greed was now covering his face. He was thinking about all the benefits that would come when he killed it and how it would propel him to a new level. After inspecting the map once again, he had come to the conclusion that this was the strongest monster in this place. It was the golden ticket that would allow him to begin his revenge.


    ''''Well, if that''s the strongest out there, it''s time for me to get moving...''''


    His green eyes shone and he disappeared in the darkness.


    ***


    Just like that, a few months went by. The boy that was clumsy and weak had vanished. His skin had turned pale white and his previous golden hair were now a shade darker. They also arrived at his waist. He had matured at lightning speed and bulging muscles were covering his body. He was covered in scars reflecting the hardships of his adventures. Derrick had grown an inch taller, sitting at 5''10" (1.78 m). For a 16 years old, he was a freak of nature.


    His green eyes were shining like emeralds, and they were the only light radiating from him in the darkness. He had replaced the old gear that allowed him to assassinate multiple monsters. His new armor looked ordinary, but it radiated a dangerous aura. The weapon stringed on his back was a bone-made sword that emanated strong bloodlust. He was walking in the direction of the location he had left all these months ago and a sinister smile appeared on his face.


    ''''I''m finally back... I hope you haven''t missed me too much...''''


    Derrick''s shadow strongly trembled and Io''s eyes shone through in excitement.

 7 Unfinished Business

    Derrick arrived at his destination. He was on the small hill and looked at the gigantic dragon-like creature.


    ''''I''ve had to prove myself countless times to get here... I''ve done all the preparations I can''''


    In his mind, the map that was previously filled with pulsating red dots now had a sole red point. He had hunted the remaining 235 entities during these few months, tampering his body, abilities and fighting techniques. The scary part of his current appearance was that he looked more like a warrior than a necromancer. He had the appearance of a cold-blooded beast that was tracking its prey.


    ''''System, show me my stats and my equipment''''


    [Derrick Tarlin, 16 years old (Body), 37 years old (Mind)]


    [Class : Necromancer]


    [Strength : 9.7]


    [Agility : 8.0]


    [Endurance : 10.3]


    [Vitality : 6.7]


    [Magic Power : 15]


    [Traits : Enhanced Body, Enhanced Vision, Death''s Valet, Gluttony]


    [Skills : Superior Appraisal, Contract (1/2), Summoning (1/1), Master Craftsman]


    He hadn''t been as lucky as when he fought the Dark Furcifer Pardalis and only managed to polish his skills, namely Appraisal and Craftsman, raising them a level each. Gluttony apparently had its limits.


    Nevertheless, the meat he ate from the defeated monsters allowed his growth to be exponential. He saved the remaining contract for the creature in front of him, anticipating its unfathomable strength.


    [Giant Polyxenida Armor]


    [Grade : Unique]


    [Defensive Power : 10]


    [Abilities : Exoskeleton (When the life of its user is threatened, the armor will strengthen itself by five times its basic stats. Will be destroyed afterwards)]


    [Description : While killing this Polyxenida millipede, it desperately tried to protect its vulnerable areas, resulting in the evolution of its exoskeleton]


    [Corrupted Olm Sword]


    [Grade : Unique]


    [Attack Power : 12]


    [Abilities : Blindness (When striking its opponents, it will temporarily blind them), Oppression (Emits a strong murderous sensation, making weaker enemies cower in fear)]


    [Description : This bloodthirsty creature died filled with grievances, impregnating its bones with killing intent and one of its skill]


    ''''These are the hardest monsters I''ve fought so far, which reflects the quality of the equipment... They also left me some nasty scars''''


    While chuckling, he used Superior Appraisal on the opponent in front of him.


    [Viper Varanus Komodoensis]


    [Strength : 17]


    [Agility : 14]


    [Endurance : 13]


    [Vitality : 12]


    [Magic Power : 11]


    [Trait : Cold Blood (Allows it to lower its temperature to survive in different climates), Vibration Sensor (Allows it to sense the proximity of opponents), Poisonous Tongue (Allows its tongue to ensnare its opponents, poisoning them to death)]


    ''''Sure enough, Superior Appraisal is still not good enough to get a comprehensive report on my enemy''s weaknesses if they are stronger than I. At least, it gave me something to work with''''


    Derrick sat on the ground and closed his eyes, visualizing his attack plan. He had learned to take his time to prevent any unnecessary injuries. This was his final battle and it could very well be his last if he slipped up. After a few hours, he opened his eyes, got up and rushed the dragon-like being.


    ''''Io, go and distract him! I need a couple of seconds to find its fatal flaw!''''


    *BANG*


    His shadow distorted and produced a loud noise, letting out a Nightmare Bat that zipped across the air like an arrow. Derrick wasn''t the only one that had grown stronger during these last few months. He fed his companion every scrap he got his hands on, making it grow stronger, albeit at a slower pace.


    *HISS*


    Seeing the large commotion, the enraged Viper Varanus Komodoensis charged in the direction of Io and jumped to grab him. Its agility was incomparable to their previous opponents. Realizing he was in a bad spot, Io suddenly dove and narrowly avoided the shining claws.


    The already angry monster got even more furious. It was being defied and had lost an opportunity to kill a weak invader. A vicious and suffocating gaze covered the entirety of the rocky plain, as if screaming that death was inevitable.


    Io was trying his best to avoid the ruthless attacks, but he was losing ground every time. He would be quashed in a few seconds if nothing was done. Seeing the worsening situation, Derrick gathered all the information he could while filling the blanks in his plan. Suddenly, his eyes shone.


    ''''COME BACK IO!''''


    He hurled his command and attracted the attention of the Komodoensis. Without delay, Io charged towards his master and hid in his shadow once again. Derrick had stopped running and was sticking out like a sore thumb. The murderous look he had avoided was now locked on him and indicated that this was it. It was time to put everything on the line.


    ''''ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!''''


    He let out a war cry, which released adrenaline in his bloodstream, raising his senses to the maximum. He was at his peak. The blow-back would be severe, but he had no choice. He took out the sword from his back and charged forward. His muscles were pulsating like they wanted to infinitely expand.


    After seeing the warrior-like demonstration, the monster let out a deafening roar and charged as well, its mouth open and purple tongue swirling. It had been made a fool and any intelligence it had was blinded by pure rage.


    When the monster arrived in front of Derrick, it spun around and used its tail to try to swat him like a fly. The action surprised the necromancer, and he was forced to jump. He avoided the initial impact, but didn''t see that the monster never stopped its motion and was now back in front of him. He was like a sitting duck. The monsters'' jaw opened and snapped in his direction, ready to crush his very being.


    ''''As expected of a strong bastard like you... My plan went out the window the moment I started fighting...''''


    While gritting his teeth, he managed to dodge the venomous tongue. Unfortunately, being eaten was now inevitable. His brain was analyzing millions of scenarios, searching for any that would allow him to survive. The foul and toxic smell started infiltrating his nostrils. He had no more time left.


    However, just before disappearing behind the rows of sharp teeth, a slight smile could be seen on his face...

 8 A Game of Inches

    As the already poor light kept getting dimmer, the armor started emitting a strong aura and it engaged its exoskeleton ability. Derrick knew he had bought a little time, but he had to act fast, or he would have wasted a precious opportunity. In a split second, he placed his sword between the palates of the monster. It didn''t immediately feel it and continued shutting its jaws. The sword finally drew blood and it splattered everywhere.


    When it felt the excruciating pain, it let out a wild and savage roar. Its black eyes now had a crimson taint, and they were filled with rage. It never thought that a weak and pathetic little human would make it yield. It survived hundreds of years and it certainly wouldn''t stop there.


    The creature started tumbling around and violently shaking its head, making Derrick bounce around in its mouth. The scene was almost comedic. While being thrown like a rag doll, Derrick was also doing his best to avoid the poisonous tongue. He didn''t have the antidote and it would definitely kill him.


    The sword had caused the monster to open its mouth a bit wider, leaving a tiny gap between the razor-sharp teeth. It was a chance Derrick would seize with all he had. After crashing on the opposite side and barely stabilizing himself, he gathered strength in his lower body and launched forward. He was basically a human missile. On his way, he did the best he could to avoid the poisonous tongue and grabbed his sword.


    He started madly slashing, severely injuring various parts inside the mouth the beast. It let out ear-piercing shrieks and opened its mouth even wider, allowing Derrick to slip through and roll on the ground. He was covered in large bruises and cuts, with blood streaming down his body. A thick layer of saliva was mixed with it and a foul smell permeated the air. His armor suddenly crumbled and fell to the ground, its usage over.


    [WARNING WARNING WARNING! You have been slightly poisoned! If the level gets any higher, the Hosts'' body will not be able to cleanse itself and the Host will die! Stats are temporarily decreased!]


    The prompt was loud and flashed through Derricks'' mind like fireworks. He had to finish this fight fast. The creature kept crazily howling and shaking its head, black blood splashing everywhere.


    After a few seconds, its gaze came back to Derrick, and he immediately felt enormous pressure, almost bringing him to his knees. The flow of hatred around him was overwhelming. He had pissed it off for real this time.


    That''s when a monstrous laughter suddenly erupted.


    ''''HAHAHAHA... You ugly reptile! You thought you could kill me, your father?! YOU''RE TOO WEAK BITCH!!!''''


    In these few months, Derrick had also learned that improvisation was key to survive. The type he liked most was provocation, because it often created opportunities. Right now, he was raining insults and tried to take a domineering posture to amplify them.


    It didn''t wait a second more and charged with all its might. The ground shook as if an earthquake was imminent. Derricks'' eyes shone with excitement. It was time to end this. He had already found the creatures'' weak point.


    They came face to face in an instant and the monster tried to ram Derrick with its head because its mouth wasn''t in a state where it could chew him to bits. Without armor, Derrick couldn''t fail or his corpse would turn into paste.


    He dove underneath the monster and narrowly avoided its head. While sliding on the ground, he raised his sword and jammed it through the soft belly above. Their opposite momentum continued until they were 50 meters apart. The Komodoensis had stopped moving and so had Derrick. Dark blood dripped from his sword, forming a small puddle.


    *SPLASH*


    The entrails of the beast left its body, forced down by gravity. Luckily for Derrick, the massive incision had been deep enough. The beast still refused to collapse for a few seconds, hatred fueling its remaining breaths.


    It got Derrick''s admiration as that sort of resolve was rare. After a low and miserable howl, it finally collapsed in a loud thump. He had won, but there was no time for him to celebrate. He had to address the poison in his body quickly, or he would still suffer consequences. The necromancer ran to the corpse and heard an announcement.


    [Would you like to make a Contract with the Viper Varanus Komodoensis?]


    He was delighted beyond belief. He had hoped to upgrade his Contracts, but it never happened, forcing him to save his last one, and he could finally reap the benefits.


    ''''Yes!''''


    The ground started rumbling and dark plasma started seeping out, gathering together. The air got heavier and heavier, almost making it unbearable. The process was clearly different from Io''s and Derrick started being cautious. Low howls and cries from the dead could be heard.


    The dark plasma turned into a black goo and it started floating in the air, forming the new body. Every process could be seen, from the cells to the bones to the organs. It was a gruesome view.


    When it ended, the new Viper Varanus Komodoensis was 10% bigger than its past self and its previously black eyes were shining like rubies. Its shadowy figure was beautiful and terrifying. Derrick had a feeling that it would be an invaluable partner in the future. The red eyes suddenly turned to Derrick.


    ''''I never thought you could kill me, Human!''''


    When he heard the voice, his heartbeat skipped, and he darted backwards, pulling the sword from his back. The fear he felt was indescribable. How could it talk?!


    ''''Who are you?! Explain yourself!!!''''

 9 Fresh Star

    "I thought you were a smart one, but it turns out you''re all muscle and no brain! Can''t you tell I''m different from that other puppet of yours?!"


    The Komodoensis started ridiculing Derrick, which made him even more apprehensive toward the beast. After killing it, Derrick''s skill had leveled up, which had caused him to act impulsively and summon it right away.


    The huge shadow was looking at Io in disdain, which made the Bat flap its wings in anger. It had almost been killed earlier so it felt some resentment. After a few seconds of silence and seeing that Derrick would still not budge from his defensive stance, the beast sighed and finally explained itself.


    "As the strongest being of this region, my soul retained its memories. My name is Drako and as your summon, I''m obviously not able to harm you, you dimwit! So stop this useless posturing already!"


    After the brief explanation, Derrick stopped being pensive and realized it was right. However, he could see that his new companion had no respect for him at all, which made him scoff.


    "You talk big for someone that just got butchered like a pig!"


    Derrick puffed his chest, feeling proud of his remark. In contrast, Drako''s mood soured, and he shot back a cold gaze.


    "Anyway, I don''t think you''ll like what I''m going to do next"


    As time was of the essence, Derrick walked in the direction of the corpse, ready to harvest every part of it. He was quite excited.


    "I don''t mind. Even though you''re a bit stupid, I respect your strength. However, you better not turn my corpse into trash!"


    Drako was not disgusted at all and was, in fact, curious as to how Derrick would proceed. He had resided in this cave since birth and had only seen foolish humans twice. They had stumbled here by chance and were instantly killed.


    Seeing the expectant look, Derrick didn''t want to disappoint and carried on at lightning speed. He firstly took care of the skin by placing his knife between it and the muscles. His techniques were polished and the movements were swift. Not a single one was wasted. It was a masterclass.


    He then started cutting the muscles in portions that could be eaten. The corpse was huge, and he quickly realized that he couldn''t transport all of it. He would have to eat a lot in the coming days because he didn''t want it to rot.


    Next were the tendons. They were absolutely gorgeous pieces for craftsmen. Their elasticity, their toughness and their durability made them essentials and not a single one would be left behind.


    The bones were all high quality as well. This corpse really was like a treasure trove. When he saw the happiness on Derrick''s face, Drako was a bit speechless.


    "What a scary Human..."


    After completely stripping everything useful, Derrick sat cross-legged and took a piece of raw meat from the freshly cut pile. He had to get rid of the poison building up in his body and the fastest way to do it was to get stronger. He also threw a piece to Io who gobbled it up.


    "Do you have any cannibalistic tendencies? You''d get stronger if you ate some as well, but it''s your body so..."


    Derrick felt awkward trying to convince Drako to eat himself. He glanced at the monster with expectancy. The shadow humphed and cursed him before reluctantly agreeing. Derrick threw him a smaller piece, understanding that it wasn''t an easy thing. He then took one himself and closed his eyes.


    A burst of energy surged in his body, and he was quite surprised by its strength. The size of the piece he ate had been reasonable. After experiencing with various quantities during these last few months, he had arrived with a rough estimate on what he could handle. However, it took him all he had to remain conscious right now. His sweat started dripping on the ground.


    [Hosts'' body is refining energy! Stats are being recalculated...]


    [Poison has been nullified! Continuing refinement...]


    [Energy has been refined! Would you like to see your stats?]


    It had already been a few hours, and he somehow held on. After opening his eyes, he started observing the changes that his body experienced. The difference felt was substantial, and he was giggling in excitement before saying yes to the system. His stats window popped up.


    [Derrick Tarlin, 16 years old (Body), 37 years old (Mind)]


    [Class : Necromancer]


    [Strength : 10.2]


    [Agility : 8.5]


    [Endurance : 10.8]


    [Vitality : 7.2]


    [Magic Power : 15.5]


    [Traits : Enhanced Body, Enhanced Vision, Death''s Valet, Gluttony]


    [Skills : Superior Appraisal, Contract (2/3), Summoning (2/2), Master Craftsman, Submission]


    [Your skill Contract has evolved! Now able to contract up to 3 souls!]


    [New skill! By releasing your aura, Submission will allow you to make creatures under 50% of all your stats submit!]


    [Your skill Summoning has evolved! Your summons original stats will be amplified by 15%!]


    Derrick was shocked by the gains he made. From a single piece of meat, he had received an extra 0.5 points for every stat. The new skill and two upgrades were also huge. It was simply pure bliss. After his thorough analysis, he turned his gaze to his two companions and used Superior Appraisal.


    [Io (King Nightmare Bat)]


    [Strength : 9.7]


    [Agility : 8.2]


    [Endurance : 9.9]


    [Vitality : 4.2]


    [Magic Power : 3.8]


    [Trait : Advanced Echolocation]


    [Skills : Sonic Wave]


    [The trait Echolocation has evolved! Advanced Echolocation increases the effective range and allows the user to see the map in 3D. Will not evolve anymore!]


    [New skill! Sonic Wave is an ear-piercing cry that creates ripples through the air to injure enemies up to 100% of its Magic Power stat. Will evolve with its user!]


    Derrick was quite pleased with what he saw. Io had evolved with him during their fights and this was the culmination of all their efforts. Before, he basically only used Io as bait. He was now part of every offensive plans he had in mind. The evolution of his trait was also massive, but it saddened him a bit that it couldn''t evolve anymore.


    [Drako (Viper Varanus Komodoensis)]


    [Strength : 20.2]


    [Agility : 17.4]


    [Endurance : 15.3]


    [Vitality : 14.2]


    [Magic Power : 14.1]


    [Trait : Cold Blood, Vibration Sensor, Poisonous Tongue]


    [Skills : Charge]


    [New skill! Charge allows its user to break defensive skills or formations up to 125% of its strength stat. Can only be used once a day. Will evolve with its user!]


    Derrick was once again flabbergasted. These numbers were sky-high and this skill was basically a cheat! After calming down, he realized he still had plenty of things to accomplish, which meant that he could not leave this place right away. He had to consume all the meat and then craft his new equipment. Seeing these final few steps, he was grinning ear to ear.


    After a week of hard labor, it was finally time to leave this place!

 10 Meeting

    The tiny speck of light was getting bigger and bigger... Its brightness kept increasing, causing Derrick to madly squint. He had been underground for several months, even forgetting the warmth of the sun. Soon, he heard birds singing and the wind howling. He couldn''t help but smile.


    He was finally outside. The sky was blue and there were barely any clouds. He observed his surroundings and tried to find visual references that he could have seen somewhere before. However, he couldn''t see anything but a thick forest that seemed limitless.


    "Come out Io. We''re going to do some recon!"


    The eagle-bat subserviently came out of his shadow and lowered its wing. After taking off, they finally realized how big the forest was. It covered every parcel of land they could see and eliminated any type of bearing. With nothing to base their decision, they took a random direction and headed out.


    A few days went by until they finally saw signs of life. In the endless vegetation, there was a bit of smoke. They had finally discovered a village. After a few moments of reflection, Derrick realized he couldn''t approach it while mounting Io and decided to land further away to avoid causing a commotion. He definitely needed their help to reach the nearest town.


    After storing his armor and hiding Io back in his shadow, he proceeded in their direction. He had also smeared mud all over his face to pretend he was a lost adventurer. Even though he was only 16 years old, his stature exuded an aura of warfare, making him seem quite experienced. His plan was foolproof, or so he thought.


    When he arrived at their gate, he pretended to be in a weakened state and ''fell'' to the ground, mumbling for help.


    "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis!"


    The guard present kept yelling this sentence and was clearly suspicious of anything coming out of those woods. That''s when Derrick realized he had forgotten something crucial : the language. He didn''t know where he was and couldn''t understand a thing, so his best bet was to exaggerate his demise and not answer anything.


    [Would you like to learn the Yuko language? It will take 1 hour!]


    The prompt rang out in Derricks'' mind and surprised him. He immediately accepted and didn''t move. He had to hold on during that time as to not blow his cover. The necromancer wouldn''t be able to use his Adventurer''s alibi if he couldn''t even speak their language.


    The burly armed man kept calling Derrick, to no avail. After a few minutes, he cautiously proceeded forward and started probing Derrick with his spear. When he saw that there was no reaction, he called for help.


    The gate of the village opened and 6 people came out. There were 5 well-built soldiers and a beautiful middle-aged woman. They questioned the guard and carefully made their way to Derrick. From their responses, it was easy to tell that they were frightened by the newcomer.


    [Language Learned!]


    Derrick was delighted. He absolutely hated being powerless and ignorant. As such, he started paying attention to the conversation outside between the woman and what seemed to be the leader of the village. They were discussing whether to help him or not, which made Derrick frown. He couldn''t be thrown out until he knew where he was.


    He started using Appraisal on the nearest people to see if they were strong and ended up being disappointed. Everyone was slightly above average, and they barely had any skills. There were only 2 interesting individuals, and they were the woman and the village chief. She had a Novice Healing skill, and he had a Novice Strengthening skill. However, this also meant that if they chose to kick him out, he would stop pretending and get what the information he wanted.


    After a few minutes, they both entered the hut and glared at Derrick before the village chief started questioning him.


    "Who are you and what are you doing here?"


    Derrick kept acting as if he was gravely injured and muttered.


    "My name''s Derrick Tarlin... I''m a lost Adventurer... Please help me..."


    His acting skills were rough, but they seemed to do the trick as the chief lowered his guard. The village was in a very remote location and it was not the first time he had encountered lost Adventurers, even if they were extremely rare. Seizing the opportunity, Derrick immediately asked where he was.


    "You''re in the Akata village at the border between the Serichi and Krakow Kingdoms. Are you from there?"


    Derrick was startled. He had absolutely no clue as to where he was. He had never even heard of this place in his previous life as he paid no attention to politics of any sort.


    "Yes, I''m from the Serichi Kingdom..."


    After weakly answering the question, Derrick''s gaze landed on the woman that had remained silent, and he asked for their names.


    "My name''s Lacha and this is Gregor. We are both respectively from the Serichi and Krakow Kingdoms. May I know from which town you come from? Maybe I can help you"


    Lacha was clearly testing Derrick because she did not trust him. When she had evaluated him, she hadn''t found anything wrong and was quite doubtful of his motives. She also knew the various towns in the surrounding area, which would allow her to verify his story. She was clearly a cunning woman.


    Derrick''s heart sank. He couldn''t give an answer at all and realized his cover was blown. Sensing that something was wrong, Gregor''s gaze turned cold, and he unleashed his aura.


    "Ah... I never thought we''d have to do this... To be honest, I only want information on how to get to the nearest town. I don''t want to hurt you"


    Derrick had gotten up from the bed, and he was standing in front of them. He tried cleaning himself up the best he could, but only ended up making it worse.


    "Who are you really?"


    Lacha and Gregor had assumed fighting postures and even though Lacha was a healer, she was also proficient in hand-to-hand combat. However, they didn''t know that they were like ants in front of Derrick.


    "My name''s really Derrick, however I''m not an Adventurer... But I''m..."


    Before he could finish his sentence, Lacha and Gregor launched towards him, trying to catch him by surprise. They knew no ordinary person could survive in the forest, so they decided on using a sneak attack. Derrick harrumphed and his eyes grew cold. Dark aura suddenly exploded from his body...

 11 Slaughter and Conquer

    Lacha and Gregor were blasted back, and they were shocked beyond belief. There was only one thing in this world that had an aura this demonic and dark.


    "You''re a Necromancer! An evil creature that needs to be destroyed!!!"


    They both roared and launched at Derrick again, not sensing the imminent danger. Seeing how ignorant and weak they were, Derricks'' face twisted and a wicked smile appeared. The commotion also attracted all the soldiers in the vicinity, and he was now facing dozens of them.


    "Human, do you need my help? Breathing on them should be enough to kill them hehehe..."


    Drakos'' coarse laugh sounded in Derrick''s consciousness.


    "Letting you out for these pathetic weaklings would be my greatest shame. I won''t even need to use my weapon..."


    While leading the soldiers, Lacha and Gregor were almost back in front of Derrick, and they were brimming with killing intent. They had heard stories of Necromancers and how they represented the scum of society.


    Derricks'' smile never disappeared, and he took one step forward, meeting them head-on. Just before they swung their weapons, his aura amplified and went berserk, making him explode in strength. The expression of the attackers fell, and they tried to stop their momentum, albeit too late.


    *BANG*


    With a swing of his left arm, he violently knocked Lacha to the side and with his right, pierced Gregor''s chest, squeezing his beating heart. Anger, disbelief, grief... All of these emotions were rushing through Gregor as he looked at the bloodied arm inside his body.


    "Pl... Plea... Please... It... was... a... mis... misunderstanding..."


    The chief could barely talk as blood invaded his trachea. Derrick''s smile froze and his bottomless eyes displayed a fury rarely seen in the world.


    "You tried to kill me, lost and still have the fucking audacity to plead with me!?! DIE!!!"


    His hand gripped with all his strength and instantly turned the heart to bits. Gregor went stiff before falling to the ground in a dull thump. The soldiers that witnessed their leaders being blown back had already stopped advancing and were stupefied.


    Their chief and strongest fighter had been killed in a single move and even pleaded for his life on his deathbed. Terror now invaded their bodies, and they couldn''t move an inch. Adding on the murderous aura coming from Derrick, a single emotion could be felt : despair.


    Lacha, who had been gravely injured, watched the scene and trembled uncontrollably. They had rushed into this situation without assessing their opponent''s intentions and strength. In a way, they had signed their death warrants.


    Derrick''s icy gaze fell on the soldiers and without speaking another word, he exploded forward. What ensued was a bloody rampage where limbs, heads, organs and blood flew everywhere. It was like the God of Death had descended and calamity was its salvation.


    In Derrick''s mind, the familiar prompt flashed, and he went wild with joy.


    [You have obtained a new skill called Death Warrior! Death Warrior allows its user to bring back a portion of humans it killed. The summoned Death Warriors will have Stage 1 strength, equivalent to Novice Soldiers. Limit of Soldiers : 100. This skill will evolve with its user]


    This was a glorious skill! He had killed these soldiers mercilessly because he hated when justice was done without any merit, but he never thought he would be rewarded for it. This train of thought would have been unthinkable months ago, but his mentality had radically shifted, probably helped by the fact that his class was intimately related to death. He started looking at the aftermath he caused.


    The large hut was practically destroyed and parts of corpses littered the ground. His clothes were covered in blood and guts, which made him slightly frown. He didn''t want the stench to remain, so he started cleaning himself, as if it was nothing more than food stains.


    "What a pity... All I wanted were directions and yet, you forced my hand..."


    Derrick''s voice forced Lacha out of her stupor, and she got up with difficulty. She only had a few bruises, which was ridiculously lucky considering the force of the strike.


    "Sir, you said your name was Derrick? Please spare this village... They''re innocent..."


    Derrick had forgotten there was someone left and turned in her direction, surprised. After his demonstration, he thought the natural reaction would be to beg for one''s life. She apparently had some backbone, which he quite liked. On top of it, her figure was really nice.


    She had luscious black hair, piercing blue eyes and tanned skin. Her face also had some freckles, which gave her naughty air. She had a large chest and the fact that she looked in her early thirties added a mature charm. He started pondering on what he should do next. It took him a moment before a grin appeared on his face.


    "Become mine and I''ll take care of this village, transforming it in a kingdom"


    Derrick had promised himself he wouldn''t limit his possibilities in the future. However, he wouldn''t latch on emotionally on any of them till he became strong enough to protect everyone in his inner circle.


    On top of that, he lacked a new home and his ambitions were limitless. Was it really a home if it didn''t have a woman in it? In the cave, he had planned his future ahead, and he figured that he couldn''t take his revenge without an empire of his own. He wasn''t delusional enough to think that the strength of a single man could conquer the world.


    Hearing his demand, Lacha slightly blushed. She never expected that the merciless man would want her. The man in front of her looked fantastic and thinking back on what had just transpired, she couldn''t help but nod. To protect her village, she would do anything.


    Seeing her agreeing, Derrick couldn''t help but smile. This village wasn''t very big, but it was a start.


    "Don''t get me wrong, I will not touch you, but you will do as I say, understand? Remember, everyone''s life rests on your shoulders"


    When she heard the firm tone, her previously reddish face turned ghastly pale, nodding and realizing that he wasn''t playing around. He continued.


    "You''re my woman now. No matter what, nothing will happen to you anymore"


    He then looked at the gory scene and smirked. It was time to test his new skill.

 12 Submission

    "What are you doing?"


    Lacha couldn''t help but ask, as the necromancer glanced around happily. There were only corpses left, right and center.


    "You''ll see... System, use Death Warrior on all these corpses"


    A dark haze accompanied by murmurs slowly materialized. Lacha''s hair stood on end, and she felt constant goosebumps. The 33 dead bodies melted and formed dark spheres that slowly rose from the ground.


    These spheres then started spinning faster and faster until they formed small portals beneath them. The scene was quite spectacular.


    Derrick was watching in excitement. This would be his personal army and it wouldn''t be able to betray him. A few seconds later, skeletons started climbing out of the portals. They were skinny and had bright, flickering red eyes. They were all equipped with a rusty iron sword.


    Lacha was watching in terror. She never expected to see her previous comrades turn into undead beings.


    "Female human, you better get used to this... You''ll see things that are way more shocking than this hehehe..."


    The coarse voice resounded in Lacha''s mind, and she couldn''t help but let out a small cry.


    "Don''t be too surprised. Now that you''re my Master''s woman, I''m able to communicate with you as well... My name''s Drako"


    "Where are you?! And why can you speak in my mind??"


    "I''m hiding in the shadows... We''ll probably meet later because it''s way too cramped here and I''d destroy everything... As for why I can speak, I''m an undead creature as well, but an intelligent one mind you... I suggest you serve him well, he''ll definitely be an extraordinary man in the future..."


    Lacha remained silent and slightly nodded. From what she had seen, she could tell he would make waves in the world, and it would be filled with chaos and bloodshed.


    Meanwhile, Derrick was ecstatic in front of his small platoon. If he could find 67 skeletons, he''d have a company and raiding bigger villages would be a cinch. He checked their stats and found out that they were a tad stronger than their past lives, but the real difference was that their vitality was twice as high now.


    They would be invincible against soldiers of similar strength. Now that he was satisfied with his new skill, he hid his army in his shadow. It was finally time to conquer the rest of the village.


    "It''s time to do your part. I don''t want to shed more blood, but I will not spare those who oppose me"


    A vicious glint appeared in Derrick''s eyes and Lacha understood his resolve. Opposition meant death and there would be little to no leeway.


    "Yes I will! Don''t bother with this stuff... Go clean yourself up"


    Lacha gave Derrick a warm smile, and he agreed before leaving the room.


    Now that the shock subsided, tears ran down Lacha''s face.


    After wiping her cheeks, she left the hut with a resolute expression. She would try to protect those dear to her to prevent something like that from ever happening again.


    The hut was located on the outskirts of the village because they had been wary of Derrick from the start. She was glad they had taken precautions or there would have been more casualties.


    After reaching the rest of the populace, she gathered them and started explaining the new situation. Some were shocked, some started crying and some had grave expressions.


    They knew it meant they had a new chief and that he was merciless. Lacha had made it clear : dissidents would be killed without exception. They had to submit or die. She also tried to reassure them by saying he could guarantee their safety, and they would be living better lives in the future.


    "If everybody died, why are you still here?"


    Some villagers were suspicious of Lacha because the story she told was of a man that didn''t leave any survivors behind. She blushed slightly at the query, but quickly erased the emotion for her face.


    "I became his"


    There was no point in hiding it because they would learn it sooner or later. However, she didn''t expect that that sentence would send the crowd in an uproar.


    "You slut! Everyone dies and you side with the murderer?! YOU''RE DISGUSTING!"


    Insults were flying left and right and murderous gazes assaulted her. She had lost control of the situation and was preparing to flee.


    "WHO DARES THREATENING MY WOMAN?! YOU''RE COURTING DEATH!!!"


    The thunderous voice ripped apart the sky and the weather started changing, with dark clouds swirling in their direction. The pressure was getting stronger and stronger to the point of almost being unbearable.


    A gigantic shadowy eagle-creature creature was flying above and it let out a deafening screech, injuring the ear-drums of everyone below. On top of it was a man that had a dark and murderous aura. His emerald eyes were piercing the soul of whoever looked into them. The villagers were all cowering in fear, realizing who had spoken.


    Derrick had been in the middle of his bath when Drako warned him of the precarious situation. He had promised her that she would be protected, and he was a man of his word. He rushed there without delay.


    "KNEEL!"


    The thunderous voice sounded again and the villagers didn''t wait an instant before kneeling and kowtowing on the ground, begging for their lives. They had half-believed the words of Lacha, but now that they had seen it, they were terrified to the core.


    Even Lacha was surprised. It was the first time she had seen Io and the mount sent shivers through her body. She also realized that it wasn''t the beast that had spoken to her earlier, which made her even more apprehensive.


    "Derrick... No, husband... Please, don''t hurt them... They were just angry... Please spare them"


    She was pleading on their behalf and when Derrick heard her, he couldn''t help but soften up a little. He guided Io to the ground and unmounted before walking towards the villagers. His aura relentlessly assaulted them, making them cower on the ground.


    "Have you reflected on your mistakes? The reason why I killed them all was because they attacked me first with killing intent. That''s all there is to it. It doesn''t matter if you knew them or if they were your family. When someone fights, they put their lives on the line. You better accept this fact now. Does anyone have a problem with me?"


    Some villagers gritted their teeth before giving up. They were powerless against such an opponent. Derrick took Lacha in his embrace and consoled her, saying he would keep his promise.


    "Those who submit will live and those who don''t will die. Will you all submit?"


    Everyone nodded and some were secretly delighted. They had kept their lives even after insulting the woman of this terrifying man. A window suddenly appeared in Derrick''s mind and it greatly startled him.


    [You have conquered the village Akata! System is upgrading...]

 13 Upgrade

    [The System Upgrade will last 3 hours! System will be unavailable during that time]


    Derrick''s heart skipped a beat. This was an amazing announcement! An improvement to the system meant more advantages that would help him in his future conquests. He turned his gaze back to the villagers still kowtowing on the ground.


    "All of you go back to work. Once I establish a concrete plan, I''ll come find you again. Also, if anyone defects, they will die no questions asked"


    All the villagers furiously nodded, as if scared that Derrick would change his mind and simply kill them all. After he was satisfied, he took Lacha, and they jumped on Io''s back, ready to leave. The creature was able to carry two passengers after its last improvements.


    "Can you bring me to your house? I still don''t have a place here and I know that you don''t want to go back to the hut"


    Lacha flushed before giving him a smile and agreeing. Derrick had already listened to her twice, which gained a small part of her trust. The ride was short, and they arrived at a house located in the center of the village. As a healer, she was one of its key figures and people deeply respected her.


    The house was cozy and very well maintained. It could be seen that she was a very meticulous person that loathed dirtiness. They entered and Derrick sat at a wooden table, and she went to the kitchen to prepare snacks. She also poured him some wine.


    Her manners were impeccable, which made him wonder about her origins. She clearly wasn''t a native of the area. After preparing everything, she sat on Derrick''s lap and started feeding him.


    "You''re not from here, so where do you come from?"


    Lacha was surprised by the sudden question and an unsightly expression appeared on her pretty face. After a deep breath, she told him that she was originally from a noble family in the Empire of Serichi, but after a failed coup d''¨¦tat in their city, the Official had purged the nobility. Luckily, she escaped and found refuge in this village. However, she was the sole family heir remaining.


    She also mentioned that all the villagers were in actuality refugees. They had been chased away by these powerhouses on false motives and were forced to run for their lives. This place was the only thing keeping them from death.


    Derrick''s mood changed greatly during the story.


    "I can promise you that they''ll be the first ones to fall"


    He despised Empires that treated their populace like blades of grass and swore himself that he would make them pay with their lives.


    "Can you tell me about the surroundings and who are the neighbors?"


    This was the next step in Derrick''s plan. Now that he had troops, it was time to rapidly expand.


    "I''ll go get a map"


    Lacha got up and came back a few minutes later with a large scroll. It looked ancient and was quite stained, but the information on it was still clear and concise. It was a map that indicated hundreds of villages in the forest. The area was gigantic, which shocked Derrick.


    He knew that conquering Empires would be a difficult task, but after seeing their scale, it seemed Herculean. He could deduce that they contained billions of people. Even in the face of such weak odds, Derrick''s eyes were brimming with excitement. He loved challenges and this was the biggest someone had ever undertaken.


    Seeing his reaction, Lacha couldn''t help but giggle in his embrace. Anyone else would crumble in front of such a task, but he was different. His ambition was unshakable, and he wanted to take everything the world had to offer.


    "Who should be our first target?"


    Derrick lacked knowledge, so he could only rely on Lacha to make his first moves. After looking a bit, she pointed at the nearest village. According to her memories, it had a bit over 40 soldiers and a chieftain that was weaker than the one Derrick killed. It was a perfect target, which made him grin to no end.


    After settling the matter, they both drank some more wine until Lacha became tipsy. Derrick practically couldn''t get drunk unless he chugged complete barrels.


    "You better treat me well..."


    With the alcohols'' effects kicking in, Lacha''s remaining wariness was out the window. She started acting coquettishly and was biting her fingers in a seductive way.


    "I already promised you before... Are you saying you don''t trust me?"


    However, before she started acting on her own, Derrick poured a cold shower on her.


    "You''re not going to be the only woman in my life, but you''ll definitely be special to me"


    She sighed and had a slight smile. She already figured that such a domineering man wouldn''t settle for only one woman.


    "Just make sure you don''t neglect me in the future ok?"


    Derrick nodded. He rarely interacted with women and people in his old life. He was determined to change these habits in this one, and he definitely would indulge in the pleasure''s life had to offer. Suddenly, a slew of announcements appeared in Derrick''s consciousness.


    [System Upgrade completed! New functions have been unlocked!]


    [While the System was down, you have acquired a new trait!]


    [The new trait is called Aphrodite''s Blessing! It grants its user an increase in attractiveness of 50% towards the opposite sex. Your partners will also become more beautiful as time goes by. Will evolve with its user in the future]


    [User is now able to see the villages it has conquered and their various stats]


    [User doesn''t have to research languages anymore. The various languages have been stored in a pre-established database]


    [User is now able to grant various professions. The professions are : Scholar, Blacksmith, Researcher, General and Minister. Limit : 2 per profession. Will evolve with an increase in population]


    [Would you like to see the village stats?]

 14 Expansion

    Derrick was floored by all these upgrades. They were transforming him into the overseer of his domain.


    His heart couldn''t help but crazily accelerate. This would kick start his plans and wouldn''t allow him another second of rest.


    "Yes, show me the stats!"


    [Akata Village]


    [Level : 1]


    [Population : 200]


    [Soldiers : 0]


    [Funds : 10 gold]


    [Tax : 0%]


    [Institutions : None (Note : This section includes everything related to civil or military facilities (forges, schools, hospitals...))]


    [Mood : 75/25 (Note : If the mood is equal or over the threshold of 80/20, the population will never rebel against its ruler and will instead worship him. If it''s equal or lower than 50/50, rebellions and dissidents will appear to oppose the regime in place)]


    After reading through everything, Derrick started pondering. First, he realized he crippled its defenses badly when he killed every soldier present. His personal army didn''t count towards the number of soldiers stationed because they couldn''t remain if he was not there to command them.


    Second, the amount of funds present was truly pitiful. He would need to find commercial avenues to replenish his coffers and convince merchants to establish themselves here. He needed their connections to lay a solid economic foundation that would last far in the future.


    As for taxes, there was no need to impose them now. The current population was poor and didn''t have any valuables. Their expertise was also really basic. Their only "specialty" was in construction and farming, and that was still debatable.


    Derrick would have to convince professionals like blacksmiths, masons and lumberjacks to open businesses here and hope to god they could train these folks. He needed these industries. He could grant two blacksmith titles upon people he already had, but he would rather wait for talented individuals. The remaining point concerning institutions could be delayed.


    What he needed right now was the resource that granted power : people. Without enough population, all his dreams would come crashing down like a castle of cards. It was time to start expanding and centralizing.


    He freed himself from Lacha and asked her to gather everyone. It was time to make them work and earn his good graces.


    An hour later, a small assembly had taken place in front of the small house. Everyone seemed worried and looks of dread could be seen on their faces. Derrick ordered Io to remain by his side, so they wouldn''t dare turn away from him.


    The creature caught the crowd''s eyes, but as country bumpkins, they couldn''t figure out its origins.


    "You must all be wondering why I ordered you to gather when it hasn''t even been a day since you last saw me. Well, it''s because my plan is starting now!"


    When he saw them interested in what he had to say, a flash of madness passed through Derrick.


    "I''m going to expand this village and make it the beacon of this inhospitable region! I''ll make you all see what life''s about. Hunger? Gone! Poverty? Gone! You''ll be living lives worth living! Survival has always been the motto of this village, but no more! We will take what''s ours and shove it in the face of these so-called superpowers!"


    Derrick had absolutely no insight in these Empires, but he needed a rallying cry to mobilize everyone, and it worked.


    Everyone gasped. What the hell was he trying to say?! They were located between two super Empires that could crush them by sneezing. They didn''t doubt the fact that Derrick was strong, but he was only one man. The people wanted to believe, but they were scared of being deceived.


    Hope was a strong driving force, but it was also the strongest catalyst of despair.


    After seeing their doubtful expressions, Derrick couldn''t help but snicker. He then took a large breath and made his thunderous voice heard.


    "IS THAT ALL MY PEOPLE AMOUNT TO?! A BUNCH OF SPINELESS COWARDS THAT LIVE IN FEAR?! A BUNCH OF SHEEP THAT WAIT FOR THE WOLF TO COME?! RISE YOU FOOLS!!! YOU HAVE THE HONOR OF BEING MY SUBJECTS NOW!!! ENOUGH OF THIS COWARDICE!!!"


    A chill ran through everyone''s spines. What he said was what they all thought deep in their hearts. They were sick of being oppressed and ostracized. They wanted better. They wanted something that the person in front of them could, perhaps, give them.


    After a few seconds, a lone voice was suddenly heard from the back of the crowd.


    "My Ruler, what do you need from us?"


    A large smile grew on the necromancer''s face. This is what he wanted. He had to change their way of thinking, or they would be useless puppets that would only do what they were told. He needed them to evolve into exemplary citizens that would devote themselves to their new home.


    "I want you all to start building houses. Triple the number we currently have. We also need to develop more lands to farm"


    Everybody present almost chocked to death. This was an absurd demand that couldn''t be met unless they dropped everything and solely focused on the task. After the shock subsided, the voice sounded again.


    "My Ruler, this demand... It''s going to force everyone into construction... Are you sure this is wise?"


    Derrick was tired of not seeing the person he was conversing with.


    "Would you mind stepping forward and presenting yourself?"


    "I''m deeply sorry! My name is Jack and I''m part of the workers building and maintaining houses"


    After the person stepped forward, Derrick''s interest was piqued. Jack was an old man that had a decent build. His short gray hair and his round brown eyes made him look like an old fox. He was clearly an intelligent fellow.


    "You raise a good point Jack, but I''m sure of this decision. I''ll handle the other matters. All you need to concern yourselves with is farming and building new houses."


    After a brief pause, he continued.


    "Also, the one in charge when I''m not present will be Lacha. If anyone dares disobeying her, he or she will be executed right away. Also, Jack will be responsible for the construction teams. I expect progress when I return"


    Jack was quite surprised when he heard he had been made supervisor, but he soon felt a headache dawn on him. He had a huge task in front of him and asked Derrick to excuse himself as he wanted to start planning right away, to which he agreed.


    Lacha was also taken aback, but she remembered her promise. This was the best way to protect everyone from doing anything foolish. It would also give her time to mend relationships and explain what happened. She didn''t want to be seen as an evil wench who used her body to gain power.


    "This assembly is over. Now rise my subjects! I''ll be back in a few days with a surprise"


    An evil grin appeared on Derrick''s face. He jumped on Io''s back and opened the map Lacha had given him. He had 4 villages in his sight and none of them would be spared.

 15 Merciless

    Derrick''s first target was the village Lacha had pointed out. Its name was Okko and it was located a few kilometers away from Akata. Due to the dense forest and the absence of roads, interactions between villages were rare, which meant he didn''t have to worry about news travelling.


    However, it gave Derrick a little headache because when he was done conquering them, he would make them relocate to Akata. To achieve this, he would have to conquer all four villages and make them regroup before leading them to their new home.


    "System, show me my stats"


    It had been awhile since he looked, and he was curious about the complete interface after the upgrades.


    What appeared was two tabs. They were sleek and pleasing to look at. He was worried his mind would become a mess of information that spread everywhere in an incoherent manner. He had underestimated the system once again.


    [Derrick Tarlin Stats]


    [Empire (Capitals, Cities, Towns, Villages)]


    He had already seen the empire tab, so he selected his personal stats.


    [Derrick Tarlin, 16 years old (Body), 37 years old (Mind)]


    [Class : Necromancer]


    [Strength : 10.2]


    [Agility : 8.5]


    [Endurance : 10.8]


    [Vitality : 7.2]


    [Magic Power : 15.5]


    [Traits : Enhanced Body, Enhanced Vision, Death''s Valet, Gluttony, Aphrodite''s Blessing, Language Guru (Language Database)]


    [Skills : Superior Appraisal, Contract (2/3), Summoning (2/2), Master Craftsman, Submission, Death Warrior, Empire Professionals (0/10) *Concerns the Scholars (0/2), Blacksmiths (0/2), Researchers (0/2), Generals (0/2) and Ministers (0/2)*]


    He was ecstatic with his progress, and he was sure that he was the strongest fighter in the region. Of course, he knew that he was trash compared to his neighbors, but it was a start.


    If he managed to pass under their radars long enough, he would be able to maneuver himself out of many precarious situations. That''s why he needed to conquer explosively and quickly.


    After a few minutes of flight, he arrived at Okko. He didn''t need to be discreet anymore, so he asked Io to dive in the center of the village.


    Shortly after, the villagers below saw a beast that was half eagle, half bat. They all started screaming and running everywhere. The soldiers were shocked and struggled to organize themselves in front of this threat.


    *BANG*


    Io landed violently on the ground and dirt flew everywhere, hiding the invader. When the thick cloud finally thinned, they could see a man, waiting. Io had already hidden himself. Derrick had exposed him in Akata, but he wanted to keep his companions as trump cards. The less people knew the better. He looked nonchalantly around as if everything in his field of view was already his property.


    The chieftain of the village, who rushed to the commotion, had a look of outrage and worry on his face.


    Derrick was pleased. The reaction of this village had been way better than Akata. They were careful and didn''t rush to their deaths.


    "Greetings, chief Atta! My name''s Derrick Tarlin. I come today asking for your surrender"


    The chieftain was stunned. The person in front of him was certainly mentally ill. He was surrounded with no way out, and he was the one asking for their surrender?! Absolute nonsense!


    However, Atta was feeling wary. He knew the person in front of them couldn''t be simple, and he didn''t want to be responsible for the death of his soldiers. He had to find a way to identify the intruder and his strength.


    Seeing their dilemma, Derrick decided that he should ''incentivize'' their choice.


    "Summon!"


    The ground lightly shook and dark plasma started seeping out. A moment later, 33 portals appeared and armed skeletons started slowly coming out, their eyes piercing the souls of the soldiers present.


    "You... You''re... a... Necromancer..."


    Atta couldn''t believe it... The feeling of dread had invaded every single pore of his body... He had heard tales of their blood-lust and dark arts. He never thought he would meet one in this backwater place.


    This was one of the cards Derrick didn''t mind revealing as this army would be frequently used in the future.


    "I didn''t come today to slaughter you, but I will if you don''t submit to me. I''ve already conquered Akata, so please don''t make this harder than it has to"


    Hearing this, Atta was even more stunned. Akata had already fallen?! He knew their previous chieftain, and he was weaker than him, which meant he didn''t stand a chance if he fought here.


    "I see... What do you want from us?"


    Atta had already seen his soldier''s expressions around him, and he knew they were terrified. They clearly didn''t want to die, so fighting was pointless. He needed to negotiate the best terms possible for his people.


    "It''s simple. Pack up your valuables and everything you need and wait for me. In a day, I want everyone to be gathered here and ready to leave. We will move to Akata"


    Atta gasped and realized what was happening. He was no fool. The man in front of him was gathering villages to make a more unified entity. He didn''t yet know to what end, but just knowing the gist of it was enough, at least for now.


    Derrick liked this chieftain. First, he didn''t need to kill the soldiers, which he badly needed, although he would have to retrain them all as they were way too cowardly to be useful. Second, he could see him weigh the pros and cons of what he was offering.


    Who didn''t like to have a smart man under him?


    "I''ll make this clear, if anyone tries to flee, you''ll all die. No exceptions. I don''t have the time to babysit. You''ll be in charge of convincing the villagers. I''ll explain everything in detail when I''m back"


    Derrick jumped on Io and took off again. He had left as fast as he had arrived.


    ***


    The confused populace that had taken refuge then surrounded the soldiers and bombarded them with questions. Atta calmed them down and answered their questions clearly.


    "Everyone, gather everything you need. We''ll be leaving tomorrow... I know this is sudden and you might not understand, but it''s for our survival. So please, do as I say. Everything will be explained tomorrow"


    All the villagers were wary, but they trusted their leader and proceeded. Atta turned to his soldiers and gave them orders.


    "Make sure nobody leaves... We can''t afford to offend this man..."


    ***


    The next 3 villages were located 1 kilometer South of Okko, and they were in a cluster, which greatly affected Derrick''s strategy. He thought he would be able to go on a rampage and gain new undead soldiers, but Atta had thrown a wrench in his plans.


    As such, he needed to be swift and decisive. He couldn''t let them see any weaknesses, or they would take him for a fool. Derrick''s gaze turned malicious. It was time to stretch a bit.


    As soon as he arrived, he dove with Io and landed in the same fashion as before, the cloud of dust hiding his every movement.


    He was also met with a similar contingent. However, before they could even see their enemy, Derrick had already made his move.


    The enemy soldiers saw nothing, but they heard an ear-piercing screech. They suddenly had violent goosebumps because they thought that that scream was their chieftain.


    Haha, it couldn''t be, right? Their strongest fighter couldn''t produce a sound like that... Right?!


    When the dust settled, they saw the most gruesome scene of their lives. Their leader''s head... was in the hands of the invader. A face of shock and terror remained on his face. They started trembling violently and some even fell to their knees.


    "As you can see, I didn''t bother with the introductions..."


    A vile smile was on Derricks'' face. He didn''t know why, but he enjoyed seeing their despair. It was probably another side effect of his class.


    "Submit or die. These are your choices"


    The soldiers desperately nodded. Just looking at their chieftain''s face, they knew that death was inevitable if they didn''t comply. Seeing their plea, Derrick continued.


    "Round up the entire village here. If anyone disobeys, you all die. Understood?"


    He didn''t bother waiting for their answer and left for the next village...

 16 Caravan

    There were 900 villagers in front of Derrick, including 100 soldiers. After killing the remaining two chieftains, he hadn''t met any resistance. The soldiers had rounded up their villages and gathered at the first location under the necromancer''s orders.


    They were now awaiting further instructions. Derrick was happy with his harvest, even though he only got three more undead soldiers, bringing his total to 36.


    Everyone in front of him was terrified, as if they had met the devil himself. Derrick couldn''t really blame them, as they were indoctrinated since birth that Necromancers were the scum of the earth. With Io by his side, he started his speech.


    "If you become my subjects, I''ll treat you well. If you oppose me, you''ll die. There isn''t any room for debate. I killed your chieftains to send a message, but I''ll not lay a hand on you if you submit"


    There were sighs of relief in the crowd, but some were throwing glances filled with doubt. What type of invader would let the conquered have a free life? At best, they were thinking that they would become slaves. At worst, sex toys that would be abused to death.


    Derrick couldn''t really blame them. It had been this way since the beginning of time. The strong conquered the weak, and the victors had every right to do whatever they wanted with the spoils.


    "You''ll see for yourselves. We''ll now head to the Okko village up north. They''ll be waiting for us there. I''ll tell you the rest when we arrive"


    Everybody started marching with haste. People were throwing glances behind them, wondering what kind of life awaited them...


    ***


    After a few hours, they arrived at Okko. The outskirts were like a ghost town. Everyone started worrying. Had the village been massacred? What was happening?


    As they progressed towards the center, they finally calmed down. They saw a group of villagers waiting for them, like Derrick had said.


    Io landed next to Atta and Derrick saluted the man. Atta was still not used to Io, and he started sweating bullets. Why was such a creature allowed to exist?!


    "I hope all the preparations are over?"


    Derrick didn''t waste time as he wanted to leave for Akata right away. It was already mid-day and if they hurried, they would be able to set camp in a relatively safe part of the forest.


    When the group had left for Okko, Derrick had done some recon over the forest with Io. He didn''t find powerful creatures in the first leg of their trip. He recognized that there were elderly people and that they couldn''t endure a trip directly to their destination.


    As such he needed to find a suitable camp site, which he had. It was a small hill that hovered above the vegetation. It would be perfect for their group now boasting 1300 heads, including 140 soldiers.


    "Great! We''ll be departing right away. I''ve found a camp site that''ll allow us to rest for the night before completing the trip tomorrow"


    Atta couldn''t help but grimace. He was already at wits end and this fellow didn''t allow for any rest. Derrick turned to the crowd and used his loud voice to start explaining his plans.


    "I''m sure you all have questions, but they''ll have to wait! For now, I''ll be relocating you to the Akata village. You don''t have to worry about housing and food. I''ve already made plans to that effect. To those who don''t know me, I''m Derrick Tarlin. I''ll be the person leading you all to a better future, a better life! If you pledge yourself to my cause, you''ll be rewarded tenfold, and that''s a promise!"


    Young and old, men and women, they couldn''t help but wonder if he could really deliver such an absurd promise. However, there was one thing they knew for sure : the man in front of them was their best shot. Even if they were leaving everything behind, it couldn''t be worse than death.


    "We''ll be departing right now, before camping for the night. We should be arriving tomorrow, barring any encounters"


    The group started moving. Nobody looked back because even if they wanted to stay, they had no choice in the matter. It was either live or die. The options they were given were pretty straight forward.


    ***


    When the sun was about to set, they finally arrived at their destination. Derrick ordered everyone to set up camp. The small hill they occupied was surrounded by trees, but it had the best vantage point.


    The path they had taken was surprisingly easier than expected, considering the size of their caravan. They barely met wildlife on their way as well, which gave an eerie feeling that Derrick didn''t like.


    To alleviate his worries, he decided that he would explore the remaining part of their journey alone. He had been in a cave for months, so he was actually more comfortable with the cover of the night.


    When everyone was settled and went to bed, Derrick proceeded in the depth of the forest. This part was way thicker and the carriages would have a hard time going through. They should be able to arrive at Akata during tomorrows'' evening.


    Suddenly, Derrick felt his entire body go cold.


    "WATCH OUT!!!"


    Drako suddenly hurled in Derrick''s mind, and his instincts took over. He dove forward in a split second, which allowed him to barely see the creature that was attacking him. The sight of the beast made his blood go cold.


    It was a gigantic half-bear, half-deer monster that stood on its two back legs. It had shining green eyes and gigantic claws. Its rib cage was also exposed, giving it a nightmarish vibe. It was at least 15 meters tall.


    It had managed to sneak behind Derrick without him noticing, which was an incredible feat considering its size.


    The area in which Derrick previously stood was barely recognizable. The claws of the beast had torn through everything in its wake.


    "System, use Appraisal on that bastard"


    [Leshi (Forest Spirit)]


    [Strength : 23]


    [Agility : 15]


    [Endurance : 14]


    [Vitality : 15]


    [Magic Power : 14]


    [Trait : Bear Strike (The claws of this beast allows it to lacerate everything in its path), Deer Charge (Charges with its razor-sharp antlers. Unstoppable)]


    [Weakness : Darkness]


    "So you''re the reason there''s barely any animal in this region... Drako, you''ve been hiding for a while, want to stretch a bit?"


    "Human, don''t push your luck... Although, I really want to test out my strength..."

 17 Forest Battle

    Since he had left the cave, Derrick had been worried about his progress. After all, the cave had been the system''s starting point and it had been a real treasure trove.


    Derrick''s blood was coursing through his body violently, his heart pumping it in troves. It had been a while since he had met a challenger worth his time.


    "Come out now. We''ll fight him together. He''s too tough for me, and he''s even going to be hard for you"


    "You underestimate me, Human... But I guess we can practice our coordination..."


    Derrick''s shadow started crazily expanding and the big dark lizard came out in front of the Leshi. Drako really was a majestic beast, even if he looked utterly terrifying.


    The necromancer pulled out the sword from his back and started analyzing the opponent in front of him. It was the strongest he had ever faced and the system had given him the vaguest weakness there was...


    "Drako, you''re clearly a darkness related monster. I''ll act as the bait and you finish the bastard off. If you miss, I definitely won''t let you off..."


    Now that the three of them were on the battlefield, a stalemate had formed. Derrick didn''t want to bring out Io because the poor thing would probably get in the way. He would only summon it as the very last resort.


    "Try not to damage the monster too much... I need materials to make weapons"


    "Pfffft... You demand a lot. The only thing you should be concerned about right now is your life. If you die, I die, so you better keep up!"


    "Yeah yeah..."


    Drako''s cynical laugh sounded in Derrick''s mind, which made him swear that he would tame that shameless thing one day.


    It had already been several seconds since both parties stood still, observing each other. The Leshi finally ran out of patience.


    Without any warning, it jumped in the direction of Derrick with speed that defied its ridiculous size. How the hell was that thing moving so fast?!


    Derrick could barely steady himself before tumbling to his right and slashing the passing beast''s legs.


    The sword was made with the remains of Drako and as the most powerful beast in the cave, it didn''t disappoint. Even with its bear hide, the leg''s defenses couldn''t stop the murderous slash that Derrick unleashed.


    The Leshi let out an ear-piercing screech and looked at its wounds. Its left leg was profusely bleeding and its outer thigh was badly lacerated. Green blood was pretty much gushing out of the wound.


    The Leshi''s gaze was beyond murderous when it looked at Derrick again. It had never been humiliated like that in its entire existence, and it had been done by an ant at that!


    It lowered its deer-head and aimed its antlers at Derrick, ready to use its Deer Charge. Alarms started going off in Derrick''s consciousness because the system had specified that this was unstoppable move.


    "IT''S YOUR TIME TO SHINE DRAKO!!!"


    After his shout, the giant lizard that had been lying low pounced towards the monster. Derrick had given him a perfect opportunity, and he wouldn''t miss it.


    He bit the wounded leg of the beast and used his tongue to pump poison into its bloodstream.


    The Leshi wasn''t dumb and its survival instincts kicked in. It would die in a matter of seconds if it didn''t get rid of this damn reptile.


    As such, it shifted its focus from Derrick to Drako and swung its long bear claws at his neck. Drako recognized the precarious situation he was in and immediately let go of the leg. He darted backwards at a safe range of his opponent.


    Even though he was immortal, as long as Derrick lived, he still felt pain when he was injured.


    When it missed its target again, the Leshi entered a furious frenzy. Being toyed with by two opponents weaker than itself was a shame so big that it would rather kill itself than continue living.


    But before that, it would bring those two down with him.


    Its green eyes started to shine vigorously and its body started swelling. Its exposed thoracic cage started opening and it exposed its huge rotten heart. It was beating at an unsustainable speed that would surely make it explode in a couple of minutes.


    The beast''s body kept getting larger and larger. The expansion finally stopped when it was around 30 meters high and 10 meters wide. It was an absolute abomination of nature. The pressure it emitted was entirely different from before, and it felt way more oppressive.


    Now that the poison was in its blood, its fate was sealed. As such, it was going all out. Its remaining minutes would be a glorious battle.


    Derrick grew serious. His senses were screaming that he was at deaths'' door. If he made a mistake, it would be over. Even the system was sending him multiple warnings.


    Drako also realized what was happening. The Leshi had ''overclocked'' its metabolism and entered a self-destructive state.


    They needed a plan and fast.


    "Drako, you''ll be the bait now. I have to reach its heart. If I can pierce it, we win"


    Drako let out a low grunt, but acquiesced. He had to protect Derrick no matter what.


    Now that they were on the same page, they both exploded in the direction of the beast. The Leshi looked at them with an expression of contempt and derision.


    Nothing was its equal in this state, and it would finally be able to quash these bugs before dying.


    It lowered its head and aimed its antlers at Derrick, initiating its Deer Charge again. When it was about to launch in his direction, Drako reached it and tackled the beast with all his body.


    He had to destabilize it long enough for Derrick to reach its body. When the Leshi felt the reptile, it only scoffed. What was this little guy trying to do? He was unmatched in his current state!


    With its left arm, it tore through the entire body of Drako and threw his mutilated corpse against the nearby trees. Drako could only let out a deafening howl of misery before going completely silent, his dark corpse disintegrating a second later.


    [Summon Drako has been killed! A cooldown of 72 hours is needed]


    After killing an opponent, the Leshi had a victorious expression. That feeling of power was intoxicating. It licked the dark plasma off its arm and turned its head toward the last position of Derrick. It wanted to taste his flesh as well.


    Uh?! Where was the other ant?! It was nowhere to be seen!!!


    The creature started panicking because it was running out of time. It had to kill the other one or it would be another failure! This was unacceptable!


    It suddenly roared to the sky in anger and started trashing its surroundings.


    "You thought I''d run away?! TOO BAD FOR YOU! NOW DIE YOU FUCK!!!"


    Derrick suddenly appeared over its head, diving from the sky with his sword pointed at its chest.


    The creature was dumbfounded. It had been fooled once again...

 18 Migration

    [Would you like to make a contract with the Leshi?]


    This was the best part of slaying strong beasts. Claiming their strength was an addictive sensation.


    "Yes"


    Derrick answered right away, as if scared that the window would disappear.


    [You have 3/3 souls! You will not be able to contract any more souls]


    Although regrettable, his lineup of beasts was now impressive. Derricks'' firepower had increased exponentially.


    After the experience with Drako, he didn''t want to summon it right away by fear of having to deal with another shameless fellow. Right now, one was already plenty enough.


    "Human, you better reward me handsomely for my selfless act! Dying again has strained my spirit to the point that I need to rest for a while... You can still summon me, but I''ll only be able to muster 50% of my strength..."


    As shameless as he was, it had been a long time since Derrick felt warmth like this. Drako had sacrificed himself in a heart beat without thinking of the consequences. He knew they were under his control, but still...


    "I''ll just have to get stronger for you then... You''re apparently still too weak haha..."


    Drako could only sigh. He had been the strongest fighter in the cave for centuries, only to be bested by a god-damn hybrid in a single move... Deep down in his soul, he felt shame.


    "Don''t beat yourself up too bad... You should know what''s our next step right?"


    Derrick couldn''t help but grin... He loved what was going to happen next.


    "You''re a disturbing human..."


    "You guessed it right, it''s ''butcher'' time"


    Derrick had been rather lucky with the Leshi. It had exposed a fatal weakness that made it vulnerable, thus being able to kill it in a single strike. However, the fact that it had surcharged its body had done a lot of damage.


    With a look of greed in his eye, he took out his small knife and went to work, salvaging what was left on the corpse.


    "Thank god the antlers are still pristine. Losing them would have been a tragedy. The hide is completely ruined. Hmm... The muscles aren''t in better shape either, but I can still eat them so it''s not a total loss. The tendons are ruined, but the bones hung on!"


    He had developed the habit of talking aloud when ''recycling'' corpses. It was probably to cope with the horrific process.


    Just like that, a few hours had flown by and dawn was well under way. Derrick managed to get the antlers, bones and meat. Overall, it wasn''t a bad harvest.


    He wanted to ingest the meat right now in hopes of getting a skill (his Devour ability), but the procedure would take too much time, which he didn''t have.


    He had to go back to the encampment to lead them to Akata. Derrick was confident that their road would be smooth sailings from here on out.


    ***


    The small village was bustling with activity. Every abled men or women was hurrying in various directions with work on their hands. When some spotted their group, they were in disbelief.


    There were 1300 individuals and 140 soldiers! It was probably the largest gathering in the history of this region.


    They were full of doubts when Derrick had first told them about his plans, but after seeing this, they couldn''t help but smile. This was a victory for them. Proof that his words weren''t bullshit and that he could change their lives.


    They unconsciously started moving faster, giving in entirely for their new cause.


    Io landed in front of the group and Derrick disembarked, waiting for his report. After a few minutes, he could finally see Jack hurrying in his direction.


    "Your Highness, it has been 3 days since you left! I''m glad to see that you''re still well"


    Jacks'' etiquette had become surprisingly good, which made Derrick suspect that Lacha had given crash courses. As a noblewoman, she wouldn''t tolerate improper manners.


    "Report"


    "Yes, Your Highness! In these 3 days, we have been able to double the number of houses to 200 and increase our farming lands by 5 hectares. We didn''t reach the goals you imposed, so please punish us"


    Derrick couldn''t help but smile. This was way better than he expected, especially in the short timeframe they had.


    "There''s no need. You all worked well! I brought reinforcements as well"


    He turned to the group behind him and breathed in a large mouthful of air.


    "As you can all see, we''ve arrived at our destination! This will be your new home. I''ll make this clear yet again : you''re my subjects now. No one will dare harm you if you submit and do your best to contribute to the cause. The person next to me is Jack. He''s in charge of the construction teams. Everyone that can cut trees or build, follow him. He''ll assign your roles. Those who are free can set up a temporary camp because we don''t have enough houses right now, but the situation should be remedied soon"


    Jack was relieved that he finally had more people to work with, but he also cursed his luck seeing the amount of newcomers. He would be very busy this week.


    After giving his last instructions, Derrick was satisfied. He had solved his two immediate problems : the lack of population and the amount of soldiers defending the village. He would have to re-train the latter, but it wasn''t urgent.


    Derrick now had to tackle the next two urgent issues, which were the funds available and the presence of specialists. He had to assess the current situation, so he opened the Empire tab in his consciousness.


    [Akata Village]


    [Level : 2]


    [Population : 1500]


    [Soldiers : 140]


    [Funds : 50 gold]


    [Tax : 0%]


    [Institutions : None]


    [Mood : 70/30]


    He could only sigh in his heart. Raiding four villages had been easy, but it had not substantially increased his funds, and it had not resulted in recruiting experts. He was also a little sour about the drop in mood, but that would be fixed over time.


    You couldn''t win people overnight. You had to show them you were someone worth following.


    Derrick had a plan to fix both his problems. When he previously swept the map, he had found a city deeper in the territory of the Krakow Empire. It apparently had a population of 100 000, which should provide all the necessities Derrick looked for.


    Its profile was also low enough not to attract too much attention.


    He could sell goods there and also recruit specialists. There was nothing you couldn''t do with money.


    With his strategy in mind, it was time to start crafting!

 19 Magical Hands

    All of Derricks'' materials were laid in front of him. It had been a while since he crafted and it was something he really enjoyed.


    He didn''t have a dedicated workshop yet, so he had to impose on Lacha, which didn''t mind. She sat at the other end of the table and was really curious. The materials were all from the Leshi, and they had been harvested with care, removing their previous ominous aura.


    "Are you going to make weapons out of these?"


    She couldn''t help but ask. After all, everyone would be a little skeptic when seeing raw products without any form or shape.


    "You''ll see. It''ll also help us gather funds. I don''t know how good the weapons are in bigger cities, but I''m sure I won''t lose to those in lower regions"


    Derrick couldn''t help but puff up his chest in pride. He really thought he made special things.


    "I''m starting. Make sure nobody disturbs me"


    He sent a flirtatious look at Lacha who immediately blushed. She eventually stood up and left the room, giving Derrick his private space.


    The first thing Derrick wanted to make was a bow. He liked his sword, but he loved being prepared. Having a balanced fighting style was something primordial, and he had learned this the harsh way. Even if he didn''t belong in the Spartan class, it didn''t restrict him from mastering various weapons, albeit with more difficulty.


    He took the antlers and started carving them gently with his carving knife. He was going to keep this bow, so he didn''t want to make any mistake. After removing the excesses, he tested its malleability and tensile strength.


    After he was satisfied, he took out a tendon he had kept from Drako''s corpse. He would be using it as the bows'' string. It had slightly deteriorated, but it was still a premium product. He was still cursing that damn Leshi for ruining all its ligaments.


    He tied everything up together and started putting on the finishing touches. When the bow was near completion, it suddenly started emitting a maliciously benevolent aura. Derrick was startled and hurriedly finished his work.


    "Appraisal!"


    [Dark Forest Guardian Bow]


    [Grade : Legendary]


    [Attack Power : 25]


    [Abilities : Can immobilize a target for 2 seconds, regardless of its defenses]


    [Description : Made from two beasts at the apex of their ecosystems]


    Derrick couldn''t stop the victorious shout that came out from his soul. This item was beyond overpowered. You had to realize that an attack power of 25 meant that it was 25 times stronger than a common citizen. On top of its already ludicrous ability, the weapon was simply unmatched.


    It was also the first time Derrick had seen a weapon he made with a grade other than Unique. He was going to inquire about the various qualities when going to the city.


    After a while, Derrick let her go.


    "I still have work to do, sorry for this... I couldn''t help myself"


    She shyly giggled and left. Derrick couldn''t help but stare at her perfect ass. She was indeed a beauty.


    After gathering back his thoughts, it was time to make weapons to sell. He had to make sure they weren''t stronger than the ones he owned, but not so weak that people would easily dismiss them.


    He didn''t want to make various designs, and he had a couple of Leshi''s bones. The only thing that came to mind was a spear. It could be streamlined and it was possible to make multiple of them.


    ***


    After 3 hours, he had completed his work. They weren''t his finest creations, but it was satisfactory. There were 4 spears and they were extremely sharp. On each of them were engraved various motives that made them appealing to the eyes.


    [Spiritual Spear]


    [Grade : Rare]


    [Attack Power : 16]


    [Abilities : Unstoppable Thrust (As its name implies, the thrust of this spear is unstoppable once launched. Timer : 1 day)]


    [Description : Carved from the bones of an ''overclocked'' Leshi]


    It was simple, but it still remained a great product, at least in Derrick''s eyes. He was eager to see what kind of reception it would get. He badly needed funds to begin his future endeavors, and he was anxious to see if he could create a reputation around his craft. After all, the better your products were, the more people would fight to buy them. Plus, he really wanted to see what the cities looked like on this continent.


    Ending on that note, he went to bed, exhausted. A new journey would begin tomorrow.

 20 Infiltration

    When dawn appeared, Derrick was ready to leave. He had made preparations and gave various duties to his retainers. Now that everything was set, it was time to explore this vast world.


    His first destination was what Lacha had pointed out on the map. The name of the city was Terra, and she barely had any memories of it. The only information she had was hearsay, which Derrick immediately discarded.


    He couldn''t base his trip on knowledge that could lead him in trouble, so he decided to go with a cautious approach and learn on the fly. After all, it was his strong suit.


    ***


    After hours and hours of only seeing green shades of forests, Derrick was starting to wonder if Lacha''s map was even accurate. He rarely lost his temper, but if he got lost and couldn''t even go back to Akata, he would blow a massive fuse.


    When he was about to rain curses on her, he finally saw a change in the landscape below. He asked Io to hover closer to the clouds, which would still grant them decent cover. After all, he didn''t want people to see a monster flying over them.


    When they had a better vantage point, he was shocked. What he was seeing was absolutely mesmerizing. There were gigantic farms that spread as far as he could look. He could also see an ocean of small moving figures, laboring the fields.


    Back in his small village, he had cultivated a bit to sustain himself and was proud of his accomplishment, but what was in front of him put him to shame. It was as if the world''s entire food production was laid in front of his eyes.


    After the initial shock, Derrick ordered Io to get back to his original altitude, scared that he would be seen. His estimates had been completely wrong. He wondered how many people would be in the main city.


    Later, following another hour of flight, he finally saw the walls. And oh were they astounding. He was still pretty far, but he could tell that they were at least 100 meters tall. It circled the entirety of the city''s boundary, which was tens of kilometers long. On it were towers spread evenly and equipped with giant ballistas that could tear across the skies.


    Derrick had never felt this awed in his entire life. The defensive measures a border city had were truly nothing to scoff at. But it didn''t end there.


    Behind these impressive trinkets were a magnificent city that made the impressive walls pale in sight. The buildings, made of white granite, were disposed in a neat order. Their height also kept increasing the more you went towards the center of the city.


    It was basically small living mountain. Such a monster probably had way more than 100 000 denizens, but Derrick couldn''t blame Lacha as she had left many years ago.


    Thus, his expectations had skyrocketed, but so had his worries. He didn''t want to cause a commotion, which meant that he had to take more precautions.


    After arriving, he asked Io to circle around, but the beast was starting to tire. Their trip had been way longer than expected. Derrick couldn''t ask him to land, as they would be immediately apprehended, and he couldn''t land further away because walking would take too much time.


    Suddenly, a sly smile creeped on Derricks'' face. He knew it was a gamble, but with his body, he was pretty sure he would survive. He told Io to go fly above a lake a kilometer north of the walls, which he considered a reasonable distance.


    As they were above the cloud ceiling, they were still invisible to the people below. Derrick told Io to scan the lake''s depth, which cleared his remaining uncertainty.


    "I never thought I would be this crazy..."


    After tightly strapping his weapons and gold pouch on his back, Derrick jumped from Io''s back and dove from the sky.


    Just like a meteor, the air engulfed Derrick''s body and his eyes started tearing up from the insane speed that kept increasing.


    A few seconds later, he breached the clouds, completely soaked, and continued his mad descent. With tiny eyes, he tried evaluating the distance at which he would have to spread his entire body to slow his ridiculous fall.


    Meanwhile, some farmers saw the incredulous phenomenon and rubbed their eyes, wondering if they had gone insane. The only thing they could see was an object falling from the sky, which looked like a man, but how was that possible?!


    As such, they stopped looking at the object and observed its trajectory, which was a small lake. They instantly stopped their activities and ran in its direction. Falling objects from the sky would surely enrich them beyond their wildest dreams.


    While greed clouded the minds of common folk, Derrick had already fallen 2000 meters. It was now time to slow down his fall. He changed his form from a rocket to a star, spreading as far as he could to maximize the drag of his body.


    That''s when Derrick realized he messed up. In a thunderous splash, he landed on the surface like a flat rock and lost consciousness for a brief instant. While sinking under water, he howled in pain and cursed his retarded brain. How the hell had he forgotten such basic things?!


    In a pain that would make gods wince, he slowly swam ashore and rolled on the ground, still cursing himself. Io, after dissolving and returning to Derricks'' shadow, even snickered at his master. Truly, this day couldn''t go any worse.


    That''s when Derrick turned his head and saw a small crowd of farmers running in his direction... WHAT THE F****!!! He had to evade questions no matter what, so he painfully got up, straightened in armor, and proceeded on a dirt road that lead to the walls.


    Luckily for him, the farmers'' eyes couldn''t get off the lake and as soon as they arrived, they jumped in without a care in the world. They had heard the splatter, and they would do whatever it takes to get the object.


    What they failed to notice was the tall man staggering off like he had beaten to an inch of his life...


    ***


    Derrick had been right. If anybody without his body had jumped, they would be mince meat at the bottom of the lake. Luckily for him, he had even kept all his belongings. On the dirt road, he had also found a clothing stall and bought a cloak.


    The look of greed the merchant had given when looking at his armor had confirmed Derrick''s decision to be more careful.


    As he got closer and closer to the wall, he couldn''t be more awed. He had underestimated its grandeur. The entrance was masterfully carved and took half of the walls'' height. It also sported a thick iron gate that would close the path of any invader.


    The entry lines were tidy and organized, with merchant carriages and people separated. To enter, everyone had to state their reason and intention, which made Derrick worry. He wondered if he should lie or tell the truth, but decided to go with the latter.


    When it was his turn, the guard, wearing a shining iron armor, advanced.


    "Business or casual?"


    "Business"


    "What type?"


    "Selling weapons"


    Derrick pointed to his back, where there were his newly made spears. They looked gorgeous and appeared to be the work of a master. When the guard saw them, a malicious glint appeared and his eyes, and he made a signal to other guards.


    Derrick knew what was about to come. It was a shakedown... With a sigh, he was about to reach for his gold pouch when he heard a loud and harsh voice.


    "How dare you treat my guest with such poor manners?! Explain yourselves!"


    Derrick was surprised and frankly, confused. The voice was directed at the guards in front of him and it came from a large, burly man in a carriage a few meters away from him. This man was a merchant, and clearly a great one at that. He was wearing chic clothes and held a neatly carved glass filled with wine.


    His carriage was the definition of opulence. It was minted in gold and its wheels were finely made, to the point where it was surprising that they weren''t breaking. Its windows were also crystal clear, exposing its luxurious interior.


    When the guard saw the merchant, his face paled, and he exposed a weird grimace.


    "Sir Brigand, is this man with you?"


    The guard''s voice was a tad shaky, which made Derrick wonder about the man''s status. However, he was wary as to why a stranger would help him.


    "Of course he is! Why would I vouch for him if he was not?!"


    The tone of Brigand bordered on anger and when the guard heard it, he instantly moved aside to let Derrick pass.


    "Thanks for your kindness, Sir"


    With a slight bow, Derrick turned around and started walking away.


    "Wait! You''re here to sell weapons right?"

 21 Brigand Lancaster

    Since childhood, Brigand Lancaster had been fascinated by the concept of trades. He was a relatively tall child and his physique was on the greater side. His round brown eyes and straight nose gave him a certain charm that would make a few girls woo him from time to time.


    Coming from a well off family in the Krakow Empire, he had been given a fair education and had been exposed to the world at a young age.


    However, even while being encouraged to pursue academics, he had always been reprimanded by his teachers, caught in reveries that he seldom revealed.


    In fact, it had been these reveries that had propelled him forward.


    His classes had been given in a small room littered with windows, and he had been next to one of them. The school had also been located next to a small market that would sell various trinkets and products.


    During his long days, his favorite pastime had been to watch merchants set up their stalls and pitch their products. Some had cunning looks, some had zeal in their eyes and some simply appeared to be bored by their situation.


    But what Brigand really saw was... a bunch of complete buffoons. A circus of untalented fools that sullied the Merchant profession. How could people be swayed by such trash?!


    After suffering another few years in class, Brigand had reached the age of 13, which allowed him to confront his parents. He told them that he would become a merchant and that it was his calling. When they had heard his passionate speech, his parents hadn''t been surprised.


    They could tell that their son had been waiting for a long and that he was ready to take the leap. With all their resources available, they supported his endeavor and, to their incredible surprise, struck it rich.


    They realized that their child was a once-in-a-century genius of economics and that he could foresee trends and behaviors of different markets.


    By the age of 15, Brigand had transformed the Lancaster family into a baronage that spanned across multiple cities and influenced various policies.


    However, blinded by his own talent, Brigand had failed to notice the warning signs sent by other economic powerhouses. At first, they hadn''t taken the young lad seriously, mostly attributing his success to luck, but as his power increased, they were forced to revise their plans.


    After failing to poach him multiple times, they finally retaliated. After organizing a temporary alliance, they slowly bled out the Lancaster family into submission.


    His parents, which had been exposed to extreme opulence, had transformed into greedy beings that only saw their son as a money machine. To appease the wrath they had been under, they decided to banish him and forbid him from ever coming back.


    This event had sent him in a cycle of depression and rage for the next few years, which had pulled him in the depths of poverty. Living like a beggar, he kept wallowing in self-pity and barely ate a meal every two days.


    It wasn''t until a few hellish years had passed by that he heard shocking news. Apparently, his family had even gone to the length of denying his existence, saying he was simply a beggar that they took pity on.


    This had been the last straw. He was already 24, but his previously dead eyes were now shining with a dangerous glint. It was time to take his life back in his own hands and make them pay.


    His first decision had been to move out of the province that could identify him. He knew full well that he couldn''t grow here, and that it would only be once he was able to expand his empire that he would come back.


    It had already been 6 years since that decision. He had moved to the border of the Empire and had built a robust network that made him one of the richest man in the region. He even wielded more influence than some rulers in certain towns.


    What made him frustrated was that he couldn''t take the next step. His products were the most in-demand locally, but he hadn''t been able to pierce the other markets, which had these needs already fulfilled.


    He was coming back from a business trip and waiting in line when something caught his eyes. A few meters away from him was a tall, robust man that was about to be scammed by guards...


    ***


    Derrick slowly turned around and watched as the opulent man invited him in his carriage. After a little reluctance, he proceeded. He was in a new city, so declining help would be unwise.


    "If you don''t mind me asking, why are you helping me?"


    Brigand couldn''t help but grin. He had only caught a glimpse of the weapons, but it had been enough to make him realize that they were something special. That was how he always worked. Find something new, inquire about it. His curiosity was what propelled him forward.


    "I''ll be honest with you. I saw the weapons when you showed them to the guard and I became interested. My name is Brigand Lancaster. What''s yours?"


    Derrick was surprised by how straightforward the man was, but he liked it. He hated individuals that talked in a roundabout way.


    "Derrick Tarlin"


    Derrick decided to tell his real name as he needed someone to show him around the city. Relationships always required a little bit of trust. After a few seconds of silence, Brigand couldn''t help himself and continued.


    "Would you mind if I inspected them?"


    "Go ahead. I came here to sell them anyway"


    Not waiting for a second longer, Brigand took the spears and started inspecting them. As time went by, his eyes got bigger and bigger until they looked like saucers. Small gasps also kept coming out of his mouth involuntarily.


    Only after a few minutes did his gaze turn back to Derrick, which was amused by his behavior. What he didn''t know was that Brigand had finally found the white whale that would allow him to expand anywhere on the continent.


    "You have to sell them using my auction house, or the others will fleece you"


    This sentence sent Derrick reeling. What the hell?! This was sudden and quite startling.


    "Why do you say that?"


    "Frankly, it''s the first time I''ve seen weapons of this quality in this region. The others won''t know their true value. Also, who''s the maker of these?"


    Derrick pondered on whether to tell him or not, and he decided on not doing so. He had to evaluate this ''partner'' for a while longer.


    "It''s someone secluded in the woods. What is the value of these weapons?"


    The direct tone in which Derrick spoke made Brigand worry. He didn''t want to lose this opportunity, and he was going to do everything in his power to succeed.


    "First, do you know about the various currencies?"


    "There are Copper, Silver and Gold. 100 coppers equal 1 silver, and 100 silvers equal 1 gold right?"


    "Yes, these are the basic currencies, but there are also those above that we rarely see. Because Empires are humongous, they also introduced Platinum and Rhodium. They follow the same growth in value, meaning that 100 gold equal 1 platinum, and 100 platinum equal 1 rhodium"


    Derrick was surprised about this, but he figured it was normal. After all, billions of people couldn''t only use gold, as that would greatly restrict the amount of flowing currency.


    "Only the rich use them, and you might soon be one of them!"


    A gigantic smile appeared on Brigands'' face. Not waiting for Derrick to answer, he continued.


    "These weapons are game changers, and it wouldn''t surprise me if they generated around 2-3 platinum each during the auction. Of course, as a measure of precaution, I would auction them at a base price of 100 gold"


    Derrick was ecstatic. He never expected his craftsmanship to be so valuable. He had come here with 50 gold and was guaranteed to walk away with another 400. Of course, it would all be spent on his urgent need of specialists.


    While trying his best to hide his facial expressions, Derrick faked a frown, causing Brigand to sweat bullets. After what seemed like an eternity, Derrick shrugged.


    "I can sell the weapons at your auction house, but I''ll need lodging and a guide. It''s my first time in this city and I''d like to visit it"


    From the expressions of the burly man, Derrick knew he had him at his mercy, so he didn''t hesitate to shamelessly extirpate other boons, which were immediately agreed to. It was now time to fuel his coffers!

 22 Terra & Auction

    As they delved inside the city, Derrick was amazed. If the exterior gave a sense of invulnerability and strength, then the interior was full of life and activity.


    The roads, made of unified and leveled gray stones, were jammed with people and stalls on each side. Everything could be found, from food to souvenirs to cheap weapons.


    Soldiers, all wearing well-maintained bronze armor, patrolled the streets and intercepted the rare troublemakers. Overall, everyone seemed to be happy.


    Moreover, as they kept going, the already elegant buildings got more refined and their details increased. They also went from an average of two to four stories high. Some even had entrances made of precious gems.


    The paths also had fewer people, but all those remaining looked like dignitaries. The small and tidy shacks made place to large and luxurious shops that offered products of higher quality.


    One of the things surprising Derrick was that he had only seen humans roaming around, and he couldn''t help but inquire about it. Even when he was living in his small village, he knew that there were multiple races living on the continent.


    "You''re observant. Terra is a human-only city. When they were founded, they tried a co-existing approach, but it failed miserably and caused a war. Ideals are hard to change..."


    A bit of sorrow appeared on Brigand''s face, but he rapidly continued.


    "Anyway, this war was won by humans at the cost of tens of thousands of lives, which set its development back by a lot. However, other races haven''t completely disappeared from this place. They are still sold as slaves in prestigious markets. Are you interested?"


    Derrick wondered and came to the conclusion that he had to check them out. Various races had different skill sets and, if he could find specialists there, it would be a lifesaver.


    "Yes, I''d like to go there after the auction if you don''t mind"


    "It won''t be an issue. You''re also in luck because the next auction I hold is tonight. Afterwards, we can go there and look at their goods. I have an acquaintance that owes me a favor"


    Derrick nodded and couldn''t help but appreciate the man in front of him. Of course, he knew that it was purely a business relationship.


    Their trip lasted a few more minutes until the carriage finally came to a halt in front of a magnificent building. It was five stories tall and four imposing marble pillars supported its triangular roof. There were also large french windows that covered its facade. The entrance was two large bronze doors that looked absolutely unmovable.


    The architect had gone for a domineering and opulent look and had brilliantly succeeded.


    When Derrick stepped down, a red carpet welcomed him, which made his eyebrow rise. Just how important were the guests that came here?


    "Don''t be intimidated. You''ll not meet any of those people unless you want to. Follow me, I''ll show you to your quarters for the time being"


    When they entered, the theme of luxury persisted and even though it looked like a palace, it wasn''t distasteful. You could see that every material had been used with purpose and care.


    After leading Derrick to his room, Brigand excused himself as he had to finish preparations for tonight.


    Without even throwing a glance at the various amenities, Derrick removed his cloak and armor and jumped in the large bed. After all his conquests and battles, it was finally time to rest.


    ***


    *Knock-Knock*


    "Sir?"


    Silence.


    *Knock-Knock-Knock*


    "Sir, are you awake?"


    Derrick grumbled and slowly opened his eyes. He had slept a few hours and it had rejuvenated him a lot, even though he wanted to lazy out more. He eventually answered the sweet voice that came from outside his room.


    "Come in..."


    Without pausing a beat, what Derrick took for a maid entered and greatly surprised him. It was a gorgeous elf! He never expected to meet one so soon.


    "Master informs you that the auction will proceed in an hour"


    After a courteous bow, she examined Derrick from head to toe. For a maid, she clearly didn''t have any boundaries. She gave off a mysterious feeling that he didn''t quite understand, and since she was a servant, he didn''t bother appraising her. After a few seconds, she continued.


    "Do you have any demands?"


    "None, thank you"


    After his answer, she quickly vacated the room...


    ***


    "What do you think?"


    "He gives off a dangerous aura... You need to be careful. Also, I couldn''t assess his equipment, which means that it''s even above of what he''s selling"


    "Hahaha!!! Good, good... Do you think he''s trustworthy?"


    "From the little interaction I had, he doesn''t seem like a malicious individual, so I''d say so. At the end of the day, it''s your decision, Master"


    "Understood. Keep an eye on him during the auction. Dismissed"


    ***


    After taking a quick bath and cleaning his cloak, Derrick proceeded to a VIP suit that had been assigned by Brigand. Guiding him was a butler that was well-dressed and cleanly shaven. Derrick even expected people to mistake him for a noble instead of a servant.


    Once he arrived, he looked at the decor. The cubicle was pretty much like his room, minus the bed. One side was also made of tainted glass that only allowed one to see outside.


    Through it, he could see the small hall where everything would take place. He admired how well-designed it was. There was a big red curtain hiding the stage, where the items would be sold, and a small seating section where guests could sit comfortably. The VIP suits were located above said section, giving off a pressure that made the people below feel their importance.


    Suddenly, Brigand entered the room and Derrick came back to himself.


    "I hope you''ve been enjoying your stay so far! I know that your weapons haven''t been sold yet, but I can give you credit as I don''t have any doubt that they''ll be. Your account will contain 400 gold. I''ll also be waving the usual fee as a gesture of goodwill for you choosing my establishment"


    The husky man seemed to be in jovial mood and Derrick was really starting to genuinely like him. If everything went well, he considered asking him to be the supplier of his city.


    "Thank you very much. Everything has been perfect so far"


    "Well, if you need anything, just ask! The butler will also tell you about the rules of our auction. If you''ll excuse me, I have other matters to attend"


    With that, he left as fast as he arrived. The butler, which had be standing in a corner of the room, advanced.


    "My name''s James and I''ll be your attendant tonight. The rules are simple, you bid by minimum increments of 10% of the original value of the item. Of course, you can bet higher. All bets are final and paid the moment the item is obtained. As you have credit, it''ll be deducted off of it. Do you have any questions?"


    Derrick shook his head before sitting in the large, and surprising comfortable, chair in front of the glass. His heart started to race. He never expected that he would be able to participate in such a prestigious event!


    The gallery below had already started to fill up and after a few minutes, every single seat was taken. Every member of the higher class seemed to present, which made Derrick ecstatic and scared. His items could fetch more, but if he wanted something, its cost would also be higher.


    Suddenly, all the lights, which were generated by magical trinkets, started to dim. The curtain lifted and a host appeared at the center of the stage. It was a beautiful woman that wore a tight sparkling black dress.


    "For those who don''t know me, my name is Jacqueline and I''ll be your host tonight. Let''s begin!"

 23 Auction

    When Jacqueline finished her little introduction, the already feverish atmosphere erupted. The auctions aren''t scheduled, so when one happens, everybody pays special attention and tries to attend.


    Two well-dressed men appeared on the stage while pushing a cart. The item on it was covered by a black silk cloth, making the spectators murmur between each other with curiosity.


    After letting the tension build up a little more, Jacqueline removed it in a fluid and beautiful movement that emphasized her grace. The item was... a plant! It was green and had small leaves shaped like folding fans.


    "This plant is a 100 years old Gingko and it is renowned to help the mind. Very useful when meditating after training. The starting bid is at 20 gold!"


    Everybody started bidding madly, as if their pockets were bottomless pits. Derrick wasn''t interested as he had the system to help him progress.


    "42!"


    The hall went silent and Jacqueline concluded the sale. It went to someone who looked like a scholar, which would definitely make use of it.


    After a few moments, the cart came in a similar fashion. With another swift movement, Jacqueline exposed the new item. This time, it was a big purple gemstone.


    "This gem is Tanzanite. Its reputation to store magic is well-known across the continent and its prowess is only limited by its supplies. This gem in particular can store an intermediate spell and unleash it whenever the caster wishes. The starting bid is 60 gold!"


    Gasps could be heard throughout the room and some VIP lounges even seemed interested. Derrick was interested as well, but he didn''t have a spell that could be stored and used like this, so he could only bide his time.


    Just like before, everyone went in a frenzy and bid ferociously. The final bid went to the third VIP lounge on the left at a price of 150 gold, which made Derrick sigh in relief. Unless it was a vital item, he would not pay astronomical sums.


    After the same routine, the cart came back on stage and the next item exposed was a thick and ancient book. With her melodious voice, she began its description.


    "This book has a special origin. As the person auctioning it didn''t leave us many details, we can only tell you that it''s a book concerning necromancy. Yes, necromancy. Of course, as it''s a banned practice, its only use is for historical records. The bid starts at 50 gold!"


    Derrick couldn''t believe what he had just heard. He was certainly blessed by the gods!


    However, the room''s enthusiasm died down somewhat because everyone was scared of giving a wrong impression by owning such a thing. Derrick waited a few moments and, after two people placed their bids, he placed his own.


    "60 gold!"


    Following a long silence, Jacqueline sighed and had no choice but to award the item for the low cost of 60 gold. Derrick was excited, but it was soon followed by a sullen look. Were necromancers that persecuted on the continent?


    Nevertheless, he would just have to be more careful and avoid raising suspicions.


    After getting his item, Derrick laid back and enjoyed the show. Various items popped up and some would have been great for him, but, as he was strapped for cash, he could only endure and hope that the next time he came, he would have more funds.


    When the auction came to its end, it was finally time to see the true value of his craft.


    After a brief recess, Jacqueline once again appeared and smiled brilliantly to the crowd.


    "Dear guests, the final items that''ll be auctioned have been obtained today by a source that requested to remain anonymous. Without further ado, here they are!"


    This time, instead of a cart, four well-built butlers arrived from the backstage, each one holding a spear. When the crowd saw the items, they were shocked and some even rose from their seats.


    Instead of an oral description like the previous items, a magic screen started hovering over Jacqueline and it showed the weapon''s description.


    [Spiritual Spear]


    [Grade : Rare]


    [Attack Power : 16]


    [Abilities : Unstoppable Thrust (As its name implies, the thrust of this spear is unstoppable once launched. Timer : 1 day)]


    [Description : Carved from the bones of an ''overclocked'' Leshi]


    The people that were already shocked nearly fainted from excitement, and butlers from the VIP rooms could be seen hurrying around. Derrick was, once again, shocked. Brigand had explained their values, but not to that extent.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, these four pieces come in a set that is valued at 400 gold. May the best win!"


    "450! Please give face to the Gerald''s family, we will owe you a favor"


    "500! The Gerald family can fuck off for all I care!"


    "550! Anyone else that bids will meet our wrath!!!"


    "Bahahaha, your wrath ain''t worth shit! 600!"


    The noble family representatives were almost in a fist-fight over the weapons while the VIP rooms were evaluating their worth, making sure that they wouldn''t overpay. They knew it was a sound investment, but to what extent was the question. After a few bids, that had brought their value to 800, the room right next to Derrick made its move.


    "1000"


    Silence.


    Even the other rooms were shocked. 800 had already been a lot, but a thousand was another ball game. Everyone really wanted these weapons, but they couldn''t afford to cripple their finances while doing so.


    As such, the majority of the bidders reluctantly bowed out, throwing envious glances at the room that had made such a rich bid.


    Meanwhile, Derrick was jumping around like a kid, to the dismay of his butler.


    "I''ll be able to hire the best specialists there are! FUCK YES!"


    That was the only thing he could think about.


    After a few seconds, Jacqueline called the last transaction of the night and profusely thanked everyone for attending.


    After the conclusion, Derrick received his book and payment, which ended up being a massive 940 gold coins. The pouch was so large that Derrick''s eyes couldn''t help but bulge. Following his butler, he then proceeded back to his room, but he kept feeling a pair of eyes on him, as if he was under surveillance.


    With his joy dampened, he asked Io to use echolocation to find his stalker.


    [One target found. Would you like to see the map?]


    "Yes"


    The map sprung in his consciousness, and he saw the plans of the building with the pulsing red dot.


    "System, can I use appraisal on this target?"


    [Affirmative]


    "Please proceed"


    [???]


    [Strength : 14]


    [Agility : ??]


    [Endurance : 12]


    [Vitality : 10]


    [Magic Power : 10]


    [Traits : Shadow Stealth (Allows its user to stalk and assassinate its preys without being detected)]


    [Weakness : ???]


    Derrick shivered. What the fuck?! Wasn''t he supposed to be the strongest in the region?! His na?vet¨¦ had apparently gotten the best of him.


    Deciding that he wouldn''t confront such a dangerous threat, he simply continued towards his room. Now that he knew that he was under surveillance, he couldn''t do anything suspicious.


    After arriving in his room, he took out his newly acquired book and started browsing it. Who wouldn''t do so when you had just bought it? The cover was made of black leather and its pages were made of parchment that had yellowed out with time. The inscriptions were unintelligible, which prompted Derrick to ask the system, but when he was about to do so, Brigand barged in the room unannounced.


    "It''s time to go to the Slave market!"

 24 Slave Marke

    Derrick grumbled inwardly and put on a fake smile. Deep down, all he wanted to do was read the book and assimilate every single word in it, but the person watching him would surely suspect something.


    "Sure, let''s go!"


    Brigand was happy to hear that, so they both left the building in the epicurean carriage. A few minutes later, they arrived in front of another large edifice. This one, however, looked way more tacky, with gold placed everywhere in sight.


    Seeing the visible distaste in Derrick''s face, Brigand let out a hearty laugh.


    "Yeah, I find it hideous as well, but once you''re inside, you''ll forget about the decor"


    Leaving on a mysterious note, they went to the entrance and once the guard recognized Brigand, he instantly let them through, which made him beam with pride.


    "Told you I had contacts! Hehe"


    Somehow, Derrick found his companion''s reaction hilarious. It had been a while since he had bonded with someone since the cave wasn''t exactly prone to making friends. It almost made up for the fact that he had been interrupted in his important read through.


    As soon as he entered, the carefree attitude he had instantly made place to awe. The interior was jam packed with people and slaves. The traders had their best products on pedestals, often exposing them naked to assure that they had no defects.


    Moreover, all the races were present. There were elves, orcs, dwarves, goblins... If you needed something, they had it.


    Behind each of these traders were rows of slaves that didn''t move, as if they had lost their will to live.


    "How are they so calm and obedient?"


    Derrick was really puzzled and figured that it was a magic of some kind, which was then confirmed by Brigand.


    "They are ''branded'' by the traders. It''s a magic pact that prevents the branded from ever hurting their master. If you ask me, I find it disgusting as it prevents them from thinking. Without one''s mind, you''re just a walking corpse"


    Derrick couldn''t help agree more, although it depended on what sort of task he needed them for.


    "Anyway, this is just the first level. Don''t bother with this low quality, we''re going to the top!"


    With a grin, the burly man led Derrick to the last level, passing security on each level. After arriving at the fourth floor, they even had to be searched before proceeding forward.


    "This is where the good stuff is when you have money. You can find princesses, blacksmiths, enchanters and any type you need. You can even ''order'' and when they receive it, they''ll contact you"


    Derrick was honestly flabbergasted. You could ''order'' individuals?! What the fuck! Anyway, it worked out for him right now.


    "What''s your budget?"


    His voice was high-pitched and nosy, which honestly surprised Derrick more than his disregard and bluntness. Brigand, however, didn''t seem phased by it at all.


    "900 gold coins"


    Derrick didn''t have any time to waste, as he wanted to go back to his book. The small man eye''s suddenly shone as if he was looking at a money bag. His attitude did a complete 180.


    "Dear guest, what are you looking for?"


    What a two faced bastard! But I guess that''s to be expected when you deal with the higher parts of society.


    "Blacksmith, enchanter, researcher, scholar, general and show me a princess while we''re at it"


    After hearing the exhaustive list of demands, the small man couldn''t help but burst out laughing. After a few seconds, he started wiping away the tears that had formed at the corner of his eyes.


    "I''m sorry... You just took me by surprise. My name''s Yankov. May I know yours?"


    Derrick had a massive frown as to why he had been laughed at, but after seeing Brigand''s eyes pop out of their sockets, it eased a little.


    "I''m Derrick Tarlin. Why was my request so funny?"


    "Dear guest, your demands don''t match your budget at all, not by a long shot. Right now, what I can show you are blacksmiths, scholars and generals. As for enchanters and researchers, they are so rare that you couldn''t even buy them with your entire fund. Princesses are on the cheaper side of the spectrum, but I assume that they aren''t your priority, correct?"


    Derrick''s mind stopped when he heard the cost of these slaves. He thought that he had struck it rich, only to be told that he was still a beggar. After gathering back his thoughts, he nodded to the man.


    "Good. I''ll show you our various selection in these fields. Please wait a moment"


    Once again, Yankov looked at the ledger and started going through it, noting down numbers. After a few moments, he put it aside, and pulled a small metallic key out of a drawer. He then left his counter and went in front of Derrick and Brigand.


    Out of nowhere, he started shouting numbers and making motions of a key opening a door. What made Derrick dumbstruck was that a magical door actually appeared and opened in front of them. Every time Yankov carried on, another one would appear and so on and so forth.


    He repeated the gestures nine times in a row.


    "You can all come out now"


    After Yankov''s command, nine individuals stepped out of the magical doors. They were all dressed properly and seemed well-fed. Their treatment was obviously better than those located on the lower levels.


    "Dear guest, what you see in front of you are the best goods we have for your needs. There are three people for each field, graded by their quality, which is good, great and outstanding. Of course, their price varies accordingly. For the blacksmiths, it goes as follows : 100 gold coins, 200 gold coins and 400 gold coins. For the scholars : 50 gold coins, 100 gold coins and 200 gold coins. Finally, for the generals : 150 gold coins, 300 gold coins and 600 gold coins. I''ll leave you two to it!"


    While performing a slight bow, the man returned to his former duties.


    Derrick was still in shock of the mechanisms behind the magical key, but he kept his questions as they would never answer them anyway. The prices hadn''t been as exorbitant as Derrick expected after hearing about the prices of enchanters and researchers, which relieved him.


    "I''ll also leave you to it"


    With a light pat on the shoulder, Brigand left. Derrick liked his tactfulness. He was now convinced that he would ask him for help concerning Akata, although only after getting the answer to a question that had recently occupied his mind.


    Now that he was alone, it was time to choose wisely. In front of him were nine individuals that represented three races, which were human, orc and dwarf. Five were men and 4 were women. He decided to go in order of importance.


    He already had his army of undead, which didn''t require a general, and he could already make weapons, which made the scholar a top priority. A smirk suddenly appeared on Derrick''s face. It wasn''t that he didn''t trust their initial assessment, but the system would surely confirm it.


    "System, can you use Appraisal to evaluate the potential of these individuals?"


    [Modification to Appraisal possible. Would you like to do so? Note : the original skill Appraisal will still be intact]


    This system was the gift that kept on giving.


    "Yes"


    [Modification successful! New skill is named Potentus. It allows its user to evaluate the talent ceiling of individuals in certain domains. Will evolve in the future]


    "Evaluate them"


    [The assessment has been verified and confirmed. The individual costing 200 gold has the highest potential and his ceiling is Master tier in the Scholar domain]


    Derrick was joyous. He figured that he wasn''t using the system much and that he should explore its options more.


    The scholar was a man that looked to be in his early thirties. He had black hair and sharp traits. His nose was a bit crooked, and he had pursed lips. His physique was nothing special, and he was about a head smaller than Derrick.


    After deciding his first choice, he then went to inspect the blacksmiths. He did the same routine with the system and came to the same results. The one he chose was a male dwarf that was short and round, bald and with a long beard. The system had also assessed his ceiling to be at Master tier in smithing, which had pleased Derrick.


    Finally, for his general, he only had 300 gold coins left. Common sense would have dictated to take the great tier one, but he had a gut feeling about the good tier human. She had a decent figure, red hair and a nice face, but more importantly, she seemed to have a fiery attitude and an unwielding spirit.


    "System, use Potentus"


    [The assessment has been verified and revised. The individual costing 150 gold has more potential than the one costing 300 gold. Her ceiling is Master tier in war tactics]


    A diamond in the rough! Derrick was proud of himself for trusting his instinct.


    "Yankov, I''ll be taking these three"


    Yankov looked up again and was surprised by the choice of his general, but still obliged. Like before, he opened the drawer and came out with three pieces of paper before walking in the direction of Derrick.


    "By the way, since it doesn''t seem to be like the systems below, how do they recognize their owner?"


    Derrick had his curiosity piqued when he had seen the magical doors, and he now wanted to know how they would obey him.


    "You do not have to worry about this. Compared to the brainless monkeys below, we only use the highest magic formations to brand their souls, resulting in inviolable laws. These formations are bound by blood and will last until their owner dies. They will also have their own thoughts"


    Magical formations! Another topic that completely eluded Derrick. After all the new things he had experienced today, he felt like a country bumpkin that had a lot to catch up on.


    "Dear guest, would you please give me a drop of your blood?"


    Derrick merrily nodded and saw as Yankov pricked his finger, resulting in a few drops falling down on the three identical parchments. They were all drawn with various runes that looked impossible to duplicate.


    After doing the same process with the three soon to be servants, a blinding light erupted and the three sheets flew and entered their minds, which made them fall on the ground.


    "Everything is concluded! The total amount owed is 750 gold coins"

 25 Spells

    [3 new individuals have been added to Host''s Interface]


    Seeing the notification, Derrick''s heart ached even though he had saved 150 gold coins on his last purchase. He then threw a quick glance at his newly bought slaves.


    "Why are they all on the floor? Is that normal?"


    Yankov looked behind him before giving a light smile to Derrick.


    "Don''t worry, they are perfectly fine. Give them a few minutes, and they''ll be back on their feet!"


    After a few minutes, Derrick paid, and they all left the premises aboard the spacious carriage. He didn''t bother asking them their identities as he was still more interested in his book than anything else. Brigand even seemed to catch his hurried mood.


    Derrick realized his rude conduct and thanked him profoundly for everything he had done so far. He also took the opportunity to ask what was on his mind.


    "I''ve been under surveillance in your establishment. Was it ordered by you?"


    He bluntly asked and paid close attention to the visual expression of Brigand as that would determine whether he would proceed forward with his plan. His ambitions were limitless, and he couldn''t ally himself with anyone that didn''t have his best interests at heart.


    Surprise flashed across the face of Brigand, followed by his hoarse laughter.


    "Hahahaha! I knew you weren''t simple! So you''ve already found out?"


    What Derrick didn''t see was that the big man was scared witless inwardly. Not for his life, but for his future relationship with the man in front of him.


    "Yes. I have to say that your personnel is the top of the class. Their skill made me feel pressure"


    Seeing nothing that hinted at any type of maliciousness, it was Derrick''s turn to break into smiles.


    "I was simply curious as to what man would bring such fine weapons in our city and that, out of nowhere"


    Indeed, Derrick had made a bigger splash than he wanted, but that was fine as he had made precious encounters because of it.


    "Would it be possible to meet the person in question?"


    As he was quite interested, he wanted to know what type of person could tail him without him detecting it sooner. He had only realized it when they were both moving, which had made him feel immense respect.


    "Sure, she''ll come to see you in the future"


    "Good. Also, I''d like to discuss further business as well, would you be interested?"


    Derrick knew it was a formality as the burly man practically drooled in front of his craftsmanship. And just on queue, Brigand''s eye lit up like two suns in the night. He would finally be able to avenge the betrayal of his parents, which had made him waste years of his life.


    "Of course! How about tomorrow at noon?"


    Derrick nodded, and they remained silent for the rest of the ride.


    ***


    After calming down, he sat to the desk and opened the volume. He was, once again, welcomed by characters he couldn''t understand.


    "System, is there any way to decipher this?"


    [Looking through the Language Database... 1 result matching! Language has been identified as Bayorn. Ancestral nomenclature used by Necromancers]


    Derrick''s heartbeat was crazily racing, even though he was trying to limit his expectations for them not to be crushed if nothing turned up. All the unknown glyphs suddenly transformed in letters, and he started his reading marathon that extended throughout the night.


    ***


    The sun started shining through his window and Derrick still looked as energetic as ever. In a loud thump, he closed the book and burned it. After memorizing its entirety, he had vowed not to hold on to anything that could bring him trouble. He also wanted to travel light.


    "System, list all the spells I uncovered"


    Derrick presently had a smile that was infectious. The book had been a real treasure trove that spoke about spells in length. The thing that had really thrilled Derrick was that these were his first true offensive and defensive spells, which would, at long last, lower his reliance on weapons.


    [Host has learned three spells. A new section has been added to Host''s Interface]


    [Banshee''s Cry]


    [Grade : Uncommon]


    [Attack Power : 5]


    [Nature : Ranged \u0026 Zone Attack]


    [Description : Summon a banshee from the underworld that unleashes a primal cry]


    [Reaper''s Blade]


    [Grade : Uncommon]


    [Attack Power : 7]


    [Nature : Melee \u0026 Zone Attack]


    [Description : Summon a large foe made of black energy that can cut down its enemies]


    [Veil of Darkness]


    [Grade : Uncommon]


    [Defense Power : 4]


    [Nature : Complete Barrier]


    [Description : As the nature suggests, summon a barrier that covers your entire body]


    Although the spells were quite weak, they were invaluable to Derrick, which had had to rely on Drako, Io and armaments. He could finally call himself a real necromancer.


    Now that he had satisfied his thirst and that he still had time before his meeting, it was time to properly introduce himself to his three subordinates.


    After sending them mind missives, the three of them arrived in his room and sat on the bed while he stood in front of them. He hadn''t paid attention to them since they had left the market, and he intended to remedy the situation.


    "You probably already know this, but I''m Derrick Tarlin, you''re Master. From now on, you''ll be working under me. Even though I own you, I don''t intend on taking advantage of you and I certainly don''t intend on harming you. The only reason why I bought you is for your skills"


    When they heard his speech, all of them frowned and expressions of anger appeared on their faces. What the fuck was this guy talking about?! Were they supposed to believe that a slaver buyer wouldn''t mistreat them from time to time?


    After seeing their reactions, Derrick didn''t respond right away. Even though they were slaves, they hadn''t been completely brainwashed, keeping their ideals and core beliefs. The only thing they had to do was obey and not hurt him.


    "I know, I know... Who would believe a slave buyer... Well, you do have a point, but it''s only because I need personnel quickly. Otherwise, I would have recruited directly from the city and not bothered with you all. Tell you what, if you serve me wholeheartedly for one year, I''ll set you free. How does that sound?"


    He knew he had to entice them to bring out their utmost potential, and he was confident that in one year, the construction of his empire would be well underway. He also bet on the fact that they would have paid for themselves and that they wouldn''t even want to leave.


    When they heard the offer, they collectively gasped and had incredulous expressions. They had various backgrounds, but they all had one thing in common. They had been defeated and captured, which meant that they had resolute themselves to a life of abuse and torment. After a moment, the first one to speak was the general.


    "Are you ready to swear a magical oath to that effect?"


    Derrick was surprised by her mellow voice, but he rapidly got back his bearings and answered.


    "Yes. If that can gain your trust, I''ll do it"


    The dwarf, the man and the woman all looked at each other, bewildered. Was this person an idiot!? He had just spent 750 gold coins, and he would just let it go... for nothing?


    "Of course, I''ll only do the oath after 6 months of probation. I hate being scammed... Oh, before I forget, you''ll be paid, have lodging and food. The pay won''t be extraordinary at the beginning, but it''ll scale in consequence afterwards"


    Another surprise. Their brains were practically melting at this point. What was going on? Derrick enjoyed seeing them reel like simpletons, but he suddenly smacked his forehead and sighed.


    "How could I forget... What are your names?"


    After a few moments, the three individuals, that had warmed up to Derrick, stood up to take turns. First was the scholar, followed by the dwarf and the general.


    "William Enceworth"


    "Fomamli Trollfall"


    "Eloise Tornomi"


    After their slight bows, Derrick felt better. He had high hopes for these people.


    "When you learn about our project, you won''t be disappointed"


    With an enigmatic smile, he left them on that note.

 26 Deal

    "The only new thing I have to report is that after finishing the book that he bought, he didn''t hesitate to burn it. It was very peculiar as he seemed overjoyed afterwards"


    Brigand looked pensive, going through various scenarios in his head.


    "Interest in necromancy... I have to say that he has a mysterious aura, but he doesn''t emanate death like what was written in the records. It might be a weird hobby of his? Anyway, we''ve already determined that he doesn''t have ill intentions, so I''m determined to go through with this meeting"


    "As you wish Master..."


    ***


    It had been a fruitful discussion and Derrick finally left his room to go to his meeting. The creepy feeling of being watched had also stopped, which calmed the turmoil that had formed in his heart.


    Escorted by James, the ever so Stoic butler, he went down many hallways before reaching a secluded area. The general eccentricity of the edifice had been toned down and there was a large central fireplace. Placed next to it were buttoned leather chairs and small tables made of red oak.


    Brigand was, of course, sitting there and in his right hand was a glass. He was sipping his wine and talked to the elf maid that Derrick had seen before. When his head finally turned to Derrick, he got up and was all smiles.


    "You''re here! I have to say that I wasn''t able to sleep well because I looked forward to this meeting!"


    Derrick also broke into smiles. Brigand really knew how to make people feel comfortable.


    "Oh, you also wanted to meet the person that spied on you right? Here she is! My personal body guard. Her name''s Alma Aubree"


    The gorgeous elf courteously bowed and advanced, meeting Derrick''s gaze head on. Derrick''s eyes also narrowed, looking at the foe he hadn''t been able to fight. That''s why he had felt something the first time they had met. Neither of them wanted to look away and tensions started rising.


    Suddenly, Derrick chuckled and broke their stalemate, sitting down in a chair opposed to Brigand.


    "Such a fierce servant. She''s quite skilled as well, you''re lucky to have her"


    Hearing Derrick call her a servant, Alma''s face twisted in anger, before coldly harrumphing and going back to her previous position. She was wearing a tight dress that emphasized her generous curves, causing Derrick''s heart to misfire.


    "Such a reaction is normal when two powerful entities meet. You should have seen her when we first met... She was so fierce I feared that I would be devoured whole!"


    Brigand followed with a hearty laugh and Alma slightly blushed. She couldn''t refute the man, as she really was a viper that didn''t let anyone get close to her. After calming down, a serious expression materialized on his face.


    "Enough idle chat, what business would you like to discuss?"


    "Are you affiliated to the Krakow Empire in a permanent way?"


    Brigand was immediately taken aback. The question had been so unexpected that he almost spilled his precious wine. He pondered for a moment before giving an honest answer.


    "My businesses currently are, but my loyalty lies where the money goes"


    Since his merchant ''baptism'', Brigand''s ideals had always been ruthless. The world of economics was the law of the jungle, where the strong preyed on the weak. If your product was inferior to another, it would be replaced. This cycle''s beauty laid in its simplicity.


    Thus, Derrick wasn''t surprised by his reply. Which merchant would refuse an opportunity to grow richer elsewhere because they were currently tied down? It was fundamentally against their nature.


    "What if I told you that there''s an opportunity to support something that''ll become... bigger?"


    Silence.


    Brigand, and Alma to a certain extent, didn''t know what to say. Derrick didn''t leave them hanging and elaborated further.


    "I''m the ruler of a relatively small area, but I''ve already expanded a bit and I don''t intend to stop. My aspirations are quite lofty, and I don''t know if you can answer my demands..."


    Madness. That was what flashed through Derrick''s eyes right now. His entire demeanor had changed from one of relaxation to one of oppression and death. His very existence seemed to frighten the world around him.


    Brigand and Alma were stifled and glued to their spots, to the point that sweat started trickling down their foreheads. After his little display of force, Derrick was satisfied and reigned in his aura. From what he had learned so far, establishing dominance was a must in negotiations.


    What he didn''t expect was that once he did, Alma pounced on him without warning. She instantly conjured a small blue knife and aimed for his heart.


    Her speed was astonishing and if Derrick had been a simple necromancer, he would have died right here and now. However, right before she could close the distance, she saw something that sent shivers down her spine. Derrick was... smiling.


    What came next was staggering and Alma couldn''t believe it. She was restricted and couldn''t move a single muscle! Heavy pressure also burdened her entire body.


    "Human, what do you want to do with her?"


    A loud and almighty voice echoed in the room, crushing the elf''s remaining bravado. It was Drako. In fact, what had betrayed Alma was her shadow. As soon as she had reached Derrick''s, her fate had been sealed.


    "You''re quite formidable in the shadows, but when you''re out in the open like this, you''re not my match"


    Derrick sneered, to the dismay of Brigand who was on the verge of panic. Everything had happened too fast, and everything had gone out of control.


    "Keep her like this. She needs to be taught a lesson"


    Drako only responded with a low growl. He respected and hated that master of his. Respected him because of his strength, and hated him because he had disturbed his peaceful life.


    "Don''t worry Brigand, I have no intentions of harming either of you. I really came for business and what I previously mentioned is true. My small town is called Akata and it has 1500 inhabitants, counting 140 soldiers. That''s why I bought these slaves and had a long list of demands"


    Giving him time to take a breather, Derrick paused and watched as the burly man scrambled to get his mind straight. This whole situation was fucking crazy, but as a genius of his profession, he could see an untapped mine of wealth that would keep increasing with the strength Derrick had just displayed. Alma was someone he had nurtured, and if she could be beaten that easily, it meant that the person in front of him was a monster. After straightening himself up, he answered.


    "Interesting... Although the current numbers are small, I can see potential. What is your growth projection by the end of the year?"


    Betraying the Empire for an upstart was no small matter, so he had to make sure he wouldn''t embark on an unrealizable venture. When Derrick heard the question, he couldn''t help but awkwardly scratch his nose.


    "I''ve been... away for some time. What''s the date right now?"


    That sentence came out of nowhere and made Brigand chuckle, which lightened the weird atmosphere where Alma still stood immobile like a statue.


    "There are 4 months remaining"


    In his mind, Derrick started analyzing the map that showed the villages surrounding Akata. If he maintained a certain pace...


    "15 000, give or take"


    What the fuck!? A growth of ten times your current population in 4 months? Brigand wanted to burst out laughing, but seeing his counterpart dead serious, he became solemn. After a few moments, he spoke.


    "Right now, I''m ready to offer you a 5% fee on every major transaction, which start at 100 gold coins. If you reach your goal, I''ll transform the fee into a fixed one. In exchange, I want exclusivity on the weapons you sell"


    That was what he was after and Derrick knew it. The greed Brigand had shown when seeing their quality had bordered on psychotic. Derrick had no trade experience, but even an idiot could see that he had the upper hand in this battle.


    "I agree to the fees, but you''ll have to pay an exclusivity right, as I''m the craftsman"


    The last words dropped like a bomb on Brigand and his eyes glowed. The young man in front of him was unfathomable! A hen that kept laying golden eggs! While trying to hide his excitement, he tried frowning at the demand.


    Derrick smirked at the pathetic acting attempt and even Brigand finally gave in. It was the first time he had been excited in the last 15 years. After a bit of haggling, they came to a deal that paid Akata 500 gold every month for a year, after which they would renegotiate.


    When Derrick was about to leave the room, Brigand stopped him.


    "Here, take this as a token of our new partnership. It''s storage bag, in which you can freely transport goods to your town"


    Derrick was ecstatic. This thing solved the logistic issues. Before setting off once again, he suddenly turned to the still petrified elf.


    "I almost forgot about you. You should be more careful in the future, because not everyone will be as merciful as I was..."


    He caressed her soft cheek with the back of his hand and winked before turning around and leaving. Once he was out of reach, Alma felt all the pressure disappear before falling powerlessly to the ground. She let out a snarl of anger and swore to avenge this humiliation.

 27 Shopping Spree

    Derrick was roaming the city, eyeing every shop there was. Sure, he had an agreement with Brigand, but having multiple safety nets was simply common sense.


    "Gems Boutique, Jewelry Boutique, Magical Clothes Boutique..."


    Derrick didn''t care about any of those! What he needed was a shop filled with raw materials that could allow his new blacksmith to thrive. Although he said that he wouldn''t ''exploit'' him, he would still make him work harder than anyone else, as he was vital to his expansion plans. The strength of an army heavily relied on their gear, and he didn''t want to skimp on it.


    After going through multiple alleyways, his patience started wearing thin. Maybe he really should have ordered from Brigand... As if God heard his plea, he arrived in front of a shop that looked... horrible. Well, he had left the center area of the city and was now in its very outskirt.


    The decrepit sign read ''Resources Factory''. He didn''t hesitate a single instant and barged in, as if he was scared that the whole thing would vanish. To his surprise, the building was still in poor shape, but it was clean and tidy. Everything was ordered.


    Out of nowhere, a grumpy voice welcomed him.


    "If you''re here to mock the shop, get the fuck out this instant!"


    Derrick was startled. He had just entered and was already verbally assaulted. When he looked in its direction, he found a short old man manning a walking stick. He was bald and his face was covered in wrinkles, hiding any remnants of his youth. His eyes were gray and narrow and looked full of wisdom.


    In his old village, Derrick often dealt with elders like these, and they were people he really enjoyed spending time with. They were history books that could be used to learn from past mistakes, which in turn helped to plan the future.


    "I''m not here to ridicule the shop, I''m here to find materials for a blacksmith"


    Derrick had a respectful tone and slightly bowed. He deduced that the decaying state of the shop was the result of misfortune plaguing the owner. Materials were always in demand, which meant that the shop should flourish, and it clearly wasn''t the case.


    When the elder heard Derrick''s request, he tidied himself up and cleared his throat.


    "Please excuse my rude behavior. As you can see, times have been rough. You''re actually the first customer in a month. Anyway, you haven''t come here to hear an old man rambling! My name is Kuro Newlon and I''m the owner. May I know what materials you''re looking for?"


    His assumptions had been right. He didn''t know who he had offended, but to be reduced to such a state, it must be someone with a lot of sway in the city''s affairs.


    "To be honest, I have very little knowledge in the field. I have a budget of 150 gold coins, and I want to equip 140 soldiers. Is it possible?"


    "It is possible, and I have a catalog at the front desk that lists every ore that can be smithed. Would you like to consult it?"


    Derrick nodded and followed the old man to a crumbling desk that barely held on. From a drawer, Kuro took out a large brown ledger that seemed to have survived the passage of time. After carefully opening it, he started rapidly flipping the pages and stopped, before turning the book towards Derrick. Using his shriveled finger, he pointed out the relevant section.


    [Iron Alloy]


    [Grade : Common]


    [Purity (An alloy is a combination of metals and non-metals, which affects the quality of what is created) : 90%]


    [Price per Unit (In this case, a Unit refers to the amount of materials required to forge a complete set of armor, which includes a helmet, breastplate, gauntlets, tassets, cuisses, poleyns, greaves and sabatons) : 20 silver coins]


    [Description : A material that serves multiple purposes and grants basic defenses. Results will vary based on the blacksmith employed]


    [Bronze Alloy]


    [Grade : Uncommon]


    [Purity : 90%]


    [Price per Unit : 1 gold coin]


    [Description : An upgrade compared to the iron alloy, mainly due to its increased flexibility and malleability. Results will vary based on the blacksmith employed]


    [Steel Alloy]


    [Grade : Rare]


    [Purity : 98%]


    [Price per Unit : 10 gold coins]


    [Description : Light, malleable and resistant. An alloy that shines on the battlefield. Results will vary based on the blacksmith employed]


    [Titanium Alloy]


    [Grade : Legendary]


    [Purity : 95%]


    [Price per Unit : 50 platinum coins]


    [Description : Although considered almighty, this material is considered to be the bane of blacksmiths. Its tricky nature doesn''t allow it to be wielded freely, which explains its relatively low cost]


    By the end of his read through, Derrick was breathing heavily. He could already envision an army of tens of thousands of soldiers donning titanium armors, devastating entire regions. It was his dream, his ambition. Perhaps, there might even be something more after that, which made him smile from ear to ear.


    After allowing himself to drift in his reveries for a while, he came back to himself and became thoughtful. The decision was monumental, and he had to take in consideration that the weapons weren''t even included in the costs.


    After a long mental deliberation, he came to a decision.


    "I''ll be taking 150 Units of Iron Alloy, 20 Units of Bronze Alloy and 10 Units of Steel Alloy"


    His decision had comprised of two things. First, his army was brand new, and its skill would be too pitiful to fully utilize better equipment. Second, he wanted to create divisions that would separate the elites from the rest of the pack. Thus, to incite and motivate them to push further, he had to dangle a carrot. These armors would the symbol of those that stood at the top.


    He hadn''t forgotten about the weapons, but he would rather buy them directly from Brigand, as his dwarf blacksmith would probably curse him to death once he saw his insane workload.


    Meanwhile, Kuro was beaming with joy and tears could be seen swimming around his eyes. A stranger had saved him from total despair.


    "Right up, dear guest!"


    ***


    After packing everything in his magic bag, he had left the shop after thanking Kuro and saying that he would be back. The old man had even bowed, which caused Derrick to feel awkward.


    Now that he had the materials, he needed the tools. After heading back to the central area of the city, he stopped and even winced in front of the shop.


    ''Blacksmith \u0026 Co''


    The luxurious brand that every master fought to get. Derrick had never been stingy, but his wallet was practically empty, and it couldn''t be wrung dry if it already was. After a deep sigh, he entered through the beautiful glass doors.


    Once inside, he realized why blacksmiths fought to get these premium products. They were all placed on spinning cylindrical podiums and all their characteristics were showed on magical screens hovering over them.


    After his purchase at the Resources Factory, he now had 90 gold coins left, and that was counting the initial 50 he had brought from Akata. He would have to make choices, and he even regretted not bringing Fomamli. Alas, he didn''t want to waste any more time.


    The things he needed were as follows : a forge, an anvil, a hammer, vices, tongs, drifts, slitters, center punches, twisting tools and chisels.


    Luckily, he had found a bundle containing all the small tools for 10 gold coins, leaving the forge, anvil and hammer.


    He started browsing through forges and it finally came down to three choices.


    [Valhalla Forge]


    [Grade : Rare]


    [Simultaneous Capacity : 10 Units]


    [Limitation : Cannot process materials that are above its Grade]


    [Price : 30 gold coins]


    [Devour Forge]


    [Grade : Rare]


    [Simultaneous Capacity : 20 Units]


    [Limitation : Can only process materials up to Uncommon Grade]


    [Price : 20 gold coins]


    [Dream Forge]


    [Grade : Rare]


    [Simultaneous Capacity : 5 Units]


    [Limitations : None]


    [Price : 40 gold coins]


    Derrick wanted to make a sound investment, but at the end of the day, the highest quality of materials he had were rare, so he had to eliminate the Dream Forge. He had also considered the Devour Forge to save time, but it wouldn''t allow him to work with the Steel Alloy, which was a big no-no. With his mind set, he bought the Valhalla Forge.


    The anvil hadn''t been a big struggle for Derrick, buying one for 30 gold coins, leaving him 30. With his hands tied, he had bought the best quality-price hammer they had and walked out, sulky that his funds melted like snow under the sun.


    It was finally time to return to Akata.

 28 The Return

    When he returned to the auction house, he bid farewell to Brigand and instantly left with his three slaves in tow. Wearing his black cloak, Derrick led them out of the city to immediately set off to Akata. Now that he had the means to expand, his drive was through the limits.


    However, Derrick''s lack of foresight came to bite him in the ass. He had planned to come here and recruit specialists but... he had forgotten about transportation. He had grown accustomed to flying on Io, which had made him disregard everyone else.


    On top of that, he had completely emptied his wallet, crushing the idea of hiring a coachman. The only option remaining was walking. Nevertheless, he was lucky that his three companions had sturdy physiques. They would simply take longer... or so he thought.


    He hadn''t accounted for the fact that there was a dwarf in his ranks. One of Derrick''s objective was to remain low profile, and it went out the window when an enemy race freely walked the roads. Every passerby threw weird looks, and some even shouted insults. Derrick knew he only had himself to blame for these oversights.


    "Do you know what I am?"


    Since they had plenty of time, Derrick decided to mentally share information with them. They would find out everything eventually, so it was better if they dealt with the shock beforehand and accepted the situation.


    When they heard the question, the trio looked at themselves, confused. Since they had the same master, a mental network had formed, allowing them to mentally communicate.


    "You''re obviously human"


    William Enceworth, the scholar, was the first to respond. He had been intrigued by the question.


    "You''re correct, but what is my path?"


    The man could only shrug because he didn''t have the skill to determine such things. He was out of his depth.


    "A fighter. You always wear a cloak, and I bet it''s to hide your armor"


    The next answer came from his general, Eloise Tornomi.


    "You''re correct on that front, but I''m a fighter out of necessity, not by choice. It''s not my main path"


    After failing twice, they started deliberating, which made Derrick chuckle. Forming early bonds was always a good thing. When they finally reached a consensus, it was the turn of the dwarf, Fomamli Trollfall, to speak with his low and raspy voice.


    "You''re a Sorcerer because you had enough money to buy all of us"


    Derrick shook his head once again and responded.


    "Close enough, but no. I''m a Necromancer"


    Silence and shock. These were the only two things palpable in the atmosphere around the group. It was the first time that Derrick had seen fear in their eyes, causing his laughter to erupt.


    "Are Necromancers that bad?


    "You''re currently our Master, and we will serve you regardless of what you are or do, but we''d like to know your objective"


    Derrick''s mouth curled upwards before taking a big breath.


    "Dominating the world"


    The sentence sent the three reeling even harder, wondering if they had heard correctly. What the hell was this person saying?! Before they could speculate any further, Derrick continued.


    "I''ve created a town, deep in the forest, named Akata. It currently has 1500 inhabitants and 140 soldiers. I bought you all to bolster my expansion plans"


    This man... was trying to go up against Empires?! Was he crazy?!


    "That''s why I value you and said that I wouldn''t mistreat you. What I''m offering is a new lease on life. Of course, I''ll honor the agreement I made. If you work adequately for 6 months, I''ll pledge a magical oath to release you in another 6. If you want to leave afterwards, you''ll be free to do so. I just want you to keep in mind that this is a chance to take revenge on those who have harmed you, and your loved ones"


    The statement sent them in thought. They had suffered crushing defeats, losing those they cared about in the process. It would be a lie if they said that they didn''t consider taking revenge, but who could offer them such a chance? They were like grains of sand in the desert.


    "Instead of words, I''ll show you all why I deserve to be followed. I''m sure you''ll be surprised. Of course, the reputation of necromancers isn''t completely false... I take visceral pleasure in killing those who oppose me..."


    Derrick''s twisted smile sent shivers through their bodies. The man was clearly a dangerous predator.


    ***


    "My Lord, there was an anomaly reported on the roads to the forest"


    "Oh? What was it?"


    "A Dwarf walking with a group of people"


    The man in charge frowned.


    "It was exposed to everyone?"


    "Yes. It wasn''t clear whether it was a slave or not"


    "These incompetent morons... Send a reminder throughout the city that if a slave of those filthy races is seen in public, their owner will be put to death"


    Rage and contempt were shining through his blue eyes...


    ***


    Instead of taking a day of flight, their trip back to Akata had taken them a full week. After passing through the farming lands of Terra, they had arrived at the outskirts of the forest and entered.


    Derrick had then showed them Io, and they had jumped back in fright. To their defense, the creature did look terrifying.


    After slowly accepting that the fact that the half-bat half-eagle creature couldn''t hurt them, Derrick made them ride him. At first, they categorically refused, but after a surge of courage from Eloise, the others soon followed.


    When Derrick arrived in the town, he was shocked. The little settlement was gone, replaced by a bustling town that seemed to never take a breather. Even the trio was flabbergasted. A worker recognizing Derrick immediately ran away, making him heartily laugh. He knew that he went reporting to his supervisor.


    A few minutes later, that same worker was accompanied by two people. One was Lacha, who was overjoyed when she saw Derrick, and Jack, who seemed to be quite grumpy.


    She was about to leap into Derrick''s embrace when she noticed three new figures behind him, one of which was a woman. Seeing her displeasure, Derrick took her in his embrace and immediately kissed her.


    "Don''t be jealous. They are our new residents, and they''ll be working harder than anyone else"


    The trio''s bond deepened during their trip and when they saw Derrick''s mischievous smile, shivers ran through their bodies, and they couldn''t help but feel under duress.


    Derrick then turned his attention to Jack, who didn''t dare make eye contact.


    "Express yourself. If you don''t, I won''t know how to help you"


    "Your Highness, even though we''ve managed to build facilities to lodge every habitant, I''m having trouble assigning tasks to crews of the other villages... Let''s just say that their attitudes regressed since you left"


    Derrick''s aura suddenly burst forth and everyone present felt a primal fear...


    "It''s time to shed some blood"

 29 Institutions

    "Eloise, you''re coming with me. I don''t know how you handled your soldiers, but you''ll see how I handle troublemakers"


    Derrick''s voice was cold and now devoid of emotion. His previous outburst had died down and it was like a part of him had simply... died.


    Meanwhile, in a remote corner of Akata.


    "Thomas, don''t beat him too bad, we can''t kill him"


    A group of five thugs were beating a skinny youth. His entire body was wretched and multiple cuts were profusely bleeding. The trashing had been going on for a good two hours and the goons didn''t seem to grow tired of it.


    "You worry too much Yannick. The guy that killed our chief isn''t here, and he has been gone for over a week. Hell, we don''t even know if he''s coming back. Maybe he just bailed on everything"


    The group snickered with malicious intentions. They were renowned bullies in their previous village, and they had given trouble to Jack when he had tried to enroll them to work.


    The group wasn''t the only one doing this in the newly formed town of Akata and although soldiers tried their best to maintain order, it was getting harder and harder without a powerful figure of authority.


    They were all praying for Derrick to come back fast.


    "Let''s beat this weakling for another hour and bail. At this point, I''m scared he''ll bleed to death"


    Thomas didn''t have a big stature, but it was still above average. He had developed muscles from all the beatings he administered, possessed black hair and his face was symmetric, to the point where one could say he was slightly handsome.


    He was about to lift his leg and kick the ribs of the poor fellow on the ground when he heard Yannick scream. Thomas turned his head around and his blood left his face, making him look like a ghost.


    Yannick''s chest had a... hole. And there was no more heart. Yannick still stood there, gushing out blood like a fountain. He had an incredulous expression, filled with grievances. He was clearly not ready to die, but his fate had been decided for him.


    When he fell to the ground, two figures came into view. One looked like a death reaper and had a heart in hand. His cold expression made the remaining hoodlums fall to their knees. The other figure was a woman, and she couldn''t believe what was happening either. There had been no interrogation, merely execution.


    "Creating trouble in my town... Thinking that I had abandoned this place... You''ve had your fun. Atone or join your friend"


    The sentence was said with no emotions and yet, carried the weight of mountains. The four goons had already soiled their pants and couldn''t move, paralyzed by fear.


    "I''ll take that as a yes. This is your new general. Disobey her, and you die. Fail to meet her demands, and you die. Try to take an extra inch of liberties, and you die. She''ll introduce herself at the town-square. We''ll see you there in an hour"


    After seeing Derrick being so merciless, she could only gulp and frankly... learn. Nobody would dare betray such a man, because it meant death. An iron hand that never flinched. That was the image she associated Derrick at that instant.


    They found five more groups of thugs and killed someone in each one, making the rest beg for their lives. The final toll reached 6 deaths, but Derrick rejoiced as he had hit three birds with one stone. First, he had gained six more Death Warriors, bringing his total to 42. Second, he had gotten rid of ''mobs'' and last, he had found more recruits to join the ranks of his army.


    "Convey an assembly in the town-square"


    Derrick gave the command to Lacha, which happily obliged. In his absence, Jack had built a platform that overviewed the entire central plaza, which had increased his evaluation of the old man by quite a bit. He was on it with Lacha and the trio who were puzzled as to what required their presence.


    When everyone was finally gathered, Derrick''s voice resounded throughout the area.


    "My dear subjects... I was gone for a period of time to increase our capabilities, and some chose to oppose my decrees while I was away... Do you know what happened to them?"


    His piercing eyes fell on those that he had already traumatized. When they met his gaze, they powerlessly fell on their knees and started sobbing, shocking those around them.


    "That''s right... They died. I was clear before and I''ll make it clear again : those who follow me will get better lives, and those opposing me will return to earth. Now, enough of those pleasantries! I have gathered you here today to present you three new and very important residents. They are all extremely qualified in their fields. First, meet your new General, Eloise Tornomi. She will take over the training of the soldiers. If you dare disobey her, you know the drill. Next up, meet your new Blacksmith, Fomamli Trollfall. As you can see, he''s a Dwarf, and if anyone disrespects him, you disrespect me. He''ll be busy in a grand project for a while, but he''ll be able to take your requests afterwards. And last but not least, meet your new Scholar, William Enceworth. He will be in charge of the education"


    Derrick paused to let the crowd soak in all the information. He wanted them to realize how historic this moment was. It was the beginning of a new era, and from their reactions, they also understood the importance of this announcement. The ones that had committed the cause were puffing their chests in pride and those who had doubted lowered their heads in shame.


    "Now that the introductions are over, it''s time for the follow up! I''m proud to announce that we will be creating three new institutions : army barracks, a forgery and a school. They will be headed by the three I previously mentioned"


    The dwarf and the other two were shocked when they heard this. They would be running departments?!


    The crowd loudly cheered when they heard this news. Some even had tears, as they had never expected to find such facilities in a backyard country like this.


    "More details will be posted on a board that we will place in the town-square. For now, this is all I had to say. Thank you for following me and allowing me to pursue my and your dreams"


    With a slight bow, he exited the platform accompanied by everyone who were still in shock. While walking away, a smile crept on his face.


    "System, assign the role of General to Eloise Tornomi"


    [Role assigned successfully! Bonus of 10% to all her stats]


    "System, assign the role of Blacksmith to Fomamli Trollfall"


    [Role assigned successfully! Success of creation increased by 10%]


    "System, assign the role of Scholar to William Enceworth"


    [Role assigned successfully! Cognitive memory increased by 10%]


    It was time to get down to business.

 30 Plans

    Derrick was really glad he had waited before assigning these titles. Wasting these bonuses would have been a tragedy. Of course, there was a chance of them leaving after a year, but he gambled on the contrary. And even if they did leave, they will have been major contributors in his schemes.


    He also wanted to give a Minister title to Jack, but he wanted to see how the man would handle future challenges. Sure, he had two spots to give, but he didn''t know when he would meet the requirements for an upgrade, which meant he had to picky and diligent.


    "Lacha, we''ll be setting a meeting at your house, so go get Jack"


    A second later, when she was about to go fetch him, he also asked her to bring Atta, the only surviving chieftain of his conquering campaign. Derrick knew that Eloise would need an inside voice to properly take over the army, and he had liked the smarts of the man.


    Ten minutes later, the seven of them were gathered around the small table in her kitchen. It looked really informal and it made Derrick realize that he really needed a proper residence.


    "I''ve called this meeting to discuss the details and timeframes of all the projects. Right now, the construction workers will be working for free because the town mostly functions with barter, but I''ll figure out a better system. Just make sure that they eat properly and it''ll be fine, at least for now. The first building I want built is the forge. A comfortable hut will be fine because I already have the equipment to make it function"


    When the dwarf heard this, his ear twitched. Blacksmiths were maniacs of their craft and some even dedicated their entire lives to forging masterpieces that would etch their names in history. When he sensed the interest, a sinister grin crept on Derrick''s face.


    "I think you''ll be satisfied with what I bought... Don''t worry, I''m sure you''ll manage to repay me some way or another..."


    A chill coursed through Fomamli''s body, but he shook it off, thinking that he might have caught a cold.


    "How much space would you need to work efficiently?"


    The question sent the dwarf into deep reflection because he had never expected for things to go this fast. He then gave his answer.


    "Facilities of 400 square meters will be fine. It should give me ample space to work in. Don''t forget aeration or I''ll die in there"


    It was Jack''s turn to ponder. Building durable facilities was a challenge in itself, and he didn''t want something to go wrong, fearing the wrath of the necromancer.


    "It should take us two days to complete as there are no special requirements. The installations will also be built in stone because of the fire hazard"


    Satisfied, Derrick continued to the next point.


    Fomamli looked clueless, but when he saw Derrick, he saw a face that screamed that he should run away as fast as he can. However, he shrugged it off again... It couldn''t be that bad right?


    "I enlisted a few more recruits as well, bringing the total of soldiers to 160. I''ll leave them in your care, Eloise. Do you think that you can have them in decent shape in two months? Also, I''ve brought you a helper that''ll answer directly to you. His name is Atta"


    Atta still felt apprehensive about Derrick and the latter knew it, so he hoped that Eloise could bring him to his side by awing him with her military knowledge. She looked at the chieftain and a smirk appeared on her fiery face. She recognized that Derrick had given her a foothold to gain the trust of the soldiers.


    "Give me a month, and they''ll be decent"


    Derrick suddenly felt pity for the poor bastards...


    "As for where the facilities should be built... How about the northern side where we don''t have farming lands? We''ll clear the land and it''ll allow us to add more amenities in the future"


    Jack''s posture didn''t look great. He wanted to please Derrick and accomplish these undertakings as fast as he could but this... was massive. A complex lodging 160 soldiers? Good lord!


    Derrick saw Jack''s distress, and patted his shoulder.


    "Don''t give me estimates that you think I want to hear, just give me something realistic. Also, if you need more hands, you can recruit more using my name"


    Jack''s tension eased a lot. Why had he been putting so much pressure on himself when he had been appointed supervisor of a job he barely qualified for? He just needed to do his best. When he sensed the change in behavior, Derrick was happy.


    "After the forge, this will take us two weeks to complete"


    "Good. Now, concerning the school... How many students can you take on at once William?"


    After seeing his two colleagues being asked questions, the scholar had prepared his answers, and he promptly replied.


    "I can teach 50 students in a day. Any more than that and the quality of my teachings will drop drastically"


    Jack was sent pondering again. This was, once again, no small task.


    "A week to complete"


    "Great! This was productive! You''re all dismissed except for Lacha"


    Everyone got up and bowed, before leaving the small house. Now that they were alone, they could get more intimate, and they did when he took her in his embrace and sat her on his lap. However, what happened next was something she didn''t expect...


    "Do you know how to write?"


    The romance that had built up was immediately quashed, and she lightly hit him in the chest for betraying her expectations. She didn''t know how, but she had slowly warmed up to him, even though he refused to do the deed with her, at least for now. This made Derrick laugh and feel warmth. Was that what he really missed in his previous life? Such a pity...


    "Yes I can. Do you want me to make the notice? You know that the majority of people can''t read right?"


    "Yes, but the earlier we expose them to it, the better. That''s how people learn overtime, even if they don''t go to school"


    Memories of his childhood flashed, and he remembered how his foster parents would take him on their lap and read him stories. It was his favorite moment of the day, and he continued reading afterwards, gaining knowledge that now came in handy.


    "There won''t only be a poster, I''ll place someone that announces as well"


    When she heard his idea, her respect for Derrick increased. The man wasn''t merely strong, he was brilliant too.


    She got up and went to get her quill and a giant blank parchment.


    "Here''s what I want you to write :


    ANNOUNCEMENT


    - Every job''s salary will be forgone for the time being. A new system will be implemented in the near future. In the meantime, food will be distributed and will be free.


    - Grand Opening of the Forge in 2 days, headed by Blacksmith Fomamli Trollfall.


    - Grand Opening of new Military Quarters in 16 days. Once completed, soldiers will have to stay there. It is mandatory. However, the schedule will free the two last days of the week to allow visits to your loved ones. As compensation for the absence of pay, brand-new equipment will be given out.


    - Training with General Eloise and her aid, chieftain Atta, begins tomorrow. Every soldier that doesn''t report for duty will be branded as a deserter and will incur heavy punishments.


    - Grand Opening of the School in 23 days, headed by Scholar William Enceworth. The education given will be free to all kids.


    Now that he had taken care of administrative matters, it was time to focus on his own strength.

 31 Geopolitical Situation

    Derrick had delayed his growth to prioritize his expansion plans because he knew that going alone against an Empire consisting of billions of individuals was beyond stupid. However, his new adventures would have to wait until tomorrow. The meeting had stretched into the evening, and he was tired. He immediately felt asleep the moment he touched his bed.


    ***


    After having a sumptuous breakfast prepared by Lacha, he left the house to see the reactions to his announcement.


    It blew out his expectations.


    Everywhere he went, people bowed and profusely thanked him, saying that he was their savior and that they would be willing to follow him for the rest of their lives. It was the point where he got confused, so he asked the busy Jack for some insight.


    "Your Highness, even though people were unhappy about the salaries and soldier mobilization, it was nullified by the access to education. In big cities, nobility are the only ones with access to teachers, and the fact that you''re giving it for free improved your image by a big amount. The forge is also a major point, as it''ll improve their quality of life. Overall, you''re hailed as a hero and almost venerated like a God. Their trust in you is now sky-high. Congratulations! I''ll be taking my leave now."


    Jack slightly bowed and left, leaving behind a stunned Derrick. He had... succeeded?


    He started laughing like a mad man. This was too good!


    "System, show me the empire tab and my stats"


    [Akata Village]


    [Level : 2]


    [Population : 1497]


    [Soldiers : 160]


    [Funds : 0 gold]


    [Tax : 0%]


    [Institutions : Forge (In progress), Military Quarters (In progress), School (In progress)]


    [Mood : 90/10]


    [Derrick Tarlin, 16 years old (Body), 37 years old (Mind)]


    [Class : Necromancer]


    [Strength : 10.2]


    [Agility : 8.5]


    [Endurance : 10.8]


    [Vitality : 7.2]


    [Magic Power : 15.5]


    [Spells : Banshee''s Cry, Reaper''s Blade, Veil of Darkness] (NEW!)


    [Enslaved Subordinates : Eloise Tornomi (General - Human), William Enceworth (Scholar - Human), Fomamli Trollfall (Blacksmith - Dwarf)] (NEW!)


    [Traits : Enhanced Body, Enhanced Vision, Death''s Valet, Gluttony, Aphrodite''s Blessing, Language Guru (Language Database)]


    [Skills : Superior Appraisal, Potentus, Contract (3/3), Summoning (2/2), Master Craftsman, Submission, Death Warrior (42/100), Empire Professionals (3/10) *Concerns the Scholars (1/2), Blacksmiths (1/2), Researchers (0/2), Generals (1/2) and Ministers (0/2)*]


    As expected, everything had changed, and tons of ground had been made. His funds made him wince in pain, and he had to remedy the situation quickly. Otherwise, everything else trended in the right direction!


    "Master, what brings you here today?"


    "I need a history lesson on the state of affairs of the entire continent"


    William was startled by the request of his Master. Wasn''t he supposed to be someone aware of everything?


    Seeing the visible surprise in his subordinate''s face, Derrick could only scratch his nose in shame. He had been an avid reader his entire life, but he hated politics and couldn''t bother with history books, unless it was told by an Elder. Vivid memories and recollections always entertained him to no end.


    After getting over his amazement, the groggy William invited him in. He then led him to his living room where a roughly made table stood as the center piece. Its quality was shabby because all the houses were built quickly to accommodate the flow of immigrants that Derrick had brought in.


    "What would you like to know, Master?"


    "Everything, from past to present"


    "Then I hope you''re ready for a long session. It''ll most likely take the entire day"


    "I''m in no hurry"


    "I''ll make us a cup of tea then"


    After a few moments, William came back from the kitchen with a two small cups and placed them on the table. After a long sip that seemed to soothe his throat, he started.


    "Let''s start at the very beginning. The continent we live on is an island that''s hundreds of millions square kilometers big. I know, it''s incredible to hear, but it''s the truth. It has been verified by explorers that scowered the coasts to find new lands to claim. No one knows how everyone got here in the first place, but it wasn''t worth looking into. Anyway, the sea surrounding our land was named the Boundless Sea, as we couldn''t and still can''t see anything beyond its blue horizon. Many ships have tried to cross, but none ever came back. Expeditions were then mostly abandoned, except for the few desperate souls that have nothing else to lose. When Empires learned that there was no more land to expand to, they turned their ravenous eyes towards each other and launched an era of war and conflict. It started a thousand years ago and it still rages on to this day. There are four major Empires. The first one is to our right, which is the Krakow Empire. Its official race is Human and it doesn''t recognize other ones as their equals, which is why you''ll only see them sold as slaves. Its Emperor, although brilliant, is a despot that loves committing atrocities and use underhanded schemes to achieve his goals. His name is Garo Krakow The Fifth. He is fair to his subjects, but to anyone else, he is the devil incarnate. In its last known census, Krakow counted 5.2 billion subjects and boasted an army of 700 million soldiers. To our left, there is the second Empire, called Serichi. It has been waging war against Krakow since its inception and there exists a rift of deep hatred between them that cannot be mended. Its official race is Mixed, which means it accepts everyone that''s willing to lend them their aid. Its Emperor is a female High-Elf. As they welcome every race, their Emperor isn''t decided by succession, but by elections held every ten years. The current one has been in power for five years, which leaves her five more to complete her term. Also, she is known has the two-faced Moon. A bright side that is calm and gentle, and a dark side that is ruthless and cruel. It is said that even the other three Emperors dread her mood swings. Her name is Bellaluna Ballynn. In its last known census, Serichi counted 7 billion subjects and touted an army of 800 million soldiers"


    William took a breather before adding another tidbit of information.


    "If Master wasn''t aware, you are very lucky to have located Akata in this place, as it is the buffer zone between the two Empires. They do not dare encroach it, as it would lead to conflict of grand scale, leaving their flanks vulnerable"


    Derrick was dumbstruck when he heard the numbers of people his two neighbors controlled. The map had given him a sense of scale, but he hadn''t realized how massive they really were. Also, an island? That was crazy in and of itself. When he had heard of the buffer zone, a huge grin had come on his face. That meant that he wouldn''t have to face direct interference from the two Empires until he became a threat. However, he wasn''t naive to the point where he thought that they would leave him completely alone, especially the Krakow Emperor. The fellow seemed like a formidable opponent and when Derrick''s existence would come to his attention, he would have to have enough strength to resist him.


    "These two Empires occupy the South-East and South-West quadrants respectively. To the north of the Krakow Empire is the Argok Empire. Its official race is Dwarf, but it welcomes everyone, although they are often subject oppressive behavior. Their relations with the Krakow Empire are also very strained, but they are still salvageable. Its Emperor is a dwarf hailed as a genius inventor that contributed immensely to the advancement of his race. His name is Reizod Argok, and he is loved by his people. In its last known census, Argok counted 5.3 billion subjects and 400 million soldiers. The reason why no one dared invading them is that their technology is the most advanced out of the four Empires. As for the last located north of Serichi, it''s the Uzul Empire. Its official race is Orc, and it doesn''t allow anyone else in. It is the most secluded and mysterious Empire. They barely have any relations with its neighbors, and the ones they do have are purely business. Its Emperor is lauded as the strongest fighter and a legend says that he went alone against an army of 10 000 and won. His name is Dubok Uzul. In its last known, and frankly unreliable, census, Uzul counted 4 billion subjects and boasted an army of 600 million soldiers. Everybody knows that they are a warrior race, so nobody messes with them"


    Taking another sip of his tea, William observed Derrick to see if he was correctly assimilating the massive amount of data. To his surprise, he saw Derrick smiling like a dumb kid that had just received a big bag of sweets.


    "You can continue, I''m all ears"


    There''s no glory if it''s too easy. That''s all Derrick could think about. If anyone could see his mind, they would lock him up in his home because they would think that he is clearly mentally ill. After getting back his composure, the scholar continued.


    "Now that you know the generalities, I''ll be diving more in-depth in their inner-workings. Let''s begin with the size of their territories. The Krakow Empire controls 20% of the island and specializes in innovation and army formations. After all, the human mind and its creativity are wonderful things. Next is the Serichi Empire. It controls 30% and its specialty lies in the magical domain. Every elf on the continent basically lives there, and they are known for their magical prowess. Their army also excels in magic strategies. As for the Argok and Uzul Empires, they split the remaining territory evenly, getting 25% each. The former is known for its legendary weapons and the latter for its base strength. The Argok armies excel in logistics and the Uzul armies excel in war tactics. All the lands, except perhaps those in the Uzul Empire, are divided in the following way. From top to bottom, it goes like this : State, divided in 10 Provinces, which are subdivided in 100 Counties, which are then finally subdivided into 100 City Territories. Let''s take the Krakow Empire as an example. It has 5 States, which means it contains 50 provinces, 5000 counties and 500 000 city territories. All these territories need a governing body, which follows a certain hierarchy. At the top is the Empire Capital, followed by the State Capitals, Province Capitals, County Capitals and City Capitals. There is only one true official in each city to avoid clogging the entire system. The city where you bought us, Terra, is a City Capital. That''s the extent of my knowledge, Master. I hope I could enlighten you"


    Derrick nodded and thanked William. Had marveled at the sight of Terra, but how beautiful would the higher capitals be? It would probably shake his very core. He promised to gather a large collection of books, so the scholar could continue learning.


    When Derrick left the house, it was already night. But he wasn''t going to sleep. Now that he knew that Akata had a relatively long period of development ahead, it was time to focus on getting stronger rapidly. The Uzul Emperor''s legend had lit a fire of determination under Derrick...

 32 Bootcamp

    While Derrick was going through William''s lecture, there was something else happening during the day... the new training regiment of the army!


    Thomas, which hadn''t slept because of the scene of Derrick ripping out the heart of his friend, was one of the first to arrive at the designated area.


    It was where the future Military Quarters would be built. The terrain was mostly flat, but the vegetation was dense and the presence of bugs was suffocating. Curses and clapping sounds could be heard randomly throughout the group of soldiers.


    "Why the hell was the rally set here?! I understand that it''s our future base, but there''s nothing but mosquitoes here!!!"


    "I agree... What the fuck were they thinking?! We can''t train in this shit hole!!!"


    While some were venting out their growing frustration, Thomas just stood still, waiting for orders. He could also spot other thugs that had been ''reformed'' by the same method he went through.


    "Atone or join your friend"


    Those were the words that kept playing over and over in his head. It hadn''t been the first time he had seen people perishing, but the fact that he was completely powerless in front of true strength made him realize something... he was scared of death. Scared of dying without accomplishing anything meaningful in his life.


    After a few extra minutes, the 160 soldiers all stood together, making a juicy snack for the hordes of mosquitoes that kept arriving. Their curses were only getting louder and louder and their dissatisfaction soared, to the point where some people almost convinced themselves that they could just leave the training without being punished.


    "YOU PATHETIC WEAKLINGS!"


    The thunderous voice came from the front and all the eyes of the soldiers swung in its direction. A chill covered the entire crowd and those who were previously exclaiming their grievances stopped, not daring to let out another word.


    On a big boulder that overlooked everything stood a woman and a man. The woman was dressed in a brown leather armor that matched her untied red hair. She was pretty, but not too overbearing. She looked pretty down to earth... However, when the soldiers met her gaze, their spirits were shaken... She looked at them as if they were... trash. A look filled with so much disgust that she made them rethink their entire lives... The man next to her was recognized by most of the soldiers. He was the only ex-chieftain that was left alive. When Atta saw the expression Eloise gave the warriors below, he couldn''t help but grimace...


    "YOU''RE FUCKING DISGRACES TO THE PROFESSION! COMPLAINING LIKE THE LITTLE BITCHES THAT YOU ARE! ARE YOU SOME HOUSEWIVES THAT WAIT FOR THEIR HUSBAND TO FUCK THEM SO THEY CAN HAVE KIDS?! CAUSE RIGHT NOW YOU SURE LOOK LIKE SOME!"


    All of their expressions fell... Did they really look like that earlier? However, some hotheads took offense and replied to her.


    "Yeah, if there''s a bitch here, it''s you!"


    "Come beg on all four, and we''ll play with you to show who''s really in charge here!"


    All the other soldiers took in a cold mouthful of air and immediately distanced themselves from them, forming a human arena. Were these fellows suicidal?! Hadn''t they seen Derrick''s strength?!


    Some, however, recognized the misogynistic and unruly men. They were Martin, Lucas and Trey, the strongest and most arrogant soldiers of their now dissolved village.


    When Eloise and Atta heard them, their gazes narrowed on the three individuals. The atmosphere suddenly got heavy and the surroundings were stifled, but neither party backed down.


    After a long minute, Eloise erupted in a crystal clear and cold laughter.


    "I never expected three morons to make my life easier. COME FIGHT ME ALL TOGETHER YOU PUSSIES!"


    She unsheathed the sword at her waist and jumped down of the rock.


    When the three of them heard that, their faces turned bright red and their furry erupted.


    "YOU BITCH! YOU BETTER NOT BEG US FOR MERCY AFTER WE TOY WITH YOU!"


    Martin was almost frothing at his mouth. He had never been that disrespected in his life. He was used to being admired and given leeway whenever he wanted. The trio whipped out their respective weapons and leaped forward, with the intention of breaking their supposedly new General.


    When she saw them move, the only thing she did was sneer. They were simply... too weak.


    *BANG*


    With a single swing of her sword, she knocked them all out and sent them crashing into the nearby trees. The only thing they could do in response was spit blood while lying pitifully on the floor.


    Their minds couldn''t process how a goddamn woman could wield such monstrous strength.


    While they were reeling, the others were awed. Their General wasn''t all talk! Even Atta had to admit that she looked really majestic.


    "NOW THAT YOU''VE SEEN THAT I''M NOT SOME WIFE, YOU BETTER FUCKING LISTEN! HIS HIGHNESS DERRICK ASKED ME TO TRAIN YOU AND MAKE YOU ''RESPECTABLE''. I SEE WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO! Now as for you three retards..."


    Everyone suddenly had looks of pity... What was going to happen to them?


    She approached the bodies and leaned close enough for them to hear her whispers. What they heard froze their heart and their blood left their faces.


    "I''ll break you and by the time I''m done, you''ll be begging for your mommies... Your bones, your organs, your very being. Everything is mine now... You''re basically glorified prostitutes, nothing more. I ask for something, you agree. If you don''t..."


    With her blade, she faked slitting her own throat, which made the previously confidant men shake uncontrollably. This girl was crazy!!!


    Seeing that she had succeeded in scaring them, she straightened herself and looked around.


    "NOW LISTEN UP YOU FOOLS! I WANT YOU ALL TO RUN THREE LAPS AROUND THE TOWN (10 kilometers) WHILE GEARED UP, THEN 200 PUSH UPS, 200 SIT UPS FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER 3 LAPS. THE LAST ONES WILL RUN ANOTHER 3 LAPS. OF COURSE, THEY WON''T BE RUNNING ALONE..."


    Her voice was loud and domineering, and after her last sentence, she looked at Martin, Lucas and Trey with a malicious glint. Everyone started sweating heavily. These soldiers barely did anything in the past, and except a few, they were all out of shape...


    When she saw that nobody moved, she yelled again.


    "RUN NOW OR I''M DOUBLING THE WORKLOAD!!!"


    Everybody snapped out and started running. Nobody wanted to be last. Even the three beaten fellows got up with difficulty and started running.


    Satisfied with the reaction, Eloise joined back Atta on the boulder, which seemed to be in a daze. In the past, he had tried training his soldiers, but had given up as they were all fatsos that barely did anything at all. Seeing her accomplish something he couldn''t in a day hurt his pride more than he liked to admit.


    "I know you''re still on the fence about Derrick, but from what I''ve seen so far, he''s a worthy one to follow"


    Her sudden affirmation startled Atta, but he nodded. Indeed, from what he had seen, nothing hinted at a bad ruler.


    Sure, he looked tyrannical from time to time, but his actions were never out of place. Everyone that was punished deserve it. Little did he know that a seed of trust was planted that day.


    Meanwhile, Thomas was running with all his might. He had been beyond motivated when he saw his new General toss trash away like it was nothing. It was where he would finally turn his life around.

 33 Encounter

    Derrick grabbed everything he needed and secluded himself deep in the forest. He needed to be sure that nobody would disrupt him during this very important process. It was finally time to eat the Leshi''s meat!


    He had tried conserving it the best he could, but after sitting idly for more than a week, it started reeking. The worst part was that... he couldn''t cook it... The meat''s nature would be destroyed and there wouldn''t be any chance for Derrick to gain a skill with his Devour ability.


    What he was most excited about was how much strength he would gain. He had preserved about 3 kilos, and he intended to eat every single bit of it.


    "Let''s start..."


    Taking out his small knife, he began cutting portions that were smaller than what he had previously calculated. He remembered the episode of Drako''s meat when he had almost fallen unconscious, even though he had been careful.


    Following that step, he stripped the traces of... mold? Derrick wasn''t even sure himself, but he tried cleaning the pieces, so that he wouldn''t have a terrible aftertaste in his mouth. The process took a few minutes and when it was done, he sat down and immediately ingested a slice from the small pile.


    [Energy Surge detected! The host will be incapacitated for the next 5 minutes]


    "This is new... Must have been an unannounced part of the upgrade..."


    He had been right to readjust the portions. He felt more comfortable and his body wasn''t greatly straining itself.


    [Hosts'' body is refining energy! Stats are being recalculated...]


    [Energy has been refined! Would you like to see your stats?]


    "Not now, I''ll do it at the end"


    The pile contained 30 portions, which should take him around three hours. However, the more he consumed, the more he realized that he had been too optimistic. He was also frustrated that he hadn''t gotten a skill yet.


    When he was about to vent his frustration, a prompt popped up in his mind.


    [The Energy is accumulating beyond Host''s current capacity. Major risk of crippling its body! However, Host''s has a chance of obtaining ??? if he continues]


    What the fuck? You goddamn tease!!!


    It had already been 5 hours since Derrick had started refining, and he had only gone through 50% of the pile. When the message had appeared, he had immediately stopped and became angry. The system was trying to make him gamble his future! What was he supposed to do now?


    He started thinking, and the more he did, the more sweat trickled down his forehead. On one hand, crippling himself would limit him immensely further down the road, and on the other, something that the system couldn''t identify was surely a major boon. He began analyzing his body and tried to see if he could hold on. His gut said that he could, so he went forward.


    ***


    "Where... Where am I?"


    After what seemed to be a short nap, Derrick grudgingly woke up. After a few half-hearted glances, what he saw made him jump up in fright. All around him was void, void that seemed to extend infinitely. He wanted to say that it was like the time he died, but something felt... different.


    "System?"


    No answer.


    He started somewhat panicking. The system was linked to his consciousness, so where the hell was he?!


    No matter how many times he spun around, there was simply nothing. Was it what it meant by being crippled?! That was way more than being merely crippled for fuck''s sake!!!


    Suddenly, an enormous pressure swept him, filled with eeriness and hatred. It was as if the entire world had a vendetta against him. It was so intense that even the sweet release of death would be welcome.


    "Oh? What do we have here? It has been thousands of years since I met a soul..."


    Out of nowhere, a booming and grave voice blasted Derrick from every angle, suppressing him even further. It was so domineering that he thought he was dreaming. He was sure that no existence was that powerful.


    As if reading his mind, the voice cackled and spoke again.


    "You don''t need to know who I am. Just know that the gift I give you will surely come in handy someday..."


    The harsh voice then stopped talking and everything ceased...


    ***


    Derrick opened his eyes and straightened up immediately, full of sweat and panting. What was that?! Was it a dream?!


    After getting back his bearings, he inspected his body and felt... strong. Incredibly strong. It was like his entire body had crossed into another realm. After a lengthy inspection, he didn''t find anything out of the ordinary.


    He came to the conclusion that his brain had been overloaded and had imagined the whole episode. It wouldn''t be the first, and probably wouldn''t be the last he thought.


    "System, did I get it?"


    [Affirmative]


    "What''s it called? Give me its description!"


    [Trait : ??? Description : ???]


    "..."


    "System, don''t joke around..."


    [The system cannot identify the new trait. To have more details, the system suggests that the Host gets stronger to trigger another upgrade]


    Currently, Derrick only felt one emotion. Rage. Pure and unfiltered rage. He had thought that once he earned it, it would have been specified. He had risked his future for... something that couldn''t even be quantified?! Derrick stood up and started tearing apart the forest, wrecking havoc on the poor nearby vegetation.


    After a solid five minutes of trashing, he regained his composure. The thing that really irked him off was the fact that he didn''t know the upgrade conditions and when he asked, he never got an answer. The only thing he could do was getting stronger.


    He sat down cross-legged again and finished the remaining slices of meat. The sun had already started peeking through, which meant that it was the final construction day of the forge. He would have to go there afterwards and set up the equipment he previously bought.


    "Show me my stats"


    [Derrick Tarlin, 16 years old (Body), 37 years old (Mind)]


    [Class : Necromancer]


    [Strength : 12]


    [Agility : 11]


    [Endurance : 13]


    [Vitality : 10]


    [Magic Power : 19]


    [Spells : Banshee''s Cry, Reaper''s Blade, Veil of Darkness]


    [Enslaved Subordinates : Eloise Tornomi (General - Human), William Enceworth (Scholar - Human), Fomamli Trollfall (Blacksmith - Dwarf)]


    [Traits : ???, Enhanced Body, Enhanced Vision, Death''s Valet, Gluttony, Aphrodite''s Blessing, Language Guru (Language Database)]


    [Skills : Superior Appraisal, Potentus, Contract (3/3), Summoning (2/3), Master Craftsman, Submission, Death Warrior (42/100), Empire Professionals (3/10) *Concerns the Scholars (1/2), Blacksmiths (1/2), Researchers (0/2), Generals (1/2) and Ministers (0/2)*]


    (NEW) [The Skill Summoning has evolved! You can now summon 3 contracted souls]


    Seeing the insane bump in numbers and the evolved skill, Derrick was overjoyed. Even though it had been a fruitless endeavor in terms of skills gained, such additions more than made up for it. The previous indignation instantly went to the back of his mind, completely forgotten. He felt unstoppable and even a little arrogant.


    In his head, Derrick pulled out the regional map and inspected it. He was looking for a juicy target that would allow him to subdue more subjects and, more importantly, gain more Death Warriors. He had not seen them in action yet, and he was getting antsy.


    Derrick looked and looked until... Bingo! There was a big village of 800 people eight kilometers to the north of Akata. Realistically, they would have at least 80 soldiers, which would fill up his skill capacity. It would also help him develop a few tactics, to which he was currently beyond oblivious. He would go about it the way he usually did : on the fly!


    Now that his plan had been set, there was one last thing... It was time to summon the Leshi. If there was a God out there, he prayed to it to obtain a reasonable companion. With a voice filled with doubt, he proceeded.


    "Summon..."


    The same birth (like Io''s and Drako''s) occurred. However, before the gigantic half-bear, half-deer finished forming, it resounded in Derrick''s mind. His wish had apparently fallen on deaf ears.


    "YOU FILTHY PEASANT! HOW DARE YOU LOCK ME IN AND ALLOW THAT LIZARD TO ROAM AROUND WHILE THIS GOD''S HELD CAPTIVE!? EXPLAIN YOURS..."


    With a wave of his hand, Derrick instantly muted the beast, a trick he had learned after Drako had taken too many liberties for himself.


    "Listen to me you beast. You''re my possession now, whether you like it or not. You will obey me and respect me. Now, tell me your name. If you say another word than what I asked, I''ll cut off your tongue without allowing you to scream"


    The Leshi looked absolutely furious to be threatened in such a blatant manner, but nodded in compliance. After all, it had to listen to Derrick no matter how outrageous his demands were. Waving his hand again, its voice returned.


    "My name''s Cernunnos"


    "Good! Come hide in my shadow, we have to go back to the town and I don''t want to terrorize everyone"

 34 Tall Order

    Derrick arrived back at the town and it was already bustling with activity. Such a sight filled him with pride. People roamed around with smiles and laughs, not worrying about what tomorrow had in store for them. Their entire faith rested with Derrick, and they were convinced that he would succeed.


    After taking it in for a few more moments, he continued and arrived at a building that looked almost completed : the forge. The structure honestly looked better than expected. Derrick knew that he didn''t have specialized workers, so this result was more than satisfying. He would definitely have to hire in the future.


    When the construction crew saw Derrick arrive, they stopped everything and all bowed down. One of them went to get Jack, the supervisor of the entire project.


    He arrived a few instants later to the side of Derrick.


    "Your Highness, everything is almost complete. The only thing remaining is to make sure that the aeration is sufficient everywhere"


    "Have you asked for Fomamli''s input?"


    Jack''s eyes widened in surprise... How could he not have thought of something so simple?!


    "No Your Highness... It''s my mistake"


    "I''ll call him here. I also have to speak with him about the ''little'' task he''ll be in charge of"


    A flash of evilness passed through the necromancer and Jack couldn''t help but tremble. The poor blacksmith probably didn''t know what awaited him...


    "Fomamli, come to the forge''s location. It''s time to see your new toys!"


    Shortly after sending the mental missive, the short dwarf arrived with great fanfare, excited that he would get a proper working environment. Before he had been captured, he had a small shack that barely accommodated his needs, so when he saw the large and spacious forge, tears formed at the corner of his eyes.


    A mere slave... That''s what he was right now. And yet... He had one of the things he dreamed about.


    "Mas... Master... Thank you"


    Derrick was shocked when he saw the blacksmith''s strong reaction, but he soon laughed.


    "Don''t cry on me just yet! You haven''t seen the new equipment... For the record, the budget was tight, so I had to cut a little in the quality, but I think it''s fine"


    The two of them proceeded inside the building while led by Jack. Once inside, they saw various empty spaces. Of course, those were meant for the brand-new tools. Derrick took out the magical pouch that Brigand had given him and drew out everything he bought from ''Blacksmith \u0026 Co''.


    When Fomamli saw the loot, he was agape.


    "Cut in the quality? The fuck?!"


    He couldn''t help but express himself loudly, to which Derrick responded with a loud laugh.


    "To be honest, I knew you would appreciate it. I can tell you that, in the future, I plan on upgrading all that gear because you''ll be at the center of our flourishing strength"


    Beads of sweat started forming on his body and Derrick couldn''t help but inwardly jest. He hadn''t lied when he had said that he wouldn''t mistreat them, but it didn''t mean that he wouldn''t exploit their expertise to their limits. He needed them to become the best version of themselves.


    After letting the poor dwarf fidget around like a scared kid, Derrick dropped the hammer.


    "150 Iron armors, 20 Bronze armors and 10 Steel armors"


    It was as if Fomamli''s soul had left his body... He was equipping an entire army, alone?! AHHHHHHHHHH!


    His inner self was already tying the rope''s noose while kicking the chair from under him. Indeed, dwarves were maniacs of their craft, but repetitive work really wasn''t their forte, and he had to do it all by himself, which added insult to injury.


    However, he really couldn''t complain. A slave that wasn''t abused and even given work? That was a dream come true.


    "It''ll be my pleasure, Master"


    Derrick saw the various emotions swirl through his subordinate and decided to increase the incentives. Sure, they could earn their freedom and that might motivate them enough, but if he wanted them to overachieve, he had to be creative.


    "If you manage to make all these armors in two weeks, I''ll buy premium materials and let you freely create an armor of your choice"


    When he heard that, the previously resigned dwarf shook in disbelief. He would be given the opportunity to craft something exquisite and to his taste?!


    "Don''t get me wrong, Fomamli. If you waste even a single alloy, I''ll hold you accountable and you''ll wish you were making armors..."


    This had already been on the dwarf''s mind, and he nodded. He was aware of his skills, and he would grind through the Iron ones before making his way up. Failing was not an option.


    "Here are the materials"


    After walking to a storage space created in the forge, Derrick emptied the remaining items in his magical pouch. The sheer quantity that came out was frankly unbelievable, on top of their great quality.


    After talking a bit more, Derrick left Jack and Fomamli to discuss the finishing touches of the edifice. At the end of the day, they would finally have taken a major leap in their quest to domination and his blood boiled to no end.


    However, before he could go forward with his plan of conquering another village, he had to figure out a solution to a problem that currently plagued him : money. He couldn''t raise taxes because his people were poor, and he couldn''t simply make equipment out of epic monsters out of nowhere. It wouldn''t be viable to sustain an entire economy.


    He needed to find a source that was reliable enough and that would enrich his people, giving them buying power. Also, trade was out of the question since they didn''t have any roads connecting them to the outside world. That would be another project that would have to be enacted, but it would only be possible once he had more subjects. Such much to do... Fortunately for him, right now, he had plenty of time.


    Suddenly, an idea crossed his mind. Something that everyone needed... Resources! He had the luxury of being located in an untouched land that brimmed with hidden treasures. What if he could find them and exploit them? He could then go to different cities and sell them to generate a profit, and distribute it to his people. It would kick-start his entire economy.


    There were only two issues blocking this plan. He didn''t have discovery spells, and he couldn''t send exploratory parties, as the forest was filled with beasts that would tear them apart.


    Derrick thought for a bit and took a communication trinket. It was another gift that Brigand had given him before leaving. Now that he was a dirt poor, he needed to ask favors.


    "Brigand?"


    ...


    "Brigand???"


    "AH! Who''s this?"


    "Did you already forget me?"


    "Wait, Mr. Tarlin! It''s been a while, but I never expected to receive a call so soon. What''s the occasion?"


    Scratching his head and swallowing his pride, he went ahead.


    "I''ve run out of funds, and I was hoping for a loan"


    "Hahahaha! I never knew that you were so fickle with money!"


    The raucous laugh of the burly man on the other end sent a spike through Derrick''s heart. He couldn''t deny the fact that he was new to this game... After calming down, Brigand continued.


    "How much would you need?"


    "How much would a Discovery Sell cost?"


    A long silence followed the request. Was his request, once again, outrageous?


    "I''ll be honest, what you''re asking is something that his kept secret to the highest level. After all, if everyone could have access to it, every resource would have already been pillaged"


    The logic was sound and it made Derrick re-think his plan. Had he been too optimistic about this whole thing?


    "I won''t be able to loan you enough for this, but I can help you access such a spell for a short period of time. Concerning the price, how about another favor in exchange?"

 35 Impromptu Visi

    Derrick was more than happy to take the offer. He knew full well that Brigand''s request would probably be farfetched, but there was way more to gain than to lose. With the system, he would be able to take all the information and use it as he pleased. It was a no-brainer.


    After the agreement was reached, Derrick began planning his schedule. Since everything in Akata could be taken care by Lacha, he didn''t have to worry. The only thing he would have to do is attend the opening ceremony of the forge, and then he could leave in the evening. He didn''t intend on staying in Terra for more than 2 days.


    ***


    The ceremony had gone well and was received with a thunder of applause. Everyone could finally see things coming to fruition. After a few talks here and there, Derrick had taken off during sundown. After all the light was snuffed out by the horizon, the starry sky had welcomed him. All the stars and their brightness had greeted him and it looked absolutely amazing. One could even say that he was entranced by it.


    Meanwhile, Io flew at his highest speed yet. He looked way more comfortable flying during the night, which made sense. Derrick was also glad that he had left at this hour. Without any sunshine, the farmers wouldn''t be able to identify him in the thick darkness.


    After flying the same itinerary for a few hours, they finally arrived above Terra''s land, and it looked even more imposing than during the day. On the ground were thousands and thousands of light spots that were either powered naturally, or by magic.


    He managed to find the same lake he had dived in, but decided to discreetly land instead. He had had enough once. Donning his signature black cloak, he proceeded on the same dirt road that led to the city walls.


    The calm of the night was something that really soothed Derrick. No matter how he wanted to change his past habits, being able to think alone was something he still deeply cherished.


    After walking a few paces, he saw a carriage coming in his direction and waved at it. Brigand had already arranged everything to prevent any mishaps from occurring. The chauffeur was a middle-aged man with gray hair and sharp features, similar to the butler he had had during the auction. He was also well-dressed.


    "Sir Tarlin?"


    "Yes"


    "Please come aboard"


    When he was about to open the carriage''s door, all of his internal alarms went off. Without pausing a beat, every muscle fiber in his body worked in tandem and made his body subconsciously dart backwards.


    *Zwiiiing*


    From the corner of his eye, he saw a small blue blade zip through the air in his previous location. Just like him, the figure manipulating it was cloaked and was of an agility rarely seen. However, Derrick instantly recognized it.


    "Alma, is this how you greet a friend?"


    Meanwhile, during the altercation, the chauffeur had almost panicked and ran off, but calmed down after finding out that there was no threat to his life.


    "Fight me! If you win fair and square, I''ll never bother you again!"


    The elf was so enraged that the only thing she came up with was a challenge. She had squandered the opportunity to sneak on him and knew that she stood no chance if he used his spells.


    On top of everything, the road was deserted, which made for a good arena.


    "That''s it? Well... I haven''t moved in a few hours, it''ll be a good warm up"


    Arrogant, overconfident, cocky... These were all the terms that swarmed Alma''s mind. This motherfucker was going to beg her for mercy! She was an assassin, and a respected one at that! She was feared and not some toy that could be easily dismissed.


    "Well now, come"


    Derrick continued his taunts, and before he knew it, the elf had vanished from her spot. His smirk disappeared and he grew serious. He could easily defeat her by using his summons, but that would be way too lame. Plus, he had grown much stronger since the last time they had met.


    He closed his eyes and tried to locate her. Using his vision was pointless, so he tried sensing her instead.


    *Thump-Thump-Thump*


    He could faintly hear her steps and it gave away a vague position, which wasn''t enough.


    "Come on... You''ve survived in a dark cave for months... Don''t tell me you''ll be beaten by some elf brat"


    He pumped himself up and unleashed his vicious and cold aura. He was going to make her bend to his will. When it reached her, Alma''s blood went cold and fear invaded her. It was the same sensation she had felt in the room, except magnified. The bastard had already grown stronger!?


    Nevertheless, she refused to give up. If she failed here, she wouldn''t have another chance. This was unacceptable.


    After breaking through the fear that tried to submerge her, she pounced in the direction of Derrick. She was determined to beat him with her superior speed.


    20 meters... 15 meters... 10 meters... 5 meters...


    She was in range. She was going to win! Her heartbeat was frantic, and she hadn''t felt this alive in years. However, when she was about to reach him, he opened his eyes and her entire body went limp. What she saw... was death. Eyes so cold that ice paled in comparison and a smile so wicked that death row inmates looked like angels. He was the messenger of Death.


    With her momentum, she arrived in Derrick''s embrace. While tightly holding her, he whispered in her ear.


    "Thank you for the little spar. Don''t worry about the result, I won''t talk about it. You''re strong and an asset. I meant it when I said Brigand was lucky to have you"


    He reigned in his aura and everything went back to normal. Before letting her go, he gave her a little hug and went to the carriage. They promptly left, leaving behind a stunned and shivering Alma.


    It had been the first time she had contemplated death, and it had shaken her deeply. She had been totally defenseless, like a fawn in front of a monster. After controlling her body, she gritted her teeth and clenched her fist. She had been complacent and Derrick had shown her that there was something beyond her current level.


    This time, instead of rage, there was a newfound respect. She was proud to have lost to such a powerful individual.

 36 Discovery Spell

    Derrick was playing with a glass of wine in his hand, savoring its taste. Of course, he couldn''t realistically get drunk, but he enjoyed the custom. In front of him was Brigand, also enjoying the flavorful beverage. They were both in the lounge in which they had agreed on a deal previously.


    "I understand that you don''t have a lot of time, so I made arrangements for tomorrow. I have to say that the request made me call in quite a few favors hahaha"


    The burly man laughed and, hidden in the noise, grimaced. It didn''t go unnoticed and Derrick felt bad deep down. He realized the magnitude of even allowing access to such a spell.


    "I hope the favor you ask of me will be able to repay you. I wouldn''t like to feel indebted at the end of our arrangement"


    "I''ll keep it for a rainy day, don''t worry... As for how tomorrow will go, we''ll have to go to the City Hall and be inspected. Don''t bring your armor, or you''ll be under heavy suspicions and will be interrogated. I told them I was bringing a scholar to study the mechanism behind the spell. I don''t know how you''ll use the information, but be aware that you''ll be put on a list afterwards. It''s to keep track of any individual that could possibly replicate it and endanger the sovereignty of the Empire"


    Derrick nodded through the whole explanation and tried to wrap his brain around how to avoid any fallout. Right now, he was weaker than an ant in comparison to the behemoth that Krakow represented, so he had to thread carefully.


    In the end, he decided that he had to go in ''dry''. If he made an attempt to hide his identity, he would be instantly flagged and under surveillance. A big part of life was, after all, luck.


    ***


    The City Hall was located at the very center of Terra and it was a sight to behold. It was approximately 300 meters tall and was built with the finest materials. The giant slabs of white marble didn''t have any defects and when the sun shone on it, the reflection''s intensity didn''t diminish at all. It was the beacon of the city.


    As soon as Derrick and Brigand entered, they were met by a platoon of elite soldiers wearing steel armors. The aura they gave off overwhelmed the currently ''weak'' Derrick, and he had to say that he was impressed. He couldn''t use his Appraisal skill since he was certain that there were countermeasures in place, and he didn''t know the strength of his system. Just as he thought, a simple City Capital was strong. He couldn''t wait to see the higher echelons.


    In charge of the group was a young man as tall as Derrick. However, his appearance was simply horrendous. His entire face was riddled with scars and had resulted in major deformities. He was, in the shortest of terms, disfigured. While controlling his facial expressions, Derrick walked forward and bowed in respect. The ugly man seemed to appreciate the gesture.


    After exchanging their greetings, they started walking.


    "As you all know, these types of spells are jewels and are protected by Empires. They are what keeps the economy going. We rarely, if ever, allow visitors, but when we heard that the respected Lancaster merchant had a Scholar friend that wanted to study them, we were pleased. If you do not mind me asking, in what magical field do you study?"


    Derrick could see the sharp gaze under all the scarred tissue. Wilko was obviously trying to find any irregularities. However, Derrick wasn''t stupid. He had come prepared.


    "It might surprise you, but I study armor compositions. I figured that a spell that could identify various minerals might be able to advance my research and allow me to reach the next level"


    Wilko was indeed surprised. The field already had many scholars, and they were important to any Empire, as soldiers with better weapons and armors would exponentially increase their military might.


    "Interesting... Then I hope that your findings are bountiful and that you''ll serve Our Emperor with everything you learn"


    Derrick sneered inwardly. He would be serving something to that Emperor alright.


    They had been walking for a solid five minutes and had seen many departments already. It was a testament to how huge the place really was. The platoon continued and arrived in front of a large steel door, located at the extreme opposite of the entrance.


    Wilko placed his hand on it and runes started appearing on the door. They were unintelligible and shone brightly, to the point that Derrick had to turn away. After a loud creaking sound, it made way.


    "This is a magical vault. It only opens to someone who''s authorized"


    Wilko looked proud of the mechanism and its imposing nature. Derrick, on the other hand, was filled with interest and couldn''t help but wonder about its cost. It reminded him about the magical doors at the Slave Market, and he felt frustrated. Questions that would be unanswered... again.


    Before going forward, Derrick and Brigand were patted down. Derrick had followed Brigand''s advice and only wore his black cloak.


    When the soldier''s searched him, he was surprised to find out that Derrick was ripped. He clearly wasn''t the ordinary run-of-the-mill scholar.


    After being cleared, they entered a brightly lit room of small dimensions. It had no decor and the only furniture present was a small table. What caught Derrick''s eye was the scroll on it.


    "You''ll have an hour to study it, so use your time wisely. We''ve already taken your identities in our registry. If you have any question, I''ll gladly answer them"


    Wilko finished his speech and retreated to a corner of the room. Derrick was brimming with excitement. This was the moment that would anchor is status as a ruler. While sitting at the table, he observed the scroll and... couldn''t understand jack shit.


    "System, please tell me you can copy this skill?"


    [Affirmative. However, the complexity is too high, so only partial copying is possible. Would you like to proceed?]


    It was an unexpected setback, but it was still an enormous outcome. Since everything happened in his consciousness, no external magic should be able to detect what he was doing. It was time to gamble.


    "Yes"


    [The task will last for 45 minutes]


    Derrick held his breath and continued to fake his interest in the scroll in front of him. Even if he couldn''t understand a thing, he had to act the part. After seeing that nothing was happening, he relaxed. Next to him was Brigand who seemed completely clueless as well.


    "Sir Oswell, you were right. Such an absurd level of complexity is unprecedented. I feel unfortunate to only have an hour with such a masterpiece. It''s truly a blessing for the Empire to possess such a treasure"


    Flattery was one way to avoid raising suspicions and Derrick would be the most shameless fellow in the room if he had to. Apparently, it had worked.


    "I''m glad you recognized the genius behind it. Not everyone can appreciate it"


    The farce went on for the full hour and the duo finally left the City Hall. During the whole way out, Derrick could be seen smiling like an idiot and the guards escorting him associated that with the fact that he had been given such a rare opportunity. However, the only thing that Derrick had on his mind was the description the system had given him for his new spell.


    [Discovery]


    [Grade : Rare - Upgradable]


    [Nature : Utility]


    [Description : Allows its caster to find a resource he holds in a radius of 10 kilometers (The radius will increase if the spell is upgraded)]


    The mini-heist had been successful and its ramifications would shake the entire continent...


    ***


    In a small room, Wilko happily made his report. He rarely had visitors and the ones he had today had been delightful.


    After hearing the account, the man''s striking blue eyes were filled with disdain. How could mere frogs at the bottom of a well understand magic of this level? They had given up a huge fortune to marginally increase their knowledge.


    Nobody on this land could rival the Krakow Empire, or so he thought...

 37 New Age

    After his silly moment where he looked like a teenager in love, Derrick profusely thanked Brigand and immediately left for Akata. The merchant couldn''t figure out why the necromancer was in such a hurry, but he figured he had urgent matters to attend.


    When Derrick returned, it was already evening. He discreetly roamed around and assessed the progress of the Military Quarters. The land was starting to take shape as the self-taught lumberjacks plowed through.


    He didn''t convey a meeting as it would be pointless without something concrete to present. The immediate thing to do was to go to the forge to get iron and bronze alloys. It was a prerequisite for the spell to work. When he approached the building, he heard clinging sounds and saw smoke coming out. The dwarf was already hard at work, hammering what seemed to be his ninth set of Iron armor.


    "You''ve been working hard!"


    Fomamli nearly jumped through the roof in surprise. Why the hell would someone annoy him during such a delicate step?! He was about rain curses on the intruder, but the moment he turned around, his face changed from one of anger to one of pure bliss. What betrayed his real emotions were the large beads of sweat that instantly formed on his forehead. He continuously thanked the gods that he had restrained himself before erupting.


    The reaction of the dwarf made it hard for Derrick to restrain his laughter.


    "Sorry for the disturbance. I only came to borrow Iron and Bronze alloys. I''ll soon return them. Also, well done on the progress. I wasn''t mistaken about picking you. Keep up the good work"


    Without waiting for a response, the necromancer took the materials and left, leaving behind a truly happy Fomamli. He knew that he had a long road ahead, but he was happy that he could already repay his debt.


    ***


    While riding Io above the town-square, Derrick started casting the spell. The first thing he wanted to find was iron. It was the very foundation of economies, as it was the most versatile metal.


    "Discovery Spell : Iron"


    A small shock wave emanated from the hand who was holding the ore, and it extended 10 kilometers around the town.


    [Searching... 1 deposit found. Size of the deposit : Large. Located 3 kilometers south of Akata]


    Derrick was happy, but frustrated. Happy that he had been right, but frustrated of the distance that separated them from the resources. Three kilometers in this wilderness filled with danger was massive. It appeared that he would have to fast-forward his road project, which required more people.


    With that in mind, Derrick couldn''t help but grin. His conquest plans could finally go ahead. After noting down the location of the iron mine, it was time to find copper and tin! Bronze alloys were the amalgam of these two minerals.


    "Discovery Spell : Bronze"


    The same phenomenon occurred and the system went to work.


    Another jackpot! It was even further away, but Derrick could always go and explore once Akata was big enough to handle more on its plate.


    It was time to go back conquering.


    ***


    Yamato village, 8 kilometers north of Akata.


    The villagers were having a pleasant day. The sun was shining and there were barely any clouds, exposing a beautiful azure sky. The soldiers on patrol duty were sitting down together at a table, drinking and gambling. There was no conflict in these remote areas and their jobs were more symbolic than anything else nowadays. On top of this, their mentality and will to improve had gradually disappeared since they were the biggest village around. Nobody dared attacking them, which had made them complacent to the extreme.


    "You lazy shits! Aren''t you ashamed of yourselves?"


    In a loud bang, a fist came crashing down on the table, shattering it in a million pieces. The soldiers instantly got up and ran away, terrified at the sight of their worst nightmare. With a humph, the figure turned around, satisfied by the reaction she had generated. Her name was Moira. She had just turned 21 years old and was the fiercest warrior of the village, as well as its utmost beauty. Her silk brown hair, green eyes, slender waist and perky breasts had earned her the nickname of a Viper. Beautiful, but deadly.


    However, her history was anything but easy. During her childhood, the Krakow Empire had purged her native village, accusing it of hiding refugees of other races. Of course, this had been a completely fabricated lie. The reason they had been targeted was because they couldn''t pay the exorbitant tax that their lord had imposed. The lord had then taken it upon himself to show what would happen if anyone else defaulted, and they were made into a vivid example.


    Her father had managed to sneak her out, but her mother hadn''t been so lucky. She had been killed in front of her, stabbed from behind. The last memory Moira had of her was her warm smile and the sentence she had uttered in her final breath.


    "Grow to be a strong and fierce woman that can choose her path..."


    Together with her father, they had fled the Empire and had taken refuge in the wilderness, isolated from the world. During the fleeting years, they both built the refuge in which lived many exiled. By abiding to her mother''s words, she had made her father very proud and felt like she had honored her memory.


    *BUUUUUUUUUUUVVVVVV*


    A horn sounded, stopping her in her tracks. It signaled the presence of an intruder. Without waiting another second, she bolted to the top of their wooden walls.


    "Where''s the intruder?"


    The guard that had sounded the alarm was taken aback by seeing the serious expression in Moira''s face, but he rapidly responded.


    "He''s over there"


    She looked in the direction and saw a peculiar sight. A single man, wrapped in a black cloak, walked nonchalantly in their direction. He was tall, had golden hair, and from the distance, looked rather handsome as well. When there was a distance of 100 meters separating them, he stopped.


    "Villagers and soldiers of Yamato, my name is Derrick Tarlin, and I ask your surrender. No blood needs to be spilled"


    The loud and large voice resounded throughout the village and took its people by enormous surprise. Who the hell was this man?! He had some major balls to come here and ask for their surrender by himself!


    Moira couldn''t believe her ears. What the fuck? How could one person be this arrogant! Shortly after, her father, chief Julio, arrived.


    "Moira, what the hell is going on?"


    "I''m as lost as you are... This man just arrived and asked for our surrender"


    The tone in her voice was filled with contempt, and she was simply waiting for her father to allow her to go beat down that prick. The eyes of Julio narrowed when he analyzed Derrick. The man was unscathed and looked well-fed. The wilderness was filled with danger, so how did he achieve that?


    "Traveler, we have no intentions of surrendering to you. Nevertheless, we would be prepared to offer you shelter and food"


    Moira was stunned. Why was her father being accommodating right now? When he sensed her daughter''s doubt, the elderly man explained.


    "Look at his condition, he''s definitely not weak to have crossed the forest unharmed. Your worst enemy is always the unknown. Remember that"


    Derrick, which could hear the entire conversation, was quite impressed by the astute old man. Moreover, his daughter really struck him, and he wanted her.


    "I''m thankful for your kindness, but I will have to decline. I came here to conquer, not to put on false pretenses"


    The expressions of the two figures on the wall drastically changed and were replaced by fury. The fellow clearly didn''t value his life! Julio started shouting.


    "Well, don''t blame me for being heartless... Open the gates! Send the soldiers to put him down"


    Derrick''s heartbeat accelerated. The party could finally get started...

 38 Carnage

    The soldiers, which hadn''t fought in forever, lazily made a formation and headed out to meet their opponent. It didn''t help their fighting spirit that there was only one person in front of them.


    When Moira saw the state of the soldiers, the only thing she felt was shame... In a state of fury, she started yelling at them.


    "You fuckers! If you don''t take this seriously, I''m going to kill you all myself!"


    When they heard the shouts of the Viper, they all straightened themselves and gulped. She wasn''t kidding, and they knew it. Their previously uncoordinated actions rapidly improved, and they marched with haste, ready to end this small skirmish.


    In front of the ridiculous scene, Derrick was snickering. What the hell was this? Amateur hour?


    Seeing the disdain in Derrick''s attitude, Moira couldn''t control herself and almost jumped in the fray, only to be stopped by her father.


    "What do you think you''re doing? Didn''t you just listen to me, or are you not afraid of death? We have no clue on how strong he is"


    Moira could only pout in response. How was this fellow going to beat 80 soldiers? His chances were zero and there was nothing that could change her mind about it. She considered herself fairly strong, and she could only take on 20 of them at once, even in their current weakened state.


    Derrick waited for the soldiers to arrive and surround him completely. When they finally covered his last escape route, he spoke.


    "I''ll only say this once. Bend the knee and swear loyalty, or die. I am the ruler of Akata, and future dominator of this world"


    The soldiers were stunned and threw looks at each other. This guy evidently had a few loose screws... Without answering, the 80 soldiers lowered their pikes and started tightening the encirclement. Derrick was surprised by their decent leather gear and felt respect for Julio. This had clearly required a lot of work and investment.


    Alas, the person they were against was a monster... Someone who wielded so much power that they couldn''t fathom its depth. The soldiers kept slowly advancing, and even started insulting him.


    "Why don''t you just throw yourself against my pike? I''m getting bored and you''re wasting my time"


    "Exactly! Every moment I''m out here is a moment where my drink gets warmer and warmer"


    "Does anyone want to gamble on how much time he''ll survive? I''m ready to bet 1 copper coin on 2 minutes"


    While everyone started gambling, Derrick still didn''t move, completely unfazed by the farce that was happening. His gaze was still fixed on the two people on the wall, and he stared at them with his striking green eyes.


    In a single instant, he had broken through the blockade and was now holding two beating hearts in his hands. They were the ones of the gambler and the drunkard. Their brains didn''t even have time to react, and when they looked at their chests, two gaping holes could be seen, oozing blood.


    "Trying to kill someone that has been compassionate and understanding wasn''t your best move I''m afraid... These soldiers will all die now. Come forth, Death Warriors"


    42 bottomless holes abruptly appeared outside the encirclement and out of them climbed armed skeletons. Their eeriness and blood-lust, accompanied by their flickering red eyes and chattering teeth, made everyone present despair. Their rusty iron swords, excited by the chance of finally tasting blood, slowly scrapped the ground in a low and agonizing noise.


    The soldiers, who were still in stupor over the sudden death of their two comrades, felt, for the second time in their lives, despair. A despair so strong that it eclipsed the one felt when they were exiled from the Krakow Empire. Their loved ones had already been taken away, and now they would go meet them on the other side.


    Thus, without ceremony, the carnage begun. The skeletons jumped in the battle, slaughtering without discrimination. Fingers, arms, legs, heads... Every part of the body could be seen flying around, followed by splatters of blood. Heart-wrenching screams echoed from the corpses that still had pulses, but not enough limbs to defend themselves.


    The battle only lasted four minutes, and Derrick hadn''t stopped glaring at the two personages atop of their wall. The result had been overwhelming, as not a single skeleton had fallen. It had plainly been a one-sided cleansing. With the two hearts in hand, he started walking forward and didn''t look back.


    "Death Warriors, arise!"


    The 80 fresh corpses instantly transformed in a dark goo, which then concentrated itself to form a gigantic ball of dark matter that rose from the ground. Shortly afterwards, the sphere started rotating and its speed kept increasing to dizzying heights. Underneath it appeared a portal so dark that light itself seemed unable to escape and, like the previous event, skeletons could be seen crawling out. At the end of the process, there were 58 new skeletons that had joined the ranks.


    [You have maxed out the Death Warriors skill (100/100). If the host wishes to increase its capacity, it has to evolve!]


    Meanwhile, Derrick hadn''t stopped walking. He was slowly closing the distance that separated him from the stronghold, leaving behind the undead army.


    On the wall, Julio and Moira were petrified. What had just happened? Their entire troops, dead. It happened so quickly that they couldn''t properly register the situation. How... Why... Questions that would, in the end, remain unanswered.


    Their eyes were glued to the man in front of them, with his arms dripping blood and his hands occupied with two hearts. It was a scene that came from the depths of hell. Yes. A portrait of the God of Death descending upon mere mortals for shit''s and giggles.


    Derrick looked undisturbed and serene, as if such a battle was simply... natural. In his mind, the life of his enemies were worth no more than cattle. The strong preyed on the weak. The concept had been hammered into him during his survival in the cave. If you allowed yourself to be weak, you would die.


    When he was a few paces away from the gate, he stopped and threw the hearts aside while still looking at the two figures. He then spoke.


    "I gave you the opportunity to surrender and yet... Ah, what a pity. I''ve never been very fond of such bloodshed, but they are necessary once your life has been forfeit by another party don''t you think?"


    Derrick giggled, increasing the already sinister aura around him.


    "What''s going to happen now is that you''ll convince all the villagers to follow me. If there are dissidents, tell them they''ll die. As for you, Missy, you''ll become one of my woman"


    Moira snapped out of her daze the moment she heard the statement. This psychotic killer was trying to make her do what now!?


    She dashed towards Derrick instantly, making her father''s expression fall. She refused to be forced onto a path, and she would rather die than dishonor her late mother''s words.


    Sensing the killing intent, the necromancer''s eyes narrowed and his previously calm demeanor changed into one of extreme might.


    Armed with a long sword, she closed the distance in a mere second and swung with all her strength. It was her best chance, and she intended to go out brazenly instead of being the puppet of some deranged individual.


    When the blade was about to reach him, a slight sliver of hope appeared, and she closed her eyes.


    "Mother, please lend me your strength..."


    *Ting*


    Her momentum abruptly stopped, and with a prayer, she reopened her eyes. However, once she did, goosebumps overcame her entire body.


    Derrick had halted the blade with... one finger. His sheer strength had crushed the pathetic attempt on his life. In fact, he had never been in real danger. The only thing he sought for in this situation was establishing dominance. Making them feel what a ruler should be, what it represented.


    "PLEASE DON''T HURT MY DAUGHTER!!! I''LL DO ANYTHING YOU ASK!!!"


    Julio was going completely crazy and was already begging on his knees, kowtowing non-stop.


    "I think you''ve misunderstood me... You two were never in real danger. I''ve recognized your value and hope you''ll serve me well"


    He then returned his gaze to the trembling woman in front of him.


    "Moira, right? I''ve never intended on forcing you to do anything, but you''ll be my woman from today onwards. I won''t touch you nor will I hurt you, unless you give me permission on the latter..."


    With a genuine smile, Derrick tossed her sword away.


    "Now that that''s clarified, let''s go meet my new subjects!"

 39 Retaliation

    Derrick walked forward, with Julio and Moira still dumbstruck. Did this guy have no remorse at all? None whatsoever? And why were they spared? Their brains couldn''t process what was unfolding right now.


    After walking past the gates, he turned his head towards them again.


    "Lead the way please"


    Julio snapped out and got up from his kneeling stance. To protect his daughter, he would do everything, even if it meant being the dog of someone else.


    "Yes... Sir Derrick right?"


    Derrick didn''t really bother with honorifics. All he was interested in was how he would be received by the population of Yamato. These were people that had already lost everything and that had barely survived on scraps. They had found the strength to live again, and he was confident that what he would offer would give them a new path.


    "Please gather everyone in the village. I''ll be waiting"


    With a wave of his hand, Derrick left. He hadn''t even bothered looking at Moira, who was still trembling in her position. She had been the strongest warrior in the village ever since it had been founded. But in one bout... She had been crushed and transformed into a trophy for the winner.


    She didn''t care about what he said. Who would believe a mass murderer anyway? Her trembling, that was once caused by fear, was now one of rage. She didn''t want to admit it, but she had been as complacent as the soldiers that had perished. Now, she collected what she sowed... The feeling of being miserable and powerless.


    In a loud thump, she crumbled on the ground and started sobbing.


    "I''m sorry Mother... I''ve failed you... But I promise I''ll not give up... Watch me from up there... If I''m forced on a track, I''ll brazenly destroy it and make it my own..."


    After a few minutes on the ground, she eventually stood up and marched inside the village, her fists clenched and her green eyes burning with passion.


    ***


    "Sir Derrick, they are all gathered"


    "Good, let me do the rest. Thanks for your cooperation"


    While dismissing the now ex-chief, Derrick appeared in front of the large gathering. He had removed his cloak and exposed his armor.


    When the villagers saw him appear on the small stage, everyone was shocked. Wasn''t this the person who had spoken earlier? Why was he suddenly here? Murmurs erupted throughout the crowd on what announcement would occur.


    "Citizens of Yamato... You''ve already heard me before, but you most-likely dismissed me as a lunatic, a rogue that didn''t know his place. Well, your chief, Julio, thought so as well and sent the soldiers to deal with me. As such, before they could take my life, I killed them all"


    "You don''t have to worry. I do not have any intentions of harming you, if you follow me"


    He threw the crowd a sharp gaze filled with killing intent that made everyone lower their heads. He was the predator and they were the preys. Derrick didn''t have the luxury of winning their hearts slowly, so the only thing he could do right now was ruling with fear. Of course, he didn''t plan on killing anyone anymore since he needed workforce for his future mining plans. This was all a massive bluff to quickly subdue the population. After achieving the effect he wanted, he continued.


    "And before dissenters reject my plea, I already have a town under me, located 8 kilometers south of here. There are currently 1500 inhabitants there. It''s a haven that we are currently developing and will be the new beacon of hope on these dangerous lands"


    The majority of the panic-stricken folks calmed down when they heard this, but what if it was a ploy, what if they were enslaved and couldn''t even eat properly? Their minds imagined every worst-case scenarios possible, and they couldn''t help but feel even more motivated to flee. In their eyes, even if they had a tiny chance of survival, it was better than being enslaved.


    Seeing all the fear he had generated spectacularly backfire, Derrick decided to change strategies.


    "I see some of you are still full of doubts, and I can''t say I blame you. You''ve been betrayed by an Empire once, so why should I be any different? Why should I be someone better when I just routed all of your defenses? Well, right now it''s impossible to know. But what if I could promise you that I''ll eliminate the Krakow Empire?"


    Everyone''s eyes almost popped out of their sockets, including Moira. What the hell? The man supposedly had a small town of 1500 people, and he wanted to take over an Empire? These delusions of grandeur were completely baseless and considered cheap talk by everybody attending.


    "Io, Drako and Cernunnos, show yourselves"


    *SWOOSH-SWOOSH-SWOOSH*


    Derrick''s shadow expanded violently and three terrifying beasts came out, facing the now petrified populace. In front of them were a bat-eagle monster that had a wingspan of 10 meters and glowing red-eyes, a gigantic dragon-like monster with black scales and ruby eyes and a half-deer, half-bear monster that was 18 meters tall and had shining green eyes. Their aura of darkness were so stifling that everyone fell to the ground, trying to not soil themselves. Even Moira and Julio couldn''t resist and were thrown to the ground, unable to control their actions. How could someone wield such power?


    "As you can see, my shameless boasting isn''t completely unfounded. The reason why I want you to follow and help me is because I believe we can create something better, an environment where persecution and injustice are absent. I know you''ve all been exiled from the Empire, and I know you all lost immeasurable things, be it your reputation, jobs and families. You were forced to survive and you all regrouped, hoping to finally resume a life free of those shackles... But what if they come for you again? What if they covet the land you''re currently living on? What would happen then? Will you lose everything and try to survive once more? OR DO YOU WANT TO FIGHT FOR MORE?! FOR A CHANCE TO CHANGE YOUR DESTINY?! I WAS ONCE WEAK, SO WEAK THAT I HAD TO LEAVE BEHIND MY ENTIRE LIFE... I''M GIVING YOU A CHANCE, A CHANCE TO RISE AND TO BECOME SOMETHING MORE, TO YEARN FOR MORE!"


    His voice resonated with every broken soul in the audience. They had indeed been treated as livestock, with no other value than generating profits and taxes. They were accused of crimes they never committed and punished with the things they held dear. All of them could see the faces of the people they had lost, and the rage that was once deeply buried in their hearts resurfaced violently. They had been running away for most of their lives, without a chance to strike back... Yet here was a man that said that he could, and he gave them proof that maybe, just maybe, he could make a difference. Some people touched their faces, surprised to see tears rapidly running down their cheeks. Their previously locked emotions were running amok in their bodies, finally allowing them to grieve what they had lost...


    Moira had her fists clenched throughout the speech. She had witnessed the power of Derrick, but she still didn''t want to acknowledge him. He was a murderer. He was absolute scum that didn''t feel anything. And yet... What he had just said resonated with her very core. She had never told her father that she had sworn to take revenge, and now, in front of her, was such an opportunity.


    "I''m not a perfect man, neither are my methods. But I swear to protect all your lives, no matter the cost. I also have grievances to settle in this world and until they are solved. I will not rest. We will change our faiths, and we will be the victors!"


    Every person that had been oppressed by the eerie pressure suddenly felt a surge of energy and rose, roaring to the sky. It was time finally time for a revolution!


    [You have conquered the village of Yamato! You have gained 720 new residents]

 40 Tournamen

    Thomas was currently panting like a dog, crumpled in the grass. The regimen that the soldiers were going through couldn''t even be called training anymore, pushing some to say that even torture was a better fate.


    But he still endured... He had to. He knew that at the end of it all was something that he had never considered in his life... a purpose. Something that would give his miserable life meaning.


    He had just finished running 20 kilometers with 30 kilograms of rocks on his back. The addition had been decided by their general after seeing some of them slacking off, earning her the nickname of ''Goddess of Pain''.


    Luckily for him, he had already puked out the entirety of his stomach, so he didn''t look as unsightly as those near him that resembled corpses nearing death, trying to puke out their very organs.


    "YOU TRASH! HOW THE HELL AM I GOING TO PRESENT YOU TO HIS HIGHNESS?!"


    On the same boulder that dominated the area stood Eloise, verbally whipping the poor souls down below. She had been surprised by the progress they had made, but she knew that praising their efforts would only make them grow conceited and arrogant.


    After proving herself and earning their respect, she had taken it upon herself to re-wire their brains to be unbreakable on the battlefield. Mental strength was a quality that severely lacked in many armies on the continent.


    Meanwhile, Atta had come to admire the woman and even acknowledge her, dismissing the begging eyes that his ex-soldiers gave him every day.


    "You should have listened to me when I tried to train you..."


    That was the only thing he could think of when seeing their pitiful states. They looked so wretched that he even had a hard time looking at them.


    Once the 160 soldiers finished their hellish run, Eloise''s clear and cold voice resounded.


    "I''ve seen some progression, even though you''re still well under an acceptable level. To reward you all, we will hold a little tournament..."


    When the half-dead soldiers heard that, their ears perked up. A tournament meant a competition that would crown a victor, which would be followed by a prize. Their brains, which were already overwhelmed by pain stimuli, started working overtime trying to figure out what it could be.


    For Thomas, this was it. A moment to shine and attract the attention of the higher-ups. He couldn''t squander it and his eyes lit up with firmness. Even if he had to drag himself to the finish line, he would win.


    Seeing that she had caught the attention of everyone present, Eloise smirked. The training she had conducted so far had only been to build up muscle mass and cardio, two essential attributes for any decent warrior. It had already been seven days since the program started, and she needed to see who were the most promising seeds.


    Of course, to avoid the rise of envy and complacence, the soldiers would be able to challenge their leaders once every month, making every position volatile. Derrick had gotten the idea after conquering various villages. After all, the strong were respected by the weak. With a system like this in place, competition would be born and the soldiers'' inner potential would be unleashed.


    "Listen up because I''ll not repeat myself! You will duel one another until only one remains. You will be given wooden sticks as swords, so I don''t care how hard you hit each other. Surrendering is allowed, and if I see anyone not adhering to its principle, they''ll have to face me afterwards..."


    Her aura burst forth and the heart of all the soldiers present fell. The woman was truly terrifying. She then nodded to Atta and stopped speaking, observing the troops.


    Atta jumped from the rock and began distributing wooden sticks. They weren''t very thick, but they seemed sturdy enough to badly hurt an opponent. When he finished his task, he spoke.


    "I''m sure you''re all dying to know what the endgame of this whole thing is... For those who''ll place between 5th and 21st, the rewards are promotions to Squad Leaders, which is a unit made of 10 soldiers, including yourself. A bronze armor will also be attributed"


    Uh? The soldiers were shocked. They had expected gold, but this was even better! They would be part of the chain of command and a bronze armor was something unimaginable for them.


    Their previously tired and bloodied bodies suddenly surged with strength, and they were ready to go back at it again. Thomas was also one of those that burned with drive and determination.


    However, the ones who were considered the strongest among the group were holding their breaths. What about the top rewards?


    "As for the ones placing 1st through 4th, the rewards are promotions to Platoon Leaders, which will be commanding 4 Squads that will be under you. A steel armor will be attributed"


    A huge ruckus ensued. Steel armors?! These materials were so costly that they could only dream about them, on top of requiring a skillful blacksmith to work with them. Equipment like this easily went for 50 gold coins a piece. How could they afford to give this so easily?! And to sweeten it all, they would be able to commandeer a large amount of power as they saw fit, under, of course, the orders of their general.


    "Now choose any opponent you want to face. The losers will go to the left side while the winners go to the right. If you cheat, you know what awaits you"


    While grinning, Atta pointed at Martin, Lucas and Trey, who looked so battered that they were unrecognizable. Everybody seeing the trio violently shivered and all thoughts of shenanigans went out the window.


    "One more thing, everything is allowed. The only thing that''s prohibited is killing your opponent. May the best win!"


    The atmosphere turned heavy and everyone ran towards the weaker soldiers, which constantly cursed their fortune.


    "Troy you fucker! I never thought you were someone that would pray on the weak!"


    "Hahahaha just blame your mother for giving you a weaker constitution!"


    "Shameless bastard!"


    Insults rained everywhere on the training grounds that had started taking shape. The former dense vegetation filled with bugs was no more, replaced by a vast plain that would soon accommodate the new Military Quarters.


    Thomas, who had a decent build, was chosen by a man named Michael. His stature looked imposing, beating Thomas''s height by a full head. His toned muscles also reflected the harsh training they had been going through.


    "Come at me small fry, I want to end this quickly"


    With contempt rivaling those of the gods, Michael nonchalantly walked forward, ready to crush his opponent.


    Thomas remained calm, trying to find a way to deal with the muscled freak. After a few moments, he leaped forward with all his might.


    Michael couldn''t help but smile. This was too easy for a first round...


    "Just surrender... I don''t want to hurt you badly"


    However, what came next would haunt him forever. When Thomas arrived in his striking range, he half-heartedly swung his stick, sure that it was plenty enough to deal with a weakling, but to his astonishment, Thomas slid underneath him.


    *SLAP*


    With a fast movement, he smashed the stick into his family jewels, making him squeal so loud that everyone turned their gazes in their direction.


    While getting up, Thomas looked at the now unconscious big man lying on the floor.


    "Everything is allowed, and I intend to win, even if it''s by being the most shameless person there is..."

 41 Tournament 2

    Everyone had grimaces on their faces. They had never thought that someone would be shameless enough to hit the place that held their future families.


    When she saw the attack, Eloise burst out laughing.


    "That''s the spirit! I did say everything goes, so don''t hold back! I want to see wit, strength and creativity. Show me your value, you muts! Prove that you are worthy of serving the army that will conquer the world!"


    When she was done, she threw a quick glance at Atta, which reflexively covered his crotch. Although he admired her, she had shown him that she was as ruthless as barbarians.


    Seeing her aid fearful aid, she giggled. In the week since they had started the training, they had become closer, and they started creating various battle formations. She liked educating him because he had a sharp mind and was quick on the uptake. To Eloise, it felt like raising a successor in case anything went awry.


    The first round of battles quickly ended after that, leaving only 80 soldiers on the winning side. The trio that was once part of the strongest fighters, Martin, Lucas and Trey, all lost, even though they had tried their best. Their bodies were simply in no shape to fight.


    So far, nobody had really caught the attention of Eloise and Atta except for Thomas. For him to recognize that winning was most important, no matter how, meant that he had a mind suited towards schemes and deceit. These types of commanders were always dangerous and their opponents always had to watch their backs.


    After a short intermittence, it was now time to start the second round.


    Thomas tried looking for an opponent, but everyone avoided him. They weren''t ready to risk their futures, even for the prizes at stake.


    When he was about to despair, a youth presented himself in front of him.


    "Remember me?"


    Thomas froze. It was... the skinny guy he had beaten up before! What the hell was he doing here?! The harsh memories of his friend''s death resurfaced, making him grimace.


    When he saw the reaction, the skinny guy smirked.


    "It seems that you do remember! I''m sorry that your friend died, but you were all scum that terrorized us weaker people. In the end, you all reaped what you sowed..."


    Thomas''s face turned solemn. He knew that, from the bottom of his heart. And yet, when someone said it, it irked him to no end. It was like an itch that refused to go, no matter how hard he scratched it. He wanted to show that he had changed, that he was reborn.


    "What''s your name?"


    The skinny guy was taken aback, but smiled. He knew that it was time to get collect his dues, and with interest at that. He had given his all this last week, going from a powerless chick to one that had claws.


    "Jojo Trubisky"


    With a shout and his face full of conviction, Thomas leaped forward, ready to strike.


    When Jojo heard the last part, his smile was instantly gone. Who the hell was this guy taking himself for?! They had ganged up on him, so he had had no choice but to give in that day! He had sworn to never be that weak, and he intended to prove that today!


    "I''ll show you who''s the weak little bitch this time!"


    With a similar roar, he also leaped forward.


    They both arrived face-to-face in an instant. With a fierce right strike, Thomas tried to end it right away. He didn''t want to admit it, but he looked down on the scrawny person he was facing. He clearly thought that one week couldn''t let him overcome his disadvantages.


    Jojo felt the disregard and his heart burned in his chest, raring to go. He had had enough of being seen as a weakling. He had been a farmer all his life, laboring the fields, and he didn''t know why or how, but his body kept refusing to get bigger or bulkier. However, that didn''t mean he didn''t have weapons. He had discovered them during this past hellish week.


    When the strike reached him, he bent backwards elegantly and swung his wooden stick at the legs of Thomas, who was flabbergasted. The little shit had moves!


    *SLAM*


    Thomas badly grimaced and his leg flexed awkwardly. The strike had damaged the muscles behind his knees and it had hurt like hell! The pain twisted his face, and he saw the evil grin and the now standing Jojo. That bastard was a head shorter than him, but his agility seemed on another level.


    It appeared that he had made the same mistake as his previous opponent... After controlling the pain, Thomas turned to face him.


    "I underestimated you... Seems like you''ll be worth crushing after all..."


    *SLAP*


    Thomas slapped his face with both hands, hitting himself with his stick at the same time. Jojo was first confused, but quickly understood.


    "Awake now? Let''s end this"


    "Come at me BOY!"


    With a damaged leg, Thomas had to carefully evaluate his next step. This wasn''t supposed to be his last fight, so he had to figure out a way to maximize each of his moves while predicting his opponent''s.


    Jojo wasn''t stupid. He knew that his adversary was looking for an avenue to quickly end the bout, so he immediately rushed in and rained hits after hits, destabilizing the weakened ex-thug.


    After a few minutes, the various battles had begun finishing, making the winners slowly trickle down to the right side. However, one particular fight caught the eye of both sides, including Eloise and Atta.


    On one end stood a scrawny kid riddled in bruises and on the other stood a bulkier man staggering. They were both panting and were drenched in sweat. Their initial plans of going for a quick victory had gone out of the window, and they knew they had no chance in winning the next battle, even if they advanced. Seeing the stalemate, Thomas decided to speak.


    "It appears we''re both fucked haha..."


    "Yeah... I didn''t really expect to win, so I''m still proud of my result hehe..."


    With an arrogant and proud tone, Jojo answered him. That sentence sent a dagger through Thomas''s heart because he knew that if he hadn''t been careless at the beginning, the flow of the fight would''ve gone differently. Alas, it was no use crying over spoiled milk.


    "You little bastard... We''re ending this right away, once and for all. Let''s forget about the prizes and go all out, or we''ll be here all day..."


    Jojo was surprised, but he smiled in response.


    "You''re right, this has dragged on long enough..."


    While both letting out a loud roar, they ran towards each other, ready to leave their hearts behind.

 42 Tournament 3

    When they both met each other, Thomas made the first move. With his longer reach, he thought that he could at least force a reaction out of Jojo, and he didn''t fail to meet his expectations. While crouching, he parried and their weapons clashed. Their wooden sticks, which had already endured a barrage of strikes, instantly broke into multiple pieces.


    The two fighters were surprised, but it didn''t mean that the fight was over. They dropped the remaining bits of wood and stared at each other, sweat dripping down from their foreheads.


    Without any warning, Jojo threw a vicious leg kick at the injured leg of Thomas, which realized the gravity of the threat. While badly staggering, he threw his body to the side, narrowly avoiding a hit that would have been his end.


    With a humph, Jojo threw himself on the injured soldier, intending on making him quickly surrender.


    However, when he reached Thomas and was about to throw a right hook punch, he froze. His opponent had a huge grin on his face, as if he had fallen for one of his schemes.


    Thomas had feigned being more injured than he really was to draw in Jojo. After all, his previous life as a bully had made him a melee range fighter, even if it was against weaklings. While dodging the incoming right, he sent a violent uppercut that connected to Jojo''s jaw, sending him flying backwards.


    The guy had simply been overconfident, thinking that the injuries he had inflicted were sufficient to throw caution out of the window.


    He brutally landed on the ground and his vision blurred. Jojo had to say that he royally messed up. In a real fight, he would be dead to rights after such a huge blunder. On top of seeing everything in triple, a metallic taste invaded his mouth, making him spit out a mouthful of blood. He had unfortunately bitten his tongue and it was bleeding profusely. With his head still spinning, he groggily got up and gave a determined look to Thomas. He wasn''t done yet, even if his body screamed to stop the hostilities.


    The adrenaline had worn off long ago, and both combatants were now engaged in mental warfare. In both their minds, the one that would end up winning would be the one with the highest level of tolerance to pain.


    Their refusal to back down was admired by all the spectators, wondering if they could have done more on their parts. Eloise and Atta both looked at each other with a slight smile, seeing that the event had already brought in dividends.


    Without standing on ceremony, Thomas walked forward, intending on using his remaining energy in a last ditch offensive. He had realized that his condition wasn''t much better than his adversary.


    Jojo wasn''t going to be outdone, and he also walked forward, ready to meet him head-on.


    "I can''t lose here... I have to... win..."


    Thomas was trying to hold on, but his brain was shutting down, overwhelmed by pain. He had never expected the person in front of him to be so resilient, refusing to yield at all. His lack of mobility and his confidence had faltered bit by bit once he realized that he wouldn''t win simply by going to the body of his opponent. He had to have an unbreakable will.


    "Don''t... get too... carried away... you fucker!"


    Jojo was in the same spot. After he had received the violent uppercut, the fight had become more even, with the both of them severely hampered. He thought that a thug was mentally weak, but he had been proven wrong again and again until he had to finally acknowledge that the person in front of him was a different beast.


    Their strikes were weakening one after the other, as they couldn''t muster any more strength. They were both drained mentally and physically. Seeing their wretched states, Atta was prepared to intervene to prevent any permanent damage. These two had shown their potential, and they weren''t going to let them ruin it in a little competition.


    Meanwhile, Thomas''s consciousness started slipping away... No matter how hard he tried to remain awake, it was pointless. He started falling in an endless abyss and when he thought that everything was over, he let go. He had given it his best shot, and he could be proud of himself, even though he had lost to a skinny kid he had once almost bullied to death.


    *BOOM*


    Overwhelming power suddenly burst forth from his core, hijacking his entire body. The feeling scared him so much that he didn''t have time to react and when he tried to regain any sense of control, it was already too late. He was only a passenger on the wild ride that was about to follow.


    When Jojo had seen Thomas faltering, he had hung on with all his might. His endurance gained throughout days of work had finally paid off, and just when he thought he had won, an oppressing feeling burst out of his opponent. It was so heavy that he had to back away, breaking their scuffle.


    The entire field quieted down and looked at Thomas, which had stopped moving. He only stood there, with his head down, heavily breathing. Eloise was startled by the pressure he emitted and her eyes widened. Who was this guy?!


    Atta thought the man had fallen unconscious, which he technically did, and was going on the field to tend to his injuries.


    "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"


    A bestial cry resounded and Atta immediately stopped, petrified on the spot. It was like an instinctual fear when one met their natural predator.


    The cry had come from Thomas, but he didn''t look like himself anymore. His once tilted head now facing the sky and his eyes were so bloodshot that they resembled rubies. His entire body started expanding, until it became two times its normal size. Veins that were normally hidden were now gorged with massive amounts of blood and were trying to make their way out of his body. One could say that the man was possessed.


    Eloise, whose expression had turned ashen, ran in the direction of the enraged Thomas. Her previous feeling had given her a vague sense of deja vu and the following sequence of events had confirmed it... This was a berserker!

 43 Berserker

    The massive group of people finally arrived at Akata. The journey was filled with hardships and lurking dangers, resulting in 20 deaths, even with the best efforts of Derrick to prevent it. The group ended up with 700 people left, which was honestly better than expected.


    On top of it all, the logistics of the trip had been a nightmare because he had agreed to let everyone bring whatever they wanted, and there were no roads to speak off. He had done so for other villages, but this one was different, and he had felt to account for it. Since it had been built earlier, people had way more luggage, which made them travel very slowly.


    He silently cursed under his breath that it turned the 8 kilometers into 7 days, but now that they were finally here, it felt all the more worth it. Plus, every monster he had killed had been too weak for him to get stronger, so he had fed them to his three companions.


    "We''ve finally arrived!"


    The entire group was awed by the sight that welcomed them. In the middle of the thick forest they had just gone through were vast occupied lands. Everyone looked like a busy bee. Derrick looked around and found no guards, meaning that they were probably in training.


    It wasn''t a small group, so as soon as a villager spotted them, he immediately ran off and went to get the people in charge.


    After a few moments, a trio appeared on the horizon, hurrying in their direction. It was Jack, Lacha and the villager. Once she arrived, Lacha graciously bowed and welcomed the crowd.


    "Welcome to Akata. My name is Lacha, and I hope you can serve our Lord to the best of your abilities. You do not have to be scared, as we''re sure that your very own eyes will prove that he hasn''t deceived you"


    Moira, Julio and the others were still dumbstruck by the scene in front of their eyes. This was a proper town, in the middle of nowhere! This was something they had strived to achieve, and a complete stranger that had come out of nowhere had already accomplished it. When Derrick was about to walk forward and demand a report on the overall progress that had been made, a prompt flashed in his mind.


    [Enslaved Subordinate Eloise Tornomi''s life is in danger! Death probability if no action is taken : 100%]


    Without asking for any more detail, Derrick re-summoned Io and instantly flew in Eloise''s direction. Since she was his slave, finding her location was a cinch for Derrick.


    What he couldn''t figure out was what could threaten her and basically guarantee her death. She wasn''t weak at all, but it seemed like her opponent was on another level.


    After a few seconds of flying at maximum speed, Derrick arrived at the grounds for the new Military Quarters. He saw a small crowd encircling what looked like a beast and his now bloodied General.


    *BANG*


    With a brutal landing that caused dirt to fly around, Derrick immediately jumped in the fray. His General''s life only hanged by a thread, so there was no time to lose. The soldiers that had tried containing the battle were all stunned before loudly cheering. Their General was saved!


    They had seen the beat down she had gone through, and they were disgusted by the fact that they couldn''t do anything. Even Atta had been forced to the side, gloomy and enraged at his own lack of strength.


    Derrick came to Eloise''s side and shouldered her. She couldn''t hold up any longer, and she crumbled right away when she felt the reassuring presence next to her. Her vision had already gone hazy, only able to see shapes. Even with that, she knew that it was Derrick next to her due to their bond.


    "You''ve done well, now go rest and recover. I''ll take it over from here..."


    She weakly nodded and Derrick ordered a few close soldiers to come and get her out of here. She needed to go see Lacha to make sure that no permanent damage would last.


    With everything out of the way, Derrick finally took a good look at his opponent, and he was surprised. Its humanoid figure and its ridiculously buffed appearance displayed strength that he had yet to encounter so far. On top of that, its eyes made it clear that it wasn''t thinking logically and was only trashing for pleasure. Such brute strength was outstanding.


    "Appraisal"


    [Thomas - Berserker State (Unhinged)]


    [Strength : 2?]


    [Agility : 16]


    [Endurance : 16]


    [Vitality : 5]


    [Magic Power : 1]


    [Trait : Berserker (A tank-type class that specializes itself in pure, unrestrained brute strength. Its might is incomparable and the vitality displayed is frightening. The backlash of such a class is their inhuman blood-lust that makes them lose their rationality)]


    [Weakness : Cannot strategize]


    My god... These fighting stats were absolutely horrifying. How the hell was Eloise still alive?! He couldn''t even see the strength of this thing!


    When Derrick was about to devise a plan to put it down, a scrawny and badly injured walked guy forward. It was Jojo.


    "My Lord, he was my opponent during a bout. When he was about to fall, he transformed into this... I don''t know what''s going on, but it''s definitely not him anymore"


    All of Derrick''s ideas about killing him instantly vanished and a large grin appeared on his face. He had thought that it was an enemy attack, but it was instead a major blessing! A hidden gem had been forced to its limits, and its outer shell fell, making it shine through.


    Now that his decision was taken, the real fight would start.


    Meanwhile, the Berserker was simply standing there, looking at the small fries around him. It knew that they were beneath him, so far beneath him in fact that they could be ants. Even with the arrival of Derrick, it didn''t feel any pressure. In its mind, it was the king of the battlefield, the ruler of these plains.


    "Thank you for the information! You''ve done your part, now go rest"


    Derrick then turned around and took in a cold mouthful of air before shouting.


    "EVERYONE, LEAVE! I DON''T WANT YOU TO BE COLLATERAL DAMAGE!"


    The soldiers understood and quickly all left, without ever turning their back to the monster. They weren''t chaotic and seemed organized, which surprised Derrick. They could definitely be molded in something interesting.


    The Berserker turned its bloodshot eyes to Derrick, narrowing and emitting pressure. It seemed that this little twig was the commander, which meant that he was the strongest fighter of this place.


    Seeing the intense and challenging stare, Derrick responded with a disdainful laugh. While the soldiers were leaving, he had asked specificities about the Berserker class.


    [Berserker Class : The first transformation of the Berserker Class occurs when its body is submitted through intense physical and mental strain. It will keep fighting until it meets an opponent worthy of following, which it will do afterwards until its last breath. It will never betray what it considers to be its brother-in-arms]


    The Berserker will always find the strongest fighter on the battlefield due to its proud warrior''s nature. This is why it is considered a trump card by many, but also one of its downfalls. Commanders aren''t always weak, which results in a high death rate of such a class]


    "You ugly thing, I''ve decided to use you for my own ends. You''ll be what I want you to be!"


    The Berserker couldn''t understand a thing, but it felt the mockery in the tone of his opponent, which made it roar to the heavens, shaking the ground and sending ice throughout Derrick''s veins.


    If a newly awakened Berserker was this strong, it appeared that Derrick still had a lot to learn about the world.

 44 Berserker 2

    *BANG*


    In a mad dash, the Berserker launched towards Derrick, the ground cracking underneath from the sheer force it exerted.


    Derrick had been ready, but he hadn''t expected such explosive power.


    In a mere second, the gap between them had disappeared and the Berserker swung its large and heavy arm at the necromancer, trying to reduce him into paste.


    "IMMOBILIZE HIM DRAKO!"


    Since they were in proximity, both of their shadows were merged into one another, meaning that the creatures hiding in Derrick''s shadow were allowed to restrain the opponent.


    However, even with their strength, the only thing they could achieve was slowing down the incoming heavy and murderous strike.


    With a massive tumble to the right, Derrick avoided the strike, which pulverized his previous spot. If he had been a second too late, it would have been his end. Now, a distance of 50 meters separated them.


    "Human, this thing is scary... You better go all out or you''re going to die here!"


    "I second the lizard... Don''t take this the wrong way, I just don''t want to die yet..."


    "You filthy mammal... I''ll cut off those antlers you''re so proud off"


    Drako and Cernunnos started an uproar in Derrick''s head, which gave the necromancer a long face. His life was on the line and his servants were more occupied with their little quarrel than him...


    "You bastards... I''ve had enough! I''m summoning you both. I don''t even care if you get smashed to bits, but you''ll be covering me this time around"


    The two voices instantly went mute, solemn at the idea of dying for the little scuffle. They had messed up by pushing it too far...


    Without waiting any further, the two creatures appeared in front of Derrick with all their pride and might. They were the rulers of their own domains, and even if their opponent was stronger than them, admitting defeat was not an option.


    When the Berserker saw that it had missed Derrick, it had been confused. It had felt a force restricting its movements, but it hadn''t seen anyone interfere... What just happened?


    Nevertheless, it turned around to face Derrick once again, only to be met by two monsters that emitted strong blood-lust. One was a gigantic black dragon without wings and the other was a tall half-deer, half-bear hybrid. Their shadowy composition emitted black mist, filling the area with eeriness and dread.


    The Berserker, shocked that two strong opponents appeared, roared to the sky again. Alas, it was for a different reason this time...


    "This fucker can still get stronger?! What a troublesome fellow... Guess I can''t hold back either... Drako and Cernunnos, you''ll attack first and try to limit his movements. It''s time to test these spells of mine hehe..."


    The necromancer didn''t want to summon his newly acquired Undead Warriors, because he knew that they would be mince meat in front of such a terrifying foe. On the other hand, it was time to experiment. He knew that his spells were quite weak, but the best place to learn their uses were on the battlefield.


    The eyes of the two summons lit up, and they exploded towards the threat.


    "Oi, Lizard! You better not get in my way! If you make me suffer, I won''t forgive you!"


    "We''re in this situation because you''re a little bitch of an omnivore! Go eat some grass while I show you my moves!"


    Even with their bodies, although fictive, on the line, the two creatures still couldn''t let go of their grievances, willing to settle it with their skills and abilities.


    The Berserker was beating its chest violently, ready to rumble with the both of them simultaneously. Derrick had to say that its arrogance really was unmatched.


    Seeing them dismissed in such a vulgar way, Drako and Cernunnos roared and instantly closed the remaining distance, smashing into the two fists of the Berserker. The impact almost blew it away, but it somehow managed to hold on, sliding and thrusting its feet into the ground.


    Derrick was flabbergasted. This guy was unbelievable! Just imagining the impact that it would have on the battlefield made him go mad with greed.


    Shocked that they had both been stopped, the two monsters unleashed their skills. Drako used his poisonous tongue and Cernunnos used his Bear Strike, trying to hack him into pieces.


    Sensing the immediate threat, the Berserker bounced back and narrowly dodged the strike that aimed for his head and the tongue that aimed for his waist. It didn''t think much, but it recognized the aura of death when it came, and this was that type of moment.


    When he was about to counter-attack, a large black scythe tore across the space and nearly hit him, making him twist around and retreat once again. Its red eyes showed a hint of a surprise when it realized that the necromancer that had remained at the back so far had come to challenge him directly.


    The spell Derrick had just used was of course the Reaper''s Blade. It had nowhere near enough attacking power to really injure the Berserker, but it still packed quite a punch. Around him was also the Veil of Darkness, providing him with a bit of safety, which he quite welcomed.


    Seeing his sneak-attack failing, Derrick didn''t even humph. He immediately followed up with the Banshee''s Cry while sending instructions to his partners.


    "Use my opening to attack! And in case you didn''t get the memo, we aren''t killing the guy, so restrain your strikes!"


    With a grumble as a response, the two creatures waited and saw a thin woman materialize over Derrick. She had white hair and her face was hidden, but the most striking feature was her four arms.


    In an instant, she opened her gray eyes and an ear-piercing scream that shook the surroundings ensued. Its pitch was so high and strident that it even made its caster grimace.


    The Berserker reflexively covered its ears, trying to cut off the noise. Even though it couldn''t hurt him physically, its mental aspect was far more potent than what they let on in the book that Derrick had acquired and burned.


    Unaffected by the scream, the two beasts seized the opportunity and leaped, pinning the unguarded Berserker to the ground. It was enraged that it had been played for a fool and tried breaking free repeatedly, to the point where its body resumed its expansion. It appeared that rage was an emotion that fueled its growth, which Derrick duly noted.


    "Human, hurry up and make this thing submit! We won''t be able to hold on for much longer..."


    "The lizard''s right! Come here and end this!"


    Derrick decisively walked forward and took out his Dark Forest Guardian Bow. With its attacking power, he had no doubt that it would do the job.


    Once over the hulk of muscles, Derrick gave it an approving gaze.


    "I know you can''t understand me, but I want you to join me"


    In response, the beast tried to free itself and trash the pathetic weakling in front of it. How dare it mock and defeat him using external strength!


    Derrick''s face changed and became ice-cold, making the Berserker feel a hint of fear. Without ceremony, Derrick took out an arrow from his back and readied it.


    "Last chance"


    The beast still wasn''t convinced by this pathetic display, so it roared and spit on Derrick, trying to humiliate him as well.


    Derrick simply unloaded the arrow straight in its right leg, creating a sonic boom that shook the ground. It had been the first time Derrick used it, and it was proving to be a formidable weapon.


    The only response he got from the Berserker was a hurl filled with pain. It couldn''t believe what was happening! It was the king of the battlefield, the mighty warrior that looked down on these poor ants...


    Derrick felt the still uncooperative behavior and unleashed three more arrows in the remaining leg and two arms, convincingly pinning it to the ground. The only way to win its acknowledgment was to submit it, and he intended on doing just that.


    The Berserker finally broke down and accepted the verdict. Its bones had been shattered by the impact and its muscles were nowhere near functional anymore. It had been defeated, and completely at that. With a low growl and a face filled with regret, the huge body slowly started regressing to its original state, making the now frail Thomas reappear into this world. What was the most incredible was the fact that all the injuries healed up in the process.


    After a few minutes, he opened his eyes and pain invaded every cell of his body, making wish for a quick death, but what he saw shook him even more.


    Watching over him was the man that had shaken his core and beliefs, sending him on a new path.


    "You''re finally awake! Let''s go back to the village... You''ve caused quite a commotion this time around..."

 45 Speech

    Thomas could barely walk, and he had no memories except for the fact that his body had been hijacked by an unknown force and that he had been powerless, floating in the void. He couldn''t see, feel or do anything, but he could tell that his body had been through hell and back just now. He hoped that he hadn''t caused a lot of trouble...


    Meanwhile, Derrick was ecstatic, to the point of puzzling even Thomas who ran through various scenarios where he had caused trouble. After all, he had woken up in a small crater, stained with immense quantities of blood. Seeing his discomfort, Derrick laughed and patted his shoulder.


    "You don''t have to worry... The only thing that happened was you beating up your General and sending her to the infirmary..."


    Thomas''s face paled in an instant and lard beads of sweat appeared everywhere... What had he done!? Their General was someone so terrifying that everyone didn''t dare approaching her, and he couldn''t fathom what she would do in reprisal... What in the hell happened?! The smile smirk that had formed on Derrick''s face disappeared and made place for a warm smile.


    "Hahaha I''m messing with you! Well, that did happen, but her life isn''t in any danger. Plus, I think that she knows that you weren''t in control... And that''s why you''ll be an important piece in the future. Your training will become hell from now on, without the option to slack off. But first, let''s go see her condition. You did quite a number on her"


    Thomas was gingerly walking and kept beating himself inside. Even though Derrick had tried reassuring him, he still did a horrible thing... He hoped that he hadn''t left permanent injuries.


    After a few minutes of walking, they arrived at Lacha''s house where a large contingent of soldiers were stationed. When they saw Thomas, their eyes expressed fear and respect. They didn''t know what happened, but they knew for sure that this guy had a monster deep inside him.


    Without stopping, they cut through the crowd and entered the small house. In the bedroom laid Eloise, wrapped up in bandages. She was asleep and Lacha was by her side, monitoring the situation. She hadn''t been able to heal all the injuries due to her novice healing skill, but it had still prevented any injuries to last permanently.


    "I see you''ve done a good job Lacha. Thank you"


    With a small pat on her back, Derrick stayed at her side, which made her slightly blush. She wasn''t very tall and Derrick''s build was impressive, on top of his handsome features. She felt safe by his side, which made her develop feelings that hadn''t been present before.


    The ashamed Thomas was hanging in a corner of the room, appalled at what he had done. His General had been more than simply beaten, she had been wrecked mercilessly!


    Anyway, it didn''t concern her and her only task was to tend to her injuries, so she hadn''t pestered them with questions.


    Seeing that the situation was stable, Derrick convened a gathering with the new villagers and Akata''s populace. He had to make sure they would blend in effortlessly or factions would appear, and he knew that issues would arise in the near future. Even though his primary goal was to take revenge, he figured that building something that would last way past his death would be fulfilling. His second chance had been for the sake of revenge, but he intended to use it for much more.


    ***


    The large gathering of people looked impressive. Everyone mingled, and they asked questions as to where they came from and their story. They quickly realized that they had one thing in common : they were all refugees that had fled their homelands.


    Skeptics of Derrick''s behavior asked about the living conditions to the natives, and they were all surprised when they were answered with scorn.


    "How dare you doubt our King? I admit that he came in brazenly and without warning, but he has treated us with respect! He''s also giving us work and food is guaranteed. Also, our children will have the chance to go to school for free! If that isn''t benevolence, I don''t know what is... Such privileges are unheard of, even in the Empires"


    The folks from the Yamato village couldn''t believe it, and neither could Moira and Julio. There was a school here?! Where the hell did they get a Scholar that would agree to come here?


    Before they could inquire some more, Derrick appeared at the center stage of the town square, followed by a dwarf, a grizzled old man, a properly dressed and aged man and Lacha, which had introduced herself when they had arrived.


    The passionate stories and talks instantly died down, waiting for the address of their new ruler.


    In front of the scene, Derrick could only be proud. Such a scene would have been inconceivable a few months ago, but here he was, with his plans well underway. Before he started his speech, he asked the system for an update regarding the progression of the village.


    [Akata Village]


    [Level : 2]


    [Population : 2197]


    [Soldiers : 160]


    [Funds : 0 gold]


    [Tax : 0%]


    [Institutions : Forge, Military Quarters (50% completed), School (In progress)]


    [Mood : 80/20]


    The mood had fallen, but it was expected. In fact, it was even better than his predictions, which made his already jovial mood even better. His financials were still in the toilet and there still no way to collect any tax, but he had gotten what he wanted in the end.


    With such an influx of people and a new weapon that would be make his army renowned throughout the lands, the future could only be bright from here, if he didn''t slip up...


    After getting back his bearings and gazing at everyone below, his voice was heard.


    "Welcome, citizens of Yamato, to your new home! I know that I convinced you to leave your homes with the idea of revenge, but fret not, because the day will arrive. After a long and tiring journey where some of you even lost close friends, I can finally tell you that your new lives begin. Ones where you won''t be persecuted and one where your purpose isn''t as shallow as simply earning money. Behind me are the wind of change you''ve all been waiting for. Let me present them to you!"


    While turning and pointing, he continued.


    "This is our master Blacksmith, Fomamli. As you can see, he is a dwarf. I know, I know... Some of you are on edge when seeing other races, but in this town, we respect each and every individual, no matter their background. If you see an incident of blatant abuse, feel free to report it to the higher ups. Closing that topic, you''ll be able to order custom-made products there, if you have the materials of course. We are planning to sell some later, but that''s a discussion for another day. Next is Jack, the supervisor of our construction teams. He leads and directs the groups that will be responsible for building your houses. Since most of you are able-bodied and ready to work, you''ll either be assigned to farming or construction. Now, this fine gentleman is our Scholar that will be teaching your kids, William. The School isn''t opened yet, but please bear with me"


    Now that he had arrived at Lacha, a smirk suddenly appeared on Derrick''s face. A nefarious idea had just crossed his mind, and Lacha felt a shiver run through her body. While taking a more domineering tone, he took her in his embrace and resumed, surprising her.


    "This is my first wife, Lady Lacha. When I''m not around, she is in charge of the affairs of this place. She is also a healer, which means that if you have any sort of ailments, feel free to contact her"


    His smirk grew wider and what he said next made all the Yamato''s villagers gasps, including Lacha.


    "Also, my second wife, Lady Moira, is in attendance! She is new to this place, so please show her the same respect"

 46 Update

    Moira, who was in the crowd, froze. That shameless bastard! He had publicly announced that she was his, and now that it was out there, there would be no way to refute it...


    Her skin turned fiery red, and she shot murderous glances at Derrick, who didn''t back down and kept smirking maliciously. He knew that a woman with that amount of pride would never accept being tied down to a man, so he had gone the way of claiming instead of earning.


    He still refused to completely involve himself emotionally, but he was determined to get all the beauties the world had to offer. Just imagining a palace full of these women made him slightly blush. Dying had really changed him...


    Julio, who was standing next to his daughter, silently sighed. He was against his little girl being forced into a relationship, but Derrick had already stated that he wouldn''t touch her and would never force her to do anything she disliked, so there was no real reason to fervently oppose the relationship.


    On top of this, the necromancer was excessively strong, meaning that she will never come into harms way. In a sense, it reassured him a great deal. She wasn''t getting any younger, and she hadn''t found any interest in the men of Yamato. Getting a husband at this stage would relieve the burden imposed on his lineage if she came to accept Derrick. Overall, the situation was plenty satisfying.


    The murmurs had exploded throughout the newcomers, wondering when the Miss had eloped with the man, making her blush in anger and embarrassment. She was hell-bent on making him pay for this affront.


    Derrick loudly coughed on the stage, bringing back the focus to himself.


    "Now that you''ve heard of our current and future facilities, I hope you''re more inclined to follow me wholeheartedly. I do not demand anything except the best version of yourselves. Together, we will usher a new era on this war-ridden land, and we will take back our dignities. I sincerely hope that the residents will help the new folks settling in! Oh, and before I forget, there''s one person missing on this stage. It''s the General of the army, Eloise. She is currently indisposed and will present herself later. Everyone is now dismissed"


    He turned around and left the platform with the group, leaving behind an excited crowd.


    "Jack, give me a report on the current progress you''ve made"


    "Your Highness, we''re right on schedule. We are halfway done with the Military Quarters and will start the school afterwards"


    "Great! Gather new workers from the new arrivals. We need to make more habitations"


    "Yes Your Highness. Also, our food supplies are starting to be stretched thin and our farming lands will soon not be enough to supply everyone. May I have your permission to clear more lands and expand in the forest?"


    Derrick pondered a bit before answering.


    Derrick quickly ran through his mind and found the location of the Iron mine located to the south of Akata.


    "How long would it take to build a three kilometers long road?"


    Jack''s face contracted weirdly at the request, as if his stomach had just been turned upside down... His King really was someone that was unreasonable to the extreme! While crunching the numbers in his head and trying to take every variable into account, he finally spoke.


    "Your Highness, I believe that with all our teams on deck, we will achieve it in a week. However, it will be very crude and there won''t be any defenses protecting it from monster''s attacks"


    Derrick realized how demanding he was, but it was vital for the development of this town. They needed raw materials to modernize every sector, be it farming, weapons etc.


    He wasn''t worried about the security of the road because he would be accompanying the miners himself, and he would bring soldiers to stand guard over the mining site. A few sheds would be built for lodging and food would be sent via carriages to supply the stocks.


    "It''s fine, set up the plans. Now, Fomamli, how about you? Has your progress been smooth?"


    The dwarf, which had remained silent, shined with pride when he was asked the question.


    "Yes Master! I''ve been steadily improving and completed the 150 sets of Iron armor. They are ready to be deployed on the field. I''m now slowly making my way through the bronze sets"


    Derrick was pleased with the results. He had heard of the tournament organized by Eloise, and had found his subordinate quick-witted. He had only given her vague instructions, letting her imagination figure out the implementation. However, Thomas''s awakening as a Berserker had ruined it, leaving the results hanging. He would have to ask Atta to conclude the exercise and determine the winners while Eloise recovered.


    "William, I assume you''ve been inquiring on which students you would be taking in?"


    "Yes. I''ve already chosen the first class of students that will benefit the most from my teachings and I can''t wait to get started! It has been too long since I''ve really felt useful"


    "I''m happy you feel that way. Well, you can go your ways now. I''ll be eagerly waiting for results"


    With a bow, they dispersed, leaving behind Lacha and Derrick.


    "I''m sorry for making you work from home... Once everything is done, I''ll make you a proper workplace like the others..."


    Lacha lightly laughed. It appeared that Derrick was a self-conscious fellow.


    "Don''t worry... As long as I can help people, I''m fine"


    "Don''t say that... If people see me neglecting my wife, what will they think of me?"


    He winked at her, and she slightly blushed, before hitting him out of nowhere, which confused him.


    "A new wife uh?"


    Derrick''s face twisted when he heard the remark... He had forgotten the stunt he had pulled earlier. The concept of polygamy was new to him, and now that he was confronted, he had to say that his heart was still not used it.


    "You wouldn''t be jealous, would you?"


    After getting back his composure, he replied, sure that this would divert the topic of conversation.


    Under the attack, Lacha''s face flushed red, incapable of replying. Was it really jealousy? She hadn''t even slept with the man, even though they were proclaimed husband and wife.


    Seeing her reaction, Derrick giggled.


    "Please watch over her. She''s quite unruly, and your patience might tested"


    Lacha nodded and before leaving her side, Derrick gave her a kiss on the forehead, freezing her in her tracks.


    Ah... He was such a troublesome person...


    ***


    After tasking Atta with Eloise''s responsibilities, Derrick finally had time to think for himself.


    First, he had to train Thomas personally. He was sure that nobody in this place had knowledge on Berserkers, which meant he would be in charge of drawing its utmost potential. Such a trump card couldn''t be neglected, and he knew the amount of damage it could inflict.


    Second, finances. The end of the month drew near, which meant a payday of 500 gold coins from Brigand. Of course, this implied he had to craft weapons to sell at the auction.


    Third, expansion of the territory. The core of the town was slowly solidifying itself, and they would soon have to go outwards, requiring soldiers guarding the workers clearing the forest.


    After thinking a bit, he smiled and had a brilliant idea. Why not combine the first and second step together? There was nothing like hunting monsters to awaken the beast inside him...

 47 Truth

    Derrick returned to Lacha''s house, where Thomas still laid beside Eloise, filled with remorse. It appeared that the ex-thug was fragile underneath all the acts of toughness.


    When he saw the necromancer return, his face brightened, hoping he had come back with a way to treat the remaining injuries of his General. When he saw his good intentions and worry, Derrick smiled.


    "Don''t worry about her... She will wake up in three days tops. Us, on the other hand, have some work to do. We''re leaving right now and I''ll explain on the way"


    Derrick left the room, leaving behind a puzzled Thomas. It wouldn''t do him any good if he tried to rack his brain around the sudden request, so he followed suit.


    They continued together and soon entered the thick forest. At that point, Thomas started having a clearer picture of what would be asked of him. It certainly had a connection to the mysterious power that dwelt inside him. They continued in the unexplored wilderness for a few hours before finally coming to a halt, and Derrick turned around to face him.


    "I''m sure you''ve already guessed, but we are indeed here for you and what you represent. I''m also probably the only one in Akata who has knowledge about your condition"


    Derrick took in a short breather before continuing.


    "When I arrived at the battlefield, I was shocked by the strength you demonstrated, and I knew that you would be an important part in the future plans of the town. Your training will now be held by me¡­ And let me be clear, you will suffer pain that you cannot fathom..."


    Thomas shuddered. He almost felt malice in Derrick''s words, but he wasn''t surprised that these intentions could be conveyed by a man to whom killing was akin to breathing.


    "However, once it''s over, you''ll become a man so strong that your name will resound throughout the lands, and legends bearing your name will be born. You will have the power to protect those you care about. I remember the despair you expressed when I killed your friend¡­ Do you want to feel that way again? Do you want to simply crumble on the spot when a challenger presents itself?"


    Derrick paused and saw a torrent of pain invade Thomas''s body. The scene was still vivid in his mind, with Derrick''s arm drenched in blood and the disbelieving face of Yannick, unbelieving of what had just transcended.


    Nevertheless, the thing that haunted him even more was the amount of regret he had seen in his friend''s eyes¡­ The regret of not being able to live a second more, the regret to not have enough strength to change his faith.


    There was only one thing that could change such a situation : power. Power so imposing that people would feel terror at the mere mention of it.


    While gritting his teeth and clenching his fists, Thomas got down on one knee while looking at Derrick''s feet.


    Derrick inwardly jumped in joy. He knew that for the process to be effective, every part of the body, mental or physical, had to function at 100%. As a bonus, he finally gained a qualified sparring partner. It wouldn''t help him advance in the magical domain, but tempering one''s body was always a sure fire way of gaining power.


    "Very well, let''s start! Before we throw ourselves in the lion''s den, you need to know what you are. On this continent, there are users with various abilities. Sorcerers are such examples, but there are also those who are despised, to the point of having to hide themselves to prevent public outrage and avoid the Empires'' persecution"


    An eerie befell the surroundings and Thomas, which had remained on one knee with his head down, looked up again, only to meet an oppressing feeling of fear. A few steps away from him was a huge half-eagle, half-bat creature that stared him down with its glowing red eyes and black beak.


    There had been rumors claiming that Derrick had tamed creatures to do his bidding, but the facts had apparently been warped, as the monster didn''t give off any signs of life. To further his theory, its composition resembled more black miasma than actual flesh. It was a terrifying, but fascinating sight.


    With Thomas''s curiosity aroused, Derrick smiled.


    "Your guess is correct. That''s my companion named Io, and it''s technically dead, making me a Necromancer. I know people think that everybody of my kind is a monster, and they''re probably right to an extent, but it doesn''t apply to me. Anyway, I just wanted to show you another class that existed among the lot"


    Thomas was stunned by the revelation. Necromancers were depicted as scum so filthy they deserved a merciless death. In a sense, it was normal for the populace to be weary of such abilities, as even in death they weren''t safe. Before he could wildly speculate on his origins, Derrick continued.


    "As for your case, you are what''s called a Berserker, a monster that loses its rationality when you fight with your life on the line. From the information I''ve gathered during our little ''spar'', it seems you possess an alter ego that will take over once reaching a critical point. Your fighting prowess and physical abilities are all enhanced, transforming you into a murdering machine that will rampage leisurely"


    Thomas, who was still reeling from the previous revelation, was struck down once again. He had to say that the information did coincide with what happened to him, but a Berserker!? Really!? It was the first time he had heard of such a thing.


    "Luckily for us, I''ve managed to subdue that part of you. It will not attack nor endanger the citizens or soldiers that''ll fight beside you, so do not worry needlessly over such matters"


    Once this was clarified, Thomas felt a great deal of pressure leave his shoulders. Eloise still heavily weighed on his mind, and even though he had promised Derrick to fully commit to the upcoming training, the slight possibility of him losing himself and injuring his comrades had crossed his mind.


    Now that his countenance was better, it was time to get this show on the road.


    "Io, scan the surroundings"


    The beast lowly growled in compliance.


    [Echolocation in progress¡­ 568 entities have been found in a radius of 20 kilometers. Would you like to display them?]


    "Yes"


    His mind shuffled and a tridimensional view formed, littered with pulsating red dots of various sizes. The ability of Io had already evolved once, increasing the level of detail and information that Derrick could access. The sizes of the dots indicated the strength of the opponents.


    After deliberating a bit on which course of action he should undertake, Derrick shook Thomas out of his thoughts, and they both started moving. The next two weeks would be the most hellish training Thomas had ever been through...

 48 Another Visi

    When they came out of the forest, Derrick looked refreshed. Training in the wilderness for two weeks was easy and way more forgiving than the cave he had been in. However, one could not say the same for Thomas. His clothes were in tatters and his face was dulled by wariness. He looked like someone that had come back from the dead. Nevertheless, these two weeks had fundamentally changed him, and he couldn''t wait to show his might on a battlefield.


    It had been very fruitful for Derrick as well. All the monsters they hunted gave materials that could be used, and he hadn''t wasted his time. There was a lot of equipment stashed in his magical pouch, and he couldn''t wait to show them to Brigand. They would gain a lot if his reputation soared.


    There was something else that really excited him. Today, his three institutions would be completed! The Forge, the Military Quarters and the School would all be opened, marking a new milestone for the town. Next would be the roads to the mine, which would occupy a major part of his schedule, so he planned to leave for Terra tonight. With that in mind, he took out his communication token.


    "Sir Brigand?"


    "..."


    That old geezer was really terrible with magical equipment!


    "BRIGAND!"


    "AHHHH! Who''s this?!"


    "I''m going to make you retire if you don''t remember in the next three seconds¡­"


    After a second, a raucous laughter resounded from the trinket.


    "Hahaha Sir Derrick! It has been a moment since we last spoke. I guess you''re calling about our agreement?"


    "Indeed. I have weapons ready to be auctioned"


    "Great! I was waiting for you to hold another one"


    "Excellent. I will be arriving tonight, and I was hoping that it could be held tomorrow. I have some shopping to do afterwards"


    With the major influx of funds, Derrick wanted to purchase a large amount of weapons from Brigand and re-visit the Slave Market to see if he could buy an Enchanter.


    During the previous two weeks, he had really thought about the priorities he should pursue, and military strength was definitely at the top. He couldn''t be caught with his pants down, and enchanted weapons would solidify the foundations of his army.


    "Arrangements will be taken"


    The two men ended on that note, and he put the small token back in his pouch.


    Derrick and Thomas kept walking and arrived in the town, which had considerably changed. The outskirts had developed and no longer looked like slums. People recognized Derrick and bowed whenever he walked past them. They gave looks of reverence so deep that one could mistake Derrick for some kind of divinity. In contrast, Thomas only received looks of pity when people noted his wretched appearance, and he found no reason to fault them. Just thinking about what he had gone through sent shivers down his spine.


    "System, assign the role of Minister to Jack"


    [Role assigned successfully! Bonus of 10% to the speed of managerial duties]


    Jack wouldn''t know that he had received the acknowledgment of Derrick, but it didn''t matter as long as he kept doing his job well.


    The news that the duo came back had spread and Lacha soon appeared on the horizon, with Jack, Eloise, Fomamli and William. Derrick had left without giving them much of a heads up, but nothing major had occurred, so they could all now sigh in relief. The first one to speak was naturally Lacha.


    "You''ve been gone for a while Your Highness. Please properly tell us beforehand next time¡­"


    There was a hint of frustration in her voice that was instantly picked up by the necromancer, which awkwardly apologized. He was used to doing what he wanted when he wanted, which would happen less and less the more the town grew. He couldn''t flee his responsibilities any longer.


    Next to him was Thomas who eyed Eloise from head to toe, and when he noticed her sharp gaze land on him, he immediately got down on both knees with his head to the ground, begging for forgiveness. Eloise could barely control her surging laughter and instantly dismissed Thomas, who left right away to go take a much-needed bath. His mind had been troubled from time to time, but now that he confirmed the well-being of his General, he could finally be at peace.


    "Jack, I hope everything is built? Also, congratulations on the modernization of the installations"


    Jack puffed his old chest in pride. He knew that his Lord would notice his hard work.


    "Your Highness, everything is ready to be inaugurated. We were simply awaiting your arrival"


    "Very well. Don''t forget, now''s the time to start the roads. William, your classes will begin tomorrow. As for you, Fomamli, are the armors complete?"


    It was the dwarf''s turn to lift his chin up in the air, proud of what he had accomplished! It was now time for him to forge a weapon that would engrave his name in history. Of course, it was in the plans of Derrick when he would shop in Terra.


    "Eloise, I assume that Atta has completed the tournament and that the divisions are formed?"


    "Yes Master. You''ll be quite proud of what they have become. You should have seen the faces of the winners when we told them that they could be challenged at the end of every month. It was a sight to behold, and it roused the spirits of the losers as well"


    She giggled a bit. This woman truly enjoyed tormenting her fellow soldiers.


    "I''m glad everything worked out! We will inaugurate their new living space and I''ll let you distribute the prizes. I think they''ll be quite excited by the craft of our Blacksmith"


    By the end of their conversation, they had arrived at the new Military Quarters, and Derrick had to say they exceeded his expectations. The barrack''s walls were made out of stones and their roofs, out of wood. They had rows of equally separated windows that gave them a charming look. Once he entered, he saw the abundance of space and the lined up bunk beds. His inspection lasted a few more minutes before he left the site with the group in tow. The vast plains now resembled proper training grounds, and he hoped to add new facilities soon.


    The School was a similar success, and he had no complaints whatsoever. The new life of his people could finally begin.


    ***


    He was once again flying with Io under the cover of the night. The inaugurations had been a smashing success, and even Moira and Julio attended. They no longer looked as wary as before, which Derrick considered as massive progress. Before leaving, he had properly told Lacha that he would be departing, recalling the episode where he had been scolded. His face blushed a little. Little did he know that the woman already held a cherished place in his heart.


    With his coffer soon replenished, it would be time to go on another spending thrift!

 49 Auction

    Derrick arrived at Terra in the evening and was welcomed by the same carriage he had previously taken. The chauffeur recognized him and gave him a warm smile. Alma was nowhere to be seen this time around.


    After a short trip where he took in the majestic sight of the city, he arrived at the Auction house and was lodged in a luxurious room. It was slightly better than the one on his last visit and while unpacking, his butler apologized on Brigand''s behalf, as his master couldn''t meet him due to work. They would catch up tomorrow before the Auction.


    Derrick didn''t mind much and simply went to bed, readying himself for what would be a tumultuous day¡­


    ***


    When he opened his eyes, the sun was already brilliantly illuminating the entirety of the room. He lazily took three quarters of the King size bed, unwilling to get up and get on with his day. To be fair, he couldn''t do much without money.


    When he settled on going back to sleep and wake up later, a loud and repetitive knocking sound interrupted him.


    "Sir Derrick, my Master is ready to see you!"


    With a sigh, he left the comfortable fabrics and dressed up. He kept pushing back the construction of his house in Akata, but when the mine would start its operations, it could stop being delayed. There was still so much more to do that his inner fire started burning violently. His determination was unwavering, and he would do whatever it took to achieve his goals.


    The butler, named Pablo, didn''t lead him to the usual room, and instead brought him to a study where Brigand sat to a huge wooden desk. It looked exquisite and was made of oak, with lions carved in its structure. The details were astonishing and it looked more like a sculpture than an actual piece of furniture.


    The burly man seized Derrick and smiled while welcoming him to a seat in front of him. It appeared that Brigand wanted to conduct business in a formal manner, and the necromancer didn''t mind as he had a few demands of his own.


    "It has been a while, Sir Derrick. The auction will happen tonight, and I can assure you that the goods you sell will fetch an even better price. Our previous commotion seemed to have awakened the interest of several hidden parties, and they will participate. Fret not, I can guarantee your anonymity"


    After speaking, he swiftly pulled out a pouch and laid it bare in front of Derrick. Gold coins fell out and shone on the smooth surface of the desk.


    "The 500 gold coins I owe you"


    Derrick gulped. It had been a long time since he had been in possession of such a sum, but he controlled his urge of immediately grabbing it.


    "Could you keep it and grant me a line of Credit instead? I would like the previous arrangements. I''d also like to discuss a transaction with you"


    "It''s possible. What would you like to buy?"


    "Weapons. Which quality do you offer?"


    The big man stroked his chin and seriously searched his memory. He was no stranger to Derrick''s expansionist plans, and he had no intentions of ruining a future business venture. After a few moments, he spoke.


    "I can offer you Iron swords and standardized bows. They are used in every army of this Empire. However, the price won''t be cheap as I''ll have to cover the details of the transaction. Otherwise, large orders will definitely catch the attention of the higher-ups"


    Derrick could only admire Brigand''s business tactics. The man had taken in consideration every part of the equation, allowing him to be greedy and thoughtful. Calling him a genius was almost selling him short of his abilities.


    "That''s one of the reasons why I wanted a line of Credit. I need 200 Iron swords and 50 bows. How much?"


    "With the privacy surcharge, it amounts to 50 silver coins per sword, which totals 100 gold coins. As for the bows, they are pricier since their technology is more advanced. They also come with a quiver of 20 arrows. One bow costs 1 gold coin, meaning the total transaction equals 158 gold coins, including my 5% fee"


    Ah¡­ So expensive! Derrick''s heart was in turmoil¡­ Every time he had access to money, it vanished. He almost thought he was cursed. However, he needed to bite the bullet. It also made him appreciate his Blacksmith skills even more.


    "Great, I''ll take them. Now that this is concluded, would you like to see what I''ve brought?"


    The eyes of the merchant shone. That was what he really wanted to see, and he had somehow managed his impatience until now.


    Without further ado, Derrick opened his magical pouch and neatly arranged the weapons in front of Brigand, who seemed to be having a stroke caused by delight. After tonight, he was sure that his establishment''s name would spread far past Terra¡­


    ***


    Derrick was comfortably seated in front of the tainted glass, sipping a delicious glass of wine. His heart loudly thumped, excited by the prospects of finding something that would allow him to progress on the path of necromancy.


    Once again, his butler stood in a corner of the room like a statue, imperturbable. The only time he had spoken was to ask if Derrick knew the rules, which the latter had confirmed.


    The gallery below was slowly filling itself, with parades of well-dressed nobles flaunting their wealth. After all, such an event was a show of ones social standing. Derrick inwardly sneered, dismissing these "threats".


    The true powerhouses were next to him, and from what Brigand knew, the depths of their pockets were unknown. However, Derrick wasn''t too worried. The line of Credit he had been granted by Brigand had flabbergasted him, but after a brief reflection, it had made sense. The last two weeks had really been productive.


    After a few more minutes, the gallery was at max capacity and the lights dimmed. The red curtain covering the stage parted, revealing a beautiful woman wearing a tight blue dress. Of course, Derrick remembered her. While seductively glancing at the crowd and showing her plentiful curves, her clear and pretty voice resounded throughout the space.


    "Hello everyone! My name''s Jacqueline and I''ll be your host tonight. May the Auction begin!"

 50 Egg

    A beautiful cart rolled on the stage and arrived next to Jacqueline, who was all smile. Her seductive posture and her dress made the men gulp in desire, to the dismay of their wives.


    Before the start of the auction, Brigand had told her that it would be a special event, and that she would get a nice bonus if her performance was adequate. What could be better than raising the temperature of the room with an alluring woman? After posturing for a few more seconds and sensing murderous gazes, she finally spoke.


    "To kick off the event, we''re presenting this item!"


    With a delicate swoop, she removed the cloth and a large crystal the size of a fist came into view. It was crimson and its radiance was almost blinding. Its edges were rough, indicating that it hadn''t been tampered with.


    The audience, which had been captivated by the hostess, cried out in surprise at its sight. What an amazing opener. The eyes of many nobles shone with greed, ready to snatch it at all cost. After letting the tension build up a little more, Jacqueline continued.


    "This is a Blood Ruby. As you may already know, the formation of such crystal requires immense bloodshed, with their sizes varying accordingly. This one was excavated under a battleground that saw 5000 lives perish. They are extremely rare and can be used to forge and enhance weapons. The starting bid is 100 Gold coins!"


    The crowd was already at its limits and as soon as the price was announced, a furious bidding war unfolded.


    "150!"


    "You poor bastard, crawl back in your hole! 250!"


    "What did you say?! 300!"


    The gallery, who had been inflamed by Jacqueline, exploded like a powder keg, with insults flying in every direction. The previously dignified nobles were now no less different from a bunch of rabid dogs.


    However, the steep increases abruptly stopped when some realized that it was only the first item. They had clearly fallen into a stupid over bidding pattern, and they could only lower their heads in shame. In the end, it was sold to a VIP lounge for 430 Gold coins, making Derrick wince.


    He wasn''t interested in the item as he could find every material he needed, but the price was absurdly high for the first item shown. He had underestimated the resource''s depth of those attending.


    This time, the cart that arrived was huge and the cloth covering the item resembled more of a drape. Murmurs started like a wildfire and the anticipation quickly built up. The first item hadn''t disappointed, and people couldn''t wait to see the follow-up.


    With another graceful movement, Jacqueline removed the fabric, revealing an egg. It was 60 centimeters high with a circumference of 70 centimeters. It was creamy white with black freckles randomly spread. These freckles seemed to have a different texture, similar to scales. Instead of excitement, confusion filled the room. What was this?


    "I was shocked as well when the nature of the item was brought to my attention. For the first time in its existence, the Brigand Auction house is proud to present a DragonSnake Egg"


    Gasps came out from everyone. This was an incredible development! So much so that people started discussing their financial ceiling, ready to cripple their near future to obtain it.


    What was a DragonSnake? In one of his favorite books, Derrick had extensively learned about these fantastic monsters. Like its name suggests, it is a hybrid between a Dragon and a Snake. It''s a creature that, when born, will associate itself with the first face it sees. It will then become its protector, classifying it as a Guardian Beast. Of course, its real value lies in the fact that it contains genes of a Dragon, a mythical creature so rare that some Scholars ruled them extinct.


    Dragons apparently ruled over the continent when it was in its infancy, occupying the apex of the ecosystem. Legends say that they were so strong that a single breath of fire could wipe out dozens of kilometers of land. Terrifyingly huge remains of these beasts had been discovered, supporting these tales.


    This was why everyone wanted it. Even if the DragonSnake bloodline only contained a trace of draconic gene, the investment would pay for itself. Its long-term benefits far outweighed its detriments.


    Now that he knew what was at stake, Derrick''s eyes couldn''t move away from the cart. Even though he had creatures under his control, he wanted to study the egg with the System''s help. With that thought in mind, he asked the most important question.


    "System, can we isolate the two bloodlines and purify them?"


    [Host''s demand exceeds the System''s current ability. Upgrades are needed to answer the query]


    At that moment, adrenaline rushed into his bloodstream. His heart nearly jumped out of his chest, realizing the implication of the answer. The system hadn''t refuted him¡­ Which meant that it was possible!


    If everything went right, he would be able to hatch Dragons!


    Derrick broke out into a sinister laughter, which caught the butler off guard. Pablo barely understood what was going on, but to suscitate such a reaction was something he hadn''t seen before.


    Jacqueline''s voice brought Derrick back from insanity. Her next words poured a bucket of cold water on everyone in the room, himself included. There was always a catch to a deal this good.


    "The Egg is 400 years old, and its last owners haven''t been able to make it hatch. However, through various methods, they have been able to determine that its fetus is still viable, waiting for the proper stimuli. The price starts at 500 Gold coins!"


    The nobles in the gallery below had already sat down, morose that the egg probably would never hatch. They wouldn''t gamble their entire lives on a chance so slim that it barely qualified to exist. After all, the current owner was probably selling it to recoup some of his major losses.


    The pressure emitted by the VIP lounges also decreased, with some of them having no interest in a decorative toy.


    Derrick''s resolve slightly wavered when he heard about the egg''s condition, but he couldn''t be deterred in the end. He had the System on his side and the possibility of hatching Dragons was simply too alluring.


    He would get it no matter the cost.

 51 Hard Work

    "500!"


    The audience turned their attention to the modified voice that came out of Derrick''s booth. To throw away such a sum for something that was no more than a decoration meant that this personage must be quite extraordinary. When they were about to discuss his potential identity, another voice was heard.


    "550"


    Its nonchalance perturbed everyone, including Derrick. Was the other party bidding simply out of boredom?!


    While clenching his teeth, Derrick continued.


    "600"


    "650"


    "700"


    "750"


    The gallery below was getting more and more restless. The amount of wealth thrown back and forth made them shake with excitement. This was the true power they craved.


    Meanwhile, Derrick''s face became quite unsightly. His gamble was becoming extremely expensive. Of course, he could recoup the losses with his crafts, but they were time-consuming and required rare materials.


    After another minute, the price had already reached 1050 Gold coins.


    "Pfffttt¡­ What an overpay¡­ Thanks for the entertainment"


    The other voice was filled with contempt, looking down on the fool that probably ruined himself in order to pursue a pipe dream. The other interested parties had immediately let go when the item crossed the thousand mark, signaling the end of the sale.


    Derrick was fuming in anger. He was pleased by the outcome, but being looked down upon didn''t sit well with him anymore. He was stronger than his previous weak self, so it was time to bite back.


    "Imagine talking when you can''t even cough up such a paltry sum¡­ Go back to your farms, peasant"


    Absolute silence pervaded the hall and sharp intakes of air were heard. Who was this party to say that an amount like that was insignificant?!


    Violent pressure burst out of the VIP lounge, clearly angered by Derrick''s provocation. It definitely wanted him to kowtow and apologize for his insolence by displaying its strength. Derrick was still sitting in his chair, now uncomfortable. It appeared that they were indeed quite strong, but it was nothing he couldn''t handle. With a scoff, he continued.


    "Losing your tamper in a public venue? Are you simply a spoiled brat that hasn''t been taught manners?"


    He couldn''t back down, or he would lose face. Even though he wanted to remain anonymous, building up a mysterious reputation would most-likely grant him benefits down the road.


    Seeing the degrading situation, Jacqueline seized control and redirected all the attention to her.


    "Dear Guests, may I remind you that those who do not respect the rules of our house will be barred from future events. Please behave yourselves"


    The pressure that had enveloped Derrick vanished, relieving the nobles below as well. They hadn''t been the targets, but the surrounding pressure greatly affected them.


    The Egg was delivered to his room, and he immediately placed it in his pouch. He would now wait for the auction to unfold, satisfied with his purchase.


    ***


    "Who''s that insolent bastard on the other end?!"


    The young master was furiously pacing around the room, followed by a grizzled attendant who was trying to calm him down.


    "We are investigating his origins, please be patient¡­"


    "I''VE NEVER BEEN DISRESPECTED BEFORE! I WANT HIS HEAD!!!"


    The unruly man reached out and grabbed a costly bottle of wine, before throwing it against the wall. It created an explosion that even splashed the assigned butler that stood in a corner of the room. The butler was muscular and 6''5" tall, and he released an aura of oppression that he could barely hide. For the first time since the start of the auction, he raised his head and looked into the eyes of the young master. It sent shivers throughout his body.


    The latter sat down again and ruminated alone, rejoicing at the fact that he would unleash all his displeasure on the unknown party that had dared insulting him¡­


    ***


    The auction moved along nicely, with a few interesting items that Derrick would have bought if he wasn''t so poor. He once again swore that he would establish a flourishing economy in Akata to finally start collecting taxes. He couldn''t always be limited in his expenditures.


    The intermission arrived and Jacqueline told the guests that it would last 10 minutes. It was time to go get refreshments or more funds if they wanted to participate in the latter half of the event.


    The excitement Derrick felt was palpable. It was time to see his hard work pay off. Suddenly, he felt a pair of nefarious eyes on him.


    "I should''ve known they wouldn''t just let the matter go???"


    Derrick lamented a little before smirking. The cubicles were protected by strong magic that prevented parties from identifying each other, but it wouldn''t stop the truly motivated fellows. The necromancer couldn''t be bothered by the probe since he already knew that it was doomed to fail. Brigand assured him that he wouldn''t be found out, which could only mean one thing.


    As suddenly as it arrived, the feeling disappeared. Alma had most-likely found and silenced the threat. Derrick admired her, as she truly was gifted.


    He couldn''t help but wonder about the other party''s faces when they would learn of the unfortunate event¡­


    The pause ended and Jacqueline once again walked unto the stage, still dazzling in her tight dress.


    "It''s time to unveil the main attractions and to present what you''ve most-likely been waiting for! There will be 3 sets presented, so keep that in mind"


    While saying her cue, a neatly dressed butler came from the backstage, armed with a spear and a large rectangular shield. Their appearances were mesmerizing and their details indicated the work of an expert. When he was next to Jacqueline, she pointed her slender finger in the air and two magical screens appeared, showing the descriptions of the items.


    [Ravenous Spear]


    [Grade : Rare]


    [Attack Power : 17]


    [Ability : Transfusion (Will transfer 5% of the target''s power to its wielder. The empowerment will last for an entire day. Cooldown Timer : 7 days)]


    [Description : Carved from the bones of a Ravenous Snake]


    [Ravenous Shield]


    [Grade : Rare]


    [Defense Power : 19]


    [Ability : Reflection (Reflects 2% of the strength of enemy attacks, magical or physical. Cooldown Timer : None)]


    [Description : Made out of a Ravenous Snake''s skin and hardened muscles]


    The VIP lounges once again emitted their pressures, but in a much more forceful manner. They had heard of last auction''s premier items, but they had remained doubtful. It had seemed farfetched at best, but now that they saw it for themselves, they would do anything to get their hands on them.


    The entirety of the Auction house was in an uproar and Jacqueline let the tension build up once again, before continuing the presentation.


    "This is the first set. The price starts at 500 Gold coins!"

 52 Trivial

    "600!"


    "700!"


    "800!"


    "1000!"


    The VIP guests, who had remained silent until now, engaged in a barrage of bids that left the gallery beneath flabbergasted. They were nobles and yet, in this instance, they looked like poor commoners that didn''t belong. Some felt ashamed, but the only thing they could do was clench their fists in defeat. If they could somehow get their hands on such fantastic weapons, their rankings would soar, but alas, reality was a cruel mistress.


    "1200! Please give face to the Merchant''s Association. We will owe you a favor"


    "I knew you were here, old geezer! I don''t need your favor because the Army Consortium is winning this one. 1400!"


    "Hoho¡­ Old men trying to show their financial wealth¡­ Have you forgotten about the Jewel Company? 1600!"


    Everyone''s faces paled. They couldn''t clearly identify the voices, as they were distorted by magic, but if what they were what they claimed, it was terrifying. These powerhouses were the pinnacle of Terra. Their influence in the city was only lower than its Official, and some even debated that fact. They were organizations established in multiple cities, controlling their respective markets. One would have to be ignorant to not know who they were.


    Meanwhile, Derrick was ecstatic! His empty coffers would finally be restored.


    ***


    The young master was also frantically trying to outbid his competitors, but gave up when the bid reached 2000. Even though he was up against powerful organizations, he didn''t seem fazed at all. There were two more sets that could be better than this one.


    "Still no news of the bastard?!"


    With an irritated tone, he questioned his attendant who shook his head. It was highly unusual to lose contact like this, especially in a closed environment like an Auction House.


    "Fucking failures¡­ I''ll get one of those weapons and when I learn his identity, I''ll crush him under my feet like the shit he is¡­"


    ***


    "2100!"


    After the bid, nobody else spoke. Even though the equipment was amazing, paying such an amount was nothing to scoff at, particularly for only one set. The bid had been placed by the party claiming to represent the Army Consortium. Their ranks counted many talented soldiers, which was why it wasn''t surprising that they disbursed a lot for the items.


    Jacqueline spiritedly called the winner, happy of the enthusiasm generated. She was surely going to get her bonus!


    With a clap of her hands, the armed butler left the stage and another one came up.


    This time, however, the well-dressed butler was equipped with two long swords. Just like the spear before, they were also made of bones. Their appearances were eerie and a faint aura of blood-lust could be felt. The blades, expertly carved and polished, seemed able to cut air itself and the hilt had lions engraved.


    A magical screen appeared and silence pervaded the hall.


    [Dual Sanguine Swords]


    [Grade : Rare]


    [Attack Power : 20]


    [Ability : Madness (Allows its wielder to block all fear and emit strong blood-lust in a radius of 300 meters, hampering enemies. Will last for a period of 6 hours) Cooldown Timer : 3 days]


    [Description : Carved from the bones of a Red Locust]


    The already stifling pressure increased. The ones that held out had been right. These weapons were even more amazing than the last. A zoning ability useful against entire corps? Its usefulness was mind-blowing.


    Why was Derrick selling these powerful armaments? At first, he wanted to limit the strength of his future opponents, but he realized he had been naive. Right now, if the Empire wanted to crush him, he wouldn''t be able to do anything. His current strength was inconsequential to the behemoth. Plus, he was the craftsman. His skill would continue to improve and when time was ripe, he would craft perfect gear for his most important soldiers and generals.


    When the description came into view, the Army Consortium gritted its teeth. Not because they felt regret over their earlier purchase, but because the playing field would get even more ferocious going forward.


    They represented a lower army branch of the Krakow Empire, which meant that their resources, seemingly boundless, were in reality limited. They would have to pray for the others to fold before they did.


    "I''ll skip the pleasantries and announce the price right away! The starting bid is 600 Gold coins. Begin!"


    Jacqueline''s pleasant voice resounded through the hall and another heated battle begun. However, to the dismay of the hostess and Derrick, the ones bidding were the nobles located in the gallery. What the hell was going on?


    After a few minutes, the price reached a meager 1400 Gold coins, which was still an impressive amount to fork over for a ''lower'' noble. The VIPs had yet to bid, and when Jacqueline was about to call the winner, a thunderous voice broke her mid-sentence.


    "2500!"


    The bid shocked the audience, and they couldn''t figure out why they had madly increased the price. Some thought it was to eliminate the smaller players and test out their opponent''s wallets, which was a sound strategy. Nevertheless, it didn''t matter to Derrick and Jacqueline, who were both reinvigorated by the development.


    The party who broke the stalemate was the Merchant''s Association, and a second breath was instilled in the bidding war.


    "2700!"


    "2900!"


    "3000!"


    The price soared quickly and Derrick''s heartbeat was frantic. His second and most pressing issue was being resolved right in front of him!


    After another minute, the price stagnated at 3500. It was the Army Consortium''s bid. The tension was heavy and the pressure emitted had steadily increased. No one would back down from this fight, but the set had apparently reached its maximum value.


    Jacqueline announced the winner and the hall burst into an uproar. The sums handed out were simply astronomical!


    She clapped her hands again and the butler left the stage.


    The crowd was anxiously waiting for the next items. Since it was the last set, the restraints were off and it would surely be an all-out brawl.


    With a light snap of her fingers, a fully geared soldier appeared on the stage. To everyone''s disappointment, the armor he wore looked ordinary. It still looked great, but it lacked the ''wow'' factor that had pleased everyone so far.


    Seeing their reactions, Derrick snickered.


    "Foolish¡­ Never judge a book by its cover¡­"


    Jacqueline also had a smirk on her face, and she pointed up to the air above her, where the magical screen changed.


    [Trivial Armor]


    [Grade : Rare]


    [Attack Power : 1]


    [Defense Power : 1]


    [Ability : Once donned, its wielder''s force will be increased by 10%. Cooldown Timer : None]


    [Description : Unknown]


    Derrick had hidden its description because he didn''t want to reveal any clues regarding its crafting process. His chest even tightened in discomfort. Giving away such an amazing item was stupid, but he needed money more than anything else right now.


    The crowd was still confused after reading the small text. What did it mean by ''Force''?


    Derrick had, of course, given an explication to Jacqueline so that she could clarify its property. With her soothing and excited voice, she began.


    "''Force'' means your everything, be it strength, agility, vitality, magic¡­ Everything that is naturally part of you will be increased!"


    Wait¡­ Is she talking about your life expectancy? Nah.¡­ Can''t be¡­ Right?!


    A painfully low voice asked what was on everyone''s mind. With a big smile, Jacqueline replied.


    "Yes!"

 53 Scrutiny

    The confusion disappeared. Everyone instead looked like rabid dogs that would even sell their families to acquire the armor. Who wouldn''t want to gain extra years of life? Even the people in the lounges, who had somehow managed to remain calm, erupted when they heard the news.


    They weren''t like the nobles below. As soon as the armor appeared, they knew that such an item wasn''t simple.


    What Derrick didn''t expect was what would result in presenting the item.


    Almost unanimously, every VIP ordered the investigation of the faction selling the goods. They tolerated the other items, but things that could extend their lifetimes would be pursued no matter the costs.


    To Derrick''s great fortune, Brigand had anticipated the reactions and taken counter-measures. Jacqueline promptly made an announcement.


    "Dear Guests, there is also an instruction left by the seller. If people inquire about his identity, he''ll simply never present such goods again. He knows about their importance, which is why he prefers giving you a friendly warning first. Finding him would net you no benefit at all"


    The pressure in the room, which hadn''t reached its climax, increased. The seller was either courageous or stupid. They were the most powerful organizations in Terra and its surroundings. They weren''t taking orders, they were giving them.


    However, in this situation, everyone knew that if the other party vanished, they wouldn''t have another opportunity at buying these products. They were sure the quality offered right now ranged in the lower secrets of the Krakow Empire, and normally, they wouldn''t be able to obtain these things.


    While grumbling and expressing their frustrations, everyone recalled their spies. They would have to wait the end of the event before acting.


    Meanwhile, Derrick sat in his chair sweating bullets. He hadn''t considered the aftermath, and he would have to sincerely thank Brigand for his foresight. It was still way too early to be a known entity in the Empire.


    "Now that everything''s been said and explained, let''s begin. The price is set to 1000 Gold coins!"


    The Army Consortium could only bow in defeat. Their harvest was plentiful, with the two previous sets in hand, but they had to say they would gladly exchange them for the one currently on stage. They would have to bring more funds next time around.


    "3000"


    Right off the bat, the first bid was spectacular, tripling its original value. The bidder was the Jewel Company, which seemed to be represented by a woman. They had finally showed their fangs. A starting bid that high raised some eyebrows, but the other VIPs knew that its true value laid in the fact that the item didn''t have a cap. In other words, the armor grew with its wielder!


    "4000"


    "5000"


    "6000"


    Derrick wasn''t surprised by these new heights anymore. After the last bid, he realized his hands were made of gold. If he stayed careful and maintained his cover, he would be the bank of Akata till it could be self-sufficient.


    "8000"


    It was the Merchant''s Association''s bid and it seemed nobody else would be able to top it. It was the first time an Auction had generated such ludicrous amounts and the event would surely be spread throughout the city.


    Derrick would have to leave tomorrow night, or he would be facing intense scrutiny. He wasn''t so naive as to believe that Brigand was omnipotent. He had bought him enough time to leave unarmed.


    Jacqueline called the final transaction and bid farewell to the audience, saluting the now sour parties that couldn''t get their hands on what they coveted.


    Derrick calculated his gains and almost chocked on his saliva. He earned a staggering 12 892 Gold coins! He had a hard time fathoming the amount, but he couldn''t be more excited for the shopping that would happen tomorrow.


    ***


    Merchant''s Association''s Lounge


    "Investigate the party with our best spy. I don''t want them to suspect a thing. If we lose the lead on such a talented craftsman, I''ll personally hold you accountable"


    The fat man gave a sinister look to the bowing soldier in front of him, who gulped in response before hurriedly leaving.


    ***


    Jewel Company''s Lounge


    "Try appealing to Brigand first and see if he''ll give us the information. If not, I want a profile on every participant. If we can recruit someone that talented, our company won''t only be limited to this region"


    The graceful and mature madam patted the shoulder of the young man next to her, who blushed at the contact. He would succeed in the task, no matter what.


    ***


    Army Consortium''s Lounge


    "Inform the Official. A craftsman that talented can be dangerous if he falls into enemy hands. Order our top spies to tail everyone that exits the house. I want to be informed of everything, even if it seems irrelevant"


    The man was muscular, tall and had a neatly shaved beard. His face riddled with scars invoked a sense of respect of whomever spoke to him. The kneeling soldier nodded and left.


    ***


    The young master was trashing around the room, completely forgetting the butler standing in its corner.


    "HOW DARE THEY STEAL ALL THE ITEMS FROM ME! I AM THE YOUNG MASTER OF THE YUTIO FAMILY! THEY SHOULD GROVEL AT MY FEET AND ASK FOR FORGIVENESS"


    The attendant was panicking. He had seen the dangerous glimmer in the butler''s eyes. His patience was clearly running thin.


    "Young Master, don''t worry. We will surely find out the identity of the party that insulted you, and you''ll be able to blow off some steam"


    It was a last ditch effort to calm him down, and to his relief, it worked.


    With a humph, the young man sat down and got his temper in check.


    However, a knocking sound once again disturbed him. A soldier entered the room and immediately kowtowed at his feet.


    "Young Master, we found our spy¡­ He''s dead"


    In a snarl of anger, the young master got up and flipped the small table next to him. The butler left his spot, ready to do his job¡­


    ***


    "Cheers!"


    When Derrick entered the study, Brigand had already started drinking, completely overwhelmed by tonight''s success.


    "I''m happy as well, but¡­"


    Derrick''s tone brought the festive man back to earth. He knew what he wanted to say.


    "I agree that the success was too big. Spies are probably crawling everywhere, taking notes. Nevertheless, I told you I would protect you, so I obviously have a way out that''ll be unseen!"


    The necromancer was surprised. Exiting this place anonymously would be quite tricky.


    Seeing the doubt in Derrick''s face, Brigand laughed loudly.


    "Brat, you''re too young to question my methods"


    His cheeks were getting redder by the second, clearly affected by his consummations.


    It was Derrick''s turn to laugh. The merchant was right, and he had never disappointed him so far.

 54 Shopping V.2

    In a room were a man sitting on a large throne and a soldier, discussing in the middle of the night.


    "An Auction with an Armor of that caliber? That''s interesting¡­"


    The striking blue eyes of the man narrowed. This was indeed a tricky situation. As the Official of Terra, such matters had to be handled delicately, or they would reveal precious information. He spent a few minutes pondering, and finally turned his gaze back to the soldier who was still on one knee with his head down.


    "What''s the situation in the City? How far has the information spread?"


    "My Lord, it has already spread everywhere. We couldn''t silence these nobles without arousing suspicions, so we didn''t want to act without your accord"


    "Good¡­ We can''t expose ourselves. Do you have any information on the seller?"


    "So far, we have no information and it appears that the Auction House''s owner is keeping it under wraps"


    "Oh, who is it?"


    "Brigand Lancaster. He is a very influential merchant that has built himself quite the reputation. He has never committed crimes and operates according to regulations"


    "I understand the gist of it. Revealing the identity of such a fantastic source of revenue would set him back a lot¡­ Hmm..."


    He pondered for a few more minutes before coming up with a plan.


    "Invite this merchant here. We have much to discuss¡­"


    ***


    After a night of festivities, Derrick groggily woke up. Even though his body didn''t necessarily need sleep to maintain itself, it was a habit he didn''t want to let go. He was a firm believer in the fact that a well-rested body always performed better.


    The necromancer looked at the window and sighed. Dawn was barely rearing its head, which meant shops were opening their doors. This would be his last day in Terra, which meant that he would be extremely busy.


    During their celebration, he asked Brigand to leave in a good word for him at the Slave Market. He didn''t have much time, so he had to make the most of it. It would be his last stop of the day, as he couldn''t simply bring his slaves shopping. He also arranged transportation to avoid unwanted looks.


    On top of this, Brigand had already prepared his weapon''s order and earnings, which Derrick promptly placed in his pouch. The man worked amazingly fast.


    Derrick got off the bed and dressed himself. However, before leaving the room, he started listing everything he needed. He wouldn''t come back for a while, so forgetting anything would be a major set-back.


    Second, machinery. Akata didn''t have the expertise to manufacture their equipment, and until they did, they would have to rely on foreign aid. The fields he wanted to prioritize were forging, construction, farming and mining. To Derrick''s knowledge, these were the four vital points of a new emerging town.


    Third, transportation. With roads being built and materials being excavated, coaches and carriages would be needed. They only had a few shabby ones, and they were unsuitable going forward. He was unsure on how to bring the expertise back to Akata, but he had to try.


    Fourth, expertise. His last trip of the day was to the Slave Market, and he hoped to find high potential seedlings that he could develop. He would also look at the lower levels now that he could evaluate the potential of everyone he came in contact with.


    With his planning over, Derrick grimaced. He made a fortune, but he also needed a ton of things¡­ Did he really have enough?! He sighed once again and braced himself for disappointment.


    ***


    He arrived in Brigand''s study and found the man agitated. Derrick could only assume that last night''s repercussions had already made their way to the merchant.


    "What happened?"


    "The Official summoned me. I must report in two days¡­ But I was prepared. Still, it doesn''t feel good!"


    The burly man awkwardly laughed and straightened his chic clothes.


    "Anyway, are you ready to leave? Alma''s been monitoring the entire night and the place is still crawling with spies"


    Derrick felt a bit sad that he hadn''t seen the elf. He wanted to tease her, but it seemed it would have to wait till his next visit.


    "Yeah. I have some shopping to do before leaving tonight"


    Derrick briefly paused before continuing.


    "We won''t see ourselves for a while. I don''t want your heart to stop because you''re under too much pressure haha"


    The necromancer lightly laughed, trying to defuse the tense atmosphere. The burly man smiled in response, understanding the attempt. Even though their relation was mostly professional, it still felt good to be looked after.


    "Don''t worry about me! I''ve been through much worse"


    Brigand reached out in his pocket and took out a small item before giving it to Derrick. It was a blue ball that had three silver rings revolving around it.


    "It''s a low-range teleportation device. Crush it and you''ll be teleported in a dark alley at the outskirts of the city. There shouldn''t be anyone near you, so you won''t be bothered. It''s a one-time use trinket, so you can dispose of it afterwards"


    Derrick was in shock when he heard the description. Teleportation was actually a thing? He really underestimated the possibilities of magic. Wait¡­ That also meant there were more advanced type of teleportation devices.


    Before his mind went crazy with possibilities, Brigand coughed, waiting for his guest to leave. He had a lot of work to do.


    "I''m sorry¡­ I lost myself for a second. Farewell, Brigand"


    "Can''t wait for your next items"


    Brigand''s last word drifted in Derrick''s ears as he crushed the sphere. Everything happened quickly, and he appeared in a dark, filthy alley. The merchant really understated the dirtiness of this place! No wonder why it was deserted¡­


    He hurriedly left, scared that the awful smell would stick to his black cloak. After locating his position, he was happy to find out that he was near his first stop, the Resources Factory.


    It took him a few minutes to arrive and when he did, his expression changed. The decrepit establishment looked even worse, with the sign barely holding on. It appeared that his last purchase hadn''t managed to stave off the problems of the owner.


    He entered and was met with an even poorer sight. The previously clean floor was a mess, with materials littering the ground.


    He took in a breath and called out.


    "Elder Kuro, are you here?"


    It took a minute before the short old man appeared. He looked defeated, with his previous dignity shattered and his already deep wrinkles even deeper. Stress had taken a massive toll on his life.


    The old man recognized Derrick, and a brief glint of joy appeared in his eyes. However, it was instantly replaced by regret.


    "I''m sorry Young Man. I won''t be able to help you today¡­ I will be closing soon and I do not want you to be associated with my problems"


    Derrick could hear the sorrow in his voice. Kuro clearly wasn''t resigned to his fate, but he had to accept it.


    After a few seconds, Derrick''s eyes narrowed and a smile appeared on his face. His new idea might just work...

 55 Sector

    "Elder, what if I had a solution for you? From the look of things, you''re clearly not ready to give up on this business and you seem to love it"


    The bent old man instantly straightened himself and his previously morose attitude changed into one of fervor. Of course he wasn''t ready to let go! This was his entire life. He didn''t work in pursuit of wealth, but because he loved it. That passion had been transmitted in his family from generation to generation, and he wasn''t an exception.


    However, he had to calm himself before inquiring about the offer. If that youth could really solve his problem, his identity might be shocking. He couldn''t risk offending another party or it would really be his end.


    Now that he had his attention, Derrick carefully thought of his next step. He couldn''t seem desperate, and he had to be firm enough to not be seen as a pushover.


    "Elder Kuro, what are your thoughts on moving your shop?"


    Kuro nearly chocked when he heard what came next.


    "How could I ever think of moving?! My entire lineage has always done business in this city, even throughout the wars. Our blood and sweat are the foundation of this establishment"


    The old man was clearly annoyed at the question of Derrick and the latter now had to be a bit more forceful. He couldn''t let such a chance go to waste.


    "With all due respect, your shop has already been tarnished enough. Look at the state of this place¡­ It''s deplorable¡­ I know it''s not your fault, but you have to accept that your entire family''s legacy will fall at this rate. Everything you''ve worked for will be for naught! Can you accept that?!"


    The heavy words hammered the old man who nearly stumbled. He had never been spoken to like this before, and he wanted to beat Derrick to death with his cane, but reflected on what he just said.


    His outraged expression slowly changed into one of sadness¡­ He was right. He tried mending the relationship with the person he offended only to be completely struck down. That was the greatest shame of his life.


    Derrick left him a few moments before continuing.


    "I want you to move to my town. Before you decline, here''s what I''m offering : exclusivity to two mines, one of which is iron and the other copper. We are currently building roads to the iron deposit and will begin its exploitation momentarily. You will be the first Materials Shop in the town as well, which means you''ll have a monopoly. Of course, I plan on including more shops, but not in the near future"


    The old man was surprised by all the benefits. The costs of acquiring mines was astronomical, and his current shop was only relying on the scraps they left behind. On top of this, since the incident, he constantly struggled to meet ends. If what Derrick said was true, he had the obligation to consider it.


    Kuro replied in a nonchalant tone, trying to mask his interest.


    Derrick couldn''t help but smile. This old man truly was shrewd.


    "We presently have 2200 citizens, but I haven''t started our expansion just yet. I plan on increasing that number to 15 000 by the end of the year. As for the future mining sites, an auction system will award them. The companies will be capped to four sites to avoid creating monopolies"


    Kuro was surprised that the necromancer thought so far. It appeared he was serious in his endeavor, which made the offer all the more attractive. The only downside was the population, but if his projections, which looked insane, were to come true¡­ He wouldn''t have to worry about the survival of his shop anymore, and he could do what he loved!


    It also favored Derrick as he was wondering about whom to put in charge of the mining sites. He could kill two birds with one stone.


    After fainting a deep reflection, the old man sighed and shook his head.


    "It appears I do not have a choice¡­ If I continue on this path, I will be forced to close in a month. I agree!"


    He presented his wrinkled hand and Derrick firmly shook it, hiding his excitement. He had never considered that he would be able to bring a whole sector to his town. However, the only materials that would be replenished would be iron and copper, so he had to quickly find mines with different ores to diversify the alloys that would be available.


    "Pack everything in your shop and meet me at the entrance. We''re leaving at sundown tonight"


    The old man nodded. It wouldn''t be a big deal to put everything in a magical pouch.


    Derrick left the shop with a gigantic smile. He hadn''t spent a single coin, and he had already made his biggest acquisition so far.


    He left the outskirts of the city and proceeded towards the center. It was time to buy machinery!


    The luxurious shops looked amazing and Derrick felt his heart clench. May the God of Wealth have pity on him!


    He finally stopped in front of a sign that read ''General Tools \u0026 Co''. The shop was sleek and clean, with its white marble shining with the rays of the sun.


    It wasn''t specialized, but Derrick had to buy equipment for construction, farming, mining and forging. He had to buy in bulks, and he hoped that would allow bargaining.


    He entered and was welcomed by a mature woman that wore a tight black dress that exposed her voluptuous cleavage. This was clearly a tactic to boost her sales and Derrick wouldn''t fall for it.


    She eyed him from top to bottom and smirked. The man only wore a black cloak that was made of poor materials. He was clearly a country bumpkin that didn''t know his place.


    "Please leave the store. You do not have the means to afford our products"


    The sheer arrogance in which she said these words made Derrick fume. However, he had to control himself. Staying anonymous was his top priority. With a condescending tone, he answered her.


    "Bring me your catalogs on Farming, Construction, Mining and Forging. If you do not, I will ask another salesperson"


    The woman froze. Was this man more important than what he appeared? No, there was no way! This was clearly a delusional moron.


    "Please exit the store before I ask our guards to throw you out"


    She had a vicious smile on her face and it appeared she wouldn''t back out. The commotion attracted the gazes of various passerby and Derrick''s emotions were starting to get rampant. This bitch was courting death!


    "Fine, I''ll go see someone else in your store"


    "Didn''t you hear me? Get out this instant!"


    "What are you afraid of? I''m not threatening. If I''m truly as poor as you think, I will be thrown out either way"


    The woman harrumphed and her ugly smile grew larger. It would indeed be entertaining to see, so she let it go. Any idea of bargain had already left the necromancer''s mind. He wanted to humiliate her instead.


    Derrick hurriedly separated from her and scanned the floor before finding another woman. She was younger and seemed more pleasant to discuss with.


    He couldn''t wait to see the look on that wench''s face when he would pass his order...

 56 General Tools & Co

    Derrick approached the lady with determination, to the point where she was even scared. How was she supposed to react to a buyer that looked on a crusade?!


    Realizing he had come on too strong, Derrick relaxed and apologized.


    "I''m sorry Miss¡­ It''s just that your colleague mistreated me and said some harsh words¡­ I understand that my clothes aren''t exactly appropriate, but I swear I have enough to pay"


    The saleswoman understood and could only shake her head in disappointment.


    "You''ve had the misfortune of meeting Elsa¡­ She''s ruthless and only caters to rich nobles who visit our store. I''m sorry about how she treated you. My name''s Mira and I hope I''ll be able to fulfill your demands!"


    She respectfully bowed and Derrick couldn''t be more happy. Such a fine woman working here was a blessing. He had to maintain a good relationship to visit the store in the future.


    "I would like to see your catalogs on Farming, Mining, Forging and Construction. Would that be possible?"


    Mira was startled by the big demand, but happily obliged. She had no reason to doubt the customer''s words.


    Meanwhile, Elsa was sneering and had guards on standby, ready to throw out Derrick. Her vanity truly reached the heavens.


    Derrick''s fist were clenched, and he could barely control his emotions. He felt her gaze filled with contempt on his back and the only thing he wanted to do was slapping her. His previously loner and carefree attitude had clearly undergone massive changes since his rebirth.


    Mira took a minute before bringing four thick books, and she laid them on a counter, to which she invited Derrick.


    "Are you looking for Standard or Magical machinery?"


    Derrick pondered. He had a massive budget, but he''d rather preserve most of it for the Slave Market. However, he wouldn''t limit himself needlessly.


    "Show me both. I only want to see the basics for farming"


    Mira obliged and turned the pages of the Farming book. She finally stopped and Derrick read the information.


    [Magical Hand Sickle]


    [Grade : Uncommon]


    [Buff : Grants its wielder a bonus of 10% stamina]


    [Description : Made of enchanted iron]


    [Price : 1 gold coin]


    [Price for a non-enchanted version : 50 silver coins]


    [Magical Shovel]


    [Grade : Uncommon]


    [Buff : Grant its wielder a bonus of 10% strength]


    [Description : Made of enchanted iron]


    [Price : 1 gold coin]


    [Price for a non-enchanted version : 50 silver coins]


    [Magical Axe]


    [Grade : Uncommon]


    [Buff : Grant its wielder a bonus of 10% strength + 10% stamina]


    [Description : Made of enchanted iron]


    [Price : 5 gold coins]


    [Price for a non-enchanted version : 50 silver coins]


    [Magical Hoe]


    [Grade : Uncommon]


    [Buff : Grant its wielder a bonus of 15% strength + 5% stamina]


    [Price : 2 gold coins]


    [Price for a non-enchanted version : 50 silver coins]


    [Magical Pickaxe]


    [Grade : Uncommon]


    [Buff : Grant its wielder a bonus of 10% speed]


    [Description : Made of enchanted iron]


    [Price : 1 gold coin]


    [Price for a non-enchanted version : 50 silver coins]


    Derrick was excited when he saw the prices and their effects. Sure, they were expensive, but he wasn''t restrained anymore! To acquire machinery, he allocated a budget 2000 Gold coins, which he split evenly across the four sectors.


    "I''ll take 50 magical pickaxes, 100 magical hoes, 20 magical axes, 50 magical shovels and 100 magical hand sickles"


    Mira froze and thought she heard wrong. If her math was correct¡­ This was an order of 500 gold coins, for farming tools?! She thought it was a misunderstanding and sought to straighten out the situation. Maybe he hadn''t read the prices.


    "Dear customer, are you sure? This order amounts to 500 Gold coins"


    Derrick understood her skepticism. After all, even large farms weren''t in need of so many tools. He took out his magical pouch and started going through it. After a few seconds, he brought out a large bag containing 2000 gold coins, and he placed it next to the saleswoman who was now petrified. Who was this man to casually take out this much wealth?


    The smug Elsa was no more. Her eyes were wide and her entire body continuously shook. She had just turned away a monstrous customer¡­ The guards next to her were in shock as well, dispersing before they could be associated with her nefarious plans. They didn''t want to lose their jobs over this incident.


    Derrick smirked and threw her an evil look.


    "That''s right bitch. You turned away a whale!"


    After enjoying her disbelief for a few more moments, he turned back to Mira, who still couldn''t believe what was happening.


    "I''m sorry about the commotion Miss. Could we please continue?"


    Mira snapped out of her daze and a beautiful smile came on her face. This was the sale of her life!


    She proceeded with the Mining book and asked the same question. However, Derrick wanted to see real machinery this time around. After all, mining would be the sector that would propel Akata''s economy forward. The pages stopped flipping.


    [Magical Mining Pickaxe]


    [Grade : Rare]


    [Buff : Grant its wielder a bonus of 10% speed + 10% strength + 10% stamina]


    [Description : Made of enchanted steel]


    [Price : 10 gold coins]


    [Price for a non-enchanted version : 1 gold coin]


    [Rails]


    [Grade : Common]


    [Buff : None]


    [Description : Made of iron. 1 kilometer of length]


    [Price : 10 gold coins]


    [Enchanted Mining Cart]


    [Grade : Rare]


    [Buff : Guaranteed stability + Load of up to 500 kilograms + Speeds of up to 50 KMH]


    [Description : Made of enchanted iron]


    [Price : 25 gold coins]


    [Price for a non-enchanted version : 1 gold coin]


    [Enchanted Shaft Mining Elevator]


    [Grade : Rare]


    [Buff : Guaranteed stability + Can carry up to 1500 kilograms (~20 miners) + Speeds of up to 10 KMH]


    [Description : Made of enchanted steel]


    [Price : 100 gold coins]


    [Price for a non-enchanted version : 50 gold coins]


    Derrick''s blood was pumping! This was what he wanted to see. These were the things that would exponentially increase his revenue stream.


    He took a minute to calculate everything.


    "20 magical mining pickaxes, 10 kilometers of rails, 4 enchanted mining carts and 1 enchanted shaft mining elevator"


    Mira furiously noted the order and continued. Next came the forging equipment.


    Derrick already had experience in this field, so he ordered more furnaces and tools to increase the productivity. He would have to find more blacksmiths at the market.


    Finally, it was time to buy construction tools. This was the other domain that Derrick wanted to pay close attention to. He couldn''t have Akata fall into ruins because of his poor planning skills. He carefully read the description of each item.


    [Enchanted Circular Saw (Wood Model Only)]


    [Grade : Rare]


    [Buff : Enhanced Stability + a bonus of 10% productivity]


    [Description : Made of enchanted steel]


    [Price : 25 gold coins]


    [Price for a non-enchanted version : Nonexistent]


    [Enchanted Circular Saw (Stone Model Only)]


    [Grade : Rare]


    [Buff : Enhanced Stability + a bonus of 10% productivity + 10% strength]


    [Description : Made of enchanted steel]


    [Price : 100 gold coins]


    [Price for a non-enchanted version : Nonexistent]


    [Ladders]


    [Grade : Common]


    [Buff : None]


    [Description : Made of iron. Maximum height of 15 meters]


    [Price : 1 gold coin]


    [Construction Kit]


    [Grade : Common]


    [Buff : None]


    [Description : Includes hand saw, hammer, chisel, measuring tape and trowel. Made of iron]


    [Price : 1 gold coin]


    "I''ll take 4 enchanted circular saw for wood, 2 enchanted circular saw for stone, 100 ladders and 100 construction kits"


    With everything in order, Mira asked the guards to carry the large bag of gold while Derrick awaited his order. The woman chirpy and couldn''t stop smiling. She was sure this sale would net her a promotion.


    Elsa, who still couldn''t believe her eyes, slowly walked to Derrick, hoping to mend their relationship. She didn''t care about her pride if it meant getting back a huge customer.


    "Sir, I was mistaken earlier¡­ If you don''t mind, would you please give me your name?"


    Derrick''s smile only grew larger. The previously haughty woman looked pitiful, but he knew it was all an act. She was as despicable as it gets.


    "No. Your colleague is the only one who had enough decency to treat me well. Now scram"


    The forceful tone made the woman drop the act, and she cursed Derrick before walking away. She couldn''t alienate an important customer or her job would be in danger.


    Mira came back with a new magical pouch and handed it over to Derrick while bowing and profusely thanking him.


    "My name''s Derrick Tarlin. I hope you''ll still be here when I come back!"


    He left the store, leaving the young maiden wondering where this rich young man came from.

 57 Demands

    Derrick left the shop in a better mood. He had gotten everything he desired and still had a staggering 10 892 gold coins. He also had the pleasure of humiliating a wench on top, which was the cherry on top. His next step was to solve his issues of transportation.


    He roamed around the street and delved even deeper towards the center of Terra. It appeared carriages were in high-demand for such a prestigious location. The thought of him spending way more than his budget crossed the mind of Derrick, and he had to say he was scared. He wanted the lion''s share to go towards obtaining more subordinates.


    After a walk that lasted a few minutes, he came in front of a large establishment that had its private street. It was gorgeous, with large french windows and marble columns. A large sign, carved in what seemed to be red oak, hung above large iron doors.


    "Moving Lux \u0026 Co. ¡­ Seems like I''ll have to rethink my budget¡­"


    He stepped on the red carpet that led to its entrance and was amazed by the sight greeting him. It was a gigantic showroom, with all their models on display. He could see all types of vehicles, from utility to luxury, from work to pleasure. There was even a counter at the near end that boasted it could personally build your dream transport.


    Derrick had to say he was a little overwhelmed. He didn''t expect this industry to be so prosperous.


    A freshly dressed man noticed the newcomer and politely greeted Derrick. He didn''t judge the necromancer by his appearance, which spoke volume of his experience. He had seen every type of noble, and he wasn''t fazed by someone wearing a cheap black cloak.


    "Greetings, Sir. My name''s George. How may I be of assistance today?"


    Derrick didn''t waste time and went straight to the point.


    "Can you show me utility carriages? Either magic-powered or manual, it doesn''t matter"


    George obliged and led Derrick to a black counter. He couldn''t identify the material and it piqued his curiosity.


    The salesman saw his interest, but didn''t indulge him. After all, they weren''t here to discuss materials.


    He took out a large and pristine brown ledger and turned its white pages until it arrived to the section Derrick was interested in. He then turned the book around and presented it. The information was neatly displayed and realistic drawings accompanied them.


    [Basic Enchanted Merchandise Carriage]


    [Grade : Rare]


    [Maximum Speed : 20 KMH]


    [Load Capacity : 500 kilograms]


    [Description : Made of enchanted iron and comprised of a magical core powering its four wheels]


    [Price : 250 Gold Coins]


    [Price for a non-enchanted version : 50 Gold coins (Doesn''t include the horses)]


    [Advanced Enchanted Merchandise Carriage]


    [Grade : Rare]


    [Maximum Speed : 30 KMH]


    [Load Capacity : 700 kilograms]


    [Price : 500 Gold Coins]


    [Price for a non-enchanted version : 100 Gold coins (Doesn''t include the horses)]


    Derrick was flabbergasted by their capacities. The mining operations and overall activities of Akata would be greatly enhanced. Without pausing a beat, he immediately placed his order.


    "Do you have 2 basic enchanted merchandise carriages and 1 advanced one?"


    George was taken aback, but promptly nodded. He didn''t think this customer would disburse such a sum.


    Derrick was pleasantly surprised by the prices. They weren''t trying to rip an arm and a leg.


    "I''ll take them"


    A smile appeared on the salesman, and he waited for Derrick''s payment, which arrived shortly after. A sale of this magnitude wasn''t extraordinary, but it was still a decent payday.


    George went to the back and brought a magical pouch containing the merchandise. After a short inspection, he satisfyingly left. He hadn''t solved his expertise problem, but he could always ask at this next destination.


    Once outside, he was met with a suffocating heat indicating that half a day had already gone by. It was time to finally go back to the Slave Market.


    ***


    After he passed security and entered the hideous building, Derrick found the familiar first floor that was still filled with people. He had to say he would probably never get used to a scene like this.


    His first step was to find cheap slaves to fill the new mines. Even though they looked devoid of emotions, he hoped that offering them freedom after a period of time would reignite their will to live. If it didn''t, he would simply have free labor. It was a win-win either way as he needed population.


    His first reflex was to go towards a seller of orcs. They had great bodies and their strength were incomparable to humans. They would make great miners.


    "System, use Potentus on this group of orcs"


    [The assessment is in progress¡­ Done! There is no individual that will reach the Master level in any domain]


    He was a bit disappointed, but he couldn''t always hit a jackpot.


    The slave trader noticed his interest and approached him.


    "I see you''re interested in this group hehe¡­ There are 40 orcs in total, all adults. They sell for 1 gold coin each"


    It was a short and fat man with crooked teeth. While talking, he spit a few times in the direction of Derrick, which simply wanted to break his neck. He was plainly repulsing.


    "They are malnourished. 30 Gold coins in total, take it or leave it"


    The necromancer was interested, but only for the right price. Moreover, even though he had transporting accommodations, there was a limit.


    The fat man grimaced at the reply, but he couldn''t deny the observation. With the unnatural strength of orcs came their large appetites. Feeding them decent meals would quickly bankrupt any trader, which was why they were cheaper than other races.


    After reflecting a bit, the trader finally agreed. He had to get rid of his ''stock'' while there was still profit to be made.


    Derrick shook his potty hand and paid him. He told him he would come back later to finalize the contract and take them away.


    This was a great start, and he continued looking on the floor, scanning various groups. Alas, it was in vain. Nobody had hidden potential. It seemed like the traders easily recognized talented individuals.


    With a sigh, he headed to the fourth floor, meeting the extra layer of security.


    He arrived in the large hall with a single central counter. Yankov was still sitting behind it, writing in his black ledger. He heard the footsteps and lifted his head. When he saw the young man with golden hair and green eyes, a smile crept on his face. He clearly recognized Derrick.


    Without even waiting his arrival, the small man spoke.


    "How can I help you Mr. Tarlin?"


    "It seems like you remember me, so I''ll cut to the chase : Enchanters and Researchers"


    "Budget?"


    Derrick grinned at this sentence. There was no way he didn''t have the funds this time with 9862 gold coins remaining.


    "9000"


    Yankov chocked and his eyes were bigger than saucers. That was a ridiculous budget for slaves! Derrick also precised his demand.


    "Researchers for teleportation and transportation if possible"


    He had been greatly startled by the teleportation device and what its possibilities meant. It would be a game changer if he managed to acquire the technology.

 58 Specialists

    Yankov''s eyebrows creased when he heard the specifications. Now he understood the absurd budget. The man in front of him clearly had grand plans to ask for some of the most guarded secrets throughout the Empires.


    The small man coughed twice to gather back his composure and signaled Derrick to wait to the side while he went through the ledger. This order was the biggest of the year, so he prayed he could fulfill the request.


    After looking for a few minutes and doing some back and forth through the pages, Yankov''s expression greatly improved. It seemed like he had found something interesting!


    He noted the numbers and took out the metallic key from his drawer. He hurriedly walked forward and did the ''ritual'' in front of Derrick, who paid attention. The necromancer was fascinated by such a process and tried to understand it once again.


    However, to his dismay, he still fell short. It appeared that without the system, his current knowledge fell short by leaps and bounds. He would have to find a library to expand his horizons in the near future.


    When the trader was done, there were 15 people lined up. He turned around and came back to Derrick before presenting them all. He would do anything in his power to conclude this sale.


    "Dear Guest, your demands were high, but we luckily have something that can interest you. Let''s begin with transportation. We have three researchers that match your request. They are all humans, as you can see"


    Yankov presented three middle-aged men, and they all seemed to emanate wisdom. From a single glance, one could tell that they were experts in their field.


    Derrick was psyched, and he waited for the trader to continue, which he promptly did when he saw the interest of Derrick.


    "Due to their higher value, our evaluations are a bit different from the ones you bought last time. We consider them Grand Masters. They are priced 2000 gold coins each. Which one would you like?"


    He left Yankov''s side and arrived face to face with them. It was time to confirm whether they were worth his hard-earned money.


    "Potentus"


    [The assessment has been verified and confirmed. The individuals are currently Masters and can reach Grand Master status]


    Derrick was ecstatic! Even though they were super expensive, they were clearly worth their salt. 3 carriages had just cost him 1000 gold coins, which meant investing in a specialist would go a long way towards the development of Akata.


    As such, he chose the youngest researcher, and the middle-aged man left his peers.


    Yankov was inwardly celebrating. This was just too good to be true.


    "Great choice! The next products I want to show are Enchanters. We have 3 of them, 2 women and a man. They are all High-Elves, as they are the most proficient race with magic. We also consider all of them as Grand Masters. However, they cost 4000 gold coins each"


    He used ''Potentus'' once more and found the evaluations to be accurate. He selected a young maiden with green hair that cascaded to her waist and a slender physique. Derrick had to say that she was blessed with both talent and looks.


    Yankov''s good mood seemed to improve when he arrived at the last part.


    "Concerning Teleportation technology, there are very few researchers that manage to remain free. They are often forced into labor by the conqueror or even their Empire. We managed to obtain these researchers"


    Yankov pointed to the remaining 9 figures, which were from various races.


    "We can ascertain that they''ve partly worked on such secrets, but since they were second fiddles, they didn''t attract much attention. However, we believe that they are very valuable, and I think you do too, dear Guest"


    Derrick had to agree. He was surprised they even had people related to this demand. He had thrown it out there as a Hail Mary, and it paid off big time. However, he only had 3000 gold coins remaining, so he hoped that they weren''t too expensive. As if reading his mind, Yankov quelled his unease.


    "Since we cannot ascertain their knowledge, the price isn''t inflated. Each person here costs 3000 gold coins. You can consider it a lottery"


    The short man smiled and waited for Derrick to make his last choice. What he didn''t see was the terrifying smile on the necromancer''s face. Lottery? AH! With the system, this was as easy as picking grass off the ground.


    "Do your thing System"


    [Assessing the targets¡­ Done! One subject meets the criteria. Master with the potential of reaching ???]


    JACKPOT!


    He wanted to yell out in joy, but contained himself. If even the system couldn''t assess the future potential, how great would the benefits be in the future?


    The subject in question was, surprisingly, a goblin. It was small, skinny and had a long white beard, also sporting round glasses. It didn''t have any special aura and it looked like the least competent person of the lot.


    To avoid raising suspicions, Derrick took his time before finally making his choice, shocking Yankov. It was the first time the trader had seen this person make a ''blatant'' mistake. If only he knew¡­


    To Derrick''s regret, he hadn''t bought more blacksmiths, but his harvest was more than worth it. Fomamli would simply have to work harder...


    Yankov got three parchments and asked for drops of blood before proceeding with the binding magical formation. The same blinding light erupted and the three sheets entered the minds of the new servants. However, they seemed to be more resistant as they didn''t fall to the ground.


    [3 new individuals have been added to Host''s Interface]


    Derrick was impatient and immediately asked the system to show him his stats.


    [Derrick Tarlin, 16 years old (Body), 37 years old (Soul)]


    [Class : Necromancer]


    [Strength : 15]


    [Agility : 13]


    [Endurance : 15]


    [Vitality : 11]


    [Magic Power : 24]


    [Spells : Banshee''s Cry, Reaper''s Blade, Veil of Darkness]


    [Enslaved Subordinates : Eloise Tornomi (General - Human), William Enceworth (Scholar - Human), Fomamli Trollfall (Blacksmith - Dwarf), Merlin Trotz (Researcher - Human), Reyna Grandtree (Enchantress - High-Elf), Ylx (Researcher - Goblin)]


    [Traits : ???, Enhanced Body, Enhanced Vision, Death''s Valet, Gluttony, Aphrodite''s Blessing, Language Guru (Language Database)]


    [Skills : Superior Appraisal, Potentus, Contract (3/3), Summoning (3/3), Master Craftsman, Submission, Death Warrior (100/100), Empire Professionals (4/10) *Concerns the Scholars (1/2), Blacksmiths (1/2), Researchers (0/2), Generals (1/2) and Ministers (1/2)*]


    It had been a while since Derrick checked his stats and even though his progression slowed down, he was satisfied. He couldn''t reach the pinnacle of the world that easily.


    With everything concluded, Derrick left while saluting the bowing Yankov who couldn''t stop grinning. Today was worthy of a celebration and the trader would fully indulge in the pleasures of life.


    Derrick went back to the lower floor and claimed his orcs. Instead of parchments, the trader gave him a peculiar stone and said that whoever possessed the stone controlled them. Now he understood why Brigand didn''t seem to like these floors. The quality was indeed sorely lacking.


    The group was large, and he waited for multiple carriages to come and get everyone. The sun was already setting, so it was time to leave Terra. They proceeded towards the exit of the city where they met up with Kuro, who had his own personal transportation. The guards asked some question, but didn''t probe deeper. The caravan simply left, leaving behind hoards of unsuspecting spies that had let their prey go...

 59 Three Months

    Three months went by and it was now the end of the year. Terra was as bustling as ever, with troves of travelers shopping, dining and visiting. It was a beautiful city, even though it was at the bottom in terms of prestige in the Krakow Empire.


    Brigand was in his study, hard at work. While signing various documents, he remembered the meeting he had with the Official and shivered. It had been brief, but heavy. He was ''encouraged'' to reveal the identity of the seller, but hadn''t bent. After all, his reputation would be ruined if he acquiesced to their demand.


    As such, the Official simply mentioned that he wanted to directly buy the products when they were delivered, bypassing the auction. Brigand froze on the spot at the request. This would make him, the middle-man, redundant. His soaring fame would come crashing down like a castle of cards if he couldn''t sell any more of these weapons. He was a savvy businessman, and he realized the intent behind these words.


    Even if it put him at risk, he had to counter-attack. If he lost this opportunity, he wouldn''t be able to humiliate his treacherous family! As such, he offered a premium and permanent seat of the auction house and promised he would be the first party informed when the next batch of merchandise arrived. The merchant was banking on his reputation to make this proposal.


    The Official only smiled in response, and agreed in the end. It surprised Brigand. It was unheard of for such an important figure to meddle in the affairs of nobles, but it made sense when it came to Derrick''s equipment. Still, he couldn''t help but feel that something was amiss, so he warned Derrick to stay away.


    The latter had thanked him and gone silent since then. Brigand even thought that he fled, and he didn''t blame him. An Official was someone that you couldn''t mess with, no matter your status.


    "Brigand?"


    The trinket lit up in his pocket and the burly man nearly jumped in fright. He was on edge ever since that meeting because he knew he was under surveillance, which Alma later confirmed. He overworked himself relentlessly to forget about it.


    "Who''s that?!"


    "Hey, are you already senile? That was faster than expected!"


    A laugh followed and Brigand''s expression got better.


    "It''s been a long time Derrick. Glad to see you''re still alive and well"


    "How could I not!"


    After exchanging a few pleasantries, the necromancer went to the crux of the matter.


    "Remember that deal we had?"


    Brigand was surprised that he brought it up. Did he want to extend the duration to meet the requirements? At this point, the merchant would do anything to keep his golden goose happy.


    "Of course I remember it, is there anything new?"


    "I''ve met the conditions and I''m ready to expand our relationship!"


    Brigand''s tongue was tied. This meant he had at least 15 000 people under him¡­ This¡­


    Brigand composed himself and ran through the possibilities in his head. If what he said was true, that meant there was an emerging market practically untapped. It was money lying on the floor, ready to be seized.


    "What''s your current headcount?"


    If Derrick managed to achieve this ludicrous objective, it wasn''t far-fetched to think that he even beat it.


    "30 000"


    Brigand abruptly stood up from his chair and almost yelled in the small device. WHAT THE FUCK¡­ HOW? The man simply couldn''t understand how one progressed this fast. He also didn''t know how nobody seemed to be aware of such a development. A new city would be a big deal because they were supposed to be governed by Officials, not third-parties. Derrick was clearly an anomaly in the system.


    After calming himself, the merchant once again sat down and spoke.


    "What are you looking for?"


    Derrick smiled. He now had his full attention.


    "I want to open a giant market with imported goods. Everything you can get your hands on, I will take. I also want you to operate it. I''ll charge a fee of 10% on every sale you make, but you won''t have to pay for the location that''ll be in the center of the city. You''ll be the first, but definitely not the last. Interested?"


    Derrick''s proposal was concise and directly to the point, which Brigand appreciated. As for the offer, he was obviously going to take it. However, he needed more information.


    "Can I send Alma? She''s familiar with my methods and what I want to establish. She''ll be my eyes. And I accept your offer. I''ll set up a new branch in Akata but it''ll take some time, as I''m still under surveillance"


    "Sure, you can send her. I''m also sorry for the troubles I''ve caused, it wasn''t my intention¡­"


    Brigand scoffed at the apology, his pride refusing to accept it.


    "You''re way too young to worry about my problems! I''ll send her in a day. Where do you want to meet up?"


    "The edge of the forest, the one that is the buffer zone between the Empires"


    The location shocked Brigand. Was he really located in the taboo zone that only received refugees and outcasts?


    "Ok, she''ll be waiting there. We''ll discuss further details when I have a complete picture. Farewell!"


    "Take care of yourself"


    The communication link severed and Brigand leaned in his chair, still reeling from all the information. This was a major development and it seemed that a seed had taken root in a blind spot of both the Serichi and Krakow Empires. Such blazing actions would usually be immediately crushed, and he wondered how long Derrick would stay hidden. Sooner or later, he would have to show himself to the world.


    ***


    Derrick stored the trinket and turned around, facing the new bustling city.


    "Show my stats and Akata''s"


    [Derrick Tarlin, 16 years old (Body), 37 years old (Soul)]


    [Class : Necromancer]


    [Strength : 17]


    [Agility : 14]


    [Endurance : 16]


    [Vitality : 12]


    [Magic Power : 30]


    [Spells : Banshee''s Cry, Reaper''s Blade, Veil of Darkness]


    [Enslaved Subordinates : Eloise Tornomi (General - Human), William Enceworth (Scholar - Human), Fomamli Trollfall (Blacksmith - Dwarf), Merlin Trotz (Researcher - Human), Reyna Grandtree (Enchantress - High-Elf), Ylx (Researcher - Goblin)]


    [Traits : ???, Enhanced Body, Enhanced Vision, Death''s Valet, Gluttony, Aphrodite''s Blessing, Language Guru (Language Database)]


    [Skills : Superior Appraisal, Potentus, Contract (3/3), Summoning (3/3), Master Craftsman, Submission, Death Warrior (100/100), Empire Professionals (6/10) *Concerns the Scholars (1/2), Blacksmiths (1/2), Researchers (2/2), Generals (1/2) and Ministers (1/2)*]


    [Akata Village]


    [Level : 4]


    [Population : 30 000]


    [Soldiers : 1500]


    [Funds : 60 000 iron coins, 892 gold coins]


    [Tax : 5% on sales (Income : 2000 iron coins / day)]


    [Businesses : Iron Mine (Production : 1 ton / week), Resources Factory]


    [Institutions : Forge, Military Quarters, School]


    [Mood : 88/12]


    A lot had happened in these three months, to the point where Derrick barely had any time to sleep.


    First, he assigned titles to his two researchers, granting them a researching speed bonus. Their work was primordial and they immediately got to it. Jack had built two rudimentary laboratories and was in charge of supplying the materials they needed.


    Merlin produced early results, creating a relatively cheap carriage that could transport ores. They weren''t anywhere near the quality of the ones Derrick purchased, but it was a humble start.


    Ylx, on the other hand, was still hard at work, with some progress to be shown. He was in the early stages of creating a device that was on par with the one Brigand gave Derrick. It still gave Derrick a lot of hope. Gaining ground in the field of teleportation was of the utmost importance.


    Second, he set up the iron mine, unveiling the new equipment for everyone to see. People were amazed and a lot of them applied for the job. The lands had been cleared and roads had been built. Luckily, no one had died in their construction. The mine was, like the Discovery spell detected, huge. He asked Jack to build shacks and set up the orcs to get to work. Their conditions were horrendous before, so he promised them food and shelter if they worked valiantly. Their reactions were meek, but Derrick expected it. They clearly didn''t think that their new owner would be any better than the last.


    He also distributed the farming tools to the farmers, who cried in joy. They never imagined owning these tools, as they were only available to nobility. With them, their yields would greatly increase, and they would be able to cultivate more acres of land.


    Next came Kuro''s shop. The elder had been awed when he arrived in the new blooming town. It was still small, but he didn''t mind. He could see its potential. However, he nearly murdered Derrick when the latter told him there was no economy implemented yet. How the hell was he supposed to sell his stuff?!


    That was the next thing Derrick tackled. He tried finding a gold mine, but there were none in the area, so he improvised. With Fomamli''s help, they minted a unique coin that would be used as Akata''s main currency. With the new forging equipment, the process was simple and easy. The various fields, which were operating on the initial decree of Derrick, were now transitioning with the currency and people quickly embraced it. They were proud to have their personal coin.


    With the new equipment came an extension to the Forge. This was the new workplace of his enchantress, Reyna. He wanted her to work in tandem with Fomamli. The relation was bumpy at first, but it quickly improved, and they found that their jobs were easier if they worked together. Their rate of production was beyond Derrick''s expectation, and his top soldiers were soon equipped with top of the line equipment.


    That was when he finally enacted his expansion plans.

 60 Control

    Derrick''s plan was simple : send various divisions of his army and conquer. The risks were high, with vicious beasts lurking, but he believed they could be handled with their new gear.


    On top of this, Eloise''s training regimen was merciless and the cowardice they exhibited before had disappeared. They were fundamentally different from three months ago and their discipline didn''t pale in comparison to the one found in Empires.


    The risks were also mitigated by the presence of Thomas, a Berserker who had polished his skills and improved his control. With Derrick''s guidance, he could now transform at will and focus his aggression. Besides, the necromancer had inspected the surroundings, and he didn''t find any serious menaces that couldn''t be disposed of.


    All his corps were sent and the most ambitious campaign of the region began. In the first month, they managed to rally 20 villages, bringing their small population to 5000.


    The second month saw them continuing their sweep, tallying 50 new villages under their banner. Their population soared from 5000 to 10 000.


    Finally, the third and final month was when their growth reached an explosive point. Under Eloise''s lead, they took control of a tenth of the entire buffer zone, which covers five thousand square kilometers.


    With their ever growing army, they swarmed everyone, crushing those who resisted and welcoming the survivors with open arms. They were pressed on time, and they needed more people to fill the increasing needs of the new and bustling city.


    The news of a conqueror spread in the region, even with the lack of installations to relay them. Some villages that were in a rough spot even chose to abandon their location and tried to migrate, figuring that it was better than simply waiting for death. This was the start of a movement that would amplify and exceed Derrick''s expectations. Luckily for him, the news didn''t leak outside, which meant he could remain anonymous for a while longer.


    Even after all this influx of people, the System still refused to upgrade, rendering Derrick clueless. It appeared that he still didn''t meet the criterion, but he also figured that it would bring amazing benefits.


    Now that Akata controlled an area of 500 square kilometers, he had to properly ''digest'' and develop it. He couldn''t simply leave all this land untapped. An ambitious plan was relayed to Jack, who had taken on more and more responsibility, finally fulfilling his potential as a Minister.


    The first step had been expanding the cultivatable lands. With the explosion in populace came the challenge of subsiding to their basic needs, with food being the top priority. Derrick wasn''t shortsighted and it was why he had invested a lot in the sector.


    Now he was at the second step, which was why he called Brigand. He was a man of his word, and he promised his people a better life. Now that they had shelter and food, on top of jobs where they earned a living, they needed a place to spend it all.


    The downtown area had been renovated and was full of life, with food stalls and ''clothing'' stores. It was a rudimentary market, and Derrick was sure that if he gave it enough time, it would prosper. However, he wanted the best, right now. To that effect, he had a huge store built and it was currently sitting empty. It attracted many curious looks, but nobody could figure out its purpose. It was also the most luxurious building in Akata, made of polished stone and beautiful oak. Why did something like this stay empty?


    He would have to go get Alma tomorrow, and he still had much to do, so he summoned everyone to discuss the next huge project.


    After an hour, they were all gathered in a newly erected town hall. It wasn''t fancy, but it was temporary and sufficed for now. The only party that hadn''t been called was William, who was the busiest person of them all. With the continuous arrivals came more and more children that wanted to learn. As a result, the small school had been extended multiple times to the point where it transformed into an institution. The scholar even had to train teachers to solve the severe shortage of manpower, and the outcome had been better than predicted.


    Derrick cleared his voice and started.


    "This meeting will have two points to its agenda" (wall and aggression on Terra)


    Before saying the next part, he turned to Jack, who shivered. He knew that look...


    "I want to build a wall around Akata"


    Everyone present tensed up. If Derrick held a meeting to announce this, it meant the wall he wanted wasn''t something simple at all. He didn''t let them speculate and continued shortly after.


    "It will be made of stone and its dimensions will be 15 meters high and 5 meters wide. It will surround Terra, which should make it at least 15 kilometers long. I also want towers every 500 meters"


    There it was! The bomb that shook them. They knew he was an eccentric man, and this simply reinforced this belief. Jack''s face twitched when he heard the request, but he quickly resigned himself. There was no point in trying to convince him a man like that to be more reasonable.


    "How long will the task take you?"


    Jack crunched the numbers and factored in the influx of workers that a conscription would have. It was inevitable for such an undertaking. Of course, the salary would be increased as well as the benefits.


    "Three months"


    The necromancer was surprised by the short timeframe, but he didn''t question it. If his Minister said it, it could be achieved.


    "Good. Make the announcement and start your recruitment"


    Jack left and immediately went to work. Derrick then looked at Fomamli and Reyna with a smile.


    "You two have finished armors for all the soldiers right?"


    The two nodded and a bad feeling washed over them. What task would they be assigned?


    "You''ll both be in charge of making the front gate. It will consist of two iron doors that are 10 meters high, 3 meters wide and 1 meter thick. They have to be enchanted with magic that make them lighter and stronger. Can you achieve the task in the same timeframe as Jack?"


    It was the turn of the dwarf and high-elf to sweat. Their workshop was small for such an order, but they would have to somehow manage.


    "Yes. If you''ll excuse us, we''ll get to work as well"


    They hurriedly left. Derrick knew that this entrance would put a heavy stress on Akata''s iron reserves, but they would have to cope. Defenses were a necessity for the growing hub. They couldn''t wait for Empires to find them because if that time arrived, and they weren''t ready, it would be too late. The wall would also protect them from monster attacks.


    "Now that this is under control, let''s proceed to the second part of our meeting"


    The people left in the room were Eloise, Lacha and Moira. The unruly woman had finally come to term with her situation in Akata, even if she still refused to recognize Derrick as her husband. It was always funny seeing her reject any type of physical contact with him. The two women also became close friends, relying on each other when they were in trouble. Their personalities surprisingly meshed well together.


    "I want a plan to invade Terra"


    Silence. Shock. Disbelief.


    The three women couldn''t utter a word. They knew the grand ambitions of Derrick, but to formulate a plan right now was nothing short of suicide!


    The necromancer laughed when he saw their faces, confusing them even more. Was this a joke?


    "I know what you''re all thinking, but trust me. I wouldn''t go forward if I didn''t think we were ready. We lack a lot of information, and this is one of the things I''ll be remedying tomorrow"


    Alma''s arrival was a blessing for Derrick, who could finally try to shelve his blind spots. As an assassin, she surely knew a lot about Terra''s inner-workings and military affairs.


    Eloise was the first to get out of her daze.


    "Master, what you''re asking is impossible with our current capacities, which leaves only one option : you want to completely assimilate the entire region. However, you also don''t want to conquer more territory because you wouldn''t be able to completely control it. It''s difficult for me to see how we''re supposed to control it without conquering it"


    A smile crept on Derrick''s face. He had also been racking his brain relentlessly, trying to solve this issue. It took him several weeks to finally realize he had been dumb all along.


    "What about ambassadors?"

 61 Information

    Eloise''s expression changed radically. This was indeed a way! However, it was still a massive and risky gambit, as they would only send small groups of people, vulnerable to attacks.


    "That''s why I wanted your opinion. Do you think groups of four soldiers can survive in this forest long enough to reach their destination and come back?"


    Eloise got deep in thought. Their military was still in its beginnings, and any loss encountered was considered heavy. On top of this, even if she trained them and got rid of their cowardice, the journey ahead was harsh and unforgivable. This meant that only the elites would be able to survive. This conclusion also solved the issue of keeping soldiers behind to defend the city.


    "If we send our strongest, they can, but we don''t know how they''ll be treated once they arrive. It''s a big gamble, and I can''t take this decision for you. However, I can assure you that it is feasible"


    It was Derrick''s turn to think. His idea was nothing unique and every city had an ambassador representing its interests throughout the land. In a short and vulgarized way, they were legalized spies. The issue at hand was that his city''s reputation, albeit slowly spreading, wasn''t recognized. If he sent his soldiers like this, their words wouldn''t be taken seriously, and they would be turned away or even worse, suffer the fate mentioned by his General.


    This left him with a single option that would surely cost him dearly.


    "Do you think gifts will increase their chances?"


    Eloise immediately nodded. This had been her conclusion as well. The only way to attract one''s attention without raising suspicion was to act in good faith. The only step remaining was to choose said gift.


    Since every village was composed of refugees and outcasts, the first thing Derrick ruled out was money. Its value was shallow at best in these parts.


    After thinking for a few minutes, he shared his thoughts with the group.


    "How about weapons? It would only be a full set of armor, but it would show that we aren''t hostile and that we can produce these things, highlighting our prowess"


    The three women looked at each other and agreed with the logic. Smiting required a ton of resources and expertise, and if someone demonstrated it, it would surely leave a positive impression behind.


    "Good. Let''s look at the emplacements we''ll be targeting first"


    Derrick took out a refreshed and modified map. They had constantly redrawn it to track their colonization progress and it also allowed them to see how many villages remained.


    "Do you have any insight Lacha?"


    She analyzed for a while before resignedly shaking her head. The growth rate of Akata had surpassed her wildest expectations and everything afterwards was uncharted territory.


    Derrick identified 50 villages, which meant 200 of his elite troops would march and bring with them 50 sets of armors, which made his heart ache. His reserve would take a big hit, but the investment was worthwhile.


    "With their stamina, it should be a two days round trip. We can assume a day of rest as well, so it would be a total of three days maximum"


    "Good. We''ll send them to make our presence known, but to also convince them to join us. I want you to send them in two days. If soldiers aren''t back in the timeframe, march and kill all resistance"


    Eloise nodded. After staying under Derrick for these last few months, she had learned one thing : having mercy often proved to be a weakness. People were naturally greedy, and if they were given an inch, they would try to take a mile. She hadn''t seen that truth until Derrick exposed it time and time again.


    Moira, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke up.


    "I want to participate in this mission"


    The rest of the group was shocked at first before realizing it was perfectly in-line with her character. She was a soldier, and one that experienced Derrick''s wrath first hand. It was only natural that she would try to prevent another massacre, maybe to appease her troubled and guilty conscience.


    Derrick watched her for a while before sighing. Her resolute look confirmed that opposing her was pointless.


    "Ok, but you''ll be under strict protection. Eloise, match her up with the best. If anyone came to harm my woman, I''d be a laughingstock"


    The general agreed and Moira harrumphed, expressing her disagreement. She had been training constantly since her defeat, and she was sure nobody would be able to match her.


    "With this settled, it''s time to plan second phase"


    The atmosphere suddenly got heavier, matching the gravity of his words. This was the part that would directly threaten a Capital City, thus declaring war on the Krakow Empire. If they failed, there was only one end possible : extermination. Derrick sensed the change and a sinister smile crept on his face. His revenge hinged on this, and he would make damn sure it didn''t fall short.


    ***


    The meeting ran late and continued throughout the night, with everyone chiming in. Derrick''s plan was raw and lacked many components, which immediately jarred Eloise. As a genius of tactics, she was appalled that her Master even considered such an idea to topple a behemoth, which had made Derrick blush in embarrassment. It looked like his tactic senses were still well below the norm¡­ The final draft done, everyone went their way, preparing themselves for what would come in the future.


    The sun was already shining through, which meant it was time for Derrick''s departure. He could only imagine Alma''s fury if he arrived late, which made him giggle inwardly.


    ***


    He could see the endless farms on the horizon and the boundary of the forest. There were many layers of clouds present, allowing him to land safely near the edge without being found out.


    He donned his traditional black cloak and cautiously advanced towards the dirt road, making sure that nobody saw him leave the forest.


    Not even three minutes after he arrived did he see another cloaked figure approach him. Since she wasn''t human, the elf had to hide herself, or she would be captured and most-likely sentenced to death.


    "Have you missed me?"


    Derrick''s remark and arrogant smile annoyed Alma, who hissed in response. Even though she respected his strength, she still couldn''t tolerate his attitude.


    "My Master wants to proceed quickly, so let''s go. I hope you weren''t full of hot air when you mentioned your city. It''s the first time I''ve seen him this excited"


    "You''ll see for yourself!"


    The two promptly left and dove in the thick forest. What they didn''t know was that a pair of eyes was on them the whole time¡­


    ***


    They were both riding on Io, with Alma tightly hugging Derrick. It seemed that heights scared the proud elf.


    "Don''t squeeze me too much or you''ll break my ribs"


    Derrick couldn''t help himself and teased her, to which she replied by squeezing even harder, making the necromancer choke. This woman was terrifyingly strong for her petite stature.


    "We have a few hours ahead of us, mind if I ask you some questions?"


    The sudden inquiry brought Alma back to her senses, and she nodded, figuring it would be a good way to pass time.


    "I need information on Terra, especially military"


    Alma stiffened and Derrick lost his breath, totally caught unprepared.


    "Why do you need it?"


    "I haven''t told Brigand yet, but I plan to in the near future. Can you relax now?"


    She did so after he clarified, but still felt uneasy. Derrick was an extraordinary individual, and if he was asking for such sensitive information, it meant he was brewing something dangerous.


    "Will he be at risk?"


    That question caught Derrick unprepared, but he chose to answer truthfully. It wouldn''t advance his cause if she didn''t trust him.


    "Yes, but only for a short period of time. I''ll do my best to protect him"


    She felt sincerity in his words, which reassured her more than she wanted to admit.


    "Ask away"


    Derrick took her cue and bombarded her.


    "What''s the population count in Terra?"


    "Last census, it was 400 000. It''s an abnormally high number for a Capital City, but it''s because of its location"


    "How many soldiers are stationed in it?"


    "The numbers are unclear, but estimations say it''s hovering between 35 000 and 50 000"


    "Their strength?"


    "Iron armors and weapons for the bottom of the chain and steel gear for the cream of the crop. Their training is rigorous and their discipline, unmatched"


    "Who''s their strongest fighter?"


    "The Official. His identity is unclear, which is surprising. They usually like to flap their gums and vent their power, but not the one in Terra. He is a very mysterious being"


    "How strong is he?"


    "It''s unknown, but some say he was a legendary fighter in the 10th legion of the Krakow Empire. After his merits, they apparently promoted him and transferred him here"


    "Interesting¡­ Does Terra have any sort of secret weapon?"


    "I have no information about that, but I would assume so. The continuous wars have prepared them for every eventuality"


    The Q\u0026A session ended and time passed until Akata came into view.

 62 Expedition

    Alma was amazed by the sight. She was thinking that Derrick spouted bloated statements, but she now realized he was right.


    From Io''s back, they could see everyone tirelessly working, making it look like a beehive.


    After hovering for a while, they landed and Derrick showed her around the city and told her about its development. This was a business trip for the elf, so he had to make sure that Brigand obtained every piece of information that would be useful. Of course, that didn''t include his military capabilities and his research on teleportation. That subject was too sensitive to be revealed to anyone outside of his inner circle.


    "How have you done this?"


    The elf was simply shocked that a city could appear in such a remote and hostile place.


    "Long story short, I gave them a little ''push''"


    The elf was perplexed by the answer but figured it was pointless to probe any further.


    With the installations inspected, it was time to show her the market that would accommodate their goods for the time being. He obviously had plans to expand it in the near future.


    When they arrived at the site, she was once again impressed. The space was large enough to let in troves of customers and its materials weren''t bad. They were far from being on par with those in Terra, but for its first edition, it was plenty acceptable.


    "What do you think?"


    "I think my Master will invest a lot here. It''s definitely an opportunity he has been looking for. Any particular goods you''d liked to be prioritized?"


    After a second, he answered.


    "Perhaps clothes, but I don''t want to heavily index on that, which is why I asked to be as diversified as possible"


    "Understood. When are we leaving?"


    The visit had taken most of the day and night was already well on its way.


    "We''ll be leaving tomorrow morning. I''ll arrange a place for you to rest"


    ***


    Moira was gearing up while eyeing her teammates from head to toe. They were all muscular and pretty tall, with a slightly oppressing aura. These were apparently the best soldiers the Akata army had to offer. With no regards concerning her status, she advanced and met with the group of three. She wanted to break the ice and get rid of the awkward mood.


    "My name''s Moira. Who are you three?"


    The three men were surprised by her straightforwardness, and they looked at each other before presenting themselves one by one. The first to do so had sleek features, brown hair, hazelnut eyes and a neatly shaven beard.


    "My Lady, you can call me Terry"


    The next one was the shortest of the three, and his features were rounder, with blonde hair, blue eyes and a mustache.


    "My Lady, you can call me Henry"


    "My Lady, my name is John"


    After their presentations, they bowed in unison, to the dismay of Moira. As a fellow soldier, she hated to be treated like that by her peers. She reached forward and grabbed their shoulders to straighten them up.


    "Please don''t bow to me. We are equals on the battlefield, so honorifics are pointless"


    However, she didn''t expect that they would stubbornly refuse.


    "My Lady, that would be disrespectful to you, but also to his Highness. We cannot acquiesce to your request"


    Moira was secretly cursing Derrick. This man had power even when he wasn''t there! She sighed and thought about giving up, but an idea crossed her mind.


    "Fight me"


    The three men were shocked when they heard the request of their lady. What the hell was she saying?!


    "My Lady¡­?"


    "You heard me correctly. You''ll fight me. If I win, you''ll do as I say, if not, I''ll maintain the hierarchy"


    Terry was horrified by the clarification. This meant they would have to injure their lady, and if it came to the attention of Derrick, they would surely land in big trouble, if not death.


    "My Lady, this is an unreasonable request. If we were to injure you, we wouldn''t be able to live with ourselves"


    Moira was shrewd, and she already knew this would happen.


    "If one of you doesn''t fight me, I''ll tell Derrick you failed your duties"


    Henry and Terry''s faces paled, and they shivered simultaneously. They had barely seen the necromancer''s power, but it was already terrifying enough to make them swear allegiance and pledge their lives. Only John remained calm in this situation.


    "My Lady, if it is what you desire, I will be your opponent"


    He realized she was bluffing, but he respected her resolve. It was clear that the woman in front of him was a warrior, and he was secretly looking forward to the fight.


    The other two soldiers blessed John in their hearts and made way.


    "How should we proceed?"


    Moira thought for a second before answering.


    "Swords and armors. Only when someone''s clearly defeated will we stop fighting. You better not hold back because I won''t"


    She had a cocky smile and John couldn''t help but feel a little annoyed. Did this woman truly think he was a pushover? It was true of his past self, but since training under his new General, his fighting prowess soared to new heights.


    They geared up and wore two finely crafted steel armors and took out identical swords. The only thing that would make a difference in this fight would be their skills.


    Without waiting any further, she launched towards him and slashed at his knees. Her speed surprised John, who darted backwards and tried stabilizing himself. It seemed he was right to expect something exciting.


    Right after touching the ground, it was his turn to leap forward. Moira hadn''t chased, and she was in a defensive stance, ready to receive his strike. However, instead of slashing, John charged towards her and kept his sword at the ready, defending and threatening her weak spots.


    Without stopping, he rammed into her with his shoulder, blasting her backwards where she fell on her ass, unable to breathe and surrounded by a cloud of dust.


    Terry and Henry were appalled that their teammate didn''t hold back, and they dreaded the possibility of an accident so much that they were already advancing to stop the fight.


    "IF YOU TWO TAKE ON MORE STEP, I''LL BEAT YOU AS WELL!"


    The shout came from Moira, who finally got air back into her lungs. She was enraged at her pathetic display and hurriedly got up. She had been arrogant and it badly backfired. If she were to lose here, the hard work she did would be for naught.


    "My Lady, you''re injured¡­"


    "Who''s injured?!"


    The fury in her voice almost made the two soldiers shriek, and they immediately got back to their positions. Of course, if she was truly in danger, they would intervene no matter what she said as they ultimately served Derrick.


    "Can you continue?"


    John''s voice reached her ears, and she detected a trace of smugness. He was paying her back, and she couldn''t reply. She definitely underestimated his abilities.


    "Of course"


    She rushed forward once again, but this time with her full concentration.


    John felt the change in her attitude and immediately grew serious. The fight coming his way would be entirely different this time around.

 63 Discovered

    Moira relentlessly struck him, forcing him into a defensive stance. Her style was polished, and she wasted little to no movements, making John wonder how much effort she had invested. She was no mere a warrior with the skill she displayed.


    The violent clinging sounds produced by the clashing swords were like daggers piercing the hearts of Henry and Terry. Even if they wanted to intervene, they wouldn''t be able to do a thing as the battle unfolding before them was too fierce.


    After a few minutes of incessant strikes, John''s stamina was starting to wear thin and his sharp evading maneuvers suffered and started becoming sloppy. Even if he was training under Eloise for the last few months, it couldn''t erase all the time he had been lazying around during the past years.


    In comparison, Moira was still as fiery as ever and seized the opportunity to land what she thought would be a decisive blow to his rib cage. The impact was loud and it made him grimace, but he withstood it. He was lucky to be wearing a steel armor, as no ordinary sword could put a dent in it.


    "You thought I''d be toppled this easily?"


    Her strength was definitely something to behold, but he practiced every day, beat up and often unable to stand at the end of the sessions. He was the one who won the tournament held to determine ranks, and as a Platoon leader with four Squads under him, failure was not an option. Resiliency was his new motto.


    With a swift movement, he closed the small gap between them and began a last ditch counter-attack. He knew his endurance was nowhere near his opponent, so he had to win by going on the offensive.


    Moira had let her guard down, stupefied that her strongest attack couldn''t win her this round. This small lapse was what began her demise. John''s strength wasn''t something she experienced in Yamato, and she had been the one on the offensive practically the entire time, not experiencing his true power till now.


    Under the powerful and decisive strikes of the soldier, her defense slowly crumbled until she fell to the ground, battered and powerless. The sword style of her opponent was heavy and direct, which naturally countered her light and frail body. Still, she couldn''t believe that all her hard work was in vain¡­ It appeared that she still needed more training, which made her dejected. She wasn''t a quitter, but it was still a hard pill to swallow.


    Meanwhile, Henry and Terry finally let out a sigh of relief. This was the second most nerve-wracking experience of their lives, only after the moment where Derrick conquered their village in one fell swoop.


    "You''ve done well My Lady. It''s been a while since I''ve been forced to go all out, which is why we will still honor your demand"


    "If you need a training partner, I''ll be available if you ever need"


    The man courteously bowed, making Moira laugh.


    "Didn''t you say you were going to honor my demand? Stop with these antics already! We''re comrades now! I''ll also hold you to that promise"


    John awkwardly laughed while straightening himself up. This would be a tough habit to break, but he was a man of his word.


    "My Lady, you''ve fought very well. May we know who trained you?"


    The two other soldiers rejoined the group and asked, curious. To be able to give the strongest warrior in the army a run for his money was something praiseworthy, and they would be lying if they said they didn''t want to meet the mysterious party behind it.


    Moira scratched her nose and replied.


    "I''m self-taught¡­"


    Three jaws dropped. Uh? They understood correctly, didn''t they? Seeing their disbelief, she laughed once again.


    "I was defeated, so obviously my method has flaws. It''s nothing impressive compared to your skills"


    "My Lady, we simply cannot believe you''ve reached such a level by practicing alone. This means you''re immensely talented"


    The one who spoke was Terry, and the other two nodded in agreement. Even if they lazied off since arriving in this forest, they were still ex-soldiers of the Empire that received training, so they knew how impressive her achievement was.


    "My Lady, why haven''t you asked your husband to find a suitable trainer?"


    The situation puzzled John, and since he now had to treat her like one of his own, he didn''t shy away from asking it.


    "Uh¡­ I¡­ simply haven''t found the time¡­"


    Moira''s lie was so obvious that it made John sorry for even asking¡­ It appeared there were some things he didn''t need to know. The atmosphere instantly got embarrassing, and she changed the subject. However, it was something she would decidedly ask Derrick once she returned from this mission. As his ''wife'', she should enjoy the boons that came with it.


    "Let''s pack the gift and leave right away. We''ve been assigned to a village called Oleo, and we don''t have any information on it. It''ll take us a day to arrive, which means we can arrive tomorrow morning without stopping. I suggest a slight rest when we arrive at its borders to make sure we aren''t caught fatigued and unable to defend ourselves. What do you think?"


    The men analyzed her plan and found no objection. It was sound and clear. They all hoped it would be a walk in the park.


    ***


    Somewhere in Terra''s City Hall


    "Are you saying you''ve seen the slave of Brigand leave with an unknown figure in the buffer zone?"


    The Official''s look was fierce and his aura pressed the spy in front of him to the ground. The agent was the best in his field, which was why Derrick nor Alma found out they were tracked. Rare were the people that could make him kowtow and feel afraid.


    "And when did this happen?"


    "Yest¡­ Yesterday"


    The pressure suddenly increased five folds, and the barely holding on spy was flattened to the ground, his organs almost turning into mush.


    "DIDN''T I ASK TO TELL ME ANY INFORMATION RIGHT AWAY?! WE''VE BEEN WAITING FOR THREE MONTHS AND YOU FAIL TO MENTION THE ONLY ACTIVITY THERE IS IN THIS TIMEFRAME?!"


    Killing intent permeated the hall, and the spy''s heart barely held on, pumping blood with much difficulty. After a few minutes of watching his subordinate on the verge of death, the Official relaxed his aura and allowed him to speak once again.


    After much difficulty, he got himself back into a kowtowing position and continued to relate the event.


    "My Lord, the reason why we delayed our report is that we wanted to learn the identity of this unknown party. We haven''t found out his name, but we can confirm he has been spending large amounts of gold. We suspect that he''s the party that Brigand Lancaster is trying to protect"


    The Official rose from his throne and a sinister grin could be seen on his face.


    "Nothing gets done in this city without my knowledge¡­"

 64 Gold

    Derrick dropped off Alma near the edge of Terra and returned to Akata right away. He didn''t have any business in the city, and he simply had to wait for further details concerning the future transaction and what Brigand wanted to achieve.


    With 200 soldiers leaving on diplomatic missions, he now had to wait for the aftermath. He was sure there would be issues arising, as these were all groups of refugees, and he could only guess that their distrust towards any type of organization was sky-high.


    He had given the green light to Eloise to do as she saw fit, as he wasn''t really well versed in negotiations of this nature. Derrick also wanted her to gain experience, as this situation was way more forgiving than one happening on a battlefield.


    With everything under way, he was left with¡­ nothing to do! This feeling disturbed Derrick, and he figured it was time to find more mines. What he wanted more than anything was gold, to the point of skipping silver and copper mines. Of course, he wasn''t abandoning their exploitation, he was simply delaying them. If he managed to excavate a gold vein, he would be able to kick start the second phase of Akata''s economy and free up a lot of iron that was currently being melted into coins.


    With his goal in mind, he summoned Io and went at the edge of his territory. He had already tried to find one near it, but he hadn''t had any luck. He took out a gold coin from his pouch and held it firmly in his hand.


    "Discovery Spell : Gold"


    [Searching... No Deposits Found]


    Another dud. He sighed, but it was only natural. If gold was this easily found, everybody would be rich. However, he remained hopeful. This was an unexplored region, which meant there was gold, and he just had to find out where. He kept going and a few hours later, luck finally smiled upon him.


    [Searching... 1 deposit found. Size of the deposit : Medium. Located 15 kilometers north of Akata]


    A map appeared in his mind, and he immediately ordered his mount to go to its location. When they arrived, they discovered a river, but what he saw made him speechless. On its bed were yellow shining stones of every size, going from some as big as grains of sand to some the size of his thumb. This was all¡­ gold!


    "This¡­"


    He had heard of such things before, but he never expected his first site to be like this! This would save a ton in costs, and its collection would be super fast. On top of this, the iron''s melting point was higher than the gold one, which meant that the furnaces they were currently using could be used to melt gold into coins as well.


    These good news would also please the Elder Kuro, who had to adjust all his prices with the new currency. He would finally be able to rely on something he knew and was familiar with.


    However, Derrick still faced a major problem. How was he supposed to introduce such valuable currency?


    "Sir Derrick?"


    The necromancer thanked his lucky stars.


    "Brigand! Have you finalized the details?"


    "He he, you''re going straight to the point! I have and Alma''s report exceeded my wildest expectations"


    The raucous voice of the burly man couldn''t hide his excitement. This was indeed a once in a lifetime opportunity and only a fool wouldn''t recognize it.


    "Here''s what I''m ready to send you :


    - A ton in fine clothes, worth 5000 gold coins (500 gold coins in taxes)


    - Half a ton in high-tier quality food, worth 2000 gold coins (200 gold coins in taxes)


    - 25 cases, containing 50 bottles each, of wine. They are worth 1250 gold coins (125 gold coins in taxes)


    - Half a ton in various spices, worth 2500 gold coins (250 gold coins)


    - Half a ton in luxurious porcelain plates and cutlery, worth 7000 gold coins (700 gold coins in taxes)


    - Jewelry, worth 2000 gold coins (200 gold coins)


    This is all I could get my hands on right now. In total, it should net you 1975 gold coins should everything be sold"


    The investment staggered Derrick, who couldn''t believe his ears. This was not merely testing the waters. The merchant was betting his future on this venture, sure that he would succeed.


    "I''ll make sure to repay the confidence you''re placing in me"


    Brigand heartily laughed at the comment. It seemed that his counterpart realized the importance of this insane plunge.


    "One more thing, how would you introduce gold coins in an emerging market?"


    The question took the burly man by surprise, making him straighten up in his chair. Such a question was surely related to Akata, which meant it would also influence his business. And for him to mention gold¡­ Brigand was one of the most impressive genius of his time, so connecting the dots was mere child''s play.


    "It seems you''ve found something that''ll propel Akata to new heights¡­ As for how you need to introduce it, there is an interesting method that we, merchants, use. When we think a business has a high chance of success but lacks the capital, we loan it to them for a percentage of their future earnings. Of course, it''s a risky gambit and those who usually loan take huge chunks of the businesses they invest in to alleviate it. Another method is to create specialists that will earn a high salary, which will slowly introduce the new currency in the market. Finally, the last method, and probably the most ambitious, is a direct injection right in the pockets of your populace. How they use it will be up to them, but it''ll surely make the economy go up and running right away. However, this method will ultimately fail without a proper ecosystem because the gold will stagnate at the top, and won''t ever come back down"


    Derrick was amazed by Brigand''s proposals. These were all viable options that he could enact, and all he needed to do was start exploiting the mine.


    "Thanks for your advice! When will the products arrive? I assume Alma will deliver them?"


    "Yes, as I''m still under surveillance. We can''t be too careful. As for their arrival, you should expect them in 4 days"


    They concluded the transaction and Derrick stored the trinket away, still ecstatic about this development. It seemed like more institutions were needed to achieve these methods.


    The only issue remaining was that this location still wasn''t cleared, and he didn''t want to take away workers from the wall. That project was too important to be delayed. On top of this, he had to find workers trustworthy enough to not pocket the gold that literally just laid around.


    After a few minutes of reflection, he facepalmed. How could he forget that he had orcs! He simply had to move them here, build a few huts, and they would be ready to work. The iron mine produced enough ore, even if they were removed. Derrick also wanted to see their progression and how their moods had evolved. He wanted to see if buying slaves at the lower levels was a worthwhile investment that could, in the end, pay off.


    Just the thought of acquiring an army of orcs doing his bidding made him dumbly grin¡­


    He left and arrived at the iron mine shortly after.


    The person in charge of the site was immediately notified of his arrival and came to greet him. It was a middle-aged man in his thirties that seemed to really enjoy his job, which pleased Derrick. After all, Kuro was the one who hired him, and he was happy that the old man didn''t fail him. He led Derrick through the site and all the soldiers stationed bowed and saluted him when he passed.


    Another minute passed before they arrived at the encampment of the orcs. Since they weren''t able to communicate with humans, they had been placed together to avoid any unfortunate misunderstandings. With their physical prowess, crushing a human was simply too easy.


    He took out the stone that controlled them and summoned them all. It was time to see if the experiment had worked.

 65 Orcs

    The 40 orcs slowly gathered in front of him, and their current state amazed Derrick. They no longer looked ''frail'' and malnourished, and instead looked vigorous and healthy. Their bodies had grown 50%, no matter if it was a man or a woman. Their previously ''dead'' eyes now had a lustrous glint, seemingly indicating that their minds were starting to heal.


    Derrick excused the middle-aged man and allowed him to return to his duties, which he promptly did. He didn''t want to speak Orcish next to him, or nasty rumors could be spread. Even though he wanted to integrate every race in his town, it was a long and arduous process. After ascertaining that nobody else was within earshot, Derrick spoke.


    "You seem to be doing well"


    The orcs almost fell to the ground when they heard their language being fluently spoken by a human. They had met a lot who tried to, but they had all failed in the end. It was also one of the reasons why orcs didn''t sell at huge prices or at all.


    After catching their attention, the necromancer continued.


    "Do you have a leader?"


    The group discussed and finally made way. The biggest and most muscular of them all walked forward. His skin was greenish and his muscles were ripped, highlighting his impressive height of 6''2". He had black hair, dark eyes, and two small tusks coming out of his lower jaw. At this moment, Derrick remembered William''s lesson on their culture, which meant that this was the strongest fighter of the group. After arriving face to face, the orc spoke.


    "My name''s Agronak. I didn''t know there were humans who could speak our language"


    Derrick smiled. He hadn''t bothered asking for their names before, thinking that they were mere puppets that did their master''s bidding. That line of thinking was apparently really flawed, and they were a resource that was grossly undervalued.


    "Don''t underestimate us, we can adapt to pretty much everything. How do you find the working conditions here? I didn''t lie, did I?"


    The tall orc didn''t know how to respond because Derrick was indeed telling the truth. Compared to their previous masters, he was a slave''s dream. They were paid, fed and lodged. Even for commoners, this was a life of luxury. On top of this, they were even treated with respect.


    "Why?"


    Agronak''s question surprised the necromancer, but he answered truthfully.


    "It doesn''t matter if you''re a slave or from another race. All I want is people who''ll help me attain my goal. Coincidentally, it also means giving everyone under me a better life and way of living"


    All the orcs looked at each other before dropping to their knees, including Agronak. Derrick wanted to inquire about this charade, but he was cut short by the orc.


    Derrick grinned and put away the controlling stone. It appeared he wouldn''t need it anymore. With the System''s aid, he would be able to buy tons of slaves on the lower levels and recondition them. Just thinking about all this wasted potential exasperated him¡­ Humans really were too narrow-minded.


    "Very well, you can rise. I came here to look at your progress and I''m impressed. I have another job for you, but I want to know if you can all defend yourselves first"


    He didn''t have time to build new roads, and he wanted to begin the mine''s exploitation right away.


    Agronak was confused by the question, but still answered.


    "Yes, we can. If we couldn''t, we would have been killed as children. The Uzul Empire doesn''t tolerate weakness"


    Derrick gulped at the new revelation. This meant that their four billion citizens could, at the very least, defend themselves! Just the thought of an army that size made him shiver. This was probably why nobody dared messing with them.


    After shaking off the discomfort, Derrick continued.


    "I''ve found a gold mine to exploit, but it''s located deep into the forest. I don''t want to wait until it''s accessible, which is why I came here. You''re the best miners, and you can also defend yourselves. You will have to hunt for your food at first, but when road access is available, it''ll be provided. You''ll also have to build your houses. However, the salary will be one gold coin per week"


    The salary mentioned made the eyes of every Orc shine. They were currently paid 10 iron coins a week, which afforded them a decent living. The mere mention of being paid this handsomely made them all nod non-stop, which made Derrick laugh.


    Agronak turned around to see the consensus of his group, and instantly agreed to the offer. This opportunity would allow them to think of the future and prosper without death looming over their heads.


    With everything in order, Derrick notified the supervisor, and they all left. The group passed by the Forge first, and he gave them weapons and tools. After they were geared up, he led them in the forest where they met many monsters. However, there were none that made Derrick intervene. It also allowed him to see their fighting skills.


    The verdict was terrifying. They were simply brute forcing their way through, barely slowing down to finish the monsters they mutilated on their path. They were practically war machines, especially Agronak.


    "Appraisal"


    [Agronak]


    [Race : Orc]


    [Class : None]


    [Strength : 14]


    [Agility : 8]


    [Endurance : 10]


    [Vitality : 5]


    [Magic Power : 4]


    "As expected¡­"


    It made sense once he learned of his strength. The other orcs were all weaker than him, but they all displayed fighting capabilities that would shame even his newly trained soldiers. It appeared he would have to return to Terra to buy every last one he could find. They were too good of a deal to pass up.


    After a few hours, they finally arrived at the river. The orcs couldn''t believe the amount of gold they were seeing. It was everywhere! Now they all understood why the salary was so high. Derrick obviously needed people he could control to do this job, or they would simply take it and run. Even though they were banished from the Empires, it was always possible to return if one had the means.


    "I forgot to mention you''ll also be acting as the guards of this place. If any trespassers come, immediately arrest them. This site must be protected at all costs. I''ll be coming back in a week to collect the harvest and to give you your salaries. Take care of yourselves!"


    Derrick left as fast as he arrived. With the operations of the mine under way, it was finally time to open new institutions.

 66 Akata Loans

    Derrick arrived at Akata''s town hall and summoned Lacha. As an ex-noblewoman from the Empire, she surely had insight into the new institution he wanted to establish.


    The woman arrived a few minutes later, and she was stunning, to the point of unsettling the necromancer. She was wearing a short, yellow dress that married the curves of her body, displaying her charm and sex appeal. Her silky black hair were loose and undulated behind her like a welcoming ocean. Her piercing blue eyes, freckles, plentiful lips¡­ Everything about her evoked a strong reaction from Derrick.


    Seeing the reaction from her ''husband'', Lacha blushed and giggled, shaming the man into averting his gaze. This was a woman he had forced into his fold, and yet, she hadn''t even tried to take revenge. Even though his heart and soul had changed fundamentally, he still felt guilty of his actions. He needed to get stronger¡­ Strong enough to not feel these emotions because he would be the pinnacle, the summit that everyone aspired to reach. Only then would he be able to enact his revenge and enjoy everything life had to offer.


    After straightening out his thoughts, he invited her to the central table.


    "What will we talk about?"


    "Do you remember any institution that loaned capital in the Empire? I''m sorry if it invokes bad memories"


    She smiled when she heard his concern. It had been a while since they had been together, and seeing him being considerate warmed her heart.


    "It''s alright, just let me think¡­ This was from a long time ago"


    After a few seconds, Lacha''s eyes shone.


    "Yes! There was something like that. I recall there was an organization that my family used to borrow gold. Its name was¡­ Capital Union? Yes, this is it"


    "Do you remember how it operated?"


    "I vaguely remember¡­ I think we used it to borrow on short and long term. It also had different interest rates depending on the duration of the loan. I''m sorry that''s all I can remember¡­"


    "It''s plenty! I''m clueless when it comes to these things, so you''ve helped me a lot"


    The information matched with what Brigand told him. He simply needed confirmation that the concept could be achieved on a bigger scale.


    "Why do you need this information?"


    "I''m planning on opening an institution like that. We''ve come across a gold mine, and I intend to use that gold to accelerate the growth of Akata"


    Lacha was surprised, but happy about this news. This meant the citizens of Akata would see their environment improve once again. She also thought about something and told Derrick.


    "You should summon Kuro and ask him about what rate would be decent for businesses. It would give you an idea on what you should impose"


    The necromancer instantly agreed and sent a guard to the elder''s shop.


    He arrived shortly after, cursing the younger generation''s whims.


    Derrick and Lacha looked at each other before laughing. This old man truly didn''t place anyone in his eyes.


    "I think you''ll want to sit for this. It concerns the future of every business in Akata"


    The elder stopped complaining and took a seat, curious.


    "I want to open a lending institution that can support every type of business, be it small or big"


    Kuro''s old eyes opened as large as they possibly could. This was indeed a major development, and it would ultimately open up the door to competition against him in the mining field.


    "What do you want to know?"


    "I want to know what type of rates would be reasonable for small, medium and big businesses"


    The old man thought long before answering.


    "I think 5%, 6% and 7% of the net profits, every month of the duration of the loan. I don''t know how to classify their sizes, so you should decide that yourself"


    Derrick pondered and thought it made sense. This would encourage newcomers and it wouldn??t penalize bigger players too much.


    "Can you get a parchment and quill Lacha?"


    She stood up and fetched the items.


    "Lacha, you''ll be in charge of this institution. Its name will be Akata Loans"


    She was stunned and wanted to object, but was cut short by Derrick''s reasoning.


    "I know it''s a lot to take on, but I believe you''re the most qualified. I trust you and you know how to read and count, which are rare skills right now. You''re the only person I can entrust with this position"


    She had to agree. Even though the school was a major success, it would still take time to see concrete results, so literate people were a rarity. Once she was convinced, Derrick continued.


    "Here''s what I want you to write in addition to the rates said by Kuro :


    Businesses will be considered small if they make 100 000 iron coins (or the equivalent in any other currency) or less in a month, medium if they made 500 000 iron coins (or the equivalent in any other currency) or less in a month, and big if they make over 500 000 iron coins (or the equivalent in any other currency) in a month.


    The size of the loan will be determined by the institution''s supervisor, and it can only go up to 25% of the total income of the company. The loan''s duration will also be determined by the supervisor. Extensions to the deadline can be negotiated as well.


    To qualify for said loan, they will be obligated to present a book tracking their sales. Any trafficking of said book will result in the termination of the business and the seizure of all its assets. It will also result in the arrest of the responsible party, with repercussions going up to the death penalty"


    The penalties shocked both Lacha and Kuro, but they realized it was a necessity. Greed was a powerful force, and people would most-likely try to steal the money and run. With consequences that severe, the majority wouldn''t consider doing this.


    They were also amazed by how detailed Derrick''s plan was. Even though he wasn''t a merchant, it seemed he had invested a lot of thought into how this would all work.


    "Of course, these are general guidelines that we''ll keep updating as we go along, but I figured this was good enough to start. What do you think?"


    Lacha and Kuro nodded.


    "Good. We''ll open it in 2 weeks, which should give us enough time to prepare. If you need workers, go to the school. I''m sure there are promising seedlings there, and even though they might not be ready, you can form them to the task. As for the location, we''ll have to open it here for the time being. I don''t want to divert any workers from the wall. Ask Eloise for soldiers to secure it. Finally, post an announcement downtown so that everyone knows what''s coming. I''m sure we''ll see new sectors bloom everywhere. This meeting is dismissed"


    Lacha and Kuro stood up and bowed before leaving. With everything in place, Derrick leaned in his chair. He wondered how Moira''s group faired as they probably arrived at their location.

 67 Oleo

    Moira and her group slept through the night and figured they would resume their journey at dawn. Their trip had been perilous, with monsters constantly slowing down their progress and wearing them out. They had exerted themselves more than they wanted to admit.


    After a good night of rest and confirming their plan once again, they left, ready to face whatever would come. Their target was a village called Oleo, and they had no other information than its location. As a diplomatic mission, it was the riskiest there could be.


    "My Lady, remember that you have to flee if we encounter trouble, and we cannot overcome it. This is of the utmost importance. Even though we''ve treated you as one of our own, it doesn''t mean that your status has changed. If anything were to happen to you, our names would be shamed and duties, failed"


    John had mentioned this point repeatedly, with the support of Terry and Henry. Their number one priority on this mission wasn''t establishing relations with the village, but it was to protect Moira.


    Their constant nagging annoyed her, but she understood their worry. Even if she didn''t accept Derrick as her husband, he was still the man whom she belonged to in the minds of every citizen and soldier of Akata. She couldn''t simply shy away from all the responsibilities she had taken on these last few months.


    "I know, but I doubt it''ll come to that. After all, you''re the best soldiers we have right?"


    She threw them a condescending look and the soldiers felt outraged inwardly. This woman truly knew how to rile up people!


    She kept walking and John suddenly leaped forward, grabbing her arm and stopping her in her tracks.


    "Look ahead. We''ve arrived"


    She was startled by his sudden actions, but focused ahead and was stunned to see a gigantic village through the thick vegetation. Beyond the forest''s boundary was a vast plain, followed by tall wooden barricades that defended its perimeter, with guards patrolling. If one didn''t pay attention, it was easy to stumble upon.


    After hiding themselves at the edge, they paid closer attention to the guards. They wore leather armor and had swords for weapons. They were rusty and seemed poorly maintained, but it was plenty to defend themselves.


    "Judging by its size, it''s the biggest one we''ve ever found right?"


    Moira was really surprised about the size of the settlement. It was clearly well-organized.


    "Yeah, how many people do you think there are?"


    "If I had to guess, two to three thousands wouldn''t be a stretch"


    John agreed with Moira, flabbergasting Henry and Terry. They never imagined that a village this size could remain hidden with Akata in its vicinity.


    "Do we stick to the plan?"


    "Let''s stick with the plan. We''ll come out, present ourselves with our weapons stowed, and we''ll go from there. We can''t show any hostility, or we''ll be chased away"


    The group came to a consensus and left the cover of the forest, before advancing on the bare plain in the direction of the wall.


    It took a minute before a guard noticed them and sounded the alarm. Reinforcements poured in, and the small group was soon encircled by more than 40 soldiers who assumed a defensive formation. They were clearly trained by the Krakow Empire.


    "WHO ARE YOU? WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF YOUR VISIT?"


    The guard''s loud and raspy voice echoed, and Moira advanced from her spot, indicating her position in the party.


    "We come from the same region, Akata to be exact. We have come here to discuss of a possible merger between our cities. Is it possible to speak with your leader?"


    The soldiers in front of her looked at each other, and inspected their outfits. Everyone in this region donned ragged armor, and they knew they could base their judgement around this. When they saw the shining armors and swords, the mood changed. This time, the guard''s tone didn''t have any wariness, only fury and contempt.


    "Lies! Nobody has gear like that except those residing in the Empire. You came here to finish the job, didn''t you?! Soldiers, advance"


    Their formation started tightening up frighteningly fast and the group were forced to pull out their swords as well. They didn''t expect their armors to be their downfall.


    "Please listen to me! We even came bearing a gift for your leader! Don''t force us into a corner"


    The soldiers in front of them weren''t listening anymore, and they kept their steady pace, rapidly closing the distance. Formations really were the trump cards of the Krakow Empire¡­ There were barely any openings for Moira''s group to strike.


    "Think we can get out of here?"


    She asked John, who smiled in response.


    "I said we would tell you when to leave us behind. Have you heard me speak yet?"


    Her nervousness vanished, and she remembered that she was accompanied by the best of the best. She wasn''t alone and if they were confident, there was no reason to turn tail and run. With her confidence reinvigorated, she filled her lungs and yelled for the last time.


    "ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO DO THIS? YOU SHOULD HEAR US OUT FIRST, OR YOU''LL REGRET IT"


    The soldiers paused and turned to their leader, which turned out to be the man who spotted them. He looked at their outfit once again and made his decision heard.


    "Take them down. We''ll ask them questions afterwards"


    The soldiers nodded and resumed their march.


    "Don''t kill them. Just knock them down"


    Moira, John, Terry and Henry looked at each other before smiling and leaping forward into the defensive formation, surprising their enemies. These people were, to say it politely, crazy¡­


    The man in charge even turned around, ready to go make his report. This was a fight that was already won.


    "ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"


    A gigantic blast resounded and the man froze before slowly looking back, instantly shocked by what he saw. The formation his troops had tirelessly worked on had been broken, and five soldiers were currently flying through the air. The group of four intruders were in the gap they had just created, continuing their rampage.


    "CONTAIN THEM! WE CAN''T LET THEM THRO¡­ AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"


    Shouts and yells were thrown as the soldiers of Oleo tried to hang on, but their numbers were quickly dwindling.


    Luckily for them, it seemed their opponents didn''t have any killing intent, or they would have already lost a lot of their comrades.


    Moira had to say she was impressed by the skills displayed by Henry and Terry, as it was the first time she saw them fight. Their movements and strikes weren''t as heavy as John, but they still packed quite a punch. As for John, his strikes were still as devastating as ever, creating openings everywhere.


    The fight was so one-sided that the leader had to come out of his daze and call for more reinforcements.


    ***


    In the center of Oleo


    "What''s this commotion all about?"


    A 7''3" (2.21 m) man stood up from his seat and marched towards the wooden barricades, curious about whom dared disturbing him...

 68 Gor

    Moira''s group kept their onslaught going, and none of Oleo''s soldier could stop them, to their captain''s dismay. The initial 40 soldiers had already been disposed of and the influx of new fighters couldn''t keep up with the amount that fell unconscious and kept crashing to the ground.


    Their skills and gear were simply superior, which made the man grimace. Not being able to take down 4 fighters with the resources available to him was disgraceful.


    After a few minutes, the remaining soldiers were back in formation. However, they hesitated before engaging. It appeared that the people they were up against were monsters in their own right.


    "Now, can we meet your leader?"


    Moira had a cocky smile on her face, making the soldiers in front of her furious. They were losing on top of being humiliated. When they were about to throw reason out the window, a thunderous voice resounded.


    "HAHAHAHAHA INTERESTING! IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I''VE MET FOOLS AS CONFIDENT AS YOU"


    The voice was grave and menacing, freezing the small group in its place. The soldiers turned around in its direction with awe in their eyes, as if looking at their savior.


    "Ah¡­ You''re finished now¡­ You wanted to meet our leader. Well, here he is"


    The captain grinned at the development. Even if he was defeated, the chances of his boss losing were nonexistent.


    The man advancing was an absolute monster. His gigantic height of 7''3", his massive stature, his abnormally huge muscles¡­ His hands were so big he could crush someone''s head with his palm and his arms were as big as trunks of trees. More importantly, the aura he emitted was so suffocating that Moira''s group couldn''t move. It appeared they had met someone in an entirely different league.


    Moira''s demeanor had entirely changed and before being swept away by the situation, she temporarily broke free from his aura and spoke.


    "Are¡­ Are you the one in charge here?"


    The colossus stopped and creepily smiled. His face had sharp traits, with an unshaven beard and bushy eyebrows, accompanying his short and brown hair. His nose was crooked and his eyes were narrow, hiding their reddish color. He observed the ''guests'' in front of him before speaking again.


    "Oh oh¡­ It seems you can still talk to me¡­ And can''t you tell that I am? My name''s Gor. To what do I owe this pleasure?"


    His voice''s intensity didn''t diminish and it was filled with ill intent, making the small group shrink further. Moira wasn''t one to cower in fear, but her courage was shaken to its roots, and she was on the verge of faltering. However, she plowed ahead. She couldn''t let her group down.


    "We are here to discuss a possible migration of your people to Akata"


    Her voice was shaky, but resolute. Failing here wasn''t an option. The eyes of Gor narrowed and his creepy smile got wider.


    Moira''s group was stunned at the demands of the man, but she couldn''t shame Derrick''s name. If they were to show weakness here, Akata''s reputation would suffer. She immediately answered, her voice less shaky than before.


    "It appears the news haven''t reached you yet. Akata''s been reborn and it''s now the beacon of this region. This is why we came to invite you, not the opposite. Thus, we''ll have to decline your offer"


    Gor''s smile disappeared and the pressure surrounding him increased, forcing John, Terry and Henry to move in front of Moira. The gesture angered Gor, who seemed incredibly annoyed by the pathetic display.


    "It seems you don''t understand your situation here¡­ You come here, beat down my soldiers, and extend an olive branch?! Do you think I''m stupid?"


    The three men assumed a defensive stance, and John spoke with a stern voice that left no room for debate.


    "My Lady, it''s time for you to honor your promise. Leave us, we''ll buy you some time"


    Moira''s entire body was shaking. The situation reminded her of the first time she met Derrick¡­ Absolute power was truly everything in this world.


    "Oh, you think you can leave? You''re clearly spies of the Empire with this steel equipment, and you want us to believe that the shithole you claim to come from is the new beacon of the region?! HAHAHA! SHOULD I TEACH THEM A LESSON!?"


    Gor raised his arms in the air, and the soldiers all around him roared, excited by the actions of their commander. The atmosphere truly mirrored that of a battlefield.


    "I''m going to bring reinforcements¡­ Don''t die until I come back¡­"


    Moira gritted her teeth, and started walking backwards, beginning her attempt at fleeing inside the forest. She knew that even if she stayed, there was no way to win against this brute, and the only chance they had was to report to Derrick.


    When he saw her actions, Gor''s eyes narrowed, and he explosively leaped forward in the direction of the three soldiers. The ground underneath him cracked and sunk, unable to receive the atrocious pressure.


    His movements were too fast, and the three men were instantly blown away from their positions. The impact even made a big dent in their steel armors, causing internal injuries that made them spit mouthfuls of blood.


    Gor didn''t even bother looking at them and continued his onward motion, ready to blast away Moira as well. He wasn''t one that would take it easy on woman that called themselves warriors.


    Seeing his absurd strength and how her three companions had been dealt with, she readied herself, even while knowing that she didn''t stand a chance. She wasn''t one to quit, even in the face of absolute defeat.


    Gor swung his right arm, intending on knocking her out. He didn''t want to kill them right now, as he needed answers about the real reason behind their visit.


    Just when it was about to hit, a figure appeared between them and stopped all the momentum he carried.


    Both Moira and Gor were shocked, as well as the three wounded soldiers on the ground that had barely managed to remain conscious.


    "Who told you you could hit the woman of our Lord?"


    Thomas stood tall, holding the arm of the colossus, who couldn''t believe that a person this small contained such strength. Granted, he hadn''t used much power, but it was still unbelievable that he had managed to stop him.


    Thomas turned his head around to face the still dazed Moira, who couldn''t believe that someone had appeared in the nick of time.


    "Eloise tasked me to trail you and only intervene if your life was threatened. I''m sorry I couldn''t act before"


    The apologetic expression of Thomas made Moira snap out, before finally sighing in relief. It all made sense now. The General was a very cautious person, and sending Derrick''s wife on a mission without a trump card truly wasn''t like her.


    Plus, the person in front of her was famous since the tournament incident, where his strength had only been surpassed by Derrick.


    "Who might you be? It seems you have the strength required to speak with me"


    Gor''s aura was becoming more and more stifling, but Thomas didn''t back off a single step, and instead answered with his own, making them viciously clash, with the surrounding air seemingly reaching a boiling point.


    "I''ll be your worst nightmare¡­"

 69 Thomas X Gor

    Thomas and Gor continued their staring contest until the Berserker finally pushed him away, putting distance between the two men. The shove made Gor slide for several tens of meters before finally coming to a full stop.


    Gor was surprised, but his shocked expression immediately made way to one of delight. Even his soldiers were stupefied by the scene that just unfolded. Their leader had never been challenged in such a blatant way before.


    "HAHAHAHAHA! It''s been a long time since I''ve been all out! You better not disappoint me, boy"


    He tilted his head backwards and let out a roar that pierced the sky, with his already humongous body swelling and expanding further. The process finally stopped when his height reached 8''2" (2.49 m) and when his muscles were on the verge of crushing his bones to dust.


    Thomas was stunned by the scene, and thought at first that he was against another Berserker, only to dismiss that possibility right away. The man in front of him could still reason and his aura, although monstrous, didn''t fundamentally change like his did.


    Derrick had thought him everything he knew about his class, to the extent where he could quickly recognize his peers. The man in front of him was clearly something different, and he couldn''t wait to discover what.


    One thing was for sure : he couldn''t be underestimated.


    "My Lady, you can go help your companions. I''ll take care of him"


    Thomas flashed a smile to Moira before advancing towards his opponent. It was finally time to test out his strength.


    *CRACK*


    The air around him crackled and distorted, unable to endure the sheer force that was just released. His aura, now unshackled, exploded forth and invaded the entire region around them.


    All the soldiers fell to their knees, with their faces twisted in fear and agony. What the fuck was this?! The fear was so¡­ primal¡­ Like a prey in front of a predator so strong it could die of despair.


    Even Gor was affected by the pressure, but he stood his ground, still maniacally smiling in front of his opponent.


    "YES! THIS IS IT! WHAT I''VE BEEN LOOKING FOR ALL THESE YEARS HAHAHA"


    He couldn''t help but roar and provoke Thomas, who still calmly walked, ignoring the noise.


    When the distance between them was only ten meters, Thomas launched forward, with his body swelling up crazily and his stature transforming into a true fortress. His eyes became bloodshot and his reason started slipping away.


    "See you on the other side¡­"


    This was the only thing Gor heard before the crashing impact of the two colossi.


    *BANG*


    The ground beneath them was blown away, and dirt flew around like a hurricane. The shock wave was so strong that the majority of soldiers were thrown like rag dolls, still under the influence of the overbearing aura that Thomas had unleashed.


    When the dust settled, the two titans once again stood apart, but Gor looked pretty roughed up. His chiseled body was battered and a film of blood was falling from his lower lip. However, he still had the same crazy smile on his face.


    "SO YOU''RE A BERSERKER? IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE NOW! HAHAHAHA I FINALLY GET TO MEET ONE AND IT''S FANTASTIC! YOU PACK QUITE A PUNCH, BUT IT''S MY TURN NOW"


    Thomas, or rather the Berserker, roared in displeasure and heavily breathed, clearly enraged. Being mocked by a puny imitation of himself was an insult it couldn''t take.


    This time, both of them leaped forward before jumping and violently colliding.


    Gor managed to dodge the incoming right fist, and successfully landed his right on the face of the Berserker, who scuffed in response.


    The enraged beast immediately responded with an uppercut that landed on the chin of Gor, who grimaced. The blow was so strong that he became unbalanced in the air, vulnerable.


    "This fucking thing is strong as hell"


    Gor''s complaint fell on deaf ears, and the Berserker seized this opportunity to smash both his fists into the chest of Gor, sending him crashing in the ground. The impact was so severe that a large crater was created, making him spit out a mouthful of blood. His internal organs had certainly taken major damage.


    The Berserker still hung in the air before diving towards him, intending on finishing him right away.


    "Oh it won''t be that easy!"


    Gor rolled to the side, barely dodging the incoming blow that would''ve clearly knocked him out.


    With a swift motion, he stood up and sent two jabs at its head and finished it up with a high-flying knee that connected on its nose, instantly shattering it. The Berserker couldn''t react in time due to its downward momentum and the chain of hits blew it back, making it lose its initiative.


    The man didn''t let up and continued the barrage of hits, to Moira''s dismay. This was Akata''s second strongest fighter, and it was being roughed up to this extent.


    Gor targeted every weakness he knew. Groin, shin, stomach, liver¡­ None survived his rampage. It continued for a long minute, and Oleo''s soldiers were starting to regain their spirits. This was their leader, the strongest man they knew.


    He finally charged a huge right hook and unleashed it on the Berserker''s chin, sending him flying and crashing to the ground.


    Gor''s cocky attitude came back, and he threw the wounded titan a look of contempt.


    "I expected more¡­"


    This last sentence was one he immediately regretted.


    The Berserker, who had just suffered tremendously, raised its head from the ground, and it felt as if time had stopped. Its previously bloodshot eyes were now black, as if devoured by the void. His previously overbearing aura was now replaced by one of absolute strength that commanded submission. He was now the ruler of the battlefield.


    Gor''s face changed and his bravado disappeared, instantly replaced by fear. A fear so strong that he was now paralyzed, glued to his spot.


    "This¡­ can''t¡­ be¡­ happening!"


    No matter how hard he tried, it was pointless. His body had completely stopped responding to his commands, only allowing him to spectate what was coming next.


    The soldiers and Moira''s group were in a similar situation, unable to do anything. There was one thing that everyone knew however : the thing in front of them had been truly angered. To make one feel fear to the point of making it lose control was unheard of. This was why Berserkers were used to win wars.


    The Berserker raised himself from the ground and slowly walked forward, finally arriving face to face with Gor. The colossus had finally given in and was terrified and what would come next.


    He knew Berserkers were terrifying, but not to this extent. This defied all logic and common sense.


    It raised its arm and grabbed Gor''s neck before lifting him off the ground. The two titans were of the same height and seeing one simply play around with another left deep scars on the minds of everyone watching.


    "You¡­ mocked¡­ me¡­ Now¡­ It''s¡­ my¡­ turn¡­"

 69 Thomas vs. Gor

    Thomas and Gor continued their staring contest until the Berserker finally pushed him away, putting distance between the two men. The shove made Gor slide for several tens of meters before finally coming to a full stop.


    Gor was surprised, but his shocked expression immediately made way to one of delight. Even his soldiers were stupefied by the scene that just unfolded. Their leader had never been challenged in such a blatant way before.


    "HAHAHAHAHA! It''s been a long time since I''ve been all out! You better not disappoint me, boy"


    He tilted his head backwards and let out a roar that pierced the sky, with his already humongous body swelling and expanding further. The process finally stopped when his height reached 8''2" (2.49 m) and when his muscles were on the verge of crushing his bones to dust.


    Thomas was stunned by the scene, and thought at first that he was against another Berserker, only to dismiss that possibility right away. The man in front of him could still reason and his aura, although monstrous, didn''t fundamentally change like his did.


    Derrick had thought him everything he knew about his class, to the extent where he could quickly recognize his peers. The man in front of him was clearly something different, and he couldn''t wait to discover what.


    One thing was for sure : he couldn''t be underestimated.


    "My Lady, you can go help your companions. I''ll take care of him"


    Thomas flashed a smile to Moira before advancing towards his opponent. It was finally time to test out his strength.


    *CRACK*


    The air around him crackled and distorted, unable to endure the sheer force that was just released. His aura, now unshackled, exploded forth and invaded the entire region around them.


    All the soldiers fell to their knees, with their faces twisted in fear and agony. What the fuck was this?! The fear was so¡­ primal¡­ Like a prey in front of a predator so strong it could die of despair.


    Even Gor was affected by the pressure, but he stood his ground, still maniacally smiling in front of his opponent.


    "YES! THIS IS IT! WHAT I''VE BEEN LOOKING FOR ALL THESE YEARS HAHAHA"


    He couldn''t help but roar and provoke Thomas, who still calmly walked, ignoring the noise.


    When the distance between them was only ten meters, Thomas launched forward, with his body swelling up crazily and his stature transforming into a true fortress. His eyes became bloodshot and his reason started slipping away.


    "See you on the other side¡­"


    This was the only thing Gor heard before the crashing impact of the two colossi.


    *BANG*


    The ground beneath them was blown away, and dirt flew around like a hurricane. The shock wave was so strong that the majority of soldiers were thrown like rag dolls, still under the influence of the overbearing aura that Thomas had unleashed.


    When the dust settled, the two titans once again stood apart, but Gor looked pretty roughed up. His chiseled body was battered and a film of blood was falling from his lower lip. However, he still had the same crazy smile on his face.


    "SO YOU''RE A BERSERKER? IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE NOW! HAHAHAHA I FINALLY GET TO MEET ONE AND IT''S FANTASTIC! YOU PACK QUITE A PUNCH, BUT IT''S MY TURN NOW"


    Thomas, or rather the Berserker, roared in displeasure and heavily breathed, clearly enraged. Being mocked by a puny imitation of himself was an insult it couldn''t take.


    This time, both of them leaped forward before jumping and violently colliding.


    Gor managed to dodge the incoming right fist, and successfully landed his right on the face of the Berserker, who scuffed in response.


    The enraged beast immediately responded with an uppercut that landed on the chin of Gor, who grimaced. The blow was so strong that he became unbalanced in the air, vulnerable.


    "This fucking thing is strong as hell"


    Gor''s complaint fell on deaf ears, and the Berserker seized this opportunity to smash both his fists into the chest of Gor, sending him crashing in the ground. The impact was so severe that a large crater was created, making him spit out a mouthful of blood. His internal organs had certainly taken major damage.


    The Berserker still hung in the air before diving towards him, intending on finishing him right away.


    "Oh it won''t be that easy!"


    Gor rolled to the side, barely dodging the incoming blow that would''ve clearly knocked him out.


    With a swift motion, he stood up and sent two jabs at its head and finished it up with a high-flying knee that connected on its nose, instantly shattering it. The Berserker couldn''t react in time due to its downward momentum and the chain of hits blew it back, making it lose its initiative.


    The man didn''t let up and continued the barrage of hits, to Moira''s dismay. This was Akata''s second strongest fighter, and it was being roughed up to this extent.


    Gor targeted every weakness he knew. Groin, shin, stomach, liver¡­ None survived his rampage. It continued for a long minute, and Oleo''s soldiers were starting to regain their spirits. This was their leader, the strongest man they knew.


    He finally charged a huge right hook and unleashed it on the Berserker''s chin, sending him flying and crashing to the ground.


    Gor''s cocky attitude came back, and he threw the wounded titan a look of contempt.


    "I expected more¡­"


    This last sentence was one he immediately regretted.


    The Berserker, who had just suffered tremendously, raised its head from the ground, and it felt as if time had stopped. Its previously bloodshot eyes were now black, as if devoured by the void. His previously overbearing aura was now replaced by one of absolute strength that commanded submission. He was now the ruler of the battlefield.


    Gor''s face changed and his bravado disappeared, instantly replaced by fear. A fear so strong that he was now paralyzed, glued to his spot.


    "This¡­ can''t¡­ be¡­ happening!"


    No matter how hard he tried, it was pointless. His body had completely stopped responding to his commands, only allowing him to spectate what was coming next.


    The soldiers and Moira''s group were in a similar situation, unable to do anything. There was one thing that everyone knew however : the thing in front of them had been truly angered. To make one feel fear to the point of making it lose control was unheard of. This was why Berserkers were used to win wars.


    The Berserker raised himself from the ground and slowly walked forward, finally arriving face to face with Gor. The colossus had finally given in and was terrified and what would come next.


    He knew Berserkers were terrifying, but not to this extent. This defied all logic and common sense.


    It raised its arm and grabbed Gor''s neck before lifting him off the ground. The two titans were of the same height and seeing one simply play around with another left deep scars on the minds of everyone watching.


    "You¡­ mocked¡­ me¡­ Now¡­ It''s¡­ my¡­ turn¡­"

 70 Winner

    Thomas felt himself sinking deeper and deeper into the abyss, which he was now familiar with. Every time he transformed into his Berserker form, the process remained the same. He never knew what happened to his body in the real word and the backlash would simply hit him when he would regain control of his body.


    However, this time, something different occurred. While waiting for the end of the fight, floating into nothingness, a small gray orb appeared and drifted towards him.


    "Hmmm?"


    He was in his subconscious, so he highly doubted that it was nefarious. He moved in its direction and immediately grabbed it, trying to inspect it.


    *BOOM*


    The moment he seized it, a surge of power invaded his body and a harsh voice resounded around him. He had absolutely no clue about its origin or to whom it belonged, but its authority seemed absolute at this very instant.


    "This¡­ is¡­ a¡­ new¡­ power¡­ Be¡­ cautious¡­ when¡­ you¡­ use¡­ it¡­ Its¡­ burden¡­ is¡­ very¡­ heavy...."


    Right when the sentence ended, the gray orb sucked in Thomas, and he re-entered his body. But¡­ he was still in his Berserker mode!


    He was currently laying down in a small crater, battered. However, his injuries were already quickly healing, and he felt the new power gorging every muscle of his body, reinforcing it.


    This had never happened before, even when training with Derrick. He still couldn''t control his body, but he could see everything now and his thoughts were apparently influencing the indomitable force that drove it forward. It seemed that the previously irrational being now gained a new ace up its sleeve.


    He lifted his head from the ground and saw Gor, petrified by Thomas''s new and tyrannic aura. It appeared that his opponent was tougher than expected, to the point where he was forced to unlock this new power.


    From what he saw, it wasn''t only Gor, but all his surroundings that were under his influence, petrified. He felt sorry for Moira and her group, but it wasn''t like it was hurting them and even if he wanted to reign it in, he had no clue how or if he even could.


    He got up from his hole, and started walking in Gor''s direction. The bulk of a man even started shivering in fear, unable to control himself. He clearly didn''t want to, but his body recognized the danger it was in.


    When Thomas reached him, he grabbed his throat and lifted him up like a twig, ready to break him in half.


    Thomas couldn''t believe his current strength! It was simply beyond his wildest dreams. Before he could think of anything, his mouth opened and a slurry sentence came out.


    "You¡­ mocked¡­ me¡­ Now¡­ It''s¡­ my¡­ turn¡­"


    ***


    Gor''s expression became even more bleak and before he could muster an answer, he was smashed in the ground, still grabbed by the neck.


    The Berserker didn''t let go and repeatedly crushed him in the ground before throwing him away like a rag doll. Gor''s body crashed and scraped the ground inelegantly, unable to recuperate a proper landing position.


    When his momentum finally stopped, Gor was barely conscious, assessing the damage he had just taken. His injuries were so severe that he couldn''t move a single inch of his body. He tried faintly speaking, but only a mouthful of blood came out of his mouth. The biggest takeaway, however, was that he wasn''t on the verge of dying, yet.


    Thomas''s victory made the already despairing soldiers fall to the ground lifelessly, unable to accept the result. This was their leader¡­ The person they admired most and thought to be invincible. Gor losing was simply unfathomable.


    With the fight over, Thomas''s aura started receding and his body, shrinking. What he didn''t expect was the immediate backlash. The sheer amount of pain submerging him was so overwhelming that he almost lost consciousness. Instead, he let out a shriek that sent shivers through everyone''s body, almost making them feel his pain.


    Every remaining injury he had healed and when the process finally ended, he fell to his knees, unable to move. This was what the voice referred to¡­ He complained in his head about the lax description of what he had just gone through.


    With his aura gone, everyone could move once again, and the first reaction of Oleo''s soldiers were to assist Gor, who still laid pitifully on the ground. They quickly assessed his injuries and asked for the best healers to come and begin treatment. They didn''t want him to have permanent damage from this fight.


    Once the orders were given, they turned around and once again faced their opponents.


    Moira was doing the same thing, which was treating the injuries of John, Terry and Henry. Thomas finally managed to get off the ground and walk in their direction, joining their rank.


    "I don''t know how to thank you for what you did¡­ You saved our honor¡­"


    John was the first to express his thanks, which were soon followed by Terry''s and Henry''s. If Moira had ended up in the same state as them, they couldn''t live with their failure.


    "It''s nothing much. In fact, I have to apologize to you three for not coming to your aid sooner. My orders limited me from intervening"


    Even though he was victorious, Thomas still felt bitter in his heart. The past few months had fundamentally changed him and his previously meaningless life was way past him. He was part of this new family, the army, and seeing his fellows get hurt pained his heart.


    When he noticed the reformed defensive formation of his adversaries, his blood boiled once again. Unable to control himself, he roared at them.


    "Can''t you see you''ve lost?! What is this pointless charade? We''ve only come here to negotiate the migration of your people to a city that will give you better lives, and your first reaction is to treat us like scum from the Empire?! SHAMELESS"


    The posturing soldiers kept their weapons raised, but threw looks at each others, unsure of what to do. They were ready to give their lives to avenge their leader''s defeat, but it seemed he had been spared on purpose.


    Finally, the supervisor, who had been at the origin of it all, spoke.


    "How can you prove your words? We''ve yet to see real evidence of what you claim to represent"


    This was the best approach he came up with. After seeing the absurd strength displayed by the opposing party, he didn''t want to send soldiers to their deaths. He had to be cautious and try to salvage the situation.


    Thomas was pleased with the answer and thought about could prove their identities. Akata didn''t have any official documents, and its population was ever expanding. After a few seconds of reflection, a bright smile came on his exhausted face, and he asked Moira for an iron coin.


    His clothes were in tatters from the fight and his crazy expansion, making him lose most of his belongings.


    The woman nodded and took one out from a leather pouch still at her waist. Thomas took it and threw it near the feet of the man, who took it.


    The coin had a pattern he had never seen before, and it was exquisite. He was sure it wasn''t made by the Krakow Empire, or at least it wasn''t while he was still living there.


    "We make these in Akata. Are you finally interested in talking?"


    The man was shocked and pondered, before leaving the front of the formation to go to Gor''s location at its back. The colossus was still being heavily treated by a few healers who seemed already exhausted by the work they were given.


    It took a minute before the man came back to the front.


    "We will hear out your proposition"

 71 Julia

    Moira''s group, now including Thomas, were walking on the dirt roads of Oleo, escorted by the soldiers they had just terrorized.


    The village was in much better shape than they had anticipated, and its development was impressive. They were nowhere near Akata, but if given a couple of years, they would be a flourishing city.


    Every citizen curiously watched as the group made its way to the center. They had seen soldiers rushing outside, but they didn''t know the exact situation. Gor''s subordinates had also sneaked him back in to avoid creating unrest due to his current pitiable state.


    After a few minutes, they finally arrived at what they deemed to be the town hall. Like the one in Akata, it was roughly built and seemed to be temporary.


    The soldiers escorted them inside before turning around and leaving, their duty now over. Compared to its exterior, Moira was impressed by its interior''s decor. It wasn''t luxurious, but it was done elegantly and the materials used had been treated with great care. It appeared there were good workers living in this village.


    "Welcome to Oleo!"


    The sweet voice surprised them, immediately making the group turn in its direction.


    What greeted them was a bowing tall and tanned woman. Her traits were delicate and her long, brown hair cascaded to her waist. She really was a beauty. Moira, not fazed by her looks, was the first to respond.


    "We''re glad to be here! We''re sorry for our initial¡­"


    The woman raised her hand and stopped her mid-sentence, a little exasperated.


    "I heard¡­ You''re not to blame¡­ My husband has always been a hot-head that never reasons and only thinks with his fists¡­ I never expected him to come back this battered though haha"


    Her laugh was beautiful, making the men blush. Moira saw their expressions and gave them a vicious side-eye, making them turn away and gulp in fear. She didn''t show it, but she was surprised that Gor had managed to land a woman that beautiful. The funny interaction made the woman laugh even more.


    "Oh, I forgot to present myself. My name''s Julia and I''m the Miss of this village. Let''s reintroduce ourselves"


    "I''m Moira, the second Lady of Akata. These are our soldiers, namely Thomas, John, Henry and Terry"


    Julia seemed particularly interested in Thomas. She had heard Gor''s stories about Berserkers, but never thought she would meet one in her lifetime. They were usually hidden from sight, reserved as trump cards that would wreak havoc on battlefields. She also never expected her husband to be the victim of one''s wrath.


    "As we''ve previously mentioned, we''re simply here to discuss a potential migration of your people to our city"


    "I''ll be representing Gor during this meeting, and thus the interests of Oleo. You''re asking for us to migrate to Akata, right?"


    Moira was taken aback at first, but quickly realized that the woman in front of her wasn''t just pretty. She knew how this game was played. Her demeanor had changed from a hospitable hostess to one that had fangs and would tear them apart if their proposal lacked in any way. They had, in the end, heavily wounded the leader of this village, so they better had a good reason.


    "Thomas, take John, Henry and Terry outside. Leave our gift on the table"


    The soldiers understood and left right away, leaving behind the two women and a shining iron armor, who caught Julia''s eyes. It was brand new and didn''t resemble the ones made in the Krakow Empire. Moira still couldn''t believe that it had survived the trip and all their problems without even getting a scratch.


    Moira''s dismissal also gave Julia a smile. It would have been disrespectful to Julia if mere soldiers attended a meeting of this importance.


    "Yes, we want you to move in with us"


    "And why should we do this? You''ve seen our village. It''s the best around"


    It was Moira''s turn to smile.


    "The armor on the table was made by our blacksmiths"


    The news stunned Julia, who turned her gaze once again to the equipment laying on the table. It didn''t appear to be exactly on par with official blacksmiths, but it was close enough considering it was basic armor.


    Julia hid her enthusiasm and kept her poker face, making Moira perplex. She couldn''t see through her counterpart as she was, primarily, a soldier. Politics were obviously not her strong suit.


    "That is quite an achievement, but it doesn''t really affect the way our citizen live. We have a big community here, and we have been developing steadily for the last few years. Their standards of living are now quite high, with food never lacking and lodging given. Could you guarantee this?"


    Moira''s expression didn''t change, and instead calmly replied.


    "Akata has more than 30 000 citizens now, so I''m sure our standards are fine"


    The response was so dry and devoid of emotion that Julia choked on her saliva. 30 000?! UH?! It took her a few seconds to recuperate and her state almost worried Moira, who didn''t know why her reaction was so intense.


    Meanwhile, Julia''s mind was in shambles. They had barely heard of Akata before and their information said that it was a small village that scrapped by to survive. This meant their information was outdated to the point where a behemoth appeared next to them without their knowledge. It couldn''t be right, and she was sure that Moira was bluffing. With that in mind, she was determined to find the real number.


    "I have difficulty believing this number. After all, 30 000 is unheard of in this region and the logistics are a nightmare, especially considering the numerous monsters roaming around. People are killed by them every year, which is a real pity. I know you''re trying to embellish your numbers to make your offer more appealing, but it will have the opposite effect"


    Moira now realized why her counterpart had reacted in this way. It appeared that Akata''s development was abnormal, to the point where it stunned Julia. After all, she hadn''t paid much attention to it, instead devoting all her time to perfect her training. She thought a bit before finding a simple, yet good solution.


    "Well, would you like to come see it for yourself? It''d be my pleasure to welcome you in our home"


    Julia was surprised by the offer and thought a bit, before finally agreeing. Gor was in no shape to travel, and she wanted to see the real state of Akata. If they could make armor of this quality, they were surely doing well.


    Moira was happy that her suggestion was accepted and shook Julia''s hand.


    "We''ll be leaving at dawn, as we have to report before then. The army will be sent otherwise and I don''t want a war to erupt between our people when we''ll be collaborating in the future"


    Julia found her statement absurd and thought she was exaggerating their prowess once more. However, she couldn''t wait to visit the place that housed a Berserker in their ranks.

 72 Tour of Akata

    Derrick was watching outside the town hall''s window, waiting for the reports concerning the diplomatic missions'' success. He wondered just how many of the 50 groups would come back intact as today was the limit set before he gave Eloise full authority on how to proceed subsequently.


    However, he couldn''t just wait around while doing nothing.


    "System, show me Akata''s stats"


    [Akata Village]


    [Level : 4]


    [Population : 30 943]


    [Soldiers : 1516]


    [Funds : 67 934 iron coins, 892 gold coins]


    [Tax : 5% on sales (Income : 2234 iron coins / day)]


    [Businesses : Iron Mine (Production : 1 ton / week), Gold Mine (Production : Unknown / week) Resources Factory]


    [Institutions : Forge, Military Quarters, School, Akata Loans (In Progress), Market (In Progress)]


    [Mood : 89/11]


    It seemed the influx of people remained steady, with the number of soldiers slightly increasing as well. The city also gained a single point of satisfaction, but the numbers were already through the roof, so every increase afterwards was considerable.


    He was curious as to why the Gold mine''s production was unknown, but figured it depended on the work rate of the Orcs. Plus, the System had no data on what to base its estimations on since it was a new type of mine.


    He also remembered that Alma would come in two days, and with her would be the goods that would send his people in a frenzy. After all, it would be the first introduction of luxury goods in the city. He stayed on that thought for a minute before hitting his forehead.


    "I forgot to advertise it¡­"


    He called a guard to go fetch Lacha, which arrived shortly after, happy to once again see Derrick alone. She was still as sexy as ever and the woman''s devastating charm made the necromancer''s heart flutter, but he held on, not succumbing to his urges.


    Seeing this reaction made her blush, and she quickly sat on the chair facing him.


    "What can I do for you, husband?"


    Derrick straightened himself before continuing.


    "Have you brought the quill and parchment?"


    "Of course"


    It had become a habit of hers to always bring those things as she often wrote announcements for Derrick.


    "I want you to advertise our upcoming market. Just enough to rouse the interest of everyone. I forgot about it when we spoke of Akata Loans, but the market will be coming soon, and I want everyone to be aware of its opening"


    Lacha was surprised by the sudden announcement, and her eyes flashed with a glint of desire. She began to speak, hesitated, but continued in the end.


    "Uh¡­ Will there be new clothes?"


    The question, completely out of the blue, made Derrick stare at her before erupting in laughter. While continuously laughing, he took out his magical pouch and grabbed 200 gold coins before giving them to her.


    Lacha was over the moon. It had been too long since she had gotten new clothes, and hers were starting to become very, very ragged. He stood up, went to her and, out of nowhere, kissed her cheek before leaving the hall.


    "I''ll leave you to it then!"


    Lacha was beet-red from the interaction, and so was the leaving Derrick, who still wasn''t used to interacting with women on a personal level. Even though he didn''t want to attach himself deeply, the last few months had, unbeknownst to him, did their work.


    "Guess it''s time to tour the city and see what other problems there are"


    He went outside, saluted by the guards that were posted at its entrance. Since the town hall would be temporarily converted into their loans building, the security had been greatly increased, attracting the gaze of many curious passerby.


    "Guess I''ll have to wear my cloak to not be recognized"


    Derrick was usually walking in his armor throughout the town, and people instantly recognized him. The only people that had never seen him were the ones who immigrated by hearing of Akata, but they were instantaneously told of its mighty ruler by the locals. He was a mythical figure no matter where he went.


    He donned his cloak and began his tour in the new and flourishing downtown, where stalls were more and more packed, to the point where it began to seem overcrowded. Adding that to the increasing traffic in people, moving around was starting to become a chore. This was definitely something that had to be looked at.


    "System, can you take notes for me?"


    [Affirmative]


    "Add note : Permits will be required to do business. They will be handled by Akata Loans. I''ll have to tell Lacha quickly"


    [Note added]


    The System really was too convenient. He didn''t want to think about living without it.


    He continued his tour, and arrived in the restaurant district. This was also the result of the exploding population and was, as well, unregulated. With the arrival of the new currency came an explosion in the number of businesses, and this was one of the sectors that had benefited the most. It had been a while since he had eaten anything, so he decided to check one out.


    To gauge their level, he went to the most expensive one. It was filled to the brim with people, and he had to wait 30 minutes before getting a table located at the very end of the small shop. Its decor was simple, but in good taste.


    A young lady came and announced herself as his waitress, before iterating the items offered today. There was a nice diversity, but everything that contained meat was super, super expensive and so were the drinks, ranging from water to alcohol. When asked about the reason, the waitress simply pointed out the booming population.


    Hunters weren''t able to respond to the soaring demand, making the highest bidders the sole party being able to afford them. As for the drinks, the infrastructure, namely the wells, wasn''t developed enough to support everyone. Clean water was then harder to come by.


    "Add note : Cattle development. Also, breeding horses for military purposes. Utility infrastructure needed"


    [Notes added]


    These were the notes that Derrick made after his meal, which had been pretty tasty all things considered. The meat problem had also made him realize a glaring issue with Akata''s military : its logistics.


    Making all his equipment run on magic was unrealistic, and when bigger campaigns came about, like the siege of Terra in the future, horses would be needed. This major oversight hadn''t even been mentioned by Eloise, which showed her inexperience.


    As for the infrastructure problem, he would have to remedy it right away. It pained him because that meant he would have to divert workers from the wall, but it was necessary. He couldn''t allow his people to fall ill because of poor planning.


    He continued roaming the streets, and a foul smell caught his nose. It felt so repugnant that he even pulled a part of his cloak to cover his nose. Derrick grabbed a passerby and asked from where it came from, and the answer frankly disgusted him.


    "It comes from people shitting in the streets man! People usually just shovel it to the side afterwards, so others don''t step in it. Are you new here? It''s been done like this forever"


    Derrick thanked the man for his answer and gave him an iron coin before dismissing him. He had completely forgotten about this issue! Since reincarnating, his body had never felt that need, and even in his previous life, he had always used a hole that he would cover up after doing his deed. This was another thing that needed to be addressed right away.


    "Add note : Facilities to improve sanitary conditions"


    It seemed that tonight''s meeting was going to be jam packed...

 73 Meeting

    Nighttime had arrived, which meant it was time for the meeting. Derrick convoked William, Eloise and Jack in the town hall.


    Once everyone was around the table, Derrick proceeded right away.


    "Eloise, report"


    The fiery woman''s behavior slightly changed, which was noticed by Derrick. It seemed the news weren''t all good.


    "Out of the 50 groups sent, 37 came back without injuries. They secured migratory deals representing 10 000 people, which will move during the next few weeks. They are also asking for an escort, which we agreed to.


    Out of the 13 remaining, 8 came back severely injured, and some had even been stripped naked out of their gear. They are currently being treated and their life isn''t in danger. The information gathered point to those 8 villages representing 8000 heads, with decent militia behind them. They didn''t manage to obtain an estimate, but we roughly think that they have around 100 to 130 soldiers in each village"


    She paused, took a deep breath, and continued.


    "We do not have any information on the 5 missing groups except for their location. Moira is also among those who are currently missing"


    Derrick''s tamper greatly changed when he heard the last part, and he involuntarily let out a heavy murderous aura. Its appearance was sudden and the people couldn''t breathe anymore, the pressure compressing their airways and lungs. It took him a moment before realizing what was happening, and he stopped.


    Everyone let out sighs of relief.


    "What''s your plan?"


    Derrick''s tone was heavy and Eloise gulped, before outlaying her strategy.


    "I''ll be sending troops to the 13 locations, and make a show of force. We won''t engage right away, and we''ll instead conquer them one by one, stacking groups on top of the other. It''ll be a domino effect. Of course, we''ll send our best soldiers to our first location, which will be Oleo to rescue Moira"


    Right when Derrick was about to agree, a soldier ran in, breathless.


    "Your Highness! Moira¡­ Moira''s group is back!"


    Derrick instantly got up and went towards the soldier, leaving behind everyone, who were stunned, but relieved. It was especially the case for Eloise, who felt the weight of the world disappear from her shoulders.


    She knew that Derrick had accepted the possibility of Moira being injured during her mission, but she had taken every measure to ensure her survival. Her disappearance had sent her spiraling into doubt and worry, but it was finally all over.


    "Lead me to her right away. Wait for me, I''ll be back in a few"


    The soldier quickly nodded and led the way with Derrick in tow. They moved along swiftly, and finally arrived at the outskirts of Akata, with Moira and her group being looked after by dozens of soldiers.


    As the Second Lady of Akata, she was treated like royalty and nobody dared disrespecting her.


    "What are you doing here?"


    Her first sentence stunned everyone present, and when the soldiers recognized Derrick, they promptly saluted before vacating the premise, leaving behind Derrick, Moira, Thomas, John, Henry, Terry and Julia.


    "Can''t a husband be worried about his wife?"


    Derrick had already made an appraisal scan and had found no life-threatening injuries, relieving his stress, which allowed him to speak naturally. Teasing Moira was one of his favorite activities.


    "Who''s my husband? Hmph!"


    The woman turned her head away with her chin high, making the necromancer laugh. Her pride was something that Derrick had learned to admire. He then turned his attention to Thomas and the soldiers next to him.


    "I want to thank you all for the work you''ve done"


    "My Lord, you do not have to thank us. We merely did our duty. Now that it''s over, we''ll leave you three alone"


    Thomas was the one who spoke, and he left with the three other men. His mission was over and it was finally time to relax.


    Derrick watched them walk away for a little while before turning his attention to the new party in front of him, who, he had to admit, was beautiful.


    Julia felt his gaze run all over her body and immediately harrumphed in response, making him stop and scratch his head in embarrassment. Even Moira threw him a disappointed side-eye that made him feel like a kid that had been caught doing something bad.


    "I assume you''re the leader of Akata?"


    "Yes. Whom might you be?"


    "Julia, the acting representative of Oleo. Your soldier gave my husband quite a beating, making it impossible for him to travel here"


    Derrick was surprised about this, and by her expression, it meant that Thomas had to intervene. This confirmed two things. One, their leader was strong and second, their population was big enough for them to come visit instead of agreeing to their proposal. They were probably thinking that Moira was bluffing in her negotiations.


    "You''re more than welcome to visit! Moira will be your guide. Now that I know she''s safe, I''ll return to my meeting. Excuse me"


    The necromancer turned around and left, leaving behind a stunned Julia. Who the hell did this man think he is?! She had never been dismissed like that before, and certainly not since moving into this forest as the wife of Oleo''s leader.


    Moira saw her frustration and couldn''t help but giggle.


    "You''ll understand once you really see our city¡­"


    ***


    It took Derrick another minute before returning to the city hall where everyone still sat at the table.


    "Let''s continue this, shall we?"


    After sitting down, he motioned for Eloise to continue laying down her plan, which had a way better expression than before.


    "As I was saying, we''ll dispatch 12 groups that''ll posture in front of each village. The threat should be enough to make them assume a defensive stance. This will limit their movements, allowing us to sweep them one by one and letting us regroup our army after each offensive. If they engage before we''re ready, the soldiers will simply fall back into the forest. With our equipment, the casualties should be minimal"


    The plan was sound and it would also force their opponents to see that they weren''t joking around. However, Derrick still remained sour about the success rate of the mission. It hadn''t gone like he wanted at all. It appeared that reputation really was the only thing that diplomats needed when going on those types of missions.


    "Okay, you can do as you see fit. Also, I''ve found a major weakness in our military"


    The phrase sent shivers down Eloise''s spine. She was in charge of everything related to the army, and if her Master had found a glaring hole, it must have been a pretty huge oversight. Derrick didn''t let her agonize for too long before diving straight into it.


    "We do not have any logistics for the army, and we cannot solve it all with magic. I want you to form a cavalry division and give me an estimate on how many horses we need to solve our logistical issues"


    Eloise''s face became ashen, unable to process how she had forgotten something so important¡­ She was hailed as a genius¡­ How...


    "Master, I¡­"


    "Enough. You''re still green, and I understand you need experience. This is why I''m leaving you a lot of leeway with this situation"


    Her fists were balled up, and she exerted so much strength that her nails dug into her skin, with a light film of blood slowly dripping down on the floor.


    "Master, please excuse me from this meeting"


    Derrick nodded and watched her leave. Horses would have to be another item to buy when he returned to Terra.

 74 Costs

    Derrick then turned to Jack.


    "How''s the wall progressing?"


    "There has been no delay, Your Highness. With the arrival of new workers, we''re certain that we can shorten the timeframe by at least a month"


    Jack was really proud, as he had to calculate everything multiple times to optimize every aspect of the project. The old man couldn''t wait to see the reaction of Derrick. However, to his surprise, the necromancer only smiled, making his skin crawl. Something was fishy about this...


    "Great! That means you can take on other projects, right?"


    There it was! Jack should have trusted his gut when he felt something odd about this meeting...


    "What did you have in mind?"


    "Wells and sanitary installations. Also, we''ll need more housing development considering the wave of new incoming refugees"


    "I understand the need for more wells and houses, as it''s also been on my mind, but what about sanitary installations? How do we implement it?"


    Even though he hadn''t used them, Derrick had seen the way Terra went about that particular issue. However, he didn''t know its system in-depth, so he could only outline its major components.


    "I want you to build decent shacks throughout the city, which will be separated between men and women. Prioritize heavily popular areas, and make sure that people can have privacy when using them. I want you to think of a system where we can dispose of the waste afterwards"


    "I understand. I''ll put my mind to it. Anything else Your Highness?"


    "Yeah, I want you to meet with farmers and ask around if there are people that worked with cattle before. I want meat to be affordable for everyone, not just the wealthier individuals. When you''ve found some, build installations according to their suggestions. The city will subsidize their construction. Do you have an estimate on how much everything will cost?"


    With the soaring economy finally came large expenses. Derrick couldn''t escape them anymore, even when located in Akata. Luckily for him, the wall currently being built was under conscription, which meant that people were forced to work on it.


    Of course, their lodging and meals were provided, but it was still way less expensive than giving them a salary.


    "I think the stalls will cost around 10 000 iron coins, and that''s to set them all up around the city. I''m basing that estimate on building one for every 30 people, which would require us to build a thousand of them. The price can be this low because we purchase bulks of materials. Of course, this doesn''t include the maintenance costs"


    Derrick was surprised by how cheap they were, but figured it made sense. He wasn''t asking for anything over complex or luxurious. He simply wanted a place where people could safely and properly relieve themselves.


    Derrick nearly chocked when he heard the numbers. They were outrageously high for his tiny budget and income. Jack saw his distressed expression, but still continued. He had become more bold these last few months, probably due to the fact he had completely assumed his role of Minister. Sugar coating things was not his style anymore.


    "Your Highness, I know it''s a harsh reality, but the workers are being handsomely paid nowadays. You also have to take into consideration that the price is for a standard farm without any bells and whistles. It could easily reach 10 000 iron coins with the suggestions"


    It took some time before Derrick could answer.


    "Thank you for going straight to the point. Proceed forward with the plans. Begin with 10 farms first, and we''ll reevaluate our strategy once we see their production. We''ll also have to procure the animals, and the turnover will take some time, as the beasts will have to breed to create a cycle. You''re dismissed."


    Jack nodded and left right away. The amount of work he now had on his plate was colossal, with no time to lose. His proudly acquired month of respite has gone into smoke just like that.


    Now the only remaining people in the room were Derrick and the Scholar, William. It had been a while since the two had met.


    "The reason I summoned you here is that I want to know if there is anyone promising in management attending the school. Akata''s affairs are becoming incredibly complex, and I want an aid for Lacha to rely on. I''m afraid she''ll tire herself out too much"


    Derrick went straight to the point, and the Scholar didn''t waste any time before rummaging through his memories. The ever-increasing attendance at Akata''s school had transformed it into an institution, and William''s hard work of forming new teachers had paid greatly. It was now time to see its dividends.


    It took him a long minute before finding a result.


    "I have someone you might be interested in. She''s 16 years of age, and a prodigy with numbers. Her name is Lily. She also knows how to write and is surprising astute when facing problems. She''s a diamond in the rough, and she can become a real asset if guided properly"


    Derrick was ecstatic, and he immediately sent soldiers to summon both her and Lacha.


    Their arrivals were near simultaneous and Derrick couldn''t help but smile when they entered the hall. Lacha''s face had a red tint, obviously still remembering their previous moment, which was totally forgotten by Derrick at the moment.


    Lily was a pretty and small girl. She didn''t have a wow factor yet, but one could clearly see that it was only a matter of time before she would bloom into a majestic flower.


    When she saw Derrick, her heart nearly stopped, and she immediately got down on all fours, kowtowing.


    "Your Highness, it''s an honor to meet you!"


    Derrick was shocked, and he couldn''t restrain his laugh in time.


    "William, is that what you teach them at school?"


    The little jab made William awkwardly smile before responding.


    "Master, you''re the ruler of this city. Teaching them proper etiquette is only natural!"


    Lily was unfazed by the conversation and remained still on the floor. She wasn''t a stranger to the stories circulating about Derrick, and if even only a fraction of them were true, he truly was a strong and ruthless personage.


    "Get up Lily, I have business to discuss with you"


    Derrick had finally managed to control himself and now had a serious tone.


    The girl didn''t dawdle, quickly getting on her feet while maintaining a bowing posture.


    "My wife, Lacha, will be your new employer"


    Both women were dumbstruck by the news, forcing Derrick to rapidly explain himself.


    "Lacha, I want you to issue a new decree stating that every business will need a permit to operate in the future. Those permits will give them legitimacy. A two week grace-period will be granted, but every non-complying entity afterwards will be shutdown and seized. This will be a massive undertaking, which is why I thought about assigning you an aid. She''s apparently very bright"


    Lacha finally understood the situation. She was graceful that Derrick thought of an aid, as Akata Loans already took most of her time. If she had to take on more, she would most-likely burn out.


    Lily couldn''t believe what was happening. Was His Highness offering her a job, and with his wife at that?! She was only a lowly commoner that had the chance of attending school, which was already a dream come true. People like her never had those opportunities. In Krakow, they would be flogged and shamed for even thinking of such things.


    Lacha saw her disbelief, and she walked forward to present herself, with a radiant smile and plenty of warmth.


    "It seems we''ll be working together from now on. We''ll discuss further details later. You can go and tell your parents the good news!"

 75 Spies

    Once the meeting ended, everyone went their ways, starting to work on what they were assigned. Time flew and just like that, another day went by. This meant that it was finally time to meet Alma and open the market!


    The announcement, written by Lacha, had been posted downtown, with shout casters reading it aloud for those who couldn''t.


    At first, people whispered about it, wondering if it was exaggerated, but when people pointed out the giant empty building that had remained vacant so far, people started connecting the dots and a frenzy soon emerged.


    Everyone couldn''t help but get excited. They had been forced to live in this area, without any of their home''s comfort. The fact that a market would soon remove that "unfamiliar" factor from the equation thrilled them to no end.


    There wasn''t only the citizens that were excited. Even Lacha fidgeted constantly at the idea of getting new clothes. It had been too long since she felt soft fabrics unto her skin¡­


    Dawn showed its head and Derrick immediately set off in Terra''s direction, intending on picking up Alma on the way. Her trip must have been perilous, and he figured that saving her a bit of it was the right thing to do. He also couldn''t wait to see the state in which she was.


    During the night, he had also thought of an issue with the market, which he would have to remedy quickly. Everything was priced into gold coins but¡­ Akata only had iron coins at the moment! He would have to determine a ratio that wouldn''t put a strain on the city''s finances, and he would also have to incorporate it into the already established currency. He figured he would consult Kuro on the matter when he came back.


    After getting airborne and on his way, he asked Io to use echolocation in the corridor where Alma should be located.


    [Echolocation in progress¡­ 8 entities found]


    The map appeared in Derrick''s mind, and he eliminated the dots who didn''t move, associating them to lurking monsters. However, to his surprise, he discovered that there were 4 dots moving towards him, and one of those was surely Alma.


    Did Brigand send more people? Absolutely not. The burly man was under surveillance, and the only person he really trusted was the elf. If it wasn''t him...


    Soon, the realization hit him like a ton of bricks¡­ Alma had been tailed! Which meant¡­ They had been discovered by someone in Terra.


    Was it when he went to Terra last time? The necromancer chased all those thoughts as it didn''t matter right now, and his brain went through every scenario possible.


    Without any delay, he asked Io to dive towards the elf. There was only one option : kill them all.


    After all, the forest was a hostile environment. Dying in it was way more common than surviving.


    ***


    Alma''s rhythm hadn''t slowed down since beginning her journey in the forest, pressed to arrive at Akata. She couldn''t lose Brigand''s cargo, who had invested pretty much all he had in this venture, which added to her hurry. She had met many dangers, but ultimately survived due to her skills. Avoiding attention was, after all, her calling card.


    Based on her current speed, her arrival would be around noon, which would allow her to rest before beginning her journey back tomorrow.


    *BANG*


    Out of nowhere, a gigantic creature crashed in front of her, stopping her in her tracks.


    "What the fuck?!"


    She had paid attention to her surroundings and this was as unexpected as it could be. Before she could identify the threat and assume a stance, an arm grabbed her waist and swung her unto the back of the beast.


    "Have you missed me?"


    The voice was all too familiar for Alma, who lowered her guard immediately before letting out a loud complaint followed by a punch in the gut of her counterpart.


    "You bastard! What''s with the sudden appearance?"


    "You''ve been followed"


    The revelation shocked Alma, and her face became ashen.


    "Are¡­ Are you sure? I''ve checked multiple times and found no one"


    "Yeah. They must have known for quite some time. When they saw you enter the forest, they decided to act and follow you"


    Alma''s confidence, at that moment, was like a vase dropped unto the floor, shattering into a million pieces. She was an assassin, who were praised for their anonymity. The fact that she had been tailed without realizing at all was disgraceful, not only for her, but for Brigand who had invested so much into her.


    Derrick noticed her distress and lightly tapped her back.


    "I didn''t know either, so don''t beat yourself up. Now we''ve got another job to do, and it''s to get rid of all of them. They know too much to be left alive"


    Alma quickly shoved her personal feelings aside and agreed with Derrick''s assessment. Even if they simply fled from here, it wouldn''t take long for the unknown party to find Akata based on the information they already gathered from this trip.


    Derrick ordered Io to take flight once again and go in the pursuer''s direction. Derrick couldn''t wait to see how strong they were if they had managed to evade him.


    ***


    "Trevor, we''ve been at it for three days straight. We should rest before continuing. It''s not like we''ll lose track of her. She can''t even find us¡­"


    "He''s right. If we exhaust ourselves and get found out, we won''t be able to do much and even fleeing would become difficult"


    "Shut up you two. You weren''t there when I was crushed to the ground, on the verge of death. This mission is of utmost importance and the chance of losing her trace is still there, although slim. I''ll never forget the Official''s face when we failed to report¡­"


    The last part sent shivers through the three men''s spines, and they accelerated their tempo. Failing this task probably meant death.


    *BANG*


    The three men, caught off unprepared, were blasted backwards by the unknown force. Dirt and leaves were also blown away, creating a miniature storm of vegetation around the crater.


    Once every settled, they couldn''t believe what was in front of them.


    A dark, half-eagle half-bat creature with glowing red eyes stared at them, its shining teeth out.


    "Welcome to our humble forest!"


    They turned their gazes away from the beast and unto its back where laid the elf they had been tailing and the men they had identified in their report. It appeared that the situation had been reversed.

 76 Confrontation

    Trevor and his two acolytes were shocked, but very aware of their predicament.


    "Trevor, do we retreat?"


    "There''s no point. The person in front of us is strong¡­ If we give up our position, we''ll be tracked down like dogs, since that thing can fly¡­ Plus, the terrain we''re currently in isn''t bad"


    They were currently in a small, clear part of the forest where the vegetation wasn''t too dense, allowing them to move unhindered.


    Alma and Derrick jumped down from Io''s back and arrived face to face with the opposing group.


    "I see you''ve been tracking my friend for a while¡­"


    Derrick''s aura started seeping out, chilling the surrounding air. Alma, who was next to him, shivered and a sense of dread invaded every cell of her body. The only description she managed to associate with it was imminent death.


    The three men also felt the chilling wave and Trevor, unfazed, advanced in it. The distance between the two groups was 50 meters and when he had closed half of it, he stopped while still facing Derrick.


    "You''re the party we''ve been tracking down. We want you to come with us, on the orders of the Official"


    Derrick''s heart shattered. This was the most dreadful scenario of all¡­ However, he couldn''t let them see that, so his face remained neutral, to Trevor''s dismay. People usually quivered when the mere mention of an Official was thrown in their direction.


    "I see¡­ It''s too bad I don''t take orders¡­"


    Derrick''s answer stunned the man.


    "Are you saying you will not comply with a direct order from an Official of the Krakow Empire?!"


    Trevor''s tone had suddenly grown fiery and dominating. Failing this mission meant death. Even if he had to drag the other party half-dead, he wouldn''t hesitate. With that in mind, he exploded with a dark and nasty aura, who was instantly answered by Derrick''s.


    The clash of both forces created violent gusts, and the two other spies joined Trevor''s, with Alma doing the same.


    "System, Appraisal"


    [Trevor, 27 years old]


    [Class : None]


    [Strength : 15]


    [Agility : 24]


    [Endurance : 12]


    [Vitality : 8]


    [Magic Power : 8]


    [Note : Assassin/Spy. Excels with speed and unseen attacks]


    Derrick didn''t bother using Appraisal on the two other men, leaving them to Alma who seemed confident she could stall them long enough for Derrick to finish his fight.


    However, he had to say that his opponent''s stats were frightening. It appeared that the Official wanted to meet him badly to send him people of this caliber. It didn''t help that an agility focused person was the bane of a necromancer due to the class''s lack of mobility.


    "Your strength is nowhere near the Official. I suggest you come with us before you regret it"


    Derrick was surprised to be belittled. Why would someone bring this up right now?


    "Perhaps not, but it''s not like you''ll be able to tell him mine¡­ Drako, Cernunnos, come on out"


    The gigantic beasts came out of his shadow, chilling the atmosphere further. Their size was so impressive that everyone was tongue-tied, and it took Trevor a few seconds before being able to speak.


    "You¡­ You''re a Necromancer!"


    Trevor still couldn''t believe his eyes, but it finally all made sense. Why would someone live in this forest with such talent? A necromancer was perceived as scum of society, and anything they did was evil. It also explained the eerie aura of the creature they had arrived on.


    "Human, did you really bring us out for this small fry?"


    "Yeah, what''s up with this? We won''t even be able to stretch out"


    Drako and Cernunnos began mocking Trevor, who only heard grunts. After all, only Derrick or those with a close bond with him could hear the creatures. Meanwhile, the spy was analyzing the shadowy beasts in front of him, trying to find their weaknesses.


    In a single moment, he had been put against the wall, so holding back was not an option anymore.


    "You''re better than what I gave you credit for, but¡­ You''re still too weak to go up against him. Do you really plan on opposing us?"


    Trevor tried a last ditch effort, hoping to scare Derrick into backing away and complying.


    "I didn''t think you were a coward. Enough talking. It''s time for you to go to the other side"


    The necromancer''s rebuttal was so brutal that Trevor wanted to explode in anger, but he had to maintain a cool head. One wrong movement and he would die.


    "I guess you''ve made your choice¡­"


    Right when he ended, Trevor shot forward and went between the two beasts, who were caught unprepared and couldn''t react in time. Even Derrick didn''t expect such speed, and he barely managed to get in position to parry the incoming strike.


    Trevor''s punch landed unto Derrick''s arms, blasting him backwards until he crashed into the nearby trees. Alma and the two others were astonished by the sudden opening of hostilities, making them enter the fray as well.


    "I knew you were fast, but this is on another level¡­"


    Derrick got up, dusted himself off, and walked forward while giving death stares to Drakos and Cernunnos, who lowered their heads in shame. They boasted about their strength only to get immediately humiliated.


    Thankfully for them, Derrick was a Necromancer that could honestly be compared to a warrior, so this much damage really was negligible.


    The fact that he had mostly come out unscathed also surprised Trevor, forcing him to take out a dagger from his waist. It was time to get serious.


    "Don''t fail me again you two. Let''s go!???


    Derrick grabbed the sword from his back and leaped forward, followed by the gigantic dragon-like lizard and the half-deer half-bear being. Their charge caused the ground to tremble, as well as Trevor''s soul. This much firepower was definitely impressive.


    The first one to strike was Derrick, who swung his sword at Trevor''s throat, intending on severing it in one clean strike. The latter parried with his dagger and darted backwards, readying himself for the next incoming opponent.


    "Human, you''re too weak! He''s mine"


    Drakos was now excited by the fight, reckoning that an opponent able to blow past him was worthy of his time. With his lacerated teeth and poisonous tongue, he dove forward and tried to bite his foe, but failed once his target simply dashed sideways, far away from his reach. Drako slid on the ground, carried by his momentum before crashing into the thick and dense vegetation.


    "Hahaha you fat lizard! Leave him to me"


    The Leshi couldn''t help but mock Drako''s attempt after all his shameless boasting. Drako''s response was simply a load roar, humiliated that he had been dodged this easily.


    Cernunnos, however, had learned from what he had just seen. It appeared that underestimating their opponent was a bad idea in this instance. It was time to use its trait and one of his trump cards : Deer Charge.


    The Leshi lowered its head and started ''charging'', which alarmed Trevor. His gut told him that if that beast came at him with that, he would be in grave danger.


    With that assumption, he leaped forward and charged at Cernunnos.


    The distance separating them was closed in a mere second, and the man was already cutting through its tendons and ligaments, making the beast fall to the ground in a howl of agony.


    Derrick couldn''t believe what was happening. Was this the strength of agility users?

 77 Finality

    Cernunnos, heavily wounded, agonized on the ground, furious that he had been easily disposed of. How could a mere human do this to him?!


    "HAHAHA YOU WERE LAUGHING EARLIER, BUT LOOK AT YOU NOW!"


    Drakos couldn''t let this opportunity go and started slinging insults at the Leshi, to the point where the injured roared in anger, ready to jump at his throat and snap it in half.


    Derrick, who was amazed by Trevor''s strength, broke their little argument and recalled Cernunnos in his shadow. The creature wouldn''t be able to fight anymore, as its injuries were simply too much to heal in such a short amount of time.


    Drakos was already back in position, now seriously observing the opponent. Even though they couldn''t die, the beasts had their souls tied to these bodies, which meant that they felt every single injury sustained.


    Derrick, armed with his sword, looked at Trevor who seemed unfazed by the current events. It clearly wasn''t his first rodeo. He also looked at Alma, who was under a barrage of hits, but still managed to hold on. From her movements, Derrick could tell she had relentlessly trained since their little spar.


    "I didn''t think you were that powerful¡­ It appears I''ll have to go all out"


    The necromancer advanced a few steps, and his aura came back towards him, crazily swirling into a dark vortex.


    The eerie and cold atmosphere now became glacial and everyone''s blood ran cold. Trevor was stupefied that the necromancer had still withheld power.


    What Derrick was doing was not a skill nor a trait he had obtained, but a manifestation of his magic power.


    While training with Thomas, he had discovered that by gathering it all around him, it enhanced all of his stats by 10%. He still didn''t fully control it and could only maintain this form for a few minutes, which meant he would have to end this fight quickly.


    "Drakos, we''ll be attacking together, so don''t get in my way"


    The lizard harrumphed in discontent, but didn''t retort. He knew very well that Derrick''s current ability was way above his own.


    Trevor''s previous demeanor had also completely changed. He was already in a precarious situation before, but had managed to seize the opportunities presented to him. His opponent''s carelessness was gone, and so was an easy way out of this.


    "Do you really think you can win against Terra''s leadership?"


    Derrick looked at the man, and simply sighed.


    "Maybe not now, but I will be able to. It''s only a matter of time before his head rolls to my feet"


    The answer was nonchalant, rendering Trevor speechless. This was absolute confidence, and nothing would change this person''s mind.


    Both men suddenly darted forward, with Drakos closely following behind Derrick.


    The first strike was made by Trevor, who feint a stab at Derrick''s shin before aiming for his groin. If he managed to limit his opponent''s movements, his win was guaranteed.


    "Veil of Darkness"


    Derrick, still overpowered in terms of speed and agility, barely managed to dodge the feint before being lightly stabbed in the thigh. He had managed to cast his defensive barrier in time, but its power was so weak that it barely managed to block anything. Derrick''s face twisted, but he quickly regained his footing, with the two opponents now separated by a few meters.


    Trevor was frustrated he hadn''t hit the target due to the sudden resistance encountered, but chipping at his opponent bit by bit was also a viable strategy that would pay off in the end.


    Meanwhile, Drakos saw the separation after the first strike and immediately pounced on the spy, catching him flat-footed. The beast opened its jaw, intending on crushing the bug in one fell swoop. Trevor immediately sensed the beast and in a movement that defied logic, managed to dive underneath him while continuously stabbing its belly.


    Since it was a dagger, it didn''t do much damage, but it still angered Drakos. He hadn''t managed to hit that bastard once since the beginning of the fight.


    It was Derrick''s turn to leap in, and he reached Trevor, who was still sliding on the ground, carried by his momentum. His wound wasn''t enough to limit his ability. The necromancer began a barrage of hits, and his swordsmanship shone through.


    While fending off the attacks, Trevor had managed to get back on his feet, but he was still in a defensive stance, unable to breakthrough the onslaught coming his way.


    "Banshee''s Cry"


    Derrick''s shout made the thin woman materialize over his head, surprising Trevor, and also making him feel uneasy due to her features. Her white hair, her hidden face, but most of all, her four arms...


    He didn''t feel any danger from her and when he was about to refocus his entire attention on Derrick, she opened her gray eyes and an ear-piercing scream that shook the surroundings ensued. Its strident and high pitch was as startling as before and Trevor reflexively reached for his ears, giving a massive opening to Derrick.


    "Reaper''s Blade"


    The combination of his sword and magic surprised the now unprepared spy, and he chose to block the spell with his dagger, sealing his fate in the process¡­ His choice made him bear the full brunt of Derrick''s strike on his chest, and he felt all his ribs shatter under the immense pressure.


    His entire body was now under duress, and he fell on one knee, Luckily for him, the light armor he had been given by the Official for this mission had prevented him from being sliced in half.


    However, his foes were far from being over. Drakos, who was still on standby, also seized this opportunity to jump on the downed man, biting off the arm who held the dagger. Blood splattered everywhere, also covering Derrick''s face.


    Trevor had forgotten the creature during their short exchange, so the shock of losing his arm was immediately followed by the immense surging pain that his sensors were sending to his brain, overwhelming it in the process.


    He let out a screeching cry that tore the sky, making the fight between Alma and his subordinates grind to a halting stop. When the two men saw the state of their leader and the massive amount of blood around him, their faces became ashen. They knew that without this man, they were doomed.


    With death looming over their heads, they both changed their target to Derrick, and charged towards him. If they had to die in this place, they would try to bring this bastard down with them.


    Derrick saw them come, and simply gestured Drakos to take care of them. Their strength looked nowhere near Trevor''s, which meant they would simply serve as his snacks. The scuffle, if it could be qualified as such, only lasted a few seconds, with the large and shadowy lizard engulfing the two men.


    Trevor, who was back to his senses after recovering from the initial shock, trembled in anger and sadness in front of the scene. His failure had caused his subordinates to die...

 78 Blood

    Derrick looked at the defeated Trevor, who lifelessly laid on the ground, unable to muster any strength. It was an utter and complete defeat.


    The necromancer didn''t waste any more time and started asking questions, as Drakos'' poison made its way into every organ, slowly but surely killing the spy.


    "Who''s the Official? How strong is he? What''s his specialty?"


    Trevor looked at him for a second before madly laughing. The laugh was filled with so much contempt that Derrick had to resist the urge to finish him off right then and there.


    "You''re not qualified to even mention his name¡­ I''ll sadly not see your sorry state when he tramples all over you and every person you know¡­ You don''t even have a chance¡­ The only thing you can do is exile yourself to another Empire and pray he never finds you¡­"


    Right when he ended his answer, he coughed a mouthful of blood on Derrick''s feet, before falling over, dead. It appeared his severe injuries had accelerated the entire process beyond the necromancer''s estimates.


    Derrick was about to walk back, when a sinister idea appeared in his mind. An idea that would certainly chip away a part of his humanity.


    "System, would I gain stats if I ate this person?"


    [Affirmative]


    Derrick''s progression had been pretty stale lately, and the challenger that just died would be a fabulous feast if it had been a monster. However, he was not a cannibal and eating another human being was a bar he would never cross. But¡­


    "Can the same effects be achieved by simply drinking his blood?"


    [Processing information¡­ Affirmative. The effects will not be diminished and the trait Gluttony will remain active. The target''s blood will soon coagulate, making it impossible to consume. The host''s timeframe is 10 minutes]


    Fantastic! In his mind, drinking blood was not the same as eating his corpse. However, right when he was about to jump him, he stopped himself.


    "Will the poison in his body affect me?"


    [Negative. Since the host has already experienced it first hand, the host''s body is resistant]


    Derrick was surprised, but figured it made sense. He remembered his first encounter with Drakos¡­ The memory certainly wasn''t pleasant.


    Derrick seized Trevor''s corpse and sliced his wrist before quickly gulping down the still warm fluid, in front of a shocked Alma who couldn''t figure out what was happening. Why the fuck was Derrick drinking blood from a corpse?!


    The necromancer didn''t have time to explain, and he took in what was left. After all, Trevor''s arm had been severed, making him lose several liters.


    The whole thing took less than a minute, and when Derrick was done, he stood up and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, facing the still stunned Alma.


    The surge of power inside him had been brief, but powerful, and he quickly asked the system to show him his stats.


    [Class : Necromancer]


    [Strength : 17 \u003e\u003e\u003e 18]


    [Agility : 14 \u003e\u003e\u003e 16]


    [Endurance : 16 \u003e\u003e\u003e 17]


    [Vitality : 12 \u003e\u003e\u003e 13]


    [Magic Power : 30 \u003e\u003e\u003e 31]


    [Spells : Banshee''s Cry, Reaper''s Blade, Veil of Darkness]


    [Enslaved Subordinates : Eloise Tornomi (General - Human), William Enceworth (Scholar - Human), Fomamli Trollfall (Blacksmith - Dwarf), Merlin Trotz (Researcher - Human), Reyna Grandtree (Enchantress - High-Elf), Ylx (Researcher - Goblin)]


    [Traits : ???, Enhanced Body, Enhanced Vision, Death''s Valet, Gluttony, Aphrodite''s Blessing, Language Guru (Language Database)]


    [Skills : Superior Appraisal, Potentus, Contract (3/3), Summoning (3/3), Master Craftsman, Submission, Death Warrior (100/100), Empire Professionals (6/10) *Concerns the Scholars (1/2), Blacksmiths (1/2), Researchers (2/2), Generals (1/2) and Ministers (1/2)*]


    This increase was the biggest in weeks, making Derrick ecstatic. It had been a while since he had felt this good, making him completely forget the act he had just committed.


    "I''ll explain on the way back to Akata. You''ve fought well, it''s time for you to take a rest"


    He passed next to Alma while giving her a light pat on the shoulder, making her come back to her senses. He had taken the time to analyze her condition, and she hadn''t suffered anything too serious.


    ***


    Derrick was back in the town hall, surrounded by Eloise, Lacha and Moira. His expression was grave, making the three women sit in silence, waiting for his speech. They also couldn''t figure out who was the cloaked figure in the corner of the room, but they guessed it was one of his acquaintances.


    "The Official has begun moving"


    The bombshell shocked the room, and the three women simultaneously stood up. The first one to recover and speak up was Eloise.


    "Are you sure?"


    "Yes. They were tailing this person, and I intercepted them before killing them. They were, without a shadow of a doubt, top spies from Terra, which means this isn''t the last time we''ll hear about the Official. I sadly couldn''t get information"


    Eloise''s face twitched. This was terrible, as their plan wasn''t anywhere near ready. Their army, logistics, research¡­ Nothing was ready to face the behemoth known as Terra.


    Seeing her spin out of control, Derrick quickly intervened.


    "Don''t worry. This forest is massive, and with the two Empires still at each other''s throats, Terra won''t be able to send any large armies without blatantly declaring war over this territory. However, we''ll still be exposed to small contingents of elite troops. Do you think you can get us ready to face that?"


    Eloise thought before nodding. The region was indeed still unstable and any moves made by the Krakow Empire would be under heavy scrutiny from the Serichi Empire. They were still ''safe'', for now.


    "Good. I''ll let you get to it"


    The General bowed and quickly left the room.


    "Moira, I want you to be the Ambassador in charge of immigration"


    The sudden turn towards the soldier surprised her, and even more so the talk about her being an ambassador.


    "I heard you''ve convinced Julia to move here?"


    "Yes, but it was pretty easy once she saw how big Akata had become"


    "Good, that''s why I want you to oversee everything related to that field. With Oleo, there are 12 000 people that''ll soon come, and I need someone to keep everything under control. This number will quickly increase once Eloise also sends our army to take out the rebellious ones"


    Moira wanted to retort, but kept her mouth shut. Akata was now in crisis, and if she didn''t contribute one way or another, she wouldn''t be able to live with herself. It was also the first time she really had to do something other than fighting, so she looked forward to it deep down.


    Derrick dismissed her and it was now Lacha''s turn to be expectant.


    "How''s Akata Loans?"


    "Fine, but it''s hard when we don''t have any funds to calculate with"


    "Don''t worry about that, I''ll solve that issue tomorrow"


    He turned to the cloaked figure in the corner and motioned it to come forward.


    The figure did so and removed the cloak, which revealed an elf, surprising Lacha.


    "This is Alma, Brigand''s aid. She came to Akata to give us the merchandise for our Market"


    The introductions were short and Alma promptly took out several magical pouches from her waist and put them all on the table, where Lacha inspected them one by one. The more she did, the more awed she became. The merchandise truly was like the one in her childhood memories when she lived in the Empire.


    "It''s magnificent! However, I have a question"


    "What is it?"


    "Who will manage the market? From what I understand, Sir Brigand has invested a lot in this venture, and I feel like one of his people should be in charge of it"


    Alma was taken aback by the observation, and threw an annoyed look at Derrick. Men really were unreliable...

 79 Spar

    Derrick took out his communication trinket and contacted Brigand. He was also one of the parties that had to be warned about what had happened today. The Official would surely interrogate him if Alma came back unscathed while all his spies disappeared.


    "Brigand?"


    "..."


    "Brigand?"


    "..."


    "OLD MAN!"


    "AHHHHHHHHH WHO''S TALKING?!"


    "I swear you must be senile... It''s Derrick"


    After a few seconds, the burly man''s laugh suddenly came through the device.


    "If you''re contacting me, it means that Alma has arrived safely?"


    "Yes, she has. However¡­"


    Derrick''s tone caused Brigand to put aside any pleasantries, and he straightened himself in his chair. Derrick didn''t let the suspense build up, and he promptly told the merchant.


    "She was tailed by Official Spies"


    The revelation made Brigand grimace and his heart skipped a beat. This couldn''t be happening¡­


    "Don''t be too alarmed, they''ve been dealt with. However, I don''t know if sending back Alma right away is the correct decision. Her return would surely raise suspicions, and you would be under even more scrutiny"


    The sudden mention of her being stuck in Akata caused Alma to want to protest, but after thinking further, she decided against it. If her Master was in danger because of her... She shook her head, trying to chase away the horrible scenarios that had almost crossed her mind.


    Brigand was mute for an instant, before agreeing with Derrick''s reasoning. It was indeed really tricky.


    "Alma will return once I go back to Terra, as I''ll be able to sneak her back in without their knowledge. Suspicions will be increased as a result, but it''ll also be deflected towards me. From what I know, the only person that can overpower me is the Official, so I should be fine"


    "Very well. Did you have anything else to discuss?"


    "Actually, yes. We forgot to appoint someone to manage the Market"


    Brigand, still sitting at his desk, sighed. It had indeed been an oversight. Most of his fortune was now invested in Akata, and he had been carried away by the amazing opportunity that had presented itself. Forgetting something like that wasn''t like him at all. Suddenly, he thought of something.


    "If Alma is stuck in Akata, she can be the one managing it, right?"


    Brigand''s idea was immediately approved by Derrick, and Alma didn''t protest at all. Even though she was mainly used as a bodyguard, her constant interaction with Brigand had allowed her to learn how to count and write, and conducting business could be said to be her second nature.


    "Now that this issue is settled, everything is concluded. Take care of yourself, Brigand"


    "Farewell"


    Derrick stored the trinket back in his pouch, before turning towards Lacha, who had remained silent through the conversation.


    Lacha gently bowed and took away Alma, who had taken all the merchandise with her.


    Finally alone, Derrick relaxed. The fact that Terra''s leadership had already taken an interest this big was an issue, and he knew for a fact that they wouldn''t let this matter rest.


    "What to do, what to do¡­"


    He thought about his entire journey so far, and how it had fundamentally changed him. He barely remembered his old, loner self that simply farmed and took care of his land. Blood now stained his hands and his personality was merciless, probably due to his time passed in the cave. His responsibilities had become heavy, to the point where he knew he couldn''t take everything on himself. It was too late to back out, and the only thing he could do was move further.


    With that in mind, he donned his cloak and left the town hall before grabbing Thomas, who was lazying around the barracks. His sudden arrival had sent the establishment in a frenzy, with every soldier trying to look busy and saluting him when he passed next to them. Some even threw envious looks at Thomas, who could only awkwardly smile in response.


    After exiting the city''s limits and nearing the forest, Thomas finally spoke up.


    "My Lord, where are we going?"


    "I heard you ''evolved''?"


    Thomas was surprised at first, but figured Derrick would know. After all, his battle had been witnessed by many.


    "Yes, that''s correct. I don''t know how it happened, but I know that it''s a new power that''ll come out only when I''m in danger"


    Derrick nodded.


    "I want to spar against you"


    After his battle against the spy, Derrick learned that he was way too inadequate. If he wanted to have a chance in conquering Terra, he needed to be much, much stronger. Also, the fact that Trevor kept saying he was nowhere near the Official''s strength pissed him off.


    The sudden request stunned Thomas, who didn''t immediately agree. He remembered their training regimen, and shivers ran down his spine. It had been the most horrible time of his life.


    "My Lord, I don''t know if I''ll be able to use the ability I''ve gained¡­"


    "Don''t worry, I''ll make sure you do¡­"


    The confidence in Derrick''s voice gave Thomas violent goosebumps, and he finally reluctantly agreed.


    They walked for two hours, figuring out they were far enough to not cause a commotion. Derrick distanced himself from Thomas and when they were about 50 meters apart, he turned around to face the soldier.


    "Like I said, I don''t want you to hold back either. I need to train harder and improve, and you''re the only opponent that can truly match me. I want to see if that new skill of yours can beat me"


    Thomas finally realized the man in front of him was serious about this spar. It didn''t look like a whim that had simply seized him.


    "If that''s your wish, my Lord"


    Thomas removed his clothes and only kept his underpants.


    "Drakos, Cernunnos, come out. After your last performance, you probably need as much training as I do"


    The two gigantic beasts came out of his shadow and faced Thomas, who assumed a fighting stance.


    "Human, we''ve already beaten that worm. Even if he gained a new skill, I don''t think it''ll be much of a fight¡­"


    "The lizard''s right¡­ That person isn''t your or our opponent¡­"


    Derrick sighed when he heard the immediate dismissal of Thomas¡­ His beasts truly were overconfident.


    "Weren''t you the ones that begged me to stop him the last time we fought?"


    Derrick''s jab made the beasts grunt in displeasure, but their demeanor grew more serious. It appeared that they still had a recollection of the past events.


    "You better look Human. We''ll show you what happens when we''re serious???"


    Derrick took out the sword from his back and also assumed a fighting stance, ready.


    "Let''s begin"


    Both parties released their auras, which violently clashed. Thomas''s body began morphing and his Berserker physique came out, still looking as monstrous as before.


    Derrick could feel something different, and he used Appraisal to pinpoint it.


    [Thomas - Berserker State]


    [Strength : 28]


    [Agility : 17]


    [Endurance : 17]


    [Vitality : 7]


    [Magic Power : 1]


    [Skills : ???]


    [Weakness : Cannot strategize]


    Derrick once again cursed the System¡­ First was one of his traits being uncategorized, and now it was someone else''s? What was he supposed to do with this?


    At least, he hoped that forcing Thomas to use it would give the system more data to determine it.

 80 Unlock

    Thomas''s stats had increased, which made Derrick happy. Every person that could get stronger was another step forward in conquering Terra, which would be the first stepping stone in his plan to conquer the continent, and thus, enact his revenge. He had to say that his revenge plan was slow, but just remembering the seething rage he had felt on the day of his death was enough to get him focused on the task at hand.


    Without waiting any further, Derrick lunged forward, backed up by Drakos and Cernunnos. The ground shook under their charge, and the Berserker in front of them seemed stocked about facing such strong opponents.


    In a move completely unexpected by the necromancer, the Berserker sunk its feet in the ground, and howled madly in the air while smashing his fists in the ground, creating fractures and a small earthquake.


    The shock wave destabilized the incoming group, and it was the colossus''s turn to dive towards them.


    "Oh no you don''t, you insect!"


    Drakos was furious that he had already been put on the back foot, and he went to the front to directly face the opponent. In a swift and rapid motion, the simile-dragon swung its large tail at the Berserker, hoping to smash it into the nearby trees.


    "It''s already over for you!"


    *BANG*


    The momentum of his tail abruptly stopped, and Drakos was shocked, with his victorious expression changing into one of incredulity.


    The Berserker stood there, grabbing the tail with his two monstrous arms. He looked at the beast, creepily smiling while squeezing tighter and tighter. Drakos felt the increasing pressure and tried to break free, to no avail.


    "ARGHHHHHHHH"


    While letting out a bestial cry, he sunk his feet in the ground once again and swung Drakos in the air, as if he was a puppet, sending him crashing into the nearby trees.


    The aftermath was terrible, with Drakos howling in pain and anger. His injuries weren''t light, but far from fatal. The burden on his soul wasn''t too harsh, and he groggily got up, still incapable of understanding how that bug had swung him like a toy.


    "You little shit¡­"


    "That''s what you get for underestimating your opponent once again¡­ When will you learn?"


    Before Drakos even moved, Derrick interrupted his action with that sentence, and the creature hissed in displeasure. The necromancer was right, after all. In almost all his fights since his defeat at Derrick''s hands, he had suffered multiple losses that would have previously made him cry in shame. It was finally time to humble up.


    Cernunnos was stunned at first by the sheer strength displayed by the Berserker, and was now on his guard. His Master was right. It was time for them to take their opponents seriously from now on, or they would be liabilities, and a liability for a human at that! His pride just couldn''t take such an insult.


    "Remember how we took it down the first time?"


    The two monsters looked at each other before smirking. It was time for some payback. In a quick motion, Derrick seized his bow and aimed it at the Berserker who immediately recognized the weapon, angering it. It was that thing that had made him lose the first time, and it was determined to not let history repeat itself.


    "IMMOBILIZE IT!"


    Drakos and Cernunnos charged together the moment the words appeared in Derrick''s mind, and he unleashed series of furious arrows in the direction of the Berserker to limit his movements. The bow''s power was still as frightening as before, with violent gusts comparable to shock blasts following each one of them.


    Meanwhile, the colossus was trying its best to dodge the projectiles, but barely kept up because of their terrifying speed. Its agility truly wasn''t his forte. Drakos and Cernunnos had finally closed the gap, and with their unorthodox teamwork, bombarded the Berserker.


    Now faced with different sources of attacks, the titan quickly lost ground and its body was getting weaker, unable to heal anymore.


    "Don''t let up"


    Derrick kept issuing orders while letting out a steady flow of arrows, and the two creatures at the front were all too happy to oblige.


    It had already been three minutes since the fight had begun, but the Berserker still refused to fall, carried by its pride. Derrick was impressed once again by its resilience, recognizing the progress it had made.


    "HEY! You should go down now! It''s pointless to keep resisting if that''s all the strength you can muster. You''re a disgrace for your class"


    In a bid to try to bait out its mysterious skill, Derrick resorted to taunts, figuring it would provoke a reaction from the simple-minded beast. And sure enough, it did. The Berserker, in a half-kneeling position, roared to the heavens, still under the barrage of Drakos and Cernunnos.


    The atmosphere around them started changing, and as a result, Derrick''s blood started boiling.


    "Come back right now. The real fight''s about to begin¡­"


    The two creatures darted backwards and rejoined Derrick, who had stopped his rain of arrows.


    ***


    Thomas was drifting into the void, and suddenly, the same gray orb came towards him, which he immediately took. It was time to see how far he could push that Leader of his¡­


    ***


    The aura around the Berserker exploded, and its heaviness immediately froze Derrick, as well as his two monsters.


    "What the fuck is this human"


    Drakos couldn''t believe what was happening, and Cernunnos simply stayed silent, trying to focus his energy on freeing himself.


    It was the most vicious and bloodthirsty aura the necromancer had ever encountered. His own was pushed back as if a grain of sand being swept away in a desert.


    "System, use Appraisal"


    Now that he had forced it out, it was time to see what this ability was all about.


    [Thomas - Berserker State - Transcendent]


    [Strength : 3?]


    [Agility : 22]


    [Endurance : 22]


    [Vitality : 10]


    [Magic Power : 1]


    [Skills : Transcendent - Stage 1 (Duration : 10 minutes)]


    [Weakness : Cannot strategize]


    [New! Transcendent - Stage 1 is a skill that can only be used by the Berserker class! It allows the user to regain control of their consciousness, albeit partially, and to guide his body in the situation it''s currently in. It enhances every stat for a short period of time, making it a ferocious opponent. However, the backlash is huge, and the user will not be able to use this skill again for a period of 24 hours]


    What Derrick read honestly terrorized him¡­ These stats were¡­ abominations¡­ How the fuck was he supposed to win?


    While trying to wrap his brain around a possible solution, he saw Thomas''s Berserker mode go through changes. All his injuries quickly healed, and his size swelled up, but the most terrifying change was his eyes¡­ It was like staring into a never-ending abyss of despair...


    The tyrannic aura kept rampaging around Derrick, keeping him rooted to his spot. The Berserker started walking in his direction, unhurried, as if enjoying the view. Derrick felt, for the first time since his death, helpless¡­ This was something he had sworn to never feel again, and yet, here he was¡­


    *Thump¡­ Thump¡­ Thump¡­*


    Every step of the titan resounded like bells in Derrick''s ears, and he still couldn''t do a thing. Was his initial choice wrong? Should he have chosen the Berserker class instead? Doubts, remorse, pity¡­ Multiple emotions rampaged within until something finally ''broke'' inside him...


    No¡­ This wasn''t why he couldn''t move¡­ He couldn''t move because he was¡­ weak. So weak that he could be compared to an ant in front of true power¡­ His heart started beating frantically, pumping every single red cell in his body. If he wasn''t strong enough, he simply had to become stronger.


    [System Announcement! The first requirement for trait ''???'' has been met! User stats are being recalculated¡­]

 81 Brute Strength

    Somewhere into the void¡­


    "Oh¡­ He''s finally starting to unlock it¡­ Things will start being interesting¡­"


    ***


    Derrick was stunned by the System''s announcement. The mysterious trait he hadn''t been able to unveil had requirements? It seemed that a true desire for power had fulfilled one of them.


    He had also obtained it during his strange episode in the void where his brain had acted up, making it even more puzzling.


    Following the prompt came a surging feeling within and his body felt light once again, neutralizing most of the suffocating aura that had previously pinned him to his spot.


    [The recalculations are over. Would you like to see your current stats?]


    "I don''t have time for this!"


    Derrick immediately shut down the window in his mind and refocused his attention on the incoming adversary. He didn''t have time to carefully analyze his new-found strength as a single second of carelessness could be his downfall.


    Meanwhile, the Berserker had also noticed the change. Derrick''s aura, although still weaker than his, was now heavier and felt more threatening than a second ago.


    Still, the Berserker felt like it had kept its edge and continued forward, albeit more carefully. Thomas, which was looking through its eyes, also felt his blood boil when he realized something had happened to his Lord, and he couldn''t wait to see how he matched up against it.


    "Human, something happened to you right? We both felt our bodies lighten up, and we aren''t restricted anymore"


    Drakos assertion was corroborated by a nod of Cernunnos, and Derrick moved his body, now freed up.


    "Yeah. I don''t know how strong we currently are, but I think we have a shot. Io, come out as well!"


    The half-bat half-eagle creature, which was rarely used in battle, swiftly came out of his shadow and stood next to the man, awaiting further instructions.


    The new appearance made the Berserker even more apprehensive, but its black eyes remained on Derrick, knowing full well that he was the party to ultimately defeat. It also helped that Thomas helped keeping its attention on the necromancer.


    The stalemate continued while the distance between the two parties shrunk, to the point where only a few meters separated them.


    Finally, the first one to make a move was Derrick.


    He jumped on Io''s back and took flight, with Drakos and Cernunnos lunging towards the Berserker. Derrick immediately took out the bow and resumed the rain of arrows. His plan, although simple, was to buy enough time for Thomas''s skill to run out. If he managed to do that, it would be his win.


    "Hu¡­ Human¡­ This guy is way too strong¡­ We won''t hold out for much longer¡­"


    "Ye¡­ Yeah¡­ You need another plan¡­"


    With punches that almost cracked the sound barrier, the Berserker pummeled their bodies and in less than a minute, both Drakos and Cernunnos were down for the count, unable to stand any longer. No amount of teamwork would be able to break through pure, brute strength like that. They were ultimately recalled in Derrick''s shadow, who was still flying on Io''s back. He wouldn''t be able to summon them for a while, as their souls needed time to heal from their injuries.


    In a situation like this, the correct strategy would be to retreat and wait it out, but this was a spar, so fleeing was unacceptable.


    "System, how much time is left on its skill?"


    [7 minutes 29 seconds]


    The answer appalled Derrick, who didn''t track time. For now, all he could do was keep sending arrows at the target, hoping to land a lucky shot.


    However, while he was notching another arrow, the Berserker exploded from the ground in the direction of Io. Its speed was frightening and the beast barely managed to dodge.


    "What the fuck"


    Derrick had almost fallen off, but thanked Io for the quick actions. He never expected the colossus to go after him so fast. It seemed like its instincts were sharpened as well while using this skill.


    The Berserker finally landed again, and its eyes narrowed on Derrick, annoyed that it hadn''t managed to smack him out of the sky.


    Derrick felt the intense stare, and he immediately knew that Io wouldn''t be able to dodge the next move. As such, he ordered the beast to land on the ground, where he stored his bow and took out his sword again.


    "Seems like I can''t buy enough time¡­ Remember when we killed Drakos, Io? It''s time to see if that new strength of mine can at least not make me lose"


    The beast understood the implications, and got itself ready to act as a bait. All Derrick needed was one opening that would allow him to turn this fight around. He was a necromancer, not a front-line fighter, so his melee prowess only went so far.


    The bat burst forth, followed by Derrick who exploded forward as well.


    The Berserker smiled, happy that it could finally fight head-on. Thomas, still present in the consciousness, almost grinned.


    "It''s time to see who excels!"


    The titan started running forward and first met with Io, who tried to dig its claw into its skin, but barely missed due to the counter of the Berserker who came in brazenly fast. Just before it could land, Derrick had arrived and slashed forth with all his strength, blurring the incoming blade.


    The Berserker had to stop its strike and refocus itself on Derrick, as it felt danger from the strike. It took one step back, barely dodged, and swung its opposite arm in Derrick''s direction, which he also barely dodged by bending his body backwards.


    "This speed¡­ Fuck!"


    The necromancer couldn''t help but curse while continuing the exchange. His opponent was twice his size, making his range almost ineffective. Io tried to intervene here and there with Derrick''s commands, but the Berserker kept reading the moves. Its instincts truly were in a league of its own.


    But Derrick had to say he was flabbergasted by what he had unlocked. He went from not being able to move to exchanging blows with this behemoth. He was still on the losing side, but he managed to hold on. Derrick didn''t hold back and used almost everything in his arsenal, except his death warriors. They were too precious to fall here, and he would need them in the coming fights.


    After two minutes, the Berserker started to be annoyed. It was clearly winning and yet, it wasn''t able to truly dominate its opponent. Thomas could feel its frustration, and he had to say he was impressed by how strong Derrick was. Deep down, he had expected his skill to overwhelm his leader, but he had surprisingly been able to hold on.


    The strikes were becoming more and more violent, and Derrick started to lose ground faster, realizing his opponent was starting to truly go all out.


    "System, how long?"


    [4 minutes 2 seconds]


    "AHH!"


    Even though he had been given his all, it still wasn''t enough, and he knew that his defeat was assured if he didn''t try something.


    "Io, DIVE!"


    The creature, who was circling above the fight waiting for its opportunity, immediately followed suit and transformed into a spike that tore across the sky, seemingly trying to drill to the earth''s core...

 82 Sky Dive

    Derrick, in a bid to distract the Berserker for a brief instant, flipped the unfavorable situation on its head and went on the offensive, completely disregarding his defense. The result he desperately wanted was, nevertheless, achieved.


    The Berserker was caught off guard by the turn of events, and for the first time since the beginning of the fight, it had to defend, making it completely disregard its surroundings. Its annoyance kept increasing, unable to figure out how this tiny human possessed such strength.


    Derrick was investing everything he had left in this short outburst. He only needed a few more seconds, and Io would grant him the opportunity needed to win. It was all or nothing, and he wanted to win more than anything.


    Right on cue, and from the corner of his eye, he saw the creature diving and tearing across the sky. Its eagle features were definitely showing in this brazing maneuver.


    The Berserker felt the incoming threat, but couldn''t separate himself from the necromancer, who kept closing the distance and invading its space. Thomas felt the incoming danger as well, but he couldn''t directly influence the movements, so he simply tried to direct them as best he could.


    In the end and with no way out, the Berserker braced itself for the impact, sure that it could take it without being too badly injured. The move made Derrick panic, as he wanted his opponent to do something to get out of this predicament, and finally show an opening.


    With no more time and options available, he lunged forward and tackled the titan, which was shocked by the absurd attack. Who would expose their entire body to tackle their foe?! Derrick was frustrated that the Berserker hadn''t opened itself up for him to attack, but he hoped Io would inflict enough damage to finish the job.


    Now unbalanced and airborne, the Berserker tried to free itself from Derrick''s embrace, but couldn''t, even while battering him constantly. After another second, Derrick finally let go while muttering these words.


    "Sorry Io, but you''re my only shot..."


    *BANG*


    The collision between Io and the Berserker was so violent that a hurricane of debris formed around them, completely obstructing Derrick''s vision. He had crashed near the impact, not injuring himself too severely.


    However, he knew one thing for sure : Io''s body had certainly been annihilated since his soul was now back with him, healing from the massive damage it had just taken. He had to say he was touched by its action, albeit forced by him.


    "That fucker must be hurt after that¡­ It''s impossible not to..."


    Derrick barely got himself up, almost out of energy after the intense exchange between the two opponents. He also had multiple bruises, which were the result of his reckless charge against the colossus. It had been a risky gambit, but it seemed like it had paid off in the end.


    Everything around Thomas''s body, which had now returned to normal, was obliterated. Derrick never expected that move to end the insane warrior, but he had apparently underestimated the power of an Io diving from the sky¡­


    Apparently, if the flying creature dove from the sky in that manner, it was a formidable weapon, even though its stats weren''t all that impressive.


    "Thank god it''s over¡­"


    Derrick was proud of his victory, but he also felt bitter. All his souls had gone through a massive hardship, only reaffirming his current weaknesses. If he had that much trouble simply beating his subordinate, conquering Terra certainly didn''t bode well.


    Thomas, who was still lying half naked in the hole, finally got back to his senses. He painfully opened his eyes, and tried jogging his memory. The last he remembered while being inside his Berserker self was a massive beast crashing into him. Everything afterwards was simply a blur.


    He looked at his surroundings and noticed that Derrick was coming towards him. He tried getting up, in vain. His body had truly gone above and beyond in this fight, and from what he could remember, it was a memorable one at that, even with that anticlimactic ending¡­ He never expected the Transcendent skill to be broken through.


    "You''ve progressed well beyond what I expected¡­ Keep it up!"


    Derrick helped him get up, and the encouragement truly warmed Thomas''s heart. Being praised by the one person towering over everyone was an indescribable feeling of accomplishment that made Thomas crave more. He couldn''t believe that his journey. A couple of months ago, he was a bully that barely scraped by, and now, he was someone that was recognized by his Lord.


    "Thanks, my Lord, but all the merit should go to you! I honestly didn''t expect you to win¡­"


    Thomas, in the heat of the moment, had forgotten to whom he was talking to, and he immediately regretted it, but before he could apologize, Derrick burst out laughing.


    "You''re right¡­ I didn''t even think I''d win¡­ I have to say that Berserkers truly are an amazing class. Their strength, agility¡­ Everything is favoring their heavy battling style"


    Derrick wasn''t merely saying empty words. After seeing Thomas''s stats while using the Transcendent skill, he was now terrorized of meeting one on a battlefield. Would he be able to keep up with a more experienced one?


    That question immediately brought back forth his stats that he hadn''t checked.


    "System, show me my stats"


    [Derrick Tarlin, 16 years old (Body), 37 years old (Soul)]


    [Class : Necromancer]


    [Strength : 18 \u003e\u003e\u003e 22]


    [Agility : 16 \u003e\u003e\u003e 16]


    [Endurance : 17 \u003e\u003e\u003e 20]


    [Vitality : 13 \u003e\u003e\u003e 15]


    [Magic Power : 31 \u003e\u003e\u003e 34]


    [Spells : Banshee''s Cry, Reaper''s Blade, Veil of Darkness]


    [Enslaved Subordinates : Eloise Tornomi (General - Human), William Enceworth (Scholar - Human), Fomamli Trollfall (Blacksmith - Dwarf), Merlin Trotz (Researcher - Human), Reyna Grandtree (Enchantress - High-Elf), Ylx (Researcher - Goblin)]


    [Traits : ??? (Stage 1 Unlocked), Enhanced Body, Enhanced Vision, Death''s Valet, Gluttony, Aphrodite''s Blessing, Language Guru (Language Database)]


    [Skills : Superior Appraisal, Potentus, Contract (3/3), Summoning (3/3), Master Craftsman, Submission, Death Warrior (100/100), Empire Professionals (6/10) *Concerns the Scholars (1/2), Blacksmiths (1/2), Researchers (2/2), Generals (1/2) and Ministers (1/2)*]


    [New! Trait''s ''???'' stage 1 has been unlocked! Stats have been increased as a result. Traits'' details are still unknown]


    The increase was absolutely amazing, and Derrick almost had to lean on the weakened Thomas who barely managed to remain standing as it was. What the hell was that trait to give him such an increase, and why didn''t he know the requirements?


    He tried asking the System multiple times, but was met with absolute silence whenever his inquiries couldn''t be answered. It irked him to no end, but he had to endure.


    These stats had allowed him to barely hold on against Thomas, but he was sure they weren''t enough against stronger opponents, such as the Official. He needed to get stronger, and fast.


    However, first things first!


    "Do you think you can make it back to Akata in one piece?"


    Derrick''s sudden question surprised Thomas, but the latter promptly agreed, unbothered by his weakened state. The beasts they had met on their way here weren''t strong, and he was sure that even without his Berserker mode available, going back home would be fairly easy.


    As for Derrick, he darted forward in the direction of the Gold mine. It was finally time to see how much gold the orcs had collected, and how much Akata Loans would start its operations with.

 83 Melting

    Derrick''s way back to the gold mine was way longer than he anticipated, of course due to the fact he had just used Io as a missile¡­ He was sure the creature would have many grievances when it would be called upon in the future...


    He met a few monsters on his way, but quickly disposed of them, not even bothered to collect their corpses. These beasts were simply too weak to harvest and weapons made of their remains would fall short of his standards.


    It took him a few hours before arriving at the river, and when he got near, he was immediately intercepted by an orc, which quickly recognized him. He was rather impressed by how tight they had secured the perimeter, and he congratulated the guard.


    The orc puffed his chest, filled with pride. They were a proud race, and being told they did good by a stronger entity was fuel and motivation that made them strive to get better.


    "Lead me to your leader"


    The orc didn''t dawdle and led Derrick to Agronak. The river still looked beautiful, and its surroundings seemed peaceful, creating a stark contrast with its dangerous nature.


    Derrick arrived at a newly erected camp, where rudimentary houses were set up and where basic amenities had been built. At the center of it all was a fire where meat was being roasted, and the smell made Derrick''s mouth water. He never knew orcs could be such good cooks!


    "Welcome, Master"


    He was brought back to the present when he heard Agronak''s familiar voice, and he saw the bowing orc.


    "At ease. I suppose you already know why I came here?"


    The orc straightened up and a smile came on his face, which raised Derrick''s expectation.


    "We''ll bring everything right away, Master. Meanwhile, would you like a piece of meat? It''s a boar we managed to hunt down. It''s pretty tasty!"


    Derrick had to say he was hungry after that insane spar, which caused him to readily agree. The piece of meat was as delicious as its smell and it melted in his mouth, causing him to regret not having a personal chef at his side. Of course, it would be a massive waste of money since he barely ate anything to begin with.


    After a few minutes, five orcs arrived, all carrying large, leather bags. Derrick was honestly flabbergasted by their sizes, and when they dropped them to the ground, the loud thump made his heart quiver. Was this really all gold!?


    Seeing his amazement, Agronak smiled.


    "This is indeed all gold. We were slowed down by the construction of our site, but now that it''s over, we should be able to increase our harvest next time"


    Derrick was excited, and he immediately asked the System to evaluate the production. It hadn''t been able to do it last time due to a lack of variables, but that should''ve been taken care of now.


    [Gold production : Half a ton / week (10 000 gold coins / week). Exploitation rate until depletion : 2 months]


    Another thing that almost made him go mad was that this was only a medium-sized deposit¡­ How much did the large ones contains¡­?


    While reigning in his emotions, he took the five bags into his magical pouch before turning back to Agronak.


    "Great! You''ve all done well. Once everything''s melted and processed into coins, I''ll come back and pay you all your dues. The road''s construction should begin shortly, so you won''t have to live frugally for too long"


    The orc bowed once again, with all the other ones behind him as well. Their pitiful lives finally had meaning after being banished from their Empire, and the person in front of them had given them this opportunity. At this point, it didn''t matter if he was their Master. They just knew that every slave would envy their current position.


    Derrick didn''t stay longer than he had to, and he left for Akata. Even though he was in possession of all that gold, it was currently worthless in its current shape.


    It took him an hour to arrive at the forge, where he was met by Fomamli and Reyna. Their relationship seemed to get better and better with each passing day, as they had to collaborate constantly due to their humongous project of the iron doors.


    "Welcome back, Master!"


    The two slaves bowed, and Derrick immediately put them at ease.


    "How''s the project advancing?"


    Fomamli was the first to answer.


    "It''s going well for now, but Reyna here seems to have some issues AH!"


    The high-elf punched the dwarf in protest, unhappy that he had mentioned her troubles.


    "Oh? Do you need anything?"


    After a few seconds of fidgeting around, Reyna finally sighed and spoke up.


    "Master, I can enchant the doors like you asked me to, but it''ll only be temporary. To make the effect permanent, I need stones that can store magic"


    Derrick''s previously happy demeanor changed into one of pain. He remembered the price of those stones in the last auctions, and he could tell that it would be a massive investment. With a heavy heart, he continued.


    "How many do you need?"


    "10"


    "Fine, I''ll try to come up with them. Do you need anything else?"


    The duo shook their heads, and Derrick finally took out the five leather bag, which piqued the curiosity of Fomamli.


    "This is all gold. I want you to process it into coins by tomorrow"


    Derrick was straightforward, and Fomamli was shocked to learn that the big bags were all filled with the precious metal.


    Derrick didn''t wait for his answer and promptly left, still annoyed by the magical stones. He didn''t have any on hand, which meant that using his Discovery spell was pointless. It was another item he would have to add to his shopping list.


    He started wandering in Akata, and noticed new stalls that weren''t there before. Of course, he had donned his cloak to avoid all the unnecessary attention he would get without it. From their design and the diminution of the putrid smell, he guessed they were the design decided by Jack. The man truly worked faster day after day!


    Derrick suddenly remembered his two researchers, and decided he should pay them a visit. If they needed anything, it would be good to know now rather than when he couldn''t go back to Terra. He was also wondering if they had made any progress in their research.


    He first arrived at the facilities of Merlin, the man in charge of improving their ways of transportation. The slave was disturbed at first, but when he noticed the visitor, he immediately bowed.


    "Don''t worry, I''m not coming to spy on you. I just want to know if you''ve made any progress in your research?"


    "Master, I have indeed made some! Would you like to see it?"


    Derrick nodded and the man led him to another room where a spacious carriage was built, although only with wood and iron. It wasn''t luxurious, but it definitely seemed more robust than the ones he had previously built.


    "This carriage is 20% more durable, can carry 10% more weight, and can safely reach an extra 5 kph in speed"


    "Well done! Do you need anything to further your research?"


    "Not for now, Master. It''s too early to use better materials"


    The man was proud and Derrick was impressed by the results. The research was still far from Terra, but they were getting there steadily.


    His next stop was honestly the most important one, which was the researcher in charge of the teleportation magic.

 84 Up to Speed

    Derrick arrived at the goblin''s research center shortly after, but he didn''t directly enter, scared he would interrupt an important experiment.


    With that in mind, he simply sent the goblin a mental missive, and just like he had feared, it took an hour before Ylx came to greet outside.


    The slave did like the others and bowed in front of Derrick, to which the latter responded with a nod to put him at ease.


    "I see you were experimenting. How''s everything going?"


    The goblin didn''t shy away and proceeded to explain how everything was going and how much progress he had made.


    The talk was complex and Derrick honestly lost half of it, but the general idea was that it was really close to finishing the prototype that would allow him to teleport somewhere on a short distance. He was still amazed by the device he had used in Terra, and he couldn''t wait to own multiple ones and utilize them in warfare.


    It would definitely be a trump card that the enemy wouldn''t expect as he was sure that they were either super expensive to the point that one could only own one or two or secretive enough for only the high echelons of society to possess. Either way, it was an amazing advancement.


    "Do you need any materials to further your research?"


    "I would need magical stones, Master. Their quality doesn''t matter as long as they work and that they are in good shape. It would allow me to create the prototype faster"


    "Noted. I''ll leave you to it!"


    Derrick left the goblin, which immediately dove back into his research. Now that he had a general idea on what was happening, he went to find Eloise, who should have already gathered the soldiers and should be ready to send them conquering the villages that had declared war against them. Hopefully, he would be able to rescue the diplomats that he had sent, but the hope was slim.


    He arrived at the Military Quarters, where he was saluted over and over again, to the point where he almost considered wearing his cloak. He had to say there were some things he missed about his previous loner lifestyle, and not having to salute everyone that recognized him was definitely one of them.


    After crossing the entirety of the site, he finally arrived at the main building where Eloise was stationed. He hadn''t bothered sending a mental missive like he had done with Ylx, because he wanted to see how she was faring. This was, after all, a test for her to gain experience.


    Not even a second after his arrival did he hear her yelling at what he assumed were her subordinates.


    "HOW CAN YOUR SQUAD NOT BE READY?! I''VE ORDERED IT YESTERDAY! YOU EITHER GET THEM IN LINE OR YOU''RE ALL GETTING DEMOTED AND PUNISHED, UNDERSTOOD?"


    "YES GENERAL"


    He hadn''t entered the building yet, and he saw soldiers hurriedly leaving, visibly looking terrified. It seemed like the newbie had grown some fangs¡­


    "WHO DARES COMING BACK?! IT BETTER BE FUCKING IMPORTANT!"


    Eloise had heard the footsteps, and she was clearly in a foul mood, not wanting anyone to disturb her. Derrick had no clue why, but the situation made him giggle. It had been a long time since anyone had chewed him out like this.


    When she heard the giggle, Eloise went berserk, and started shouting at the unknown visitor. However, she never turned her around, still focusing on a map that identified all the targets she had to take down.


    "WHO THE FUCK COMES IN AND LAUGHS WHEN I ASK A QUESTION?! IDENTIFY YOURSELF OR I''LL KICK YOUR ASS INTO OBLIVION!!!"


    Derrick couldn''t take it anymore and exploded in laughter, unable to control himself. Eloise was too mad to recognize his voice, and she roared in a furious rage, now turning and seemingly ready to fight.


    "YOU DID IT NOW! I''LL KICK YOUR ASS AND BEAT YOU TO A PULP!"


    When she finally faced her opponent, her face flushed, and she instantly froze.


    "Didn''t you say you were going to kick my ass?"


    Derrick couldn''t help but tease her. She had just made a fool of herself, and her current dumb expression was just too much to handle.


    "Mas¡­ Master¡­ I¡­ didn''t know¡­"


    She stuttered, and it almost sounded like a plea for mercy, which made Derrick laugh even more. The fiery General really was terrified of this man, and he couldn''t really blame her as he had her life in his hands.


    "Don''t worry. I see you''ve had a tough day. How are the preparations going?"


    The immediate shift in his tone brought back Eloise from her daze, and she went back to the map, still shook by what had just transpired.


    "They are going well, but some Squads are having trouble organizing. It''s glaring that it''s their first campaign¡­ However, I have to say that doing this will definitely be beneficial, as they''ll be more experienced when we march against Terra"


    "Growing pains were always going to happen. How about the logistics plan you were working on? Is it ready?"


    "Yes, Master. I have calculated that an army of 20 000 soldiers is the bare minimum to take down Terra, but that''s only based on what we know. That number could be much, much higher. Of those 20 000, 2000 need to be cavalry unit and another 1000 should be solely in charge of the logistics. One horse per cavalier and two for each man in the logistics division was what the conclusion I came to if we were to solely rely on manpower, and not magic"


    The report was sound, but it also created multiple issues for Derrick.


    First, where the hell was he supposed to find 4000 horses?! Buying some in Terra and breeding them afterwards had been his plan, but now¡­ It seemed like he would have to accelerate the ''magification'' of his army. Still, even with magical stones, he needed to find at least 3000 horses¡­


    "Eloise, this campaign cannot fail. I know I said you could use this to gain experience, but we''re becoming pressed by time. We need more people as our new projects become bigger and bigger, simply unable to keep up with the demand. As for the horses, don''t worry. I''ll find a way to get them"


    Derrick hurriedly left the room, and one could hear Eloise gulp behind. She had already been stressed out by the entire thing, and being told that her previous leeway was now considerable shortened had added an extra layer of paranoia to this whole ordeal.


    Meanwhile, Derrick continued his tour, and the next step was to go see his Minister, Jack. The horse issue had reminded Derrick that he had asked the old man to build cattle farms. He saw that the stalls had been erected, so he figured that that project was certainly underway as well.


    He arrived at the outskirts of Akata, and just like he expected, saw massive construction fields. He quickly found Jack, who seemed anxious to see his Lord.


    "Your Highness, what brings you here?"


    The tone in his voice made Derrick wonder if something had gone wrong.


    "You seem awry. Is something wrong?"


    After a few seconds, Jack finally spilled the beans, with his face showing a bit of remorse.


    "Your Highness, do you remember the costs we discussed?"

 85 Conversion

    Derrick felt a shiver run down his spine. He remembered the absurd costs that had been discussed, and if he based his assumptions on Jack''s facial expression right now, they had definitely been blown out of proportions.


    "How much did it all cost?"


    Jack didn''t keep Derrick hanging for very long.


    "Your Highness, we''re currently building 4 farms that were designed by people with cattle knowledge. We, of course, vetted them to make sure that they weren''t ''fakes'' that wanted to take advantage of the system. However, they also laughed when we first talked about how we wanted to do things. Our initial estimate of 10 000 iron coins per farm jumped to 25 000, obliterating the budget"


    Jack took in a deep breath, and dropped the remaining bomb on Derrick.


    "That, coupled with the new stalls and housing, racks up to the astronomical sum of 140 000 iron coins"


    Derrick felt his heart crumble, and his first reaction was to open up Akata''s tab to see if he had enough money in his coffers to absorb the blow. If not, he would have to directly take gold coins from Akata Loans, which hadn''t even begun operating. His heart was furiously beating, hoping he wouldn''t have to default on his first payment. If he did, the consequences would be disastrous for his newly created institution, as the people would have no trust in something that could rob them blind.


    [Akata Village]


    [Level : 4]


    [Population : 32 678]


    [Soldiers : 1516]


    [Funds : 80 979 iron coins, 892 gold coins (Akata Loans : 10 000 gold coins / week)]


    [Tax : 5% on sales (Income : 2644 iron coins / day), Business permits (? / week)]


    [Businesses : Iron Mine (Production : 1 ton / week), Gold Mine (Production : ? ton / week - 2 months until depletion), Resources Factory, Restaurant District]


    [Institutions : Forge, Military Quarters, School, Akata Loans (In Progress), Market (In Progress)]


    [Mood : 89/11]


    His fears had come true, as he was short on funds, at least with iron coins. However, there was still a saving grace for him, as he hadn''t fixed a conversion rate from iron to gold coins yet. He figured he would be able to pay everything if he pooled all his resources together.


    Jack saw the distressed expression on his Lord''s face, and he immediately got down on his knees and began to kowtow.


    "I''ve failed you, Your Highness. It was my duty to supervise and lead the project to its end, and I failed¡­"


    Derrick looked at the old man at his feet, and he shook his head with a slight smile.


    "I''m the one who asked you to do this. You have nothing to apologize for, and we will pay for everything we ordered. If a Lord can''t even pay for what he wants, he has already betrayed his populace"


    After getting the remaining details from Jack and the overall progression, he proceeded to his next step, which was Lacha and Akata Loans.


    He arrived in the City Hall, where a heavy military presence could be seen. Derrick even had to remove his cloak to enter, which caused the guards to almost choke on their saliva when they recognized their Lord.


    A minute later, he entered a recused room where he was face to face with his wife and her assistant.


    "How may I help you?"


    Derrick hadn''t spoken since entering the room, and Lacha had kept her eyes on the parchments in front of her, madly calculating everything related to the new institution. It seemed like she was now rather invested in its well-being and success, as she definitely didn''t want to be associated with something that could possibly fail. Her young assistant was the same, and their resemblance was uncanny.


    "Do you have a minute?"


    Derrick''s voice made the two women instantly raise their eyes, and the assistant instinctively rose from her seat, followed by an immediate bow. The action seemed rehearsed, which gave Derrick a chuckle.


    "At ease, at ease¡­ May I have a moment with my wife?"


    The young woman nodded and almost fled the scene, continuing to amuse Derrick.


    Meanwhile, Lacha''s cheeks had become slightly red. She had never gotten used to him calling her his wife, and the fact that they were now alone was raising her expectations. After all, they had done nothing so far, and she wondered when the big day would happen.


    Derrick was not immune to these feelings, and he felt the atmosphere change, with his cheeks slightly becoming red as well. He also remembered the moment where he kissed hers and left, making him even more embarrassed. He couldn''t believe that, even after everything he had gone through and all the near-death fights, he still felt like that in front of a woman¡­ Some things really never changed...


    "How is it going?"


    Derrick finally broke the awkward silence that had taken place, to Lacha''s relief.


    "It''s going well! I was wondering if you went to get funds?"


    "Yes, they should be ready shortly. I came here to discuss something with you"


    "What is it?"


    "You know that our main currency right now are iron coins, right? I want to create a conversion rate between iron coins and gold coins, but also take into consideration copper coins and silver coins"


    Derrick''s demand honestly exceeded Lacha''s knowledge.


    "You know you need to ask someone else for that, right?"


    She threw him a warm smile, and his brain clicked.


    He sent a guard, which came back a few minutes later.


    "Who the hell summoned me at this hour?! I want to sleep for fuck''s sake"


    Kuro stormed the room in his typical fashion, loud and angry.


    "Kuro, you know we usually call you for important stuff only"


    Once he heard the necromancer''s voice, the elder suddenly calmed down and took a seat.


    "What do you want this time?"


    "I want a conversion rate between iron and gold coins while maintaining the traditional structure of copper to silver to gold. Do you have an idea on how it should be done?"


    The old man was elated by the news. Gold was finally making its way into the economy! He had to painfully reevaluate all his products, and by doing so had suffered major losses. He could, at last, charge back what he originally did.


    After calming himself down from the good news, Kuro delved into his thoughts and began analyzing the conundrum. The standard structure was easy to follow because every superior coin was worth 100 of its lower one, with copper coins at the very base.


    Introducing a new tier into it was tricky because you didn''t want to devalue the base, namely copper coins, as they would eventually make its way into the economy as well, but you also couldn''t put it too low or what the population had been earning would immediately become worthless.


    After a few minutes, Kuro came to the only conclusion that made sense, at least to him.


    "You have found a gold mine, right?"


    "Yes. The gold is currently being melted into coins that''ll be introduced through Akata Loans"


    "I see¡­ Well, the only way I can see this working is by fazing out the iron coins entirely"


    Derrick was shocked by the radical idea, but didn''t interject, as he felt Kuro had more to say.

 86 Balance

    "I know it might seem unorthodox, but it''s the only logical solution. You simply can''t introduce a new tier of currency without badly upsetting its balance. You''ll also be getting back precious iron, which, I assume, will be severely needed in the future. As for the exchange rate, I''d go for 100 iron coins in exchange for 1 gold coin"


    Derrick was still uneasy with the answer, but at least it made more sense to him. However, before he could tell Lacha to go forward with it, Kuro interjected once again.


    "However, you can''t faze it out until you introduce copper coins"


    Now Derrick was confused. Why couldn''t he simply replace all the iron coins with gold coins?


    When he saw his confusion, Kuro loudly sighed, which irked Derrick. The necromancer was clearly out of his element, and being taken as a fool just made him want to slap that old fool. Just before he thought of acting on his whim, Kuro sensed the danger and hurriedly continued. After all, Derrick was still the Lord of this region, so he had to keep a minimum of respect.


    "As you know, gold coins are more valuable than iron coins, at least based on the conversion rate I mentioned earlier. If you were to remove them too rapidly, the inflation of prices would be so high that nothing would be affordable anymore. There always needs two types of currency in circulation to have a floor and a ceiling. The plan I suggest is for you to keep introducing iron coins until you can introduce copper coins, which will then allow you to faze them out. By the time this is achieved, gold will have made its way into the economy and the value of iron coins will simply be replaced. Of course, that also means you''ll be taking a hit on the value of the gold right now, but at this point, it''s inevitable"


    Derrick followed everything Kuro said, but really didn''t like the last part. He was very aware of the risks incurred by his population, and it seemed like he would have to take the brunt of everything.


    "That means the 140 000 iron coins I currently owe would have to be paid with the entirety of the budget, plus some gold coins that I own. Nevertheless, the nice thing with the conversion rate is that I wouldn''t need to touch the budget of Akata Loans. Lacha, please go forward with Kuro''s suggestion. I''ll try my best to exploit a copper mine and introduce it into the economy later. You''re dismissed, Elder. Thank you for your suggestion"


    Kuro raised from his chair, bowed, and left. It seemed that the old man was still irritated from being disturbed at this hour.


    Lacha, meanwhile, had been furiously noting down everything that Kuro said. Overall, she found the solution to be sound and simple enough. Every point he had brought up was definitely something to be concerned about.


    "Lacha, are you ok with everything mentioned?"


    "I was thinking of opening it simultaneously with the market in two days. It would give people a reason to celebrate!"


    Derrick was enthusiastic while talking, which warmed Lacha''s heart. She had seen his cold and indifferent side, so seeing him caring for something felt nice.


    Derrick noticed her gaze, and couldn''t help but notice her beautiful features. Her skin, her curves, her face¡­ At that moment, it felt like his brain turned off, and he began walking in the direction of her desk. The woman was surprised and dropped the quill she currently held.


    Derrick never stopped walking until he was right in front of her, and before she could even tense up, she felt his warm lips against hers for a brief instant. Her cheeks hadn''t even turned red by the time the man left, leaving behind a stunned woman¡­


    ***


    "What the hell did I just do¡­"


    Derrick was walking fast, his brain and heart fighting against each other. He didn''t know why, but at that moment, when he saw Lacha''s beauty, it was like his body had been possessed.


    "Wasn''t I supposed to wait until I got stronger¡­ FUCK!"


    He slapped himself once for good measure and tried to regain his cool before continuing downtown towards the market. It was his final stop of the day.


    ***


    Alma wiped her drenched forehead before sitting down in a broken-down wooden chair. The elf had been working tirelessly, but was still inventorying every product that Brigand had sent, and she had to say that the quantities were impressive. Sadly, the market wasn''t big enough to accommodate them all, so she would have to keep some in the magical pouches.


    "It''s coming rather well"


    The elf nearly jumped in fright, but she instantly recognized the voice after her brain analyzed it. She disappeared from her chair before reappearing in front of the figure that had entered the establishment.


    "Why are you here?"


    "It looks like you didn''t like my sneaky entrance haha!"


    Derrick couldn''t help himself and teased Alma, as he wanted to distract himself from what he had just done earlier.


    The elf, on her side, was really annoyed that he had slipped past her senses. It looked like the man in front of her was becoming more and more unfathomable...


    "Just tell me why you''re here¡­"


    "I came to check on this place and to tell you the opening date, as well as the conversion prices"


    Alma became attentive, as this concerned Brigand''s business. She wouldn''t tolerate anything that harmed his interests.


    "We''ll be opening in two days, and the market''s opening will be paired with Akata Loans. As for the conversion rate, 100 iron coins equals 1 gold coin. You will be able to change the iron coins you earn at the institution I just mentioned, so don''t worry about Brigand coming short on this end. Concerning this place¡­"


    Derrick had just thrown a glance around, but it was time to truly inspect it and ask the price of each item, so he could have a sense of what was going to be sold.


    After his short tour and numerous inquiries, he came to one, although obvious, conclusion : expensive. The conclusion in itself wasn''t surprising, but he didn''t think it would be that bad¡­


    When he thought of the general population in Akata, it clearly wasn''t wealthy enough to afford this, and only a few individuals would be able to access these products. This was definitely going to be an issue, as he needed this venture to succeed.


    "Alma, do you know how many coins you make on every item?"


    The elf was surprised by the question, but answered.


    "With the prices we presently have, we make 20% on every item we sell"


    Derrick was surprised by the margin, as he expected something much higher. It seemed like Brigand was also aware that these goods were premiums and that a young city like Akata might not necessarily have the capital to really afford them.


    This put Derrick in an unviable position¡­ Alma watched the man mentally wrestle and let him be.


    "Cut all the prices by 10%"


    Derrick blurted these words out of the blue, stunning the elf who didn''t know how to protest. What the hell?

 87 March

    What the hell did he mean by cutting off 10%?! This wasn''t supposed to be a negotiation! Brigand had sent his items here with a certain profit margin in mind and Alma couldn''t fathom failing her master.


    Just when she was about to erupt, Derrick spoke again.


    "That 10% is what you''d owe me after the sale. Basically, I won''t be taking anything from the market, at least for now. Consider it a gesture of goodwill"


    Derrick''s heart ached when the words left his mouth, but it was necessary. If the market failed, it would set a terrible precedent, and he would also lose the only merchant that currently had access to a variety of products.


    Alma''s temper took a 180 when she heard Derrick''s justification, and a huge smile appeared on her pretty face.


    "You should have said so sooner..."


    Derrick shrugged the remark before leaving the establishment.


    Now that everything was in order, it was finally time for him to focus on himself, to get stronger.


    After his spar with Thomas, his mind had been muddled, and only recently had he found out why the fight had been so perilous¡­


    "I need spells¡­ Strong spells¡­ But before that, I need to be stronger"


    Derrick went back to the City Hall, but couldn''t enter, still unwilling to face Lacha. He found a guard near the entrance and asked him to deliver a message that he''d be absent for a while¡­


    ***


    Morning shone through, and Eloise groggily got up. Her night had been a complete nightmare, with her barely sleeping through it.


    "So much to do¡­"


    Her head still ached from the overbearing stress she was under, but she had to go through it. Derrick was right about this being a test, and if she couldn''t even lead this mission properly, she would shame everyone that had supported her education and upbringing.


    With her tired eyes, she looked at her quarter. They weren''t fancy at all, and were as basic as one could ask, with barely no color whatsoever. At the center was a table with a map and everywhere else was messy, with clothes, armor and weapons lying around.


    "I have to clean this up¡­ If Master were to ever walk in¡­"


    The thought shamed her, and she shook her head.


    "It''s time to focus! Today''s the big day"


    While dressing up, she walked to the table and observed the map on which all the targets were identified. Every detail was indicated on that map, and the plan she had laid out was honestly the best there was, at least in theory.


    She focused her attention on the first target, which was the closest village from them, at approximately 30 kilometers east of Akata. Its name was Albanel.


    After eating the reminder of last night''s meal, she donned her armor and left her room. It was finally time to get this whole thing going.


    She walked towards the command center, and every soldier she met on the way bowed to her, almost in reverence. Her career had mostly been strategizing so far, so she wasn''t used to being at the forefront.


    On her way there, she met her second in command, Atta. The ex-chieftain had undergone a massive transformation, and went from a previously weak individual to someone that was now respected from all ranks.


    "You don''t look so hot"


    Atta examined Eloise''s state and couldn''t help himself. The fiery commander truly looked awful.


    "Don''t make me send you at the bottom of the barrel¡­ Is every group ready for departure?"


    "Yes, General. The provisions have been made and the targets, assigned"


    "Great, begin"


    Atta bowed to Eloise before promptly leaving towards the barracks.


    No more than an hour later, 800 soldiers were lined up in the field, carrying backpacks filled with provisions and wearing iron armor. Of course, there were also those wearing bronze and steel armors, defining their positions in the squads.


    Eloise climbed a roughly assembled podium and looked at them attentively, to the point where some started questioning if they had done something wrong.


    "You know why you''re here, right?"


    Her words were sudden, but everyone could clearly feel their weight and intensity. This was what they had been preparing for, what their jobs entitled.


    The atmosphere''s temperature increased a few degrees and everyone''s blood started madly rushing in their bodies. Everyone present were soldiers that had been chased away by their Empire, which meant it was only the second time in their lives picking up weapons.


    However, they couldn''t be more pumped. They were powerless before, but not anymore. They had a goal now, something to defend again. A new reason to live.


    "AHHHHHHHH"


    All the soldiers yelled towards the sky to answer their General, which grinned on the platform. Her words definitely had more impact than she anticipated, but seeing the morale of her troops that high was always a good sign.


    "Now, I''ll just remind you the general lines of the plan. You''ll be split into 8 groups of 100, which are all assigned to a village. Once you have arrived at the site, surround them and cut off their roads and supplies. If they try to engage, back away before restricting their options once again. Under no circumstances is anyone allowed to engage without reinforcements from other groups. We are there to win and minimize losses, not to play hero. Anyone disregarding these orders will be severely punished. That''s all! Everyone except group 1, MARCH"


    The soldiers once again roared and began marching. Their training had been hellish ever since Eloise''s arrival, and they had to say they were in the best shape of their lives. It also gave them confidence to cross the forest safely, as groups of their sizes deterred almost all the wildlife present.


    It wasn''t long before Eloise, Atta and the group of 100 soldiers were alone in the fields.


    "When are we leaving?"


    Atta was a bit curious as to why Eloise didn''t move, but the General simply shushed her second-in-command, which took the hint. Someone else was coming.


    Right on cue, Thomas arrived, geared up with shining, steel armor.


    "Sorry if I''m late. I honestly overslept¡­"


    Eloise gave him a nasty side eye, causing Thomas to shudder. That woman really was terrifying once she got on your case.


    As for Atta, he simply disregarded the comment. He was just glad to see Thomas arrive, as it honestly meant a much easier campaign. He was sure that with him at their side, they would effortlessly go through all the opponents.


    "Now that everyone''s here, let''s march!"


    Eloise''s commands resonated and everyone started moving.


    "WAIT!"


    A feminine voice made its way into the General''s ears, and when she turned around, she endlessly cursed Thomas in her heart for his tardiness. The voice obviously belonged to Moira.


    She was running towards the trio, equipped with top gear and a backpack. It appeared that they had a new companion...

 88 Plan

    Eloise tried objecting Moira from accompanying them, but the woman had an iron will, completely unflinching. On top of this, she was one of the ''wife'' of her Master, so what she could do was limited. The final nail in the coffin was when Thomas promised to look after her. Eloise had no choice but to admit defeat afterwards.


    It took the small army a day to arrive to Albanel''s outskirts. Their trip had been perilous, with beasts much more ferocious than Eloise had anticipated. She had thought that they would have been intimidated by their numbers, but it evidently had to opposite effect. Luckily for them, their training came in full effect, and they only suffered light injuries, with no casualty.


    "Set up camp!"


    It was the middle of the night, and they didn''t have much of a visual on the village ahead, which was why Eloise decided on setting up camp in the forest. They couldn''t be discovered, or the possibility of an ambush increased exponentially. The monster''s behavior was definitely an observation she would have to share with Derrick.


    The soldiers didn''t complain, and they pitched down their tents, ready to pass a rough night. People were designated to guard the perimeter, ready to sound the alarm if anything happened.


    However, the night went peacefully, without anyone getting disturbed. The forest truly was a mysterious place¡­


    ***


    Eloise had woken up early, ready to launch the assault on the village. She ordered everyone to pack and summoned them for a final meeting.


    "I know you''ve experienced a bit of adversity so far, but we''re here now. It''s the chance we''ve been given to get our comrades back from the savages who took them from us¡­ If they resist, show no mercy. Remember that it could be one of you in there"


    A gasp ran through the ranks, understanding what she conveyed. This wasn''t a mere declaration. She was telling them that no matter what, she would do the same for them.


    The previously lethargic atmosphere suddenly changed, and it suddenly got livelier, with soldiers getting more rowdy. This was why they had initially joined the army. To serve and protect those around them.


    Eloise saw their spirits rise, and seized the momentum.


    "It''s time to go forward!"


    "YES GENERAL"


    Their simultaneous movement made the earth beneath them shake, and their movements were the preludes to something that had never happened in the region''s history¡­


    ***


    "SIR!"


    The guard, who broke his mad dash, could barely talk, with the air having trouble reaching his lungs. The person''s state honestly disgusted the ruler.


    "Why the fuck are you disturbing me? Can''t you see I''m having fun with our guests?"


    *CRACK*


    The guard cackled while regulating his breathing, unmoved by the scene in front of him. It wasn''t the first time he had seen these gory situations when addressing his Lord.


    "My Lord, some of our patrols have disappeared, and we think they are invaders. We haven''t assessed their numbers yet"


    The man stopped whipping and looked at the soldier, smiling.


    "Hmm¡­ It seems like these visitors weren''t lying when they said that reinforcements would come if they went missing¡­ Send the troops and intercept them. I want them alive¡­"


    The scrawny man''s mouth curled upwards in an evil motion, sending chills through the soldier''s spine.


    "As you wish, my Lord"


    ***


    "Don''t let up the formation! We can''t allow ourselves to be picked off one by one"


    Atta was shouting and relaying Eloise''s orders, which were always acknowledged by the running soldiers. This wasn''t a drill anymore, and failure wasn''t an option.


    Meanwhile, Eloise was standing on an erected platform, with Thomas and Moira by her side. From that vantage point, she could supervise the movements of the village, which had remained calm so far. It was also out of their vision, which was important for their plan.


    She had to say that her first impression of it was good. It had decent fortifications and even watch towers had been roughly built. Its size was also close to what had been reported, so they didn''t have any nasty surprises.


    However, she knew they weren''t dumb and had most-likely noticed that some of their patrols had disappeared. Of course, those were being interrogated right now¡­


    "General, we have a report!"


    A soldier arrived next to the stage, covered in sweat. From the armor he was wearing and his state, he had run from the front line to here.


    "Continue"


    "Yes. We have noticed a resurgence in activity in the village. The guess is that they are preparing themselves to apprehend us"


    "Fantastic, they are starting to move. Go report that everyone needs to be ready for plan A"


    The soldier saluted once again before running back to where he came from.


    Thomas had a small grin on his face, and he couldn''t wait to jump back into a fight. His last defeat to Derrick had honestly left him a sour taste.


    Moira, on the other hand, started fidgeting when she heard the report. She remembered her feeling of powerlessness and how her comrades sacrificed themselves to save her, in vain. She truly hoped this battle would pan out well.


    ***


    "Scower the surroundings! Don''t let a single fucker get away"


    Albanel''s commander kept barking orders, with his spit flying everywhere. The man was tall, fat and hideous. His face had gigantic moles, his teeth were yellow and crooked, and his nose was wide and long¡­ He was clearly someone that hadn''t been blessed at birth...


    "Where are they¡­"


    His look was filled with ill intent and bloodlust, scaring everyone that looked in his direction. It had been too long since he had faced a challenge in this shithole. The reason why he had been exiled from the Empire was because he mistreated the soldiers that were under him, to the point where some died of exhaustion or from their severe injuries.


    The soldiers scattered on Albanel''s perimeter and started looking, but couldn''t find anything, even after a few minutes.


    "Sir, are we sure that our patrols weren''t attacked by monsters from the forest? We haven''t found any traces of intruders"


    "Are you doubting our Lord?! STOP FUCKING AROUND AND FIND THEM"


    The soldiers almost shrieked before going back to his squad. He had already risked asking a question, and he was lucky to even get out of there without being punished.


    "ARGHHHHHH"


    "AHHHH"


    "WHAT THE AHHHHHHHHHH"


    Multiple cries broke simultaneously, attracting the attention of all the soldiers present. However, once their eyes reached their destination, the blood in their bodies froze.


    A titan had suddenly appeared at the boundaries of the forest, and it was reducing soldiers into meat paste. Its aura was suffocating and overbearing, revealing its nefarious intentions. The titan finished the five soldiers around it before scanning its surroundings and stopping on the commander, who was still in a daze.


    "What the fuck is this?!"


    The ugly man had never seen such brute strength, but it appeared too late to back out. It was either it, or him.

 89 Subjugation

    "Commander Gruo¡­ What¡­ What the fuck is this?!"


    The fat man''s soldiers around him were petrified due to the violent scene, and some had even soiled their gear. Seeing their comrades'' lives be extinguished so easily terrorized their very core.


    The leader broke the gaze between him and the titan and looked around him, enraged.


    "Don''t back away now, or you''ll simply die while running away like cowards! MAN UP YOU FUCKERS OR I''LL BE THE ONE KILLING YOU LATER"


    When they heard his chilling voice, some came back to themselves as their commander was someone they couldn''t afford to offend, but facing an unknown entity that easily handled five of them was still heavily weighing on their minds. After all, they were serving Albanel out of necessity, not duty. Putting their lives on the line was something they hadn''t done in a long time.


    Gruo recognized the situation and knew that if he didn''t act, the words he just said would be meaningless. He saw the fear in his troops'' eyes, and if the fight were to erupt right now, they would be at a heavy disadvantage. The Lord had given him 50 soldiers, and five had already perished. He couldn''t afford any more losses of this magnitude, or he would be the one in the holding cell getting whipped.


    He turned his gaze back to the titan, who was still staring him down with a strong and heavy bloodlust. That massive thing really wanted to fight him.


    "HOW DARE YOU HURT MY TROOPS?"


    Gruo shouted at the top of his lungs, and unleashed his aura. However, his paled so much in front of the colossus that it was barely noticeable. That enraged the fat and ugly man further, and it prompted him to take out the spear he had behind his back.


    "I might lose to you in sheer strength, but I''ll have your head on top of this stick at the end of our fight¡­"


    Gruo''s aura changed, and while it was still insignificant compared to his opponent, its maliciousness was striking, with even the colossus growing a bit weary. This was clearly the aura of someone evil that had tortured countless beings without remorse...


    With no way out and blinded by his rage, the commander jumped into the fray by rushing the monstrous opponent, which was surprised by the agility of the fat man. How could someone so big move that fast and fluidly?


    The charge motivated the nearby soldiers, which followed in their commander''s trail. Even though he was tyrannic scum, all that mattered right now was staying alive. It would also save them if they managed to get out of this alive.


    When he saw the 46 people running at him, the titan roared to the heavens and smashed his fists into the ground, creating a shock wave that destabilized the attackers'' momentum.


    "Fuck, you''re strong¡­"


    Dozens of soldiers had just appeared from the forest''s boundary, all wearing armor and assuming an offensive formation. From their position, they were clearly with the brute they were trying to slay. The soldiers who were following Gruo also stopped behind him, stunned and confused. Who were these people?


    "ATTACK"


    A feminine, but powerful voice resounded behind the military contingent, and the soldiers and colossus charged forward.


    The whole thing only took a few seconds, forcing Gruo on his back foot and making him retreat. The tides had simply changed too fast.


    "RETREAT! It''s an ambush"


    The soldiers didn''t need to hear anything else before turning back as fast as they could in the direction of their village. These troops clearly weren''t normal reinforcements.


    The charge was led by the colossus, which was of course Thomas in his Berserker form. He wasn''t using his skill, so he had no clue about his surroundings or about the situation he was currently in.


    Meanwhile, the voice that announced the assault was, of course, Eloise, who was manning the entire thing from behind the front line.


    The first phase of their plan had worked, with them baiting the enemies, and now they had to wipe them in one fell swoop.


    Gruo was running away as fast as he could, trying to increase the distance between him and the pursuers. The initial distance between them had been 50 meters at most, which meant he needed to give it everything to even have a chance at not engaging combat.


    The berserker felt the man''s fear, and it exploded forth, closing the gap instantly.


    Gruo''s vision had narrowed and only focused on the village ahead, so when the titan suddenly appeared in front of him, he felt his heart tighten. Wasn''t this fucker behind him a second ago?!


    Still armed with his spear and not slowing down one bit, the fat man dove forward, and thrust the weapon at the Berserker''s body, aiming for its vital organs. The attack was fast and sharp, surprising the colossus.


    As a result, it darted backwards to avoid taking the brunt of the attack. Even though it could heal itself at tremendous speeds, it wasn''t keen on taking unnecessary damage.


    Gruo''s face twisted in anger as he saw his strike tear across the air without landing, and his already malicious aura became even more vicious. Back in the Empire, nobody dared opposing him, so him being challenged like this caused his nasty temper to arise even more.


    "What are you all doing around me?! COME HELP YOU COWARDS"


    The commander started madly shouting and barking orders at the still fleeing soldiers, which threw him a glance before disregarding his orders. After witnessing the speed of the giant, they figured that their commander was doomed to fall here.


    When Gruo realized he was being abandoned, the feminine voice sounded once again.


    "Close their retreat"


    The soldiers that had kept running tirelessly for the previous minute were all forced to stop simultaneously, and despair suddenly crept up their spines. In front of them appeared another line of soldiers, completely cutting their line of retreat. They were caught with no way out.


    The only happy party about this development was Gruo. None of the dogs that tried to forsake him deserved any better.


    "Ahahaha you thought you could leave me behind without suffering the same fate? Even if we get out of here alive, you''ll die by my hands after this treachery"


    This sentence sent the most mentally fragile soldiers into an uncontrollable spiral of despair¡­ They knew his reputation, and they were sure that, no matter what, their futures were decided.


    The berserker, which had kept its distance from Gruo, leaped forward again, ready to quickly dispose of his opponent.


    The fat man''s instincts all cried out and tried warning him of the immense danger, but it was too late. The commander faced a barrage of hits that he could barely defend against, and he felt his body slowly giving up on him. The fight lasted a minute before he was on his knees, bloody and in tatters.


    The berserker stopped before killing him, and took a step back.


    Gruo looked around, and scenes similar to his were happening everywhere. The 45 soldiers he had under him were all wounded and to the ground, seemingly unable to resist anymore. It was a horrific defeat¡­

 90 Removal

    "Who the fuck are you?!"


    Gruo couldn''t contain his anger anymore. He had been utterly defeated, on top of being humiliated. Even though he had lazied around for a few years, he was still unmatched in the village, so him losing in such fashion was disgraceful and shameful.


    The Berserker only harrumphed, not even deeming the bloodied person in front of him to be an adversary. The fat man was obviously skilled with his spear, but to someone like a Berserker, it was akin to being poked by a needle.


    The only thing it had remotely paid attention to was Gruo''s aura, and that was because of its eerie and sinister nature. It could feel its evilness and its instincts told him that countless beings had suffered for it to be this vicious.


    The commander''s anger rose another notch, clearly realizing that the titan was dismissing him like an ant. How did this fucking brute dare ignoring him? He shouted insults after insults, to no avail.


    Seeing his insults provide no results, he switched targets. He started yelling curses at the soldiers around, but nobody answered him. Their faces were all stone-cold, as if they had done this their entire lives. Their discipline honestly shook him.


    On top of this, he looked at their armor, and realized that they were all brand new and made of iron. Who the hell were these guys? They couldn''t be the related to the persons they had captured¡­ Right?!


    "Your ugliness truly matches the nastiness of your words..."


    Gruo heard a voice, and he immediately associated it with the woman who had ordered the charge against them. She was certainly responsible for this whole debacle.


    "Show yourself and explain what''s going on. If your explanation''s satisfactory, I''ll consider letting you go"


    Even if he was on his knees and covered in bruises, Gruo refused to give an inch of control. He always obtained everything he wanted in his life, and to him, this situation would be no different.


    "Oh?"


    What he didn''t expect was that the air around the soldiers changed. The change was simply brutal. It was as if he had just fallen into a pit of icy water, and there was nothing he could to extirpate himself from it, slowly drowning in the process...


    For the first time in his life, Gruo felt something he had never felt before¡­ Fear. A fear so strong that his earlier bravado instantly vanished. His eyes darted crazily around him, trying to find the source of this monstrous oppression.


    That''s when his gaze landed on the Berserker, and when they met its black, abyssal eyes, he felt like a dust particle entering a new, unknown universe. His powerlessness, his insignificance¡­ Gruo wanted to speak and try to free himself from this influence, but his body had already relinquished control¡­ He was like a lamb ready to be slaughtered.


    "You asked us who we were, but when we tried to present ourselves, you killed our representatives..."


    Eloise smirked when she delivered her snarky comment, but one could definitely hear the enraged underlying tone. The envoys were, after all, soldiers she had trained. She still had trouble accepting the fact that their deaths weren''t her fault.


    As for Gruo, he was still aware of his surroundings, even though he couldn''t move nor speak. When he heard her sentence, he felt his heart break. The war machine that had subdued him in mere minutes was actually the ones they had offended¡­


    Eloise turned to Thomas, and nodded in his direction, which prompted the Berserker to deactivate its skill. The previously suffocating aura immediately vanished, and many of Albanel''s soldiers fell unconscious.


    Unfortunately for Gruo, he wasn''t one of those lucky bastards.


    "What¡­ What are you talking about? We¡­ We haven''t met anyone here! It''s a misunderstanding!"


    Eloise couldn''t believe her ears. The fat and ugly pig in front of her was now denying seeing their envoys? How shameless could this man be? Her rage, which had been boiling for a while, finally erupted.


    *BANG*


    Without any warning and without letting any time for Gruo to react, she violently kicked his head, making it whip backwards until it crashed into the ground in a loud thump. The hit was so violent that Gruo''s lower jaw was completely shattered.


    The commander couldn''t even scream in pain anymore, and only made agonizing grunts, with tears falling down his puckered cheeks.


    The soldiers around were surprised to see their General lose her temper, as she had always seemed in control. From the looks of things, it had been a facade¡­


    "Why¡­"


    Gruo somehow managed to speak this one word, which made the already furious Eloise explode further.


    She took out the sword from her waist and stabbed Gruo''s left leg.


    "AHHHHHHHHH"


    This time, the pain had overwhelmed the one felt in his jaw, and he let out an ear-piercing scream that tore across the plains.


    "Lie again, and I''ll use this sword to cut off each of your members individually"


    Eloise had learned a few tricks from Derrick in terms of cruelty, and this was one she wouldn''t mind trying on such scum.


    Gruo gulped. He could see it in her eyes¡­ This woman was serious. He was used to seeing this type of craziness in his Lord, so recognizing it here was easy.


    "Plus, this wound won''t kill you quickly¡­ I''ll make sure you bleed out like the pig you are"


    The fat commander furiously nodded while controlling the pain as best he could. His muscles and tendons were definitely done for, so cooperating now was the only option. Plus, being butchered was not a good alternative.


    While concentrating to a maximum, he spoke.


    "I... understand¡­"


    "Good. Are our envoys still alive?"


    He nodded.


    The soldiers and Eloise''s expressions changed to one of relief, but before she could rejoice, she quickly asked another question.


    "How are they?"


    Gruo grimaced when he heard the question. How the fuck was he supposed to tell them that they were being tortured and had probably gone insane!?


    Eloise immediately saw the badly hidden expressions, and her body tensed up. For this scumbag to make faces like this meant that they were in serious trouble¡­ The remaining sympathy she had in her heart crumbled.


    The anger she had previously alleviated suddenly surged once again, and this time, she let it all out with a single sentence that shook the heart of every soldier present.


    "Leave none alive¡­"


    ***


    "Why is it so long? Wasn''t catching a couple of rats easy?"


    The scrawny Lord was comfortably sitting, and he kept playing with the glass of wine in his hand, making it roll between his fingers. Such luxury in this region was practically unheard of, and it came at great costs. In his case, he had sent soldiers to retrieve it in the nearby villages that were close to the border. They had to cross the forest on their trip, so most of them lost their lives, but who cared¡­

 91 Flee

    *Clang* *Clang* *Clang*


    The Lord stopped playing with his glass of wine, surprised by the noise. Were his soldiers back from their excursion?


    *BANG*


    The town hall''s doors burst open, with a soldier running in, worn down and severely injured. His entire body was covered in blood and one of his arms was bent in a horrifying way. The scene shocked the Lord, who couldn''t understand what was happening.


    "WE''RE UNDER ATTACK"


    With his last breath, the soldier yelled those words and fell to the floor, dead.


    The maid present gasped, and her eyes started tearing up. A flood of memories from when the Empire attacked them surged, and she remembered her close ones dying in front of her. Were these bastards finally coming back to finish the job?


    The Lord had quickly gotten up from his chair in response, but the only thing he did was standing there, trying to process what this meant. Were the intruders related to the Empire instead of those prisoners? If so, he had just done a major mistake and the only thing he could do was fleeing.


    With that realization hitting him like a ton of bricks, he turned around and ran across the room, seizing a bag and filling it up with everything he could get his hands on. His actions stunned the already terrified maid, who couldn''t get rid of the dark memories that swirled endlessly in her mind.


    "My¡­ My Lord¡­ Where are you going?"


    "Shut up and run if you want to live!"


    "But¡­ But the army will surely repel them right?"


    "You mean the lazy bastards who''ve been sitting on their asses these last few years?! HAHAHAHAHA"


    The scrawny man''s laugh was clear and filled with contempt. It was obvious he didn''t care for them at all and merely viewed them as pawns. If they could stall long enough for him to escape, their lives would have meaning.


    "On top of this, do you really think we''re being attacked by castaways from here? If we were, our soldiers wouldn''t come back in this state"


    He pointed to the corpse on the floor and scuffed. In his mind, there was only one entity that could threaten this place, and it was the Empire. He didn''t know why they had finally decided to come here, but he wasn''t about to find out.


    *CLANG* *CLANG* *CLANG*


    The outside noise was becoming louder and louder, prompting the Lord to hurriedly leave the Town Hall, leaving behind a now petrified maid. When she had heard his last words, it was as if her world crumbled and her worst fears had come true¡­ The Empire was back¡­


    With that thought sinking further and further into her body, she fell powerlessly to her knees, with tears running down her cheeks¡­ The weight of all those years in exile hit her all at once, which sapped away any energy and will to flee...


    "Looks like I''m going to meet you all soon again¡­"


    ***


    "Yes General!"


    Akata''s troops were sweeping through the village after easily dealing with its front gate. Since Albanel had sent half of their soldiers to intercept them, they were shorthanded on defending the perimeter, which caused the front gate''s defenses to be considerably weakened. That, on top of having a berserker, made everything all too easy.


    The troops had initially been appalled by their General''s orders to kill neutralized soldiers, but they quickly realized that they were people who captured and tortured innocent men¡­ Being weak-willed on a battlefield was a death sentence more often than not, and they weren''t willing to gamble their lives away for scum like them.


    After killing another 30 soldiers, they finally reached the center of the village and saw the town hall. It was the classiest building they had encountered so far, which made Eloise wonder who was inside.


    "Guard the exterior and inform me when the entire populace has been gathered"


    "Yes General"


    After organizing the troops, Eloise entered the edifice. Even though it wasn''t big, it was luxurious, even compared to the ones found in Akata. The amount of work needed to build something like this in this inhospitable region and small village¡­ She simply couldn''t fathom it.


    As she went further in, she finally arrived in the room where the soldier had died and laid in a pool of blood. What caught her attention, however, was a woman sobbing on the floor. She hadn''t even raised her head when Eloise entered the room, which made her raise her guard.


    "Are you okay?"


    The sobbing stopped, and the woman slowly raised her head, exposing her swollen red eyes.


    "If you''re going to kill me, please do it now¡­"


    The sentence was said slowly and resolutely, which surprised the General. How was this person already resigned to die?


    "I''m not here to kill you"


    The maid looked up again, now with eyes filled with grief.


    "Liars¡­ You''re all liars¡­ The Empire is scum and I won''t beg for my life¡­ Just end it"


    Eloise suddenly understood. This woman must have heard the clashes outside, and when that soldier ran in, she assumed that they were a division from Krakow.


    She couldn''t help but sympathize with her. After all, she was also a victim of the tyrannic regimes that occurred across the land.


    "I''m not here on the Empire''s behalf¡­"


    "STOP LYING"


    The maid exploded in anger, unable to contain her overflowing emotions. Why did these Empire bastards have to be so heartless? Couldn''t they simply kill her without making a fuss about it?!


    Eloise realized she wouldn''t be able to get through with words alone, so she reached deep down in one of her pockets and took out an iron coin before throwing it next to the woman.


    *Cling*


    It made a clear metallic noise when it landed, and it settled at the woman''s feet, right in front of her eyes. She couldn''t help but look at it, and when she did, she realized that the woman in front of her wasn''t lying.


    She had never seen the coin''s pattern before, and it was obviously iron, which wasn''t supposed to be used as currency.


    "Who¡­ Who are you?"


    She quickly gathered back her thoughts and questioned Eloise because even though she wasn''t from the Empire, she still could be someone from an enemy region.


    "We come from a nearby village that sent two envoys here before. Do you know anything about that?"


    Eloise''s tone was firm and ruthless when she mentioned the last part, sending a chill down the maid''s spine. Now everything made sense¡­ Albanel had offended someone they couldn''t afford to, and now it had to pay the price...


    "Yes..."


    Her voice had finally stabilized, but the amount of sadness contained in the answer made Eloise think of the worse.


    "Where are they?"


    "I''ll show you..."


    The maid shakily got off the ground, and led Eloise to a ''basement'' of some sort. After descending a small flight of stairs, they arrived in front of a thick wooden door, and before the maid opened it, she spoke.


    "Death would have been a better fate than what you''re about to see¡­"

 92 Ilyak

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