032 Magic Scroll Workbench
Seeing the three conditions for territory advancement this time, Kaelen finally let out a sigh of relief.
The first two conditions were not particularly difficult.
For the first condition, Kaelen had more than enough territory energy and corpses in his possession; he could effortlessly manifest fifty thousand undead with a mere wave of his hand.
As for the second, Kaelen did not hesitate. He opened the [Territory Shop] and immediately spent 150,000 territory energy to draw from the product catalog three times.
[Ding! You have used the "Product Catalog Draw" function. You have obtained the following catalogs: "Bone Sword," "Bone Helmet," and "Magic Scroll Workbench!"]
...
Bone Sword
Item Grade: Common
Item Price: 100 territory energy
Item Description: A special undead weapon. Possessing it automatically grants the Lv3 [Basic Swordsmanship Mastery] skill!
PS: For undead use only.
...
Bone Helmet
Item Grade: Common
Item Price: 200 territory energy
Item Description: A special piece of undead equipment with 200 years of durability, capable of protecting the undead's head.
PS: For undead use only.
...
Magic Scroll Workbench
Item Grade: Fine
Item Price: 30,000 territory energy
Item Description: A mage's workbench for creating magic scrolls. Includes three copies of "Basic Magic Scroll Crafting Insights," which increases the success rate of crafting [Basic Magic] scrolls by 100%.
PS: For undead use only. Limited to one purchase per month!
...
Of the three items that appeared, the first two were standard gear from the bone equipment set, intended to outfit his undead subordinates and enhance the combat strength of his undead legion. The last item, the [Magic Scroll Workbench], was a special tool designed to assist in the creation of magic scrolls.
Kaelen had little interest in the first two, but the [Magic Scroll Workbench] caught his eye immediately. Having just drawn it, he spent 30,000 energy to purchase one.
With the 30,000 territory energy consumed, a small magic workbench appeared before him. Along with the bench, there were three black crystals, each inscribed with insights on creating basic magic scrolls. Using one would grant the user the skill to craft magic scrolls.
Out of curiosity, Kaelen used one on himself.
[Ding! You have used "Basic Magic Scroll Crafting Insights." You have acquired the skill: "Basic Magic Scroll Crafting!"]
As the system notification rang out, a massive influx of information flooded Kaelen's mind. It was not a pleasant experience; for the few minutes the information surged in, Kaelen feared his brain might burst.
Though the process was unpleasant, the result was promising. Even though Kaelen was not a mage, he had gained significant magical knowledge and experience in scroll crafting after using the insights. It even gave him the illusion that, given the materials, he could craft [Basic Magic Scrolls] right then and there.
Of course, since Kaelen only mastered the [Corpse Manipulation] spell, he could currently only create scrolls related to that spell.
"In other words, even with [Basic Magic Scroll Crafting], I can only craft spells I already know. Furthermore, there's an upper limit: the power sealed within these scrolls cannot exceed the 3rd rank."
After roughly understanding the limitations, Kaelen hesitated for a moment before distributing the remaining two skill crystals. One went to Gila, who had mastered [Blindness] and [Bone Shield], and the other went to another 4th-rank undead mage who possessed [Weakness] and [Stun]. If they could mass-produce these magic scrolls, the strength of Kaelen's undead legion would undoubtedly rise to a new level.
After distributing the crystals, Kaelen turned his attention back to his territory status panel. After this round of spending, his territory energy was down to 3.27 million.
Spending more than half of the energy he had saved over three months in one go was truly painful, but the millions of energy had not been spent in vain. That massive investment had brought the number of 4th-rank undead in his territory to a terrifying 107, while also bringing his territory one step closer to level 5.
Now, Kaelen only needed to raise his own strength to [4th-Rank Legendary], and his territory would be firmly on the path to reaching level 5.
...
Both the Bourbon Kingdom and the Silver Hand were paying close attention to Kaelen's Undead Market. Everyone knew this place would soon grow into a cash cow, so both sides were eager to bring the market under their control.
Not long after Klein departed from Kaelen's domain, the representatives from the Silver Hand arrived. Like Klein, they headed straight for the Undead Market upon entering the Land of the Dead.
However, unlike Klein, who traveled only with Laine and maintained a low profile, the Silver Hand's contingent made a grand entrance. A group of at least a hundred people marched into the market with great fanfare and arrogance.
As they arrived, the Silver Hand merchants within the market spontaneously went to greet them, readying elaborate preparations to welcome the envoys. The entire market was in an uproar due to their arrival. To an outsider, one might think this group was the true master of the market.
In fact, the group from the Silver Hand seemed to view the market as their own property. The goblin in charge, named Yinhui, demanded to know why Kaelen had not come to greet him the moment he arrived. While ordering his men to summon Kaelen to the market to see him, Yinhui, surrounded by his sycophantic merchants, began to inspect the grounds.
Unlike Klein, who had shown genuine interest, the goblin Yinhui lost interest in the market after only a brief stroll; to him, a half-built, desolate market had nothing worth seeing. The goblin merchants surrounding him, being sharp-witted, immediately led him to the newly constructed commercial street and entertainment district, fawning over this goblin who reportedly had significant backing.
Nearby, Ogolun frowned as he watched the arrogant and overbearing goblin, who clearly already considered himself the owner of the market. "It seems we have a bit of trouble this time..."