093 Mutated Undead
After realizing that ordinary methods could not save the Bloodclaw Eagle, Karen decided to take a chance and attempt a fusion using its dying form. The system responded that fusion was possible, but under abnormal circumstances, the Bloodclaw Eagle faced a ninety percent chance of death.
Such an overwhelming risk did not deter Karen. After all, if he did nothing, the Bloodclaw Eagle was certain to die, so upon receiving the system’s confirmation, he immediately took action.
However, since the Bloodclaw Eagle was only a second-tier undead, Karen did not attempt to fuse it with a third-tier corpse. Instead, he used two second-tier corpses for the fusion.
Using the Bloodclaw Eagle as the base, he merged it with two second-tier exceptional goblin corpses.
From this moment, it was a gamble—a true struggle between life and death, with a ninety percent likelihood of perishing.
Karen watched as the Bloodclaw Eagle and the two goblin corpses melted and twisted together.
In theory, undead creatures should not feel pain, but throughout the process, Karen could hear harrowing, anguished cries.
Clearly, the Bloodclaw Eagle was enduring unimaginable suffering.
If it failed to withstand the ordeal, it would die.
Perhaps the loss was not significant for Karen; even if the Bloodclaw Eagle died, he could still use its corpse to create a new undead creature. Yet, Karen sincerely hoped it would survive.
He was a classic double standard: ruthless to his enemies, but soft-hearted toward his own subordinates—even undead ones.
Whether the Bloodclaw Eagle sensed Karen’s hope or retained some of its avian tenacity, it ultimately survived this trial of near-certain death.
A sharp, chilling screech echoed as the Bloodclaw Eagle completed the final fusion.
Afterward, it could no longer be called the Bloodclaw Eagle. Its body grew from roughly one meter to one and a half meters. Its feathers turned jet black, and a thin layer of dark mist enveloped its form.
...
Screeching Death Eagle
Type: Mutant
Strength: Third-tier, common
Skills:
Eagle Eye Gaze lv3 (Active skill: Enhances vision, allowing detection of hidden units from high altitude, recognition of enemies, and insight into their strength.)
Death Screech lv3 (Active skill: Area effect; upon activation, launches a soul attack against enemies within fifty meters, causing them to fall into confusion. Duration depends on the enemy’s strength.)
Phasing lv3 (Active skill: Upon activation, enters a phased state for thirty seconds, granting immunity to attacks below fifth-tier.)
Innate Talent: Not activated
...
“Excellent. Its power has grown tremendously, especially the last skill. With it, the chance of being shot down again is greatly reduced.”
Karen was very satisfied with the Screeching Death Eagle’s attributes; his only complaint was its awkward new name.
To make it more fitting, Karen gave it a new name: Death Wing.
Although the name was somewhat perfunctory—perhaps even borrowed—Karen genuinely liked Death Wing.
After all, it had played a pivotal role in his previous victory. More importantly, Death Wing’s rebirth fulfilled the second requirement for upgrading the Large Graveyard.
But even with the second requirement met, Karen’s territory had not advanced.
As with the upgrade to Tier Three, upgrading to Tier Four required meeting three conditions, which appeared once the Large Graveyard was eligible for advancement.
...
1. Possess two Tier Three buildings
2. Have 10,000 first-tier undead, 1,000 second-tier undead, and 100 third-tier undead
3. Cultivate Whisper of the Dead: 50,000 of trash quality, 1,000 of ordinary quality, and 1 of elite quality
...
Upon seeing these three requirements, the smile at Karen’s lips slowly froze.
None were simple or easy; if anything, the second seemed the most achievable.
Currently, Karen commanded 2,513 first-tier undead, 665 second-tier undead, and 51 third-tier undead.
To reach the target numbers, he would need to spend at least 300,000 territory energy—without even accounting for the construction of Small Crypts.
Including Small Crypts, if Karen wanted to provide one for every first-tier undead, he would need to spend 110,000 a month.
The sheer scale of these numbers made Karen’s head ache; even if he poured all his current 270,000 into it, it would not be enough.
And this was only the simplest condition. The others were even trickier. Cultivating Whisper of the Dead was something Karen intended to do regardless, as energy was vital for the territory. After conquering the Goblin Forest, he would have to prioritize planting.
But to grow over fifty thousand of the Whisper of the Dead would take at least two or three months. Not to mention, he needed an elite specimen as well, making the third requirement nearly impossible.
As for the first condition—owning two Tier Three buildings—it seemed slightly more attainable. Karen already had one: the Large Graveyard. If he could build the Bone Tower and upgrade it to Tier Three, he would meet the requirement.
Yet Karen suspected this, too, was a pitfall. Constructing the Bone Tower required 3,000 territory energy and 1,000 first-tier corpses.
The first requirement was manageable, but the second made Karen’s scalp tingle.
He could provide 1,000 first-tier corpses now, but if upgrading required 1,000 second-tier corpses, he would be overwhelmed.
Nevertheless, among the three conditions, this seemed the most within reach. After much deliberation, Karen decided to proceed and construct the Bone Tower.
[Ding, do you wish to consume 3,000 territory energy and 1,000 first-tier corpses to build the Bone Tower?]
“Yes!”
Without hesitation, Karen confirmed, and a virtual map appeared before him.
It was the map of his territory, with a model of the Bone Tower hovering above.
Following the system’s instructions, Karen placed the Bone Tower at the center of his domain, beside the Large Graveyard.
[Ding, Bone Tower construction has begun. Estimated completion: 36 hours!]
As the system notification rang out, the chosen site for the Bone Tower began to glow with a ghostly white light...