Chapter 14: Mission Rewards

When Li Bin’s Graveyard Mage returned to Bloodlust City, his research was nearing completion. He had finally crafted a necrotic ballista entirely composed of bones, endowed with a certain degree of intelligence. This small ballista could move, aim, and launch attacks autonomously without human control, and each day, it would automatically generate three poison gas bombs and three bone spears as special offensive means.

What pleased Li Bin most, however, was its cost of production: only four standard corpses and a single standard soul were required to manufacture one. This meant he could mass-produce these ballistae and make them the primary force on the early battlefield.

After arranging for operators for the necrotic ballistae, Li Bin led three heroes into Bloodlust City. After asking a few passersby, they soon arrived at the city hall.

“What? You’re here to see the lord? What business do you have?” In front of the city hall, built from enormous beast bones and hides, a towering ogre guard blocked their way.

“We’ve completed the task assigned by the lord and have come to report,” Li Bin replied, knowing these gatekeepers were often difficult to deal with. He quickly slipped a few gold coins into the ogre’s hand.

“Oh, in that case, go ahead. The lord is in the central chamber.” Pocketing the coins, the ogre immediately stepped aside, allowing Li Bin and his companions to enter.

Inside, their eyes were met by a corridor painted blood red. On either side, the walls were adorned with crests made from giant axes and shields. At the end of the corridor stood a heavy wooden door, behind which lay the office of the city lord—Old Bloodlust Shubi.

Pushing open the door, Li Bin saw two ogres, each over four meters tall, standing behind it. Behind them, seated at a desk, a blue-skinned goblin sneered coldly at them.

“So you’re the bone who finished the task?” Before Li Bin could inquire, the blue goblin shouted loudly.

“May I ask who you are?” Li Bin didn’t answer directly.

“I am Old Bloodlust Shubi! Answer my question, bone! Or I’ll turn you into soup!” the blue goblin bellowed.

“Yes, I completed the task you issued and reclaimed the mine for you.” Confirming the goblin’s identity, Li Bin answered honestly. He had no desire to offend the greatest city lord of the novice continent over a trivial matter.

“Very good. I’m satisfied with your work. Here’s your promised reward—take it.” Shubi spoke offhandedly, and an ogre at the door threw a bag of items at Li Bin’s feet.

Before Li Bin could retrieve it, Shubi impatiently urged, “Alright, everything owed to you has been given. Leave at once!”

Li Bin hadn’t had time to respond when the system notification sounded: “You have received the reward for ‘The Haunted Mine’: Experience 3000/1500, Gold 3000, two Elite Hero Badges; you have received the reward for the follow-up quest ‘The Truth of the Haunting’: Experience 4000/2000, Gold 4500, one Recruitment Permit: Savage 3.”

Li Bin was still processing all this when Shubi shouted again, “Why are you still here? Get out!”

He wasn’t sure why Shubi was so eager to dismiss him, but Li Bin had no intention of opposing the city lord. After offering a respectful salute, he led his three heroes out of the lord’s office.

Once outside, his three heroes immediately pressed him for details about the rewards. Smiling, Li Bin handed two Elite Hero Badges to Tordina and Dierdrie. After a flash of golden light, their profiles now bore the mark of +1 Elite Hero.

“You’re now elite heroes. I won’t interfere with your arrangements for your units. I’m giving each of you 3000 gold; go prepare your own heroes and new troops. If you’re short on funds, you can apply to me or take on quests yourself. Just don’t stray too far; we may have new tasks soon.” As he spoke, Li Bin handed each of them a pouch of gold.

Joy lit up Tordina and Dierdrie’s faces. Li Bin’s gesture confirmed his trust and full recognition of their command, allowing them to form units entirely under their own control and earn more experience.

The two promptly took their gold and hurried off toward the Necromancer’s Tavern.

Watching them leave, Li Bin turned to Lidas. “Alright, let’s see if there are any new quests we can take.”

“Please wait, master,” Lidas suddenly called out.

“What is it?” Li Bin turned to her.

“It’s just… Master, you see, I have no troops at all right now…” Lidas spoke cautiously.

“I understand. But you know, all my troops are undead. If you don’t mind, I can assign you a unit,” Li Bin replied with a casual smile.

“No need, master. Didn’t you just obtain a Recruitment Permit: Savage 3? With that, you can recruit level 3 and below savage units at the city hall of any savage-type city,” Lidas explained carefully.

“Is that so? Then let’s go have a look. There might be some good units here in Bloodlust City,” Li Bin replied offhandedly.

Guided by the excited Lidas, Li Bin made his way to the recruitment office in city hall. Inside the small room, a lavishly dressed goblin scrutinized Li Bin and Lidas.

“Here is my Recruitment Permit. Please take a look,” Li Bin placed his newly acquired Savage 3 permit before the goblin.

“Oh, this is a level 3 savage recruitment permit. With it, you may recruit any units from level 0 to 3 in this city. Currently, available units are: level 0 goblin slaves, dire wolves, and orc slaves; level 1 goblin warriors, goblin crossbowmen, orc warriors; level 2 bear goblin warriors, orc axemen; level 3 great goblin wolf riders, wild boar berserkers, orc priests. Which would you like to recruit?” the goblin explained after glancing at the permit.

“Are there any special units?” Li Bin asked, scanning the unit data.

“Sorry, the city’s special unit is the level 5 Thunderhawk Rider, which you cannot recruit,” the goblin replied, shaking his head.

“I recall an Amazon tribe is stationed near Bloodlust City,” Lidas suddenly remarked.

“Yes, but that is an independent, neutral tribe. We cannot recruit from them. However, if you’re interested in Amazon warriors, you may visit them. Their forces are reputed to be quite strong.”