Chapter 202 - Level 5 Shelter

The 500 Dark Cursed Bugs flew out as scouts, dispersing across the area. Their ability to fly allowed them to easily gather detailed terrain data. Soon, they returned with news of a rabbit gathering spot. Hundreds of plump rabbits clustered there, surrounding a lone altar shaped like a rabbit.

𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Han Wu sent one of his half-dragons to investigate and soon obtained 60 Gold Coins, 80 Rabbit Meat, 93 Rabbit Pelts, and one Level 2 altar.

[Level 2 Infantry Altar: Rabbits. It can be used directly or as material to upgrade an existing altar.]

Han Wu laughed. Only an idiot would use such a useless altar. He then used it along with the Wild Dogs Altar as materials to upgrade his Skeletons Altar. Unfortunately, the two altars failed to raise its level.

This was only the beginning, though. Within an hour, they discovered a Wolves Altar. Since Han Wu’s skeletons had slain most of the wolves the previous night, only old, weakened wolves guarded it now.

Han Wu ordered ten Dark Cursed Bugs to attack at once, and they easily secured the altar. When he inspected it, he was surprised to discover it was Level 4. Without hesitation, he used it to upgrade his Skeletons Altar. The altar absorbed the experience and leveled up, presenting him with three new upgrade options.

[Option 1: Double the amount of summoned skeletons.]

[Option 2 (Rare): Summon 10 additional Unique Skeleton Knights.]

[Option 3 (Precious): Summon an additional Heroic Golden Skeleton.]

Han Wu chose the third option without hesitation. As he confirmed it, a golden skeleton emerged from the altar, wielding a sharp bone blade. Its golden body gleamed with toughness, the blade shimmering like gold despite patches of dried blood darkening its surface.

Han Wu inspected its data.

[Heroic Golden Skeleton. Skills: Gold Bone, Undead Slash, Skeleton Commander. This is a general of the skeletons. Its strength is determined by the number of skeletons under its command.]

Han Wu’s eyes gleamed with excitement. He had never expected to find a treasure like this. The Golden Skeleton was not only powerful but also capable of commanding other skeletons. Yet, he had no idea just how potent its abilities were.

Coincidentally, the Skeleton Knights were returning at that moment, bringing with them a swarm of goblin skeletons. At the same time, the Dark Cursed Bugs discovered a massive wasp hive nearby. The hive buzzed with life and seemed to conceal hidden treasures deep within.

Han Wu entrusted the Golden Skeleton with the task of destroying the hive. The skeleton led all 600 goblin skeletons, charging straight toward the hive.

Through the interface, Han Wu monitored the battle closely. As the skeletons reached the hive, the Golden Skeleton immediately issued precise commands.

The goblin skeletons quickly fell into formation, mimicking the tactics they had once used in life. Those with wooden shields and clubs formed the front line, while slingers positioned themselves in the center. At the rear, goblin shaman skeletons raised their short staves, channeling energy into the group. The formation was simple but brutally effective, especially against the wasps, whose only form of attack was launching venomous stings.

The first volley of stones tore through the swarm, killing hundreds of wasps instantly. As they died, their venomous stingers dropped as loot. Enraged, thousands more erupted from the hive to retaliate. However, the skeletons were made of bone, rendering the venomous stings useless against them.

The Golden Skeleton seized the opportunity to counterattack. A single Undead Slash swept through the swarm, killing thousands of wasps at once. The goblin skeletons then launched another round of stones, cutting down even more.

They repeated this cycle several times until the wasps were completely eradicated.

After the battle, the intelligent Golden Skeleton gave the order to clean up the battlefield. The goblin skeletons collected the venomous stingers, dismantled the hive, and retrieved two altars hidden within it. Among the spoils, they found a Level 3 Archer Altar: Wasps and a Level 2 Worker Altar: Wasp Queens.

Han Wu felt like he’d struck gold. He immediately used the Archer altar to upgrade his Dark Cursed Bugs Altar, while setting aside the Worker altar for later.

In the group chat, Han Wu had learned that many students only possessed Vanguards, Lancers, Archers, Infantry, Physicians, and Technicians. None had acquired Workers, Light Cavalry, or Heavy Cavalry yet, making the Worker altar a rare and valuable resource. He suspected he could sell it at a high price once trading became available.

His Dark Cursed Bugs Altar quickly leveled up after absorbing the Archer altar, reaching Level 2 and unlocking three upgrade options to choose from.

[Option 1: Double the amount of summoned Dark Cursed Bugs.]

[Option 2 (Rare): 5% chance to summon a huge Dark Cursed Bug. Unique life form. Skills: Shadow Meld, Shadow Nails. This larger version of a Dark Cursed Bug boasts upgraded stats.]

[Option 3: 2% chance to obtain a new Skill, Shadow Shield.]

The second option was technically the strongest, but Han Wu passed on it. His Dark Cursed Bugs served as scouts; they didn’t need strength, just numbers. The more he had, the farther he could explore.

He picked the first option, doubling the number of summoned Dark Cursed Bugs. Another 500 flew out from the altar, and Han Wu immediately dispatched them to scout a wider area around his shelter.

Night fell before the Scorching Dwarves dragged their weary bodies back to the shelter. What awaited them were grilled rabbit meat and sweet honey. The Scorching Dwarves didn’t disappoint either as they had returned with a mountain of Wood, Stone, and Iron.

Han Wu spent 4,000 Wood, 4,000 Stone, 1,000 Iron, and 2,000 Gold Coins to upgrade his shelter. Under his careful watch, the structure underwent a dramatic transformation. The mansion expanded, and a solid metal fence now enclosed everything within a one-kilometer radius. All of it belonged to him.

With the shelter upgraded to Level 5, four reward options appeared.

[Option 1: Botanical Garden. You can plant different plants in the area. Plants grow and mature 100 times faster.]

[Option 2: Smithy. It’s equipped with all of the tools necessary to forge equipment.]

[Option 3: Clinic. Injured units heal 10 times faster in it.]

[Option 4: Zoo. You can raise wild animals within.]

Han Wu reviewed the choices with his skeletons in mind. The Botanical Garden could provide Food and Wood, but it held little use for him now, so he discarded it. The Clinic was unnecessary since his skeletons could rejuvenate by chewing bones. Then there was the Zoo, which baffled him. His land covered only a one-kilometer radius. Was there even enough space for a zoo?

One by one, he ruled them out until only the Smithy remained. With the Scorching Dwarves helping and plenty of materials at hand, it was the obvious choice.