The command hall was silent.
Every officer watched the glowing blue screen floating above the table.
No one spoke.
No one interrupted.
The decision would shape the future of Base 101.
Inside Sam's mind...
Rex's calm voice echoed.
Commander...
Each facility offers significant long-term value.
However...
Current battlefield analysis recommends increasing production capabilities.
Sam studied each option one final time.
Training Grounds.
Already built.
Barracks Expansion.
Magic Research Hall.
Farm Expansion.
Watchtower.
Advanced Forge.
His eyes settled on a single choice.
"I've decided."
His finger touched the glowing panel.
Advanced Forge.
DING!
Base Upgrade Confirmed.
Constructing: Advanced Forge.
The ground beneath Base 101 rumbled violently.
RUMBLE...
RUMBLE...
Workers rushed outside.
Citizens gathered in the streets.
Brilliant blue pillars of light erupted beside the existing forge.
Stone walls rose from the earth.
Massive furnaces formed one after another.
New anvils appeared in perfect rows.
Automated bellows began pumping on their own.
Storage racks materialized along the walls.
Mana-powered smelters ignited with brilliant blue flames.
A second floor assembled itself above the original workshop.
Within moments...
The largest forge in the region stood proudly inside Base 101.
George's mouth slowly fell open.
"...Commander."
"I think..."
"I've fallen in love."
Laughter erupted from the surrounding soldiers.
Even Doran allowed himself a small smile.
"This..."
"...is worthy of being called a Master Forge."
A new notification appeared before Sam.
Base 101
Advanced Forge Constructed
Effects:
• Equipment Quality Increased
• Crafting Speed +40%
• Rare Equipment Recipes Unlocked
• Master Blacksmith Bonus Activated
George's eyes lit up.
"Rare recipes?"
He looked toward Doran.
"We're not sleeping tonight."
Doran nodded once.
"We have work to do."
Nearby...
Kael admired the Frost Spear.
Doran walked over.
"Hand it here."
Kael hesitated before passing him the weapon.
The Master Blacksmith carefully inspected every inch.
He nodded in approval.
"Excellent craftsmanship."
He handed it back.
"But..."
"It can become even stronger."
Kael blinked.
"It can?"
Doran looked toward the new forge.
"With enough rare materials..."
"I can improve any weapon."
George laughed.
"Did you hear that?"
"We're making legendary equipment one day!"
Inside the command hall...
Dennis folded the weathered System Map across the table.
"I should head back before nightfall."
Sam nodded.
"Your people are waiting."
Dennis smiled.
"So are yours."
The two Commanders clasped forearms once again.
"If either of us needs help..."
Dennis grinned.
"We send an airship."
Sam smiled.
"Agreed."
Outside...
Dennis's soldiers boarded the wooden airship.
The white sails caught the evening breeze.
Slowly...
The vessel lifted into the sky.
Ben watched it disappear beyond the clouds.
"He's a good ally."
Sam nodded.
"He is."
Inside his mind...
Rex quietly spoke.
Commander...
Strong alliances often decide the outcome of great wars.
As the sun began to set...
Leon entered the command hall carrying several rolled maps.
"Commander."
"Our scouts finished surveying the territory around Base 101."
He spread the maps across the table.
Several new locations had been marked.
A ruined village.
A monster nest.
An abandoned mine.
A corrupted swamp.
Then...
One location caught Sam's attention.
Unlike the others...
Its symbol glowed faintly.
Inside his mind...
Rex's voice became noticeably more serious.
Commander...
I have identified that location.
Sam looked closer.
"What is it?"
A brief pause followed.
Then Rex answered.
An Ancient Necropolis.
The room remained quiet as Sam continued studying the map.
Only he knew the significance of those words.
Rex continued.
This place existed long before the System recognized humanity.
For a Necromancer Commander...
It may become either your greatest opportunity...
Or your grave.
Sam slowly rolled up the map.
A determined smile crossed his face.
"Looks like..."
"We've found our next destination."
Far beyond the walls of Base 101...
Beneath the earth...
Something ancient stirred within the darkness.
Blue soul flames slowly ignited one by one.
As if...
The ruler of the Necropolis had sensed the approach of a fellow master of the dead.