Chương 100: Chapter 100: Magic Rune Constructs and the Concept of a Knight Guard
In the puppet factory, the low hum of the mana crystal forge resonated throughout the space. Sunan stood at a large workbench, focusing intently as he used a Mage Hand to engrave enchanted runes onto the surface of a golem.
About ten minutes later, with the final stroke, the entire golem body exuded a vibrant magical energy.
"Another one complete!"
Sunan smiled with satisfaction, placing a miniature soul crystal into the groove on the golem's chest. As the groove sealed, the enchantment runes flashed with light, and the steel golem on the workbench came to life.
Following Sunan's command, the steel golem jumped off the workbench and took its place at the end of a line of identical steel golems.
In front of it stood six more steel golems, identical in appearance.
After the second Forest Cabin gathering, Sunan immediately began crafting new steel golems. Using the six miniature soul crystals, he created soul cores, resulting in six steel golems.
To maximize their combat effectiveness, the steel used was pre-enhanced, improving the quality of the materials.
The resulting steel golems have combat abilities that reach the upper levels of a first-circle legendary knight, surpassing the first steel golem he crafted.
The cost, however, increased by nearly half, soaring to over 1,500 gold coins each.
Sunan now earned about 22,000 gold coins annually from potion sales alone. The cost of these six steel golems was roughly 40% of his yearly potion income.
Of course, this was merely the nominal cost. In reality, since he acquired the miniature soul crystals at a low cost, the actual expense wasn't as steep.
"Six steel golems aren't enough to deal with the Hundred-Armed Monster."
The Hundred-Armed Monster was the name Sunan had given to the creature in the cave. The primary purpose of crafting the six steel golems was to confront this monster.
The old steel golem had to remain at the base for defense.
Considering the monster's combat prowess, six golems seemed insufficient.
"At least ten are needed."
With enough tanks to hold the front line, Sunan could safely unleash his attacks from the back.
After some thought, he devised a plan.
If the number of steel golems was insufficient, he could use stone golems to fill the gap.
But ordinary stone golems wouldn't suffice.
Frontline units incapable of withstanding the Hundred-Armed Monster's attacks were meaningless.
He needed to synthesize stronger stone golems.
Fortunately, he had over twenty stone golems stored in his cube, which he promptly transferred into it for synthesis.
**Elite Stone Golem (Puppet/Advanced Grand Knight Level): A granite construct with immense strength and resilience, capable of automatically regenerating damage by consuming energy.**
"Twenty-five stone golems were needed to synthesize an advanced grand knight-level golem?"
Sunan frowned slightly but quickly relaxed.
After all, the initial combat strength of stone golems was only at the novice knight level, so higher synthesis requirements were expected.
Sunan promptly withdrew over a dozen stone golems from the patrol team and added them to the cube.
When the synthesis number reached forty-two, the elite stone golem's combat power finally reached the level of a first-circle legendary knight.
"A stone golem costs about forty-three gold coins each, so forty-two would amount to over 1,900 gold coins—a cost three hundred more than a steel golem, yet with inferior combat strength."
The elite stone golem's strength peaked at the lower level of a first-circle legendary knight, falling short of the newly crafted steel golems.
Nonetheless, Sunan decided to synthesize stone golems.
After all, soul crystals were scarce, whereas gems were more accessible.
Having a means to synthesize first-circle legendary knight-level combat power was already commendable.
"Synthesizing four elite stone golems requires 168 stone golems—still short by 143."
"Fortunately, I've acquired a large number of gems from Forest Cabin, so materials are plentiful."
"Completing everything will take about twenty days."
Sunan estimated the timeline, hoping to finish crafting before winter set in.
Returning the patrol's stone golems, Sunan left the puppet factory and headed to the spell training area.
It was time for spell practice.
He had already mastered three second-circle spells: Elemental Protection, Levitation, and Mirror Image.
Considering the upcoming confrontation with the Hundred-Armed Monster, Sunan chose Crushing Wave as his fourth second-circle spell.
Crushing Wave is an area-damage spell that emits a high-speed vibrational wave, dealing destructive damage to both living and non-living targets.
This spell is somewhat akin to the Banshee's Wail, though its damage isn't comparable.
The Banshee's Wail can inflict soul-level damage, whereas Crushing Wave is effective only on a physical level.
However, Crushing Wave allows for precise targeting, unlike the indiscriminately destructive Banshee's Wail.
With increased mental power and the switch to mid-grade third-circle transcendence potions, Sunan's spell-learning speed had accelerated.
It now took just over forty days to master a second-circle spell.
Crushing Wave's learning progress was already halfway complete. Sunan anticipated mastering it around the same time the stone golems were finished.
After spell practice, Sunan visited his study, casually picking a book from the shelf to read.
From Forest Cabin, he had acquired over a hundred wizard tomes.
Over the past few months, he dedicated two to three hours daily to reading.
Thanks to the panel's study progress, his knowledge now far surpassed that of a typical level 3 wizard apprentice.
Even compared to a full-fledged wizard, Sunan felt confident he wouldn't be outmatched.
Among the acquired wizard tomes, most were basic knowledge, with only a few containing advanced insights.
However, one book piqued Sunan's interest.
**Magic Rune Constructs**
That was the title.
The book detailed the integration of magical tattoos and enchanted weapons to create a unique type of enchanted rune usable by both wizards (apprentices) and knights.
It's well-known that magical tattoos can only be used by wizards (apprentices) since they require mental power to activate.
Enchanted weapons, in contrast, can be wielded by knights.
The book's author took a novel approach, combining magical tattoos and enchanted weapons to create a rune that could be activated by infusing it with either combat aura or mental power, significantly enhancing the user's combat prowess.
In essence, magic rune constructs were quite similar to magic rune cores.
Both were based on magical tattoos and required Magic Item Manufacturing as a prerequisite skill.
The difference was that magic rune constructs also involved Biological Modification, making them more complex than magic rune cores.
"This has little use for wizard apprentices, far less than magic rune cores, but for someone looking to build their own force, it holds significant potential."
Magic rune constructs only slightly surpass magical tattoos in power, falling short of magic rune cores in enhancing a wizard apprentice's combat ability.
However, their cost is much lower than that of magic rune cores.
When used to arm knights, a formidable knight army could be established almost instantly.
According to the book, even a set of basic level 1 magic rune constructs could elevate a novice knight's strength to the level of a peak knight, approaching that of a grand knight.
The enhancement was undeniably impressive!
Sunan considered dedicating time to research magic rune constructs.
"Speaking of which, it's about time to form my own knight guard."
Until now, whenever Sunan needed knights, he would draw directly from Shimmering City's forces.
Both he and Key were accustomed to this practice, including funding allocations.
Presently, Shimmering Territory was in a critical expansion phase, with external threats looming, leading to a seamless integration of territory and base resources.
The base could draw funds and materials from the territory, while the territory received Black Rock Panthers, stone golems, Dragon Blood Fruits, and potions from the base at no cost.
However, this couldn't continue indefinitely.
For sustainable development, there would eventually need to be a separation between the base and the territory, with both becoming economically independent and transitioning from a vague dependency to a mutually beneficial trade relationship.
Such a relationship would ensure long-term, sustainable development.
When that time came, the base couldn't freely draw from Shimmering City's forces and would need its own knight guard.
"To form a knight guard, we need people first."
"Recruit soldiers from the army?"
The thought crossed Sunan's mind but was quickly dismissed.
Doing so would inevitably imprint the knight guard with Shimmering City's military identity, making separation a mere illusion.
"It's better to train them myself."
Sunan decided to select children from the territory's commoners and farmers, nurturing them from a young age.
There was no rush to form the knight guard; it could be a gradual process.
The key was establishing a comprehensive training system to supply the base with knights continuously.
As for why not recruit from noble offspring:
Firstly, most nobles had their own knight heritage.
Noble children were often trained in martial skills by knightly elders within their families, making external involvement unnecessary.
Secondly, recruiting knights from the territory often involved selecting from the descendants of vassal nobles, and Sunan didn't want to compete with Shimmering Territory for manpower.
With Dragon Blood Fruits and various enhancement potions, he wasn't concerned about the recruits' innate talents.
Even if the commoners' and farmers' children had lesser aptitude, potions and magical plants could compensate.
The focus was on loyalty and purity!
"Magic rune constructs and a knight guard—two new goals to work towards."
Sunan exhaled deeply. Neither task could be accomplished quickly; both required careful planning.
"First, let's deal with the Hundred-Armed Monster."
Time flew by, and over twenty days passed.
By the end of the Autumn Twilight Month, Sunan finally synthesized four elite stone golems.
He now had ten combat units at the level of first-circle legendary knights.
"I also crafted ten more high-level rune gems, bringing the total to fifteen. That should suffice for dealing with the Hundred-Armed Monster."
With everything ready, Sunan stored the golems in his cube and, along with the Hidden Dragon, headed for the northern forest.
Fortunately, the Hundred-Armed Monster hadn't emerged from the cave during this period.
Occasionally, a few Underground Toad Monsters and ferocious rat swarms ventured out, only to be swiftly eliminated by the stationed knights.
As a result, there were no significant casualties, much to Key's relief.
Braid had been informed of Sunan's plan to enter the cave, and he waited outside. Seeing Sunan's arrival, he promptly approached.
"My lord, as per your instructions, the troops around the cave and forest periphery have been withdrawn."
"Good, you should leave as well."
According to Sunan's plan, if he couldn't defeat the Hundred-Armed Monster, he would retreat from the cave, possibly pursued by the creature. If the troops remained, heavy casualties could result.
To be safe, it was best for the troops to withdraw first.
Once Braid departed, Sunan cast Shield on himself, added an energy particle protection layer, and activated an Extreme Protection Ring before entering the cave.
As for the Hidden Dragon, it had already phased into the cave ahead of him.
The cave remained much the same as before, with the torches on the walls extinguished and no other noticeable changes.
The corpses of the ferocious rats and Underground Toad Monsters he had previously killed were gone, likely consumed by the Hundred-Armed Monster.
Sunan cautiously moved forward.
The Hidden Dragon scouted a hundred meters ahead.
The cave's limited space couldn't accommodate the Hidden Dragon's massive body without phasing.
Though incapable of combat, the Hidden Dragon was well-suited for reconnaissance.
Without encountering a single creature, Sunan smoothly reached the basin from last time.
Unexpectedly, another group of kobolds was industriously mining in the basin.
Despite the previous group being wiped out by the Black Rock Panthers.
"Did the Hundred-Armed Monster capture more from elsewhere?"
Sunan's first thought was that they were brought from the Underground World.
Since the Hundred-Armed Monster hadn't left the cave, it could only capture kobolds from the Underground World.
But that wasn't his concern now.
Sunan shook his head to dispel distractions, retrieving over a dozen Black Rock Panthers from his cube and ordering them to attack the kobolds.
In an instant, the dim basin was filled with agile predators.
The sudden assault overwhelmed the kobolds.
One by one, their companions fell to the Black Rock Panthers' fangs and claws.
The severely decimated kobolds soon succumbed to panic, fleeing in terror.
As before, the commotion in the basin quickly drew the Hundred-Armed Monster's attention.
With a roar that sounded like countless voices overlapping, the massive creature burst from the cave at the basin's far end, immediately spotting the Black Rock Panthers attacking the kobolds.
Angered by the reappearance of the black panthers that had slaughtered its minions, the Hundred-Armed Monster charged, weapons swinging, and swiftly dispatched the Black Rock Panthers.
But before it could revel in its victory, it was startled to find itself surrounded by massive constructs of steel and stone.
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