The Birth of the <Shadow Palace>

[System Message: Are you sure that you would like to use the <Hidden Land Deed>]

[Y/N]

Kirou looked at the message that was displayed before him for a few seconds before he finally made his selection. Following this action, the <Hidden Land Deed> turned into a mass of light which then faded out of existence. Kirou watched as this happened before him, following which he received a new system prompt along with the entire underground cavern being enveloped by an aura of light.

[System Message: You have used a <Hidden Land Deed> to claim this area.]

[As of now, this underground cavern is now the sole property of the player Kirou.]

[Please give this area a new name.]

Reading the new prompts, Kirou went silent for a moment as he thought of a name. In doing so, Kirou thought back to his time on the Grand Desolate Continent. He had experienced many things on that continent, chief of all being when he met his bastard master and how he changed Kirou's life. Being lost in thought for a few moments, Kirou eventually shook his head free from those thoughts and absentmindedly input a name into the window that was displayed before him. After he pushed the button to confirm, the window faded away and another prompt was displayed before him.

[System Message: Player Kirou has changed the name of the underground cavern to <Shadow Palace>]

[As of now, <Shadow Palace> is just a simple large underground cavern. Please develop this area.]

Kirou read the first message and completely ignored the second one as that was something he would have done without being told. Besides that, he has no way to take care of it now as he lacked the materials to do so and won't be able to farm them until he clears his inventory.

Now that the area was his personal property, Kirou opened his map and noticed that in the location where he was, there was a new icon there as well. It was in the shape of a house. Kirou figured that this was how the game would point out that it was his personal area whenever he looks at the map of the Southern Continent from now on.

Satisfied with his check on the map, Kirou closed it before taking out two items from his inventory. In his hands were two items. One was the <Small Workshop Blueprint> and the other was the <Small Forge Design Blueprint>. Looking at the two blueprints, Kirou could only form a wry smile on his face and shake his head slowly before putting away the workshop blueprint.

"It seems that I really need to hurry up and clear my inventory. Otherwise, I won't be able to find the materials needed to build up my secret base, not to mention gaining another level. I also need to find a second exit for this place before I seal the original entrance to this place. Just in case some other weirdo is capable of finding this cavern." While Kirou said this, he could only release a sigh before opening up the forge blueprint, receiving a system prompt in the process.

[System Message: Would you like to learn the <Small Forge Design Blueprint>?]

[Y/N]

After confirming his choice, the blueprint turned into a mass of light which then entered Kirou's body. Following this, Kirou opened up the newly established blueprint tab from his menu and saw the only blueprint that he's learned so far and that it was glowing. When Kirou selected this blueprint, the display changed to show a window with all the items required to make the small forge are already in his possession. Kirou looked at this and saw the option to instantly create the forge using the materials but instead closed the window.

Having confirmed the required items needed to make the forge, Kirou smiled as he took them out one by one. While Kirou could have done it the easy way and built the forge using the system instantly, he was the kind of guy who liked to get his hands dirty and do the deed himself. Besides, it wasn't too late to have the system generate the forge for him using the required items later on the off chance that he fails.

Before Kirou began working, however, he remembered something and instantly took out the minotaur medallion from his inventory. Following this action, Kirou focused on the symbol in his mind, which in turn caused the medallion to float away from Kirou and turn into Tank, the carapace armored minotaur. After summoning Tank, Kirou then summoned out Shadow Arachne from his pet space and created two shadow clones.

When all four beings appeared, they all turned their sights towards Kirou who was looking at the four with a smile on his face. Seeing that they were all staring at him in confusion, the smile on Kirou's face became more pronounced as he spoke, "I'm going to build my forge and all four of you are going to help me."

The two clones shrugged before approaching Kirou and grabbing a few items. Since they were based on Kirou himself, they had an idea of what he had in mind so they started working on their ends. As for the two creatures, they looked at Kirou in confusion with their heads tilted to the side.

************

An hour or so later, Kirou and his summoned beings were standing before a very weird-looking construct. While it did indeed possess a similar body to the forges seen in Bladesmith, Hammerton, and Old Copper's cottages, the one standing before Kirou looked more like Frankenstein's monster in the form of a forge. Kirou smiled while looking at his personal monstrosity while his pets and clones just looked at him as if he was a madman.

"This shall be my forge from this day onwards." Following those words, Kirou placed the finishing touches on his forge, putting a flame source into the heart of the entire construct. The moment Kirou dropped the flame source within the forge, the entire construct lit up and Kirou was given a system prompt.

[System Message: You have completed the construction of your forge.]

[You have received 25000 exp]

[System Message: You have created a forge that deviates from the original blueprint]

[You have received 18000 exp]

[System Message: Your forge deviates from the standards for a small forge so it has been given the evaluation of a medium forge.]

[You have received 110500 exp]

Following the end of the third prompt, Kirou was enveloped in a ring of light, signifying that he has leveled up to level 18. Kirou then opened up his menu and looked at his current stats, especially now that he doesn't have the swampland leather armor set equipped.

{Name: Kirou}

{Race: Werewolf(Lycan/Human)}

{Class: Weapon Master}

{Subclass: Crafting Master}

{Traits: Lycan Transformation(Minor), Keen Senses(Minor), Adaptability(Minor), Information Analysis (Minor), Man-at-Arms(Class), Forge Your Own Path(Class), Fast Hands(Class), <Chimera Creation>(Incomplete)}

{Weapons: Gunblade Tonfas, Wolf Claws, Enchanted Steel Chain, Threaded Wires, Metal Spike Boots, Fighter Gloves}

{Armor: Basic Leather Armor*, Mysterious Bead(???)}

{Level: 18}

{HP: 396/396 (396)}

{MP: 330/330 (330)}

{Str: 82 (32+<50>)}

{Int: 30 (30)}

{Def: 82 (32+<50>)}

{Const: 33 (33)}

{Dex: 28 (28)}

{Agi: 78 (28+<50>)}

{Luck: 55/100}

{Stat Points: 45}

Kirou looked at his stats which were substantially lower now that he was no longer wearing his swampland leather armor set. Even then, he could still see that he was much stronger now than when he first donned the armor. Feeling content with his current stats, Kirou nodded to himself before closing the menu.

Kirou then focused his attention on the clones and pets nearby. "You two, go practice," Kirou said this while facing the clones specifically. The clones shrugged before splitting up and finding their own corner of the underground cavern to sit and start doing their own thing.

Facing his strange pets next, Kirou was at a loss as to what order to give them. He spent a good minute thinking before he too shrugged and spoke, "As for you two, go play. But don't break anything." Kirou specifically looked at Shadow Arachne when he said this.

Both Tank and Shadow Arachne stared at Kirou for a bit before moving away as well. Shadow Arachne went over to the clone that was practicing with its threads while Tank approached the other clone and both initiated a spar. This wasn't what Kirou had in mind when he told both groups to go play and practice but he was fine that they were able to help each other out.

After giving his orders, Kirou ignored his pets and clones and took out his anvil and hammer, along with a bunch of materials from his inventory. "I better get started with this now if I wanna finish in time later on." Following this, Kirou got busy, working on the various materials before him.

*********

While Kirou was busy sorting out his entire stockpile of useless crap..... (cough cough) gear, Mistaken Fox was currently standing before the Vice City Lord of SC Pier City, Anthony Jameson in his office. Mistaken Fox was currently explaining to Anthony Jameson the series of events that led to him obtaining the object corrupted with <Demonic Energy>, opting to omit or downplay Kirou's role in the parts that Kirou had so kindly asked him to.

By the end of his recollection, Vice City Lord Jameson was looking at Mistaken Fox with a stern gaze for a few moments before he spoke up, "And that's everything you have to report. Are you sure that you haven't missed anything?"

"That's everything, Sir." When Mistaken Fox said this, he did his best to display a serious face with no flaws and made sure that there was no change in his voice. While he sounded calm and confident on the surface, Mistaken Fox was secretly sweating bullets on the inside. He had no idea if NPCs in the game could tell if players were lying to them but the stern look that Vice City Lord Jameson was currently giving made Mistaken Fox feel like he was being seen through at the moment.

After keeping up that stare on Mistaken Fox for a bit longer, Vice City Lord Jameson eventually relented before opening his mouth to speak, "Very good, recruit. You've done a fine service to the Southern Continent."

Following those words, Vice City Lord Anderson took the corrupted object away from Mistaken Fox, and Mistaken Fox was given a system prompt, followed by him being enveloped by a ring of light, signifying that he leveled up.

While Mistaken Fox took a moment to examine his new stats now that he's gotten to level 20, Vice City Lord Jameson took out a piece of blank paper and wrote it up before putting it into an envelope and sealing it with the City Lord's seal for SC Pier City. He then made a cough, attracting Mistaken Fox's attention before he spoke, "Recruit, I can see that you are an Arcane Summoner. That's not a class many gain access to in these parts, so you obtaining it means that it is a part of your fortune. I have an acquaintance on the Demon Continent up north who'll be able to provide a direction for you with this class. Would you like to meet her?"

Following Vice City Lord Jameson's question, a system prompt immediately opened up before Mistaken Fox.

[System Message: You have obtained the quest <Meet the Recluse Summoner> from Vice City Lord Anthony Jameson]

Quest: <Meet the Recluse Summoner>

Rank: A+

Level: 20+

Details: Vice City Lord Jameson has noticed your talent in the art of the <Arcane Summonor>. He has an acquaintance on the Demon Continent capable of giving you guidance in this field. Head out to the Demon Continent and track down this reclusive summoner and hand her Vice City Lord Jameson's letter.

Letter Delivered: 0/1

Reward: Random Class Skill x1(Locked and above B-rank), Random Chimera Beast(Single Base), Unlock Class Instructor, Access to the Arcane Summoner Guild.

Failure: N/A

Mistaken Fox carefully read through the quest details a few times and immediately accepted the quest after taking a glance at the rewards section. He could ignore the other rewards for now but just having access to the Class Instructor was enough for him to go through hell and back with this quest. It must be known, while his class has 'summoner' in its name, Mistaken Fox has not been able to learn any class skills besides the three he obtained when he originally gained the class. Just that reward alone had prompted him into action.

Vice City Lord Jameson looked at Mistaken Fox with an elderly smile which seemed unsuited for him since he looked to be in his mid-thirties as he spoke, "Very good, Recruit. That is the response I expected. Just a word of caution before you leave; the Demon Continent is known for being hostile towards outsiders so you should avoid getting into any conflicts with any of the locals if it can be avoided."

"I thank Vice City Lord for his guidance." Mistaken Fox said this while giving Vice City Lord Jameson a polite bow.

"Think nothing of it, young one. This is my duty as a senior. Now go forth on your journey. And when you run into that woman, be sure to give her my regards." Anthony Jameson said this with his elderly smile.

"Will do, Vice City Lord." Following this, Mistaken Fox left the Vice City Lord's office and went around town gathering provisions for his journey.

As for Vice City Lord Jameson himself, the moment Mistaken Fox left was when the elderly smile on his face disappeared and was replaced with a deep frown. 'For an object like this to be found within a sea creature... It seems like I should inform the City Lord along with the others about this.' That was Vice City Lord Jameson's thought as he left his office and made his way towards the City Lord's mansion. He had to go there as City Lord Pierson was currently occupied with a few guests.