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Owen had no time to waste. Although he wasn't in tip top condition, he pushed it to the wayside and plundered the two corpses Draed and the others had brought one after the other. A sharp stabbing pain shot through his heart as he plundered the last one. It was a small pain to bear to keep his people alive. The added Stats flowing around his body only stemmed that pain slightly.

Gasping for air, almost hunched over in the sand, Owen took in the notifications.

You have fully plundered the Dune Ravager.

| Claimed materials: Summoning Ticket 1x Hunter, Summoning Ticket 1x Warrior, Summoning Ticket 1x Sorcerer, Dune Ravager Pelt x8 (Normal), Dune Ravager Organs x6 (Normal), Dune Ravager Bones x5 (Normal).

| Stats gained: 15 Strength, 17 Vitality, 10 Dexterity.

Ignoring the rest of his rewards for now, Owen immediately placed all of what he could on the market. Once the money started rolling in, he moved onto what he could purchase. And honestly, he didn't really know where to begin. One, he didn't know what kind of anti-poison he needed. Two, he didn't even know if the quality of said potion could even cure her. All he could do was buy what was available to him with his current means.

He purchased an assortment of low-tiered anti-venom, anti-poison, and anti-corruption—some of the only ones on the entire market. Someone must have gotten lucky with finding them, or they had obtained an early Alchemist. Whatever the reason was, he turned to Pyris once the potions appeared in front of him.

Owen fed them all to her. All but one failed—the rare and costly anti-corruption antidote. It was the most expensive of the bunch.

Pyris's eyes fluttered open, and Owen leaned in, hope sparking within him. "Do you understand what I'm saying?"

She nodded weakly.

"Good, that's good," Owen said, relief evident in his voice. "Don't worry. I know what you need now. You were corrupted? If you can hang on a while longer, I'll get a higher tier anti-corruption potion. Do you understand?"

If one comes on the market. But he kept that grim thought to himself.

Again, she managed a faint nod.

"You'll make it," Owen said gently, placing his hand on hers. "I'll make sure of it."

"W–" she muttered, struggling to speak. "Why–"

"Why what?" Owen asked, leaning closer. "Why am I healing you?"

She nodded weakly, her eyes barely staying open.

"Why wouldn't I?" he replied softly.

Only then did she finally fall back asleep, a fragile peace settling over her stunning features.

Seeing her positive reaction, Owen knew he needed more of the anti-corruption potions, and of higher quality, too. And for that, he needed to up the hunting. He needed to get involved personally.

Owen took a deep breath then stood up. A lord can't rest even for a moment, Owen thought.

He had a lot to do, but first, he started checking to see what was on the market. Currently, it was mostly hide, meat, bones. Owen scrolled and scrolled until he stopped, a feverish smile crawling on his lips. There it was: Lord Iron Fortress. He was selling bones. Owen would have bought them if he didn't desperately need the Credits himself.

Now just the rest of you need to put something on the market, Owen thought, hoping that the others would make it, too.

Thankfully, the sun was now behind the mountain range behind his land, casting his domain in appreciated shade. Now that the immediate crisis with Pyris was over, it was time to summon his new troops. Ripping the tickets, the Hunter was a human with a bow named Roa. And the Warrior was also a human with a sword and shield named Bohar. Both of them were 1-Stars.

Owen placed his full attention on the next ticket. A Sorcerer. Owen rubbed his hands together in anticipation. Mage's were very rare from what he knew. Each Lord looked after their mage as if they were a treasure. Ripping it, a humanoid appeared.

The 2-Star Orc Sorcerer stood tall with a muscular build and deep green skin marred by battle scars. His fierce, intelligent eyes glowed with mystical light. Clad in rugged, enchanted robes and wielding a staff topped with a pulsing crystal, he exuded both raw power and calm wisdom, hinting at profound knowledge beneath his intimidating exterior. He was named Gorath.

Before he left, all that remained was to designate leaders. Instead of having to micromanage everyone, having someone in charge would make his life so much easier. Especially with the increasing units he obtained.

Builder Brook was in charge of the Builders—of which Owen tasked him with a food storage cellar. Hunter Draed was in charge of the hunting parties, which also consisted of the warriors. That would change in the future when the Lord's protection expired after the week, but for now, that was how it was.

The Sorcerer—Gorath—well, he just made the orc stay inside the dome for now. Owen had read of a Sorcerer's potent magic, but without knowing how to utilise it in a fight, he thought it best to let him stay until he was certain of his abilities. In defence, Gorath would be vital. He didn't want to lose him outside on a hunt. Along with Cedric, Owen tasked both of them to attack any monsters using the dome as protection.

In a desert with monsters popping out of the sands, Owen didn't want his mage to die. He didn't want any of his people to die.

Owen, with his increased Attributes, leapt onto the back of Shelldon. Draed joined him, offering him a much needed vantage point over the sands. Lome trailed behind.

It was time to earn some money.

As they left the safety of his domain, Draed told Owen of a set of ruins just beyond a dune in the distance. They hadn't scouted it, but just the sound of ancient civilization brought Owen forwards. He needed to defeat a monster to gain wealth, but a crypt would also do nicely. During Ansel adventures, he had fallen into a crypt within the Cursed Lands. So he knew of the wealth hiding underground. It was somewhere in the desert, but Owen had no idea where that was.

Owen wondered if he'd meet up with the main character soon, but from what he knew of the Cursed Lands, it was huge. Well, if he did manage to run into Ansel, he'd do everything he could to stay away from him. The man was insane and didn't hide his ambition. Owen didn't want to follow the maniac into the fire.

Rounding a dune, Owen spotted the ruins his lead hunter had discovered.

The sun beat down mercilessly on the arid expanse as Owen and his team approached the ruins. Shelldon, Owen's war tortoise, lumbered forward with a slow but determined pace. Owen stood on Shelldon's back, scanning the horizon for threats. Lome followed on one side, another warrior on the other, while Draed's bow was always at the ready next to Owen.

The ruins loomed in the distance, a collection of crumbling structures and ancient stone walls. As they neared, the ground trembled beneath their feet. Owen's heart raced as the tremors intensified. A shadow moved under the sand, and suddenly, a massive sand worm erupted from the earth, its gaping maw lined with rows of razor-sharp teeth.

"Brace yourselves!" Owen shouted.

The sandworm lunged at Shelldon, who sidestepped with surprising agility for his size. The warriors leapt into action, their swords gleaming in the harsh sunlight. Draed nocked an arrow and fired, the projectile embedding itself in the worm's side. Lome drew his axe, its blade reflecting the sun's rays and cleaved into the beast's side. The sandworm hissed in pain, but such an attack had little effect.

"Attack its side!" Owen commanded, his voice firm.

The warriors obeyed without hesitation, slashing at the worm's tough hide. The sand worm, sensing the coordinated assault, swung its massive body, sending one of the warriors—Bohar—flying. He crashed into the sand, clutching his side in pain.

"Damn it," Draed growled, glancing at the wounded warrior before focusing on the sand worm. He moved with precision, firing arrows that targeted the sand worm's joints and softer underbelly, his strikes causing the creature to writhe in agony.

"Keep attacking!" Owen yelled from Shelldon's back, trying to mask his panic.

Lome focused on his axe as it thrummed with magical power. He swung it in a savage arc, landing a powerful blow to the creature's head, his weapon damaging one of its eyes.

The sandworm roared, thrashing wildly. Shelldon charged forward, Owen and Draed braced for impact as his Spectre rammed his armoured shell into the worm. The harsh impact stunned the beast.

"Focus on its weak points!" Owen commanded, as Lome moved to follow the order, his axe slicing toughened flesh. His strength was obvious as it crashed into the worm.

Draed took the lead, his eyes narrowing. He moved swiftly, his arrows flying with deadly accuracy. He targeted the sand worm's remaining eye. The creature roared in agony, its body writhing as it burrowed back into the sand, fleeing from the intense pain.

Owen spat. Its Level had to be at least in the 20s. If it wasn't for his number advantage, the situation would have been much worse.

Breathing heavily, Owen watched as the sand settled. "Is everyone alright?"

"We're good, Lord," Draed said, panting from utilising his bow Skills without reservation. "But he's hurt," he added, gesturing to the fallen warrior Bohar.

Owen's heart sank. It was like the horrors back on Earth resurfacing. He had made a mistake, and someone got hurt because of it. "We need to move quickly. The ruins aren't far."

But first, Owen quickly slid off the back of his Spectre, took out a health potion, and gave it to the warrior.

"Drink up," he said, clenching his hands in guilt. Maybe if he had made another decision, a better one, he could have escaped that fight unscathed. He had to do better.

Bohar nodded, and downed the red liquid. He smiled as the warmth sensation took hold of him, relieving him of his wounds and pain.

Leaving, they reached the ruins, the ancient stones casting long shadows in the setting sun. As they explored, a low growl echoed through the crumbling walls. A sand hound, its body covered in jagged, rock-like scales, leapt from the shadows.

"Another one!" Lome shouted, raising his axe.

The sand hound attacked with ferocious speed, its claws slashing through the air. Shelldon swung his massive head, knocking the beast aside. Draed drew his bow again, moving with fluid grace as he engaged the hound from a distance.

Owen shouted commands from atop Shelldon. "Lome, flank it! Warriors, distract it from the front! Draed, keep firing!"

The warriors moved to obey, their swords striking the hound with precision. Draed's arrows found their mark, piercing the hound's vulnerable spots. The coordinated efforts of the team began to wear the creature down. Each moment that passed, their teamwork increased in effectiveness.

"Keep pressing it!" Owen urged, his voice shaking. He was afraid to make a mistake, but he pressed on. Regardless of if they were injured, they had to kill the beast.

Lome moved like a lumbering beast, landing blow after blow with incredible strength. The sand hound grew sluggish, its movements slowing. Finally, Lome delivered a powerful strike to the creature's skull, splitting it open like a watermelon. The beast convulsed, then collapsed in a heap of fur, blood, and sand.

Panting, the group gathered around the fallen beast.

Your subordinates have defeated a Sand Hound x1 (Level 16)

Everyone had received multiple Levels. Owen noticed that all of Lome's points added straight into Strength. Thanks to his Skill: Stalwart Skeleton, he'd soon be a powerhouse. And then–

You have received a Fragment: Dune Crest's Veil.

A Fragment?! Owen thought in amazement as it spawned within his Soul.

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Descending into his core, he noticed a new star. Reaching out, the information welcomed itself.

Fragment: [Dune Crest's Veil].

| Tier: Apprentice

| Type: Armour/Clothing.

| Description: Only the Dune Crest can resist the suns of the Cursed Lands

| Runes: Self-Repairing, Heat Resistance, Hardened.

With the knowledge of the book, he willed the clothing to cover his head. And so it did. A brown and red scarf wrapped around his neck. The material was cold to the touch, and with a little struggle, he managed to figure out how to wrap it around his head.

The cooling sensation was incredible. It not only covered the top of his head, but his neck and shoulders as well. At least he didn't need to worry about his brain scrambling because of the sandy, supernatural oven he had been placed in. He hoped he could gain more for his people. But he knew that was a long shot.

His eyes flitted back to the Runes. He focused on them.

Self-Repairing: This Fragment will repair any damage it receives. Expend Mana to repair it.

There's always a cost.

He moved onto the next.

Heat Resistance: This Fragment is capable of blocking intensive heat while keeping the user cool.

Hardened: This Fragment has been enchanted with a magical armour quality. Able to resist attacks against Tier 2 monsters.

The three runes, although not high tier, were exactly what he needed right now. Although the Dune Crest's Veil was made out of some sort of cloth, thanks to the Hardened Rune, meant that it would protect him like any metal helmet would.

Ecstatic about earning his first fragment through hard work and risk, Owen approached the corpse with a determined stride. "Now, let's get what we came for."

Attempting to use Unlimited Plunder, he knew right away that it was a no-go. The warning signs were telling him that he needed more rest. He didn't dare ignore them this time.

Damn it, so be it, Owen thought as he stored the corpse of the hound and turned his attention to the surrounding ruins. They told of a lost civilization. Just what the hell had happened to this place? Was it always a desert? He should have read on before he had sent in that review…

Owen decided to fully explore the ruins while he was here. He'd have to be quick as the horizon had transformed into a gorgeous orange. The desert was also rapidly cooling. Faster than he thought it would as a chill sent goosebumps all over his arms.

While he was worried about Pyris, there was nothing he could do if he had no money to purchase what he needed.

A lot of the buildings remained mostly in-tact, and that meant there were useful things within that the previous owners had left. Pots for cooking, jugs to use as containers, and even cutlery and spare clothes that still remained in one piece. An adventurer in the Land Between had to make use of anything and everything if they wanted to survive the hellish landscape. Of course, Owen stored all of them.

Heading further within the ruins with his troops protecting him on all sides, Owen spotted a dark recess hidden under collapsed sandstone pillars. Was it a tunnel? Owen wondered as he approached it carefully with a rock in hand. He threw it into the dark spot. It struck against something solid and rolled a few feet before stopping. He waited. He listened. But after two minutes, nothing seemed to move within.

"Let me, my lord," Draed said as he knocked back an arrow. He took a breath, and the tip of his arrow shone a gentle light. He fired it straight into the darkness, revealing a tunnel. However, there was a huge pillar that had mostly blocked the entrance.

With everyone helping, but mainly Shelldon doing the heavy lifting, they managed to pull the fallen pillar to the side.

Owen gazed into the tunnel. With the help of Draed's light arrows, Owen saw a narrow passageway with scarred walls. Cautiously, he entered. His troops were ready for any threat that dared leap out at them. Shelldon protected the entrance.

Noticing that the tunnel was safe, Owen brushed his fingers across the wall, touching the scars. They were at least three inches deep, in lines of five. Claws? Owen wondered. He gulped. They weren't just located at the entrance, but they lined the entire tunnel.

He walked at least twenty metres deep, and they were still there. Some of them cut deeper than the others. Whatever had created them was some sort of beast. His heart was screaming. Telling him to get out. To retreat back into the ruins.

Just a bit more, Owen thought with determination as he continued forward. The passageway started to slope downward. Owen counted until twenty minutes had passed. Only then did the narrow and cramped passageways open up into an enormous cavern at least 50 metres tall, as far as Owen could see.

The floor still consisted of sand. But now there were rocks dotted around. Some small, the size of his fists, some large, larger than him.

The smell was strange. Dust mixed with iron wafted throughout the cave. Owen looked ahead, peering through the darkness. His mouth widened. He took a panicked step back, his troops raised their weapons.

In the distance, where the cave seemed to end, a colossal bone monster lay against the back wall. It looked at him. His first thought was to flee, but then he blinked. The monster wasn't alive. It wasn't a bone monster. Well, it was, technically, but it was just a decayed corpse. Its skeletal form was grotesquely exaggerated, with elongated limbs and a skull-like head that had empty eye sockets and a gaping, toothy maw. The bones, underneath still decaying flesh, were weathered and worn and deep blade-like scars had been etched into them.

Who, or what, could kill such a monster, Owen gaped at the sight. The nightmarish beast had to be at least the Champion rank. Maybe it was even beyond that? Owen swallowed a dry breath of air. If he encountered such a monster, he wouldn't have time to blink before he would be slaughtered.

Next to the hulking decomposing monster, was a more familiar sight. Human bones. Six of them. None of them were whole. Some were missing arms and other legs, but none of them had clothes. There wasn't even a sign of decomposed clothes. They most likely all had a full set of Fragments. Like the monster, their flesh was still decaying.

How much time had passed since they had passed?

Owen once again spent some more time making sure that it was safe. Draed fired arrows to every dark corner he could find, but nothing stirred. Owen breathed a sigh of relief then walked over to the human skeletons.

He stopped a few feet from them, then crouched down. They were all close-by, but one of them was just a couple inches from the middle of a big boulder larger than Owen. It had its hand gently placed against the sand, like it was placed against something, or someone, longingly. It was a woman.

"I hope all of you rest in peace," Owen said. He grit his teeth. He wasn't a religious man, but the thought of them dying in unknown land, unable to come back home, was a sobering feeling. It wasn't one Owen wanted to experience.

They must have been experts. To have killed such a monster, they would have to be, Owen thought.

Owen was about to move, but the woman skeleton in front of him moved. Owen brandished his kukri in a flash as he tensed.

The skull of the woman fell to the floor, clanging against the rest of her bones. Noticing that it was just the bones becoming weak, Owen released a nervous chuckle. Then he noticed something. Hidden in the bones, was a letter. It was whole, but tattered.

He picked it up and read the words scribbled on the page with shock.

My Dearest Tess,

As I pen down these words, I am haunted by the shadow of the monster we faced together, and the unbearable pain of your fading light. It grieves me beyond words to know that you are slipping away, but I cannot let you depart without expressing the profound love and admiration I hold for you.

I leave you this note with the fervent wish that it accompanies you on your journey to the heavens. I hope it serves as a reminder of the love we shared and the incredible strength you demonstrated. You are an inspiration, my love, and I am a better person for having known you. Your memory will forever guide and comfort me.

I find solace in the belief that you will find a paradise far removed from the monsters and suffering of this world.

My love for you knows no bounds, and even as you depart, it remains steadfast and unwavering. I pray that you find serenity, joy, and eternal peace in the loving embrace of the heavens. Please don't worry about me. You all may have fallen, but you will stay with me for eternity.

Until we meet again on the other side, my dearest Tess, you will be forever in my thoughts, my heart, and my prayers.

With all my love,

Armand,

Owen finished the letter, a lump forming in his throat. Silence gripped him as he absorbed the words. Armand was madly in love with a woman named Tess, but fate had been cruel to him. Such was life within the Cursed Lands.

Not only had Armand lost his lover, but his letter also implied that the skeletons here were his entire team. To have lost so much and still find the strength to forge ahead—Owen felt a deep respect and admiration for the man named Armand. He aspired to be like him, someone with the power to keep moving forward no matter what.

Strangely, Owen had never seen this part inside the book. Was it there, but Ansel hadn't found this place. Or was it added as an attempt to flesh out the world? Owen had no idea.

"Life can be cruel, my lord," Draed said, his voice tinged with newfound respect for Armand.

"It is," Owen replied resolutely. "I hope he's still alive somewhere."

"A man who could defeat that kind of monster," added Lome. "He must be."

Owen nodded, his gaze lingering on the skeletons. He was met with a decision. Plunder them and receive bonuses... or not? Owen struggled internally for a while before deciding not to go through with it. It didn't feel right. These were once people with memories, feelings... love. What if he obtained a Spectre. A human Spectre. Owen shook his head. He didn't have the guts to do that.

Next, he looked at the enormous skeleton at the back of the room. The creature's bones emanated a presence that demanded respect.

Placing the letter back to its owner, Owen carefully walked up to the colossal monster. He took a deep breath, then stored the beast into his storage, pain continuing, but storing things was far less demanding than plundering. The warriors and hunters gasped in surprise at such a hulking skeleton vanishing before their eyes.

He'd harvest the beast later once he was capable. But he was happy. It was worth the risk. What would the bones of such an incredible monster grant him once he had the ability to Plunder them? He couldn't wait to find out.

But for now, it was time to leave. He had to make it to his territory before sundown. The Cursed Lands were known for its darkness. A consuming dark that ate away at any ordinary light source.

Owen and his team exited the cave, and just as they were about to leave the ruins, the surrounding light took a sharp decline. It was rapidly getting darker and darker. An uneasy feeling washed over Owen, reminiscent of the time he visited a zoo and gazed into the tigers enclosure. The tiger looked back, and Owen would never forget that feeling—the sensation of being stared at by a dominant predator, exuding confidence in its ability to take his life if not for the barrier between them.

Owen was afraid.

He looked around, then up. A formless blackness was slowly inching over the moon, covering it halfway. The ground trembled and rocked. Then, he heard an intense rumble that shook the entirety of the ruins—and seemingly the world around him.

His mind in turmoil, he wondered what the hell was going on. This had never happened before in the book. New events were occurring.

With whatever light was left, Owen peered toward the sound. What he saw caused his heart to drop.

A pitch-black wave was headed straight for him. The size was colossal, at least the height of multiple high-rise buildings stacked on top of each other; taller than any building he had ever seen. It exuded dread. The moonlight illuminated the tsunami, revealing it to be sand. That, and the darkness it brought with it, threatened to consume the world whole.

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