Chapter 8: Unexpected Gains (Treasure Chest)

As undead creatures, mummies only had to worry about their heads. 

Unless their heads were blown off, they could not be killed.

After the 14 mummies were attacked, they let out terrifying growls and sped up.

They charged into the iron mine with arrows.

When Richard saw this, he immediately ordered 13 laborers to follow. He then waited.

As a lord, he naturally had his way of playing. The correct strategy was to sit at the back and command the army to fight.

Leading the charge was a little too stupid. Wouldn't it be a waste to be killed by the enemy's concentrated fire?

With so many mummies that were stronger than him around, he did not lack combat strength even if he did not even have weapons.

Although the iron mine was not high, the complicated terrain still blocked his view. Richard could not see the specific situation of the battle.

However, it was not too difficult for the 14 Elite-level 1 mummies and 13 long-armed laborers to attack a small-scale resource point together.

A few minutes later…

The sound of the system's upgrade rang out.

[Ding~ The army you led annihilated a group of desert bandits and obtained victory in a small-scale battle. You have gained 36 experience points, and your level has increased.]

Thereafter, Richard felt a warm current rising from all over his body as if he was soaked in hot water and kneaded by a specialist.

He could sharply feel his muscles and bones absorbing the warm current.

After a moment, the warm current disappeared.

Richard felt that his body was filled with an indescribable power as if he could kill a calf with a single punch.

He clenched his fist and made cracking sounds.

"Is this leveling up? Isn't this awesome? It's even superior to a 5,000-hour massage from a specialist..."

[Ding~ Do you want to occupy the iron mine?]

"Occupy it."

After Richard made his choice, he was in a great mood. He stepped on the dry and hard ground and entered the iron mine.

The thick smell of blood gradually assaulted his nose, and the deeper he went, the thicker it became.

After a few steps, Richard saw the image of a desert bandit covered in blood, with a crossbow in his hand and a dagger at his waist, falling into the iron mine.

These desert bandits were covered in scars left by the mummy's sharp claws. Their flesh and blood were rolling around, making them look rather terrifying.

Richard frowned slightly. He still felt a little uncomfortable about this. However, compared to when he had just killed the gnolls, his psychological endurance had increased by a lot.

Step by step, he stepped into the center of the iron mine.

Seeing Richard appear, the mummy and the laborers immediately surrounded him.

"Great Lord! These damn desert bandits have all been killed! Your light has already enveloped this iron mine!"

The mummy could not speak, but the long-armed laborers were still very happy to show off their achievements in front of their new lord.

Richard nodded slightly. Just as he was about to speak, another long-armed laborer ran over from the side excitedly.

"Lord, I've found a treasure chest. Praise the goddess of luck!"

"Treasure chest?"

Richard's eyes immediately lit up.

In the game "Shining Era", there was a chance to obtain all sorts of materials and treasures by hunting down soldiers in the wild.

The treasure chest was one of them. All sorts of treasures could be obtained from it.

"Bring me there!"

The laborer immediately led the way excitedly.

After a few twists and turns, the laborer stopped in a narrow stone crack.

Richard focused his gaze and saw a wooden box emitting a bronze light.

[Wooden Box]

[Level: 1-star]

[Status: Unlocked]

[Description: Maybe you can get some junk from it.]

"Wow, this description is truly not polite."

The lowest level of the treasure box was 1-star, and the highest was 5-stars.

The higher the level, the higher the chance of obtaining a precious treasure.

However, this description naturally eliminated the possibility of obtaining a good item.

"That's right. How good could an item that was guarded by a group of ordinary-level desert bandits be?"

Richard didn't have many expectations and reached out to open it.

A burst of bronze light flashed, and a fist-sized pocket made of coarse cloth appeared inside.

[Ding~ You have opened a 1-star treasure chest and obtained a resource bag.]

[Resource Bag: There are 500 units of stone materials inside. The resource bag will automatically be destroyed after opening.]

Richard was mentally prepared, so there was nothing to be disappointed about.

Moreover, 500 units of resources could be used to purchase a troop lair. This unexpected wealth was a profit no matter what.

He reached out his hand and opened it. A light flashed and the resource bag shattered into pieces. 500 units of stone appeared on his attribute panel.

After the harvest, Richard glanced at a few long-armed laborers who were eagerly looking at him.

He couldn't help but laugh.

He pointed at the laborers who had just discovered the treasure chest.

"You have done well. You will receive my reward for your meritorious service."

"I have appointed you as the person in charge of the iron mine. You will be responsible for the mining of the iron mine, and at the same time, you will be responsible for the management of the other workers in the iron mine."

The laborer who had been promoted was so excited that he was dancing with joy.

"Hahahaha, thank you for your gift, Great Lord. I will surely work hard for you!"

[Ding~ Your order has greatly increased the enthusiasm of the long-armed laborer. His subordinates under his command will have their mining efficiency increased by 20% for three days.]

Richard laughed. These guys were really easy to fool.

After confirming that there was nothing else in the iron mine, he left ten laborers to mine the iron mine.

He brought the mummy and the last three laborers back to his territory.

The afternoon weather was too hot, and Richard's physical strength had decreased by a lot.

He pursed his somewhat dry lips.

"I was careless. I didn't bring water when I went out..."

With the special growth talent of the Desert Lord, his consumption in the desert had been greatly reduced. Even so, his mouth and tongue were still dry after this round.

Needless to say, the few laborers had already dried their lips and were bleeding.

With a slight thirst for water, Richard and the others unconsciously quickened their pace.

The desert was always vast and desolate.

It was already rare to see a few cactuses or a few stubbornly growing shuttle trees from afar.

However, accidents often happened around the corner.

"Lord, there are monsters there!!"

Just as they climbed over a sand dune, a few laborers suddenly shouted with a hint of fear in their voices.

Richard stopped in his tracks and looked forward.

Two to three hundred meters away, near a cluster of shuttle trees, there were more than twenty gray wolves, which were as big as calves, enjoying the shade.

No one could doubt how fierce these wild beasts would be once they went crazy.

Although Richard did not get close, the wild beasts still made him feel a lot of pressure by relying on their exaggerated size.

[Desert Wolf]

[Level: 3]

[Potential: Elite 3-star]

[Skills: Pounce (E-rank) -- Able to burst out powerful strength to pounce on enemies.]

[Bite: (E-rank) -- Sharp teeth; Able to cause piercing damage.]

[Racial Talent: Extremely agile]

[Fetters: When the desert wolf number is greater than 10, strength increases by 5%, and agility increases by 10%.] 

[When the desert wolf number is greater than 20, strength increases by 10%, and agility increases by 20% (Activated).]

[Description: Awooo~]