Chapter 53
“Last Savior” is undoubtedly the premier game of our era.
Even novice players, unacquainted with MMORPGs, can attest to its allure. And as for the hardcore gamers who consider themselves seasoned, they too must concede to the game’s overwhelming quality.
Its immersive world, seemingly transplanted straight from a fantasy realm, has garnered boundless praise from countless players.
However, that doesn’t mean it’s free from criticism.
While the game’s heavy reliance on luck in its mechanics might be accepted, certain aspects within its fantasy lore have sparked undeniable grievances.
└ “That’s something we could live without, honestly. Terrible analogy, though.”
└ “Snap out of it, you madman.”
└ “Elf on the phone…”
It had been roughly six months since Last Savior launched.
In that time—long for some, short for others—not a single player had encountered an elf.
Even the top-level explorers had concluded, “Looks like this game really doesn’t have elves,” or “Let’s let it go already.” And yet, an elf was supposedly hiding in a mere Level 25 area…
“Are you telling me there are really no elves?”
In other words, Carpe was about to pave a path that no one else had walked before.
“Where exactly is this Forgotten Forest?”
“I know the way, my lord. However, as I mentioned earlier, a powerful barrier encases the entire forest, and we must first dismantle it.”
“A barrier…?”
“When I visited 800 years ago, His Majesty lifted the barrier himself. Perhaps, as his descendant, you could do the same?”
“Hmm. I suppose it’s worth a try.”
As the descendant of the Demon King, Carpe possessed an unlocking skill of his own.
Break the forbidden, unveil the hidden! Surely he could dispel the barrier?
“Call it intuition, but I’d say breaking a barrier feels truer to the skill’s name than opening chests.”
Of course, the unpredictable nature of this “unlocking” skill made any certainty elusive.
It would be prudent to have a contingency in case the skill failed… Ah!
“Come to think of it, Drek did tell me to return when I’d grown stronger.”
He remembered the quest notification from when he reached Level 25.
“Let’s check in with Drek first and see what he has to say.”
Finding Drek was easy.
He was still waiting in the exact spot where they’d met in Luana.
“Ah, as you suggested, the ancient records indicate a unique blade is required to breach the barrier of the Forgotten Forest.”
With a wise smile, Drek pulled a book and a small pouch from his cloak.
“This should aid you, my liege.”
Ding!
[You have acquired the blueprint for the “Spell Breaker.”]
[You have received x3 Magic Solvent.]
“As much as we’d like to forge it for you, the task requires a specific skill…”
“No, this is more than enough. Thank you.”
Having received both the blueprint and materials, Carpe had everything he needed.
Hammering out the rest himself was a small price to pay.
“Until we meet again, then.”
“Yes. Stay well, Drek.”
With farewells exchanged, Carpe returned to Luana.
“First, a visit to the room should be in order.”
Perfect timing.
Having collected all the upgrade materials, he could now handle the room upgrade and craft some items.
“What’s that?”
“…You’re quite the editor now.”
“…”
Is there anyone else who works as tirelessly as this, even in the afterlife?
With a hint of self-reflection on his own past laziness, Carpe moved toward the room.
[Would you like to enter the room?]
“Enter.”
Whoosh!
A strange sensation, as though his body were being drawn somewhere.
When he regained his bearings, he found himself in the room’s garden, basked once again in warm sunlight.
“All right, first, let’s upgrade the workshop.”
As Carpe opened his status screen to check the room tab, a blinking [Room] icon seemed to urge him to press it. A new notification window promptly appeared.
[All conditions for the room upgrade have been met.]
[Would you like to upgrade the room to Level 2?]
“Of course.”
Carpe nodded, and at that moment, the ground began to tremble.
Rumble.
“What’s happening?”
The direction Tianma pointed in was behind the mansion where everyone resided.
From beneath the earth, a mountain began to rise—not a metaphor, but a literal mountain emerging from the ground.
The surprises didn’t end there.
The mansion’s facilities were enveloped in radiant light and started expanding.
[Room Upgrade: 37% Complete…]
“The scale is insane.”
What else could possibly be added to warrant such a grandiose transformation?
As the tremors continued, the loading bar inched upward until it finally reached 99%.
[Workers will now be assigned. Searching for suitable species…]
[Search complete.]
[Squirrels have been deemed the most compatible species in the current environment. Workers will be designated as “Squirrels.”]
[Room Upgrade Complete.]
Flash!
The light surrounding the mansion faded, revealing a vastly expanded estate.
At the same time, the mountain stopped rising, and the tremors ceased.
[Mining and Orchard Facilities have been added to the room.]
[You may obtain diverse resources from these resource sites.]
[Please assign workers for efficient production.]
“Workers?”
The addition of production facilities alongside the upgrade was within expectations, but these “workers” raised questions.
In response to Carpe’s curiosity, Luana answered—not through another notification but with an actual sight.
Pitter-patter.
From a nearby tree, ten squirrels descended in single file and lined up before Carpe.
Squeak! Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!… Squeak!
One by one, each squirrel saluted, their squeaks endearingly cute.
Though, not quite as endearing as Xiang.
“Do they automatically produce goods if I assign them to the facilities?”
Minimal effort, maximum benefit.
A flawless system embodying the dream of every modern player.
“Squeak!”
Mukhyang was undoubtedly the most thrilled about the new squirrel workers.
He approached them with gleaming eyes, only for the workers to tremble in fear under the aura of an Epic Pet. His ears drooped in disappointment once again.
“Fear not, Master Xiang. As Carpe’s First Knight, you will soon command their loyalty.”
While Tina consoled Mukhyang, Carpe completed the squirrel assignments.
In truth, there were only two facilities—mine and orchard—so assigning five squirrels to each ended the task.
[Currently, the orchard and mine are undeveloped.]
[Resources obtained will be random.]
[Specific management can be delegated to the manager.]
[Current Manager: Tianma]
“Look at you, a manager now. Naturally, someone of your stature ought to have subordinates. Indeed.”
Frankly, Carpe wasn’t adept at simulation or management games.
In fact, he’d made a habit of failing spectacularly, earning the nickname “the Minus Touch.”
Leaving the job to the capable Tianma was undoubtedly the wiser choice.
After inspecting the mansion’s interior, Carpe noticed few significant changes.
Or perhaps there were, but…
“Count on you, Manager Tianma. I’m placing all my faith in you, Head Butler.”
“Of course. We’ve got a barrier to break. I should also check if I can make an FB Radar.”
“Master, with Xiang and myself, we will conduct a perimeter search around the mansion. Should any threat arise, it will be swiftly neutralized.”
“Squeak!”
“Yes, please.”
While Carpe doubted this peaceful space harbored any danger, watching the pair’s enthusiasm left no room to dampen their spirits.
And as much as he’d hate to admit it, he worked best alone during crafting.
“All right, then.”
Entering the workshop, Carpe took a moment to survey his surroundings.
As part of the Level 2 upgrade, the “Basic Iron Ingot” had been replaced by “Standard Iron Ingot,” and the magical solvent required for room engraving had been fully replenished.
“Let’s get started.”
He placed the iron ingot on the anvil, registered the “Spell Breaker” blueprint into his magical engineering skill.
Bang!
And soon, the satisfying sound of hammering echoed throughout the workshop.
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