Chapter 513, Magical Mansion Spell
[Level increased to 18. Constitution +2, Intelligence +2, Charisma +1.]
[Trait Unlocked: Hero Creation.]
The sudden notification brought joy to Wu Heng's heart.
Finally, he had reached Level 18.
Before he could react, more notifications appeared.
[Feat Unlocked: Grand Necromancer.]
[Ability Unlocked: Independent Soul.]
[Skill Unlocked: Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion.]
Once the notifications fully ceased.
Wu Heng's eyes remained wide open.
Not only had he unlocked [Hero Creation] and two master-level feats, but even the [Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion], which he had been unable to unlock before.
Everything had unlocked with this level-up.
Was it because his level was previously insufficient?
Or perhaps for some other reason?
Regardless, unlocking it finally resolved his previous confusion.
After all, the Mansion Spell had cost a considerable amount to purchase, and not being able to unlock it had been disappointing.
He glanced at the battlefield.
After ensuring that no unexpected dangers remained, he opened the status panel.
[Name: Wu Heng]
[Level: 18 (7411/305000)]
[Reputation: Level 18 (7242/48000)]
[Attributes: Strength 41, Agility 31, Constitution 47, Intelligence 50, Perception 29, Charisma 32.]
[Trait: Hero Creation.]
[Feats: … One-Handed Sword Mastery (Intermediate) …, Staff Mastery (Advanced) …, Tireless Concentration, Grand Necromancer.]
[Abilities: Greyhawk Swordplay (Intermediate) … Breath of the Wraith, Divine Descent, Independent Soul.]
[Skills: Raise Skeleton … Death's Breath … Animate Objects, Lightning Bolt, Mirror Image, Preset Armor, Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion.]
[Hero Creation]: Your reputation spreads far and wide. As a key figure on the path of progression, your decisions often influence those of others. (This trait affects Reputation.)
[Grand Necromancer]: You possess advanced mastery over necromantic magic. Spell effectiveness +100%, learning ability +100%.
[Independent Soul]: Your soul has achieved a breakthrough, and the body is merely a temporary vessel. The death of your body will not destroy your soul. (Upon death, you will 100% transform into a spectral form.)
[Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion]: Summon an interdimensional space, allowing you to create a fully furnished residence within casting range.
...…
His stats looked impressive overall.
His Intelligence had reached 50, and his Constitution 47, while Strength was at 41.
For Wu Heng, both mental and physical attributes were important.
However, Agility, Perception, and Charisma still lagged behind.
In particular, his Perception was only at 29.
Previously, reconnaissance was handled primarily by his two spectral minions, especially after they unlocked "Spirit Vision."
Finding targets had become easier, without him needing to observe and analyze much himself.
But the gap in his own stats was something he needed to address.
He aimed to balance all his attributes.
He continued analyzing further.
The experience requirement for his next level had risen to 305,000.
A daunting number.
But with his current method of clearing out zombie hordes, he estimated that four to five waves would be enough to level up.
Additionally, the new [Reputation] level required 48,000, directly tied to [Hero Creation].
This added an extra requirement for leveling up.
Not exactly good news.
...…
Four major unlocks had appeared with this level-up.
The first was [Hero Creation], which highlighted his widespread reputation and influence.
Essentially, it explained the significance of the Reputation stat.
His growth now depended on building fame.
"It's similar to faith," Wu Heng thought.
In this world, gods existed, and many professions derived their power from them.
Gods needed priests to spread their teachings and gather the people's faith.
The way [Hero Creation] mentioned reputation bore similarities to that concept.
The second was [Grand Necromancer], providing a direct boost with +100% spell effectiveness and +100% learning ability.
It was a straightforward and powerful enhancement.
The third, [Independent Soul], was self-explanatory.
Upon death, he would immediately enter a ghostly form.
This reminded him of the 18th-level Prophet and 18th-level Grand Boxer he had killed—both had instantly become spectral forms after death.
It seemed highly likely that this was a common feature at Level 18.
Lastly, there was [Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion], a skill whose manual he had practically memorized after reviewing it four or five times.
With this level-up, it had finally been unlocked.
This was great news, confirming that the skill manual he had purchased wasn't a waste of money.
Suppressing his urge to test out the new skill.
Wu Heng closed the panel and refocused on the battlefield.
...…
The battle was nearing its conclusion.
When the last zombie was skewered by a skeleton's spear and tossed aside.
Silence reclaimed the area.
The skeletons began cleaning up the battlefield, dragging the corpses of mutated and evolved zombies to a central location.
They piled the bodies into a towering mound.
[Raise Skeleton] was cast, and skeletons began to rise one by one.
The corpse cores were collected from the mangled remains and stored in the spatial ring.
Then, he cast [Battlefield of the Dead].
A grayish-white glow spread outward, covering nearly a third of the battlefield.
A dense mass of skeletons stood up, the sound of their bones rubbing together echoing across the area.
The efficiency of conversion was significantly improved.
This was indeed quite effective.
It also saved the time normally required for conversion.
Once all the skeletons were converted.
A large number of skeletons slowly joined the formation.
They once again filled the entire street.
"Qi Hancai, bring the convoy over," Wu Heng pressed the radio.
"Understood!"
The sound of engines starting echoed.
The convoy drove in from the rear.
Qi Hancai jumped off the truck and glanced around at the nearby shops.
"Have the others sweep along the road and gather the important items first. We'll bring more people tomorrow to handle the rest," Wu Heng instructed.
"Got it!" Qi Hancai relayed the task via the radio.
The accompanying survivors disembarked, forming several teams.
They began scavenging the shops along the street.
This was a commercial street, and both sides were lined with brand-name stores. The price tags indicated they had been high-end brands.
Wu Heng led Qi Hancai and a few skeleton servants into a distant jewelry store.
Broken glass littered the floor, along with scattered gold jewelry.
"Collect all the gold," Wu Heng ordered.
The skeletons began to move, while Qi Hancai pulled out a bag and started picking up the scattered gold jewelry.
After they cleared out this store, they moved on to the next one, continuing to scavenge.
Before long, several skeletons and Qi Hancai returned, carrying full bags.
"About 250 to 260 kilograms, definitely better than the jewelry stores we have back home," Qi Hancai joked.
"That's quite a lot."
Wu Heng stored all the gold.
They continued strolling through the area while the other survivors kept loading supplies.
As night gradually began to fall.
Wu Heng assigned some skeletons to stay behind while the convoy began its journey back to the factory.
The remaining materials.
Would be thoroughly scavenged the next day with additional trucks and personnel.
...…
Upon returning to the factory.
The convoy parked by the warehouse, and the unloading of supplies began.
Wu Heng, accompanied by a few skeletons, headed to a secluded area.
He took out several coffins.
These were the corpses delivered by the Snake Emblem Consortium the day before. Before returning to Gold-Silver Island, he needed to convert them.
The skeletons opened the coffins, and Wu Heng cast [Raise Skeleton] on each one.
Skeletons emerged from the coffins one after another.
"Throw the coffins aside and follow me back," Wu Heng ordered.
The skeletons followed him as they made their way back.
They returned to the dormitory and used the gate to re-enter the zombie world.
...…
Upon returning to Gold-Silver Island.
The maids were training with the skeletons in the training room.
Wu Heng assigned the newly converted skeletons to their respective posts.
The alchemist skeletons were sent to the alchemy lab to continue researching the third-tier corpse core potion.
There were now six Level 15 skeleton alchemists, which was no small number. There was no reason they couldn't develop the third-tier potion.
The skeleton machinists were sent to the drawing room, adding two new members to their team, making a total of four Level 15 skeleton machinists.
The blacksmith remained in the zombie world, the chef was sent to the kitchen, and the gardener took responsibility for the courtyard plants.
Once everything was arranged.
Wu Heng returned to the courtyard.
It was time to test his newly unlocked [Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion].
He had been curious about this skill, which required reaching Level 18 to unlock.
He focused and channeled his mana.
The next second.
A rift tore through the space, forming a massive stone gate intricately carved with various patterns.
With a thought, the stone gate slowly creaked open.
Revealing a grand but sparsely furnished hall inside.