Chapter 136: Level 3 ⟨Tower of Souls⟩
A hundred White Nightmare Stones suddenly shattered around the ⟨Defence Tower of Souls⟩.
White liquid flowed from the broken stones like countless streams before rushing toward the massive structure.
The tower immediately began to tremble like the last time, but with much more intensity.
RUMBLE!
The enormous ribcage-like structure slowly expanded outward like it was being stretched to its limit.
Each individual bone-like structure became thicker and longer as the entire building continued growing upwards.
The skull sitting at the top also began expanding. Its empty eye sockets became large enough to swallow a man whole.
Edgar quietly watched the transformation with his hands folded. "...So this is the upgrade."
The ribcage suddenly began opening. One bone after another spread outward like the petals of an enormous flower.
The entire structure continued blooming until it was almost twice its original size.
Then, just as suddenly, the bones began moving inward.
The massive ribcage slowly compressed, and the skull returned to its original position as the strange transformation finally came to an end.
A deep silence settled over the area while Edgar looked at the upgraded tower.
"...Interesting."
The tower now looked even more intimidating than before.
The cold air around it hardened and turned into mist, which was much more prominent.
Edgar turned toward two nearby Soul Guardians. "Bring the bodies."
The two skeletons immediately obeyed.
Edgar glanced at the dead body of Mord that was being dragged into the archway.
They walked toward the pile of corpses before picking up the first bodies.
One after another, the dead soldiers were thrown into the open ribcage.
Thud!! Thud!! Thud!!
Ten corpses disappeared into the darkness inside the tower, and for several seconds, nothing happened.
Then--
BOOM!
A pale azure flame suddenly erupted from inside the structure.
The tower trembled violently as something began crawling out from the other side.
A skeletal figure slowly stepped through the archway.
Unlike the ordinary Soul Guardians, this one possessed a much more human-like structure.
Its bones were thicker, and even its frame was taller.
The armor-like growths covering its body looked denser.
Edgar immediately became interested. "...A stronger one?"
He opened his system interface.
---
⟨Soul Guardian Successfully Created⟩
Designation: Northern Sect
Grade: Yellow
Origin: Human Builder
Status: Active
Unique Trait: Building Analysis
---
Edgar’s eyes immediately stopped on the final skill.
"...Building Analysis?"
He looked toward the newly created Guardian.
"Use it."
The Soul Guardian immediately obeyed as Edgar’s vision suddenly changed.
The world remained the same as he looked from the eyes of the Guardian, but faint lines appeared across every structure.
Cracks, weak points, stress areas, and structural flaws all became visible.
Edgar stared at the Fortress Wall.
A few sections immediately lit up in his vision. "...That’s impressive."
He turned toward the Watch Tower, and the same thing happened again. Its weak points were clearly highlighted.
Even the Smithing Houses and nearby buildings showed areas that could potentially collapse under enough force.
Edgar’s eyes widened slightly. The use of such a skill was ungodly.
"This isn’t just useful for construction." A slow smile appeared across his face. "During a siege, this could be terrifying."
He could identify the weak points of enemy structures before attacking them.
He could also determine which parts of his own buildings required reinforcement.
"...Definitely worth it."
Edgar slowly withdrew from the Guardian’s vision.
The skeletal figure immediately returned to its normal state.
---
Several hours later...
Fifteen new Soul Guardians stood silently before Edgar.
The last one had been created only moments earlier, and all of them knelt simultaneously.
The sight made Edgar feel strangely satisfied. He felt like a necromancer, which was always considered a one-man army.
"Spread out."
The fifteen Guardians immediately stood.
"Patrol the surrounding forest and keep anything dangerous away from the Fortress."
The Soul Guardians disappeared into the darkness one after another.
Within moments, not a single one remained in sight.
Edgar quietly watched them leave.
"...Fifteen more."
His army was slowly becoming something worth fearing.
His gaze eventually shifted toward the two surviving Aberrants. Both were still unconscious.
Their bodies had been heavily damaged, but they were alive.
Edgar pointed toward them.
"Tie them to a pole."
A nearby Soul Guardian from the previous generation immediately moved forward.
"Keep them guarded and don’t let them escape."
The Guardian dragged the two men toward the Fortress before securing them to a thick wooden pole.
Edgar watched for a moment before turning around.
The Soul Guardian lowered its head, acknowledging his command.
Edgar finally walked back toward his house as he had done enough for one night.
"...I need sleep."
---
The Eternal Night gradually began fading several hours later.
The black fog covering the sky slowly returned, taking over like it owned it.
A faint grey light appeared beyond the horizon as Edgar finally opened his eyes.
He slowly sat up on the sofa and rubbed his face.
"...Morning already?"
He glanced toward the stairs. ’...Hera must still be asleep.’
Edgar quietly stood up and left the house without disturbing her, as they still had some time before going out.
The moment he stepped outside, he noticed something immediately.
The soldiers were already assembled with weapons and armor ready, which sat heavily on them.
Horses stood ready near the Fortress gate, including the young horse that Edgar had brought.
Gordon was standing at the front of the formation. The veteran knight immediately noticed Edgar.
"My lord."
Edgar walked toward him while looking over the soldiers.
"Everyone ready?"
Gordon nodded. "Everyone who can fight is here."
There were far fewer than the Northern Sect had brought yesterday, but every person standing here was someone he could trust.
They weren’t going to fight a defensive battle this time. They were going to take an entire city.
"Good."
Several Soul Guardians silently moved from the surrounding forest.
They weren’t going to be part of the frontline, but that didn’t mean Edgar wasn’t going to use them.
’...They will be my trump card if things go south while fighting the Northern Sect.’
Taking in a deep breath, Edgar said loudly, "We march in an hour’s time. Be ready!"
"Yes, my lord!!"