Chapter 23: Rewards
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[Congratulations!]
[You have successfully infected an E-rank named boss.]
└ ■ Blood Ant Queen
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[Class Trait Activated.]
└ ■ Zombie Sovereignty (SSS)
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[Condition Fulfilled.]
The target, [Blood Ant Queen], was in a state of fear toward the designated user.
A hidden effect of Zombie Sovereignty has been triggered.
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[Target’s Fear Has Evolved.]
└ ■ Fear → Devotion
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[Devotion]
A superior mental state born from absolute fear.
The target’s loyalty and obedience toward the designated user have been greatly enhanced.
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[Updating Mission Progress...]
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Ethan stared at the system window in silence. Even though he had completed his mission, his mind was stuck on something else.
’Why did the system respond so late in that moment?’ He pondered in his mind, rummaging through several thoughts each second.
The question was crucial, at least to him.
’Now that I think about it, this isn’t the first time... It happened once before, just that the time was short enough for me to ignore it completely.’ Recalling the incident, Ethan frowned.
Moving his gaze towards the corpse of the guardian, Ethan continued. "I was lucky to have it as my enemy. If the queen were to summon someone even stronger, the situation might have turned bad. In the future, I will have to be careful..."
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[#/System Notification/#]
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[Congratulations!]
[The first named boss has been successfully subordinated.]
└ ■ Blood Ant Queen (E)
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[Conditions Fulfilled.]
A designated requirement has been satisfied.
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[System Function Updated.]
A new category has been added to the following:
└ ■ Undead Registry
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[Named Boss Registry]
You may now access detailed information regarding all subordinated named bosses.
The registry automatically records their status, abilities, traits, and other relevant information.
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[New Function Unlocked.]
└ ■ Named Boss
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Another system window materialized before his eyes.
’Well, what’s done is done.’ Letting out a short sigh, Ethan dropped the useless thoughts and decided to focus on the present.
Letting go of the guardian ant’s head, he began walking towards his subordinates. At a small distance, hundreds of zombie blood ants surrounded the queen.
A large number of blood ants were stuck to the walls and ceiling of the cave. As he approached, Ethan noticed the bright green hue in the blood ant queen’s eyes.
For now, he was satisfied with how he had performed in this mission. Not only was he able to gather a large number of ants, but he also gained a ’named boss’ subordinate.
’Well, not that I know what "named boss" means, but it sounds nice~.’
Seeing him approach, the blood ant queen stepped forward. The blood ants moved out of her way instinctively.
This wasn’t because they felt a sense of dominance from the queen, but because they sensed a familiar connection that they themselves held with their sovereign.
The queen’s eyes were calm, her expression serene. Ethan’s footsteps came to a halt as he let the queen come to him instead.
Now, standing before the zombie, the queen smiled and bent her knees. Bowing her head to the point where her height looked smaller than Ethan’s, she greeted respectfully.
"Your loyal subject, Eris, greets my lord." Her feminine voice sounded more refined and soft, missing its previous robust tone.
’System, fetch me her details,’ Ethan commanded inwardly.
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[#/Named Boss Registry/#]
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[Name]
└ Eris
[Monster Class]
└ Named Boss
[Rank]
└ E-Rank
[Race]
└ Zombie Blood Ant Queen
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[Attributes]
Vitality - [38/60]
Strength - [25/60]
Agility - [10/60]
Endurance - [22/60]
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[Status]
└ ■ Alive
[Mental State]
└ ■ Devotion
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[Description:]
The former queen of the Blood Ant Colony.
Following infection by the designated user, Eris became the first named boss recorded within the Undead Registry.
Although her combat ability is mediocre compared to monsters of the same rank, she possesses exceptional reproductive capabilities and colony command.
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[Characteristics:]
└ ■ Natural ruler of Blood Ant colonies.
└ ■ Exceptional vitality.
└ ■ Possesses absolute authority over lower-ranked Blood Ants.
└ ■ Can continuously produce Blood Ant eggs.
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[Traits]
└ ■ Blood Ant Physiology (E)
└ ■ Queen’s Authority (E)
└ ■ Royal Broodmother (F)
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[Skills]
└ ■ Crimson Guardian Rite (E)
└ ■ Queen’s Screech (F)
└ ■ Blood Command (E)
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[Registry ID]
└ ■ #001
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’Not bad. Great job, Ethan Graves.’ Reading through her information, he couldn’t help but praise himself.
"There’s a lot I wish to discuss with you, Eris. For now, gather the ants and prepare to leave as soon as possible." Ethan ordered, his voice soft and calm.
"Yes, my lord." Eris immediately nodded and began gathering the ants. With her memories intact, handling the ants was one of her fortes.
Ethan, on the other hand, quickly reached the middle of the cave. Around him, in all directions, lay dead remains of the incomplete guardian ants.
’With my body completely healed, assimilating with those remains should solely increase the evolution process. Aside from these, there are hundreds of corpses lying throughout the nest.’ He thought, raising his hands sideways at his shoulder height.
However, before he could activate his skill, a familiar sound resounded in his head.
*Ding!*
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[Mission Progress Updated.]
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[Objectives]
■ Blood Ants
└ 840 / 840 ✓
■ Blood Ant Queen
└ 1 / 1 ✓
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[Congratulations!]
You have successfully completed the quest:
■ Conquer the Blood Ant Colony
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[Evaluating Performance...]
[...]
[Performance exceeds expected completion parameters.]
[Outstanding completion detected.]
[Bonus rewards have been granted.]
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[Mission Rewards]
■ Level Up ×2
■ Bonus Attribute Points ×5
■ Copper-Rank Selection Box ×1
■ Evolution Progress +40%
■ Title Obtained
└ Ant Colony Conqueror (E)
■ F-Rank Skill Awakening Coupon ×1
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[Reward Descriptions]
■ Copper-Rank Selection Box
Allows the user to personally choose one reward from several options upon opening.
Copper-Rank rewards are superior to Wood-Rank rewards.
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■ Ant Colony Conqueror (E)
A title awarded to those who conquer an entire monster colony led by a named boss.
Effects:
└ ■ Intimidation against ant-type monsters slightly increased.
└ ■ Damage dealt to ant-type monsters: +5%.
└ ■ Recognition among ant-type undead slightly increased.
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■ F-Rank Skill Awakening Coupon
Immediately awakens one F-Rank skill that is closest to reaching its awakening requirements.
The selected skill ignores all prerequisite conditions.
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[Rewards Successfully Distributed.]
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Several rays of light shot out of the system screen, converging before him into two distinct shapes. The light soon dissipated, revealing a small copper box and a thin paper coupon.