ch 66,67,
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Chapter 66 – The Weapon Trees
A day passed since Ray had returned from the outskirts of the academy trial zone. The sun glistened softly over the fields inside his hidden domain, and for once, it felt peaceful. The cool wind brushed past the growing trees and herbs that now dotted the land. His undead patrolled silently while a few monkey beasts leapt playfully among the trees. But something new stood near the center of the domain.
Seventeen's voice echoed gently, "Congratulations, Ray. You've successfully unlocked the Weapon Tree System."
Ray blinked. "Weapon... tree?"
"Yes. These are trees blessed by the gods, capable of producing specific weapons or items regularly, designed to support your summoned army. The first three have been planted."
Ray's eyes widened as he turned to observe them.
The first was slender and sharp, its trunk forged with a metallic gleam. From its branches, slender steel swords hung like fruit. Every day, the Sword Tree would bear up to five F-rank swords.
The second tree looked more organic, its branches curved like bows, and its bark slightly golden. This was the Arrow Tree. Small arrows were growing from its twigs like clustered berries.
The third was eerie and bone-white, made from the remains of beasts and infused with necrotic essence. From its trunk, it shed crude but deadly bone weapons — maces, spears, even shields.
Ray approached the Bone Tree first. As his hand touched one of the weapons, a light pulse traveled from the weapon to his palm.
[Item Acquired: Bone Spear (F-Rank)]
[This item may be auto-assigned to summoned units.]
"This is incredible..." Ray muttered, heart racing. His army — undead or otherwise — didn't need to rely on scavenged loot anymore. They'd be self-sustaining. And stronger.
Seventeen added, "You can unlock more trees using Domain Points, or by completing domain quests. There's even a Flame Tree that forges weapons burning with magical fire."
Ray's grin grew wider. "Heh... Then I'll get them all."
A moment passed, and Ray looked over his army. Ten skeletal warriors stood in formation. Three zombie brutes had been summoned the day before, their rotting muscles bulging with unnatural strength. Two monkey beasts guarded the fruit-bearing trees, and two flying beasts — crow-like creatures with crimson feathers — circled above the domain.
Current Domain Army Status:
Skeleton Warriors: 10
Zombie Brutes: 3
Monkey Beasts: 5
Bone Crows: 2
Undead Total: 13
Living Beast Total: 7
Total Weapon Trees: 3
Domain Points: 870
And he was still just twelve.
Seventeen continued, "Remember, Ray. You're not overpowered. You're careful, clever… and now, just a little greedy."
Ray chuckled. "You noticed?"
"I'm your System. Of course I noticed. You want more. More points, more beasts, more power."
"And I'll get it. Slowly. Properly. But I won't stop anymore." His eyes sparkled, not with the innocence of a child, but the hunger of someone who'd tasted growth — and liked it.
Outside the domain, back at the academy, whispers about trials, ranking exams, and upcoming races filled the air. But Ray knew none of them would ever see this place. His domain was hidden, sealed away from detection. Even the teachers with powerful senses couldn't peek into it.
And that gave him time — time to grow.
"Seventeen, what's next?"
The System responded, "There's a dungeon appearing soon inside the outer academy forest. If you clear it, you'll gain a rare summoning gem, maybe even a beast egg. But be warned—"
Ray raised a hand. "No need. Just mark it. I'll go."
"…Greedy."
"Call it ambition," Ray replied with a smirk.
He glanced at his army again, at the bone weapons dangling from branches, and at the new land slowly expanding in his domain. One day, there would be thousands. One day, his name would shake both the human world and the beast realms.
But today, he was still just a boy… with mo
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Chapter 67 – The Dungeon Gate
Ray stood before the shimmering, distorted air within the forest. A faint pulse of mana vibrated from the newly formed F-rank Dungeon Gate, nestled between thick roots and dark moss-covered stone.
Behind him, three skeleton warriors and one zombie brute stood silently, while two monkey beasts crouched on nearby branches. The bone crows circled the clearing overhead, letting out soft screeches.
Seventeen's voice whispered inside his head, "This dungeon is timed. Thirty minutes inside. Expect F to E-rank beasts. Weak alone, dangerous in numbers."
Ray nodded. "It's time to test the army properly."
He stepped through the gate.
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The world inside the dungeon was a mist-covered jungle with low visibility. The sounds of hissing, rustling, and low growls echoed from every direction. A notification appeared:
[Dungeon Entered: Forgotten Fang Nest]
[Objective: Clear the dungeon or survive until timer ends.]
Ray summoned two more skeletons using 60 mana. He now had five skeletons, two zombie brutes, two monkey beasts, and himself.
Suddenly, the bushes ahead exploded.
Dozens of small creatures emerged — F-Rank Fang Rats, their fangs long, eyes glowing red, fur patchy and wet.
"Monkey beasts—scatter and flank!" Ray shouted.
The monkeys shrieked and vanished into the trees. Skeletons took front positions while zombies flanked slowly. Bone crows screeched and dove from above.
The battle was chaotic.
Skeleton swords clashed against rat fangs, bones cracking. Zombie brutes swung heavy fists, crushing multiple enemies with each strike. The monkeys darted down from trees, stabbing with small weapons. Blood and fur flew.
Ray raised his hand.
[Skill Activated: Necrotic Pulse]
[A weak area-of-effect blast that slows nearby enemies.]
A greenish ripple spread around him, slowing the rats' movements. It gave the skeletons the edge they needed — three rats fell in seconds.
Still, more came.
[Kill Confirmed: +5 EXP]
[Kill Confirmed: +5 EXP]
[Kill Confirmed: +6 EXP]
[EXP: 84/100]
Seventeen whispered, "Ray, summon the Bone Wolf. Use 100 mana."
Ray nodded and did so.
A swirling dark circle formed at his feet, and a skeletal beast with long claws and sharp teeth emerged — the Bone Wolf, an elite among F-rank undead summons. It growled deeply and leapt into the fight, tearing through enemies with feral grace.
Soon, the floor was littered with dead Fang Rats.
[EXP: 100/100]
[Level Up!]
[You are now Level 6]
+3 Stat Points Earned
+1 Skill Point
+1 New Skill Available
Ray took a deep breath. "Seventeen. Show me the skill options."
[Available Skill (Necromancer Path):]
Raise Corpse: Convert a beast corpse into a temporary minion (lasts 5 minutes, F-rank).
Dark Binding: Chains enemies briefly with shadow chains.
Decay Touch: Causes slight damage over time when touched.
Ray chose Raise Corpse.
He pointed at a fallen Fang Rat. Shadows wrapped around it, and it rose, twitching unnaturally.
The effect was small, but practical. He could now raise temporary fighters mid-battle. His army was no longer static — it could evolve mid-fight.
Suddenly, the dungeon shook.
[Mini-Boss Approaching: Fang Nest Mother (E-Rank)]
Ray's eyes narrowed. "Let's see how far we've come."
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Outside the dungeon, the world continued on as usual. No one at the academy knew what the small boy named Ray was building. His domain remained hidden, and his army grew in secret. Every day brought him closer to becoming something feared.
But for now — he was still growing. Slowly. Carefully. With every corpse, every summon, every beast.
And the dungeon had only just begun.
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Ready for Chapter 68?