Chapter 88 – Blackroot Legions
"I dare not covet the territory of Blackroot City," Malik said, his voice low but resolute. "I only cleansed the Crimson Vault and eliminated the traitor because I wanted to help Miss Yvonne."
The chamber fell into a moment of stillness.
"Is this true, Yvonne?" City Lord Zuru turned to his daughter, his brows furrowed in suspicion.
Yvonne nodded firmly. "Yes, Father. This adventurer saved my life when the traitor tried to kill me. He's even offered to rescue the captured healer from the bandits. And… defeating your former general in a direct battle proves his strength—and loyalty."
Her voice rang clear and certain. "I believe he's worthy of a reward."
Zuru's gaze returned to Malik, his sharp eyes boring into him with a pressure that was almost physical. Malik lowered his head instinctively. The aura rolling off this NPC was oppressive—overwhelming even. It was the unmistakable weight of a Tier 2 NPC. Far superior in hierarchy. Far superior in power.
"So it's like that…" Zuru murmured. "No wonder the city has been unraveling lately. Darkness has crept into the corners I've ignored for far too long."
He sighed, the weariness in his voice betraying a deeper fatigue.
"Did you manage to obtain any other information?"
Malik hesitated, then raised his head and met the City Lord's eyes.
"Yes, Your Lordship. Before he died, Varthos confessed that a coup is underway. There's a faction planning to overthrow your rule. Even your trusted allies aren't what they seem—they think you're unfit to govern."
He bowed slightly. "Forgive me for speaking so bluntly."
"So that's how it is..." Zuru muttered, his expression darkening. "It all makes sense now. The unrest. The silence of the council. The decline of the city…"
A long pause.
"…Do you have any more details?"
"Unfortunately, no. But I promise to retrieve the healer and restore your strength. With you at your peak, Blackroot City might yet survive this."
Malik's tone was calm, but inside, he was tense. This was a high-level NPC event chain. He could feel it in his bones. This wasn't just some questline—this was a turning point in the region's fate.
Zuru studied Malik for a long moment, then nodded slowly.
"If that's the case... this seat shall depend on you, young adventurer."
---
[System Prompt: Favourability with City Lord Zuru has increased by +50.]
[Quest Update: Rescue the Healer and Restore the City Lord to His Peak State.]
Difficulty: S-Rank
Time Limit: 2 Days
Quest Reward: Unknown
Quest Penalty: -20 Levels
---
"S-Rank… This just escalated fast." Malik exhaled as the system prompt faded from view. He glanced at the City Lord again.
"Your Lordship, if I may be honest. Since many of your inner circle are part of this conspiracy, completing this mission will be almost impossible without resistance. They'll do everything in their power to stop me."
Zuru's eyes narrowed, deep in thought. Then, a faint smile touched the corner of his lips.
"You've already proven your worth by killing Varthos—the former Protector of the City. That alone qualifies you. Henceforth, I bestow upon you the title Protector of Blackroot City."
Malik's heart skipped.
"You'll also take control of the Crimson Vault as your base of operations. Furthermore, you're granted the right to form your own private legion to root out the traitors and secure the city."
---
[System Prompt: City Lord Zuru has bestowed upon you the Title: Protector of Blackroot City.]
[You have gained ownership of the Crimson Vault.]
[You are now eligible to create a legion.]
[Would you like to accept this privilege?]
---
"I'm deeply honored, Your Lordship." Malik said with genuine gratitude. Zuru nodded once more.
"If there's nothing else… I shall take my leave to rest. Before you go, you may select one item from the treasury. Consider it a personal reward."
Malik blinked.
[Title Accepted: Protector of Blackroot City.]
[You may now name your legion.]
'That was fast…' Malik thought as he stared at the new prompt.
"Brother?" Yvonne's voice brought him back. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Ah—it's nothing. I'm just… thinking about what to name my legion."
"You're already forming it? You don't waste time." She giggled softly. "I like that. It makes me excited for what's coming."
"What do you mean?" Malik asked, suspicious of the sudden shift in her tone.
"Father assigned me to watch over you. So, I'll be joining your legion—as your supervisor."
Malik's eyes widened. An NPC joining my legion?
Is the system joking right now?
This was unheard of.
"As for the name… since you're the protector ot the Blackroot City, why not call it the Blackroot Legions?"
Malik nodded. That had a good ring to it.
He entered the name into the prompt.
---
[Congratulations. You have established the Blackroot Legions.]
[This legion is directly under your command.]
[Failure to protect Blackroot City will result in its dissolution.]
---
"Blackroot Legions… Sounds perfect, Commander." Yvonne winked. "Now go on and pick your reward."
Commander?
She sure switches titles fast.
She's way too advanced for a typical NPC... definitely a high-level support unit.
Malik walked toward the vault's treasure trove, eyes scanning the glistening piles of loot, weapons, and crystals. Almost instinctively, his ring reacted to a glowing stone—it pulsed faintly on his finger.
He reached toward it—but right as he did, the items reshuffled before his eyes, and his hand grabbed a different item entirely.
"Tch…" Malik's eye twitched. He shoved it into his inventory without looking, then searched again for the original crystal. Eventually, he found it—but the price…
300,000 Contribution Points.
He only had 50,000 CP. Not even close.
Damn… right. The emblem. He retrieved the black emblem and transferred all the coins he had left.
[145 gold converted to 29,000 CP.]
"Still not enough…" Malik muttered, desperation creeping in. He rifled through his inventory, his storage, everything—but there were no more coins. Not a single one.
"This is bad… I have to get that item. I know I'll regret it if I let it go."
He turned to Yvonne. "Can you help me cover the rest?"
Yvonne frowned. "I wish I could, Commander. But I'm bound by rules. The treasury operates on strict systems—even I can't interfere."
Malik nodded in resignation. "I figured…"
He turned away, heart heavy, ready to leave when—
Ding!
---
[The item "Wind Boots" you placed for auction has been sold for 100 gold.]
[90 gold transferred to your account.]
[The item "Skill Book" has been sold for 250 gold.]
[225 gold transferred to your account.]
[The item…]
[The item…]
---
Notification after notification flooded his screen like a waterfall of blessings.
Malik's eyes lit up.
"Let's go!"
He quickly converted everything into Contribution Points and sprinted back to the pedestal, securing the crystal—and even had enough left over to purchase two rare scrolls.
As he held the glowing crystal in his hands, the ring of Sovereignty reverberated loudly and Malik felt an immense pressure boring down on him.