Chapter 17: The Grand Departure and the Seed of Innovation

Orkesh, his furred brow furrowed with a mix of excitement and apprehension, carefully adjusted the straps of a sturdy leather satchel slung over his shoulder. Beside him, Manicia and Mina, their small hands surprisingly adept, were meticulously arranging the Necro Corp's first batch of trade goods into larger, more manageable packs.

Each iron sword, newly forged and gleaming, bore the distinct, subtly carved logo of the Necro Corp on its hilt—a stylized, interlocking Skull and gear. The steel knives and daggers, sharper and even more finely crafted, lay nestled in protective wraps. But it was the artisan's wooden carvings that truly held the kobolds' attention. Manicia ran a clawed finger over the smooth, intricate details of a space marine figurine, its miniature armor and weapon perfectly rendered. Mina carefully picked up a puzzle toy, turning it over in her hands, her eyes wide with wonder at the precise interlocking pieces. A chess set, its pieces so finely carved they looked almost alive, lay ready for transport.

"To call these 'toys' is an understatement," Manicia murmured, her voice hushed with awe. "The Lich said they were for the children, but… if we had money, I would buy one myself."

Orkesh nodded, a rare, genuine smile touching his lips. "Indeed. Such precision… it's unlike anything I've ever seen." They were busy "checking" the goods, their movements a mix of efficiency and lingering amazement, ensuring everything was secure and presentable.

A subtle shift in the air, a faint, almost imperceptible hum, signaled the arrival of their escort. The bouncer skeleton, now wrapped in thick, dark, hooded robes that completely obscured its skeletal form, stepped silently behind them. Its presence was a silent, imposing signal that it was time to depart. Orkesh, Manicia, and Mina, though still not entirely accustomed to the unnerving silence of the skeleton's movements, gathered their packs.

"Ready, esteemed representative?" the bouncer intoned, its voice a deep, synthesized baritone that vibrated with an unnatural resonance, yet was perfectly polite.

Orkesh, still slightly startled by the speaking skeleton, managed a nod. "Yes. We are ready."

With a final glance back at the dungeon entrance, they turned and began their descent down the newly cleared pathway, the bouncer walking a steady pace behind them, a silent, watchful guardian.

High above, at the top of the stairs outside the dungeon's entrance, Karl stood, a still, skeletal silhouette against the pale morning light. His empty eye sockets watched his employees depart, a dry, satisfied hum resonating within him.

His establishment was mostly ready to receive customers. The infrastructure was in place, the products were being tested, and his workforce, both living and undead, was integrating. Now, all the skeletons needed was a proper uniform, a consistent livery that would project professionalism and a unified brand image. But since he had no way of buying or crafting them yet, it would have to wait for now.

Karl turned and walked inside, his steps echoing softly in the newly tiled main hall. He made his way to a designated room on the first floor, a space he had mentally dubbed his "office." It was still bare, just a stone chamber with a simple, carved wooden table and a chair, far from the gleaming, tech-laden executive suites he was accustomed to. It would be called an office if it was complete, he mused, a dry, internal chuckle.

He sat, and with a mental command, the dungeon map materialized before him. A vibrant, spinning 3D representation of the dungeon appeared, showing its main floor and three floors stacked on each other, descending into the earth, and the sprawling forest outside. He could see the faint outlines of his architects, busy redesigning the exterior of the dungeon, transforming its rugged facade into something more inviting. Lumberjacks, tiny figures on the map, were diligently cutting down trees, clearing a broader pathway and preparing future build space.

Karl leaned back in his chair, his empty eye sockets fixed on the map, his thoughts already racing beyond the current operations. He had the barebones of his company, a foundational structure, but it was far from complete. He still lacked a comprehensive business model, a detailed understanding of market dynamics. He produced products – mostly weapons, quality-of-life items, food, clothes, general goods – all churned out by his own industrial zone. But he still lacked accurate pricing strategies, detailed demand forecasts, precise market information, and a clear understanding of the competition. And since this world was different from Earth, where corporate espionage was subtle and legal battles were the norm, here, corporate schemes would likely be direct, brutal, and bloody.

What he really needed now, he realized, was progress upon scientific technology. A research center. A place where all the blueprints he'd buy from the System could be dissected, analyzed, and repurposed into new products, or where industrial modifications could be engineered. A hub for research into new materials, new processes. For that, his main goal would be finding sulfur and a reliable saltpeter resource, essential components to unlock gunpowder and eventually, muskets. To achieve this, he'd need to significantly improve his metallurgy center, pushing its capabilities beyond simple steel.

As the thought solidified, a familiar chime resonated through the stone.

[ Ding! You have created a custom blueprint! ]

A new System panel flared into existence before Karl, its glowing text outlining a structure that perfectly mirrored his thoughts.

[ Blueprint Building: Arcano-Industrial Research Center ]

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Category:

Structures → Advanced Infrastructure

Build Time: 5 Hours

Worker Type: Skeleton Researchers (Skilled)

Requires: Cut Stone x20 Iron Ingot x15 Wooden Board x10 Ink & Parchment x5

🔬 Overview:

The Industrial Research Center is where science meets skeletal ingenuity. This facility specializes in reverse-engineering blueprints, developing new technologies, and enhancing existing production chains using logic, experimentation, and raw deduction. It is the nerve center of innovation for your dungeon empire.

🔎 Core Functions:

Blueprint Dissection Lab → Analyze any purchased blueprint (e.g., from BoneMart™) → Unlock variations, alternate recipes, and derivative products → Example: A basic Sword blueprint could evolve into Scimitar, Short Blade, or Hooked Blade.

Industrial Mod Lab → Modify existing production buildings with refined logic → Example: Workshop's sawmill gains efficiency with rail-fed plank delivery. → Metallurgy Center adjusts for fuel-efficient batch forging.

Material Discovery Wing → Combine known materials to discover new industrial alloys, compounds, or applications → Example: Stone Dust + Clay = Mortar → unlocks new construction options → Wood Chips + Bone Glue = Composite Lumber

Product Innovation Bay → Repurpose inputs and scrap into new products. → Example: Tannery scraps + Bone = Lightweight Bone Leather Armor → Smelt broken tools for Iron Nuggets (used in rapid-forge gear kits)

Efficiency Algorithms Room → Run theoretical models to passively boost production across your network → Unlock dungeon-wide +X% production speed or material conservation

🧠 Special Features:

Automatically scans and logs all blueprints Karl acquires

Suggests experimental combinations and outputs

Works in tandem with Metallurgy Center, Workshop, and Distribution Center

Unlocks "Scientific Milestones" which offer rewards and new research trees

Produces [📘 Research Reports] and [🧪 Prototype Items] (usable or sellable) 📋 Recommended Worker Pack:

🧠 Skilled Skeleton Researchers Pack (Available in BoneMart™ – 320 NP)

→ Comes with 3 Skeleton Scientists trained in logic, analysis, and blueprint theory

→ Capable of passive progress even without player direction

→ Optional Traits: "Obsessive Note-Taker," "Dissector's Instinct," "Overthinker"

📈 Upgrade Paths:

(Available Separately)

Modular Lab Wings

Faster Research Processing

Collaborative AI Bone Matrix

Dungeon-Wide Tech Dissemination Relay

Experimental Factory Integration Port

[ You earned +600 NP ]

Karl's eye sockets widened, a dry, triumphant laugh bubbling in his non-existent chest. HAHAHA! I got it! This is exactly what I need right now! The blueprint was perfect. It wasn't just a research center; it was a strategic weapon, a tool to accelerate his technological advantage and solidify his Necro Corp's dominance. This was the true path to revolutionizing this world.