Chapter 94: The Second Third of the Earth-Binding Vein

Chapter 94: Chapter 94: The Second Third of the Earth-Binding Vein

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"Here we go again!"

Gu Su stared at the empty ground beside the Empty Tomb. There was a hint of resignation in his voice, but not much surprise.

He was already quite familiar with the Graveyard Demon’s habit of inexplicably devouring corpses.

He’d seen this happen before and had already figured out the pattern. Turning, he headed for his private tent.

He raised a hand to the Suburban Wolf waiting attentively nearby, motioning for it to stay put. He then strode into the tent and quickly pulled up his system panel.

The moment the panel appeared, he switched to the Graveyard Demon’s status screen. His eyes flew across the notifications, and he quickly ascertained the details of what had happened to the devoured corpse.

A second later, a new system notification flashed onto the panel, bringing a flicker of delight to Gu Su’s eyes. He could hardly believe what he was seeing.

The clown corpse the Graveyard Demon had just devoured had given him an unexpected boon.

Another one of the materials required for the Earth-Binding Vein quest had been substituted.

Just like the Oil Centipede corpse before, this bizarre clown corpse had become one of the three required materials for the Earth-Binding Vein quest, saving him the trouble of searching for it.

Gu Su frowned, staring at the notification on the panel. He pondered for a moment but couldn’t figure out what was so special about the clown corpse. ’Why would the Graveyard Demon take an interest in it?’

’After all, the thing was just too bizarre. It was completely different from a normal corpse, making it difficult to comprehend.’

’The Oil Centipede, at least, made some sense. It was shaped like a snail, enormous in size, and had been dragging a gas station along. Gu Su could believe that after being devoured, it might transform into a giant snail that could pull the Graveyard Demon.’

’It was reasonable for the Graveyard Demon to accept something like that.’

’But a clown corpse... Gu Su couldn’t imagine what use it could possibly have. Surely it wasn’t going to give the Graveyard Demon a paint job and serve as a decoration?’

Though he couldn’t figure it out, Gu Su didn’t dwell on it for long.

’In any case, the result was positive. The Earth-Binding Vein quest had progressed, so that was a win.’

He had a mountain of other things to do; there was no time to waste energy on a single piece of incomprehensible lore.

Gu Su quickly closed the panel and strode out of the tent, ready to deal with the tasks at hand.

Then, he issued a command to the Suburban Wolf waiting nearby. "Throw all the Kobold Warlock corpses into Grave Pit #3."

"And throw the Kobold Warrior corpses into Level 2 Grave Pit #1."

This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision; he had planned this corpse allocation from the start.

Every corpse was a core material for Summoning Undead. To maximize his combat power, he had to put each one to its best possible use.

Currently, neither his Magic Skeleton Squad nor his Walking Dead Squad were at full strength. He only had a few Minions, with no Bosses yet. He needed to replenish their ranks, as the gap in his forces was significant.

These specialized Kobold corpses were rare, high-quality materials. Gu Su couldn’t afford to waste them. He had to allocate them precisely to match the Summoning requirements of different grave pits.

The plan for the ordinary Kobold corpses he’d brought back this time was different.

First, they would be used to replenish the Undead he had lost in the recent battle. This would fill the gaps in his forces and ensure his future explorations and fights weren’t affected.

After replenishing his losses, the remaining corpses would be set aside. When Gu Su found the time, he would use his Soul Summoning Technique on them to summon new Undead. These would serve as laborers and cannon fodder. He’d also see if his Luck was good enough to spawn a few more High Tier Undead.

’Every High Tier Undead he managed to spawn was a net gain, anyway.’

After allocating the corpses, the one that truly gave Gu Su pause was the body of the Kobold Leader.

According to the intelligence previously delivered by Crow’s Caw, this Kobold Leader had been too fat to even move. Its figure was grotesquely bloated. Based on appearance alone, its physical condition was likely on par with an ordinary Kobold, perhaps even weaker.

But its uncharacteristic counterattack at the very end of the battle had changed Gu Su’s mind.

To be able to decisively strike out and sever the source of the bizarre laughter behind it, even on the brink of death... that level of resolve and ferocity was something no ordinary Kobold could possess.

’Gu Su knew in his heart that this Kobold Leader was no weakling.’

’It had simply grown soft, sitting on its throne for too long. Pampered and complacent, it had forgotten how to fight, which was why it had seemed so feeble.’

Gu Su fell silent for a moment, his gaze landing on the Level 3 Empty Tomb in the distance. After weighing his options, he finally made a decision and said to the Suburban Wolf, "Put its body in the Level 3 Empty Tomb."

The Suburban Wolf didn’t hesitate. It immediately ordered its subordinates to hoist the Kobold Leader’s corpulent corpse and march quickly toward the Level 3 Empty Tomb.

The coffin that came with the Level 3 Empty Tomb was exceptionally ornate. The Kobold Leader’s body was so massive that the Suburban Wolf had to struggle to cram the bloated carcass into it.

Next, it closed the coffin lid. Following procedure, it slowly lowered the coffin and interred it within the Level 3 Empty Tomb.

The moment the coffin settled, a series of clear, loud system notifications chimed in Gu Su’s ears.

[The Empty Tomb has automatically activated your Soul Summoning Technique (Level 3). You have obtained: Ghost (Level 1) x1. Soul Summoning Technique proficiency +3.]

[The Gravepile has automatically activated your Soul Summoning Technique (Level 3). You have obtained: Walking Dead (Level 1) x31. Soul Summoning Technique proficiency +62.]

[The Gravepile has automatically activated your Soul Summoning Technique (Level 3). You have obtained: Skeleton (Level 1) x44. Soul Summoning Technique proficiency +44.]

[The Gravepile has automatically activated your Soul Summoning Technique (Level 3). You have obtained: Skeleton (Level 1) x37. Soul Summoning Technique proficiency +37.]

[The Large Tombstone has automatically activated your Soul Summoning Technique (Level 3). You have obtained: Elite Skeleton (Level 1) x3. Soul Summoning Technique proficiency +3.]

[The Gravepile has automatically activated your Soul Summoning Technique (Level 3). You have obtained: Bone Dog (Level 1) x36. Soul Summoning Technique proficiency +18.]

The moment the notifications faded, dark figures began to climb slowly from their respective Gravepiles and Tombstones. The scene was magnificent.

They emerged in a variety of ways.

Some Undead thrust skeletal hands straight out of the earth, gripping the ground as they hauled themselves out of the soil with the sharp CRACK of Bone Joints.

Others pushed aside the earth of their graves as if opening a heavy door, clawing their way out bit by bit, their bodies still flecked with loose soil.

The most unique among them emerged from a Tombstone in puffs of white smoke. Amidst the swirling vapor, a blurry figure slowly coalesced, finally taking the form of a Ghost. It was draped in a black robe that revealed a stark white Skeleton body, its feet hovering off the ground as it floated in the air.

[Ghost (Level 1, Summoned Creature): Experience (0/200), Attack 3, Defense 3, Life 21, Traits: Spirit Body]

[Spirit Body: 75% chance to ignore physical Attack.]