“Oi, oi, oi. What’s this?”
I watched as the notification appeared, and my “eyebrows” furrowed in disbelief. My dear Ralgar had returned, just as I expected him to, but there was something quite unexpected about him. He was now a level 3 higher, a significant upgrade from his previous level 2 status.
Five red dots emerged on the screen, representing the invaders—a level 5 knight being of course this dear and old Ralgar, two level 4 knights, and two level 2 Verdenkind—a warrior and a barbarian.
A notification promptly followed.
_____________________________
[ ???'s Interface ]
System Notification
Intrusion Report:
Five entities have invaded your dungeon domain. G.P safety compromised.
Suggestion:
Secure G.P, put an end to the invasion.
Intercept and Slay the invaders
Estimated Reward:
23.3 G.P
_____________________________
I couldn't help but gulp at the estimated reward —23.3 G.P. This was a significant increase from the previous invasion's reward. Well, it kind of makes a lot of sense since everyone is indeed much stronger than the previously invading duo.
Through the screen in front of me, I watched as the red dots representing the invaders advanced and encroached upon two of my spectral reavers with guarding behaviors.
With no big ceremony, it began.
I had to admit; while I displayed no symptoms of it, for I lacked the means to, I felt both humanely excited and humanely anxious. The stakes were higher this time, so I really better not mess up. That being said, with the Ralgar now at level 5 and additional knights, warrior and barbarian by his side, the battle ahead was going to be an unfair one for my two poor spawns.
Watching the unequal battle unfold on the map was nothing short of frustrating. The two Level 3 Spectral Reavers, even with their improved stats, enhanced skills and abilities, were no match for the combined force of the invaders. The Ralgar, in particular, was dealing significant damage, and my spectral reavers were quickly losing health.
As I watched their health dwindle rapidly, with me being able to do nothing but spectate, I couldn't help but feel a sense of helplessness. But I remembered that this battle wasn't just about my two guarding spectral reavers; I had a plan in place.
Even though the outcome didn't look promising for the two of them, I knew I had to act smart and fast, and most importantly, I had to stay focused and logical.
From the beginning I had with a mental click, I designated the Level 3 knight as the primary target for my two spectral reavers, hoping that they could at least lower his health significantly before they met their demise. I knew the sacrifice might be necessary to ensure the invaders were weakened enough for my other spawns to finish the job.
_____________________________
[???'s Interface]
System Notification:
Spawn: Spectral Reaver Level 03
Health: 29%
Status: In Combat
『Expand』
_____________________________
_____________________________
[???'s Interface]
System Notification:
Spawn: Spectral Reaver Level 03
Health: 22%
Status: In Combat
『Expand』
_____________________________
I mentally steeled myself, fully aware that I had invested heavily in my spectral reavers and improved their behaviors. It was time to see if my preparations would pay off.
Just when it seemed like my two Level 3 Spectral Reavers were about to be overwhelmed by the invading party, the situation took a highly expected turn.
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"Sigh, finally."
_____________________________
[???'s Interface]
System Notification:
Spawn: Spectral Reaver Level 03
Health: 100%
Status: On Patrol
『Expand』
_____________________________
_____________________________
[???'s Interface]
System Notification:
Spawn: Spectral Reaver Level 03
Health: 100%
Status: On Patrol
『Expand』
_____________________________
Two blue dots closed in on the red ones—invaders. As they did, I had them lock onto their targets without hesitation. The newly arrived Spectral Reavers focused their aggression on the two Level 2 intruders. One went for the warrior, the other for the barbarian. They were the weakest links—if my Reavers could take them down quickly, they’d be free to focus on the real threats: the two Level 4 knights and Ralgar.
So yeah, I was hoping they’d finish fast. And on that, they delivered.
_____________________________
[Spectral Reaver (Patrolling Spawn), Level 03, has slain Verdenkind Intruder, Warrior, Level 2]
_____________________________
_____________________________
[Spectral Reaver (Patrolling Spawn), Level 03, slain by Verdenkind, knight, Level 05]
_____________________________
_____________________________
[Spectral Reaver (Patrolling Spawn), Level 03, has slain Verdenkind Intruder, Barbarian, Level 2]
_____________________________
Almost simultaneously, the red dots representing the Level 2 warrior and barbarian vanished from the map—along with one of my blue dots. One of my Spectral Reavers was gone, but at that moment, I couldn’t even bring myself to care. As long as I repelled this invasion, this loss wouldn’t even register.
_____________________________
[Spectral Reaver (Patrolling Spawn), Level 03, slain by Verdenkind, knight, Level 05]
_____________________________
I immediately designated the two Level 4 knights as targets for my remaining spawns. Despite being outleveled, my spawns held their ground—for a time. That was, until a certain someone decided to tip the scales.
_____________________________
[Spectral Reaver (Patrolling Spawn), Level 03, slain by Verdenkind, knight, Level 05]
_____________________________
“Tsk.”
Ralgar.
After cutting down yet another of my spawns, the increasingly annoying Ralgar rushed to support his fellow knight, turning the battle into a 3 vs. 2. With all of them outleveling my poor spawns, the sight was infuriating. But not for long. In the corner of my vision, what I’d been eagerly awaiting finally arrived.
_____________________________
[???'s Interface]
System Notification:
Spawn: Spectral Reaver Level 05
Health: 100%
Status: On Patrol
『Expand』
_____________________________
_____________________________
[???'s Interface]
System Notification:
Spawn: Spectral Reaver Level 05
Health: 100%
Status: On Patrol
『Expand』
_____________________________
The patrolling duo wasted no time, joining the fray and engaging the target I had chosen for them—Ralgar.
With him occupied, my remaining Spectral Reavers faced off against the two knights. One in particular performed exceptionally well, whittling down his opponent’s health at a rather satisfying pace. The knight fought hard, but ultimately, he met the same fate as his fellow invaders.
_____________________________
[Spectral Reaver (Patrolling Spawn), Level 04, slain by Verdenkind, knight, Level 05]
_____________________________
With one knight down, my victorious spawn immediately shifted its attention to the remaining one—who, until now, had been putting up a solid resistance. But the moment a second Spectral Reaver joined the fight, the tide turned.
_____________________________
[Spectral Reaver (Patrolling Spawn), Level 02, slain by Verdenkind, knight, Level 03]
_____________________________
"One more to go," I muttered, my eyes locked onto the only remaining red dot on the screen—the Level 5 knight, who had somehow managed to cut down yet another of my spawns.
_____________________________
[Spectral Reaver (Patrolling Spawn), Level 05, slain by Verdenkind, knight, Level 05]
_____________________________
"Impressive. Truly impressive. But time to wrap this—what the hell?!"
The moment he struck down another of my spawns, the lone red dot suddenly began moving—pulling away from the surrounding blue dots.
The bastard was running.
"Oh, hell no! Not again! Get him, boys!"
My Spectral Reavers surged forward in pursuit, their spectral forms gliding swiftly across the battlefield. But just like before, the knight managed to escape—fleeing like a coward.
"Arrrgh! That’s right, run! Run like the coward you are!"
Internally, I understood his actions—there was no shame in wanting to survive. But from my perspective? Watching that bag of GP slip out of reach was killing me.
_____________________________
[ ???'s Interface ]
System Notification Intrusion Report:
Invasion successfully repelled, G.P and domain secured, all interfaces are now available.
_____________________________
"Sigh…"
Despite my frustration at the knight escaping a second time, a metaphorical smile tugged at the corner of my nonexistent mouth as I stared at the celebratory—yet utterly emotionless—notification in front of me.
"Well, all things considered, that was a surprisingly easy battle," I muttered to myself.
I had leveled up my Spectral Reavers, fine-tuned their abilities, and adapted their skills to counter stronger invaders—expecting retaliation for what happened in Bailan. I may have been done with that place, but deep down, I knew a response was coming.
I had braced myself for Level 3s and 4s—perhaps even a bit stronger. But instead, the invaders turned out to be Level 5s and Level 4s.
That was concerning.
Last time, there were two of them. Today, they came in a group of five. Next time? It could be twice that. Three times that.
And somehow, that wasn’t even the most unsettling part.
Ralgar.
The other day, he was just a Level 2 knight. Today? Level 5.
That’s a bad omen.
If people out there could level up that fast, I couldn't afford to sit back and relax.
I needed to act now. Best to invest more GP before I end up regretting it. Fortunately, I just happened to have acquired some more.
