Chapter 405: Water Ghoul
[Water Ghoul]
[F Rank Ghoul Species]
[Dies accidentally in water, or commits suicide in rivers, lakes, and seas, malevolent spirits that cannot reincarnate, possess strength and speed far beyond ordinary people underwater.]
[Aquatic Mastery LV1]
Within the majestic pass of Hades City, the young girl stood in place, looking at the attribute panel above the creature standing before her with a strange expression.
The “Netherworld Gate” ability of the “Ghost Gate” was much simpler than imagined. All it took was activating the ability, and as the energy bar for “Netherworld Gate” entered cooldown, this aquatic ghost creature, resembling a mixture of several animals, walked in from outside the pass.
The water ghoul was about half a person tall, covered in fur, with red eyes and a black face. Coupled with its wet body as if it had just emerged from water, it truly looked like a large black monkey from a distance. The ends of its limbs were like webbed organs, clearly a creature living in water.
“It really is a water monkey…”
Reaching out and summoning the dazed water ghoul, the young girl stroked its furry head a couple of times. However, the sticky, damp feel quickly made Kazumi abandon the idea of developing a new pet. Wiping the water from her hands on her cloak, she couldn’t help but sigh.
If one were to describe the water ghoul, it would be a furry version of a ghoul. Although fluffy, it looked quite cute, but the slippery feel was indeed a bit off-putting for petting.
It was like real-life fish pets. Many people liked fish, but probably no one would pet a fish like they would a kitten or puppy, mainly due to the poor tactile sensation.
The “Netherworld Gate,” now in cooldown, indicated that the next opening was 72 hours away. It was a new lottery-like function similar to the “Dark Altar,” but the advantage of a free draw was quite appealing. Moreover, according to the skill description, the creatures or units drawn were determined by the concentration of yin energy, or death aura, in one’s territory, an ability with a certain growth potential.
Even though currently it only produced a unit like the “Water Ghoul,” which Kazumi could mass-produce with comparable combat power, as her strength gradually increased, there was a chance to summon higher-level troops. With a rounding up, it was a stable source of elite units. It had to be said that it was much stronger than Kazumi had initially predicted. It was indeed a wonder-class building.
“In that case… I’ll still choose the lake.”
Arranging the pitiful little water ghoul to rest aside, the young girl rested her chin on her hand and decided on the territory expansion option.
Of course, this choice was not solely to provide a habitat for this water ghoul; if anything, this reason only accounted for a very small proportion.
Battle damage and time were the most important judgment criteria for the young girl’s decision.
Firstly, the territory merging function, as the core gameplay for territory development in the game, would certainly not have a long cooldown. This way, even if the result of this choice was different from her expectations, it would be acceptable, and there wouldn’t be much loss. At worst, she could consider other options next time.
Secondly, the most important factor was the amount of battle damage. Just as the young girl had considered before, comparing the three options, the lake was undoubtedly the one that would cause the least damage to the territory.
The difference in combat power was one aspect. Another was the resistance from beast tides, which would surely occur due to the invasion of death aura. Due to most of them being aquatic creatures, coupled with the solid city walls, the lake would hardly pose a threat to Hades City. As for monsters on land, if there were any powerful beings with earth elemental powers, a single attack on the city walls, whether or not they had the power to destroy the entire wall, even if it was just damaged, would require a lot of her resources for later repairs.
Moreover, land creatures would wander around. The territory was not small now. If a large number of beast tides escaped, it would be difficult to clean them up in a short period.
Even though the undead under Kazumi’s command could work tirelessly 007, the existence of a large amount of flesh and blood creatures within the territory would cause a decrease in the territory’s energy output due to the counteraction of their life energy against death energy. For Kazumi, who might face a major battle soon, even a slight weakening of her strength could be the last straw that leads to failure.
Besides, water resources were also quite important, whether it was for future possible water-type troop buildings or for the chance to convert lake creatures into undead. These were all aspects of strengthening Kazumi’s capabilities.
Especially since Neon was an island nation, water-type troop power would be very important in future large-scale battles. Completing the shortcomings would naturally eliminate weaknesses.
With these thoughts, Kazumi no longer hesitated. She directly summoned the territory panel with her consciousness, and with a strange sense of ascent, the young girl’s vision improved to the previous angle of overlooking the entire territory.
“For the location… it’ll be here.”
Without hesitation, she clicked the button for the lake section and began searching for a placement position on the surrounding void land. After careful consideration, she finally settled on a small gap closest to Hades City.
The young girl chose this location for a reason. Beast tides of aquatic creatures did not require much concern for the safety of the city walls, so a slightly closer position could be chosen. Moreover, it could serve as a starting point to expand into an ocean, as a habitat for future aquatic troops. Also, if Lei wanted to create a moat for Hades City to strengthen its defenses, the proximity of the lake would make it easier to operate.
As Kazumi finished her selection, she exited the previous perspective and returned to the normal view. She directly cast her gaze into the distance. In the next moment, a nauseating aura erupted from not far to the northeast of Hades City. The air in the entire territory visibly flowed, and accompanied by the drifting snowflakes, a harsh, cold wind swept through.
“Let’s go, Lei.”
“Yes, Lord.”
The young girl turned her head expressionlessly, looking at Lei, who was waiting by her side, and the group of ghouls resting on the ground. Little Black emerged from beneath the young girl’s feet and, as usual, carried Kazumi. The silent army of ghouls, under Lei’s command, escorted Kazumi and headed towards the location in the distance with a strong aura of life.
