Rolan stood up and entered the village gates, shutting them firmly behind him. A sense of accomplishment swelled in his chest. He headed straight toward the Crafting Tent, which stood beside the Enchanting Tent at the far corner of the camp. These structures, humble as they were, held the key to his next step.
Just as he approached, Solomon appeared beside him in a shimmer of light.
[Crafting Tent detected]
[Do you want to transfer the Crafting Tent into the Soul Realm?]
[Yes] [No]
"Yes!" Rolan nearly shouted. His heart pounded with excitement. This was the start of something bigger. Now that he had the power to craft within his Soul Realm, he wouldn't need to rely solely on the physical world. Slimes he created would handle the labor, each one bound to his will, guided by fragments of his mind like extensions of his hands.
The tent was devoured by the void, seamlessly absorbed into the Soul Realm. Inside, slimes immediately swarmed over their tasks, efficient and tireless.
[Barrier fully analyzed]
[Detected: Spell Resistance, Spatial Resistance, Physical Resistance, Disorienting-Space Barriers, Multiple Regenerative Barriers]
[Multi-Barrier Skill is now an Exclusive Skill]
[Free the Demon King from the Barrier?]
[Yes] [No]
"Yes."
The magical prison cracked, then shattered. Light rippled across the Soul Realm as the Demon King was finally released. Rolan turned the corner and spotted him—soaking lazily in a hot spring built by the slimes, grapes in hand, looking completely at peace.
"Reginald! You're free!" Rolan called out, his voice echoing.
"Yes! At last—Muahahaha!" Reginald stood with a flourish, his laughter booming. "From now on, I shall be your brother. I will protect you and crush anyone who dares harm you. My loyalty is yours."
He placed a heavy, warm hand on Rolan's shoulder, eyes glittering with sincerity.
"Thanks. I'm glad you're finally free," Rolan said. "But listen—you can't go out into the real world yet. If anyone finds out you're loose, it could cause chaos. Just stay here, keep a low profile, and watch over things."
Reginald nodded. "Understood. Just summon me if trouble knocks."
"I will. Hold the fort for now."
"You got it."
With that, Rolan turned and made his way to the Crafting Tent within his Soul Realm.
[Crafting Tent detected]
[Learn Craftsmanship?]
[Yes] [No]
"Always a yes."
[Craftsman Job Class selected]
[Assimilating Craftsman class to soul...]
[Assimilation complete]
[Crafting Skills Unlocked]
[Unlocked: Craft Ring, Necklace, Torch, Shield, Bow, Arrows, Tent, Bedroll, Wooden Spears, Throwing Knives, Javelins, and more...]
[Mission: A Newbie Craftsman]
Objectives:
• Craft a ring and necklace, then enchant them
• Craft torches for village lighting
• Craft bows and arrows for the guards
• Craft wooden shields, spears, daggers, throwing knives, javelins
• Craft a tent and bedroll
• Forge iron armor, greatsword, and axe
• Craft leather armor for the guards
Reward: Throwing Skill
With his new skills unlocked, Rolan got to work immediately.
He crafted 10 torches using cloth, sticks, and oil, and handed them over to the guards. Next, he smelted iron and forged two rings and a necklace in the mold—ready to be enchanted later.
Then came the bows. Rolan fire-bent the wood, recurved it, and strung the bow. He crafted arrows tipped with iron and fletched with feathers. Four quivers were completed.
For shields, he sliced hardwood into boards and encased them with iron rings—seven shields done.
He then forged three daggers and crafted three belts of throwing knives, each containing five knives.
Next came six javelins with pouches and six spears, all tipped with iron. He sewed a tent and a bedroll using animal hides and rope—something Aizen had been wishing for.
He also tanned leather and created basic armor sets. Finally, he tackled the toughest part—iron armor, greatswords, and axes, both one- and two-handed.
Once done, he returned to the guards.
[Congratulations! Mission complete]
[Reward: Throwing Skill acquired]
[Level Up! Craftsman Level 2]
[New Mission: Build Troops in the Village]
Reward: Strengthen Village Defenses
Troop Requirements (Basic Tier):
Militia – 1 Sword + 1 Shield
Spearman – Leather Armor + Spear + Shield
Skirmisher – Leather Armor + Spear + Shield + 2 Javelins
Footman – Leather Armor + Sword + Shield
Archer – Leather Armor + Bow + Arrows + Sword
Rogue – Leather Armor + Dagger + 5 Throwing Knives
Warrior – Iron Armor + Greatsword
Berserker – Iron Armor + Axe
Torch Bearer – Leather Armor + Sword + Torch
Rolan distributed the crafted gear, converting the villagers into organized troops.
[All items expended]
[Creating troops...]
+4 Archers
+7 Footmen
+3 Rogues
+3 Skirmishers
+3 Spearmen
+2 Berserkers
+2 Warriors
+10 Torch Bearers
Rolan then approached the Enchanting Tent. He saw a solitary enchanting table with several scrolls lying nearby.
[Enchanting Tent detected]
[Transfer to Soul Realm?]
"Yes!"
[Devour Skill activated]
[Enchanting Tent transferred]
[Start Enchanting?]
[Yes] [No]
"A yes for me!"
[Enchanter Job Class selected]
[Assimilating Enchanter to soul...]
[Assimilation complete]
[Enchantments Unlocked: Durability, Steal, Elemental Damage, Movement Speed, Attack Speed, Stat Imbuement, Defense, Resistance, Willpower, Vital Stats, Regeneration, Governed Stats]
Rolan placed a scroll on the table and set the ring atop it. After a moment of consideration, he selected Life Steal—restoring 1 HP per hit.
Next, he enchanted the necklace with Attack Speed, granting a 10% bonus.
[Ring Effect: +1 Life Steal per hit]
[Necklace Effect: +10% Attack Speed]
"Solomon, create slimes for the Crafting and Enchanting tents."
[Affirmative]
[3 Slimes assigned to Crafting]
[3 Slimes assigned to Enchanting]
"Good. You're the best," Rolan smiled.
He retreated to his resting area within the Soul Realm. A full day passed while the production team gathered and prepared items—just in case war ever came.
[Character Sheet]
Brawn: One-Handed, Two-Handed
Precision: Bow, Throwing
Agility: Hand Coordination
Endurance: Stamina, Defense
Social/Charisma: Persuasion, Management
Intelligence: Engineering, Alchemy, Enchanting, Blacksmithing
[Equipped Items & Inventory]
Weapons
Main Hand
Iron Short Sword – 3 Physical Damage, Fast Attack Speed
Off Hand
Iron Short Sword – 3 Physical Damage, Fast Attack Speed
Armor
Body
Iron Light Armor – 10 Physical Defense
Cloak
Ranger's Cloak – +1 Camouflage
Arms
Iron Light Bracers – 5 Physical Defense
Feet
Iron Light Boots – 5 Physical Defense
Belt
Potion Belt – 1 Defense, Carries 4 Potions
Dagger Belt – Back: Holds 1 Dagger
Dual Sword Sheath – Back: Holds 2 Swords
Accessories
Necklace: +10% Attack Speed
Ring: +1 Life Steal per Hit
Inventory
Rations (3 days)
Water Canteen (3 miles worth)
Flintstones (x2)
Whetstones (x4 uses)
Iron Longsword
Holy Water (x2 uses)