Free Web NovelChapter 7: Level 2 Watch Tower
The ten Nightmare Stones floated in the air as if an invisible string were pulling them upward.
Instantly, all ten of them cracked, and a white viscous liquid appeared in their place.
The liquid began to move around the ’Unbroken Fire’, carving itself into a tower-like structure.
It condensed into a wooden form with a long cylindrical shape, a wider base, and a narrow top.
Light began to condense at the top of the ⟨Watch Tower⟩ from the ’Unbroken Fire’, and an extended platform appeared around the light.
’...This looks like a lighthouse.’
Edgar thought to himself as he looked at the light that illuminated the entire fortress brightly.
A lens rotated around the light, throwing beams of condensed light around the fortress.
Edgar observed the newly created ⟨Watch Tower⟩ as new lines appeared in front of him.
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Building Name: ⟨Watch Tower⟩
Building Grade: ⟨White⟩
Building Level: ⟨Level 1⟩
Building Abilities:
Can condense a beam of light into the surrounding area, inflicting a certain level of damage to low-level Nightmares.
Can automatically target Nightmares if they get too close to the fortress or move at the lord’s command.
Requires one Nightmare Stone a day to function.
Upgrade Requirement: ⟨15 Nightmare Stones⟩
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Edgar looked at the ⟨Watch Tower⟩ and couldn’t help but nod to himself.
This was genuinely something that could provide assistance in times of need.
A ⟨Watch Tower⟩ like this would rarely be present in a broken fortress like his own.
’...Though, can this really help me with today’s predicament?’
As Edgar stared at the fortress, he couldn’t help but feel his paranoia getting the better of him.
Edgar didn’t know how strong his enemy was, and that was the most terrifying thing to him.
’If the Humanoid Night or even the leader of the Snow Hand Rabbit attacks, can this thing help me survive?’
For some unexplainable reason, he felt it would be difficult.
’Should I upgrade it to Level 2?’
Edgar glanced at the requirement for upgrading the tower and hesitated.
He still had seventeen Nightmare Stones with him. If he played his cards right, he could earn his investment back within a few days.
Taking a deep breath, Edgar stopped hesitating. He took out fifteen more Nightmare Stones and placed them in front of him.
Oswald stood in the corner and observed his young master. He neither stopped him nor questioned his decision.
The stones floated once again when Edgar willed the ⟨Watch Tower⟩ to upgrade.
A prompt appeared in front of him, taking him by surprise.
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Choose the Upgrade Path:
1⟩ Increase the range of the condensed beam.
2⟩ Increase the power output of the light.
3⟩ Add an automatic crossbow that will attack nearby Nightmares.
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Edgar looked at the three paths and fell into deep thought.
He quickly eliminated the first, as he didn’t need a longer-range weapon.
The third option was tempting, but Edgar decided not to use it.
’But I could still make a crossbow or even a simple bow later on.’ ƒгeewёbnovel.com
Without thinking for too long, he decided to go with the second path.
The Nightmare Stones broke once again, and the white liquid submerged into the ⟨Watch Tower⟩, making it glow.
A stone outer frame appeared on the side of the tower, making it sturdier.
The light at the top flared up even more and burned brightly.
The lens used to condense the light of the ⟨Watch Tower⟩ also changed, becoming larger and more refined.
Two holes appeared on the outer surface of the tower, perfectly sized to fit Nightmare Stones.
The lower part of the tower partially opened, allowing it to draw power directly from the ’Unbroken Fire’.
Edgar let out a sigh and felt a heartache at his diminishing reserves.
’I will recover them soon.’
He drew in a deep breath and glanced at Oswald, who was marveling at the tower.
"Can you create some porridge from the leftover grains and rice?" he asked gently. "I will take some rest after eating."
"Of course, young master." He replied with a smile. "Just give me a second."
Oswald quickly prepared the meal, which Edgar ate with difficulty.
’He is not a good cook.’
Edgar grumbled before he fell asleep on his bed.
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When Edgar’s eyes opened, it was already past three o’clock.
The indistinct voices in his ears gradually became clearer.
Edgar frowned and quickly walked out of his house.
In front of the fortress, Oswald was talking with two people.
One of them was a middle-aged lady with a relatively good physique and figure.
She had black hair and brown eyes, and her face was contorted with pain and despair.
Beside her stood a young boy around sixteen years old with a strikingly similar face.
Edgar found their appearance odd and quickly walked towards old man Oswald.
"What happened?"
The old butler looked at him and sighed.
"They are asking for help, young master, but they are without Nightmare Stones...."
Edgar turned to look at the two of them, observing them carefully.
The lady bowed her head and spoke in a broken voice.
"My name is Viera, and this is my son, Andrew. We are from the Southern Bullan Clan. On our way to the Sarogan Bazaar, we were attacked by bandits."
Her voice kept becoming more strained as she struggled to retell the story.
"My husband lost his life to give me and my son a chance to escape. I beg you, sir... please let us stay here just for today. The Eternal Night will arrive soon...."
’Hmm, his son is in good condition. Perhaps he can be put to good use, and she can be useful as well.’
Edgar patiently listened to her entire story and asked,
"Can you cook?"
The lady was taken aback and stared blankly for a second before nodding her head.
"Yes! I have worked in a tavern before!"
Edgar nodded and looked at Oswald standing beside him.
"What do you think?"
Oswald shook his head.
"It’s up to you to decide."
Edgar looked back at the mother and son, who were anxiously waiting for his response.
He let out a sigh.
"Repay me with some good food," he replied. "You can leave when you have repaid your debt."
Viera immediately broke down into tears and bowed her head deeply.
"Thank you! Thank you!"
Edgar waved his hand and invited them inside. He didn’t dwell on them too much.
After providing them with an empty house, he began preparing for the long night.
Edgar checked all four of his [Beast Trap]s and threw them around the fortress with the ends of their ropes tied to poles.
Viera and her son, whose name was Andrew, sat close to the ’Unbroken Fire’, lost in thought.
The dull grey-black sky began to clear up, and the Eternal Night began to sweep across the world once again.
But before it could become completely dark, a man appeared at the entrance of the fortress.
He was tall, badly injured, and had a bearded face.
Viera immediately cried out in joy when she saw him.
"Husband!!"
