Lindor of the Dark Army

A red gem about the size of a finger.

No doubt about it.

It was a gem in the exact same form as the soul stone that had contained Tina's soul.

"Now that you've become a proper Magical Fist Lord, I judge it fitting for you to take an interest in crafting your retainers."

Just like the previous box, there was a single book at the bottom.

"Ooh."

This gift consisted of items needed for retainer crafting.

-The Magic King was a mage and alchemist by setting. These gift boxes seem to mostly contain crafting-related items.

'Come to think of it, the last box had the FB Radar.'

And even its blueprint.

Like Cheonma said, the gift boxes might be themed around crafting.

"A noble soul and a mighty body. Both must be prepared for a proper doll to be born."

Drek said that, then glanced at Carpe's chest.

There, Tina and Mirage in doll mode had only their faces peeking out, listening intently to Drek's words.

Seeing the sight, Drek let out a kindly grandfatherly smile and continued.

"Heh heh. With your lineage, you might craft dolls as great as those left by the Magic King. Anyway, it's truly remarkable. Ancient texts say operating two dolls simultaneously is extremely difficult..."

"Ah, yeah, it was."

Carpe nodded.

The Drech-style Doll Art skill did mention that.

The phrase at the end of the skill description: 'can only operate one at a time simultaneously.'

That was what Drek was referring to.

"Guess they have good synergy."

"Mm. Remarkable. Perhaps this is also the great Magic King's arrangement. Arkram..."

Carpe gave an awkward smile as Drek suddenly prayed to the heavens.

Of course, it wasn't synergy that let Carpe operate two dolls at once.

Unlock!

The ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠moment he obtained Mirage, Unlock activated and lifted the restriction. Thanks to that, Carpe could now operate not just two, but all seven at once.

-Well, mana might not be enough for that yet... But by the time I get all seven, it'll be sorted. Man, Unlock is insanely broken. It even lifts balance restrictions—what's the point?

'What do you mean? It's great. A 10-star skill class should be that overpowered. Perfect balance, as expected from a masterpiece game.'

-They only made RaSe... Masterpiece my ass.

Like the gap between 8-star and 9-star skills—mere one rank apart numerically, but worlds in power—9-star and 10-star skills had an enormous difference.

Even considering its random activation, it was undeniably the ultimate cheat skill.

"Now, I should tell you about the next relic."

Finally!

Doll crafting was just a side branch.

The main reason Carpe came to Drek was to get clues on the next relic.

"Please, I'm ready."

"Heh heh. Your enthusiasm gladdens this old man. Hmm... How to explain this..."

Drek paused slightly, then continued with an ambiguous smile.

"Truth be told, you needn't go to any trouble to find the next relic. We Arkram are keeping the third one."

"Ah, like with Tina."

Tina had also been an Arkram-kept relic.

Though back then, the graveyard location led to an undead outbreak.

"No such issues this time. It's in a safe place with no threats."

"I see. So where is it that you're...?"

At Carpe's question, Drek gave a wry smile.

His expression held a regretful 'how did it come to this?'

"In the basement of the Arkram palace. Precisely, the old Arkram Empire's imperial castle."

800 years ago.

Magic King Dretsch unified the Arcrux continent and founded the Arkram Empire.

But after defeat in the War of the Gods, the empire splintered, and the name Arkram faded into history.

"Yet Arkram's lineage did not fully end. We fooled the eyes of the Gods and averted total destruction."

The vast empire shattered into kingdoms, then those into tiny states—too small even for that name—but the bloodline endured.

-Weird. No country called Arkram in current RaSe.

As if hearing Cheonma's doubt, Drek continued.

"Of course, it uses another name now. An unavoidable choice to evade the Gods' eyes."

History is written by victors; the defeated can't even keep their names.

"The kingdom is called Ramark. A rearrangement of Arkram."

-Ah, Ramark. An anagram of Arkram. Probably squeezed between powers, always getting crushed.

The Arcrux continent balanced on four great nations.

The knight nation Gilliant Empire in the south.

The magic kingdom Zenonia in the north.

The holy nation Saint Ru Hal in the west.

And the neutral Lunderia Federation in the east—the starting nation for all users, including Carpe.

'Wait, so all users start in Lunderia Federation?'

-Nah. It's neutral, so easy to move elsewhere. Usually after second job change.

Staying in Lunderia was also an option.

If Leisin was the tutorial, Lunderia was where beginners learned the game up to second job.

The real stage opened after.

Ramark Kingdom was a tiny state sandwiched between Gilliant Empire and Lunderia Federation.

"The third relic is named Lindor of the Dark Army. A Death Knight who led an army of the dead."

"Death Knight!"

-Knight, doppelganger, now Death Knight. Magic King's tastes are all over.

The name alone reeked of power.

No being called Death Knight was ever weak.

"Perfect. So I just head ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to Ramark Kingdom?"

"Indeed. However, the third relic has one flaw."

"Flaw?"

Drek's next words explained his hesitation.

"Lindor's soul stone is currently destroyed. You'll need to find a new soul to grant his body."

"So this soul stone is for that."

-Yeah, weird on reflection. Using a soul stone for a basic doll? Bellybutton bigger than belly.

Per Drek, no blueprint existed for soul stones.

The one handed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to Carpe was the sole remnant from Dretsch 800 years ago. Absurd to waste on a beginner doll.

"A pity. Lindor was a taciturn but kind-hearted knight... To depart first like this."

"Lindor left... Without proper goodbyes."

"All things end. May his final path have been peaceful."

Tina and Mirage were slightly downcast at Lindor's dissipation but didn't grieve deeply.

Their concept of death differed from humans'.

"Soul collecting, huh..."

-Looks headache-inducing. Hard in a whole new way.

Not clearing special event bosses like Mainades or Servant Lord's fragments—this was selecting a soul itself!

-Half-assed won't cut it. Needs at least boss monster caliber.

"Yeah."

And not just any boss—one with intellect.

To properly wield a Death Knight's physical traits and skills.

"Problem is, beating them doesn't guarantee a soul."

As the soul stone description said, defeat yielded only 'very low chance.'

"Ugh. Bosses spawn once every few hours, and very low chance? Insane grind!"

-Very low... At least 1,000 kills?

"Ridiculous. Beyond grind."

Hunting 1,000 bosses?

Capability aside, time impossible.

-Luck might get one on first try. Your luck could.

"That face says you think it won't."

-Heh. Free-loader sheep. Time to grind.

"Sigh. But there's another way."

Second soul method: 100% with consent.

Had to bet on that.

-Still tough. Who'd agree? Maybe someone dying with regrets.

"Yeah. Needs intellect to handle Death Knight body, and conveniently soulless. No such perfect ca—"

Wait.

"There is?"

Superior game knowledge beyond Death Knight, soulless, full of worldly regrets.

Right beside him.

"Hyung."

-...Why that look? No. Imagination, right?

"Death Knight Cheonma. Doesn't that sound cool?"

-Don't come closer. Warned. No soul stone.

"Just once."

-STAY AWAY!!!

The 10-Star Player's Lucky Draw