I looked at Rex.
"So..."
"Party Skills."
"You could've told me about those a little sooner."
Rex laughed.
"I wanted you to discover the importance of teamwork yourself."
"Besides..."
"You learn faster through experience."
"I guess you have a point."
Either way...
The Party Skill was a massive boost.
Our little army had become even stronger.
A few hours later...
We finally returned home.
The gates opened by themselves.
"Welcome home, Master."
"Base 101 is at your service."
I smiled.
"It feels good to be back."
DING!
Base Mission Complete!
Rewards Received
15 Horses
100 Meat
100 Fish
100 Grain
Skill Shop Unlocked
Your followers may now purchase and evolve skills.
Army System Activated
I looked at Rex.
"So..."
"How does the Army System work?"
"It is simple."
"You may select up to ten soldiers."
"They will enter a combat simulation."
"Inside, they train for hours..."
"But only minutes pass outside."
"You receive three training sessions before the system enters a twenty-five-hour cooldown."
"So..."
"I can train thirty soldiers every day?"
"Correct."
I couldn't stop smiling.
"This is going to make my army ridiculously strong."
"What about the Skill Shop?"
"It allows both you and your followers to purchase new skills."
"Later..."
"You will also unlock Skill Evolution."
My eyes lit up.
"That's incredible."
I turned toward Zora.
"Time for your first assignment."
"I want you to learn how to control the Base."
She nodded confidently.
"Yes, Boss."
A System window appeared.
Skill Detected
Base Operations
Accept?
YES
The moment she accepted...
The Base itself began responding.
DING!
Zora has leveled up!
Base Synchronization:
45%
Forge Unlocked
Living Quarters Unlocked
Kitchen Unlocked
Ten New Base Missions Available.
Speak with Zora to receive them.
Ben laughed proudly.
"I told you my wife was amazing."
"I believe you now."
I looked around the Base.
It was changing before my eyes.
The Forge roared to life.
Beds appeared inside the Living Quarters.
The Kitchen filled itself with fresh ingredients.
This place...
Was becoming a real home.
I gathered everyone together.
"You all know why we're here."
"We all have strengths."
"We all have weaknesses."
"My job isn't to make you perfect."
"It's to make sure your strengths overcome your weaknesses."
"If you continue growing..."
"We'll build something no one can destroy."
"We are Base 101."
"We will never bully the weak."
"But we will never allow anyone to bully us."
"We stand together."
"We fight together."
"We rise together."
"We are one!"
DING!
New Party Skill Unlocked
Call of Strength
All Party Members:
+80 Strength
Leon stared at me in disbelief.
"Boss..."
"Are you secretly a god?"
"The Systems love you."
I laughed.
"I haven't even met a god yet."
"I'm just as confused as you are."
Then another question crossed my mind.
"Leon."
"Your System is Assassin-type, right?"
"Yes, sir."
"Rex."
"Can you connect with Leon's System?"
"Not yet."
"He must continue proving himself."
"Your personal ranks and the Party System are different."
"The Party System recognizes merit."
A new window appeared.
Party Rankings
Leader
Sam Martin — Rank 0
Level 15
Captain
Ben — Rank 1
Level 32
General
Chief Lord — Rank 2
Level 45
Base Operator
Zora — Rank 3
Level 27
Warlock
Goblin Shaman — Rank 4
Level 30
Assassin
Leon — Rank 5
Level 16
Goblin Squad
Squad Bonus:
Each Goblin grants Captain Ben
+5 Strength
+5 Dexterity
"Interesting..."
"So every member strengthens another."
"Exactly."
"The stronger your army becomes..."
"The stronger every individual becomes."
I checked my equipment.
Equipment
Weapons
9mm Pistol
Basic Sword
Armor
Basic Gear
Boots
None
I sighed.
"I definitely need better equipment."
Everyone laughed.
That evening...
I entered the Kitchen.
Using my new Cooking skill, I prepared roasted meat and vegetables from the cookbook.
It wasn't perfect...
But it smelled pretty good.
Cooking Level Up!
"So..."
"How is it?"
Ben smiled.
"Not bad."
George laughed loudly.
"I've eaten worse!"
Zora looked around the living Base with amazement.
"Boss..."
"I don't think you understand what kind of Base this is."
"This Base is alive."
"It grows."
"It evolves."
"One day..."
"It could become the strongest Base in the world."
I smiled.
"That's why I have all of you."
"You understand things I don't."
"So make me proud."
"I'll handle protecting everyone."
Zora opened a glowing mission board.
"There are ten Base Missions available."
"Some are extremely dangerous."
"But three Dungeon Missions have appeared."
"Easy."
"Normal."
"Hard."
Ben folded his arms.
"I've cleared Dungeons before."
"The Easy Dungeon would be the smartest place to begin."
I nodded.
"Agreed."
"We'll test our teamwork first."
"No unnecessary risks."
"Everyone get some rest."
"We leave at sunrise."
DING!
Dungeon Mission Selected
Defend the Elf Kingdom
Difficulty: Easy
Objective:
Protect the Elf Kingdom from the incoming monster wave until the defense is complete.
Rewards
Pet Egg
SMG
Assassin Gear
+10 to All Stats
I looked around at my companions.
Tomorrow...
Base 101 would enter its very first Dungeon.