Chapter 184: Million Miler

Words : 1350 Updated : Sep 21st, 2025

Chapter 184: Million Miler The little money grubber had to sit down for the accounting that D-29 was about to rain on him. Well, technically, Luca was well aware of his spending as he was someone who would fret whenever he bought anything. Because in the back of his mind, what would he do when all the contaminated areas were cleared? Where would he be able to get any more CP to fund anything? Of course, that was wishful thinking. They couldn’t even clean the entirety of Kestrel Point and only dealt with that huge valley after a day of focused cleaning. Given that, when would they be able to deal with all of it? Maybe in the next life. So, there was no use in pondering over it right now. What was more important was seeing how gutted he would be once the final totals came out. And it was D-29 who came up with the dreaded numbers. [Starting Balance: 87,100 CP] [Environmental Corruption: 929,270 CP] [Beast Purification: 512,730 CP] [Total: 1,529,100 CP] Wow. It was the first time he had saved up this much in CP! Luca’s eyes trembled at the beautiful-looking number before remembering just how he was about to lose two-thirds of it with a press of one prompt. Was this the right thing to do? He really wanted to ask himself, but this was already the third prompt of D-29, and he felt like the little system would overheat if he didn’t press the button to upgrade. And so he did, and it started the familiar process of him losing CP. It’s just that now, the others would get to witness it too! [INITIALIZING: DUNGEON UPGRADE TO LEVEL 3...] [TROVE UPGRADE GRANTED] [PURIFICATION CHAMBER ACCESS GRANTED] [DUNGEON-LINKED SPACE AVAILABLE] [SETTLEMENT EXPANSION GRANTED] The prompts came one after the other, but this time, Luca expected the tremors as he watched the string of lines that cost him more than an arm and a leg. [DUNGEON UPGRADE COMPLETE] But the tremors were late. And he thought for a moment that maybe they had been scammed! However, Luca figured that it was because, this time, they weren’t just encountering tremors, much to the surprise of the chickies in the coop. But unlike the last time they were caught off guard, the elders were now prepared and thought that it was the perfect time to expand this space because one gluttonous tortoise had cleared out their fields. Then, they were thankful because the space shuddered, and the ground rumbled as if the very foundation of the dungeon was shifting from the underground level they were standing on. So, imagine what would’ve happened if they had remaining crops?! The horror! The elders felt that it resembled an opening lotus, with its space breathing outward and unfurling like beautiful petals. And obviously, it was beautiful because they were safe, unlike the last time! Better yet, the farmlands they tended to suddenly stretched, with new soil rising from the depths like waves rolling onto shore. Their smaller patches had now expanded severalfold, forming wide, rolling fields of fertile land. The energy in the air was denser, and every grain of soil thrummed with spiritual energy. But the biggest change? The moment the land settled, something sprouted. Tiny shoots of fresh greenery, wild spiritual herbs, and even young saplings emerged from the newly expanded fields as if the land itself was eager to flourish. It wasn’t just space that had increased—it was life itself. However, the ground wasn’t the only thing changing. Near the edges of the expanded land, a deep rumbling echoed—the sound of water returning to its rightful place. The once-modest ponds and streams within the Dungeon began to swell and widen, carving new paths as they snaked across the landscape. Streams grew into rivers, shallow waters deepened, and in the distance, a brilliant, shimmering lake took form once again. The new bodies of water weren’t just bigger—they were stronger. Best of all? Jax saw how the one small streams were now interconnected, forming a natural irrigation system for the expanded farmlands. This meant that he wouldn’t have to trek that far to get more water for his children! Or maybe he really should consider getting that water tank on Star Mall? But thoughts about online shopping would have to wait. Because just when they thought the changes were over, a metallic humming noise rumbled through the space as pylons started rising from the ground. They appeared one by one and were scattered in the layout before them. For their own safety, they were actually just watching the 3D hologram of the entire space but could definitely see new sets of circles encasing much of the land. Like an area of effect. "What are those?" Asked Luca, who tried pointing at one, only to be greeted by a new prompt. [ACTIVATE ENERGY STABILIZER?] [REQUIREMENT: ENERGY CRYSTAL x 1] [YES] [NO] "Energy stabilizer?! But there are so many! If I activate each one, just how many Energy Crystals would we need?!" Exclaimed the penny pincher. "That would be 64 Energy Crystals, Host! According to the manual, these regulate ambient spiritual energy, creating a stable environment by virtue of constant circulation." "It seems like this is a response to the sudden expansion of the space, which would likely shock the areas with the changing energy distribution." Luca figured he understood why. A bigger area and more aggressive flora might siphon more energy, leaving particular spaces with less than usual. Hmm. But 64? Did he have enough?! He did. But it looks like even if he didn’t. He would have to make ends meet because how would the other areas cope without these stabilizers? "Brother. Can we go see these energy stabilizers?" Ollie asked because they sounded suspiciously similar to what they actually needed. While they still needed to find something to keep the energy in, if they could replicate these stabilizers, they’d have something to actually contain. And it was a rush trying to find the nearest one for it really sounded promising. Because it definitely was. Provided you ignore the solid 150,000 CP Blueprint price tag cost. The little money grubber felt like he needed his own nebulizer but managed to keep it together because of Xavier. It was subtle and a little whispered, but Xavier said, "It’s okay if the CP isn’t enough; we’ll go back there to get you more." Luca’s lips trembled, and he figured it had been a good decision to fatten up his husband, who was now volunteering to once again be a point generator! But before he could say anything other than nod, D-29 added a little more tidbit from the manual it had just processed. "Host, according to calculations, the Energy Stabilizers should increase the expected survival rates of plants by 73%!" That was clearly better than their zero changes earlier. It was just that one particular Duke narrowed his eyes at the number. "Only 73%?" Butler Gary coughed. "That’s... quite high, Your Grace." The Duke crossed his arms. He wanted 100%. Because what if they still don’t make it after that 73%? How would he have any face to show his son?! However, the Duke didn’t have much time to lament his new insecurities. Not when the Dungeon wasn’t done with making every CP worthwhile. From the Dungeon’s surface, small stone formations began to emerge, slowly ascending and taking shape. And everyone watched as they grew taller and broader, aligning with precision until they formed an immense structure of towering pillars. As the final pieces settled into place, the entire formation pulsed with an otherworldly glow. Intricate runes etched into the stone radiate a soft, ethereal light. A contained purification vortex. One that would continue to threaten a few guardians every time it was operated. But the Dungeon was now relatively complete, provided the belt would be loosened for some hefty impending upgrades! D-29 sighed. All it wanted was to survive. So, why did he have to be in charge of explaining these new and incoming expenses?!

Chapter 184: Million Miler

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