10,000x Reward Multiplier: Hell-level Kingdom Building

[ Your follower ’Jabba’ has completed quest ’Swing a two-handed warhammer 10,000 times’. 400 EXP has been distributed ]

[ Your follower ’Jabba’ has leveled up from the distributed EXP. Current level: 8 ]

[ Your follower ’Jabba’ has completed quest ’Swing a two-handed warhammer vertically 500 times’. 200 EXP has been distributed ]

....

[ Your follower ’Anton’ has completed quest ’Train with your favourite weapon for one hour’. 400 EXP has been distributed ]

[ Your follower ’Anton’ has leveled up from the distributed EXP. Current level: 8 ]

It was the middle of the night, and the moon had pushed past the dark clouds, casting a pale glow over the land. Despite the silence that blanketed the village, three figures occupied a quiet area within it, training relentlessly without pause.

Perspiration clung heavily to their bodies, soaking their clothes and skin, yet neither of the two men paid any attention to the discomfort. Their muscles strained under intense pressure, screaming for relief, yet neither of them heeded those warning signs.

Jabba wielded a two-handed warhammer, swinging it repeatedly against a sturdy rock boulder with unwavering focus, each strike heavy and forceful. Floki and Anton stood off to the side, watching him.

Jabba’s breathing was ragged as he continued to swing the heavy weapon he had purposely requested. According to him, the weapon gave him a sense of control and dominance over his opponents. It was a strange attachment, considering he had never used such a weapon before. He had only seen it once after Floki purchased it, yet he had fallen in love with it almost instantly.

Anton, on the other hand, had chosen two weapons.

A one-handed battleaxe and a longsword.

He preferred balance. One weapon offered controlled speed and reach, while the other provided brutal smashing power against his enemies.

Both brothers had already reached a commendable level of proficiency with their respective weapons, especially considering they had only obtained them a few hours ago. Their improvement was clear with every movement they made.

Aside from weapon mastery, Anton and Jabba’s levels had also increased significantly. Anton had risen from level 4, while Jabba had advanced from level 5. Now, both of them stood firmly at level 8.

It was rapid growth, something that would normally be impossible. However, it became achievable because Floki could create simple and short quests that appeared difficult. As a result, he could allocate more experience points than such tasks would usually deserve.

The satisfied grin on his face was clear proof that he enjoyed discovering and exploiting that advantage.

"998"

Jabba’s exhausted yet determined voice echoed out as he swung his warhammer with raw ferocity.

"999"

He swung again, forcing strength into his arms.

"1000"

With that final count, he collapsed heavily onto the ground, gasping for breath as his chest rose and fell rapidly.

[ Your follower ’Jabba’ has completed quest ’Swing a two-handed warhammer horizontally 1,000 times’. 300 EXP has been distributed ]

Floki smiled as he observed the progress and walked up to him, Anton strolling beside him.

"You did a great job," he said with a small, approving smile.

Jabba smiled back, both pride and exhaustion evident on his sweaty face.

"I... want to... go more!"

"I know. But you should rest for the meantime. It is Anton’s turn."

Jabba nodded in agreement.

Even though he wanted to grow stronger as quickly as possible, he also wanted his younger brother to become strong. Because of that, he stepped aside without any complaint or resentment.

Anton then proceeded with his usual routine.

He slashed his sword multiple times with as much grace and control as he could manage, each movement deliberate and refined. Then he followed up with a quick leap and a powerful smash using his battleaxe, striking with precision.

His routine was more complex. He performed a series of different, coordinated movements that he had created himself, all while imagining that he was engaged in a real battle.

While Anton trained,

Floki moved to a resting area, brought out a half-absorbed monster core, and sat down. Without delay, he entered meditation.

Refined Meditation activated automatically, and his absorption process began. He steadily accumulated three different stats from the monster core at once, and at a rapid and consistent rate.

This had become his routine alongside his men.

While they trained, he meditated and absorbed monster cores.

Although it was mentally taxing to switch between tasks several times every hour, Floki did not complain.

So far, despite the rigid routine and constant disturbance, he had managed to absorb six additional monster cores. This brought his total mana reserve to 295.

About twenty minutes into his absorption, his mana reserve crossed 300, and the monster core he was currently absorbing became completely depleted.

A familiar notification appeared across his retina.

[ Your follower ’Anton’ has completed quest ’Master your dual weapon technique’. 300 EXP has been distributed ]

[ Your follower ’Anton’ has leveled up from the distributed EXP. Current level: 9 ]

’Finally...’

Anton had reached level 9 and was now only a little over a thousand experience points away from reaching level 10.

’That should be possible before midnight with the remaining quests I have prepared for them,’ Floki thought as he stood up and walked toward them.

Anton was currently observing his own body with an amazed expression, clearly feeling the ethereal sensation of becoming stronger.

"Young chief... this feeling... what is the true secret of the quest?" Anton asked, turning to him with both curiosity and excitement in his eyes.

"It is a mystery for now," Floki replied with a faint smile. "I am sure you feel stronger and more energized than before, right?"

Anton nodded without hesitation.

"Thank you for the honour, young chief. I promise to serve you with this power you have bestowed upon me forever," he swore sincerely.

"I know you wouldn’t."

After the brief exchange, Floki handed Jabba his next quest and returned to meditate once more.

As time passed, midnight approached, and the night laugher’s terrifying laughter suddenly tore through the quiet peace of the village.

The sound was sharp and unnatural, echoing across the surroundings and sending a chill through the air.

Jabba and Anton were momentarily shaken by the sudden sound, their bodies stiffening for a brief second, but they quickly regained focus and returned to their training, seemingly unbothered.

The people of Ironside had already grown used to the sound. Most of them remained asleep despite it.

"Oh my God!"

"Get me out of here. It is the night laugher."

"Mummy!"

"Please, anyone, help me!"

It was a completely different situation for the Blackstone soldiers who were bound and left outside.

They screamed and cried like terrified children, their voices breaking in fear, deeply regretting ever coming to Ironside. Some of them even lost control of their bodies due to fear and soiled themselves.

The soldiers were bound not too far away from where the two brothers were training, so their desperate voices could be clearly heard.

Jabba and Anton ignored them completely.

Floki remained immersed in his meditation and did not even bother to listen.

Hours passed.

The night laugher’s horrifying voice mixed with the soldiers’ cries, forming a disturbing and unpleasant cacophony that filled the surrounding area and lingered in the air.

By that moment, Jabba and Anton had completed their training.

They had both finally reached level 10.

Floki stood proudly in front of them, his presence carrying the weight of a powerful and composed warrior.

"Rest tonight. We strike soon."

The simple phrase triggered something deep within the two brothers, and they responded with loud chants.

"Death to Blackstone!"

After repeating the chant a few more times, they bade Floki farewell and returned to their room to rest.

Floki remained behind. The air outside was cooler than inside his hut, so he decided to continue absorbing monster cores there.

However, standing not too far away from him, concealed by a powerful invisibility skill that could not be detected, was none other than Breeze.

His lazy eyes lingered on Floki’s meditative figure for a few seconds, and a faint smile slowly crept onto his face.

"It is time. My freedom is nil," he said quietly.

Then he vanished without a trace.

At that exact moment, Floki’s eyes slowly opened, a faint frown appearing on his face.

He had already been notified a few minutes earlier about Breeze’s arrival within his territory.

Yet he did not react or attempt to search for him, as he was completely certain that Breeze would not harm him or his people.

Instead, he chose to play along, acting as though he was unaware of Breeze’s presence, and continued training his men as usual.

Even so, he made sure not to reveal any crucial information that could potentially ruin his plans.

He also stopped displaying his quest-giving scrolls openly and instead read out the quests as though he was simply giving instructions. This way, Breeze would not understand their true nature and would assume that Floki was training his men through normal methods.

Despite these precautions, a single concern remained in his mind.

Would Breeze report this to his master? And if he did, what actions would follow?

Clearing his mind, he continued improving himself.

Morning came, and the people resumed their duties.

Time passed, and afternoon approached. The two brothers had finally finished resting.

Seeing that Floki was still busy, they stood guard and prevented the villagers from disturbing him.

Night finally approached.

Only then did Floki stop meditating.

He rose.

His body emitted a stronger presence than before.

His physical strength had increased significantly.

His eyes shone with sharper intelligence.

His perception of mana had become extremely refined. With enough focus, he could now see the sparse particles of mana drifting across the village.

His people had gathered around him, watching him with various expressions in their eyes.

Fear could be seen, not directed at Floki, but at the mystery that this particular night held.

Children hugged their parents. Couples held hands and stared at him silently.

Campfires were set around him, providing adequate illumination while adding to the ominous silence that enveloped the entire village.

Floki placed his hand on his neck and cracked it comfortably.

Then he spoke in a cold tone.

"Tonight is the night."

"Everyone get indoors. Close your doors tightly. Under no circumstances should anyone step out."

"I forbid any of you from watching when it arrives."

He spoke, his tone growing colder with each word.

The villagers were adamant.

They did not want to leave his side.

They knew what was about to take place. They understood how impossible survival seemed.

They spoke up, wanting to at least watch.

Jabba and Anton wanted to fight by his side.

They believed their new increase in strength would be of help.

But he coldly rejected them.

"Leave it to me and calm your hearts."