When Brock, Dale, and Phil headed to the Dungeon with Dale and Phil, they passed the shabby shacks where workers hung out the Shadow fabrics. Phil explained to Dale how the fabrics were made and absorbed light to appear pitch black, especially at night. From this memory, I knew they would be suitable to conceal the luminosity emanating from the Golem core and Rune Armor. Even our limbs, created from Blue Mana Tendrils, were hidden.

Once we ensured the disguise hid our Golem features, we headed to the outer wall of the Falar Kingdom. The wall was an imposing structure, towering up to 39 feet and spanning 10 feet in thickness. Its composition blended stones in shades of grey and brown, giving it a rugged and ageless look. Sentries patrolled the ramparts, their watchful eyes scanning the surrounding lands for potential threats. Along the length of the wall, wooden watchtowers rose to a height of 30 meters at 100-meter intervals. The towers served as crucial vantage points, enabling the Kingdom's soldiers to monitor the area and respond to any attacks swiftly. The fortifications were built to protect the Kingdom against armies, monsters, and bandits that were known to roam the lands of Arya.

Two guards pointed their weapons at us as we approached the entry gate. I spoke to them using their language but intentionally added a heavy accent to avoid sounding like a native of the Kingdom. After I explained our purpose and affliction, the guards permitted us to pass, but they looked disgusted.

I appreciated the Interface, which translated my thoughts from English into Falaran. The guards' responses and the words painted on wooden boards and the walls were also translated.

"Boss, I can't believe your idea worked!" exclaimed Builder.

"You understood what I said to them in their language?" I asked.

"Miner and I learned it when you captured Brock's soul. You want me to try speaking Falaran?" Builder explained.

"Not right now. The guards might send someone to follow us." I whispered.

I suspected my performance didn't entirely convince the Guards.

"If they're following us, do we have to go to the Heroes Church to prove our purpose?" the Builder whispered.

"Of course not! The Heroes Church does not allow visitors and pilgrims to enter at this hour of the night. We go directly to Brock's place to grab his coin purse and a few things to gain entry into the Gamebler's Den." I explained.

"Are they still gambling at this hour, Boss?" asked Builder.

"Casinos are always open to schmucks who have money to waste. For now, follow me closely." I explained.

With Brock's memories as my guide, we navigated through the deserted residential streets of the Falar Kingdom at night.

The Heroes Church, built atop a small hill, was made of gleaming white marble. Its walls and pillars are intricately detailed with precious stones, gold, silver, and diamonds. There are hundreds of Holy Elemental Cores, each emitting a soft, radiant light that bathes the surroundings in a gentle glow.

"Boss! I think I have been inspired!" Builder whispered.

"Inspired to build a Church in my Dungeon?" I ask.

"My architectural skill allows me to copy the designs of all the buildings we pass. I can recreate the basic houses with Stone, clay, sand and wood. However, after scanning the exterior of the Church, my skill unlocked a dozen blueprints related to Holy Architecture. But they need marble, precious stones, silver, gold, diamonds, and Holy Elemental cores. If I build one, I feel like it will allow me to unlock an evolution branch when I rank up to Stone." Builder explained.

So, seeing unique architecture improves Builder's potential?

"After we retrieve the Imps and return to the Dungeon, we can discuss this in detail," I replied.

We resumed our journey to Brock's place. For some reason, he never moved out of the slums. My best guess is that he wanted to be near his bastards, who lived on the scrap he was willing to spare. The house he built for himself was not pleasing to the eye, but it hid many coins and treasures if you knew where to look.

"How do we get in, Boss?" Builder asked.

I explained to the Builder that Brock knew everyone in the area knew how to lockpick. So, instead of storing his valuables in a safe, he preferred to hide them. We then entered Brock's spacious home, where I directed Builder towards a mirror attached to the wall.

The mirror opened like a door, and behind it were two bags of 30 gold coins each. These high-quality fancy shadow cloaks were superior to the loose shadow fabric wrapped around our bodies. They also had hoods to hide our heads properly. Finally, my eyes rested on Brock's best treasure—his Lucky Bone Dice!

"What's with the Dice?" Builder asked as I stroked them.

[Lucky Bone Dice

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Teresa, the deity of probability, blessed the dice with a unique ability. When you call out a number before throwing, the dice have a 70% chance of landing on that number by default. However, if you whisper the magical words, "It's my lucky day!" once every 24 hours, the dice will defy the odds and land on the number you called out with a 100% chance]

After reading out the details to the Builder, he appeared mesmerized by the dice, so I gave it to him.

"Why are you giving me the dice, Boss?" Builder asked.

"I will be busy with the Agent, so you can earn us some Gold Coins at the tables till I'm finished. But don't use the ability until there's an all-or-nothing bet. Now, put on the Shadow Cloak. It is fancy enough to make us look wealthy." I advised.

After leaving the Slums, we headed to the market square where the Gambler's Den is. Since the Falar Kingdom is a capital of the continent of sorts, it demanded facilities that served the needs of wealthy tourists. This sprawling establishment was lively even at midnight. Several rows of game tables filled the interior of the Den, each surrounded by a group of enthusiastic players hoping to hit the jackpot. The air was filled with a cacophony of sounds - musicians providing a nice ambiance, the clinking of chips, the shuffling of cards, and the murmur of conversations - creating an exciting and lively atmosphere.

Two stunning females dressed in elegant attire greeted us. They thought we were the Dwarves hired to clean their toilets. But after we showed them the bags of Gold coins, they apologized. Then, they escorted us to the exchange counter to trade the gold coins for gambling chips. I handed chips over to the Builder.

"Get to work! Don't create a scene, even if someone mocks you. Hand over your earnings to the girls for safekeeping. The bouncers will ensure the chips stay safe until we cash them in." I instruct Builder.

"Understood, Boss!" Builder.

After we parted ways, I headed to the bar, where the bartender served a dozen players while they were taking a break.

"Excuse me, I'm looking for Blackrock," I asked the bartender, who didn't notice me because of my height. The other occupants of the seats looked at me and chuckled.

"What business do you have with him?" The bartender asked.

"Underworld business!" I replied, and that got everyone's attention.

The bartender spoke to the other staff in a foreign language to someone behind the bar. Then, a bald man wearing a gold mask with a crying expression greeted me. I tried to see his details, but the mask was able to block me.

"Do we know someone in common?" Blackrock asked.

"Someone who liked to Bone a lot," I answered, which got a chuckle out of him.

"Follow me!" Blackrock guided me to the alcohol storage room behind the bar. He pulls a lever, which reveals hidden stairs leading to a small basement beneath. In the center is a fancy wooden table with luxurious wooden chairs.

"We can speak freely at this table. Anyone not seated at this table won't be able to hear us. Before we begin, may I have your name?" Blackrock inquired.

"I thought the Black Market doesn't require names," I inquired.

"We don't disclose client information but require it for our transaction records. But I will know if you lie, so please be honest." Blackrock clarified.

Is he some body language expert?

"I used to go by the name Rai. Would you like me to provide my full name?" I inquired.

"Rai will do. Now, what do you desire?" asked Blackrock.

"I require Imps belonging to the Miner and Warrior caste." I requested.

"I do have some Clay Rank Imps locked up nearby. Is that acceptable to you?" asked Blackrock.

"Yes, how many can I get for 1 Mana Crystal?" I ask.

"Two Imps for One." Blackrock offered.

"Hahaha! I can pay Adventurers to capture several of them from the ruins with that. I will offer Two Mana Crystals for Ten Imps, Five of both castes." I haggled.

"If you could, you would have tried that! Six Imps for two Mana Crystals! Half Warrior and half Miner caste! Deal or no Deal?" Blackrock counter-offered.

"Deal!" I answer.

Six Imps is still much more than I hoped for, but now the issue is how to take them back without attracting the attention of the Kingsmen at the gate. Can Blackrock help?

"I require the payment before I bring you the Imps!" Blackrock demands.

Blackrock presents his right gloved hand to receive the Mana Crystals, but I shake my head.

"I'm sorry, but I need them secretly transported to the Ancient Forest. Payment on delivery!" I instruct.

I couldn't see the expression behind the mask, but I could tell Blackrock wasn't happy and must have wondered why I had chosen that spot.

"I am not interested in being a delivery boy for Two Mana Crystals. Make it worth my while." Blackrock counters.

I won't offer more Mana Crystals as they are essential for my Golem Summoning Recipes. I try to think of something less valuable and remember the trees that Warrior cut down.

"How about Mana Wood? It can be used to create Wands, Staffs, and Clubs for Druids and Nature spell casters," I suggest.

"What kind of Mana Wood? And how much in full-grown trees are we talking about?" asked Blackrock with keen interest.

"Oak and Pine! One Hundred trees worth of Mana Wood. Fifty of each type will be yours!" I reply to seal the deal.

"Do you have all that Mana Wood just waiting to be picked up in the Ancient Forest?" Blackrock asked.

"Yes!" I reassure him.

"That is not true! However, I am willing to give you another opportunity," warned Blackrock.

He must have a lie-detector ability. It could be helpful in his line of work. Should I take the risk and tell him the truth?

"It's in the Dungeon within the Ancient Forest," I reveal the truth because I decided I needed Blackrock's help to make my plans a reality.

"Hold on... are you living inside the Dungeon?" Blackrock asked.

"I live on the lower level of the Dungeon, and the king's livestock reside on the first level. I don't believe he owns anything besides those animals, so anything I harvest is mine," I explained.

"I don't sense any dishonesty. Do you want me to take you and the Imps there to avoid letting the Kingsmen know you live there?" Blackrock asked.

"Yes! I will pay you the Mana Wood I offered for your transportation and secrecy. Deal or No Deal?" I offer.

"Deal," said Blackrock, extending his hand to shake mine. As I took his hand, I realized he could feel its stony texture.

Blackrock appeared surprised, but he quickly shook his head in response.

"You will receive secrecy as promised. I will get the Imps and a carriage for you to hide in," Blackrock reassured me.

"A colleague of mine who is gambling upstairs will be coming with us. He looks similar to me, so it should be easy to spot him."

Blackrock and I left the basement and returned to the Gambler's Den's ground floor. I noticed a commotion. Players gathered in a circle to watch a confrontation. I slipped through the crowd using my shorter height, and that's when I saw a Knight yelling at the Builder Golem.

"YOU CHEATED!"