Chapter 16

The Real Start

Rex Lopiz

3/5/26 2:41pm

We have been in this world for about 5 days now, the goblins and CW01 have been building a small wooden palisade and have finished it, the trees near the base have been cleared out, well besides the fruit trees.

In order to get wood now we have to walk a bit further but now we can see anything that comes near the camp, such the trees that were blocking the view are now gone, we also cleared a way to the main road, it took 2 days but the goblins and CW01 with the help of Max and Giruk got it done.

The stumps was the hard part in making the path, but thankfully with Max and CW01 working with Giruk they were able to remove them, I had any wood that was not being used to be moved to the factory in order to make more robots, after the construction of the wooden palisade I had about 903 resources available.

I also had the farmers plant some of the trees in a section of the flat grass area to make a tree farm, that way we can get some more wood eventually, while they did that we also had a small fruit tree farm outside of the main entrance, we had two entrances into the camp, we made the wooden palisade take up all of the flat open grass area in the area, in all we had about 8 acres with the palisade built around it, the forest was massive it looked never ending.

When I first came here I said about 10 acres but that was way off once we built everything and CW01 told me that I was off by at least 500 acres, the front of the base was leading to the main road while the back of the base was never ending forest, we had an entrance in the front and the back of the base, or north and south.

That is what the place is looking like right now at the very least, I went to the factory to select my next creation of robot, I thought about getting more worker bots but what we needed are defenders for the base, in case we get attacked, as well as forces to scout the area and possibly attack anything that poses as a threat.

I used the Robotic designer, as I looked at the options I have for soldier bots, the problem is they will be made out of wood so they will be weaker more likely, but if I can keep producing them it will be no problem, once I looked at the tablet I was looking at the options of robots I could choose from, the list was never ending it seemed from worker, soldier and Transport bots, they were the main categories to choose from.

Once I looked in each of the three, the list was endless the worker bot had options for everything that you could think of like mining, farming, fishing, mechanic and it kept going, while for soldier bot it was just like the worker but made for battle and they got really advance and sounded amazing.

The options were basic like standard soldier, then it got more advanced like vehicles that could move by themselves to that of flying vehicles, there was more but it required more resources to make, which makes total sense.

I then I asked myself what is the limit to this power?

That was a question for another time, the transportation robots were used for hauling resources, objects as well as other robots or even people.

I decided to get back on task by looking at the soldier bot variants, there were still a lot of options, thankfully there were filters on the tablet, I chose ones that could be made out of wood and ones that I can currently make with the resources I have gathered, these were my options.

LSA1 x400 resources SSA1 x500 resources HSA1 x600 resources

They were the same three I could choose as my free robot when I first got this tablet, I decided to go with the standard soldier such the heavy was like Max, but if they were made out of wood they won't be as good as Max, and the light soldier would just make them even weaker.

It needed 500 resources including the 25 resources for the robotic core, so in total it was 525 resources I selected the two options and found a new button on the tablet that would let me have this on repeat, so I turned that on, all I had to do was deliver the resources and the factory will automatically make 1 robotic core and one SSA1.

It would be on repeat, All I had to do was simply cast the spell to make the core work, as I confirmed the options I began to walk to the factory as black smoke flew out of the factory's chimney, as I entered through the door I saw the arms begin to assemble the body of the SSA1 as well as the core coming out of the end of the conveyor belt where is stopped.

I then began to chant the spell to make the core come to life

"Robotic Core"

The core glowed with the light blue energy as the body of the SSA1 was made, the arms took the core and inserted it into the body, the SSA1 looked like Max just without the extra thick armor attached, it was smaller as well, the size was that of a average human standing 5'9 like the worker.

It had the helmet type head and the backpack that was on its back, it had the same body as Max, just 25% less thick in armor, so unlike Max's 20 inch thick chest it was 15 inches thick, all of the thickness of the body was cut in half, so the arms were 6 inches thick instead of 8.

So it could still take a beating just not as much as Max could, the backpack was also only small enough to carry one primary weapon with a secondary weapon with some space for other items, but it could not carry three large primary weapons like Max.

I wanted to know if it had a battle mode like Max does, so as it looked at me and was about to greet me I instantly said, "enter battle mode."

SSA1 did not hesitate and its body changed as the military vest body replaced the original, the gaps appeared for mags for its weapons and its appearance was that of a modern soldier with the vest, leg armor and having a holster on its right leg, the helmet had the built in ballistics goggles as well.

"Can you change your holster to your back for a sword or a quiver for arrows? or how does that work?" I ask the soldier bot.

"Sir, I can change my appearance to whatever you set it as before creation, or you can send me back to get remade, my holster will change to fit whatever weapon I'm assigned to and will change shape to fit the weapon, unless there is a problem with the size." the soldier bot responded.

"Very well soldier, your new name is SS01, your appearance is fine for now, stand guard outside and make sure no one enters, unless it's PFC Max." I said to SS01.

"Yes sir! Private SS01 will carry out your order." it said.

On the top right of its chest had a Pvt ranking I never noticed that before, SS01 walked out and the door closed behind him, I looked at the tablet as I changed the factories repeat mode to make 25 cores only, that way I can just cast the spell and leave that way all that is needed is the bodies of the SSA1's.

The 25 cores were being created as the resources went down to 3, it did not even take 5 minutes for all of the cores to be finished, as I then began to chant the spell for the spell, each one glowed the bright blue color as I casted the spell each of the core.

After I finished casting the spells I felt tired, I think this is what it feels like to use too much magic, I then selected the SSA1 to be made until all the cores are used, I did some more looking into the tabs on the tablet and found how to set it's name, as well as the appearance plus where to go after being made.

I made the names just add up from SS01 so the next one will be SS02 and so forth, while the appearance would stay the same but they would stay in battle mode and would not have an option to change modes, this would save me 100 resources alone it said, I wish I knew this sooner, I then set the Rally point to outside of the factory where they will stand in attention and ln a line of 5, they would stand 5 in front, while the others would be behind the first 5, they would be spaced out evenly as well that way they were not shoulder to shoulder.

As I left the factory I saw the other people looking at the new wooden soldier bot as it stood guard of the door, as I saw this I began to speak.

"From this point forward these guys will be the new military force for a while, we need to gather more wood as well, so goblins will need to keep doing that while CW01 will be doing the same, you will be seeing a lot of these people so don't be alarmed." I simply said as I told the soldier bot to follow as I walked over to Max.

"Max from this point forward you will need to stay in battle mode unless told otherwise, I will be heading out with the main force once they are done being made, you will be in charge while I'm gone understand?" I said.

"Captain, why don't I come with you?" Max asked.

"Because you must make sure everyone is safe and nothing happens when I'm gone." I answered back.

"If that's my orders captain then I shall follow, I believe the private will protect you well." Max said while looking at the new Pvt.

"Don't worry Pfc, I will protect the Captain with my life." The Pvt responded.

I also made it so the robots will call me Captain instead of sir, such that it had a nice ring to it, plus it made it so I know who they were talking to.

"Max make sure once I'm gone that the factory is still getting resources to make more soldiers as well." I said.

"Yes captain, I will make sure that there will be new recruits once you're back." Max said as I walked to my house on the hill.

Max went back to work as the Pvt stood at the door to my house, it was a nice house bigger than everyone else's at least and had a nice large grass bed that was actually comfy, I climbed into the grass bed.

I took another moment to look at the creation tab, that was when I saw a setting that was never there before, it simply read, "robotics core setting." As the title and once I pressed it, there were some on and off buttons after some text for the options, the options were these.

Simple magic Core - Not active

If not active - requires Maker to use the robotic core spell, this will make the creation able to communicate easier as well as having a boost to skills, this includes making the creation able to command others much better then a normal officer of its creation type.

If active - The maker does not need to cast the spell, the creation will have the basic intelligence and skills of its rank as well as creation type.

Starting rank - Private

The rank of the creation when first made, this determines their starting intelligence and skills after being made, they can also earn a promotion and learn skills naturally as well.

That was all the new information in the tab, I then saw the top of the tablet changed as a new counter showed, it said the amount of magic cores which said 28/30 which meant if I get more than 30 then I will have the same thing happen to me when I tried to raise all of the undead from the battlefield.

The voice in my head then spoke out to me after being silent for so long.

Congrats on surviving this far Rex. . . . .

We have decided to help you out just so you don't kill yourself again . . .

We are giving you an update for the tablet. . .

Instead of having to keep track of multiple books for your skills and other items we will make it more simple for you. . .

The tablet will now have more tabs for everything you may need to know, this includes your robotics stuff like originally, as well as a tab for your skills as well as for your little base and items, oh and how could I forget in return for this we took away most of your power as the price of reviving you as well as bringing you here for a fresh start. . .

But that is not all, we also gave you the ability to see the max amount of undead creations as well as magic cores, that way you don't kill yourself, also when you get new items and skills the tablet will now be in charge of telling you, we are now going back to our original job. . . goodbye Rex. . . . .

Just like before the voice disappeared before I could say a word, they took most of my power away and instead gave me this.

As the tablet finished the update the interface changed as there were tabs for everything I could think of, one for my skills, base, undead creatures, robotic creations, the tablet was now called Rex's stats.

"weird name but whatever." I said to myself.

The list was big I looked at the undead creation and saw the limit was 100 in total while before I could summon thousands upon thousands, I was pissed as I lost most of my power but once I looked at the robotics I seen that I was only limited on the magic cores, not the normal cores, this made me lose the anger I had.

I then realized I was no longer feeling exhausted, did they also remove the exhaustion I was feeling, or is this because I now can see my limits, I then clicked to turn the magic core to not active and had the magic cores deconstructed, now I should check on the construction of the rest of the 25 SSA1.

As I opened the door SS01 was surprised to see me moving again.

"Captain, are you not tired?" SS01 asked with concern.

"I'm fine now Pvt, let's check on the efforts of construction." I replied with a smile.

We began our walk down the small hill as we approached the center where the factory was located, we saw goblins hauling logs and the distant sound of trees falling echoed, this place will draw attention soon with all of this noise, especially with the path that we cleared.

The sound of low thuds sounded as the second standard soldier marched out, it walked out and stood in front of the factory, the settings was in fact taking effect, it was in battle mode and the eyes of the standard soldier was not glowing as brightly as Max's or any of the other three.

As I got closer it saluted and I returned the salute, it then spoke.

"Pvt SS02 reporting for duty captain!" it said as it looked at me.

"SS02 you are to follow the lead of Pvt SS01." I responded.

"SS01 stay here and wait for the other 24 standard soldiers, you are then to gather them under your command and meet me at the front gate in a staggered Column, you should be in the front, that is when I will know that you are ready." I said as CW01 walked over.

"Yes captain!" SS01 shouted as he waited.

I walked over to CW01 as he spoke.

"Captain, it seems something has happened to the undead workers." He simply said.

He then pointed as a group of 2 who were carrying a log walked passed and that was when I noticed it.

"Arghhh ugh mm." the goblins muttered to each other as they passed us.

"When were they unable to speak?" I asked CW01.

"Not long, about 5 minutes now captain." CW01 answered.

That is roughly the time when the voice spoke to me and I was given the upgrade to the tablet, don't tell me they nerfed my undead even more then the limit as well.

I immediately checked the skills and that was where I saw my skills for necromancy had changed, the skills were either gone or completely changed.

Class Skills: 3 Necromancer

Standard Raise Skeleton -

Info - Raises a skeleton from a dead creature, the skeleton will be one of the two, a worker or a soldier role and will be given skills for their role, matching the rank of the spell.

standard skeletons don't remember anything from before death besides experience for their role if they had some

Standard Skeletons cannot communicate

Can only raise 100

Summon simple skeleton soldier -

Info - Summons a skeleton soldier who is formed from the necrotic energies from the caster.

Summon amount - 25 under the caster's control at one time

Equipment rank - simple

Equipment types - melee weapon

bone short sword, short bone spear, bone round shield, short bone axe.

Summon simple short bone spear -

Info - Summons a simple spear made from bone that is made to fit the skeleton on average it reaches 5t

bonus - All raised skeletons have a chance of 15% to have a simple bone short spear

I could now only raise skeletons, I did not have zombies unlocked that explained it and it seems that I needed better undead in order for them to speak, but in return I can now summon skeleton soldiers which is nice such they get their own weapons, I then pressed the undead creatures tab and saw there was now a summoned creature counter which said max of 25.

I laughed to myself as this all clicked in more.

I lost almost all of my power and now even my skills are different or have been replaced, at least the robotics stayed the same, I guess I can make this work. It will just take more time and there are some benefits, the raised creatures won't question me anymore and now they have to obey my orders.

I could have made them obey me to begin with but now I wont feel the guilt such they won't remember who killed them, that helps I guess now it's time to make my mark in this world as well.

I stopped laughing as I finished my thought and now there were 5 more standard soldiers lined up with SS01, I then began to summon the skeleton soldiers.

Summon Simple Skeleton Soldier

It seems that I no longer had to chant the large sentences anymore, I just had to say the spell name like the knights did, I then watched as black mist formed 25 humanoid figures as the mist dissipated, there stood 25 skeleton's who all wielded weapons and a shield.

5 had short spears, 12 had short swords and the rest of the 8 had small axes, they all carried a round shield, all of the equipment were made of bone the weapons were sharpened, while the shield was multiple bones which have been made into a round shield.

"All of you follow me as we get ready to move." I ordered as they followed behind.

I approached the front entrance as goblins hauled logs and the SSA1's were gathering to SS01, it seemed everyone was at the entrance as the last SSA1 came out of the factory, it seemed to not take the goblins any time to bring the wood from the forest to the factory which was nice.

As CW01 was the last to approach the gathering group, I walked over with the 25 skeleton soldiers who lined themselves in 3 lines as they followed behind me, the SSA1's were in a line of 3 as well there was now a total number of 31, as SS01 stood in front of the other 30 exactly he was in the middle while they all faced the outside of the entrance.

It seemed such they did not require cores the factory was going to endlessly produce standard soldiers until I tell it not to, as I approached all in sync the soldier bots went into a salute as they faced the entrance as I proceeded to walk in front of SS01, the skeletons lined up behind the soldier bots as if they knew I was going to make a small speech.

Everyone besides the robots were shocked at the skeleton warriors, as they looked at me I spoke.

"Today we begin our first mission with our fighting force, most of you must be confused so here is the brief." I paused as I looked at everyone and scanned over the soldier bots and skeletons who stopped saluting after I began to speak.

"I will be heading out of the base for sometime, I have no clue how long it will be, the reason for this is simple, we know there are other civilizations in this world we met some people from the Holy Empire." I said and saw the farmer’s looks change to shock as we never told them.

"This is why I am leading this force to follow the road, and just see where they went and possibly see just what this Holy Empire looks like, and if not see another civilization, I will lead this force of 56 soldiers into the unknown and will return with news of this world." I paused as the farmers seemed confused.

"Unlike you farmers we are not from this world, I thought you could have seen that by now, however you are a part of my people, from this point forward I declare the creation of the Eternal Empire." I said with confidence as people looked confused except for the robots and skeletons again.

"Well first because it sounds cool and because I make robots and undead as well as no matter what I seem to do I'm not be able to die just yet, may it be good luck or bad I decided to accept it and to take advantage of it, no more shall I sit around and just live normally, from here on out I seek more." I said as I looked at everyone.

Nick then spoke "That makes sense we all died at least once for me it was twice, and Rex died the most so far." he said while laughing, the others agreed as well.

The farmers looked lost so I decided to help them again.

"You see I never knew these folks at all before, I first met them when they were cold dead bodies and brought them back to life as undead as well as another hundred thousand or so of others, I then was teleported here by a light and these folks decided to follow me for some reason, and I have died I think around 3 times now and every time I return, I was recently told it will be my last time I am helped by the voices, and no I'm not going to explain the voices, I will have the others tell you when I leave." I said as I returned to the main topic.

"When I am gone Max will be in charge of military forces each of you have your own part to play, CW01 you are in charge of the labor force to make sure we have enough resources to make more forces, I will be handing the control of the factory to you Max, use the factory to make workers, soldiers and even hauling bots we will need them I think, CW01 you will tell Max how many workers and haulers you need, Max you can determine the military force size and the type of the soldier bots." I caught my breath as I spoke again.

"Also please make some lumberjacks CW01 can cut trees but the lumberjacks can probably do it better no offense CW01." I said.

"None taken captain, I was about to say the same." He responded.

"Also please make some more workers that can make food products like tree orchards, and more construction bots, we need better defenses if possible actual walkable walls and build some sort of road to the mountain where the construction bots can make a mine, develop this small base into that of a glorious start of a capital, we will need to start small but if we can get a mine we can get better resources for everything." I paused as everyone nodded in agreement.

"Max if I need reinforcements I will change the rally point to the front entrance, from their I will make a another one to my location, you are not too stop them if you want you can add more forces if you have them however your priority is defense and making sure while I'm gone no one gets hurt and we don't lose our base." I said as he nodded.

"All of you are able to talk to Max if you need helpers, Hailey you need some sort of medical team made in case of emergences, you all have jobs that I gave you, the farmers will be in charge of the other form bots that will be made, you will need to find suitable locations for farms and orchards to be made." I said, and they nodded.

"Max I know you have a lot already but you also need to make patrols in this area to show that we are in charge around these parts now, make sure you set up a checkpoint on the main road where our path is connected to, you are to be neutral to any traveler on the road, if a armed force tries to pass let them be, if they ask what you are doing tell them that this is now owned by the Eternal Empire." I said.

"If anyone says this already is owned by someone tell them not anymore, if a armed force shows aggression, you are to stop them with force, try to not kill them unless the group is large and are a threat to the base, if a army shows up, tell them this land is not theirs anymore and if they fight then try to take as many as prisoners, if you cannot win with not killing then you are to kill but please take the leader of the force alive, and no killing anyone who is unarmed or surrenders." I said with a serious voice.

"This will show this world that the Eternal Kingdom is here to stay, this is dangerous but is needed, you must keep the prisoners here until I return or if they agree to not to try anymore aggressive acts." I said.

Everyone looked excited besides the farmers, they were scared about what's to come.

"Farmers don't worry Max and the military will keep you safe no matter what, this goes for all humans." I said.

"Soldiers Hear me! SS01 will be in charge of all soldier bots, Skeleton soldiers will fall under my command, we will keep this formation, keep space between each other, 3 soldier bots take the lead and be our scouts, SS01 you will be by my side as we march, 5 skeletons follow directly behind me the rest of the skeletons will be in the back of the formation, all soldiers must keep an eye out for any kind of threat and report to me if possible, if not subdue the threat." I said.

"Now begin march, scouts will take the lead once we arrive on the main road." I said as they moved in sync with me.

I began the walk as thumps and everyone said goodbyes as I walked the path, after sometime we made it on the main road, I then began to walk towards the direction of which the carriage left in, which was east, we came from the south =, as the scouts ran in front of us and were soon 300 meters away, I could still see them as they split up one walked in the middle of road as the other two went on the sides of the road.

And so the first scouting mission had begun.