Chapter 116 — Army Rebuilding and New Beast Trees
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The cold still clung to Ray's armor.
Inside his Hidden Domain, the battered army lay sprawled across the snow-dusted ground — a broken reflection of their earlier might.
Snowfang limped beside him, blood freezing along his fur.
The Frost Revenant Knight stood silently, his armor cracked, his greatblade chipped.
The battle against the Glacial Wyrm had left deep scars.
But Ray's heart burned fiercer than ever.
He sat down heavily near the Domain Core, placing his hand on the pulsing crystal.
Seventeen's voice echoed, gentle but firm:
> [Commander. Analyzing losses.]
[Available Beast Souls: 93.]
[Resource Points: 2,940.]
[Recommendation: Initiate Army Rebuild Protocol.]
Ray nodded tiredly.
> "Start."
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Rebuilding the Army
First step: replacing the fallen Bone Bladers.
Seventeen condensed the leftover soul fragments.
New Bone Bladers were reforged — stronger, tougher, sharper.
The second generation had faint frost patterns on their bones, a natural evolution from the Abyss battle.
Next: enhancing Snowfang's lineage.
The Ghost Wolves who had survived merged their essence.
Frostfang Wolves were born — sleeker, deadlier, smarter.
Their howls now carried a faint chill that weakened nearby enemies.
Ray grinned despite his exhaustion.
This was real progress.
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Unlocking New Beast Trees
Seventeen buzzed excitedly:
> [Commander, new Beast Trees unlocked based on dungeon achievements.]
[Choose Your Reward.]
A translucent screen appeared before Ray:
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Available Beast Trees:
1. Frost Wolf Tree
Grows Frostfang Wolves.
Frost resistance + natural pack tactics.
2. Ice Revenant Tree
Summons elite undead knights made of black ice.
Strong against fire and physical attacks.
3. Phantom Vine Tree
Spawns stealth-type plant beasts that ambush enemies.
Good for scouting and assassination missions.
4. Bone Drake Tree
Grows skeletal drake-beasts.
Can fly short distances, breathe frost breath.
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Ray's mind raced.
> "All of them."
Seventeen hesitated:
> [Commander, purchasing all four will consume 2,400 Resource Points. Remaining will be 540.]
Ray laughed hoarsely:
> "Worth it."
He selected ALL FOUR.
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New Trees Sprouted
Near the Domain Core, the ground trembled.
From the earth erupted four strange trees:
A silver-furred Frost Wolf Tree, where pups with icy breath dangled from the branches like fruit.
A shattered black Ice Revenant Tree, where tiny frozen knights grew like strange apples.
A creeping Phantom Vine Tree, its roots moving like snakes, creating new stealth beasts constantly.
A spiraling Bone Drake Tree, bony wings unfolding from growing pods.
Ray's domain had changed completely.
It was no longer a hidden grove.
It was becoming a real army nest.
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New Named Companions
Seventeen chirped:
> [Commander, based on achievements, two Elite Beast Contracts are available. Naming required.]
Ray smiled.
Snowfang's Son — New Leader of Frostfang Wolves:
Name: Blizzard
Blizzard was slightly larger than Snowfang had been at the start.
Sharp silver fur.
Intelligent, piercing blue eyes.
He nuzzled Ray's hand gently — loyal from the first heartbeat.
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Frost Revenant Knight Evolution — New Name:
Name: Glacius
The Revenant Knight kneeled, pressing his frosted blade into the earth, swearing silent loyalty again.
Glacius now radiated not just frost — but a killing intent sharp enough to freeze weaker beasts in place.
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Ray's New Core Army:
Ray — Commander.
Blizzard — Frostfang Wolf Leader.
Glacius — Frost Revenant Captain.
Bone Blader Elite Squad — 50 units.
Frostfang Wolf Pack — 30 units.
Phantom Vines — 20 stealth beasts (spies).
Bone Drakes — 5 growing (still young but usable soon).
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Preparing for Future Battles
Ray sat under the Frost Wolf Tree, a faint smile playing on his lips.
The bitter cold of the Abyss still lingered on his skin.
But now —
he had teeth to bite back.
he had claws to rip through enemies.
he had wings to soar.
The world wouldn't know what hit it.
Seventeen whispered almost reverently:
> [Commander... your journey is finally starting to take true shape.]
Ray whispered back, smiling darkly:
> "Let them come. I'll bury them all."
The trees around him swayed slightly — almost as if answering his call.
The Domain pulsed.
It was alive.
It was hungry.
Just like him.
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Chapter 117 — The Tides Turn Dark
The battlefield, once trembling under the clash of claws and magic, suddenly fell silent.
A low, heavy rumble shook the ground.
In the distance, a massive dark cloud rose from the edge of the forest — it was not mist, but an army.
Hundreds... no, thousands of insects marched in perfect formation.
At their center, towering like a mountain, floated a royal figure clad in black and crimson armor — The Insect Queen.
Her aura pressed down like an invisible hand on Ray's heart.
> "Warning: Detected A-Rank threat. Retreat advised!"
Seventeen's voice echoed sharply in Ray's mind.
But there was no escape.
The Queen raised her long, chitinous staff — and her army charged.
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Ray roared.
His Frost Wolves, Shadow Undead, and the beasts from his Beast Trees surged forward to meet them.
Blades clashed. Magic burned. Corpses fell.
For every insect killed, two more replaced it.
The Queen's forces were not mere mindless bugs — they were trained, deadly killers, blessed with monstrous strength and coordination.
Ray's Frost Wolves fought bravely, tearing through lines of soldiers.
But even their frozen claws and fangs began to dull under the endless wave.
One after another, his Summons were ripped apart.
The Sky Claws summoned from his second beast tree fell screaming from the sky, pierced by needle-like stingers.
His Rockback Turtles, the tankers of his army, were overwhelmed and flipped onto their shells, helpless.
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Ray's breathing grew heavier.
Mana exhausted.
Mental focus fraying.
He swung his soul blade with raw desperation, cleaving three insects at once — but from behind, a Royal Guard stabbed at him.
A Frost Wolf leapt to take the hit in his place — and died.
> "No... I can't lose them all..." Ray gritted his teeth, blood trailing from his lips.
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At the center, the Insect Queen watched calmly.
She lifted a single hand — and the second wave charged.
Massive insectoid beasts, armored like tanks and twice as fast, barreled into Ray's weakening forces.
Dozens of summoned beasts crushed.
Hundreds of skeletons shattered.
Ray's precious Shadow Lurkers — lost.
His army was collapsing.
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Still, Ray did not give up.
> "Seventeen... how many left?" he gasped.
> "Barely 30% integrity. Reinforcements impossible. Options: Fight or die."
Ray smiled grimly.
"Then I'll die standing."
He charged forward, slashing and roaring, covered in blood and dirt.
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But deep inside...
For the first time since he awakened as a Necromancer...
Ray felt it.
Fear.
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Far above, hidden among the clouds, his father, mother, sister, and grandmother stood — watching.
The grandmother's eyes narrowed dangerously.
> "Prepare to descend," she ordered coldly.
> "Our little boy needs saving."
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[To be continued in Chapter 118...]
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Chapter 118 — The Wings That Shield Me
Ray stumbled back, his soul blade shattering against a towering insect beast's shell.
Around him, only ruins remained.
His Frost Wolves — gone.
His Sky Claws — shot down.
His Shadow Army — shredded into nothingness.
Blood dripped from countless wounds.
Mana burned in his veins like acid.
Vision blurred.
> "Seventeen... this is the end, right?" Ray whispered, his knees giving way.
> "Negative."
"Protocol: Family Reinforcement Initiated."
Before Ray could even comprehend those words, a blinding golden light tore through the sky.
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BOOM!
An explosion like thunder shattered the battlefield.
From the heavens descended four figures — cloaked in divine brilliance:
His father, roaring with flaming fists.
His mother, blades dancing like moonlight.
His elder sister, eyes gleaming with golden power.
And his grandmother, cloaked in a storm of silver fire.
They slammed into the Insect Queen's army like meteors.
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Father punched forward — a shockwave of fire vaporized hundreds of insects in an instant.
Mother's swords weaved death among the stunned soldiers, cutting them down faster than Ray's eyes could follow.
Sister unleashed a rain of golden arrows — each arrow splitting into dozens, hunting every hidden enemy.
Grandmother...
She did not attack.
She simply walked forward.
Every step she took, hundreds of insects turned to ash without even touching her.
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The battlefield shifted.
The Insect Queen shrieked, enraged, summoning her personal guard.
Massive Royal Insects — ten meters tall, plated in black armor — charged at the newcomers.
But they never even reached them.
Father crushed two under his burning fists.
Mother sliced another into a thousand pieces without slowing down.
Sister pinned three more to the ground with light-forged chains.
Grandmother simply waved her hand — and the last three disintegrated into silver mist.
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Ray stared, half in awe, half in disbelief.
He tried to stand — and collapsed.
Immediately, his mother appeared at his side, catching him.
> "Stupid child," she whispered, her voice trembling.
"You should have called us earlier."
Ray laughed weakly.
"I... wanted to protect everyone myself."
Tears blurred his vision — from pain, pride, and helplessness.
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Grandmother knelt beside him.
She touched his forehead — a soft silver glow entering his body.
Strength flooded back into Ray's limbs.
> "Rest now, little one," she said gently.
"This battle... is ours."
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Meanwhile:
The Insect Queen, realizing her army was being annihilated, let out a furious roar.
Dark magic surged from her — mutating her body into a monstrous form thrice her size.
Wings of blades.
Arms like siege weapons.
A body dripping with venomous black ichor.
She charged at Ray's family.
The final battle was about to begin.
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Ray, still too weak to fight, watched helplessly.
But inside his Domain, something stirred.
The Domain Gate opened wider — and through it, something massive began to crawl out.
> "New ally summoned..."
"Beast Tree: Bloodfang Direwolf King — Deployed."
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A massive wolf, larger than houses, with crimson fur and bone-like armor, stepped onto the battlefield, howling a war cry that shook heaven and earth.
The battlefield shifted once again.
Hope...
Hope returned.
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[To be continued in Chapter 119...]
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Chapter 119 — Crowning the Queen of Chains
The Insect Queen roared, her monstrous form towering over the battlefield.
But Ray's family stood firm.
The Bloodfang Direwolf King lunged, his fangs dripping blood magic.
Father and Mother moved in perfect sync, weaving attacks faster than the eye could follow.
Sister fired light arrows that pinned the Queen's wings mid-air.
And Grandmother...
Grandmother floated upward, her silver aura growing to cover the entire battlefield.
> "Judgement: Silver Rain."
A storm of silver lightning fell from the sky.
The Insect Queen screamed as bolt after bolt slammed into her mutated body, burning her from within.
She tried to flee — but there was nowhere to run.
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Final Blow:
Ray, mustering his last reserves of strength, raised his hand.
The Blood Contract appeared above him, glowing black and red.
> "Seventeen! Now!"
"Confirmed. Domain Slave Binding Activated."
A massive collar made of black bone and silver runes appeared, flying toward the crippled Queen.
It latched around her throat with a resounding clang.
Instantly, the Insect Queen's monstrous form shuddered.
Darkness coiled around her — and then shattered like glass.
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Transformation:
The insect shell cracked and fell away.
The monstrous wings dissolved into ethereal mist.
Poisonous limbs shriveled and disappeared.
From the wreckage emerged... a woman.
Tall.
Curvy.
Her figure wrapped in natural armor that resembled black silk.
Long silver hair flowed down her back, shimmering under the sun.
Golden insect tattoos glowed faintly across her pale skin, swirling like living jewelry.
Her eyes — twin pools of purple and gold — gazed at Ray with submission and a hint of playful mischief.
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The battlefield fell silent.
Even the beasts and soldiers paused, stunned by the sheer seductive aura radiating from the new Queen.
She walked toward Ray, hips swaying with effortless grace.
When she reached him, she knelt down on one knee, bowing her head.
> "Master," she whispered, her voice like the sweetest poison.
"This body, this soul — all belongs to you now."
The Domain System chimed:
> [New Slave Captured: A-Rank Royal Insect Queen — Form: Humanoid. Loyalty: 100%]
[Abilities Sealed for Master's Approval.]
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Ray, still half-bleeding and stunned, barely managed to nod.
His sister coughed awkwardly.
His mother sighed heavily.
Grandmother chuckled under her breath.
> "My grandson truly has strange luck with women," she muttered.
Ray just collapsed again, this time into the arms of his new Queen.
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Status Updated:
Army Units Lost: 90%
Family: Safe
Village: Safe (Temporary)
New Slave Commander: A-Rank Insect Queen (Humanoid Form)
Domain Expansion: +20%
Authority Upgrade: Slave Management [Unlocked]
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But far away in the distance...
The next Tier-6 Gate was beginning to crack open.
And something far worse than Insects was waiting insi
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Chapter 120 — Chains of Loyalty, Seeds of War
Ray stirred awake.
Soft warmth pressed against him — the Insect Queen knelt beside him protectively, her arms curled around his body like a living shield.
Her golden-purple eyes shone with deep worry.
> "Master... you are injured."
Her voice was softer now — no longer monstrous, but filled with human emotion.
Ray slowly sat up, groaning as his body screamed in pain.
All around him, the battlefield was a graveyard of twisted insect corpses and shattered trees.
Smoke rose into the crimson sky.
Only a few dozen of his original beasts remained standing — exhausted, bloody, but alive.
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Family Meeting:
Father arrived first, carrying Ray's unconscious sister.
Mother landed next, her robes tattered, blood dripping from multiple wounds.
Grandmother floated down last, her silver hair blazing like a torch.
> "We survived," Mother said softly.
"But just barely."
Grandmother frowned, studying the kneeling Insect Queen.
> "This one... she's dangerous. You should destroy her, Ray."
The Insect Queen flinched slightly, but did not argue.
Ray shook his head.
> "No. She's mine now. She'll help rebuild what we lost."
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System Notification:
> [Domain Authority Expanded: 20% ➔ 30%.]
[New Sub-Domain Detected: Hive Command Core.]
[Slave Command Option Unlocked: Breedable Soldier Units.]
Ray blinked.
Breedable...?
Seventeen chuckled in his mind:
> "Master, now that you own a Royal Insect Queen, you can create a Hive Army inside your Domain. Specialized units — strong, fast-growing, customizable."
"But you'll need more resources. And... stronger energy sources."
Resources... stronger energy... Ray's mind whirled.
He clenched his fists.
He needed to rebuild.
Stronger than ever.
Otherwise, the next invasion would wipe them all out.
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Commander's Name:
Ray turned to the Insect Queen.
> "What's your name?" he asked softly.
She hesitated, looking confused, as if she never had one.
Ray thought for a moment.
> "From now on, your name is... Selena."
The Queen smiled — a small, delicate, yet terrifying smile.
> "Thank you, Master Ray."
[System Update: New Named Slave — Selena (A-Rank Insect Queen — Humanoid Variant). Loyalty: 100%.]
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Emergency Council:
The survivors gathered around.
Including the Bloodfang Direwolf King, now shrunk to the size of a large horse, sitting loyally beside Ray.
Other beasts, battered and wounded, limped closer.
Ray stood shakily, leaning on Selena's shoulder.
> "Everyone... listen carefully!"
"We survived today. Barely. But another Gate will open soon."
"We need to rebuild. Evolve. Grow stronger."
"We'll build a new Army."
He turned to Selena.
> "You'll start breeding new soldiers — fast, agile, armored units."
Selena bowed gracefully.
> "As you command."
Ray then pointed at Seventeen's floating screen.
> "Open Domain Shop. Show me Beast Trees, Army Seeds, and Dungeon Seeds!"
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Domain Shop Display:
Frost Wolf Tree (Lesser Variant): 5000 Points
Bloodvine Tree (Healing/Binding type): 7000 Points
Shadow Panther Tree (Stealth Units): 8000 Points
Thunderclaw Hawk Tree (Aerial Scouts): 9000 Points
Undead Warg Tree (Advanced Undead Beast): 10,000 Points
Dungeon Seeds:
Minor Bone Dungeon: 12,000 Points
Hive Dungeon (Insect Type): 15,000 Points
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Ray grinned savagely.
> "We'll plant everything."
> "We won't just survive next time — we'll dominate."
And so, the rebuilding of the Death Sworn Domain began.
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Far away...
Deep inside the growing cracks of the Tier-6 Gate...
Gigantic shadows stirred.
An entire Legion of creatures, far more dangerous than insects, was preparing to descend upon the Human World.
Time was running out.
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[End of Chapter 120.]
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Summary of Changes: