Jack imposed some restrictions on the temporary workers this time. After all, Hunters and Smokers were several times more valuable than ordinary Zombies, and Adventurers tended to be less obedient and quite reckless. To prevent them from seeking their own demise, punitive measures were necessary.
This was also why Adventurers were not allowed to play the role of Tanks. Otherwise, once Adventurers got carried away, who would care if the Tank lived or died? Losing a Tank soul crystal would be too great a loss for Miracle City at this stage!
"Sign up!"
"Must sign up!"
"This time I want to be a Hunter!"
"Even if there's no reward, I'll do it!"
As expected, the Adventurers were very enthusiastic, scrambling to sign up. Especially for Zombies with special abilities like Hunters and Smokers, even the penalties for death couldn't dampen their enthusiasm.
---
Gloomy Valley was roughly circular and over a hundred miles in diameter. It was ruled by the Dark Kind Goblins. According to Jack's estimation, the Goblin lair was over sixty miles away from Miracle City, a Tier 1 Underground City called "Gloomy City," with at least a thousand combat units.
This was the core target for short-term conquest! If he could successfully take down this Underground City, Miracle City would not only gain a lot of resources but also completely control Gloomy Valley. More importantly, he would obtain a new core, which would allow the territory to create a second secret realm in the future!
However, although it was a short-term mission, it wouldn't happen overnight. At least the troops available today definitely couldn't threaten Gloomy City. Jack didn't want to bite off more than he could chew. The Dark Kind Goblins not only had a city but also controlled several large and small strongholds in the Gloomy Valley. He could start with these strongholds first.
Red Claw Village was once one of them. The territory troops were teleported to Red Claw Village, and after walking six or seven miles northwest, they could reach a place called "Red Rock Mountain Mine." This was one of the Dark Kind's important strongholds and also the operational objective for Miracle City this time.
Its geographical location was critical. It was a necessary path to attack Gloomy City. It was also a resource-rich stronghold. If he could capture the mine and plunder the resources, building an Adventurer's Inn would be completely effortless.
An hour later, recruitment was finished. A total of 27 mercenaries were recruited, spending 145 Mental Power and Magic Crystals each! Converting one Anti-riot Zombie cost 5 Mental Power and 5 soul crystals. Converting one Hunter or Smoker cost 10 Mental Power and 10 soul crystals. Remaining Magic Crystals: 684. Remaining Mental Power: 1562.
The cost of these disposable temporary workers was not low when their numbers increased. Therefore, it was still necessary to stock up on permanent monsters through the "Monster Camp." Using both in combination could maximize cost-effectiveness.
Of course, more monsters weren't necessarily better. Firstly, the capacity of the Monster Camp had a limit. Secondly, these permanent units had higher short-term costs and were not perpetual motion machines; they also incurred consumption. If the numbers were too high, it would drag down the territory's finances. Therefore, the quality of the troops was more important than the quantity.
Jack planned to build the "Soldier's House" as soon as possible. This building could convert contracted Adventurers into combat power, with no limit on quantity and minimal cost. If the territory had enough contracted Adventurers, forming troops with them would be the lowest cost and most cost-effective option.
---
That night, the Chaos Tide receded. The secret realm closing time arrived. The Territory God Stone in the center of Red Claw Village glowed. Dozens of figures descended from the main city, led by a sturdy, imposing Tank Zombie!
"Hahaha, I'm so lucky!" Lone Wolf burst into laughter. He had drawn a Hunter Zombie, currently looking like a man in a black hooded robe.
"My luck isn't bad either!" An Adventurer named Wool Warrior, who had now turned into a Smoker, said, "Who wants to taste my tongue!"
"Damn it!"
"That's disgusting!"
"Get lost!"
"Why don't you find a mirror and look at yourself? If I turned into that, I'd rather be an Anti-riot Zombie!"
Wool Warrior retorted, "You guys are just pure jealousy!"
Ethan Fields then said, "Let's not waste time, we must leave immediately!"
"That's right!"
"The mission is important!"
"Everyone, stick close to Tank Big Brother!"
"Understood! Tank Big Brother is different from us temporary workers; he's a registered territory monster!"
Jack didn't go in person, but he could control the Tank remotely. This feeling was similar to playing Red Alert, StarCraft, or Warcraft. The Tank led the twenty-seven temporary workers, and after a rather arduous trek, they arrived at their operational destination, which was a reddish-brown mountainous area.
There was a small-scale mining camp here. Jack knew this place was the Dark Goblins' Red Rock Mountain Mine, garrisoned by thirty Goblin Warriors, fifty Goblin miners, and a powerful Goblin Hero. Although Goblin Warriors were one-star monsters, their equipment was much better than those in Red Claw Village. Therefore, they were considered to have higher combat power among one-star monsters.
And the Goblin miners were weak one-star, but there were as many as fifty of them, a force not to be underestimated. Plus the Goblin Hero stationed there, who possessed strength comparable to a four-star, while the Goblin Sorcerer in Red Claw Village was only three-star. This showed that in this battle, the enemy was numerous and they were few, and the difficulty was not low!
Although Miracle City had the Tank Zombie, to minimize losses, this battle must be won through strategy!
"There's a watchtower ahead!"
"There are two Goblins on guard up there."
"This position overlooks the mine and is very disadvantageous to our actions!"
"Then find a way to quietly take them out. We must gain the advantage of a preemptive strike!"
Under Jack's guidance, the Adventurers conducted reconnaissance. They first found the mine's watchtower. The Adventurers "Lone Wolf" and "Wool Warrior" immediately volunteered. They decided to use the advantages of the Smoker and Hunter for a stealthy assassination.
"Then I'll leave it to you two!"
"Don't worry! We guarantee to complete the mission!"
The two Adventurers immediately took action. Lone Wolf, relying on the Hunter's agile movements, silently approached, using his hands and feet to quickly climb the tall tower, then clung to the underside of the observation deck like a gecko. Wool Warrior was a Smoker. Although his mobility was poor, his attack range was long. He secretly climbed a large tree.
"Get ready!"
"Count to three, and act together!"
"Okay!"
"Three, two, one!"
From the large tree where he was hidden, Wool Warrior suddenly released a seventeen or eighteen-meter-long tongue. This tongue accurately locked onto a Goblin's throat, instantly pulling it off the observation deck. The other Goblin was startled. He didn't even have time to shout or sound the alarm. A dark figure pounced. Lone Wolf, transformed into a Hunter, immediately tackled the Goblin to the ground, his sharp claws slashing its throat, preventing it from making any sound.
"Die!"
Lone Wolf frantically swung his claws, attacking. He killed the unlucky Goblin on the spot. The Goblin pulled down by Wool Warrior wasn't in much better shape. This Goblin was first half-killed by the fall, then surrounded and beaten by a group of Anti-riot Zombies that rushed out. It was quickly beaten into a bloody pulp and died beyond death!
"Hahaha!"
"Well done!"
"Special Zombies are really useful!"
"Now even if we approach the camp, these stupid Dark Kind won't have time to react!"
"This is a sure win!"
The Adventurers' actions were successful. Their morale was high, and they were very excited! Seeing this from behind the scenes, Jack also nodded in satisfaction.
Why couldn't all resources be used to recruit permanent monsters in the Monster Camp? This was one of the most important reasons! Monsters had no intelligence, and micro-managing from behind the scenes had its limits. Only basic commands could be conveyed. Most of them were inflexible and had poor adaptability.
Adventurers were a bit less obedient, but they had more tricks and clever maneuvers!
After the Adventurers successfully took down the Goblins on the watchtower, they continued their actions, using the abilities of the Hunters and Smokers to successively take out six more patrolling and sentry Goblin Warriors.
As of now, not a single territory combat unit was lost. Miracle City's advantage was growing larger and larger!
Thanks to Pure Male Boss for the 45,000 Qidian coins reward and becoming the first rudder master, hall master, and elder of this book. I can't add more chapters during the new book period, but I will try to write more after it's put on the shelves! Also, thanks to Fafa Ah for the 1700 Qidian coins reward and becoming the steward of this book!