Isolde reached out and touched it, and a system prompt popped up immediately.
【Former Master's Spine Fragment】
【Quality: Rare】
【Description: A core bone material left behind after Duke Valen Sylvian's prolonged mutation. It once sustained the primary mana circulation of the stitched skeletal amalgam.】
【Usage: Doll primary bone reinforcement, undead-type weapon forging, castle formation core repair】
【Currently Recommended Usage: Secondary reinforcement of a soul contractee's skeleton】
Isolde nodded in satisfaction. This item could be used for Lia.
However, another risk warning popped up shortly after.
【Warning: The target's soul core strength is insufficient. Direct fusion is currently not recommended.】
【Suggestion: Improve the soul core's stability first, or combine with purifying materials to reduce corruption.】
A pity. She had the premium material, but Lia couldn't digest it yet.
It was like handing end-game gear to a low-level character. Without the required level, they couldn't equip it, and forcing it would only make them explode.
Isolde wasn't disappointed; if anything, she was even more pleased.
Nurture the soul core first, replace the skeleton next, and finally remake the body.
Lia's upgrade path was now clearly laid out.
She then looked at the nearby corrupted Castle Core Fragment.
The item was only the size of a thumb, dark red in color, and inside, there seemed to be a miniature version of the Banquet Hall.
【Castle Core Fragment】
【Quality: Rare】
【Description: A power node recovered by the castle from the former master's remains after his death. Can be used to reinforce castle facilities.】
【Modification Path 1: Banquet Hall Reinforcement】
【Effect: Enhances the stability of the Banquet Verdict and reduces rule-based consumption.】
【Modification Path 2: Underground Laboratory Restoration】
【Effect: Increases the success rate of doll modification and material processing.】
【Modification Path 3: Castle Defense Mechanism Upgrade】
【Effect: Enhances guarding capabilities, traps, and luring/capturing efficiency.】
Looking at the three options, Isolde suffered a sudden bout of decision paralysis.
She wanted every single one of them.
After agonizing over it for a moment, she decided to temporarily put the fragment away.
There was no rush. The rarer the material, the more level-headed one had to be.
She needed to thoroughly understand the ins and outs of the castle before deciding where to dump her resources.
After all, the most common mistake made by the newly rich was wanting to upgrade everything they saw, only to end up with a pile of half-finished projects.
Isolde had no intention of being such a sucker.
With a wave of her hand, she sent all the dismantled materials into the castle warehouse.
【Materials stored in warehouse】
【Castle warehouse is currently open】
【Would you like to establish categories: Doll Modification Materials / Castle Reinforcement Materials / Undead Spell Materials?】
Isolde raised an eyebrow. This castle was surprisingly attentive.
“Establish them.”
【Categories established successfully】
Looking at the neatly organized inventory list, Isolde's mood brightened even further.
Killing Valen had yielded a core, a skill, and even threw in renovation materials and upgrade items for Lia.
This was an absolute jackpot.
Just as she was about to leave, before she could even take a step, the system interface lit up once more.
Dark red text emerged from behind the inventory list, like the last drop of value the castle had squeezed out of Valen's remains.
【Home Advantage triggered: Former Master's remains completely dismantled】
【New skill unlocked: Deathrattle Deconstruction】
【Skill Type: Analysis / Growth / Spell Stripping】
【Skill Description: Consumes 50% of current mana to dismantle the structure of the last skill used by a recently deceased target. There is a chance to obtain a "basic skill" and attribute fragments.】
【Skill Effect: Attribute fragments can be used for personal attribute growth or skill enhancement.】
【Restrictions: The longer the target has been dead, the lower the success rate. If the target's soul is heavily corrupted, it may backfire and corrupt the user.】
[Kinder than plundering, gentler than decaying.]
This skill didn't sound like directly stealing a skill. Instead, it was more like taking the last bit of capability someone had before dying, peeling it down to its spell structure, and turning it into her own nourishment.
In other words, it wouldn't immediately grant her a ready-made skill.
However, it could open up customization paths for her self-created skills.
Her luck was truly incredible. She had directly triggered a passive castle effect and obtained exactly the kind of skill she needed most.
Did this mean the house was actually very satisfied with her as its new owner, even generously gifting her a welcome package?
The more Isolde looked at the house, the more she liked it. Even the dusty nooks and crannies she had initially found distasteful now seemed rather charming.
This wasn't a horror house; it was her adorable little gold mine!
Isolde stroked the wall and left the Banquet Hall in high spirits, heading to the living room.
The faceless servants had already cleaned the place up.
The heavy curtains were drawn halfway, allowing the afternoon sunlight to stream in diagonally, illuminating the deep red carpet and antique wooden cabinets.
The painting of the black crow on the wall had been wiped clean, the silver candlesticks were lit once more, and a new lace tablecloth had been laid over the table.
Antique and luxurious.
It even carried a touch of ceremony that the newly rich would find hard to resist.
Isolde settled into a high-backed armchair, listening to a faceless servant playing the violin in the corner.
The low notes of the violin drifted through the living room. Combined with the rare sunlight outside, the scene possessed a strangely elegant tranquility.
If one overlooked the small smear of blood on the servant's cuff that hadn't been fully wiped clean, the scene could even be described as peaceful and idyllic.
Lia had changed into clean clothes, making her look much more presentable.
At least she no longer looked like a desiccated corpse.
She brought over afternoon tea. A porcelain cup sat on a silver tray, containing a pale purple liquid with a few curled leaves floating on the surface. It had a sweet, cloying floral aroma.
Isolde had just picked it up when she froze.
She recognized this plant.
Wrinkle Vine.
It wasn't lethal to humans, but within half an hour, it would cause the drinker's entire body to shrivel, leaving their skin looking like a dried orange peel.
The effects lasted for three days, and even low-tier purification spells couldn't dispel it.
Isolde stared at the cup and fell silent for a moment.
“Lia.”
Lia lowered her gaze. “Miss.”
“What kind of tea is this?”
“A beauty tea from the castle's inventory.”
Isolde placed the cup back onto the silver tray and sighed.
This must have been some wicked material dropped by a wicked person. Its idea of "beautifying" was apparently fast-forwarding someone straight to eighty years old.
Lia paused, then immediately asked:
“Should I replace it?”
“Yes. Bring something that is actually drinkable.”
“Yes, Miss.”
A moment later, Lia returned with another cup of tea.
This time, the tea was slightly greenish and incredibly bitter, tasting as if she had stuffed dried herbs directly into her mouth to chew.
But at least it had no side effects.
Isolde held the cup and took a slow sip, the bitterness making her brow twitch.
Well, at least it tasted like being alive.
She leaned back in her chair, listening to the violin as her gaze swept over the clean, orderly living room.
Now, she had a castle, skills, Lia, and a group of faceless servants who could automatically clean up the battlefield.
It seemed like a great start, but it wasn't enough.
The truly terrifying aspect of the 《Fallen Realm》 had never been just a single castle, a boss, or a few obnoxious players.
It was the world itself.
Rate on N.U.
