Chapter 584.5: Bay Territory's "Expansion"
Shuyu nodded, not fully understanding the 'teach to fish' philosophy—
But she clearly saw how Bay Territory peacefully solved the minotaur tribe issue and turned them into allies.
That ability was enviable beyond words!
On the second day of work—
Over 10,000 minotaurs cheerfully returned to their tribe with food.
They also received three gleaming battle axes and a full suit of metal armor.
The elder chieftain smiled, though his eyes were deep in thought.
Cain Bloodhoof couldn't hold it in and spoke with him.
"Soldiers? That won't work..."
The elder chieftain shook his head and beckoned Cain closer.
Seeing him calm down from earlier excitement, the elder said sincerely:
"Never try to take shortcuts!"
"You must learn to restrain your desires!"
"Until we fully understand Bay Territory, we can't risk the tribe's future."
Cain, now understanding, bowed his head in shame. The elder smiled and patted his shoulder, comforting him:
"It's not a big deal if you can't be a soldier."
"Since Bay Territory is so reasonable, ask if we can try other jobs..."
......
"Of course you can!"
"Warrior City is still empty—we need all kinds of workers."
"Each job requires specific training and skills."
"The training is free and happens after work hours."
"In about a week, you'll be eligible for testing."
"Those who pass will qualify for new roles with higher pay."
Beelzebub patiently introduced Bay Territory's job system to all the minotaurs.
Many of them mulled it over while eating.
They weren't overly interested in tech or theory—
But they really wanted their own clothes, weapons, and armor.
So they could protect their families and tribe better.
For now, this work kept them fed.
But their goals were still far off...
Under Shuyu's quiet watch and notes—
From day four onward, minotaurs began joining evening training sessions.
Their first lessons were Bay Territory's language and Common Tongue.
Along the way, they learned the territory's policies and governance.
They saw how Bay Territory grew from a village to what it is now.
As they gained literacy and skills—
They unknowingly became integrated into Bay Territory's system.
It all happened naturally—no bloodshed, no outcry.
That slow transformation made Shuyu deeply happy.
"There's no need to fear—we're already part of Bay Territory!"
"Haha, that's right! We're one of them now!"
Yudala and Rika cheerfully taught classes while enjoying food.
Their students weren't Warriors—but minotaur women learning to read and write.
"Bay Territory assigns jobs based on everyone's situation."
"And once the intense construction period passes, we'll offer combat and class training courses too..."
Some minotaur women widened their eyes, asking in disbelief:
"We can train to be Warriors? Own weapons and armor?"
Yudala nodded firmly, eyes twinkling as she teased:
"Of course! Women hold up half the sky. They're working hard—we can't fall behind..."
......
From cautious beginnings—
To familiarity and ease—
In just over a week, the minotaurs fully adapted.
By day, they took on all kinds of Bay Territory tasks—
Digging ditches, building dams, clearing land, irrigating fields—all strange yet fascinating to them.
At night, they stayed busy too.
Top-performing Warriors began studying combat techniques for Professionals.
Many common minotaurs focused on practical skills.
Some were familiar—farming, weaving, tailoring, forging, fishing, raising animals.
Others were new—building houses, making cement, brewing, cooking.
Beyond daily life, Bay Territory generously shared class-based powers too.
At first, Shuyu didn't understand—
Until a conversation with Liana changed her thinking entirely.
"Ah, how many copper coins can poor commoners even have?"
"If we turn them into Professionals, they'll gain more power and wealth. Then we can do business with them and easily make a fortune!"
Shuyu found it very reasonable and soon began assisting Liana in training some of the young minotaurs.
Yep, gotta start cultivating the... ahem, the next generation early!
Watching the thriving scene, Matthew emerged from the lab and gave high praise to Elio and the others for their work and results.
Then, Matthew decisively announced that Elio and the others would be officially appointed as heads of Bay Territory's New Continent operations.
It was what they deserved!
Matthew never held back on rewards!
As long as there's no greed, there's plenty of "meat" for everyone!
Seeing his tools—er, subordinates—throw themselves into their work with renewed passion, Matthew finally felt his earlier anxiety lift.
Yaya, having just taken little Menglan out to "play," cheerfully returned with an armored giant-jawed shark in tow.
After handing it off to the royal butcher Rockfa, Yaya just had to wait happily to collect the gold coins.
Over the past few days, Yaya had been hunting monsters near the area to quickly earn enough Fate Power.
Thousands upon thousands of magical beasts had been slain by her.
The magical materials harvested from them became the raw materials for Warrior City's new magic item factory.
Thanks to her efforts, Warrior City entered a rare peaceful development phase.
She even cleared out the mining zones in preparation for future development.
She also trained and fought alongside little Menglan, teaching her combat techniques and all sorts of spells and arcane knowledge.
Yaya's current favorite pastime—
Was watching Menglan paddle around awkwardly while learning arcane modeling.
Matthew looked at the small black-and-white creature cradled in Yaya's arms.
With her big round eyes, tapping this and inspecting that, she looked just like a living doll.
Yaya grabbed a handful of dried fish, munching on some and feeding a few to Menglan.
The two snack-lovers munched in perfect harmony.
Matthew wasn't at all surprised that Menglan had already learned Polymorph.
Magical creatures had intelligence, inherited bloodline powers, and when combined with hard training on the path of the Professional—
Their growth was astonishingly fast!
Of course, most importantly, Menglan's Leviathan lineage had its own professional inheritance.
Sea-Rider, Tide-Walker, Deep-Sea Dominator!
A complete and powerful Professional path.
Thinking of the brutally disfigured mutated wyverns in the lab, Yaya asked curiously:
"Still no success?"
Matthew licked his dry lips and regretfully glanced at his stat panel, shaking his head slightly:
"The Dragon Queen left too little information. Despite the cost, all we got was a hidden Feat from a half-transformed failed mutated wyvern."
Advanced Feat – Psychic Link.
When used on a willing and non-resistant target, it establishes a mental connection.
It allows sensing the target's emotions and general state, and can issue commands.
Simply put, this Feat is likely the foundational one the Dragon Queen used to control many mutated wyverns remotely.
Matthew believed she likely mastered an extraordinary upgraded version of it.
Maybe even built a hive-like network to coordinate swarming tactics.
"No wonder mutated wyverns are the ace unit of the future 'Swarm Calamity.'"
"Even now, in their developmental stage, their potential is sky-high."
Matthew sighed, then expressed some regret.
Despite how fast he and Yaya acted, they still failed to capture the Dragon Queen from the first nest!
As for the second nest—they had already found it.
But it had been abandoned.
They only caught a few uniquely mutated wyverns.
Matthew tried "catalyzing" them to further awaken their powers.
However, these wyverns couldn't survive without certain secretions from the Dragon Queen.
After a while, their bodies collapsed and they died.
To maximize their value, Matthew ended their suffering before death and harvested their materials.
He was deeply "grateful" for their contributions.
"Such great enemies!"
Yaya wasn't surprised by Matthew's dark humor—in fact, she eagerly rubbed her hands together and asked:
"So, when do we start research on the sixth surgical modification?"
Matthew stroked his chin, recalling the knowledge from mastering the Demigod Body, and licked his lips:
"The later modifications are deeply interconnected. We need more data and info to support them."
"And one test subject isn't enough anymore to reveal the true effects of these extraordinary Feats..."
Hearing this, Yaya's eyes sparkled as she eagerly asked:
"Oh? So we need more test subjects?"
"No! We need more willing test subjects!"
Following Matthew's gaze to the training minotaurs, Yaya blinked in realization and said excitedly:
"Minotaurs aren't bad—strong bodies, high adaptability..."
Shaking his head with a wry smile, Matthew met Yaya's curious gaze and said in a low voice:
"Minotaurs are strong, sturdy, and ideal for melee Professionals..."
"But using them as carriers for the sixth surgical modification would be pointless—even draining thousands of brains wouldn't yield much data."
Just then, little Menglan in Yaya's arms spat out water and stared at them with wide eyes.
You two are totally planning something evil!
June 20th.
Heroes Continent.
Warrior City.
Sunny.
Golden sunlight shimmered across the calm sea.
Over ten small fishing boats slowly and cautiously closed in.
Steel cables as thick as a wrist connected massive nets under the boats.
Countless fish flailed inside, sensing danger and trying to flee.
Smaller fish darted through palm-sized mesh holes.
They darted around proudly, unaware of the real threat.
But for the larger fish, the shrinking space—
No matter how they struggled, they couldn't escape. The pressure only mounted.
The fishing formation tightened, trapping thousands of large fish.
As the nets drew tighter, the small fish darted out, while the big ones thrashed madly.
But resistance was futile.
Two thick, well-crafted nets enclosed the central sorting net.
Finally, the engines roared as all three nets were hauled in.
With a massive splash, over ten tons of fish were lifted aboard the large vessel.
The catch was dumped into the ship's water tanks.
Dozens of skilled fishermen quickly bled, sorted, and stored them in ice chests.
Over twenty such ships were operating on the sea, hauling in massive catches.
They were feeding not only minotaurs—but also Leviathans.
The latest Bay Territory reinforcements brought not only fishing boats but also essential mining and extraction equipment.
They also brought over 500 captured elves.
Elio handed Matthew the list and said calmly:
"These elves were die-hard loyalists of the Kingdom of Cole—and have committed countless murders."
Matthew understood immediately. With no hesitation, he replied coldly:
"They should've died long ago. I'm just giving them a little help."
After that eerie conversation, Elio never saw the elves again.
And quickly forgot about them—Warrior City had too much going on.
Mining operations were about to begin.
......
Days later.
Southern Death Swamp, Ten Thousand Mountains.
A mountain-sized heap of bugs—
With a strange wave, they scattered in all directions.
When the bugs were gone, not a single trace of the elves remained.
Having gathered the data he needed, Matthew erased his trail and returned to Warrior City.
No one knew 500 elves perished there.
And the well-fed bugs would soon begin another cycle of killing and breeding...
Bay Territory.
Matthew returned to awareness and nodded at the eager Yaya.
A shimmering golden phantom appeared in front of her, slowly taking shape.
Its eyes sparkled with curiosity as it asked:
"Will they obey?"
Stroking his chin, Matthew recalled the elves' desperate struggles and said with certainty:
"Mhm. Elves are just like any other intelligent being."
"They feel fear, they're selfish, and cruel..."
"There's no real difference between elves and drow—only their environment and education."
Thinking of the year-long plan and its potential rewards, Yaya's new projection nodded seriously:
"Leave the rest to me!"
The Underdark.
Prince Krezer's slave fortress.
A dozen elves listened to the screams outside, fear in their eyes.
They knew it was the gray dwarf jailors.
Something terrible had happened to them.
An unseen wave spread through the air—chilling them to the bone.
A seasoned elven commander paled and shouted:
"It's... an Illithid!!"
The word struck like lightning—instantly throwing the already nervous elves into panic.
They began frantically trying to escape their iron cells.
Gone was their grace and composure—Commander Tyriel stared at the monstrous shadow at the door.
Reflected in his emerald eyes—was a horror crowned in tentacles. He muttered:
"The Illithid returns... The rumors were true!"
"The council lied to us!!"
Swoosh!
Several tentacles shot forth like lightning.
Tyriel didn't have time to dodge—he was bound instantly.
As the other elves screamed—
He felt the slimy tendrils burrow into his skull.
"Aaaah...!"