While Count Gressil led the defense against the undead horde marching upon Silver Springs, Ezra and Tanya entered the Garden of Automatons, escorted by one of the town guards. The Garden of Automatons was a carefully curated labyrinth consisting of leafy green hedges and various kinds of exotic floral blossoms.It looked just like any other well-maintained garden, but the main highlights of this attraction weren’t the flowers and creepers. The Garden of Automatons showcased black and white marble statues of the most revolutionary mechanical contraptions designed in Silver Springs.Ezra and Tanya could see the towering sculptures peeping over the hedges as they walked down the leafy trail. There were statues of the first mechanical sentries, as well as the six-legged insectoids used for transport. And deeper inside the garden, they came across a statue of the legendary mechanical engineer Sir Adventus Halicomb, the man who had invented Valaria’s first aerial mode of transport: the Dra

Ezra’s eyes lit up as he read the new notification. The Gunners in this world could only learn unique skills by obtaining special skill books or unlocking hidden objectives, making it difficult for beginners to unlock them. However, Ezra now had an easy shot at earning that sweet reward.The Dread Wolves rushed out of the shadows and poured into the chamber before Ezra could spare another thought. They were bigger than normal gray wolves but smaller than dire wolves. But what made them stand out was their moldy black fur and the V-shaped red patches on their chests.Sensing the threat, Ezra's spectral wolf raised its head and let out a fierce howl that terrified the undead canines, forcing them into a corner and giving Ezra just enough time to analyze them.[Dragon eye activated!][Target identified: Dread Wolf Forager.][Type: Carnivorous canines. (Undead)][Strengths: Dread Wolves are pack hunters who like isolating their prey and overwhelming larger beasts with their numbers. Their

Ever since Ezra and Tanya entered the crypt, a pair of ghastly green eyes had been observing their every move in silence. The Banshee knew her home had been invaded by outsiders, but she could not get close to them because of the sacred medallion hanging from Tanya’s neck.Ishani’s holy relic was the only thing that kept the wailing woman at bay, but Tanya knew a slight lapse in focus could spell disaster. Thus, even as Ezra prepared to enter the burial chamber, she continued chanting protective incantations to ward off evil spirits.“This is it then. Are you ready?” Ezra asked, turning to Tanya.“I can hear the Dread Wolves howling inside. And there is a good chance we might run into another Direlock as well. I need to prepare,” Tanya replied and then started drawing a runic circle in the air to cast her most powerful psychic protection spell.***Outside the town of Silver Springs, the dark fog had swallowed the grassy plains and it continued drifting toward the walls of the town.Co

Tanya was just checking the second coffin on her side when she heard Ezra’s suppressed groan. As she turned around, her face turned pale and her eyes widened in horror.Ezra’s lean figure was shrouded by a gray mist and a tarry black pool had formed under his feet, swallowing his shadow within its abyssal maw.“Lord Ezra!” She rushed to Ezra’s side to assist him, but Ezra put his hand out to stop her.“Don’t come near me!” he cried out. “I…have been cursed. It’s dangerous to get close.”As Ezra slowly turned around Tanya saw that his face was covered in open sores and there were blisters all over his neck.“How did this happen? What did you touch?” Tanya asked, her voice shaky and feeble.“I just lifted the lid off this coffin and looked inside,” Ezra replied, straining his throat. “I am sorry. I should have been more careful.”Tanya pointed her open right palm at Ezra and whispered, “Goddess, grant me your sight and allow me to see what ails your child. Selesa Alor Vamor.”A golden c

The Elite Guards were worried about Count Gressil’s safety and volunteered to accompany him outside. But Count Gressil was not ready to hear it.“You two need to stay here and protect the civilians. The town guards are trying their best to fight back, but they do not have the combat experience that you possess. You are my chosen knights, so I entrust the safety of this town to you,” he replied.“The Elder Lich is a dangerous being, Your Excellency. Going out there without any backup is dangerous. You should at least let one of us tag along,” the younger of the two Elite Guards protested. Even though he knew the risks involved, he was willing to follow the Count straight into the jaws of death.Count Gressil smiled and patted him on the shoulder. “I may look old, but I assure you the years have not caught up with me yet. There is still a lot of fight left in me. You do not need to worry about me, just protect this town. That is my final order.”“I can send one of my mechanical sentries