SSS Rank Talent 1 is a 1000

While collecting information I had several dead breasts put into my inventory. I used my talent twice. First on the chest I got for being the tenth to level up my troop. And second on the level five beast.

Of the beasts killed by my troop there were no beasts over level 5 yet. Wonder why.

I put several full and sorted chests in my inventory and went to the biggest undamaged room I found earlier. It's easier to do things in a big room.

I forgot how cold it was till I left the room with the fireplace. Or how dark this castle is. I need shoes fast.

The room was probably for balls. To dance in this room would probably be fun. But that probably won't happen anytime soon.

On the left I made a row of chests with weapons. On the right is a row of food. In the middle protective gear.

I went back and forth using my talent twice.

Then I decided to return to the room with a warm fire. I sat down about to start opening the new chests. The beginner chests have limits. But I'm hoping this one has a greater variety.

I started opening and sorting through the items. Remembering my first time making money. I assisted our hoarder neighbor in clearing out their house.

Once I came home with the money I couldn't help but brag to my sister. Then the next day my mom convinced me to give the job to my sister since I'm slow and not good at cleaning. Instead I should walk dogs or something since I had gained weight. My sister got one of the hoarders tablets and a bunch of money helping them sell stuff. And bragged.

I shook my head again. I guess no matter how old I get it's still gonna upset me. But now this isn't a hoarder's stuff, it's mine. And I have no sister or Mother to take it from me. No more manipulation.

The chests did have more variety. In fact too much variety. One chest had a teddy bear and two water bottles while another had marshmallows. Though nothing here won't be able to sell on the market. As there is a market for everything. Even a teddy bear will be useful.

After 50 chests I found boots. They were a bit big and not necessary warm but enough to go outside.

I was about to recall my troops when I got a pop up.

"Congratulations on being the first Lord to level your troops to level 10. One normal tier chest has been awarded. As well as ten iron pieces."

Wow, first place is something else. Iron pieces? That's not so simple. I haven't even acquired stone and now I have iron?

I have metal bits from the few chests I broke down. Though that's not iron but metal.

…Hold on. Level 10?

I quickly opened the troop table to see that both demons were in fact level 10 now.

I get they killed a couple of beasts but level 10? Shouldn't it get harder to level up as you go?

I guess they are killing level 5 boars. So I guess it can be considered power leveling? I don't really understand but I feel like this should be a big deal. Maybe I should ask my new friend.

No, I shouldn't reveal too much of my hand. I recalled them for now. I need to go outside to unlock the build and upgrade mode. I'm not doing that alone.

I can't say I'm sure where the entrance is either.

I wander while waiting. It's easier with boots on. But seriously it is so dangerously cold. I know I'll probably survive since I have a strong troop and great talent. But it's still rather uncomfortable.

I wish my boyfriend was here. He was a walking heater in any weather. I hope he's okay. I always talked to him about these novels. He never quite got it but I hope he got enough to pick a talent. Any talent at all. I have no clue how to go about finding him.

He wouldn't recognize my Nitorian gamer tag. He's not a gamer. He likes hiking and outside stuff. I don't like waiting like this. Should I give in and just put his name in the chat?

Actually, why am I so hesitant? My biological family doesn't know my gamer tag either. No one knows where I am just because they know I'm looking for someone. Right now a lot of people are looking for other people.

Once I make my big splash tomorrow I'll send a message out saying that I'll pay for information on him. That is too big of a mess right now. I need to be notable if anyone is gonna help me. I need to be credible.

My troops arrived flying through the halls to kneel at my feet. "Demon Lord!"

I think I'm already used to it. Or is this giving up. "I need to go outside. Lead me and guard me."

The tall one led the way while the short one walked by my side. It's kinda annoying that they don't have names. "Hey why don't you guys have names anyway?"

The short one turns to me. "Only strong demons have names. There are actually several conditions to gaining a name. One is to even kill an adult dragon. So many strong demons remain nameless because dragons are so rare now."

Defeating a dragon? "Is it hard for demons to defeat a dragon?"

The tall one laughs. "It's not necessarily easy. But there are over a thousand named demons. Out of a million or so demons. It's more likely they could become extinct soon. Leaving demons with no way to gain a name."

I never thought I would be forced to believe dragons are weak. Well I guess demons are just really strong then. I don't want to say the strongest cause it's really too early to say. Plus this could just be early stage strength. If it can't hold up in the late game… it's bad to get cocky now.

We went to a big room with lots of stairs. Giant doors at the bottom. They were open to the snow falling in.

I walked outside. I knew it because I looked at the map. But really there is nothing here but snow and mountains. The trees are sparse. And it is freezing.

I walked out a bit and turned to my castle. If this were a painting I would consider it to be very beautiful. But since this is my place I find it very displeasing. If it wasn't sheltering me from the cold and wind I would just stay outside.

"Build and Upgrade mode unlocked."

"Tutorial unlocked. Time until the first beast wave is 6 days 18 hours 15 minutes 46 seconds."

So 7 days from our arrival. That's pretty standard I guess.

I quickly go back inside. My demons following me. I go to the only warm room in the castle.

I need power even more now. "Go out and increase your levels. In six and a half days it will be war."

The demons laughed happily hearing that a war was coming. They kneel then leave.

I open the build mode.

"Your castle has remained unarmed. Please name your castle. Please remember it can not be changed. It will be permanent."

I didn't think too much about it. I'm a demon lord now. And in games the castle of the demon lord is just the Demon Lord's Castle. So why change it?

Actually I am thinking about it now. This is a game like world. If people hear about a Demon Lord's castle with demons coming from it, people would band together and I would be slaughtered.

This land is mountainous and full of snow. So maybe frost something. Frostfall, Frost bound, Frostspire….Frosthold. Crimson Frosthold Castle. Is that too strong? No Frosthold is stupid. It's a castle not a hold.

"Confirmed. Your castle has been named Frostfire Castle. This will not be changed forevermore."

I don't know if it's a good name but it shouldn't invite trouble. I'm glad I thought about it. I switched gears.

Only basic things were unlocked. Like a table and chairs. A wooden bed. All of it required resources. Mostly wood, metal, and stone. A lot of things were straight up locked.

I'm glad I used my talent on the wood. Not only to keep the fire going but if I use it on the metal bits too I can make the wooden bed. If I pile it with boar pelts I have a pretty decent bed.

The castle could be seen in 3D. I could assume rooms with specific purposes. The castle was about 1000 square meters. And there was a 2000 meter bubble where I could build anything I wanted as long as I had the materials and blueprints. I suppose the 2000 meter bubble is essentially my territory.

The materials to upgrade the castle were very extravagant. 1,000 units of wood, 3,000 units of stone, and 500 units of metal. When I upgrade itIll have a small territory increase and all of the rooms will be repaired. The castle will go from dilapidated to functional.

I could also see the castle rooms intended functions. Such as the throne room, dungeon, kitchen, and such. I assigned the ball room as the temporary warehouse. As long as I'm in my territory the warehouse can be used as essentially my inventory. People can walk in and move around but I don't need to be there to move and store things around.

I put all but one of each of the chests in the warehouse. Then opened them all at once.

Then the truly magical thing happened. I pushed the auto sort button. I loved that button in games. But in real life this is truly a miracle I will not be able to live without anymore.

The most common item in a chest is food. The food quality does improve as the level of the chest. The starter chest has things like canned beans and hardtack. Nutrient high food that doesn't taste good but you can survive. The low grade chest isn't any better but rarely you'll get something fresh.

The normal chest is where life gets more comfortable. There is a chance for spices. A higher chance of fresh fruit and veggies. And very low chance of seeds. In 999 chests I only got five small bags of seeds.

Right after food is water. All bottled.

The third most common item are the knickknacks. Things like yo-yos and dolls. Not important items but things that can definitely be sold.

Next is the equipment. The weapons and armor. The quality doesn't necessarily improve with the chest level. Just the probability of what you get. I did finally get a couple wands. The short demon will be happy.

The really rare items are what I'll call magic items till someone calls it something better. Consumables like potions that increase stamina and recover health. A necklace that can increase your intelligence. Boots that increase your speed. A sword with a fire attribute.

I didn't get many of these items so I know how valuable they truly are.

The items not found in the chests were most obviously building materials. Wood and metal can be made with breaking down the chests but it's definitely not enough. It doesn't get me any stone. The resource I need the most.

I decided to use my ability on the beasts for right now. Meat is incredibly valuable but doesn't keep for very long. But the true value is in the other drops.

Right now we can only get items through chests. Though Casey made it very clear. Not all troops are for battle. Meaning the production troops. Ones that can make weapons and armor when given the right materials. They can also make clothes and other basic necessities.

If I can get working with one of them I'll be set. If I work as their supplier I can get huge gains with very little effort. While also getting discounts on top gear.

This is the correct way to use my talent. Once that was all sorted I took a break to look at chat again. I realized Casey sent me some more messages.

Casey: Night has started to fall on people. Monsters get stronger at night. It's not clear how much yet but I would say around three times as strong.

Casey: I also noticed that some troops get stronger at night. And some get weaker. You can simply ask you troops by how much. Be safe boss.

Nitorian: Thanks for the info.