It didn't take long for the dozen or so Overlords to sign the vassal contracts.
Apart from Karman and Wilton, who had Silver-level territories, the rest had Bronze-level territories. Consequently, Charles's vassal territory expanded from 46 kiloters to 115 kiloters, and his vassal population grew from 20,000 to 40,000.
These were all temporary subordinate forces, they could leave at any ti, so strictly speaking, they weren't part of Charles's core power.
There were no limitations to this, if Charles had the strength, he could theoretically sign contracts with 10,000 subordinate forces.
The embryonic forms of major powers and nations often evolved from this model.
A force or country spanning tens of thousands of kiloters couldn't possibly have every area within the Overlord's territory. The best strategy was to first sign vassal contracts with other Overlords, making them subordinate forces, and then gradually assimilate these territories to expand one's domain.
However, Charles's developnt path differed from this model. Other forces pursued land and population, while he needed more resources.
Given the Zerg's unique characteristics, with enough resources, he could have anything.
At this mont, Karman scratched his head awkwardly and asked, "Boss, where can we buy your equipnt? I want to get so for my minions to boost their strength."
The others perked up, eagerly looking at Charles.
They had bought equipnt and units from Charles before, and compared to their crude bows and shields, Charles's products were on a different level.
They had heard that Charles had launched new weaponry and were anxious to try it out.
Charles thought to himself, "I've been waiting for this."
He coughed, pretending to ponder, and said, "I have indeed developed a new weapon called the Bio-Magic Gun. Once charged, it can amplify the user's power by twofold and launch it. However, the cooldown ti is 12 hours. The price, though, might be a bit..."
Before Charles could finish, Karman and Wilton's eyes widened in shock.
Wilton exclaid, "A weapon that can double your power?!"
Karman gasped.
"This isn't just a weapon, it's practically a divine artifact!"
If Charles's weapon could indeed double their attack power, they could dominate the entire Serene Forest!
The only downside was the long cooldown ti—once per day.
But that was a minor flaw. They could always buy more.
Karman imdiately thumped his chest and said, "Boss, how much for this Bio-Magic Gun? Na your price!"
The others nodded in agreent.
This weapon was not only a force multiplier but also a lifesaver. No matter the cost, they had to get one!
Charles had anticipated this reaction.
He smiled slightly and said, "Hold on, let finish. There are two types: the Silver-level Bio-Magic Gun, which can fire bullets with twice the power, and the Bronze-level Bio-Magic Crossbow, which fires bolts with onefold power."
"Since the crossbow bolts and bullets are specially made, they need to be purchased separately." Charles explained. "You can buy the Bio-Magic Crossbow from the weapon shops within the territory, and it'll be much cheaper than what I list on the auction house. As for the Bio-Magic Gun, you'll need to earn a certain amount of territory points to purchase it."
Karman asked, "Boss, how can we earn these territory points?"
Wiltons and the others were also eager to find out.
Charles explained, "Every day, the territory will issue various tasks. Completing these tasks will earn you points. Additionally, you can exchange equipnt materials for points or participate in special missions."
"For example, during my campaign to unify the Serene Forest, I issued a special mission. Simply by helping the army kill monsters, you can earn points."
"Furthermore, territory points can be used to trade for other items within the territory. They are currently the only currency circulating within my domain."
These concepts of territory points and the territory shop were recently introduced by Charles to attract other Overlords.
After all, he went to great lengths to simplify the Bio-Mana Cannon into the Bio-Magic Gun and then further into the Bio-Magic Crossbow, all to give other Overlords a taste of the benefits and willingly join his Zerg territory to work for him.
Yes, Charles wanted not only their money but also their willing labor to generate more wealth for him.
He was that ruthless.
Watching Karman and the others excitedly rush off to take up tasks, Charles smiled aningfully.
This was just the beginning. Once they joined his Zerg territory, even if he wanted to kick them out, they probably wouldn't leave.
While contracts couldn't guarantee the loyalty of subordinate forces, interests and clever strategies could. These were valuable lessons passed down from predecessors.
...
anwhile, after Charles's Zerg army began their march, they rapidly occupied the Serene Forest at an alarming speed.
Wherever the tens of thousands of Zergs went, nothing was left, monsters and dark creatures were all devoured completely.
If Charles hadn't specifically ordered otherwise, none of the Overlords along the way would have survived.
"What a terrifying guy." muttered a Silver-level Overlord, watching the Zerg army surge past his front gate, his eyelid twitching involuntarily.
If these bugs attacked him, he was sure his territory wouldn't hold out for ten minutes.
Brave had known that Unit 1's Zerg army was formidable, but he hadn't realized just how formidable until now.
Even so, he hadn't considered joining Charles's Zerg territory.
With his Silver-level strength, he figured he could at least escape if he couldn't defeat the invading Overlords.
Why beco a subordinate to another Overlord then?
As the swarm moved away, Brave withdrew his gaze and prepared to go back to sleep.
At that mont, he spotted a familiar figure trailing behind the Zerg army.
"Is that Karman? When did he get so strong?" Brave gasped as he watched Karman effortlessly headshot a Tier 3 elite werewolf with a single crossbow bolt.
The Serene Forest was both large and small, most of the stronger Overlords knew each other.
Brave knew Karman's strength was sowhat inferior to his own.
Even Brave himself couldn't easily kill a Tier 3 elite monster like that.
see more mvle mp|y|r
He wondered if Karman had stumbled upon so incredible fortune.
Brave was even more shocked.
When he noticed that Karman's minions had also significantly improved in strength.
So of them were even stronger than him.
"Damn, what's going on? Did he take so kind of drug?!" Brave thought incredulously as he observed more closely.
He soon pinpointed the key to the situation.
Brave's eyes locked onto the crossbows in Karman's minions' hands. He was certain these weapons were boosting their power.
Jealousy flared up in Brave instantly.
It was obvious that these were incredibly powerful pieces of equipnt.
He had quickly counted at least ten in Karman's possession.
"Damn, did he rob a Gold-level Overlord's treasury or sothing?"
Brave contemplated for a mont before deciding to shalessly ask about it.
If Karman had so many crossbows, there might be a chance he could buy one from him.
Brave hurriedly caught up to Karman, shouting from a distance, "Karman, are you selling that equipnt? I'll pay double the price!"
Karman was busy killing monsters and didn't even look at Brave. Impatiently, he replied, "This gear is made by Boss Charles. Go buy it yourself and stop distracting from earning points."
Purchasing a Bio-Magic Gun required 10,000 territory points, which ant killing at least 100 Tier 3 monsters.
To quickly acquire the weapon, Karman, Wilton, and the others were prepared to grind for points day and night.
Having experienced the power of the Bio-Magic Crossbow, every second of delay was torture for them.
Brave's eyes widened in disbelief.
"So this is the gear sold by Unit 1?!"
Brave knew that Charles sold equipnt at the auction house, but he hadn't paid much attention, assuming it couldn't be that impressive.
He hadn't expected Charles's gear to be this formidable.
Without hesitation, Brave pulled out a parchnt, ready to buy one and give it a try.
That's when he noticed that many people were discussing Charles's equipnt on the regional channel.
[Overlord Number 589: Damn, this gear is amazing! I one-shot a Tier 3 monster!]
[Overlord Number 3551: This feels incredible, and it's so cheap, priced the sa as regular Bronze gear!]
[Overlord Number 314: Guys, I heard that Unit 1's territory shop is also selling Silver-level gear, which is an upgraded version of the Bio-Magic Crossbow!]
[Overlord Number 2848: Damn, why didn't anyone tell sooner? I'm joining Unit 1's territory right now!]
…
"There's an upgraded version?!" Seeing the ssages on the regional channel, Brave was swayed.
He had witnessed the power of the Bio-Magic Crossbow.
If the Bronze-level was this strong, how much more powerful would the Silver-level be?
Watching Karman disappear into the distance, Brave gritted his teeth and made up his mind.
Others were leveling up, but he wasn't, which ant he was falling behind—a thought that the proud Brave couldn't tolerate.
He wasn't the only one thinking this way.
Seeing peers they once considered equals now far surpassing them was a bitter pill to swallow.
"At worst, I'll buy the gear and then leave. There's nothing to lose."
They thought to themselves.
With various motivations driving them, many Overlords in the Serene Forest sward toward Charles's territory.
anwhile, inside the palace of the Zerg territory.
Charles couldn't suppress the smile on his face as he watched his wallet rapidly swell.
His effort to hire shills to advertise on the regional channel had paid off handsoly.
As for those who thought they could get sothing for nothing, Charles rely chuckled.
Once they were in, leaving wouldn't be so easy.
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