Chapter One Hundred Eight: Haunted Hallways and Management Perks

  Jace spent the next two days neck-deep in construction and enchantments, squeezing in moments to replenish his dwindling stock of potions, all while guiding Hecate’s followers through the organized chaos of the ever-expanding Fields Below. An impressive fifty thousand Society Points had poured in from recent victories and Hecate’s alliance, and Jace was determined to make every one count. He worked tirelessly, weaving Hecate’s new territory into the dark, labyrinthine expanse of Hades’ domain, crafting an arcane addition that seemed both seamless and alive with strange energy. Hours blurred together as Jace poured over the endless menus, weaving magic and Society Points into the very fabric of the Fields Below. The space transformed before his eyes, each addition bringing a new layer of mystical allure and power that felt like more than mere upgrades—they were the very essence of Hecate and Hades brought to life.

  There were the usual upgrades—expanded dorms to house Hecate’s followers, enhanced utilities, and additional library space. They hadn’t brought much from their previous society, just what they could carry—mostly items, ingredients, and scrolls—which they quickly integrated into the alchemy labs and library shelves.

  The new halls glimmered with an eerie beauty. Midnight-blue stones lined with delicate veins of silver pulsed faintly under dim torchlight. Each step into Hecate’s newly claimed sanctuary felt like descending into an ancient, secretive world. Twisting symbols etched into the stone flickered with an almost playful violet light. Low archways opened into hidden alcoves. Narrow corridors led to spacious chambers filled with rows of polished tables covered in spell components, musty tomes, and herbs scavenged from the farthest reaches of Terra Mythica. It was the sort of place that screamed, “Don’t touch anything unless you want to grow an extra limb.”

  As the upgrades settled, new options flickered to life, revealing Hecate-specific enhancements. Each potential upgrade seemed tailored to her magic, beckoning with new possibilities.

  The first new addition, dubbed the Veilfire Lanterns, transformed the hallways into ethereal passages. These enchanted lanterns lined the corridors, casting a shifting glow that flowed from deep violet to silvery starlight, as if channeling light from distant stars. Each lantern held a flicker of moonfire, its soft hum resonating with stored energy that could be drawn upon in passing, giving members a gentle boost in magical regeneration.

  The air was filled with the heady scent of wild herbs—sage, lavender, and faint traces of night jasmine—and a subtle metallic tang of raw arcane energy. The effect was haunting, a fusion of dark elegance and revitalizing power.

  Further into Hecate’s Wing, he established the Sanctum of Shadows—a chamber hidden behind a wall of ivy-covered stone. Inside, a circular pool lay at its center, filled with water so still it looked like polished glass, waiting for secrets to be spilled—or maybe keeping some to themselves. Hecate’s sigil lay at the pool’s bottom, a threefold spiral with arms etched in delicate glyphs—moon phases, keys, and torches—all converging on a central crescent moon encircled by stars. It glowed with a soft violet light, casting pins of lights that shimmered like an endless night sky across the dark walls.

  Those who entered found their thoughts sharpened, memories clarified, and spells refined, the waters granting wisdom to those brave enough to seek it. Society members who spent time here gained bonuses to perception and an enhanced ability to recall spells and information, a small but invaluable edge in the ever-evolving world.

  Finally, Jace installed the Scroll of Echoes—a mystical interface for direct communication. Mounted along the main hall’s wall, the Scroll allowed him and future leaders to broadcast messages to every member, as well as provide real-time status updates on their health and rank. Words shimmered in liquid silver across its surface, and with a faint hum, each message would appear on every member’s HUD. It was more than just a tool—it was a lifeline for coordination, especially in emergencies, and Jace could already picture the edge it would give them in the trials ahead.

  Jace took a step back, admiring the seamless blend of dark enchantment and elegant mysticism they’d built together—a sanctuary for his allies, and a force to be reckoned with.

  A hum of energy vibrated throughout the Fields Below, something new and powerful weaving itself into the air, resonating through the stone walls and torches like a low, thrilling drumbeat. He felt it thrum beneath his feet, a pulse of magic both raw and refined, marking an undeniable shift.

  Ding!

  Congratulations!

  The Society of Hades has reached Silver One.

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  A ripple of silver light shot out, tracing along the walls in an intricate web, illuminating every corner and crack. Just as the glow began to fade, a prompt appeared, hovering in front of him in bold, gleaming letters, and a flood of new options scrolled across his HUD.

  Society Interface is now available via your Traveler Handbook. To access simply…

  He focused on the blinking icon, mentally activating it, and the Society Interface flared to life, pinging with a cascade of updates. Fresh options blinked open before him, an entire hidden trove unlocked now that they’d finally reached silver-tier. Each new feature felt like a reward hard-earned, a new layer of power waiting for him to explore. Jace could feel the shift, almost like a heartbeat moving through the halls. It was the kind of thing you couldn’t miss.

  The first addition had his full attention: a shop portal, direct access to Hades’ allied stores. He snagged it immediately. Only one tier unlocked, but it was enough to get started. He placed the archway near the main Society Interface, positioned just off the main path where Hades’ and Hecate’s wings converged.

  He stepped up to the portal, watching the arch shimmer with a faint, flickering glow as it tried to connect. For a second, he caught a glimpse of shelves, shadowed figures bustling between aisles, the dim gleam of polished artifacts under candlelight. Then it stuttered, the vision collapsing as the portal turned solid again. He smirked; a little hiccup didn’t change the potential here. No more scavenging for rare components or tracking down potions by the dozen—soon, supplies and coveted relics would be just a step away.

  For now, the portal menu showed only a few grayed-out shops. He couldn’t tell if they were temporarily closed, unavailable, or perhaps locked behind higher society levels. As always, there was more to learn, each upgrade peeling back another layer of potential. Running a Society was starting to look like a full-time job—a job that needed a small army to manage right. When it was just him, he’d barely kept up with the basics, and now… he was drowning in options.

  He could now summon a visible interface anytime, anywhere, toggling between a private mode just for his eyes or a shared display others could see. It gave him full access to every feature and piece of data in the Society—a brilliant tool, really, and one that set his mind racing with possibilities.

  He pulled up the member interface and located Molly’s profile. With a tap, a faint, glowing line appeared, stretching out before him like a spectral compass needle pointing the way through the ever-expanding maze of the Fields Below. Thankfully, she wasn’t too far—the Fields seemed to sprawl more each day, corridors branching into new chambers that twisted and turned in on themselves.

  Following the luminescent guide, he wound through shadowed passages and under archways etched with ancient symbols. The air was cool, tinged with the scent of sage and something darker, more elusive. He turned a corner and spotted Molly standing atop a small ladder, adjusting a row of softly glowing Veilfire Lanterns; violet and silver dancing over the stone walls. Each flicker seemed to breathe life into the carvings and reliefs, the shadows playing tricks on the eyes. Molly reached up, her fingers deftly repositioning one of the lanterns, and the light washed over her, illuminating the focused determination on her face.

  Her lips moved in a way that didn’t quite sync with the words she murmured—maybe to herself, or maybe to someone only she could see. Jace stretched his senses, feeling the faint energy of wandering spirits circling her, drawn like moths to a flame. She always had that vibe—one foot in this world, and the other somewhere you wouldn’t want to visit after dark.

  “Molly,” Jace called out, catching her attention. She turned to Jace, fixing him with a blank, almost unsettlingly pleasant gaze.

  “Want a promotion?” Jace asked, flashing a grin that was all mischief.

  Molly arched an eyebrow, crossing her arms with a skeptical look. “Oh no. Don’t even think about pinning this on me. I’ve already got enough on my plate as a Faculty Aide.”

  He let out a laugh, a real one that softened his usual brooding edge. “Come on, Molly. You’ve seen how things are lately—all these new members, the chaos. I need help, and not just from anyone. You’ve got the whole Hecate vibe down.”

  She narrowed her eyes, a glint of suspicion mixing with something warmer. “And what exactly do I get out of it, besides a fancy title and a ton of extra headaches?”

  “That’s pretty much it,” Jace admitted with a shrug, though his grin widened. “But… you’d also get silver-tier privileges. Full access to the good stuff on the menu.” He gestured to the glowing interface floating in the air and made it publicly visible. “Plus, you could allocate Society Points, choose upgrades, send society-wide messages. You’d be the boss of Hecate’s corner. And don’t act like you wouldn’t secretly love that.”

  Her gaze flickered to the menu, and the hint of a sly smile tugged at her lips. He could see her weighing the options. “Fine. But I want my own team—I’m not babysitting Hecate’s whole crew solo.”

  “Deal!” He said, extending his hand. She clasped it, her grip firm and unwavering. He initiated the prompt to upgrade her status and permissions. Molly glanced at the notification, gave a quick nod, and accepted it without hesitation.

  “Oh, one more thing,” He added, trying to keep his tone casual. “You’d be helping out on the Hades side, too. Just a little… you know, management stuff.”

  “What?” Molly’s eyes widened as she processed. “Are you telling me—“

  “Yep, you’re now officially Society Second.” He grinned wider, already taking a step back.

  “Jace!” Her voice shot through the halls, layered with shock and outrage.

  “Sorry, can’t hear you!” he called, already turning on his heel and bolting down the corridor, her indignant yell chasing after him.

  “You little…!” was the last thing he heard as he rounded the corner.

  Once he was out of sight, he slowed, eyes catching on a new section of the menu—a column of golden upgrades, each one locked tight behind gold rank. But he could see it now: a fortified inner sanctum, hidden portals, resources that could turn the Fields Below into something unstoppable.

  He exhaled, the seed of a plan already taking root. First, he’d need to push the Society to the next level. Winter classes were coming, and with them, the challenges—and chances—he needed to make this happen.