Just before the system displayed El Dorado's average and above facilities, its quest system that Daz was linked to through Fort Skip was reestablished.

Congratulations! You have successfully completed the side/required quest [The 20 Trials of El Dorado]. Quest Rewards 10,000,000 Merit Points. +200 to all stats. 10 random gems: 4 normal [Amethysts], 2 normal [Diamonds] 3 normal [Rubies] and 1 young [Moss and Raspberry Alexandrite] (these items have been added to the host's [Industrial Item Box] under the label [Reward Gems]). 50kg of pure gold ingots (this has automatically been added to the host's [Industrial Item Box] under the label [Reward Gold Ingots]). A-ranked shovel [Shimmering Ornate Scooper] (this has automatically been added to the host's [Industrial Item Box] under the label [Reward Shovel]). An Upgrade to the host's [Ore Collection] skill.

As was evident from the presented information, Daz had invested in an upgrade that affected all of his Fort Home residing residents which allowed the system to put physical quest rewards directly into item boxes and similar storage-type skills.

There was a lot to digest from the quest reward sheet. Daz intended to go through all of the interesting bits, but first, his vision was filled with an update of his merit points and then immediately followed by his newly improved Ore Collection skill.

The total merit balance of the host is now: 203,351,373 [+10,000,000].

10,000,000 absolutely wasn't a small number, but in comparison to Daz's massive stockpile of cash, well, it seemed like a petty sum considering that he earned far more than that passively every Monday.

Sentient Ore Collection [A-Rank (Higher Tier)] [Up one entire rank!] Description

A very rare skill only earned by those well-versed in conversing with and befriending jewels that possess minds of their own. The requirements to learn, purchase, or earn this skill have driven many a man insane, but its benefits are more than worth it to those that wish to obtain it.

Congratulations! You now have the perfect skill to both find and enslave sentient rocks with little to no effort! I wonder what enslaved rocks would be forced to dig up in a mineshaft? Maybe people? That'd be a pretty ironic twist, wouldn't it?

Level 1 Abilities Grants the host a sixth sense that allows them to discover nearby or slightly distant gems and metal ore vein deposits. Automatically collects raw gems and metal ores that enter the host's detection range. They are stored in a fixed subspace of the skill's which can only be accessed by the host or the most skilled of space thieves. [New!] Grants the host the ability to passively detect sentient jewels, crystals, and metals within a 50-meter radius and automatically gives the host the option to contract with any discovered such beings.

The new effect certainly sounded useful, at face value, however, Daz was aware that if he were to use this skill to forcefully contract with even one gem that if he ever tried his luck again in the Astral Crystal Plane - which he still tried to do daily - then his chances of finding a truly powerful jewel to contract with would disappear.

Just getting the ten gems that he already possessed had taken him over a hundred attempts during the auction and if he ever wanted to get more to increase the passive buffs and abilities that they provided then he would have to avoid using this forceful contract feature when possible.

Funnily enough, his first chance to use it appeared immediately. Daz could sense that the jade attached to his necklace - Acamapichtli's Eye - actually held sentience.

Contract Opportunity

The host has discovered a sentient jewel that is without a contractor. Would the host like to contract the unique [Pearlescent Jade]?

Y/N

"Well, this is unexpected," Daz said aloud.

Sir Albert and Madison cocked their heads in unison.

"What is?" Sir Albert asked curiously

"Mmm?" Madison was as interested as the old man was.

"This jade," Daz said as he held up the centrepiece of his amulet, "It's sentient," he explained.

Ak nodded.

"It has, indeed, developed into a minor god. I was not sure if you were aware so I did not mention it out of consideration for it, but yes, you are right. The eye is capable of thought."

'Minor god this, minor god that. These mummies are pretty liberal with that term aren't they?' Daz thought as he replied to the system with a stern 'no'.

"I won't force you to serve me, but if you ever feel like joining my little army of gems," Daz said as he summoned the ten jewels he already had a contract with, "then let me know, 'kay?"

The jade shook softly and then went still.

"How impressive... So many minor gods listen to your command. I have never met an exterminator like you before. Is it the mysterious being's doing?"

Daz shrugged. "Something like that, anyway, we should really go," he said to Madison.

Apparently, they'd been inside the trials for a whole 3-days according to the system's clock, so Daz wanted to let Rose know that he and Madison were fine, at the very least. There was no phone signal all the way out here even despite Rose's new phone service being more powerful than the ones of the modern age.

"Very well. The foreign being you entered with is growing rather impatient, so I was hoping you would wish to leave soon. I fear its ability to create walls, in truth."

Madison's eyes lit up. "Mr Barrier!"

Daz looked at George and asked, "Do you want to be taken in as my citizen and teleported to California, or would you rather live here?"

George held his chin for a minute then smiled wryly. "All of our friends kind of died finding this place or in the trials themselves. I'll stay with Sir Albert and collect the bodies. I need to start making arrangements to send them home, well, if they still have a home to be sent to. I don't want Sir Albert getting lonely either. At least not until there are more people to keep him company."

"George... Such a good young man. Ah, King Daz, should you ever run into anything that looks particularly old, even if you can study it via the system, please send it to me so I can further inspect it, would you? The system isn't perfect and perhaps I can learn more secrets about whatever items and relics you may discover in the future," Sir Albert politely and somewhat eagerly requested.

Daz nodded. "Sure. I don't really mind." And with that, Daz turned around to make for the exit, but as if it had been waiting for the conversation to die down, the system finally fulfilled Daz's original request to show him El Dorado's facilities.

He sighed. "I guess we'll leave in a minute."

Everyone looked confused, but regardless of the odd gazes, Daz read the information presented to him.

Physical City Upgrade [Average] Aztecan Ritual Temple of the Trials Description

Is a host to a trial of the [20 Trials of El Dorado] and was created with the express purpose to mass-produce gold. This function was destroyed during the downfall of the celestial pantheon and their war with what they called the exterminators.

To think a group of hazmat-wearing people with a knack for killing bugs wiped out a group of supposed gods... Bug-spray is powerful I tell ya.

Upgrade Once per moon cycle, will turn all collected moonlight into pure gold (an average of 10-40KG). [This upgrade does not work and the system does not have enough available references to repair it].

Daz took Madison by the hand and said a final farewell to Ak, Sir Albert, and George before he thought, 'So turning moonlight into gold isn't common? Good to know that even the system doesn't know everything.'

Five of the 19 pyramid-shaped temples were of Aztecan design, and, of course, all five of them were broken.

As he and Madison were walking through the streets of the lifeless city the information for the next set of temples made itself known to the reaper.

Physical City Upgrade [Average] Mayan Ritual Temple of the Trials Description

Is a host to a trial of the [20 Trials of El Dorado] and was created with the express purpose to refine gold. This function was destroyed during the downfall of the celestial pantheon and their war with what they called the exterminators.

Exterminate! Exterminate! Exter- Oh, exterminat-or, not extermi-nate... My bad.

Upgrade Once per moon cycle, will allow the designated refiner priest to use the gathered moonlight to refine gold into items (an average of 5-20 items). [This upgrade does not work and the system does not have enough available references to repair it].

'Heh. It's actually pretty amusing to read that idiot's messages when he isn't just insulting me nonstop,' Daz thought.

Again, five of the pyramids were made by the Mayans much like the Aztecan ones.

Before long, Daz and Madison had reached the city's entrance, so Daz held up his necklace to the massive gates, resulting in them swinging open for the two of them.

Mr Barrier practically flew into Madison's face, so, while those two were reconnecting, Daz glanced over the capabilities of the next set of temples.

Physical City Upgrade [Average] Incan Ritual Temple of the Trial Description

Is a host to a trial of the [20 Trials of El Dorado] and was created with the express purpose to inspire the minds of those who are trained in the art of receiving moonlight energy. This function was destroyed during the downfall of the celestial pantheon and their war with what they called the exterminators.

Inspire the mind? Sounds like some good juujuu juice if you ask me... Where can I get some?

Upgrade Once per moon cycle, will allow the designated inspiration priest to use the gathered moonlight to induce heavy bouts of inspiration (an average of 3-10 times). [This upgrade does not work and the system does not have enough available references to repair it].

'How very specific and equally vague. Why on Earth would the Incans have needed to be inspired? To come up with new battle tactics against the espers? But I'm sure the temples were made before the war started... Strange,' Daz thought as he summoned his Ridomochi. Madison and he got in it and were soon driving back towards Fort Home.

Again, like the other two temple types, the Incan one applied to five pyramids. The final four temples belonged to the Muisca and were all dedicated to permanence, though only one of these temples still possessed a functional alter.

"Hey, Maddy," Daz called, rousing the drowsy girl from her sleep. She was very susceptible to the trap that was the Ridomcohi Final Model's comfort.

"Mmm?" she muttered questioningly as she squeezed the fuzzy ball of blue that was peacefully laying on her lap.

"El Dorado has one above average, one slightly large, and one large facility. Wanna take any guesses to what any of them are?" he asked playfully.

Madison yawned and brought one of her hands up to her chin before she squinted her eyes. "Mmm... Big, pyramid, above, average. Walls, slightly, large?" After those two guesses, she narrowed her eyes even further. "Large, don't, know."

Daz smiled. "Well, we'll find out in a second."

Physical City Upgrade [Above Average] Celestial Palace of Suppression Description

Is a host to a trial of the [20 Trials of El Dorado] and was created with the express purpose to cancel out foreign powers on a mass scale. This function was destroyed during the downfall of the celestial pantheon and their war with what they called the exterminators.

I kinda wish the system knew more about these things. I'm legitimately a bit interested in all of this stuff. Understanding how something works that can suppress you, in particular, sounds beneficial to, well, everyone.

Upgrade Constantly utilises moonlight to suppress powers not of the celestial pantheon's creation. [This upgrade does not work and the system does not have enough available references to repair it].

'Huh, so it doesn't have a once-a-moonlight-cycle limitation like the rest of them? This thing must have been a nightmare to deal with for my ancestor. Good,' Daz thought mockingly. "You were right about the temple, Maddy."

The girl smiled with her eyes. "Yay."

Daz leaned over and kissed her softly. "Let's see if you're two-for-two."

Physical City Upgrade [Slightly Large] Flesh of Tezcatlipoca Description

Tezcatlipoca was a local god with four aspects, the first, Tezcatlipoca - god of providence, the darkness and the invisible, lord of the night, ruler of the North - sacrificed his flesh to birth the golden bulwark that now protects [El Dorado] from all who are unwelcome, even the system.

A wall of flesh? Where have I heard of that before...

Upgrade Entry through these walls can only be gained with the permission of the arbiters of [El Dorado], [Ak and Tek], the city's inheritor, or via Acamapichtli's Eye.

Daz nodded then gave Madison another kiss. She blinked her eyes and asked, "Two, for, two?"

"Yup," the reaper happily answered. "Turns out those golden walls were made out of a god's flesh, by the way."

Madison tilted her head. "Shiny, body, then."

"Right, haha," Daz chuckled before he cracked his somewhat stiff neck and looked at the information of El Dorado's final facility.