Chapter 194: Illusion Shatterguard Array
A female, monotonous voice echoed from a screen on the gate's wall beside Vincent.
"Welcome back, Master Vincent."
Vincent raised his eyebrows, intrigued by the automated greeting.
Soon, a hovering humanoid chrome robot approached him. Emblazoned on its torso was the bold number "9."
"I am AI support model No. 09999—9. You may address me as Nine, or you may change my designation according to your preference."
Vincent decided to keep the name for the time being.
"Tell me all your functions and provide me with the details of the villa," he instructed.
"As you wish," Nine replied.
With that, Nine began to guide Vincent through the villa, detailing its features and functions. In summary, Vincent was satisfied with Nine's capabilities.
The AI was an all-in-one servant, capable of handling household chores—laundry, cooking, and even gardening. However, Nine's cooking skills were only average, falling short of five-star professional chefs. Still, Vincent found it acceptable.
As for the Sunset River Villa, it was a masterpiece of modern elegance, nestled gracefully near the tranquil riverbank. The two-story mansion spanned 800 to 1,000 square meters, featuring eight meticulously designed rooms.
The first floor welcomed guests with a spacious living room, a cozy dining area, a sleek kitchen, and a guest bedroom. The second floor housed the lavish master suite, three additional bedrooms, and a shared balcony offering breathtaking views of the surroundings.
Outside, the property was a haven of natural beauty. A man-made pond, stretching 15 meters by 10 meters, shimmered under the sunlight, its gentle waters reflecting the sky.
Nearby, a small artificial mountain rose 10 to 15 meters high, its base covering 400 square meters, adding a touch of grandeur to the landscape.
The villa itself was set 20 to 30 meters from the river, ensuring both safety and an uninterrupted vista of the flowing waters.
Practicality met luxury with a spacious garage, accommodating two to three cars, and a basement offering 100 square meters of versatile space—perfect for storage, a home gym, or a wine cellar.
The entire estate, encompassing the mansion, pond, mountain, and outdoor areas, was set on a generous plot of 2,000 to 3,000 square meters, creating a harmonious blend of nature and architecture.
Every detail had been thoughtfully considered, making it a sanctuary designed for both comfort and awe.
In Vincent's eyes, it was a beautiful property.
"I should let them know…" he thought.
With that, he sent a message to Marina and Amara.
After inspecting everything, Vincent made his way to the kitchen.
Earlier, he had been surprised to find the fridge stocked with food and essentials. Upon inquiring, Nine informed him that it was a gift from Anjie, the real estate agent.
Since he had some time to spare before Marina's school ended and Amara finished work, Vincent decided to prepare dinner for them.
Standing in the kitchen, his movements were steady and unhurried as he crafted a meal that would retain its warmth and flavor for hours.
He chose a dish that would stay delicious even after sitting for a while.
On the counter, he laid out the ingredients: a whole chicken, potatoes, carrots, onions, and a handful of fresh herbs—rosemary, thyme, and a bay leaf.
He preheated the oven, then seasoned the chicken generously with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Rubbing the herbs over the skin, their earthy aroma filled the kitchen.
In a large roasting pan, he arranged the chopped potatoes, carrots, and onions, tossing them with oil and seasoning. The chicken was placed on top, its golden skin glistening under the kitchen light.
Vincent slid the pan into the oven, setting the timer for an hour and a half.
As the chicken roasted, the kitchen filled with the warm, comforting scent of herbs and caramelizing vegetables.
He occasionally basted the chicken with its own juices, ensuring it stayed moist and flavorful.
Once the chicken was perfectly cooked—crispy on the outside, tender and juicy inside—Vincent removed it from the oven.
He let it rest for a few minutes before carving it into portions, arranging the meat alongside the roasted vegetables on a large platter.
He covered it loosely with foil to keep it warm without losing its texture.
For a side, he prepared a simple quinoa salad with diced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and a light lemon vinaigrette.
It was a dish that would hold up well at room temperature, adding a fresh contrast to the hearty roast.
Vincent set the table, placing the platter of chicken and vegetables in the center, the quinoa salad beside it, and a basket of warm, crusty bread. Continue your adventure at My Virtual Library Empire
He stepped back, satisfied. The meal was hearty, flavorful, and designed to stay delicious even after a few hours.
When Marina and Amara arrived, they'd surely drool in an instant. Vincent couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of their reactions.
After storing the meal, he headed to the basement. The space was vast, spanning 100 square meters. With a wave of his hand, small mountains of weapons and items appeared before him.
Despite the quantity, it was only a fraction of his accumulated items. With the resources from the Tower of Fundamentals, his small basement couldn't store everything.
These items were all common-grade. He had taken them out for a specific purpose. Soon, he sat cross-legged in the middle of the basement, the common-grade items positioned around him.
With his eyes closed and palms together, he uttered, "Melt!"
The items around him began to collapse into particles of white light, slowly converging into a liquid-like substance that floated around him.
Once the particles stabilized, Vincent made a quick succession of hand movements. The liquefied light transformed into a complicated array, and with a grunt, he slammed his palms on the ground.
Bang!
The intricate array embedded itself into the ground. In the next second, an invisible aura spread outward, covering the entire villa.
Vincent stood up and nodded in approval. "Hmm… It looks good."
The skill he had just used was one of the rare abilities he had acquired from the Tower of Illusions that he had upgraded to epic-grade. It was called the Illusion Shatterguard Array.
The Illusion Shatterguard Array would automatically activate if someone entered the villa without his permission. The array had three layers of mechanisms:
First Layer: Anyone at Tier 3 (1★) or below would be unable to find their way inside the villa.
Second Layer: Once the array confirmed the intruder's malicious intent, it would activate and deliver a strike equivalent to Peak Tier 2 strength.
Third Layer: It could withstand several attacks from a Tier 3 Origin Warrior.
Vincent had been planning to set this up since the incident at their old place. He was determined not to let anything like that happen again.