《Sovereign of the Abyss》 Awakening in the Abyss Chapter 1: Awakening in the Abyss The air was thick with a metallic scent, cloying and suffocating. Blood-red clouds hung overhead, swirling and churning as if the heavens themselves had cracked open. Jagged, shattered buildings loomed in the distance, their broken forms standing as silent witnesses to a forgotten time. The ground beneath him was cold, uneven stone, worn and cracked. He lay sprawled on the ground, his chest heaving, as if he had been thrown into this strange, hostile world. His mind felt fragmented¡ªmemories slipping away like grains of sand through his fingers. Who am I? The thought echoed in his mind, but it was vague¡ªdistant. His identity, his life before this moment, was a blur. The only thing that felt real was the heavy, gnawing emptiness in his chest, the strange sense of being¡­ out of place. A low, guttural growl snapped him from his thoughts. His eyes darted to the source of the sound. A hulking, grotesque figure emerged from the shadows. It was humanoid in shape, but its skin was pale and stretched tight over its skeletal frame, rotting and decaying. Eyes, once human, now hollow and void of life, glowed with an eerie, unnatural light. Its mouth opened in a horrific grin, revealing sharp, jagged teeth that dripped with viscous black saliva. "Abyssborn¡­" The word slipped from his lips, though he didn¡¯t know how he knew it. He instinctively pushed himself to his feet, the motion clumsy and slow, his legs wobbling beneath him. This was no ordinary place. The creature took a step forward, its limbs jerking unnaturally, its grin widening as it inched closer, its decayed breath heavy in the air. It raised a mangled arm, aiming for his throat. But something stirred within him. A strange power. It radiated from deep inside, prickling at the back of his mind, almost as if it were calling to him. His hand shot out without thought, and in that instant, the world around him seemed to freeze. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. A strange symbol appeared on his palm, glowing with a dim, sickly green light. The air hummed with an unnatural energy, and before he could fully comprehend what was happening, the ground beneath the Abyssborn shifted. The earth cracked open beneath it, and from the depths, skeletal hands emerged, gripping the beast¡¯s limbs. The Abyssborn snarled, struggling against the undead hands that held it in place. But it was no use. The skeletal hands tightened their grip, and the creature howled in agony as it was pulled into the earth, vanishing from sight. ¡°What the hell¡­?¡± The man gasped, staring at his hand in disbelief. He felt the strange symbol on his palm fade, leaving a lingering warmth in its place. His heart pounded, and for a moment, he simply stood there, overwhelmed by the sudden surge of power he had just wielded. Then, a voice¡ªsoft, almost like a whisper¡ªrang in his mind. It wasn¡¯t his own voice. It was something deeper, more ancient. [SYSTEM INITIALIZING...] [WELCOME, AURELIUS VORN.] [YOU HAVE BEEN CHOSEN.] The words hung in the air like a strange riddle, but the voice had a comforting presence. Chosen for what? He didn¡¯t know. But there was no time to dwell on the question. The world around him was already shifting, and the Abyssborn wasn¡¯t the only danger here. He could sense it¡ªa strange weight in the air, as if the very fabric of reality had been torn and left to fester. Then, another voice, this time distant, but clear. ¡°Survive. Learn. Conquer.¡± The voice urged, cold and commanding. ¡°You are the Necromancer. Your journey begins now.¡± The system, the voice, the power that surged through him¡ªit all made sense in that moment. He wasn¡¯t here by accident. He had been brought to this place, this world of death and decay, for a reason. And that reason? To command death itself. He swallowed hard, forcing himself to steady his breath. His body felt weak, like it was still adjusting to this new reality. But there was something more¡ªa deep hunger for power, a thirst for something he couldn¡¯t yet understand. "Necromancer..." He whispered the word, testing it. The idea of commanding the dead, of harnessing power over the very essence of life and death, felt alien but¡­ right. Another sound broke through the silence¡ªthe low, eerie rumble of something approaching. The ground shook beneath his feet, and before he could react, another figure appeared before him. This one was different¡ªa towering, humanoid figure clad in dark armor, its eyes glowing with a malevolent energy. A figure made of darkness. It raised a hand, pointing directly at him, and in an instant, a blast of shadow energy shot toward him. The attack was so sudden, so fast, he barely had time to react. But then¡ªinstinctively¡ªhis hand shot forward once more, and this time, the symbol on his palm flared to life. The undead warriors beneath the earth responded immediately, emerging from the ground with terrifying speed. They formed an impenetrable shield, blocking the shadow attack. The blast hit them, but the warriors absorbed the impact, shattering into dust but regenerating instantly. The attack had no effect. The shadowy figure paused, taken aback by the unexpected resistance. It growled, stepping forward. ¡°Interesting. You are no ordinary traveler. But you will be my prey, just like the rest.¡± A cruel laugh echoed in the air, but Aurelius didn¡¯t flinch. Instead, a dark grin spread across his face. ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡± With a simple gesture, he raised his hand again. And this time, the earth split wide open, and an army of undead soldiers surged forth, their hollow eyes glowing with an unnatural light. The battle had only just begun. And in this new world, he was the ruler of death. Chapter 2: The Awakening Aurelius Vorn stood in the aftermath of his first battle, the strange surge of power coursing through him. His mind was still reeling from the overwhelming flood of sensations¡ªthe unfamiliar system activating, the undead soldiers rising, the enemy retreating before him. He felt a strange mixture of elation and unease. The battle had been won, but Aurelius knew this was only the beginning. His victory had come too easily. The undead, though fierce in combat, had acted with mindless obedience. They were not alive, not in the way he was. They had no thoughts, no emotions¡ªjust servitude to his will. But something about them unsettled him. They were like shadows of what they once were, and he, too, felt like a shadow of himself. These creatures were more than mere soldiers; they were a reflection of his power, and with them came an unsettling emptiness. Aurelius had won the battle, but the cost weighed on him. What had he truly gained? A few victories, yes, but was that all? He wanted answers¡ªhe needed answers. As he turned his gaze toward the crimson horizon, the glowing remnants of battle fading behind him, he noticed something peculiar. The sky shimmered with an eerie light, an unnatural glow that seemed to beckon him. It was almost as if the land itself was calling to him, urging him to walk deeper into this unknown world. Why had he been brought here? What was the true nature of his power? Before he could dwell on these thoughts for too long, a voice interrupted, cold and metallic, echoing in his mind like a distant whisper. [System Activated: Gold Finger Level 1] [Power Analysis: Necromancy Initiated] [Ability Gained: Raise Undead] [Available Actions: Summon Undead, Strengthen Existing Summons, Enhance Soul Drain] Aurelius blinked. The Gold Finger system had spoken once again, detailing his newfound abilities. He had already used his power to summon undead soldiers, but now, it seemed, he was capable of something more¡ªstrengthening them, augmenting them, and draining souls to increase his own power. The words of the system echoed in his mind like a strange hymn, a guiding force he couldn''t escape. His power was tied to the dead¡ªthere was no denying that. The undead soldiers he had summoned had already started to decay, their skeletal forms losing their cohesion. If he didn¡¯t act quickly, they would dissipate into the air like dust. But he could change that.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Aurelius closed his eyes and focused. The golden energy of the system swirled around him, and he reached out with his will. The ground beneath his feet began to tremble, and the undead before him stirred, their hollow eyes flickering to life once again. "Rise," he commanded, his voice low and commanding. The skeletal soldiers straightened, their movements more fluid, their energy restored. The decay that had begun to take hold of them had been reversed. Their bones cracked and shifted as if they were alive again. But they were not. They were his servants¡ªtools he could use to shape the world around him. His heart pounded in his chest as he realized the potential of what he had just done. He had strengthened them. The system¡¯s voice provided a prompt, confirming the change. [Level Up! Level 2 Achieved] [New Ability Acquired: Soul Drain ¨C Absorb the life force of the fallen to restore your own vitality.] The newfound power surged through him, and Aurelius felt a sense of control he had never experienced before. The undead were no longer just soldiers. They were an extension of himself. Every time they fought, he grew stronger. Every death added to his power. Yet, in the back of his mind, the question lingered: At what cost? His undead army now stood at attention, more formidable than before, but there was a nagging feeling in his chest. He had gained this strength so quickly, but what did it truly mean? Power, without the means to control it, was a dangerous thing. With a deep breath, Aurelius turned and began walking into the unknown. The system''s prompt flashed again, detailing his progress. Personal Attributes: Level: 2 Health: 100/100 Mana: 120/150 Strength: 12 (+2 from previous level) Intelligence: 14 (+2 from previous level) Charisma: 6 (+1 from previous level) Necromancy Proficiency: 20% (+5 from previous level) Undead Control: 25% (+10 from previous level) He could feel his power increasing, but also a growing sense of responsibility. He was no longer a mere traveler¡ªhe was a conqueror. He had to find his place in this new world, but that wouldn¡¯t be easy. There were dangers everywhere, and with every new ability, there were risks that followed. Was this the kind of person he wanted to become? A ruler? A destroyer? These questions haunted him, but there was one thing he knew for certain: The world would know his name. Chapter 3 : Exploring Aurelius stood silently in the clearing, the wind howling as his undead soldiers knelt before him. The undead warriors, in various states of decay, stood at attention, their hollow eyes fixed on him. It was eerie, yet powerful¡ªhe had summoned an army. These weren''t just mindless shells; they had purpose. The air crackled with power as he felt the surge of energy flowing through him. His necromantic abilities had grown, but so too had the weight of responsibility. His thoughts wandered to his new abilities, the Soul Drain, which allowed him to consume the life force of the fallen to enhance his power. It was tempting. The temptation to take the easy path¡ªto simply drain every enemy he encountered and grow ever stronger¡ªwas great. But something inside him hesitated. There was a darkness stirring in the pit of his stomach, an unease he couldn¡¯t shake. Every time he used his powers, it felt like he was becoming less human, more... something else. More detached. He looked down at his undead soldiers. These beings¡ªthese creatures¡ªwere nothing more than instruments of his will. They were tools to him, yet every time he controlled them, he felt a growing connection to them, a strange link he couldn¡¯t explain. Were they becoming more than just lifeless husks? Could they somehow feel his emotions? Or was it merely his own mind projecting onto them? He shook off the thought. There was no time for doubt. The world was not going to wait for him to wrestle with his conscience. If he wanted power, he needed to keep pushing forward. Aurelius raised his hand, the signal for his undead soldiers to rise. The Grave Guardians, skeletal warriors clad in tattered armor, stood tall, their bony hands gripping rusted swords. "Prepare to fight." His voice rang out, sharp and commanding. Aurelius felt the surge of power flow through him. It was subtle, but he could feel the difference. His control over the undead was improving, his bond with them stronger than ever. He had unlocked more of his potential, but it wasn¡¯t enough. Not yet. He needed more. He felt the urge to test his powers, to see just how far he could push them. The challenge ahead was not just about fighting¡ªit was about testing his limits, understanding how his powers worked. Aurelius summoned the first wave of his undead. Ten skeleton warriors, six zombies, and two ghouls. Their forms slowly emerged from the ground, the soil parting as they rose from the grave. His control was growing. But so was his unease. As he formed the bond with these creatures, the more they seemed... alive. "Attack!" he shouted, watching as his undead charged forward, their movements mechanical but efficient. The skeleton warriors led the charge, their swords raised high as they barreled toward the target. In the distance, a massive hellhound emerged, its fur matted and dripping with blood. Its eyes burned with an unnatural red glow as it charged toward his army.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. The undead were fast, but the hellhound was faster. It dove into the front lines, its massive claws slashing through the first wave of skeletons, reducing them to a pile of shattered bones. Aurelius gritted his teeth, commanding his undead to surround the beast. His heart raced¡ªnot out of fear, but excitement. He felt the surge of power course through him. But it wasn¡¯t enough. Despite his undead soldiers¡¯ enhanced strength, the hellhound was a beast of great power, tearing through them with ease. "Focus your attacks on its flanks!" Aurelius shouted, his voice sharp. But his undead were faltering, their coordination slipping under the pressure of the hellhound¡¯s relentless assault. He felt the strain on his mind as he desperately tried to direct their movements. His undead control was limited. He could only keep up with so many commands at once before their effectiveness began to wane. It was a harsh reminder that his power, although potent, had limitations. At least for now. The Grave Guardian, his most powerful undead soldier, stepped forward, its massive sword raised high. It engaged the hellhound in a one-on-one battle, clashing with the beast¡¯s claws. The fight was brutal, the earth trembling with every strike. But Aurelius watched closely, his undead control ability keeping the other undead in line, ensuring they didn¡¯t falter. The hellhound roared, its fangs bared, but the Grave Guardian pressed forward. After a lengthy battle, it delivered a final strike to the beast¡¯s chest, cleaving its heart in half. The hellhound collapsed into the earth, disintegrating into ash. --- EXP Breakdown: Hellhound (Level 5): Base EXP: 50 EXP (Level * 10) Bonus EXP for Effort: 13 EXP (Bonus for strategic play, flanking maneuvers) Total EXP Gained from Hellhound: 63 EXP Additional EXP via Soul Drain: 19 EXP (30% of enemy¡¯s total EXP absorbed into his soul) Total EXP After Battle: 63 EXP (killed) + 19 EXP (Soul Drain) = 82 EXP --- Aurelius stood victorious but unsatisfied. His undead had won the battle, but the cost had been high. His undead warriors had fallen, and he felt the toll that the battle had taken on him. The more he used his powers, the more detached he felt, as if he were losing a part of himself each time. The Soul Drain ability pulsed within him, tempting him to consume the life force of the fallen hellhound, to grow stronger. But he hesitated. There was a price to be paid. Every time he used the Soul Drain, he felt more hollow inside. He could feel the essence of the creature being consumed, corrupting his very soul. He could take the power. He could grow stronger, but was it worth it? Would it make him like one of those he was raising from the dead¡ªempty, driven only by his need for more power? His thoughts were interrupted as he surveyed the battlefield. His undead soldiers had been reduced to nothing but ashes. He had lost control at some points, and it showed. The Grave Guardian had barely held its own against the hellhound. It was clear¡ªhis undead were growing stronger, but they weren¡¯t invincible. It was time to reassess. Aurelius knew that he couldn¡¯t continue relying on brute force alone. He needed to refine his control, strengthen his undead, and perhaps most importantly, understand the true nature of his powers. What if the Soul Drain wasn¡¯t just a tool for growth? What if it was a path to corruption? The task before him was clear. He needed to master his abilities but at a pace that would allow him to retain his humanity. To learn how to balance his power and keep the darkness at bay. He closed his eyes, focusing inward. He felt the undead army behind him, their hollow gazes awaiting his next command. It was time to move forward. The true test had only just begun. --- Personal Attributes Update: Level: 5 Health: 140/140 Mana: 120/150 Strength: 24 (+2 from previous level) Intelligence: 30 (+4 from previous level) Charisma: 12 (+2 from previous level) Necromancy Proficiency: 60% (+10 from previous level) Undead Control: 70% (+10 from previous level) Undead Enhancement: 25% (+10 from previous level) EXP Gained: 82 EXP (Hellhound + Soul Drain) EXP to Next Level: 37 EXP Undead Command Limit: 10 undead Undead Tier Available: Tier 1 (Skeletons, Zombies, Ghouls, Grave Guardians) Chapter 4: The Price of Power Chapter 4 ¨C The Price of Power Aurelius wiped his brow, feeling a cold sensation spreading through his body. It wasn¡¯t exhaustion. No, it was something else¡ªhis growing connection to death. He had leveled up, yet instead of excitement, he felt a strange heaviness in his soul. The Soul Drain ability had absorbed part of the hellhound¡¯s essence, leaving behind a whispering hunger in the depths of his mind. His undead stood around him in eerie silence, awaiting his command. Their presence was stronger than before, like extensions of himself. He instinctively reached out and counted: 4 Skeleton Warriors ¨C Agile but fragile. Basic foot soldiers. 3 Zombies ¨C Slow but resilient. Their bodies could withstand multiple hits. 2 Ghouls ¨C More intelligent and far deadlier. Fast, strong, and ruthless. 1 Grave Guardian ¨C A hulking undead knight wielding a cleaver, his strongest summon so far. Even though he had improved, his current limit was 10 undead at a time. Frowning, he flicked his hand to summon his Status Screen. --- [Status] Name: Aurelius Vorn Level: 5 EXP: 37 / 150 Health: 140/140 Mana: 120/150 This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. Strength: 24 Intelligence: 30 Charisma: 12 Necromancy Proficiency: 60% Undead Control: 70% (Max Limit: 10 undead) Undead Enhancement: 25% Undead Tier Available: Tier 1 (Skeletons, Zombies, Ghouls, Grave Guardians) --- 37 EXP. Not enough to level up. His mana had recovered slightly to 120/150, but summoning undead drained him quickly. The fastest way to restore it was through Soul Drain, consuming the energy of fallen enemies. For now, he had to test his strength. --- The Hunt Begins The dense forest stretched endlessly, its towering trees casting eerie shadows over the land. Aurelius advanced with his undead army. The ghouls scouted ahead, moving like silent predators. The zombies and skeletons stayed in formation behind him. Then, a deep snarl echoed through the trees. Aurelius stopped. His sharp gaze scanned the area. In the shadows, red eyes gleamed. One. Two. Three. Dire Wolves. Larger than normal wolves, their bodies radiated unnatural strength. Not as strong as the hellhound, but much faster. Aurelius smirked. Perfect prey. "Engage," he commanded. His undead charged. The first dire wolf lunged, crushing a skeleton¡¯s skull in its jaws. CRACK! Bones scattered across the ground. The second charged straight for Aurelius. He barely dodged as its claws tore into the earth where he had been standing. His mana surged¡ªSoul Shackles! Dark chains erupted from the ground, binding the wolf¡¯s legs. It struggled violently, but the spell held. The Grave Guardian stepped forward, raising its massive cleaver. WHOOSH! A powerful downward slash split the wolf in half. --- [EXP Gain] Dire Wolf (Level 4) Base EXP: 40 Soul Drain Bonus: 12 Total EXP Gained: 52 --- Aurelius felt power surge through him. His mana partially recovered¡ªnow at 135/150. The remaining wolves hesitated. They had seen what happened. Good. Let them fear. "Surround them," he ordered. The ghouls flanked the wolves, their claws gleaming under the dim light. One leapt at a dire wolf, tearing through its throat. Blood sprayed as the beast collapsed. The Grave Guardian finished it off, crushing its skull with a brutal swing. --- [EXP Gain] Dire Wolf (Level 4) Base EXP: 40 Soul Drain Bonus: 12 Total EXP Gained: 52 --- The final wolf turned to flee. Aurelius wouldn¡¯t allow it. His undead rushed forward. The ghouls tackled the beast, ripping into its flesh. It let out one final whimper before going still. --- [EXP Gain] Dire Wolf (Level 4) Base EXP: 40 Soul Drain Bonus: 12 Total EXP Gained: 52 --- 156 EXP. --- [Level Up!] Level: 6 EXP: 7 / 200 Health: 160/160 Mana: 140/160 Strength: 26 (+2) Intelligence: 34 (+4) Charisma: 14 (+2) Necromancy Proficiency: 70% (+10) Undead Control: 80% (Max Limit: 12 undead) Undead Tier Available: Tier 1 (Skeletons, Zombies, Ghouls, Grave Guardians) --- A Moment of Silence The battlefield reeked of blood and rot. Aurelius took a deep breath. The dire wolves had been formidable. But he had won. His strength was increasing. Slowly but surely. He turned to his undead, his mind racing. This world would not be kind to him. If he wanted to survive¡ªif he wanted to rule¡ªhe had to keep pushing forward. Aurelius stepped forward. His undead followed, silent as death itself. The hunt would continue. Chapter 5: The Gathering Storm Chapter 5 ¨C The Gathering Storm Aurelius walked through the dense forest, his undead trailing behind him like shadows of death. The battle against the dire wolves had given him valuable experience, both in combat and in understanding the limits of his necromantic abilities. He could now control up to 12 undead, but he knew that raw numbers alone wouldn''t be enough. Stronger enemies awaited him. He opened his Status Screen. --- [Status] Name: Aurelius Vorn Level: 6 EXP: 7 / 200 Health: 160/160 Mana: 140/160 Strength: 26 Intelligence: 34 Charisma: 14 Necromancy Proficiency: 70% Undead Control: 80% (Max Limit: 12 undead) Undead Tier Available: Tier 1 (Skeletons, Zombies, Ghouls, Grave Guardians) --- His fingers clenched into a fist. Tier 1 summons were useful but limited. ¡°If I want to stand at the top, I need stronger minions.¡± A new goal formed in his mind¡ªevolve his necromantic abilities to summon Tier 2 undead. But to do that, he needed two things: 1. More EXP ¨C The leveling system was clear. Stronger enemies meant more rewards. 2. Stronger Souls ¨C His current undead were basic because he had only reanimated weak creatures. If he wanted Tier 2, he needed stronger corpses. He needed a battlefield.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. And he knew exactly where to find one. --- The Ruins of Eldrin Aurelius continued deeper into the forest, guided by a vague pull in his chest¡ªa dark energy calling to him. Hours passed. The trees thinned, revealing ancient ruins buried beneath vines and decay. Massive stone pillars stood like broken teeth, remnants of a forgotten civilization. But what truly caught his attention was the presence lurking within. Shadows moved. Figures stirred in the distance, emerging from the depths of the ruins. Bandits. A group of six, each armed with crude weapons. They hadn¡¯t noticed him yet. Aurelius grinned. Perfect. --- The Ambush He raised his hand, giving silent commands to his undead. The ghouls disappeared into the shadows, their claws poised for the kill. The skeletons and zombies formed a loose perimeter. The Grave Guardian stood at his side, waiting for orders. He stepped forward, making just enough noise. "Who''s there?" One of the bandits spun around, gripping a rusted sword. Another, a burly man with a crossbow, narrowed his eyes. "Looks like a lost traveler. A pretty boy, too." He grinned. "Easy pickings, boys." Aurelius smiled. He raised his hand. ¡°Kill them.¡± --- The Slaughter The ghouls struck first. Two bandits never even saw it coming. Their throats were torn open before they could scream. The remaining four panicked, backing away, weapons raised. ¡°What the fuck¡ª?!¡± A zombie lunged, sinking its teeth into one¡¯s arm. The bandit screamed, trying to shake it off, but the undead wouldn¡¯t let go. The Grave Guardian moved next, bringing its cleaver down. SPLAT! A headless corpse hit the ground. --- [EXP Gain] Bandit (Level 4) Base EXP: 35 Soul Drain Bonus: 10 Total EXP Gained: 45 Bandit (Level 5) Base EXP: 50 Soul Drain Bonus: 15 Total EXP Gained: 65 EXP: 117 / 200 --- The remaining two bandits turned to run. Aurelius lifted his hand. Dark chains erupted from the ground¡ªSoul Shackles! The fleeing bandits collapsed, their bodies bound by necrotic energy. He approached them slowly. Their eyes were filled with terror. "P-Please," one begged. Aurelius knelt beside him, pressing a finger to his forehead. "You¡¯re more useful dead." A surge of black energy flowed from the bandit''s body into Aurelius'' palm. The man convulsed before going limp¡ªhis soul ripped from his body. --- [EXP Gain] Bandit (Level 5) Base EXP: 50 Soul Drain Bonus: 15 Total EXP Gained: 65 Bandit (Level 4) Base EXP: 35 Soul Drain Bonus: 10 Total EXP Gained: 45 --- EXP: 227 / 200 --- [Level Up!] Level: 7 EXP: 27 / 250 Health: 180/180 Mana: 160/180 Strength: 28 (+2) Intelligence: 38 (+4) Charisma: 16 (+2) Necromancy Proficiency: 80% (+10) Undead Control: 90% (Max Limit: 14 undead) Undead Tier Available: Tier 1 (Skeletons, Zombies, Ghouls, Grave Guardians) --- A New Experiment Aurelius studied the fresh corpses. The bandits had been weak, but their souls held more potential than beasts. He decided to test something. Extending his mana, he channeled his necromantic energy into one of the fallen bandits. The corpse twitched. Then it rose. Its body was still human-like, but the eyes burned with blue necrotic fire. Its movements were more fluid than a normal zombie. A Revenant. A new kind of undead¡ªmore intelligent, stronger, and faster. Aurelius smirked. The pieces were coming together. His power was growing. And soon, this world would tremble before him. Chapter 6: The Revenants Awakening Chapter 6 ¨C The Revenant¡¯s Awakening Aurelius stood in the ruins of the battlefield, his undead army surrounding him in eerie silence. The newly risen Revenant stood apart from the rest, its glowing blue eyes locked onto him, awaiting command. Unlike the mindless ghouls and skeletons he had summoned before, this one felt... different. It moved with purpose. It wasn''t just a reanimated corpse¡ªit was something stronger, faster, and smarter. Aurelius narrowed his eyes. If this was the potential of fusing a soul into an undead, then he was just scratching the surface of his necromantic power. He raised his hand and summoned his Status Screen to analyze the Revenant. --- [Undead Status] Name: [Unnamed Revenant] Tier: 1.5 (Elite Undead) Strength: 30 Agility: 22 Intelligence: 18 Abilities: Enhanced Reflexes ¨C Reacts faster than regular undead. Soulbound Weapon ¨C Can use weapons with retained skill. Lesser Self-Healing ¨C Regenerates minor wounds over time. --- Aurelius smirked. This was a step closer to Tier 2 undead. If he could refine his control and increase the quality of the souls he harvested, he might be able to create an army of these creatures. But first, he needed to experiment further. He turned to one of the remaining bandit corpses lying on the ground. His first attempt had worked, but was that a fluke, or was there a method behind it?If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Raising his hand, he channeled necrotic energy into the corpse, the same way he had done before. Dark mist swirled around the body, pulling at the lingering essence within. The corpse twitched. Then twitched again. Then¡ª It exploded into dust. Aurelius frowned. That wasn¡¯t supposed to happen. He reviewed his earlier success. The first Revenant had been a bandit leader¡ªstronger, more experienced. But the second one? Just a weak grunt. Conclusion: Only strong souls could handle the transformation. That meant he needed better prey. No more bandits. No more small fights. If he wanted to truly push his necromancy forward, he needed warriors¡ªreal killers with battle-hardened souls. --- A New Target ¨C The Silverfang Mercenaries Aurelius knelt beside the corpses and rummaged through their belongings. Most of the gear was useless junk, but one item caught his attention¡ªa map. Unrolling the parchment, he saw a rough layout of the surrounding regions: villages, roads, strongholds¡­ and enemy factions. A particular name stood out. "Silverfang Outpost" ¨C 20 miles west Aurelius narrowed his eyes. He had heard whispers about them. The Silverfang Mercenaries were infamous in these parts¡ªruthless, well-equipped bounty hunters. They were known for taking contracts on dangerous individuals, tracking them down, and eliminating them with brutal efficiency. If there was any group worth killing for stronger souls, it was them. A slow smile spread across his lips. "Perfect." --- The March to War Aurelius turned to his growing undead army. The latest battle had increased his strength, and with every kill, he refined his abilities. He mentally checked his Undead Control Limit. --- [Undead Army] Revenant (1) Grave Guardians (2) Ghouls (3) Skeleton Warriors (6) --- He was nearing his limit, but the quality of his undead had improved significantly. "Time to move," he muttered, turning toward the western road. The undead followed in silent, unrelenting obedience. For hours, they marched through the dense forest, avoiding unnecessary fights. The moon rose high into the sky, casting an eerie glow over their path. And then, in the distance¡ª The Silverfang Outpost came into view. A fortress of wooden walls and sharp stakes, manned by skilled warriors. Aurelius counted eight guards patrolling the walls from the shadows of the trees. Through gaps in the barricades, he spotted at least fifteen more inside. This wouldn¡¯t be a simple ambush. This would be war. --- Scouting the Enemy Aurelius crouched low, his keen eyes observing the patrolling guards. Unlike the sloppy bandits he had fought earlier, these mercenaries were disciplined. Each guard carried well-maintained weapons and armor. The ones on the walls had crossbows, while the warriors below carried longswords, axes, and spears. He studied their movements carefully. The patrols rotated every seven minutes. There was a small gap in their defense during the shift change. That was his opening. He turned to his Revenant. "You''re going first." The undead warrior nodded¡ªan actual, conscious response. That confirmed it. Unlike his other summons, the Revenant retained some intelligence from its past life. Aurelius grinned. He might be outnumbered, but numbers didn¡¯t matter when the dead refused to stay down. He checked his Status Screen one last time. --- [Status] Name: Aurelius Vorn Level: 7 EXP: 27 / 250 Health: 180/180 Mana: 160/180 Strength: 28 Intelligence: 38 Charisma: 16 Necromancy Proficiency: 80% Undead Control: 90% (Max Limit: 14 undead) Undead Tier Available: Tier 1 (Skeletons, Zombies, Ghouls, Grave Guardians) --- He was still too weak to summon Tier 2 undead. But that would change soon. Aurelius cracked his knuckles, his necrotic energy pulsating in his veins. He wasn¡¯t going to charge in recklessly¡ªthis was a battle he needed to strategize. First, the Revenant and Ghouls would silently eliminate the outer sentries. Next, the Grave Guardians would crush the front gate and draw attention. Then, he would walk inside and slaughter the remaining mercenaries. Every Silverfang warrior that fell would become part of his army. The undead at his command were strong, but they weren¡¯t enough. Not yet. By the end of this night, that would change. Aurelius stepped forward and raised his hand, issuing his first silent order. The attack had begun.