《Archvel - The Necromancer》 Chapter 1 - Necromancer
"Where am I?" The man in black robes takes a moment to collect his thoughts, trying to remember how he ended up in the strange stone room. He remembers that he possesses a system that could potentially help him escape or gather more information about his situation. "Yes, that should be it." The man thinks and gets up. He stands up from the stone bed and approaches the stone door, examining it closely for any signs of weakness or a way to open it. The door seems to be solid, without any visible handle or mechanism to open it. He checks the stone table and finds nothing of use, just a few scattered stones and dust. He then recalls that his system might be able to assist him, so he focuses his mind on activating it. Suddenly, a holographic interface appears in front of him, displaying various options and abilities he can use.
"Archvel Detriment" "Stage 1: Necromancer Apprentice" "Magic 2.5" "Physical Power 1.1" Spells "Raise Skeleton Stage 1 (able to conjure three skeletons) "Decay Bolt (able to shoot up a dark energy filled with decay in the form of a bolt) Passive Ability "Night Eyes (all necromancer apprentices have the ability to see better in the dark around %30 to %40).
As he searches, he realizes that he has been transported to another world, one filled with magic and fantastical creatures. His system provides him with information about the world, its history, and the different types of magic that exist within it. "My name is Archvel, and I am a thirty-year-old man from Earth who was transported to a new world where magic exists!" Archvel took a deep breath and calmed himself down. "I am lucky that I read an extensive amount of novels when I was on Earth." "I feel calm; at least I have a system on which I can rely for something." He also discovers that his system has a few basic magical abilities that he can use to escape from the room or defend himself if necessary. He decides to cast a spell to try and break down the stone door. After several attempts, he manages to create a small crack in the door, enough for him to squeeze through. If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. As he steps out into the hallway, he sees a faint light in the distance. As Archvel looks around, he notices some details. "I must be in a temple or ruins; that is the only theory I have." Archvel thought as he kept walking. He was lucky that the temple was filled. As Archvel wanders through the temple, examining the ancient inscriptions on the walls, he hears a faint growling sound in the distance. At first, he brushes it off, thinking it might just be the sound of the temple settling or some sort of animal roaming around. However, as he continues down the hallway, the growling grows louder and more distinct, and Archvel can sense a menacing presence lurking somewhere nearby. Suddenly, a zombie shuffles out of the shadows, its tattered clothes and rotted flesh revealing its undead nature. Archvel is shocked and frightened, never having encountered anything like this in his previous life on Earth. "Calm yourself down; you are a Necromancer Apprentice, not an ordinary human." Archvel tells himself As the zombie approaches him, Archvel''s heart races and his mind races with fear and panic. He knows he needs to act quickly. The zombie reaches out towards him, and Archvel''s instincts take over. With a burst of energy, he whispers in his mind. "Decay Bolt" A dark-colored bolt shoots at the head of the zombie-like creature and explodes it in seconds. Archvel stands there, panting and trembling, his heart still racing with fear and adrenaline. He realizes that he has been transported to a world where magic and the undead are very real and dangerous, and he will need to be careful and learn how to use his system and magic to survive. At the same time, he hears a mechanical voice in his mind. "Zombie X1: Killed (10 XP)" Archvel takes a deep breath, his heart still pounding with fear and excitement from his encounter with the zombie. He knows that he needs to be more prepared for any other threats that might be lurking in the temple, so he reaches for his system and whispers the incantation for his second spell. "Raise Skeleton." As he speaks the words, a surge of magical energy courses through him, and he feels the ground beneath him begin to tremble. Suddenly, the earth splits open, and three skeletons emerge, their bones clattering and clacking as they rise from the ground. Archvel watches in amazement as the skeletons take shape before him, each one standing at attention and awaiting his command. He can sense the power and potential of his system, and he feels a newfound confidence and sense of purpose. As he surveys his new companions, Archvel''s thoughts race with excitement and wonder. "This world is truly filled with magic and wonder," "With my system and these skeletons at my command, I might just have a chance to survive and thrive in this new world." As Archvel keeps on walking, he notices another room and thinks within his mind. "Entering unknown places is not good in a temple or ruins like this, but I have no choice." Archvel steps into the room, his skeletons following closely behind him. As he looks around, he notices that the room looks much like the one he had awoken in earlier: ancient stone walls, a stone bed, and a stone table in the center of the room. However, something catches his eye on the table: three books bound in leather and a brown-colored leather bag with a shoulder strap. Archvel approaches the table carefully, eyeing the books with curiosity. "These books may contain knowledge about the world I find myself in," "Perhaps they hold the key to understanding this strange and magical place." He reaches out to take the books but hesitates for a moment, wondering if it''s safe to do so. He glances at his skeletons, who seem to be standing guard and watching his back. With their protection, Archvel feels emboldened and takes the books, tucking them into his bag. Which was He can''t wait to dive into the books and learn more about the world he finds himself in. "I should leave now." After taking the books with himself, Archvel leaves the room and continues to pay attention to his surroundings. There is only one way he can go, so there was no chance to be lost. As Archvel and his skeletons continue down the hallway, they suddenly hear a shuffling sound coming from around the corner. Archvel immediately recognizes it as the sound of another zombie, but this time he is not scared. He draws a deep breath and whispers to his skeletons to prepare for battle. Chapter 2 - Level Up - Secret Room As the zombie rounds the corner, Archvel feels a surge of confidence. He orders his skeletons to attack, and they quickly move into action. One of the skeletons lunges forward and grapples with the zombie, while the other two move in to attack. Archvel watches in awe as his skeletons work together in perfect unison, using their bony arms to crush the zombie''s head. "Zombie X1: Killed (10 XP)" Archvel feels a rush of excitement and pride as he watches his skeletons in action. "Every time I kill something, that mechanical voice tells me that I gain XP." "XP must be standing for experience, and it may be the one thing that increases my power if it is what I believe." Archvel thought that whatever he encountered in the system, being a necromancer, the zombies and mechanical voice, as well as "XP," were all in line with an RPG game. The more he kills, the more XP he will be gaining, and that will turn into more power. As the battle ends, Archvel takes a moment to reflect on his feelings. "If not for these skeletons helping me out, I do not want to think what would happen to me," he thought. Archvel takes a deep breath and continues down the hallway, his skeletons following closely behind him. He knows that there is still much to discover and explore in this mysterious temple. "I still feel scared." Archvel tells himself "But I don''t know why, but I also feel excited about the probabilities." Archvel feels scared and great at the same time. He believes that these kinds of things only happen to important people. He never thought himself to be a necromancer, but everything feels in line with what he always wanted to do. As Archvel and his skeletons continue down the hallway, they suddenly come upon a large set of double doors. The doors are intricately carved with images of dragons and demons, and they seem to radiate a powerful aura of magic. "This-" Archvel could not help but be impressed. All the things he saw in this life and his life on Earth could not be compared to these doors at all. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. "Let''s get in..." Archvel knew that he was a fool when it came to approaching these kinds of things. But in the end, he also knows that there is no other choice anyway. Archvel approaches the doors cautiously, his heart beating with excitement and anticipation. He pushes the doors open and steps into the throne room, his skeletons following closely behind him. The room is breathtakingly grand, with high ceilings that stretch up into the darkness above. The floor is made of polished stone, and in the center of the room stands a grand throne made of black marble and studded with gems. "Yeah, this place is not an ordinary area," he whispers to himself. As Archvel looks around the room, he feels different. He can sense the power and darkness that permeate the space, and he knows that this throne room must belong to a dark mage of immense power. The air is thick with the scent of incense, and Archvel can feel a faint hum of magic in the air. As he approaches the throne, he notices a set of ancient tomes and scrolls resting on a nearby table. He can sense the power emanating from them, and he knows that they must contain knowledge that is both dangerous and invaluable. "These books and scrolls have no value for me because I can''t read them, but they will be valuable if I learn how to read." Archvel thought about it and then started looking for a way out. After about thirty minutes of searching, he finds a hidden door back at the throne itself and starts to walk towards it. "Screeeeeeeeech !" As Archvel walked towards the hidden door, five zombies screamed as they got out of the hidden door, crushing the wooden door with ease. As the zombies rush towards Archvel and his skeletons, he can feel his heart pounding in his chest. "This time, it will be hard." Archvel thought. Archvel quickly targets one of the zombies with his "Decay Bolt" spell, focusing his energy into a bolt of dark magic that shoots from his fingertips and strikes the zombie directly in the chest. The zombie staggers back, its flesh rotting and decaying before Archvel''s eyes. With one zombie down, Archvel turns to face the others. "It always seemed weird to me that the Decay Bolt spell was effective against zombies who were already decayed corpses." Archvel thought about it for a split second but did not decide to dwell on it for the time being. He orders his skeletons to attack, and they move forward to engage the remaining zombies in hand-to-hand combat. The skeletons are strong and agile, and they make short work of the zombies, crushing their heads and tearing their limbs from their bodies with ease. "My skeletons are not ordinary; their eyes are blazing with purple energy. I believe if they were ordinary skeletons, they would have an easy time fighting against these zombies." Archvel watches the battle unfold, feeling a sense of satisfaction as his skeletons work in perfect unison. He can feel the power coursing through him, and he knows that he is becoming stronger with each passing moment and each zombie that falls to the ground. As the last of the zombies falls to the ground, Archvel takes a deep breath and looks around the hidden door. "Zombie X5: Killed (50 XP)" "Level UP" "Use the word "status" to check if improvements can be made." As he prepares to leave the throne room using the hidden door, Archvel feels a sense of pride and accomplishment. "I don''t know why, but I feel great and powerful. At least I am getting used to those zombies." Archvel laughs as he looks at the zombies on the ground. Chapter 3 - Organizations and The Nature Archvel then walks for about thirty minutes, entering the hidden room. He walks in a tight tunnel and then finds a black door. This time, the walls of the tunnel had nothing on them. showing clearly that these tunnels are not that important and work only for a hidden entry and exit for the temple, whose name he does not know. "I feel the cold air current coming from the black door." Archvel then opens the door. As he steps out of the dark and musty temple, he feels a rush of fresh, cool air wash over him. The smell of damp earth and greenery fills his nostrils, and he can hear the sound of birds singing in the distance. He takes a deep breath, savoring the sensation of being outside after spending so much time in the musty, cramped temple. Looking around, Archvel sees that he is standing on a rocky outcropping, surrounded by lush green forest. The trees tower high above him, their branches heavy with leaves and vines. A light mist hangs in the air, giving everything a soft, ethereal glow. The ground beneath Archvel''s feet is uneven and rocky, but he doesn''t mind. He feels invigorated by the fresh air and the natural beauty of his surroundings. He can see a winding path leading down the mountain, and he feels a sense of excitement as he realizes that he has a new world to explore. As he starts down the path, he notices the sound of running water in the distance. Following the sound, he soon comes across a small waterfall cascading down the rocks. The water is crystal clear and cold, and Archvel feels refreshed as he splashes it on his face. As he continues down the path, he sees a variety of plants and animals that he has never seen before. He spots a group of brightly colored birds perched on a branch and a family of deer grazing in a clearing. "I should go back to the waterfall and check my status, as the system said." Archvel thought and then went back to the waterfall. After getting close enough, he sat down on the ground and rested in the shade of a big tree, whispering.
"Archvel Detriment" You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. "Stage 2: Necromancer Apprentice (Level 2)" "Magic 3.1" "Physical Power: 1.4" Spells "Raise Skeleton Stage 1 (The user is able to conjure three skeletons) "Decay Bolt (The user is able to shoot up a dark energy filled with decay in the form of a bolt). Passive Ability "Night Eyes (all necromancer apprentices have the ability to see better in the dark around %30 to %40).
"The user can choose one reward for one level up and will gain one "ST Point."ST Points can be used to increase spell stage, magic attribute, and physical power attribute." "Level Up Reward" "Ancient Language Mastery" (can read all languages and speak them effectively) "Dark Energy Bolt" (create a dark energy bolt, similar to the decay bolt spell but more powerful; the effect of decay is not present in this spell.)
Archvel gathers some dry wood and arranges it into a small circle on the ground. He then conjures a small flame with a wave of his hand, carefully igniting the wood. The conjuration of a small fire was easy; he only needs some friction and then uses his magic energy to ignite it. The fire crackles and dances, casting a warm glow in the surrounding area. "I feel great, I presume." As he sits near the campfire, Archvel reflects on his recent experiences and the choices he has made. The decision to acquire ancient language mastery as his reward fills him with confidence. He knows that mastering the ancient languages will unlock new knowledge and open doors to hidden secrets within the temple and beyond. "Now that I have the ability, I should have no problem reading ancient texts." The soothing sound of the nearby waterfall provides a tranquil backdrop to Archvel''s thoughts. Archvel takes a moment to gaze into the dancing flames, feeling the warmth against his skin. As he sits by the campfire, he pulls out one of the ancient tomes he discovered in the hidden room. The pages are weathered and yellowed with age, but the words inscribed within hold a wealth of knowledge. Archvel begins to study the text, immersing himself in the ancient language and symbols. Each word and phrase brings him closer to understanding the secrets of the temple and the world he now finds himself in. "The name of the temple I was in before was "Dark Archive Temple." It was built ten thousand years ago by a mage named Eldran." "Eldran was a dark mage, and after messing with many people throughout his life, three organizations that are light mages and despise evil mages grouped up and took his life." "These three organizations were Secret Light, Oceansinger Academy, and Blessed of Earth." Archvel took a deep breath and commented. "From their names, it is not hard to understand what kind of mage they are and what their focus is." The night sky above him is a tapestry of stars, their twinkling lights adding a touch of magic to the scene. Archvel feels a deep connection to the universe, realizing that he is but a small part of a vast and mysterious cosmos. As he continues to study and practice the ancient language, Archvel''s determination grows. Archvel also found a map in the tomes he gathered, and he started looking to understand his location better. With his campfire burning brightly, Archvel settles in for the night. After all the things he had experienced, he believed he deserved a good night''s sleep to calm his mind and rest his body. Chapter 4 - Abominations Archvel examines the map; the name of the continent is Alderian. Sklain noticed something interesting as his eyes traced the intricate lines and markings that divide the continent into two distinct regions. On one half, labeled the Dark Zone, he sees the names of four imposing cities etched upon the map:
Shadowholm, Nightshade, Dark Queen Citadel Darksteel Lord City Obsidian Keep:
On the other half of the map, labeled the Light Zone, Archvel discovers the names of five cities that evoke images of radiant splendor and mystical luminosity:
Luminaire: Celestia Radiant Grove: Seraph''s Haven Solstice Reach
Archvel sits silently by the campfire, his thoughts swirling in a cacophony of whispers and murmurs. As the flames flicker and dance, he ponders the vast expanse of the continent beyond the labeled cities. "Who knows what these places are hiding?" "Most likely, these unmarked places are where humans or other intelligent races not capable of using magic lives, and I also presume that a dark mage in the zones of the Light Zone will be hunted, and likewise for a light mage." "Who knows how many things are hidden that I don''t know anything about?" His eyes fixated on the mesmerizing flames. "I still do not know what happened to me to be here." "Why..." Archvel shook his head and then took a deep breath to calm himself down. "Right now." "Right now, there is no need for thinking about the past." "I have a new life with different powers, which will cause more resonable outcomes." "I have to focus on that." He then observes the map once more, his eyes falling upon a town labeled A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. "Red Copper Town" He notes its proximity to the formidable city of Obsidian Keep, nestled within the Dark Zone. "Red Copper Town, eh? A place that exists in the shadow of Obsidian Keep, it seems fitting that this town stands closest to the heart of the Dark Zone." Archvel commented as he laughed at his thoughts. "I wonder what stories lie within the streets of Red Copper Town. How do its residents persevere in the face of such proximity to Obsidian Keep?"" Archvel could not help but imagine that living in a town so close to a big dark mage city would be good for the people. But in the end, he knew that those town people should be mages or at least have some sort of protection against the dark mages. Archvel laughs and comments to himself. "I already got into the role of a dark mage in a fantasy world. I did not expect myself to stay this calm in a situation like this." "It is really true that humans are good when it comes to adapting to circumstances." "Red Copper Town shall be my next destination. From there, I will navigate the delicate balance between light and dark, seeking knowledge and forging my path amidst the shadows cast by Obsidian Keep." - Archvel continues his journey, following the path outlined on the map towards Red Copper Town. The forest envelops him, a lush and vibrant realm teeming with life. The air is thick with the earthy scent of moss and the gentle rustling of leaves. "The smell of nature here is different than on Earth." Archvel thought. As Archvel ventures deeper into the woods, his ears catch a faint rustling sound, a disruption in the serene symphony of nature. Alert and on guard, he prepares for a potential threat. Suddenly, two creatures emerge from the bushes with a menacing snarl. They are rabbit-wolf hybrids; their forms are a twisted amalgamation of predator and prey. "These creatures are abominations!" Archvel smirked as he commented. He expected wild animals such as wolves and bears, but not these at all. Who would have thought rabbits and wolves could mix with each other? "They have sharp fangs and strong legs; it is clear from their bloodlusted eyes that they are not friendly." Seconds later, the two mixed rabbit-wolf creatures lunge and start to attack Archvel. In a seamless display of coordination, three of Archvel''s skeletons step forward, interposing themselves between him and the savage creatures. The bones move with an eerie grace, their bones clacking softly as they assume defensive stances. The rabbit-wolf hybrids, agile and vicious, launch themselves at the skeletons. Archvel watches calmly. The skeletons, guided by his mental commands, move as a united front. The rabbit-wolf hybrids try to sink their teeth into the skeletal forms, while the skeletons, devoid of fear or pain, retaliate with calculated strikes. "Skeletons do really have a great deal of resistance against piercing and slashing attacks." "It is good that enemies not carry any maces or clubs." Archvel said to himself as he kept on watching. The clash of bone against fur reverberates through the tranquil woods. Archvel''s thoughts dart between assessing the movements of the creatures and strategizing the commands he will issue to his loyal skeletons. In a final burst of strength, the skeletons overpower the rabbit-wolf hybrids, who lie still upon the forest floor, their once-ferocious snarls replaced by defeated whimpers. Archvel exhales a breath he didn''t realize he was holding. "It feels good to be fighting time to time with my life not on the line." He approaches the fallen creatures cautiously, his gaze assessing the aftermath of the encounter. "I should take these; despite their power, they are only two times the size of a normal rabbit when it comes to size." "From the battle, I understand that skeletons are useful. They are not that strong against creatures with strong agility or crushing attacks. The fact that my skeletons have no weapons changes many things too." "I need more experience and time, as well as knowledge, to explore what I can do." Chapter 5 - Humans and Town Archvel''s footsteps carry him further along the path, and his gaze is drawn to a peculiar sight ahead: a small, triangular temple nestled amidst the surrounding trees. As he approaches the temple, he feels excited as an energy manifests inside of himself. From what he understood, he can recognize runes and symbols due to his new ability. His eyes widen with recognition as he examines the architecture and symbols adorning the temple''s exterior. "The small triangle shape, the intricate carvings¡ªthis must be the temple symbol of the Eye of the King. I''ve come across references to it in ancient tomes." "I believe Eye of the King is pretty important. I have read not much of this but still seen some of the runes on the tomes." "The Eye of the King, a revered emblem of wisdom and insight, is believed to hold the essence of a long-forgotten ruler''s vision." Archvel thought from within and placed his right hand on his chin and thought. "But of course, as is expected, most of the ancient knowledge is lost, and there is not much known to the mages." He slowly walks towards the temple and starts to feel even more overwhelmed. "I do not have time or guts to enter a temple that I don''t know much about." "If it is dangerous, I would just die, and it would be just a foolish way to die." Archvel thought and then left the place as he kept on going on the road. Not much time later, he saw something interesting. Archvel''s eyes widen with intrigue and anticipation as he catches sight of the bustling activity. "Humans ?" He thought. Carriages creak along the road, their wheels churning up dust, while individuals laboriously carry loads of stones and wood on their backs. This is his first encounter with fellow humans in this unfamiliar world. "I did not have good experience with humanity back at the Earth." "I don''t know how to feel about them." Archvel thought. Approaching one of the workers, he strikes up a conversation and seeks directions to his intended destination. "Could you perhaps direct me to Red Copper Town?" The worker pauses, wiping sweat from his brow, and turns his gaze towards Archvel.His eyes look at the Archvel''s black robes and the mystical air surrounding him. The worker took a deep breath, and then his eyes changed a little bit as he started speaking. "Just follow the road, my friend, and in about twenty minutes you should see the town."Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. Archvel offered a grateful nod and smiled. "Thank you for your help. What can you tell me about the town itself?" "Well, Red Copper Town may not be as grand as some of the cities marked on the map, but it has its own charm." "The townsfolk are hardworking and resilient, and there''s a sense of community that runs deep." "You''ll find a few shops, a tavern or two, and some friendly faces eager to share their stories. There are more than ten thousand people living there too." Archvel listens attentively, absorbing every word. "So, basically, a simple town with no secret." Archvel commented in his mind and then turned his face to the worker again and commented with a smile on his face. "It sounds like an interesting place." Worker nodded "People are hardworking, and they just try to live their lives in peace." Archvel expresses his gratitude once again and is on his way. Not much time later, Archvel reaches the town itself. - As he reached the entrance of Red Copper Town, two guards stood in his way. The guards, clad in sturdy iron armor, look at Archvel with vigilant eyes, their expressions giving away nothing. One guard raised a hand, signaling Archvel to halt, while the other crossed his arms. "Who are you, traveler? This is the first time I saw you entering the town." Archvel answered that he believed these kinds of questions were normal. In the end, it is only natural for people to now give permission to enter anybody. "I am just a traveler. I need some place to eat and sleep." The guards exchanged a glance, silently assessing Archvel and his purpose. After a brief moment, one of the older guards, with a stern yet measured voice, asked. "I do not think you are a problem, but wearing dark robes that can be only worn by dark mages is not the best action to take." "Do you have any connection to mages by any chance?" Archvel smiles and then answers. His eyes confident, and his words on to the point. It can be seen with ease that he is telling the truth. "I do not have any connection to the Dark Mage organization. I am a mage." The guards stopped talking after hearing the words of Archvel. Archvel, on the other hand, thought as he looked at their behaviors. "As expected, I was wrong; I expected them to be shocked. But it seems like they are used to interacting with mages." "Which means that ordinary folk have clear knowledge about the mages and magic itself." After a momentary pause, one of the guards'' tone slightly softened. "Can you show me something to prove you are a dark mage?" "It is a fundamental law in the Dark Borders that only mages are allowed to wear robes like you are." Archvel answers as he smiles. "Yeah, I understand what you are saying." Archvel flickered his hands, and a small decay bolt manifested in his hands. Guards looked at the grayish magic in the hand of Archvel, and then they looked at each other as both of them nodded. The guards then stepped aside, allowing him to pass through the entrance and enter the bustling town beyond. "Have a nice time in the Red Copper Town, Mister Mage." As Archvel stepped into Red Copper Town, his eyes were immediately drawn to a sight that stood out amidst the bustling streets. A massive cauldron, gleaming in its copper glory, stood at the center of the town square. "I wonder what this cauldron symbolizes." Archvel asked, but his focus did not stay on the cauldron too much. As Archvel''s gaze shifted from the cauldron, he took in the sights and sounds of the lively town. The buildings, with their diverse construction materials, made the town look like it has some sort of soul. "So, some buildings are clearly more quality-made than others. It seems like, as expected, humans still have nobles and social statuses." Archvel took a deep breath and smiled. "In the end, humans are still the same as ever." Chapter 6 - Rest and Food As Archvel ventured into Red Copper Town, the guards at the entrance couldn''t help but exchange a few murmurs amongst themselves. One guard, younger and more animated, commented on Archvel''s demeanor, "He was calmer and more peaceful than many other dark mages that I have encountered." The guard found it surprising that Archvel appeared to be unfamiliar with certain basic aspects of the town and its customs. The other guard, older and more experienced, leaned casually against the gatepost, a knowing smile gracing his lips. He responded to the younger guard''s observations. "They''re a different breed, those mages," the older guard said and gave out a cold breath as he continued. "Their ways of thinking are often beyond the comprehension of ordinary folk. It''s best not to meddle too much in their affairs." "As they are different and have different kinds of purposes, it brings out a lot of more different personalities." "A man, a mage that looks kind, may be the one that carries a real threat to your life or others lives, and the one who looks evil and rude may have the kindest heart amongst them." "When it comes to humans, there is never an exact type of human heart." The younger guard nodded. He understood the older guard''s advice. They continued their watchful duty, keeping a watchful eye on the comings and goings of the town. Archvel, on the other hand, kept walking on the streets of the Red Copper Town. He asked a man about where he could sell the pelts and fur as well as the meat and learned that there was a place called Red Eye Hut. "I should go there." In less than ten minutes, Archvel found the place the man spoke about, and then he approached the tall woman at the counter, carefully carrying the pelts of the rabbit-wolf hybrids. "Hi, I''ve come across these remarkable pelts of rabbit-wolf hybrids." The woman looked up from her tasks, her eyes immediately drawn to the furs in Archvel''s hands. "Oh, may I have a closer look?" Archvel nodded, gently unfurling the pelts and presenting them to the woman, who studied them with a discerning eye. "Impressive quality, no doubt. These pelts are in excellent condition." "These creatures you hunted are called Rabitskr and Rabitskrs in plural." Archvel nodded. Not that he cared, but it is best for him to just pretend he cares about what the woman says about it. "Yes, I took great care in obtaining them. The creatures put up quite a fight, but I managed to secure these pelts." The woman''s gaze shifted from the pelts to Archvel, a glint of curiosity in her eyes.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. "You must be quite skilled." Archvel chuckled modestly, humbled by her praise. "Thank you." The woman''s gaze lingered on the pelts, her face thoughtful for a moment. "These pelts are certainly valuable. They would be a great addition to my collection. Let''s discuss a fair price." Archvel nodded in agreement, ready to negotiate. "I understand their worth. I believe they deserve a price that reflects their rarity and quality. After some back-and-forth in terms of negotiation, they finally reached an agreement that satisfied both parties. "Alright, considering the exceptional nature of these pelts, I''m prepared to offer you five dark silver coins. It''s a fair price, don''t you think?" Archvel''s eyes lit up with delight, pleased with the offer. "That sounds more than fair. I accept your offer. Five dark silver coins it is." With the deal sealed, the woman counted out the coins and handed them to Archvel, a smile playing on her lips. Archvel gratefully accepted the coins. "I appreciate your business." With a final nod of appreciation, Archvel bid farewell to the woman and left the Red Eye Hut. Archvel walked through the bustling streets of Red Copper Town, searching for a place to rest after his successful trade at the Red Eye Hut. After some walking, he found a place called Black Beeer Inn and decided to spend time there. As Archvel entered the inn, the warm aroma of hearty meals and the lively chatter of patrons filled the air. The innkeeper, a stout and friendly individual, greeted him with a welcoming smile. "Welcome, esteemed mage! Looking for a place to stay?" Archvel nodded. "Indeed, I could use a comfortable room for a week. How much would that cost?" The innkeeper leaned on the counter, considering Archvel''s request. "For a week''s stay, it''ll be one dark silver coin. We''ve got some nice, cozy rooms available. Shall I reserve one for you?" Archvel reached into his pocket, retrieving a dark silver coin and placing it on the counter. "That sounds fair. Here''s the payment for the week." The innkeeper collected the coin with a nod of appreciation. "Thank you. You won''t be disappointed with our accommodations. Room number six is yours. Enjoy your stay!" Archvel expressed his gratitude with a polite smile and headed towards the stairs. As he settled into his room, he couldn''t help but feel a sense of relief. In the end, the room was not the best. It still beats hell out of sleeping on the outside in the wilderness. He descended the stairs and made his way to the inn''s dining area, where he was greeted by the aromas of sizzling meat and the clinking of tankards. Archvel found a vacant table and seated himself. The friendly waitress approached, ready to take his order. "Good evening, sir. What can I get you?" Archvel glanced at the menu, his mouth watering at the descriptions of hearty meals and refreshing beverages. "I''ll have a plate of meat, cooked medium, and a mug of your finest beer, please." The waitress jotted down his order with a hint of a smile on her lips. "Coming right up. That''ll be two copper coins, please." Archvel reached into his coin pouch and handed her one dark silver coin. The waitress stopped for a moment and then added. "I will bring your change in a minute," she said, and then went back to the counter to pick up 18 copper coins and the food. One dark silver coin can be exchanged for twenty copper coins. "Thank you. Looking forward to the meal." As Archvel waited for his food and drink to arrive, he soaked in the lively atmosphere of the inn. The sound of laughter, clinking glasses, and lively conversations surrounded him, creating a comforting ambiance. Soon enough, the waitress returned with a steaming plate of tender meat and a frothy mug of beer. Archvel''s eyes lit up at the sight, and he wasted no time savoring the delicious flavors. As he indulged in his meal, Archvel couldn''t help but appreciate the satisfying combination of the well-cooked meat and the refreshing beer. "It is good to relax from time to time." He thought as he drank his beer. Chapter 7 - Skeleton Ring After the food, Archvel felt alive and touched his belly with a grin. Archvel then just left the table and went upstairs to his room. As he placed his treasured tomes on the table, his thoughts began to wander. The encounters he had with humans throughout his life made him a vengeful individual. He does not want to harbor any ill intentions towards anyone. But it seems like his soul was harmed enough to not be repaired. His ill intent and motives towards the human race have endless animiosity. Of course, if it was only towards evil people, it may work. But it was not. With a sigh, Archvel approached the sink, filled with cool water. He dipped his hands into the refreshing liquid and splashed it onto his face. "Humans... are so limited in their perceptions. Their fear blinds them; they are all selfish and greedy creatures. I don''t think this place is different." Archvel remembered some memories of his past life on Earth. The times that he was hurt, the times that he was about to get molested. "Now, here I am blessed with the ability to change my destiny." He paused for a moment, the sound of water dripping echoing in the room, and gazed at his reflection in the small mirror above the washbasin. "I will not let their ignorance dampen my spirit. I am blessed with the gift of magic and knowledge beyond their understanding. It is my duty to explore and harness this power, to unlock its secrets." "So that I would not be oppressed and hurt again..." As Archvel dried his face with a clean cloth, he reminded himself of the importance of perseverance. He knew that his path as a mage was often lonely. At least from what he had read when he was a young boy. Of course, whatever he read on Earth about magic and mages may not be true, but it should not be far off. "I remember everything from my past life." "How humans were never at peace, always looking to find ways to destroy others even in times of abundance." Archvel''s eyes turned serious, and anger can be traced in them with ease. Archvel returned to the table, his fingers gently tracing the worn spines of his tomes. "These tomes are my allies, my companions on this journey." "I should keep on reading and learning." Archvel settled down at the table, his mind already racing with questions and theories. As he delved into the depths of his studies, he let go of the disdain he felt towards the human world, focusing instead on the endless possibilities that magic offered.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. In that room, with its modest furnishings and the promise of enlightenment, "I should start working on the information depicted on the tomes." "I believe that there is more to sorcery knowledge than the abilities I have myself." "I should also seek out more organizations that would give me the knowledge I seek." Archvel settled into the wooden chair, the tome titled "Three Simple Rituals of Necromancy" open before him. With anticipation in his eyes, he began to read the first necromancy spell and ritual. As Archvel immersed himself in the words, The pages came alive with instructions, diagrams, and incantations. The first ritual, known as "Skeletons Servants and Skeleton Ring," intrigued him with its potential. "Skeleton Servants is the spell and ritual using bones to create skeleton servants for the necromancer to use as he or she wishes." "Skeleton Ring is the enchanted bone item that used to carry Skeleton Servants; according to the tome, after Skeleton Ring is created, one can use it to store Skeleton Servants and then use it again to reveal them." Archvel''s fingers traced the lines of the diagrams, committing them to memory. He whispered the incantation softly, feeling the surge of energy flowing through his veins. The power of necromancy coursed through him, awakening a newfound understanding of the dark arts. "I seem to understand. What I should do" "Using skeleton servants is easy; gather a pile of bones, draw a triangle with a skull in the middle on the ground, and place the bones inside of the triangle." "According to the number of bones and what kind of bones they are, be they from ordinary creatures or magical creatures, with the words said via magic energy, the ritual will be performed." "The end result is creating skeleton creatures; the number of creatures depends on the number and quality of resources." Archvel took a deep breath and nodded. "Still, I think the skeleton ring is more important. Creating an army of skeletons would not be much use to me if I didn''t have the means to summon them at will." "From what I understand, most necromancer-type mages are not capable of summoning skeletons but instead creating them." According to the text, the first ingredient required was a shard of void stone. Archvel commented as he nodded. "Void stone was known for its connection to the realm of void, space, and shadows." "Its acquisition often involved venturing into dangerous and forbidden territories." Archvel takes a full, deep breath after reading some information about the "shard of a void stone." "I should be able to find it if I have enough coins to spend on it." Archvel concludes and continues to read. The tome also mentioned the need for three bones from magical creatures. Archvel smiled. "This should be easy material to find out." The difference between creatures and magical creatures is simple. Ordinary creatures are just animals with no extra magical power but are still strong compared to humans when it comes to physicality. Despite being ordinary creatures, they still have a lot of power just due to the fact that they lived in a magical world with such diverse genetics and an environment of magic that enriched whatever they ate and drank. Magical creatures are creatures with magic energy, and some of them are able to use magic to augment their abilities, such as using the fire element to attack or the earth element to improve their defenses. Ordinary humans have no chance to fight against magical creatures, which is why humans have a dependency on magic and live under their power. Archvel''s thoughts then turned to the ritual itself¡ªa complex series of incantations, gestures, and the careful arrangement of the materials. He realized that the creation of a skeleton ring is not that hard as long as he has enough gold coins. Thanks to the tomes, he has the knowledge he needed. Yet the prospect of possessing a skeleton ring fueled Archvel''s ambition. The ring represented a significant step in his mastery of necromancy, granting him the ability to transport his army of skeletons. "In the end, I can only summon three skeletons for the time being." "So, ability to create and prepare skeletons and other creatures to carry them on my side is important." Archvel then placed the tomes set aside for the time being, and his eyes landed on his clothes as he grinned helplessly. "I should go and buy some new clothes too." "I need to look like a proper individual; wearing stinky black robes is not the best choice." Chapter 8 - Secret Mission As Archvel kept thinking, he was not aware of the fact that he was not the only one with a mission in mind. As the two figures in their black robes, they discussed their mission on behalf of the organization known as Secret Light. The man named Alvin, a seasoned light mage, glanced at his friend Alice as he started to speak. "So, it is time for us to take Gemstone Staff back..." Alvin then looked out the window and saw that nobody was paying attention to their house. "It is said to be one of the original magic staffs that were created by Lightbringer Eldar. We have received enough information to know that it is not a high-level item, but it contains simple runes that are lost in time." Alice whispered after the words of Alvin. "So, it is a valuable artifact." Alice nodded as her gaze fixed on the map spread out before her. "We know that the staff itself is hidden in the Kavrial Noble House." Alice replied, tracing a finger along the ink lines denoting the Kavrial Manor location. "I believe we can expect at least two mid-level dark mage apprentices." "We must be careful. Not that apprentices are dangerous, but because of our identity." Alvin warned, his tone infused with excitement. "I believe those dark mages are not strong." "But we always have to keep in mind that we are within the borders of dark mages." "If the battle breaks out, all the dark mages in the city will be awakened and start to look for us to take a piece from us." "Indeed, we should try to not gather any attention to ourselves." Alvin smiled and nodded. He reached out to grasp Alice''s arm and kissed her deeply as he looked deep into her eyes. "Together, we will complete our mission." Alvin declared. Alice blushed as she added "We are the light bearers, tasked with bringing illumination to the realms." Alice uttered the words that signify their connection to Secret Light. The mission officially started. - Archvel''s mind buzzed with excitement as he poured over the pages of the tome, his eyes fixated on the description of the Dark Burst spell.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. His fingers traced the intricate diagrams and symbols, absorbing the essence of the spell into his consciousness. "Dark Burst," Archvel whispered. "Concentrate magical energy, unleash explosive dark energy." Archvel closed his eyes and commented. "A simple dark magic for close combat, using concentrated dark energy to cause dark magic explosions from the palm that turn the target to smithereens." "A spell like this would be useful for me right now." As he visualized the process described in the tome, Archvel could feel that controlling and using magic is not that simple. With a steady breath, he began to channel his magical energy, allowing it to dance within his palms. A tingling sensation spread through Archvel''s hands. "I must strike the delicate balance between power and restraint. The release must be controlled and channeled with precision." - Tomorrow morning, Archvel wakes up and goes down to eat some breakfast. Luckily for him, a complete breakfast with cheese, meat, and everything else only costs one copper coin. The monetary system of the whole continent was simple and dependent on silver, copper, and gold coins. Twenty copper coins can be exchanged for one dark silver coin. Twenty dark silver coins can be exchanged for one dark gold coin. Archvel also asked where he could buy some clothes for the waitress and heard that there was a place called Fanel Fabric that sold good-quality clothes for a good price. After finishing his breakfast, he left the inn and went to the Fanel Fabric. Archvel stepped into Fanel Fabric, Rows of colorful textiles adorned the shelves, inviting Archvel to explore the vast array of options. "Of course, I am just here to have some basic quality robes and clothes." A friendly shopkeeper man with gray eyes and a well-tailored suit greeted Archvel with a warm smile. "How can I help you today?" Archvel returned the smile, his eyes scanning the assortment of fabrics. "I am in need of some new clothes. Something practical yet comfortable." The shopkeeper nodded understandingly. "Of course! Allow me to show you our collection of sturdy fabrics." As Archvel perused the assortment of fabrics, his fingers brushed against the sturdy weaves, gauging their texture and strength. "These are quality clothes that even I can tell." After careful consideration, Archvel made his selection. "I believe these four sets of clothes will serve me well. How much do they cost?" The shopkeeper tallied the total, calculating the value of the chosen garments. "For these four sets of clothes, it will be one dark silver coin." Archvel nodded, reaching into his pouch and retrieving the agreed-upon payment. "Thank you for your help. These clothes are exactly what I was looking for." The shopkeeper smiled warmly. "I''m glad I could assist you." Archvel left the Fanel Fabric with a sense of satisfaction. Having good clothes was an important thing in this world and in his past world. Archvel knew that good clothes not only provided some sort of comforting sense but also increased the standing and social status of one person. Archvel remembers the times when he was on Earth. As he did not have good clothes. Most of the time, people would look at him like a monster and not even glance at his side at all. These kinds of experiences are always there and never will be left until the time of the changes comes. In these times, as much as I don''t want to abide by the social rules,. Archvel knows for a simple fact that people judge a book by its cover. With his purchase secured, Archvel took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a second as he thought. "I should start preparing to collect the needed materials for myself." Chapter 9 - Scorpion Magical Creature - Special Ability Archvel walked briskly through the bustling streets of Red Copper Town. "Finding the materials for the Skeleton Ring..." Soon enough, he spotted a humble cart adorned with rolled-up parchment maps. The elderly map vendor sat behind the cart. Archvel approached him. "I am in need of a detailed map of the surrounding area. The map vendor peered at Archvel through spectacles perched on the bridge of his nose. "Certainly, young mage. I have just the map you need." With a deft hand, the map vendor showed a large parchment map, revealing a meticulously drawn representation of the region. "This seems good enough for me to start with." After a brief examination, Archvel inquired about the price. "How much for this map?" The map vendor leaned forward, his voice filled with a hint of negotiation. "For this finely detailed map, I will require one dark silver coin." Archvel hesitated for a moment. "Money or coins can be gained later on as long as I have power. I should not be stingy for the time being." He reached into his coin pouch and handed over one of his precious dark silver coins. "Thank you," The map vendor nodded. "May it guide you well." With the map secured, Archvel set his sights on his next objective: finding a suitable hunting ground. He inspected the map and then nodded. He marked a secluded forest on the outskirts of Red Copper Town, where he believed he would find the creatures he sought. "In the end, it is true that I am new to this place." Archvel smiled as he knew that he was a man with a curious nature. "Because of the map, I have knowledge of the land but not experience of it." "This would prove a problem for most people, and most people, I assume, would not want to be in this kind of situation." "But for me, who wants to experience and feel everything, it is a good thing." Archvel was not a romantic person. He was not romanticizing anything. He was just a kid who wanted to see everything. That is why he was not taken back because of his inexperience. Instead, he was happy that he was inexperienced. The time will arrive when he will see many things that, in the future, will not surprise him. He wants to have fun before he gets fed up with most things, and this is the simple nature of humans. Despite the fact that Archvel has problems with humans, he knew that, in the end, he would not be that much different from them if given power.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. "I need to be patient and move slowly but surely." Archvel thought. As he ventured deeper into the Silent Water Forest, the atmosphere grew dense. Suddenly, a rustling sound reached his ears, drawing his attention to a clearing up ahead. As he cautiously approached, his gaze fixed on the peculiar creature that emerged from the dense undergrowth. It resembled a deer in size and shape, adorned with elegant antlers that pierced the air. However, its distinguishing feature was the menacing scorpion tail that arched menacingly over its back. Archvel''s heart quickened. "A magical creature; there is no doubt about it." "That is the kind of creature I was looking for to hunt."
"Scorpion Deer" "Level Two: Magical Creature" "No Magical Power" "Physical Power: 2.5" "Special Ability" "Poisonous Tail" "Tail Whip"
Archvel smiled as his eyes changed from a calm state to a predatory state. The skeletons showed themselves from the bushes, their bones rattling with a dark magical energy. As Archvel issued a command, his voice was laced with authority. "Attack!" The first skeleton lunged forward, its bony fingers outstretched to grasp the creature. But the agile scorpion deer swiftly retaliated, lashing out with its deadly tail. A sickening crunch filled the air as the tail connected with the skeleton, shattering it into a shower of bone fragments. "Oh, Scorpion Deer is stronger than I thought. It seems like Level Two Magical Creatures are no joke." Undeterred, the remaining two skeletons closed in on the creature. One skull engaged the scorpion deer head on, its bony fists striking with relentless force. The other circled around, seeking a strategic advantage. Archvel observed the battle. Trying to understand everything he can observe and take whatever he needs from his observation. The scorpion deer thrashed and budded, its tail lashing out in an attempt to fend off the persistent skeletons. As the skirmish intensified, Archvel could see the scorpion-deer weakening, its movements growing sluggish. It became evident that the relentless assault of the skeletons was taking its toll on the creature. "In the end, the Skeleton Sentinels that I summon are different than ordinary skeletons. They are created purely from my magic and from the system." "They are not getting weaker; they are not afraid, and they do not get tired. Compared to a living creature, these advantages can be seen easily." With a final surge of strength, the remaining skeletons coordinated their attacks, overwhelming the scorpion deer with a flurry of blows. In a climactic moment, the creature succumbed to its injuries, collapsing to the forest floor. "After those attacks from the skeletons, who have no concept of fear or pain, the living body of yours was not capable of handling it." "I also believe the first sentinel, the skeleton I have summoned, died because the creature used its special ability." "Tail Whip was the name of it." "So, a special ability does not show the general strength of the monster or the individual mage." "A good information and fact to know." Archvel kneeled beside the fallen scorpion deer, extracting the precious bones he needed for his skeleton ring. "I needed three bones from magical creatures. I believe I need one bone part from a different creature." "So, with this, I have collected one bone part I needed." "I will collect some of the other bone parts for later use and sell all the other things." As he carefully collected them, Archvel smiled as he nodded. "My first official hunt with purpose is done." With his objective achieved, Archvel turned his attention to the surroundings, taking in the serene beauty of the Silent Water Forest. "Killing is different. I feel good and neutral that I have taken a life." Archvel stopped for a second and checked his status.
"Archvel Detriment" "Stage 2: Necromancer Apprentice. "Magic 3.7" "Physical Power: 1.7" Spells "Raise Skeleton Stage 1 (able to conjure three skeletons) (Conjured skeletons, even at level one, count as "sentinels" or "skeleton sentinels" due to the fact that they are created purely from the magic power of the mage." "Decay Bolt (able to shoot up a dark energy filled with decay in the form of a bolt) "Dark Burst (Launch a blast of dark magical energy.) Passive Ability "Night Eyes (all necromancer apprentices have the ability to see better in the dark around %30 to %40).
Chapter 10 - Murder and Meeting Archvel finished his hunt and was about to go back to Red Copper Town. He felt something was not right, and then all of his senses screamed danger as he looked at the right side of himself. Archvel''s eyes widened with surprise as he spotted the two figures hurtling toward him. Their black robes billowed in the wind, their faces etched with pain. It was Alvin and Alice¡ªthe very same individuals he had encountered earlier in Red Copper Town. But something seemed amiss. Without a moment''s hesitation, Alvin and Alice lunged at Archvel, their movements fueled by desperation. Archvel''s mind raced, trying to make sense of the sudden turn of events. Why were they attacking him? What had transpired in the time since their previous encounter? "I don''t think I offended anybody in such a short time." As the duo closed in, Archvel''s instincts kicked in, and he swiftly summoned his three faithful skeletons to his side. The skeletal sentinels have materialized, ready to defend and attack targets. "Stop!" Archvel shouted, "What is the meaning of this? Why are you attacking me?" Archvel thought. "I don''t know them, and killing mindlessly in a world of magic is not a good thing." Alvin, his face contorted with pain and his voice strained, looked at Archvel and the three skeletons as he thought. "A dark mage, necromancer apprentice most likely. If he knew who we were, Alice and myself in this state would lose to him. Not to mention we are being hunted." Alvin then started to speak between labored breaths. "You don''t understand," he gasped. "We have no choice. They will kill us if we don''t." Archvel''s brow furrowed with concern. It seemed that Alvin and Alice were acting under duress, forced into this confrontation against their will. "What were they doing anyway?" They both have burn marks on their bodies. It is clear that they were in a magic battle." Archvel thought and then kept his attention on Alvin. His heart wavered between suspicion and anger. Archvel raised his hand, signaling his skeletons to hold their ground. Skeletons stopped but were still ready to defend their master or launch a counterattack if necessary. "Tell me the truth," Archvel asked. "Who is threatening you?" Alice understood the motive and words of Alvin. The fact that they are in an intimate relationship made them understand each other''s intentions without too much of a problem. Alice''s eyes were filled with some sort of hope. She then started speaking in a kind voice. "It''s the secret light," she whispered.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. "They discovered our allegiance to the Light Zone. They want the gemstone staff, and they will stop at nothing to get it." Archvel''s mind raced as he processed the information. The Secret Light, the organization that destroyed the Dark Archive Organization It is true that he had no connection or emotional bond with the organization itself, but the fact that it was his first place to see and he was the inheritor of the palace itself made him feel some sort of animosity towards the Secret Light Organization. Lowering his hand, Archvel addressed Alvin and Alice with a calm voice. "Listen carefully," he said. "Maybe I can help." Of course, Archvel had no reason to help them. He was just making sure that they trusted him so that he could kill them with ease. Alvin and Alice exchanged glances. Archvel noticed that both of them became more calm and easy. They started walking close. Archvel smiled, and then his eyes changed as he whispered. "Dark Burst!" "Boooooooooooom !!" With the words of Archvel, Alvin, who was in front of himself, turned into a smithereen as blood and organs burned as it exploded on the ground. Archvel''s smile widened. "They thought that they would be able to trick me into trusting them." "They are really naive, aren''t they?" Archvel thought as he laughed soundly for a bit. He approached Alice, who stood frozen in shock, her eyes locked on the remains of Alvin. The realization dawned upon her that Archvel had seen through their trick. "You thought you could deceive me," Archvel said, his voice laced with a hint of amusement. "But I saw that you guys cast light magic to heal yourself out." "Which shows that you are on good terms with light magic." "Considering all of these things, it is clear you guys are light mages." Alice''s expression shifted from fear to acceptance. She took a step back, her voice trembling with a hint of desperation. "You may have figured it out, but you don''t understand the gravity of our situation. The Secret Light will stop at nothing to obtain the gemstone staff, and now that you''ve interfered..." Archvel cut her off with a dismissive wave of his hand. "The Secret Light, the Dark Archive, light magic, dark magic¡ªthey are all just pawns in a greater game. And I am no pawn. I am Archvel; I will not be manipulated." Alice gulped and whispered. "Dark Archive, that name..." "That name should not exist in the history of magic anymore." Archvel just smiled and nodded. "I learned a new thing." He took a deliberate step forward, his gaze piercing into Alice''s soul. "There is no need for you to keep talking anymore. I believe no dark mage would create a problem for me by killing you. Am I wrong?" The eyes of Alice changed as she lost all courage and turned her back to Archvel. With a swift gesture, Archvel whispered, "Dark Burst." His hands crackled with black sparks. He unleashed a surge of dark energy, sending a burst of destructive force toward Alice. The blast engulfed her, consuming her in a vortex of shadowy power. Alice''s cries echoed through the air as she was overcome by the dark energy, her body convulsing before collapsing to the ground, lifeless. "So, I can manipulate dark magic to cause harm in a different way despite my power being weaker. Original Dark Burst is an explosion dark element type of spell; the action I took to kill Alice was more of a simple dark element control. I engulfed. I drowned her in darkness. quite literally..." - Four dark figures on horseback emerged through the shadows, their presence emanating an aura of darkness and power. The dark men rode with an air of confidence, their black robes billowing behind them. Among them was a man with a commanding presence, distinguished by the black glasses he wore, which added an air of charisma to his appearance. Without a word, the dark mages dismounted their horses and approached the scene where Alvin exploded body and purple dead body, where Alice lay lifeless. The man with the black glasses, seemingly the leader, examined the scene. His eyes darted from the disintegrated remains of Alvin to the lifeless form of Alice. After a moment, the dark mage walked over to Archvel. He stood face to face with Archvel. He introduced himself as a dark mage from the Tower of the Black Sun. "A fellow dark mage having fun with the kids of light, I see." The dark mage spoke, his voice smooth and tinged with a hint of intrigue. "I am Jareth, a practitioner of the dark magic from the Tower of the Black Sun. It seems we have arrived just in time to witness the aftermath of a rather eventful encounter." Archvel kept his silence as his eyes searched the dark mage''s face for any sign of hidden motives. He thought of a simple fact. "What I say here matters a lot." Chapter 11 - The Remains and Intimidation Jareth continued, his voice carrying a note of interest. "These two individuals you crossed paths with, Alvin and Alice, were agents of the Secret Light, were they not?" Archvel nodded, acknowledging Jareth''s observation. "They were light mages; I am certain about that. But I don''t know if they are people you name them to be." Jared smiled and started to talk. "Impressive. You have piqued our interest, Archvel. The Tower of the Black Sun is always in search of people like you." Archvel studied Jareth. "You speak of ambition," Archvel replied, his voice steady. "What do you seek from me, Mister Jareth?" Jareth''s lips curled into a knowing smile, his gaze fixed on Archvel. "We seek individuals who can challenge the status quo, those who possess the hunger for power and knowledge." "Should you choose to align yourself with us, Archvel, the Tower of the Black Sun can provide you with resources, guidance, and opportunities beyond your wildest dreams." Archvel took a deep breath and then answered. "I am new to this place. I have no plans to join any organization for the time being. I hope you can understand that I am not disrespecting your organization." Jareth looked at Archvel for a few seconds and then nodded. "Okay then, do you mind if we take what''s left from these two light mage you handled?" Archvel nodded. "Yeah, I do not mind." Archvel answered as he thought. "They are trying to suppress me using their numbers and power. I rejected them once, and if I reject them once again, considering they are dark mages and we are in a forest, they would not hesitate to kill me." "It is a simple technique for conmen demanding something big, and after it is rejected, they demand another thing, this time much smaller than the first thing." Archvel smiled as he looked at the dark men picking up the pieces left by the two mages. "Conmans use guilt feelings in the people, and these dark mages used intimidation and fear of death." Archvel watched as Jareth and his group receded into the distance, their dark figures blending seamlessly with the shadows of the surrounding forest.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. As the silence settled once again, Archvel took a deep breath, refocusing his thoughts. "I made the right decision for the time being." Archvel thought as he kept walking. Archvel turned his gaze back toward Red Copper Town. - Returning to the familiar streets and buildings of the town felt like a sanctuary, a place where he could regain his bearings and make informed decisions. Archvel stepped into the familiar Huntsman Hut, the aroma of fresh game mingling with the woody scent of the interior. Heida, the woman he had met before, greeted him with a warm smile. Her eyes sparkled with recognition as she recognized Archvel. "Ah, it''s good to see you again," Heida said, her voice carrying a hint of familiarity. Archvel nodded; he had already learned the name of the woman after his first negotiation with her. After smiling, her gaze shifted to the remains of the scorpion deer he had brought with him. Heida''s keen eyes scanned the creature''s unique features, her expertise evident in the way she assessed its value. "So, what do you think, Heida?" Archvel asked, his voice filled with confidence. "What can you offer for this remarkable magical creature?" Heida tilted her head, her expression thoughtful. "Well, I must admit, it''s a rare find and a magical creature that usually ordinary hunters would not be able to hunt." She remarked, her fingers tracing the creature''s scorpio-like tail. "The Scorpion Deer is highly sought after for its exotic qualities. I''m sure there are many mages eager to buy these remains." Archvel leaned in closer, a glimmer of negotiation in his eyes. "How about three dark gold coins for the remains? Considering its rarity and the demand, I believe it''s a fair price." Heida paused for a moment, her gaze meeting Archvel''s. "Three gold coins, you say?" she mused as she thought. "He is starting to learn about the prices around the Red Copper Town; three gold coins remain the usual starting price point for a magical creature." Seconds later, Heida answered. "Yeah, three gold coins for the remains of a scorpion deer is a fair deal for me and you. I would be able to use these parts to make some things and then gain about four to five gold coins after I finish everything." A small smile crept across Archvel''s face as he nodded in agreement. Heida, too, seemed pleased with the arrangement. "One would need a combat mage or fifteen experienced hunters to hunt this scorpion deer; I knew that you were a mage because of your robes, but I did not think you were a combat mage." Archvel smiled but said nothing. He just counted the gold coins in his hand. But Heida''s mention of the fifteen hunters needed to hunt scorpion deer piqued Archvel''s curiosity. He raised an eyebrow; his interest piqued. "Fifteen hunters, you say?" "These magical creatures seem not to be that strong." Heida shrugged, a hint of mystery in her voice. "I''m not entirely sure if I''m being honest." "Maybe it seems weak to you, but for ordinary people, even reacting to the speed of it will be a problem, and each attack from the creature itself is enough to kill a man with a strong body and experience in hunting magical creatures." Archvel pondered Heida''s words. "It seemed that the difference between the powers of ordinary humans and mages is off the charts." Thanking Heida for her assistance, Archvel bid her farewell and left the Hut. "I took one part from the scorpion deer for myself. Now that I have three gold coins, I can look for the shard of a void stone." "After I buy the shard, I can start collecting bones to make my own army, feel more safe, and decide what I want to do in the future." Chapter 12 - Pot Of Magic In the dimly lit room, Where the walls were draped with black velvet curtains. A beautiful woman thought as she took a deep breath. "Freedom is not the best wish for a dark mage." Seated on an elegant black sofa, the woman in the black dress exuded an air of authority. Her dark eyes gleamed with confidence as her fingers lightly tapped against the armrest. Opposite her, the man in the impeccably tailored suit exuded an aura of quiet confidence. His posture was straight, his expression inscrutable behind his black-tinted glasses. "I can imagine what she thinks about the situation." The man thought. Emotions danced in their eyes and played across their faces. The woman''s voice, a smooth mixture of silk and steel, cut through the silence. "Jareth invited him to join us. But he declined, didn''t he?" The man nodded slowly, his gaze never wavering from the woman''s. "Yes," he replied, his voice laced with a hint of disappointment. "It seems our reputation precedes us. He values his independence, his own path." A flicker of annoyance crossed the woman''s face, her eyebrows furrowing slightly. "Independence can be a dangerous trait, especially for those entangled in our world, but it also presents an opportunity. We can use him as a pawn, a means to an end." The man''s lips curled into a sly smile, a glint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Indeed," he replied, his voice dripping with intrigue. "Do you think he would be controlled as easily as you think, Eleina?" Eleina smiled and then nodded. "Tower of Black Sun, built by our ancestor more than five hundred years ago, Alger, you know these things are better than me." "I never saw a dark mage who, in search of a power, stayed alone for too long." Alger nodded, but his face showed uncertainty as he added. "Do you think that he would be invited to another dark mage organization? In Red Copper Town, not considering the behemots of dark magic who have big dark cities under their control. There are still five organizations on par with us."If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Eleina shook her head, and she darted her eyes up and down, feeling that her friend and cousin Alger were having problems with their organizations'' confidence. "I do not think something like that will happen." "In the end, we are the first ones to come in contact with him, and humans, be they dark mage or light mage, all have an innate desire to get close to what they know." Alger nodded and got up from his chair. "You are right on that." "I will be leaving for the time being to search where those two light mages had hidden the staff they had stolen." "I will also contact Obsidian Keep City and Obsidian Keep to give them a report about the two mages from Secret Light who were in the Red Copper Town." Eleina nodded and said nothing as she whispered. "Archvel, you are an interesting guy. I would like to see what you are going to do in the future." - Archvel delved into his search for the Shard of a Void Stone. After hours of research, he discovered a crucial piece of information: the Pot of Magic organization in Red Copper Town was rumored to be the largest seller of magical items in the region. "It makes sense that most of the places could not handle the trade of magical items." "Only a magical organization with strong backing may handle it." He made his way through the bustling streets of the town. The sun cast long shadows as he approached the grand building that housed the Pot of Magic. Its exterior was adorned with mystical symbols and intricate carvings. "Yeah, this looks like a place that would trade magical items." As he entered the establishment, the air seemed to crackle with anticipation. "I did not expect such an inventory." Archvel thought and smiled as he touched his chin. Shelves lined with spellbooks, potions, and magical trinkets stretched as far as the eye could see. There were ten people inside the building, and seven of them wore black robes like himself, and three of them wore quality clothes because of their temperament. They were nobles. Archvel approached the counter, where a middle-aged man with a long white beard and robes adorned with mystical symbols stood. The man''s eyes glimmered with an otherworldly wisdom as he regarded Archvel. "Greetings," the man said in a voice that seemed to carry a hint of ancient knowledge. "What brings you to the Pot of Magic today?" Archvel met the man''s gaze, "I seek the shard of a void stone," he replied. I''ve heard that your organization is known to possess such rare artifacts." The man stroked his beard thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing slightly. "The shard of a void stone is indeed an important magical item." "It is hard to come by. Do you have enough gold coins to pay for it?" Archvel nodded, "I am prepared to pay a fair price for it." The man''s expression softened, a glimmer of admiration shining through. "Very well," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of approval. "I shall make inquiries among our esteemed members and contacts. If the shard of a void stone is within our grasp, you shall be notified." The man also added "The price range for a shard of void stone is about thirty to fifty gold coins, but if I find it, I will be selling it to you for forty gold coins. Come prepared, will you?" Archvel thanked the man, a sense of anticipation rising within him. He knew that acquiring the Shard would not be easy. "I did not expect the shard of a void stone to cost forty gold coins. I need 37 gold coins to buy it." Archvel then asked. "How much time would it take a Shard of Void Stone to reach here?" The man answered. "About four to seven days at the very most." Leaving the bustling establishment, Archvel stepped back into the streets of Red Copper Town. "I need to find more gold coins." Chapter 13 - Moon Bear Archvel''s mind was set on his new objective¡ªto venture into the depths of the Silent Water Forest in search of valuable prey. The secluded forest he entered to hunt and encountered the Scorpion Magical Creature and two Light Mages was the same forest he entered. As he returned to his room in the Red Copper City, Archvel replenished his energy with a hearty meal. Archvel set off from the city, heading straight into the depths of the Silent Water Forest. "Finding magical creatures is a hassle on its own." Archvel thought as he kept on walking. Hours turned into twilight, and the moon''s gentle glow cast an ethereal light upon the forest. Archvel moved with purpose. "All the things considered. What I am doing in this forest is worth more than the time that I lived on Earth." "It seems like, as a dark mage, I have a connection to night itself, and my power increases as darkness approaches." "I don''t know the exact reason, but being a necromancer should be better than just being an elemental mage." "Of course, there are a lot of things that I don''t know that may have different kinds of advantages." His ears perked at the faint rustling of leaves nearby. Archvel crouched low, his body merging with the shadows, as he focused his attention on the source of the sound.
Moon Bear Level Two Magical Creature STR - 5.6 Magical Power 2.0 Abilities Moon Beam Level 2: Cast a moonlight beam into the target, freezing it. Children of the Moon Level 1 (when in the nighttime, all powers increase by 15%)
Archvel''s heart raced. "This creature is stronger than me when it comes to its stage and its stats." "The passive nature of it also gives him a clear advantage." "I believe it would at least fetch seven to ten gold coins in the market." "Should I take the risk of attacking it?" Archvel took a deep breath, and three skeletons were summoned behind his back, and he controlled them to attack from three different places at the same time as his right hand started getting covered by grayish magical energy. signifying the casting of the Decay Bolt.Stolen novel; please report. "I cannot leave this creature; it took me five hours just to find it." The Moon Bear, with its massive frame and razor-sharp claws, loomed before Archvel and his skeletal companions as it noticed the skeletons approaching him. It let out a deep growl, its amber eyes gleaming with primal aggression. "This is not going to be easy." With a swift command, Archvel directed his skeletons to engage the Moon Bear, their bony forms clashing against the creature''s thick hide. The sound of bones and sinew meeting echoed through the forest as the Moon Bear fought back, its powerful strikes threatening to crush the skeletal warriors. Archvel, standing at a safe distance, focused his magical energies and cast a decay bolt. As the Moon Bear continued its assault, he targeted it toward the creature''s vulnerable points. The dark energy surged forward, striking the Moon Bear''s body with a sickening impact. "Booom !!" Its fur blackened and withered, as if touched by the hand of decay itself. Despite the significant damage inflicted by the Decay Bolt, the Moon Bear refused to yield. It roared with fury. The moon bear unleashed a barrage of furious swipes and ferocious bites. Archvel''s skeletons fought and tried to stop it; in the end, the body of Archvel is only one and a half times stronger than that of an ordinary human; one swipe from the Moon Bear is enough to kill him with ease. "If not for my summons. I would be a meal for this bear." Archvel saw that his two skeletons were almost about to be destroyed. Second, his skeletons are destroyed; the moon bear would target himself, and he would be sitting duck against the bear. Archvel knew that he had to take decisive action. He summoned every ounce of his magical prowess. Concentrating his magical energy in his hands, he allowed it to build and intensify. Dark energy cracked and swirled, forming a volatile orb of pure power. With a final burst of concentration, he released the spell, causing a devastating explosion of dark energy to erupt before him. "Boooooooooooooooooom !!" The force of the Dark Burst engulfed the Moon Bear, shattering its defenses and tearing through its flesh. The creature let out a pained, guttural cry as its body was torn apart, succumbing to the overwhelming power of Dark Burst. Archvel was smart enough to understand that spells are not just to be used as it is written, with enough intelligence and mastery. He believed he could control the power of the most simple spells. In a sense, Dark Burst was just an explosion of stored magical energy from his hands. One can easily deduce that if the stored magical energy is greater, the burst itself will be more powerful and deadly when exploded. "Creativity in magic battles seems more important than I thought it was." He surveyed the fallen Moon Bear and gathered the remains. Archvel sat on the ground and started taking deep breaths. "It is clearly easy to see that I need more power if I want to protect myself. What if something unlucky happened and there was another moon bear close to this bear I killed?" The thought of getting eaten alive by a bear just instilled deep fear in Archvel''s bones. Taking deep breaths, a wicked smile formed on Archvel''s face as he looked at his hands. "I need to go on." Archvel took a deep breath as he started preparing to pick up the pieces from the creature. "Who knows what kinds of things I encounter that would make the things that I encounter now negligible?" "These things are just the start." "I know what I should do, and I need to be more careful from now on." "After the Skeleton Ring is completed, I should start building a good amount of army for myself as well as look into the tomes from the Dark Archive so that I may find a utility ability or a defensive spell." "This feeling of power will never change." Chapter 14 - Gold Coins - Predator Eyes Spell With the remnants of the fallen Moon Bear in his possession, Archvel made his way back to Red Copper Town. As he walked through the forest, Archvel''s mind churned with thoughts and plans. He knew that he needed a moment of respite to rest and recuperate, to gather his strength and to devise a more strategic approach to his hunting endeavors. "What I have done is too risky." "If one thing went wrong, I would be killed." "It seems like I still know nothing." Archvel directly went to the Black Beer Inn and put the carcass of the bear in his room. He did not forget to hide it as much as he could, but it still gathered attention from the people inside. But they would not know it was a magical beast, so there was not a second thought in the mind of Archvel. He entered the inn, the door creaking softly as he stepped inside, the familiar aroma of ale and roasted meat filling the air. "I will sell the Moon Bear parts tomorrow night." "I will rest and then look for a spell that will help me find creatures or living animals in general." Archvel sat alone in his room at the Black Beer Inn, a plate of steaming food before him. As he savored each bite, his mind was consumed with thoughts of his ongoing hunt. "If I don''t find a way better way, the time is not enough for me to gather the needed coins for the Shard of a Void Stone.". Flicking through the pages of his tomes, Archvel''s eyes scanned the tomes and tried to find a spell that he could use. His heart quickened with anticipation as he stumbled upon a passage describing a spell known as "Predatory Eyes." "Predator Eyes or Predatory Eyes," he whispered to himself, the words lingering in the air. "If this spell lives up to its name, it could be exactly what I need." "If not for the Master Language spell, I would have no chance to learn this spell from the tomes without any kind of sophisticated and official training." Closing his eyes, Archvel allowed his mind to wander, envisioning himself casting the spell. He could almost feel the surge of power as his eyes became engulfed in swirling darkness and his vision sharpened. "Oh, I do understand why it is called Predatory Eyes." Archvel murmured.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. "This spell will grant me the ability to see beyond what others can perceive," he thought, a glimmer of excitement in his voice. "With predatory eyes, no creature will be able to hide from me." Archvel''s thoughts raced. "It can be said that this spell not only helps me to find creatures, it also helps me to locate other mages as well as living creatures." "Basically a spell to enhance the eyes to find out the living things. It travels up to one to five kilometers, which is sufficient for me." "I will be a force to be reckoned with," he declared. Archvel stood at the counter of the Red Eye Hut, a collection of Moon Bear parts neatly arranged before him. He locked eyes with Heida. Heida sized up the Moon Bear parts, Archvel couldn''t help but feel a twinge of unease. "I can only hope she would not try to swindle me." As the haggling commenced, Archvel focused his attention, strategizing his approach. He needed to exude confidence while showcasing the quality of his bounty. "Stay calm," he reminded himself, his thoughts racing. "You''ve done your research; you know the market value. Trust in your abilities." Archvel shook his head as he noticed his thoughts. "I care too much about just a simple hunt." He thought. At the same time, Heida''s voice measured and shrewd, pierced the air. She offered a price that fell below Archvel''s expectations. "I expected this much." Archvel''s mind raced, searching for a counteroffer. He weighed the risks and rewards, knowing that a poorly worded response could jeopardize the entire deal. "Be assertive," he thought. With careful consideration, Archvel presented a counteroffer. He outlined the merits of the Moon Bear parts, Time seemed to stretch as the haggling continued, with each offer and counteroffer a dance of negotiation. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, an agreement was reached. As he left the Red Eye Hut, gold coins jingling in his pocket, The successful haggling had not only boosted his confidence but also affirmed his worth as a skilled hunter in the eyes of others. He knew that this was just the beginning of his journey, a stepping stone towards greater accomplishments. With each successful sale, he would gather the resources necessary to pursue his ultimate goals. As he walked away, his head held high, Archvel relished in the thrill of the haggling victory. "17 gold coins for almost all the parts of the Moon Bear; I took one small part of it for the Skeleton Ring." "She offered me 13 gold coins before; I think I did good enough." - Archvel went back to the Black Beer Inn after the deal finished; he wanted to drink and relax as much as he could. Now that he managed to gather twenty gold coins, another hunt like Moon Bear would give him enough funds to buy the Void Shard he needed. As he relaxed, a voice broke through the ambiance, accompanied by a friendly smile. It was Jareth. "Oh, you are here, not that I did not expect you to be here!" Jareth exclaimed, "Can I join you for a drink? There''s something I''d like to discuss with you." Archvel glanced up, meeting Jareth''s gaze. He weighed his options for a moment, considering the potential benefits and risks of indulging in conversation. "Yeah, I guess it would do no harm." "I would not like to reject him for the time being," he thought. Ultimately, he saw no harm in hearing what Jareth had to say. "Sure, why not?" Archvel replied with a nod, acknowledging Jareth''s invitation. "I could use a drink and some company." Chapter 15 - New Spells and Investigation Of A Corpse Jareth leaned back comfortably in his chair, his eyes fixed on Archvel. "There''s a job that needs to be done," Jareth said, his eyes looking more serious than ever. "An investigation of some sort. We need someone skilled." Archvel stopped for a second and asked himself. "Why he is not using his people." He understood the value of his own abilities. From the perspective of ordinary people, he is a dark mage with some necromancy skills. But from the eyes of Jareth, an experienced mage, he assumes, he should be just an apprentice. "Why me?" Archvel asked, "Why do you think I''m the right person for this task?" Jareth''s smile widened. "Archvel, my friend, I''ve seen your potential," Jareth said, his tone filled with conviction. Archvel did not buy it but did not say anything to refure it and let Jareth continue to speak. "Your mastery of necromancy and the feeling you are giving it to me make me think you are a good candidate for this task." "Besides, there''s something in it for you too. You have a personal connection to the world of necromancy, and this investigation could lead you to the answers you seek." Archvel took a deep breath and then nodded. "Alright," he declared, "I accept your offer." Jareth''s smile widened further. "Excellent!" he exclaimed. "We shall begin our investigation soon, Archvel. I will pay you twenty-five gold coins now, and after we finish our job, you will be paid twenty-five more." Archvel stopped for a second and smiled. "So, having connections and meeting with others does increase my chances of finding things to do and making some gold coins." Jareth said that they will be starting the mission in the night, and he has five to seven hours of time to prepare. After leaving the side of Jareth, Archvel went upstairs to his room and started to look for a spell to find out if he could find any that would help him in the matter of investigation. "Predatory eyes may not be enough for a mission and investigation like this." Jareth, having solidified the agreement with Archvel, departed from the inn and made his way back to the headquarters of the Tower of the Black Sun. As he walked through the familiar corridors, Jareth''s thoughts were consumed by the mission. "Death of Elliot Ken..." Entering a dimly lit chamber, Jareth found himself surrounded by his fellow members of the organization. The air was heavy with anticipation as each member awaited his report. "Here we go." Jareth thought as he started talking. "Members of the Tower of the Black Sun," Jareth started talking, "I have enlisted the aid of Archvel, a talented necromancer, in our pursuit of justice for the fallen blackfire mage, Elliot Ken."The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Elliot Ken had been a formidable presence within their ranks, and his death changes many things, and all people present are aware of this. "The enemy responsible for Elliot Ken''s death is none other than a necromancer." Jareth continued, "Archvel has agreed to work with us, utilizing his unique talents to track down the necromancer and bring them to us... As Jareth spoke, some of the mages started talking with each other. "I am not sure we can trust an unknown mage." A hooded man with a harsh voice spoke to an individual right beside him. "I understand your concern. But our ranks have no necromancer category; dark mage and necromancers are rare as well as not cheap." The woman''s voice answered this time instead of the man''s harsh-sounding voice. She was wearing a hood, so her face could not be seen easily. Jareth listened for some time before starting to talk again. Not mentioning the fact that there are some dark mages inside of them that are not trusting of Archvel. "We must act swiftly and decisively." Jareth declared, "The necromancer who took Elliot Ken''s life must be found out and taken out." "For the sake of our fallen comrade and the integrity of our organization. Archvel and I will lead the investigation. Even as dark magic users, they still have some sort of ties with their friends and people they work with. Being Dark mages does not mean that they are evil; it just means that they will do whatever they need to do if it benefits them, and being selfish in their eyes is not something that should be classified as being evil. They are honest enough to accept this reality. Jareth took a deep breath and smiled as he left the gathering. "So, the people have no problem with me working with an unknown mage from outside of the organization." "There were some voices who were clearly not happy, but they would still agree, as hiring a necromancer from outside organizations would not be cheap, and they would need to pay too." Jareth smiled again and then closed his eyes. - Archvel continued to eat his meal, savoring the flavors of the well-cooked chicken and the refreshing taste of the beer. The seventeen gold coins he had acquired from selling the Moon Bear parts provided him with a sense of security and comfort, easing his mind for the moment. He had around forty-five gold coins in his hands, and after the mission is finished, he will have a total of 70 to 65 gold coins. Which is more than enough for the time being. As he looked around the inn, observing the other patrons engrossed in their own conversations and activities, Archvel couldn''t help but reflect on his current situation. His power had grown significantly. "But I am still weak enough to not be taken seriously." Archvel smiled, showing his power in his face. Just as he was lost in his thoughts, the door of the inn swung open, bringing with it a cold gust of wind. Archvel''s eyes widened in surprise as he recognized the familiar face that entered. "Jareth?" Archvel exclaimed. Jareth''s smile widened upon seeing Archvel, and he made his way over to his table. They exchanged pleasantries, and Jareth wasted no time in sharing the news. "I have notified the Tower of the Black Sun, and they have agreed to work with you." Jareth said. Archvel took a moment to process the information. He had expected this outcome, considering their previous conversation. "I have something to attend to," Archvel said, contemplating his next move. "Can we begin our work tomorrow, as we discussed before?" Jareth closed his eyes momentarily, his expression thoughtful. "I understand," he replied. "I will come to fetch you from here tomorrow morning." Archvel nodded in agreement. He watched as Jareth left the inn, his mind filled with a mixture of curiosity and caution. He couldn''t shake off the feeling that something wasn''t quite right about the situation. Jareth''s attempt to portray their interaction as that of old friends made Archvel even more skeptical. "He''s getting too close too quickly." Archvel thought, "I don''t like this." "If they truly wanted to take me out or harm me," Archvel concluded, his thoughts grounded in a sobering reality. "I would have no power to stand against them." Archvel then finished his food and drink and went upstairs to his room. "There will be some books here that would teach me about some simple understanding of investigation." After spending about five hours in his room. Archvel found three tomes about investigation-related materials, especially those involving necromancy. Archvel learned about three things in three tomes. "Basics of Corpse Investigation and Parting" "Bone Counting and Altering" "Voice of Last Breath" Each of them gave different kinds of insights; Archvel seemed to understand the ideas behind them, but he believes that he needed to work on these three things for a full night to be capable of using these knowledges to aid in his investigation. Chapter 16 - Getting More Power - Spells "I should start with the Corpse Investigation and Parting Book." Archvel decided on the soft glow of candlelight illuminating the pages of the book titled "Corpse Investigation and Parting." He opened and smiled. "This seems interesting; it has drawings too." The book''s pages were filled with detailed illustrations depicting the human anatomy and various techniques used in post-mortem examinations. Archvel''s eyes scanned the words and images, absorbing the wealth of information presented before him. "Dark Archive really puts great importance in these books. The details and the images are all top-notch quality." Archvel commneted As he delved deeper into the book, he understood different things about the human body. The book left no detail unexplored, discussing the different stages of decomposition, the effects of various causes of death on the body, and even methods to discern signs of foul play. The text described the careful process of dissecting a corpse, emphasizing the importance of precision and a steady hand. It detailed the steps to examine each organ, noting the significance of abnormalities, injuries, and diseases that could shed light on the circumstances surrounding death. Archvel''s expression fluctuated between awe and mild discomfort. As he continued reading, Archvel''s analytical mind absorbed the information like a sponge. "This book and the knowledge that I have gained will prove to be useful the next morning." "I believe if not for this book, tomorrow morning my deal may be cancelled by Jareth himself in a heartbeat." Archvel was really thankful for the knowledge that he had gathered from the Dark Archive Temple. He starts to understand that if not for the Dark Archive, his knowledge would stay too far behind that of the mages in organizations. "Now, I understand why almost all mages would like to enter an organization." "The power of a mage and the stage at which it advances and gains power depend on the knowledge the mage himself or herself can gather and apply." "Without knowledge, the mage will not advance and will be crushed by the mages from organizations." The book provided him with a newfound perspective, equipping him with the tools to unravel the mysteries concealed within lifeless bodies. Three hours later, Archvel was able to finish the book fully. "I-." "I think I feel more powerful and greater than before..." Archvel commented, and seconds later a burst of energy manifested around his body, and his body as well as his spirit underwent a qualitative change.
"Archvel Detriment" "Stage 3: Necromancer Apprentice (Level 3)" "Magic: 5.1" "Physical Power: 3.4" Spells "Raise Skeleton Level 2 (conjure three skeletons from the underground). (Sentinel)The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. "Decay Bolt (able to shoot up a dark energy filled with decay in the form of a bolt) "Dark Burst" "Predatory Eyes" Passive Ability "Night Eyes (all necromancer apprentices have the ability to see better in the dark around %30 to %40). "Ancient Language Mastery" "Human Body Mastery Level 1" "Death Investigation Level 1"
Ding !
"The user can choose one reward from three choices."
Archvel took a deep breath and looked at the three choices in front of him.
"Reward 1" "New Abilty" "Dark Aura" "Conjure a dark energy aura around the user that harms others who do not have dark energy inside of them." "Note: Dark mages and dark element creatures will have immunity against this spell."
"Reward 2" "Conjure Skeleton, Level 2" "The user will be able to conjure six skeleton sentinels using his necromancy magic instead of three."
"Reward 3" "Dark Energy Burst" "The user will use his hand to condense dark energy and use it against his enemies by bursting it out." "A higher version of Dark Burst is not recommended as the user has similar abilities."
Archvel looked at his choice and smiled. "It seems like the choice is clear." "Dark Energy Aura right now does not give me enough increase in power but gives me versatility." "Dark Energy Burst is not going to work well on me as I already have the Dark Burst spell and am able to use it effectively." "The best choice for me to upgrade the Conjure Skeleton is having six skeletons that I am able to conjure anytime without needing any bones or materials, which is a good basic defense and offensive power." "If I had six skeletons when fighting against Moon Bear, they would handle it with ease." After thinking about what he should choose, Archvel thought and then whispered. "I choose Reward 2, Raise Skeleton Level 2." With his thought, the choices vanished, and then his status window opened, showing him increasing.
"Archvel Detriment" "Stage 3: Necromancer Apprentice (Level 3)" "Magic: 5.2" "Physical Power: 3.5" Spells "Conjure Skeleton Level 2 (Conjure six skeletons from the underground; the power of each skeleton increased by %15, and the defensive power of each skeleton increased by %15)." "Decay Bolt (able to shoot up a dark energy filled with decay in the form of a bolt) "Dark Burst" "Predatory Eyes" Passive Ability "Night Eyes (all necromancer apprentices have the ability to see better in the dark around %30 to %40). "Ancient Language Mastery" "Human Body Mastery Level 1" "Death Investigation Level 1"
Archvel smiled as he looked at his status. "With this increase in my own magical power and increase in my level, I already feel a lot of power and freedom running deep inside my veins." Archvel was able to understand that the more power he gathers, the more freedom he will have in his choices. He was also happy that he had gained Death Investigation Level 1. "When I read about the tome, I gained knowledge actively and liked reading and understanding something in a basic sense." "When an ability formed and I gained Death Investigation, all I had learned solidified inside of my brain." "It feels like I have known what I read in the tome for twenty years and used it all the time." "But it is not the case, and it was granted to me because of the system itself." Archvel thought as he concluded what he experienced. He gave out a cold breath and closed his eyes as his eyes landed on the clock. "I need to sleep for about five hours to give myself enough rest to work well tomorrow morning." Archvel was aware of the fact that as his power increased and his level upgraded, as well as the fact that now he has a death investigation. He is at the level to investigate a death¡ªa murder that came from the hands of a necromancer. He believed resting was a much better choice than trying to learn more, as he would have time when he finished gathering his materials and the mission itself. Chapter 17 - Investigation - Soul Magic After resting, Archvel woke up, had breakfast, and cleaned himself. "It was a good decision to rest." Archvel thought as he felt better. In no time, Archvel and Jareth met up and went to the graveyard. Archvel stood in the eerie silence of The Graveyard of Red Copper Town, a solemn place filled with weathered tombstones and memories of the departed. Jareth looked around the cemetery and commented. "I am a dark mage, but this graveyard still makes me chill." Archvel smiled and said nothing. Two graveyard workers opened a coffin and put it on the stone table in front of Archvel and Jareth. Archvel''s eyes fixed on the lifeless corpse before him. This was the corpse of Elliot. The mage from the Tower of the Black Sun He could not help nodding as he looked at the corpse. "Humans are really fragile and nothing more than sacks of potatoes when they are dead." He commented in his mind. As Archvel''s mind churned with thoughts and possibilities, he began to analyze the body, drawing upon the knowledge he had acquired from the book on corpse investigation. His eyes scrutinized every detail, from the discoloration of the skin to the positioning of the limbs. He observed the telltale signs of rigor mortis, indicating that death had occurred several days ago. The presence of lividity suggested that blood had settled in the lower parts of the body, a crucial clue in determining the time of death. "This part is not that hard." Archvel thought, and he continued to investigate. Archvel''s mind raced, connecting the dots as he considered the circumstances surrounding the murder. He wondered about the possible cause of death, searching for any evident injuries or peculiarities that could provide insight into the killer''s method. Jareth started talking, giving some information about the corpse and how it was found. "The first ones to find the corpse said that its belly and chest were penetrated by pure black arrows. I suppose it is a basic magic energy arrow created by dark energy and commonly used." Archvel nodded and then added. "It is not that basic; as we can see, there is no wound from arrows. Which means that those arrows are not simple spells." Jareth nodded, understanding the point of Archvel clearly. With each passing moment, Archvel''s focus deepened, his perception attuned to the smallest details. "Yeah, there is no wound on the body at all. It looks like a natural death, and if there was no existence of magic, it would be classified as a natural death."Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. As he continued his analysis, Archvel''s thoughts expanded beyond the physical realm. He tapped into his magical abilities, sensing the residual energy that lingered around the corpse. His fingers tingled with the subtle currents of dark magic, allowing him to glimpse fragments of the past and unravel hidden truths. "Hmmph" Archvel smiled. "The mage was not an experienced mage, but he was using a higher-level spell that was not suited for his power." "I can feel how the spell was cast and how it was directed." Archvel''s thoughts raced, weighing different possibilities and scenarios. Was it a personal vendetta, a desire for power, or something far more sinister? "I can imagine that the corpse of a dark mage would be great material for any necromancer." "It is common knowledge in the tomes that I have read that the better the corpse, the more powerful the creature that will be created from it." Amidst the graveyard''s stillness, Archvel''s determination solidified. Turning to Jareth, Archvel started talking. "From what I can see, the murderer is a necromancer with not that much level and experience but uses a spell that is suited for a high-level necromancer." "I can also say that a murderer needs to have some sort of information on the matter of souls." As Archvel''s words echoed through the graveyard, a flicker of surprise flashed across Jareth''s face. He listened intently, his eyes narrowing with intrigue. Jareth couldn''t help but mutter under his breath, "Soul magic." Archvel''s ears caught the muttered words, and he turned his attention to Jareth, curiosity etched on his face. Archvel wanted to know more about soul magic, but he did not say anything and waited for Jareth to explain. Jareth''s expression turned thoughtful as he spoke, and his voice lowered. "Soul magic is a rare and forbidden branch of magic. It delves into the very essence of life and death, manipulating the souls of both the living and the deceased. It is a power shrouded in darkness and mystery." "It has its connections with necromancers, as in the end, it is only to be expected that necromancers have an interest in soul magic." Archvel absorbed the information, Soul magic was a dangerous and forbidden art, which its practitioners often feared. From what he knows and can imagine. Defending oneself against a soul mage is not an easy thing. They attacked souls, and most likely they were able to perform this act even if there was a huge distance between the target and themselves. Jareth continued, his voice grave. "There is a dark mage organization known as the Void Star in Obsidian Keep. They specialize in soul magic and possess knowledge that surpasses that of the Tower of the Black Sun. However, the two organizations are bitter rivals, locked in a perpetual struggle for power." Archvel''s brow furrowed, his mind grappling with the revelation. The existence of another dark mage organization, especially one adept in soul magic, added a layer of complexity to their investigation. It meant that the forces at play extended beyond the immediate scope of Red Copper Town. "But," Archvel interjected, "if the perpetrator of this murder is not adept at using the spell, it suggests they may not be affiliated with the Void Star or possess their level of expertise." Jareth nodded in agreement. "Indeed, it seems that way. The spell used in this murder might be a crude imitation or a beginner''s attempt at soul magic." "Still, we cannot let this go unreported; even a novice in soul magic can wield unpredictable and destructive power." Jareth''s eyes met Archvel''s, their gazes mirroring a shared understanding. Jareth then nodded and started talking. "You are already doing a good job. Our investigators did not find out that Elliot was killed by soul magic and the mage was a novice." "Just these two pieces of knowledge give us a great advantage." Archvel just smiled and then added. "I will keep on investigating. If we are lucky, I may be able to find the body proportions of the murderer using my knowledge." Jareth was not expecting these words, and his face showed a different kind of look. He noted it in his mind. "Archvel must be put in a different category. He is more experienced and has more knowledge than we thought." then Jareth added. "That would be the best. if you are able to find how the murderer looks." Archvel then continued his investigation of the body. Jareth kept his silence, not wanting to interfere with the process. Chapter 18 - Unexpected Guests Archvel''s voice resonated. He carefully described the body proportions of the assailant, pointing out specific details such as height, build, and any distinct features he had discerned during his inspection of the crime scene. "He was of average height, perhaps a bit taller than the victim." Archvel remarked, "His build seemed to be lean and agile, indicating a certain level of physical dexterity. And there was something about the shape of his hands¡ªslender, but with a strength not weak." Jareth listened intently, absorbing the details Archvel provided. The information would prove invaluable in narrowing down the pool of potential suspects and guiding their investigation moving forward. "I did not expect you to learn these from just the corpse." Jareth commented. Archvel smiled and answered. "It is only because the murderer is a complete novice when it comes to hiding his tracks." Jareth nodded, and then, after nodding at the two grave workers to take the corpse back, he started talking. "For the day, you gave me enough details. You can go back and rest. We can continue tomorrow." Archvel understood what Jareth meant and nodded as he left the graveyard and went to his house. Archvel made his way back to his house, his mind still buzzing with thoughts and theories. "Soul Magic..." "The murderer, the Void Star¡ªeverything starts to get more confused as the time goes on." "I need to work on the mystical aspects of the magic." As Archvel entered his room, he took a moment to collect himself. Seated at his desk, he reviewed his notes and sketches, meticulously recording every detail he had observed during his inspection. He started reading pretty simple tomes about the magic. Right now, he is using the power of the system to work on his magic. His knowledge about the fundamentals of the magic was still lacking, but he is now able to understand it with ease. After about an hour of reading, Archvel understood something simple. "There are four important things when it comes to magic."Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. "Energy" "Imagination" "Control" "Affinity" Archvel then started thinking about each of them. "Energy is the amount of magic energy in the body and soul of a mage." There is more that can be used, and more power as well as imagination can be added to it." "Imagination is self-explanatory. The creative mages are the ones who use their imagination to control the magic as well as put magic energy into their imagination. Which then spells are formed." "Affinity is a natural-born characteristic of a mage. Everyone has some sort of affinity, such as dark magic, light magic, fire magic, and so on." "I still have too much to learn and not nearly enough time." "I need to work hard to learn these things." Archvel thought and kept on reading about the basics. Chapter 37 - The Mages From Void Stone After five hours of study, Arcvhel blinked and then got up from his seat. "I should go and eat something." Archvel washed his face and took off his coat as he left his house. After walking for ten minutes, he sensed something and looked back, seeing two individuals around his age. They were wearing simple black mage robes, and on the right side of their shoulders there was a symbol. A triangle with a star inside of it. The man with the green eyes started talking as he looked at Archvel. "Hi, Archvel. I am Aldar, and this is my friend Ally. We are from Void Star." Archvel''s eyes widened with surprise as the two individuals introduced themselves as mages from Void Star. "So, quick!" "This is not good at all!" Archvel felt fear in his body for the first time. This was not good at all. The unexpected encounter left him momentarily taken aback, his mind racing to assess the situation. He instinctively started collecting his magic power and was about to call upon his skeletons to defend himself. However, the mage who had spoken reassured Archvel. "We mean no harm," Aldar said. "We''ve heard of your investigations into the recent murder, and we believe we can assist you." Archvel studied the two mages before him, "They are not seeming to be lying." The knowledge that Void Star was not on good terms with the Tower of Black Sun raised his caution. "May I ask why you would like to help me out?" Aldar thought a little as he looked at the woman beside him for a second. The woman mage named Ally nodded, and then Aldar started talking. "We have already discovered that the dark mage or necromancer who killed Elliot Klein used some sort of soul magic spell." "We believe that by helping you out, we will clear the name of Void Star." "As you know, we are not on good terms with the Tower of Black Sun, and we cannot go to them to speak for the time being. It is also common knowledge that our organization works on soul magic, and we do not want to take the blame." Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Archvel considered the potential benefits of collaborating with the mages from Void Star, and the reasons they were giving made sense. "Alright," Archvel finally responded, his voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and caution. "But remember, any attempt to deceive or hinder me in this investigation will not be taken lightly." Aldar and Ally nodded, understanding the gravity of Archvel''s words. They assured him of their genuine intent to assist. "It seems like the second I finish this investigation, I need to leave this town." "From what I understand, the more I met with other people here, the more I got inside of things bigger than me." Chapter 19 - Soul Sickle As Archvel sat on his bed, The investigation into the murder case had taken a weird turn with the unexpected alliance with the mages from Void Star. But Archvel knew that once the investigation concluded, he needed to move on and explore new territories. "I have too much focus on myself, and in a world like this, too much attention is nothing but a problem." Archvel was not a kid without life experience. Not to mention that now he is starting to remember what kind of life he had when he was back on Earth. He knew that showing off and gathering attention on himself without the power to back it down would end in misery. Which is not something that he wanted to see at all. "For now, it is best to lay down and increase my knowledge of magic, the world, and everything." "I need to become a real mage, not an apprentice, to have a clear defense against dark mages and light mages." Archvel desired to broaden his knowledge and strengthen his magical abilities; that was the only way for safety and real freedom that he seeks. He considered the renowned Mage Academy in the distant city of Silverhaven. Alternatively, he pondered about the Dark Archive; right now, he feels more powerful and understands himself with greater confidence. It would make sense for him to go back to the hidden entrance of the Dark Archive and then look for more resources and information there. Back then, he did not know about many things, but with his experience right now, things may change. "It may also make sense to designate that hidden location of the Dark Archive as my temporary base." "It is hidden, too ancient to be remembered, and a solitary place." Archvel''s thoughts then turned to the bustling city of Obsidian Keep, known as a hub for magical artifacts and rare spellbooks, as well as many dark mages that were in contact with each other to share knowledge. "In the world of dark mages, everyone is looking for prey to hunt for more power." "I am not going to be prey, that is certain."Stolen story; please report. He needed to stay vigilant, always ready to defend himself and adapt to unforeseen circumstances. Next morning Archvel met with Jareth. He shared the information about Aldar and Ally with Jareth, curious to know more about the Void Star organization. Jareth listened attentively and then began to provide additional details about their rival faction. "Void Star," Jareth started, "They are a secretive and powerful organization that delves into forbidden magics and dark arts. They are known for their expertise in soul manipulation and necromancy." "A bunch of lunatics that keep on putting their nose into the realms that humans should not be looking into, if you ask me." Jareth also added, showing his disdain. He paused for a moment, as if gathering his thoughts, before continuing. "Void Star operates from the Obsidian Keep, "They have their own hierarchy and their own set of objectives, often conflicting with those of the Tower of the Black Sun." "The members of Void Star are ruthless and ambitious. They seek to harness the power of the Void, the soul, and the chaotic energy that lies beyond our realm." "They believe that by tapping into this forbidden force, they can achieve unimaginable power and reshape the world according to their will." Archvel nodded. "It seems like Aldar and Ally are not as simple and dangerous as they look." Archvel thought about and understood Jareth''s perspective. It made sense that contacting Aldar and Ally first would be a wise move, considering their potential knowledge and insights into the investigation. Archvel trusted Jareth''s judgment and respected his decision to maintain a distance from the two mages. "Understood, I will be in contact with them but will keep you out of it," Archvel replied. Jareth nodded in agreement. "Excellent. Keep me informed of any progress or significant findings. Remember, our primary objective is to kill the necromancer responsible for Elliot Ken''s death." Archvel acknowledged Jareth''s words, He was determined to bring justice to Elliot Ken and uncover the truth behind his murder. Working with Aldar and Ally seemed like the fastest path. As Archvel bid farewell to Jareth, One hour later, Archvel sat down with Aldar and Ally, sharing the information he had gathered about the corpse of Elliot Ken. As he relayed the details, both mages listened. The fact that they both understand Jareth, who is an official mage from the Tower of Black Sun, to be not too involved with themselves is normal and expected. After some time, Ally turned to Aldar and nodded. "I think you know what I mean, Aldar; from the details, it can be that kind of a spell." Aldar thought a little and rubbed his chin as he started to speak. "So, you suspect that the murderer used a spell called ''Soul Sickle''?" Aldar interjected, his voice thoughtful. "That would explain the peculiar damage inflicted on the soul of the victim." Ally nodded in agreement, acknowledging Aldar''s words. "Indeed, based on the evidence, it seems highly likely that the perpetrator employed a similar ability, such as soul sickle." "The distinct marks on Elliot Ken''s soul indicate a deliberate and targeted attack." Chapter 20 - Reason For Murder - Gain Archvel asked. "What kind of spell is the Soul Sickle?" Aldar leaned forward and started talking. "Soul Sickle is a dangerous spell, capable of inflicting severe harm to the essence of a person. It is a close-combat ability that allows the user to channel dark energy and strike at the very core of their opponent''s soul." Archvel nodded. "A sharp dagger that attacks the soul¡­" he thought. Ally then also added. "If the murderer is indeed skilled in Soul Sickle or a similar ability, it suggests a level of simple mastery over close-combat soul magic. This leads us to believe that they might have ties to Void Star, which we would not like to see¡­" Archvel kept his face neutral, but he thought from within. "I did not expect them to tell me something like this. Basically, they are telling me that the murderer is most likely a member of Void Star or a similar organization." "Thank you, Aldar and Ally, for sharing your knowledge." Archvel thanked first and then continued. "With your expertise and insights, I have a better chance to get that murderer." Aldar and Ally exchanged a glance before nodding. "We are here to support you, Archvel," Aldar affirmed. Archvel nodded and smiled. He then thought. "I am not going to trust them anyway. They have too much to lose in this deal if it goes wrong." "What if the murderer is indeed a member of Void Star and they kill me to hide it?" "Anything can happen." "They might even frame me for the murder. As long as there is enough reason, human nature will do everything." Not much time later, Archvel left the inn where he sat with Aldar and Ally and found himself a different inn to drink and spend some time alone. He sat alone, deep in thought.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. "A reason for the murder itself." Archvel murmured as he kept on working. Meanwhile, Aldar and Ally were talking about Archvel. They exchanged hushed whispers, their voices filled with a mix of curiosity and doubt. "I must admit, Ally, I have reservations about Archvel''s ability to handle this investigation." Aldar confessed, his brow furrowed with worry. "While he shows promise and has understanding, we cannot afford any missteps." Ally nodded in agreement. "I understand your concern, Aldar. Archvel possesses potential that is easy to see; even a dumb mage can see that, but whether he possesses enough power to confront the forces behind this murder is another question. I am not sure about that. "We need to ensure that he is prepared. At the same time, it is not hard to see that he does not trust us at all." Aldar''s eyes narrowed as he pondered the best course of action. "That makes sense; I would not trust us if the roles were reversed." "Perhaps it would be wise for us to assess Archvel''s true capabilities discreetly." Ally leaned in closer, "I do not agree, Aldar. Archvel''s progress has been promising, adding to the fact that he works with that man named Jareth and The Tower itself. We would be only resulting in more distrust from him as well as Jareth himself." Aldar just nodded. "Yeah, you are right. I guess¡­" - Archvel made his way through the familiar streets of Red Copper Town, his mind still immersed in thoughts and theories about the murder and the potential political agenda behind it. "My best theory about the murder is that whoever killed Elliot should have known that the suspect forces would be Void Star." "Which makes it easier to see that the murderer would like to start a battle between Tower of Black Sun and Void Star." Arriving at Jareth''s location, Archvel found him engrossed in a conversation with another member of the Tower of the Black Sun. He waited patiently, his gaze fixed on Jareth, until their discussion finished. Sensing Archvel''s presence, Jareth turned towards him, "Archvel, good to see you," Jareth spoke and then asked. "How is the investigation going?" Archvel took a moment to collect his thoughts before speaking. "Jareth, I''ve been doing some further investigation into the murder of Elliot Ken, and I believe I may have uncovered something significant. It seems that the murderer used a spell called Soul Sickle or something similar." "This spell targets the soul of the victim, causing immense damage."" Jareth''s eyes narrowed. "Soul sickle?" It requires a certain level of skill and understanding to be used effectively. The fact that it was used suggests that the murderer may possess considerable knowledge and expertise in close-combat soul magic, and I only know of one Void Star Mage in the area who is capable of casting that magic." Archvel nodded. Yes, that''s what I thought as well. But there''s more to it. I have a growing suspicion that this murder may be motivated by political factors. "The victim, Elliot Ken, a combat mage, Black Fire Mage, and his death could have far-reaching consequences within the magical community." Jareth''s brows furrowed, "A political agenda? That''s an intriguing angle, Archvel." Archvel then took a deep breath and voiced his thoughts. "I have some questions; may you answer?" Chapter 21 - Death Tree Archvel leaned forward, "Jareth, considering the tensions between the Tower of Black Sun and Void Star, which organization would benefit the most from a battle or further problems arising between the two?" Jareth''s gaze shifted momentarily, ¡°I did not expect him to think about this...¡± Jareth thought and then answered. "It''s a complex situation, Archvel. Both organizations have their own interests and ambitions, and while a direct battle between them would undoubtedly lead to losses on both sides, there are factors to consider." Archvel furrowed his brow, "What factors are we talking about? Are there any specific gains or advantages that either organization would gain from such a conflict?" Archvel knew from his own experience of ¡°Earth¡± when two behemoths battled. There is always one that profits from such a conflict; it can be companies, countries, or individuals. There will always be a third party. Jareth''s eyes met Archvel''s. At that time, Jareth stopped for a second and then answered. He took a moment to collect his thoughts before responding. "There is an organization called Death Tree located in Obsidian Keep. Death Tree is a lesser-known organization, but their influence is increasing every day. They specialize in the intertwining of plant magic and death as well as death-plant hybrid creation, harnessing the powers of both life and death.¡± Archvel''s interest was piqued even further. "So, how does Death Tree factor into the tension between Void Star and Tower of Black Sun? Are they aligned with either faction, or do they have their own agenda?" "Death Tree has remained relatively neutral in the ongoing rivalry between Void Star and Tower of Black Sun. But it is a known fact that if either the Tower of Black Sun or Void Star gets weakened, they will be the first one to fill the void from such weakening." Jareth thought more and continued. ¡°They would be trying to take resources, logistics, and relationships with other magic users. Organizations under the magic organization founded for profit would be the ones who would make the most profit.¡± "As I said before, the organization is not as big as Tower of Black Sun or Void Star, but just below them when it comes to the number of mages in their organization, but they have more unusual spells and knowledge of magic, as it is not everyday, a concept such as ¡°Plants and Botanics to be connected to Death.¡±Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. Archvel leaned back, "If Tower of Black Sun and Void Star were to engage in a battle, Death Tree might see it as an opening to assert their own dominance and increase their control over the magical realm. Increasing its rank when it comes to the power of organizations" Jareth nodded. "Indeed, Archvel.¡± Archvel nodded after hearing what he wanted to hear. "Then it becomes even more crucial for us to find the truth behind Elliot Ken''s murder. By uncovering the motives and the true culprit, we can prevent a potential clash that might inadvertently benefit Death Tree." Jareth''s gaze met Archvel''s. "So, I believe the reason you asked me this question is because you think that there is another organization that creates these problems, especially the murder of Elliot, to create problems between two organizations so that they arise from their conflicts." Archvel clenched his fist, his resolve unwavering. "Yes, precisely. From what you have told me, Death Tree is a smart organization. If they killed Elliot Ken using some sort of soul spell, or, as we talked about, "Soul Sickle," it is more than likely that they know Tower Of Black Sun will blame Void Star for it, and a conflict will arise. They will be benefiting from the battle between two organizations bigger than them and trying to get bigger." After hearing Archvel talk, Jareth could not help but comment. "You are a monster, Archvel; you know that, right?" Archvel just laughed and could not help but think. "I am from Earth; magic and all these things may be new to me, but this kind of political behavior is not strange to me. In the end, humans are still same the same..." - A treehouse stood tall amidst a dense forest. Inside the treehouse, a room enough for two people to live in comfort was built. A large wooden desk stood against one wall. Seated at the desk was a man with a long, flowing green beard, He wore a robe of deep forest green, "Archvel. He delves too deeply into matters that are not his to uncover. The death of Elliot Ken should remain hidden." The name of the man was Taylian; he was the fourth elder of the Death Tree Organization. As he was thinking by himself, two people entered his room. Taylian, the green-bearded man, turned his gaze towards the two individuals who had entered his room. "Rynn, Aeria," Taylian spoke. "It is good for the two of you to be here." Rynn and Aeria straightened their postures, their eyes fixated on Taylian, awaiting his instructions. As members of the Death Tree Organization, the orders of the Elders have the utmost importance. Elders Agents & Teachers Members Seedling The structure of the Death Tree was simple but effective; Rynn and Areia were both members who were about to be agents. "Archvel," he began, his voice carrying a weight that demanded attention. "Our spies in Red Copper Town tell me that this man named Archvel is investigating the murder of Elliot¡­" "We cannot let him uncover more secrets." "Which means there is only one thing we can do." Chapter 22 - Battle To The Death Two Days Later - "It seems like the murderer stayed in this house." Archvel thought as he looked around the abandoned house. He was alone, and after two days of work, he finally picked up a trail left by the murderer himself. Using his new spells and knowledge he gathered from the parchments left by the Dark Archive. "He or she only spent one day here at the very most. The leftover magical energy shows that." Archvel took a deep breath and then left the house for the time being. As he left, his heart started beating faster and faster. "Someone is watching me!" He exclaimed as he started looking around without making it too obvious. As Archvel''s keen senses picked up on the stalker, his instincts warned him. Seconds later, he saw two figures in front of himself. One of them was a female; one of them was a male. He could tell by their body shape despite the fact that they were wearing black robes. The two figures clad in black clearly not here for chatting. Not much time later, they started preparing to cast a spell on him. In response, Archvel swiftly summoned the dark energies that flowed through him. With a deft command, six skeletons materialized, their bony frames standing firm, ready to shield their master from harm. "Protect me." Archvel commanded as the skeletons formed a protective circle around Archvel. The green vines emerged from the hands of the mysterious assailants, snaking through the air with a Archvel''s eyes narrowed as he assessed the threat. He knew he couldn''t afford to underestimate these two, for their powers seemed rooted in nature itself. The skeletons moved with coordination, their punches penetrating through the air, striking against the encroaching green tendrils that tried to get close to Archvel. ¡°So, the caster wants to use the vines to pass the protection of skeletons to harm, directly attacking me.¡± Bones clashed with vines to stop the vines from harming Archvel. The power of skeletons was increased a lot after Archvel had an increase in his level and skills. With each punch, parts of vines were destroyed. Archvel observed the ongoing struggle. Assessing the situation, he conjured a dark energy bolt in his hand. With precise aim, he unleashed the decay bolt towards one of the mages, aiming to disrupt their concentration and weaken their hold on the vines. "Decay Bolt" Archvel whispered as the decay bolt left his hands and targeted the female one, At that time, the woman spoke, guarding with her arm. "The Nature Shield."Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. With the whisper of the woman, a green-colored, triangle-shaped shield manifests in front of herself and stops the decay bolt; the decay bolt vanishes after breaking the shield. "Tch." "Green Spear Volley." As the woman mage''s eyes glinted with malice, she swiftly conjured five deadly spears of vibrant green energy. With a flick of her wrist, she unleashed the projectiles, each hurtling towards Archvel with deadly precision. Reacting with urgency, two of Archvel''s skeletons moved to intercept the incoming assault, their bones clashing against the oncoming spears. The clash of magic and bone echoed through the air as the green spears collided with the skeletal warriors. The relentless force of the spears proved too much for the skeletal guardians to withstand. The powerful impact shattered their bony frames, causing them to crumble into a pile of dust. Two of the sentinels, skeleton warriors, were destroyed for the time being. With a deep breath, Archvel focused his energy and commanded his remaining four skeletons to engage the enemy mages. "These moving bones are a pain in the ass." The enemy man, with a clear, annoyed expression on his face, spoke as he puked on the ground. As the skeletons closed in, they started moving swiftly. They deftly dodged the initial strikes from the skeletons, relying on their agility and magical prowess to evade their attacks. "Too much energy is being wasted!" The woman mage shouted out to her friend. The mages are not the best when it comes to physical capability. Sentinels were faster and stronger when it came to close combat. Even if it is just for the escape, the magical energy needed for increasing the agility is still too much for the two mages. Archvel, aware of his limited resources and the need to conserve his magic energy, made a mental note to time his actions carefully. ¡°I need to finish this battle quickly or escape to a safer place.¡± He knew that it would take him approximately ten seconds to gather enough energy to summon two new skeletons, and during that time, he needed to rely on the skills and abilities of his existing forces. "As long as I don''t get hit with a strong spell that would kill me, there should be no problem." Archvel thought. He tried his best to remain focused. He knew that every second counted and that he needed to make the most of his abilities to survive. Ten seconds may not be a long time in a usual sense, but in a battle of magic, where one mistake may end in death, it was a long time. But, deep down, Archvel felt something that he would not think he would feel. He had signs of it, but this time he was sure of it. "I feel good!" Archvel started feeling the joy of battle. He knows that his life is on the line, but still he is enjoying himself. Time seemed to slow as Archvel''s skeletons clashed with the enemy mages. With every passing moment, Archvel''s anticipation grew, and he counted down the seconds until he could summon reinforcements and turn the tide of the battle in his favor. Archvel''s confidence fueled his actions as he swiftly closed the distance between himself and the mage casting the Vine Magic. With a surge of power, he unleashed the Dark Burst spell, a concentrated blast of dark energy, directly at his target. The mage, taken aback by the sudden onslaught, stumbled backward, fear evident in his eyes. "Oh no, he is too fast!" Realizing the danger he was facing, the man shouted in his mind. However, before he could finish his plea, the destructive force of the Dark Burst engulfed him, leaving no trace behind. As Archvel''s attention shifted to the remaining enemy mage, he braced himself for the next encounter. "Against one enemy mage, I am confident that I will be victorious." He, he, he." Archvel thought. If others looked from an outside perspective, they would think that Archvel is the one who is a villain and attacked two friends to kill them. To his surprise, the woman quickly unleashed a forbidden spell known as Tree Guardian. The air around them seemed to tremble as a massive, sentient tree materialized, armed with a wickedly sharp and barbed dark sword. Archvel''s gaze hardened, understanding the gravity of the situation. "The air it gives is mixed with the calmness of nature and the cursed energy of the dark. This tree-like creature is stronger than I think." "I am not sure if I can take it." With his remaining skeletons by his side, Archvel assessed the situation, strategizing his next move. He acknowledged the strength of the Tree Guardian but refused to let fear overcome him. He searched for any weaknesses or vulnerabilities, determined to exploit them to gain an advantage. "I am not sure my six skeletons are able to deal with this creature. It makes sense to escape in this kind of situation." Chapter 23 - Prisoner Archvel quickly turned his attention to the approaching figure of Jareth. ¡°That is great...¡± he thought. Tree Guardian and the woman from the Death Tree Organization at this point did not scare him much. Archvel briefly exchanged glances with Jareth before starting to explain the situation in haste. "Jareth, it''s the Death Tree Organization. They''re after me. This woman here, she''s one of their mages. We need to be careful." Jareth''s eyes narrowed as he assessed the woman, sensing the dark energy emanating from her. He had encountered the Death Tree Organization before, despite not knowing much about them. He still has some ideas. "Death Tree Organization!, Now that I understand. Everything makes sense; they are attacking you with two mages. From the energy of the woman and her summon, it is clear that they are not weak mages too." Archvel listened as Jareth started talking. Jareth laughed loudly and looked at Archvel as he added. "Archvel, your investigation mission is complete." "The murderer is from the Death Tree Organization; they have used soul-type magic spells to blame the Void Star, which will result in problems between the Tower of Black Sun." Archvel nodded and then added. "It is good that my investigation is completed. Can we take out this woman before we continue to speak? As Archvel finished his words, Tree Guardian started moving towards the two; Jareth smiled and nodded as he whispered. "Summon Sun Lords" With the whisper of Jareth, three fire-beings have manifested in front of himself. Each had a humanoid body but was made up completely from fire itself. Archvel did not hesitate and ordered his skeletons to get ready for the battle. Jareth looked at the skeletons and thought in his mind. "The power of these skeletons is not weak at all." The woman mage from the Death Tree Organization understood that fighting against two mages, especially from what she knows of Jareth and experienced first-hand from Archvel, is a hard thing to do. But she knew that there was no escaping for herself. The Tree Guardian swayed ominously, ready to strike. "That man is stronger than me, and the first target, Archvel, is not weak at all. At this point, the chance of successfully killing the target Archvel is almost zero."The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. Archvel and Jareth coordinated their efforts, utilizing their summons to confront the woman mage from the Death Tree Organization. The Sun Lords were fire-based summons because they are fire-manifested humanoid creatures. Their capability to use fire magic was off the charts. The second the battle started, they unleashed a torrent of flames that engulfed the Tree Guardian, its barbed form slowly succumbing to the intense heat. Meanwhile, Archvel''s skeletons, reinforced by the fiery onslaught, pressed forward, their attacks chipping away at the Tree Guardian''s defenses. The combined forces of Archvel and Jareth''s summons proved to be useful. Sensing her imminent defeat, the woman mage frantically tried to conjure a countermeasure, but before she could complete her incantation, Jareth swiftly intervened. With a simple yet precise spell, he sent a surge of energy towards her, knocking her off balance and leaving her momentarily incapacitated. Archvel and Jareth wasted no time; they closed in on the fallen woman and quickly apprehended her. They bound her hands with magical restraints, ensuring she would pose no further threat. "We need to interrogate her," Jareth stated, his voice firm. "We must gather as much information as we can about the Death Tree Organization and their motives." Archvel nodded in agreement. "Agreed. We need to understand their plans and any potential dangers they pose to us and others. Let''s take her back to a secure location and proceed with the interrogation." Together, Archvel and Jareth escorted the subdued woman away from the scene of the battle. - Archvel led the bound woman into his house, ensuring she was securely restrained. He glanced at Jareth, who stood by her side, his eyes focused. "I''m going to meet with Aldar and Ally from Void Star." Archvel said, his voice firm. "I believe their knowledge and being witness will do good for us." Jareth nodded, understanding the view of Archvel. "Very well. I will stay here and keep watch over our captive. Take care and be cautious, Archvel. We don''t know what other threats may lie in wait. They may not be the only ones that are looking to take a piece of meat from your body." Archvel gave Jareth a reassuring nod. "I will be careful, my friend. I won''t be long. Together, we will uncover the truth behind Elliot Ken''s death and put an end to the schemes of the Death Tree Organization." With those words, Archvel turned and made his way out of the house, leaving Jareth to guard the captive woman. "Things have gotten interesting and dangerous. Not that I don''t like these kinds of adventures. But the fact that I am still weak is still there." "If I were stronger, I would not need Jareth to help me there. It just shows that if I want a life full of adventures and new things, power is a necessary tool." Meanwhile, Jareth remained vigilant, his gaze fixed on the bound woman. He knew the importance of extracting information from her. Every moment counted, and he was prepared to use any means necessary to extract the truth. Aldar and Ally listened attentively as Archvel recounted the recent events. Safe to say they were impressed by his ability to apprehend one of the mages from the Death Tree Organization. "I was attacked by two mages from the Death Tree Organization," Archvel explained, his voice tinged with a hint of caution. "I managed to defeat one of them and apprehend the other. Now, I believe it''s crucial that we interrogate her to gather information about their plans and motives." Aldar and Allly exchanged glances, their eyes gleaming with admiration for Archvel''s courage. They knew that this turn of events presented an opportunity to unveil the secrets of the Death Tree Organization. "We are impressed, Archvel," Aldar said, his voice filled with praise. "Your actions demonstrate both your skill and your commitment to this investigation. We will gladly join you in the interrogation." All nodded in agreement. "Together, we can extract the truth from her.¡± "Thank you, both of you," Archvel said. Chapter 24 - Torture and Reality Of The Dark World The atmosphere in Archvel''s room started growing tense as the integration started. Jareth took the lead in questioning the woman whose name is Aeria. He pressed her for answers, demanding to know who had sent her and the purpose behind the attack on Archvel. However, Aeria remained silent. ¡°I have expected this much; it would be very easy if she spoke with just words.¡± Archvel thought. Jareth''s frustration was easy to see; he turned to Aldar and Ally. ¡°You guys have any plans? I do not want to dirty my hands...¡± Aldar''s gaze was sharp, his eyes deepened with the question of Jareth. Aldar, Ally, and Jareth left the room for some time, leaving Archvel alone with Aeria. "We need to break her resolve," Aldar said. Jareth nodded and kept his silence. Aldar and Ally exchanged a knowing look, silently communicating their next course of action. It was a difficult decision, but they understood the gravity of the situation. To uncover the truth and expose the Death Tree Organization''s sinister plot, they needed to employ more forceful methods. "Torture it is, then." Ally said. The four mages thought the same thing, except Aeria from Death Tree thought the same thing. In the end, they were dark mages; none of them were good people, which is only to be expected. Jareth took a deep breath. The room fell into an eerie silence as he began. With careful precision, he cast a needle-shaped black-fire spell; he then slowly started burning the skin of Aeria. She grimaced. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead as the pain intensified. Yet, even in the midst of torment, she remained resolute, refusing to divulge any information. As Jareth continued, Aldar and Ally, as well as Archvel, watched closely. They knew that extracting information in this manner was a necessary evil, a means to an end. Jareth pushed the boundaries of his mentality, testing the limits of Aeria''s endurance. The strain was evident on her face, her eyes pleading for mercy. "Nooooooooooooooo!!" She screamed from the depths of her heart and soul. The pain was unbearable at this point. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Jareth halted his spells. The room fell into an oppressive silence as the captive woman gasped for breath, her body trembling from the ordeal. She stared at Jareth and others, but Jareth especially. Jareth turned to Aldar and Ally, his voice heavy with weariness.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. "We have exhausted our options. She refuses to speak." Aldar nodded, his expression grim. "We have pushed her to her limits. It seems she is fiercely loyal to her organization." Ally sighed softly. "We did what we had to do, but it seems our efforts have reached an end." Archvel, who had been observing the interrogation in silence, felt a surge of disappointment. ¡°So, they are pretending to be stopping the torture to give her hope.¡± ¡°I should do the same.¡± "We won''t give up," Archvel thought in his mind. At that time, Jareth looked at Aeria, who seemed to be calming down hearing that the torture was over. ¡°I think I will keep on going,¡± said Jareth, black fire manifested on the tip of his finger again, and he started using his torture spell again on Aeria. Archvel gasped for air and then looked at the faces of Aldar, Ally, and Jareth. At this point, he saw with his own eyes that they were just joking and giving false hope to Aeria. They were not done, not at all. They were just making fun of Aeria and trying to break her resistance by talking to each other like they were defeated. Of course, he thought about it, but seeing it was different than he expected. He was still too pure for this world; it is clear that he needs to change his perspective. Archvel shook his head and thought. "What kinds of lunatics and fucked-up people live in this world?" In the end, Aeria started talking. "I am a member of the Death Tree Organization. Our plan was to eliminate Archvel and his friend, creating chaos between the Tower of the Black Sun and the Void Star. We aimed to exploit the resulting conflict to strengthen our own position and seize control." Aldar''s eyes narrowed. ¡°A simple but effective idea; I am not blaming you guys...¡± Archvel let out a breath and said nothing. "I can understand that there was no anger in any of them¡ªJareth, Aldar, or Ally¡ªat all." "They know that they live within the dark mage borders, and they are themselves dark mages, so such behavior should be usual in their lives." Archvel thought as he kept his silence. Aeria lowered her gaze. "The Death Tree Organization is ruthless. We are driven by our desire for power and control. We were willing to do whatever it took to achieve our goals." Jareth''s voice cut through the tension: "Yeah, it is a simple way of living for dark mages and organizations." Archvel felt different, as he noticed that he was not feeling any anger towards Aeria or the man he killed. In the end, he is starting to understand that this world is like this. These behaviors by women or organizations may be selfish or evil, but they are understandable. It is a dog-eat-dog world. If you are not strong, you get eaten by the strong, and if you are strong, you eat more to get even more power. Ally''s voice rang out. "To think that an organization like Death Tree would use such simple methods to manipulate two big organizations like Void Star and The Tower Of Black Sun." Aeria pleaded, "I was merely following orders. Please, you must understand." Aldar''s voice hardened, his tone firm: "You made a choice. And now, you will face the consequences of that choice." Aeria smiled helplessly and murmured. "It was worth the try." She closed her eyes and said nothing more. Jareth''s gaze bore into Aeria, and his voice was cold. "Your organization''s plan ends here. For the time being." Archvel''s eyes turned to Jareth, and Jareth looked at him as he nodded. "Archvel, I will be honest with you. I was not expecting you to solve this problem like this." "But I have to say that I am happy to work with you in the future." Ally''s voice softened as she too looked at Archvel and started talking. "I too would like to apologize to you. I believe you should understand that we did not trust you much, as you were nobody, and there was nothing about your name." Archvel looked at two people talking to him and then nodded. "I understand, and it can be expected." "I feel nothing against any of you, but I will be adamant on the matter of not connecting to any kind of organization." As Archvel and others were talking, Aeria, who was tortured and defeated, was silently listening. "I guess this is the end for me." Aeria thought in her mind and then remembered her past life. The time when she was an ordinary woman with an ordinary life with a family, a father and mother, and a brother It has been twenty years since she saw her family, and now it is just a distant past to her, and it feels weird to remember those things. But regret will not change anything, especially in the world of dark mages, where there is no redemption. Chapter 25 - Back To The Dark Archive As Aldar, Ally, and Jareth made their way to the Tower of the Black Sun. Especially for Aldar and Ally, as they are from Void Star, and under normal circumstances they would not get close to the Tower of Black Sun. Jareth, carrying the remaining coins dedicated to the investigation, turned to Archvel, a genuine smile on his face, "Archvel, my friend, I cannot thank you enough. The Tower of the Black Sun owes you a great debt." Archvel nodded. "It was the right thing to do. At least I earn something from it." Jareth''s gaze softened as he chuckled, "Archvel. The Tower of the Black Sun would be honored to have you join our ranks." Archvel''s eyes widened slightly. "I appreciate your kind words, Jareth. However, at this moment, I have other plans. I am sure you know about it, as I said it to you before." Jareth nodded. He knew Archvel did not want to join any organization, but he still wanted to invite him. "I understand, Archvel. It is your journey, and you must follow your own path. Should you ever change your mind, remember that the Tower of the Black Sun will always welcome you." Aldar and Ally, who had been listening attentively, shared a glance of understanding. Aldar looked at Archvel and then started speaking. It is clear that he wanted to invite Archvel to Void Star too, but knowing that he rejected Jareth, it would not be the best idea to try. "Archvel, Should you ever need our assistance or wish to collaborate in the future, know that Void Star will be there." Archvel smiled warmly, grateful for their support. "Thank you, Aldar, Ally.¡± After the small talk was over, they proceeded to the Tower of the Black Sun Council. Jareth presented their findings, detailing the deceitful plot orchestrated by the Death Tree Organization. The council members listened intently, their expressions shifting from surprise to anger. Acknowledging the urgency of the situation, the council pledged their support in bringing the Death Tree Organization to the grounds and decided to increase their peace and cooperation with Void Star. As the meeting concluded, Jareth turned to Archvel once more. "Archvel, this is the token of The Tower Of Black Sun; as long as you have it, it will be shown to others that you are a friend of the organization."This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Archvel clasped Jareth''s hand firmly as he took the token with a black sun symbol on it, a glimmer of gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you, Jareth. Your guidance and friendship have meant a great deal to me." With a final farewell, Archvel went on his journey, carrying with him the experiences and knowledge he had gained. The Tower of Black Sun, Void Star, all of these organizations, and their members His time in this small town was over. He took a deep breath and then nodded as he left the city after gathering food and other essential resources. He had a total of 50 gold coins in his pocket and believed that this amount should be enough for himself for the time being. - Archvel took a deep breath and looked at the entrance, a smile on his face. ¡°Now, I understand how important it is to have this place for myself only.¡± After leaving the town, Archvel came to the The Dark Archive Temple. "Yeah, this place is really different; I can feel it." Archvel commented as he entered the temple about the way he got out the first time he was awake. With each step, Archvel inspected the surroundings with more understanding. ¡°It is different now.¡± ¡°When I first opened my eyes here, I did not think that these walls and everything here would be this important.¡± ¡°Now that I know more, I should value it.¡± Archvel''s eyes traced the ancient markings, his mind racing to decipher their meaning. Moving through the grand hall, Archvel''s gaze shifted to the doorways leading to the temple''s inner chambers. Ten rooms awaited him. "Yeah, this place is bigger than I thought it would be..." Archvel commented as he started entering the rooms. He has already found ten rooms that he can search for. The first room he entered was vast, its size surpassing one hundred square meters. Stone beds and tables stood solemnly against the walls, their surfaces covered in a thin layer of dust. Archvel couldn''t help but wonder who had once rested here and what purpose these chambers had served in the temple''s ancient past. As he moved from room to room, Archvel found himself surrounded by an overwhelming collection of parchments. He longed to delve into their contents. "Right now, it is not the best time to get lost in the sea of knowledge. It is best for me to just keep on searching for everything." Archvel''s mind raced with the possibilities held within the temple''s walls. But he knew that for the time being, these things were not that important, and he needed to have a basic understanding of the temple itself. In the quiet solitude of the temple, Archvel couldn''t help but utter soft comments to himself, reflecting on the magnitude of his discoveries. "These inscriptions hold a power and wisdom that have been lost to time, from what I can understand..." he whispered. Archvel''s heart yearned to seize every piece of knowledge within his grasp, to consume the wisdom held within the parchments and inscriptions. But duty called, urging him to focus on his target. With a heavy sigh, Archvel exited the Dark Archive Temple for the time being. "There are many things to do." Archvel started thinking about his past life as the air of the temple reminded him of the time that he opened his eyes in this place for the first time in his life. "How good would it have been if people had just treated me right back then?" Archvel could not help but remember his childhood and the time when he was a teen as well as a young man, opening his eyes to the world of understanding society. Back then, he had nothing; he was not going to have anything, as it seemed. It was a painful experience for him to understand these things, but it was not the best one. "These things are not going to be forgotten, and all humans will pay for their existing nature." Archvel thought as he let out a cold breath. His eyes were burning with the evil and the malice towards his own race, the time, the back, and all those things that happened to him. Chapter 26 - Skeleton Creation - Cleaning Archvel sat down in the grand hall of the Dark Archive Temple. He took out a leather journal and a quill, ready to outline his plans. The first item on his list was to clean and restore the temple, transforming it into a livable space for himself. "So, let''s make it." He ventured into each room, armed with brooms, brushes, and water. He swept away the layers of dust and cobwebs that had accumulated over the years. Archvel felt great and happy. ¡°This place starts to look more like a proper ancient base than an old wrecked place.¡± The grand hall once again radiated a dark aura, and he can feel it with ease. "I should be awarded a cleaning award if there are any in this world." Archvel commented as he smiled and looked around, proud of himself and his work. He knew that he needed a space where he could focus on his mission without distractions. With the temple now cleansed and revitalized, He turned his attention to the vast collection of parchments he had discovered. He knew that organizing them according to their content would be crucial for efficient access and protection. He set up a dedicated area in one of the rooms, meticulously categorizing the parchments into different subjects and putting them into the cases. "The cases are old but still usable; it seems like parchments and writings are protected by some kind of magic that I don''t know." "But I should not worry about these cases; in the end, I will be staying here for some time, and it should not be a problem to learn about these things." His hands moved with care as he handled each fragile parchment. He understood the value, and he wanted to be sure to dedicate time to learning more about these texts. "I don''t know why, but I am getting excited as I see these texts and knowledge." But Archvel knew that knowledge alone wouldn''t be enough to ensure his safety for the time being. ¡°I need to hide this place somehow...¡± He turned his attention to the entrance, considering ways to conceal it. He researched spells and enchantments that could create illusions or protective barriers. Days turned into weeks as Archvel immersed himself in studying spells. Focusing on stealth and hiding things from the other mages and other people. He practiced diligently. He created intricate warding sigils, carefully inscribing them in hidden corners of the temple to enhance its defenses. Two Weeks Later - "It is good that these things do not take too much time to learn; they are so basic that even my status system does not recognize them as skills."Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. "I still feel my magic power increasing, however." As he completed each task on his list, he was finding more reason to keep living. He believed having a purpose maybe is one of the most important factors of having fun and the will to live. For the time being, there was no danger from outside, so it seems like there will be no problem for the time being. "I mean, I never heard that the path of magic was easy. It was the same as in the novels and books I had read when I was living on earth." Archvel was in his chair, looking through some tomes, and felt that his magical power was coming to another bottleneck. He felt that most likely, in about one to two days, he would be having another upgrade and level up. He was happy about it, as he knew that as his power increased, he would have more freedom and security. Two Days Later - Archvel was meditating on his magical energy as he opened his eyes, suddenly looking around himself with more depth and power. "I leveled up!"
"Archvel Detriment" "Stage 4: Necromancer (Level 4)" "Magic: 8.2" "Physical Power: 5.5" Spells "Conjure Skeleton Level 3 (Conjure six skeletons from the underground; the power of each skeleton increased by 15%, and the defensive power of each skeleton increased by 15%.)" "Decay Bolt¡± "Dark Burst" "Predatory Eyes" Passive Ability "Night Eyes (all necromancers have the ability to see better in the dark, around 50% to 70%) "Basic Dark Magic Rune Understanding, Level 1" "Basic Dark Magic Protection (Resistance against all magic spells is 10% and 20% against light magic spells)" "Ancient Language Mastery" "Human Body Mastery Level 1" "Death Investigation Level 1" "Cleaning Level 3"
Archvel felt a surge of power coursing through his veins as he leveled up, his abilities as a necromancer growing stronger. Although he didn''t gain any new active skills, he could sense a significant improvement in his existing abilities. His Conjure Skeleton ability, in particular, had received a significant upgrade. Archvel turned his attention to one of the tomes he had discovered in the Dark Archive Temple. The tome he chose was titled "Skeleton Creation," a comprehensive guide to creating and controlling skeletal minions. With the tome in hand, Archvel made himself tea from the tea leaves he bought for himself back in town and then started reading. The book detailed various rituals, incantations, and techniques for creating and commanding skeletons. "This spell is different than my own Conjure Skeleton; this spell basically teaches and gives an understanding of real necromancy." According to the tome itself, Skeleton Creation is an essential spell for a Necromancer." "With the tome itself, after learning the spell, a necromancer can create a skeleton army, servants, and many other things using corpses and bones." "Of course, with the help of the magic, the Skeleton Creation helps a lot when it comes to finding materials; according to the tome, I don''t need a whole human skeleton for a fully fledged skeleton servant, but I only need some parts of it, such as the head and other important parts." "As it was expected, skeleton servants are easy to create but lack combat power. I do not think that, for the time being, even Skeleton Warriors and Skeleton Archers are as strong as my Skeleton Summons that I directly summon via my Conjure Skeleton Ability." "There are also more advanced applications of Skeleton Creation, such as creating Skeleton Dark Mages. Skeleton Guardians, Skeleton Titans, and, as expected, these things require different materials and different incantations, as well as more magical energy from myself. ¡°The power of the skeleton also has a direct correlation with the creator. More powerful the mage, more powerful the magic energy can be used to create, and the more energy used to create the skeleton, the more powerful it would be..." He followed the instructions meticulously, practicing the rituals step by step. With each attempt, Archvel could feel his connection to the realm of the dead growing stronger. Skeletal forms materialized at his command, their bones rattling with an otherworldly resonance. He studied their movements, adjusting his techniques to refine their obedience and coordination. "About three days later, I should be able to start creating servants without any problem." Archvel thought as he took a sip from his tea. Chapter 27 - Meeting and Mastery Archvel delved deeper into the depths of the Dark Archive. Three days passed since he started learning Creating Skeletons from the tome itself. This is the day that he will try it for real. He carefully collected the bones that lay scattered across the floor, a testament to the necromantic practices that had taken place within these walls. "It is good that there are still some parts of the skeletons I first destroyed when I woke up here." When he was cleaning, he did not touch most of the skeleton''s parts other than arranging them in corners. He knew that he would have a use for them. He gathered the skeletal remains, inspecting each bone with attention. He sorted them by size and type, knowing that the quality of his creations would depend on the integrity of the bones he used. The Dark Archive was a treasure trove of skeletal parts. "It is not surprising that there are a lot of bones in this place. In the end, Dark Archive was a fully fledged legendary organization." Using the Create Skeleton spell he had mastered, Archvel began the process of reconstructing the skeletons. He connected the bones slowly and carefully. Of course, he only needed two or three parts to complete a skeleton spell. So, it was not a hard job to do at all. "Now is the time for the important part." "After arranging the bones, the important part is to use the incantations for the type of creature and fill the magical energy in my body with skeletons." "Basically, bones are shells, incantations are buttons for power, and my magical energy is the core as well as energy for the skeleton. I also believe incantation works as the mind of the skeleton itself." Archvel whispered as he started filling the skeletons with the magical energy. Seconds later The skeletons rose from the ground, their bony frames standing tall. Their eye sockets glowed with yellowish light. "Yeah, they look charismatic, but each of these skeleton servants has an "X" mark on their forehead, and I can sense that their power is maybe about two times that of an ordinary human, and even ten of these servants could not handle one of my skeletons that I can conjure with my Conjure Skeleton, which conjures ¡°Sentinel¡±." "But I cannot be dissatisfied; in the end, these skeletons only need a little bit of magical energy and a skull or a heavy bone part such as ribs or the whole full bone of a right or left leg. Other parts are formed through the magic itself."Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Archvel continued his work tirelessly. The bone parts he is using are of low quality and not important. Because of this, he is only capable of creating servants for the time being. It is not that he could not try to create more advanced skeletons; he just knows within that it would not be the best thing to do and not efficient. He then ordered the first servants to move and give them simplistic commands. Each skeleton served a specific purpose, whether it was guarding the entrance or patrolling the corridors. With time, Archvel''s creations grew in number. One Week Later Archvel created about fifty skeleton servants. Each time he creates one skeleton servant, his magical energy and mind energy are spent. Despite not much, he still feels weary, and this feeling of tiredness makes him work slowly. - Within the grand halls of the Tower of Black Sun, representatives from the Tower and Void Star had gathered for a meeting. Jareth took a deep breath and sat in his own seat as he looked at the surroundings and people. "This meeting is important. It will decide many things." Jareth thought in his mind as he waited for the meeting to start. At the head of the table sat the esteemed leaders of the Tower of Black Sun. Opposite them sat the representatives from Void Star. The meeting commenced as the Tower''s representative, a wise and experienced mage, opened the discussion. He spoke clearly and confidently, directly stating the reason for the meeting. "The Death Tree''s plot to sow discord between our esteemed organizations cannot be ignored," the Tower''s representative began. "Their actions have threatened the delicate balance we have worked so hard to maintain." "They should be destroyed!" One of the old men from the Tower of Black Sun shouted. "Yeah, he is right. What are we waiting for!" A middle-aged woman in red robes added. Supporting the man who had shouted. After the hall is silenced after five seconds, the leader of the existing Void Star people in the meeting smiled and started talking. She was beautiful and at the same time exuded an air of nobility. "We must stand united against this common threat. This is a common thing; even in the circles of Dark Mages, we still have some honor and understanding of balance." "Trying to create problems between two organizations by killing one of their members and framing it to make it look like it is not the best thing for any dark magic organization to do." the Void Star representative took a deep breath and then continued "The Death Tree''s attempt to create tension between my organization, Void Star, and The Tower Of Black Sun will only serve to strengthen our understanding of each other. As we shall learn from their actions and understand that our problems could be solved with peaceful behavior." Discussion ensued, as both sides deliberated on the best course of action. Resource allocation was a significant concern, as they sought to pool their strengths and ensure the most effective use of their combined resources. At this time, Jareth started talking. As he was one of the prominent individuals who was on the investigation with Archvel himself. "The Death Tree seeks to weaken our collective influence," Jareth explained. "Their ultimate goal is to increase their own power and dominance." The meeting concluded with a unified agreement¡ªan alliance forged in the face of the Death Tree Organization. Jareth smiled as he nodded. "With the power of the Tower of Black Sun and Void Star connection in the town, the power balances will change. Especially, Death Tree has no way to resist us. Considering no other faction would like to be the enemy of two high-level organizations in the town." As the representatives dispersed, the Tower of Black Sun and Void Star emerged and made their motives clear to all of the town. The news struck the town like thunder, and many of the organizations started talking with each other, discussing the news of the alliance between two past enemies. Chapter 28 - Intruders and Kids In the morning hours, three teenagers were walking on the road. They were alert, talking to each other as they moved. As the three teenagers strolled through the dense woods surrounding the Dark Archive, their black robes billowed behind them, symbolizing their affiliation with the Tower of Black Sun. They were students of The Tower of the Black Sun. "Do you think that there are magical creatures in this place?" One of the students, a young woman with silver hair and a big nose but still attractive, asked her friends. After a chuckle, one of the male students, who was a tall and handsome young man with hazel eyes, answered. "I believe there is; the records show there are, and it would be bad if there were not." The other young male student with short height and a smart look just nodded and said nothing. Lost in their discussion, the trio''s attention was suddenly drawn to a rustling sound nearby. Their gazes turned in unison, locking onto the sight of a basic skeleton emerging from the shadows. The bony figure stood motionless, its yellowish eye sockets fixed on the intruders. "A skeleton?" The smart-looking student voiced his thoughts. "It is highly irregular." The young woman spoke and smiled. A smirk formed on the face of the handsome student, confidence flickering in his eyes. Without hesitation, he raised his hand and conjured a firebolt, a basic fire element spell that every student teaches after becoming an apprentice of the Tower of the Black Sun. Different than the ordinary firebolt spell, it was black in color and known to others as Blackfire Bolt. A basic blackfire bolt spell is the signature spell of The Tower of the Black Sun. The firebolt collided with the skeletal figure, engulfing it. The intense heat consumed the brittle bones, reducing the skeleton to a pile of charred remains. The crackling of fire and the faint scent of burnt wood filled the air as the handsome teenager felt a surge of confidence. "I understand why you want to destroy, but it seemed not aggressive to me..." The smart young student said to his friend who cast the spell. He felt nothing good about the encounter at all. As the excitement subsided, The handsome student addedIf you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. "Ezekiel, you always make such remarks. I think you wanted to destroy it yourself." Ezekiel just shook his head and said nothing. The young woman, on the other hand, just looked at the handsome student with adoration in her eyes. It was clear she was attracted to tall, handsome young men, and it was not shocking. - Archvel''s senses tingled with alarm as he felt the absence of one of his skeleton servants at the outer perimeters of the Dark Archive. Setting down his coffee cup, he rose from his seat, his mind instantly shifting into a state of alertness. "I am wondering who would dare to destroy a passive skeleton in the forest." "From the tomes that I have learned, in the area of Dark Mages, the passive skeletons symbolize the fact that they are controlled and created by a necromancer or a dark mage." "Destroying it basically means having a problem with the mage who created it." Summoning his authority, Archvel issued a swift command to a group of ten to fifteen skeleton servants, directing them to investigate the area where the destruction had occurred. The skeletal figures acknowledged his orders with a nod. In just seconds, the group of skeletons dispersed into the surrounding woods, their bony frames moving silently and swiftly. "I am not worried that much, but these three weeks passed without any incident, and having something to do and some action would be great for me.¡± He knew that Dark Archive and its surrounding forest were not without their dangers, hidden as they were within the depths of the forest. He also summoned two Skeleton Sentinels, and he did send two of them with the Servants; if additional power was needed, Sentinels would make short work of many mages and monsters as long as they were not that powerful. ¡°It would be great if I had a way to look from the eyes of my creations and understand what they have sensed in real time...¡± His magical power and understanding of necromancy are not high enough to understand every experience skeletons went through. If his level was high enough, he could hear from the location of the skeletons and see what they were seeing. But at this point, he can only understand some simple things, and that was only for conjured skeleton sentinels, not the ones he created. He can only sense the general location and existence of the skeleton servants. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the first of the skeletal servants returned, Archvel''s eyes locked onto the figure, The skeletal servant approached, As the skeleton drew closer, Archvel started feeling the information. Yeah, he was feeling it. "A fire element spell, it is more than likely that a mage, a weak one of that, destroyed it." "I could not stay silent in this matter. But, right now, I don''t want to waste my time trying to find out who destroyed my skeleton." "Best, I can do is have more skeleton servants keep looking around and waiting for my target." Gathering his remaining skeleton servants, Archvel prepared them and ordered them to keep their eyes open and search the area. Other than some guard servants, all the other forty skeletons were left to the Dark Archive. As the skeletal army assembled under Archvel''s command. He would not allow the trespassers to undermine the authority he had established, nor would he let them tarnish the legacy of the Dark Archive. "I did not come into this world to be attacked or to be made into a joke." "I will not let what others have done to me back on Earth be done here too.¡± ¡°That is the most important...¡± Archvel thought and took a deep breath. Two Days Later - Other than ten servants in the Dark Archive, five responsible for preparing tea and other things for Archvel and five for general guard, forty servants, with the help of two sentinels, kept looking for targets. Two days later, they encountered what they were seeking. Chapter 29 - Follow - Advice - Master Ezekiel and Leyla froze in their tracks as they came face-to-face with a group of over twenty skeletal figures. The skeletons sent shivers down their spines, and they exchanged a worried glance. Cardian turned to the others and whispered, "What do we do now?" Ezekiel furrowed his brow and gulped. "Let''s not make any sudden movements. They don''t appear to be aggressive at the moment." Ezekiel tried to look for a way to escape as he said his words. "I tell others to be calm, but I am shitting myself," he thought. Leyla nodded in agreement, her gaze fixed on skeletons. "We should observe their behavior first. It''s possible they''re under someone''s control or have a specific purpose." As if in response to Leyla''s words, the group of skeletons remained motionless, There was an uncanny stillness in the air, broken only by the faint rustling of leaves in the wind. "Do you think they''re guarding something?" He pondered aloud, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of importance. Ezekiel considered Cardian''s question. "It''s certainly a possibility. Perhaps there''s something of value nearby." Leyla''s eyes widened as a sudden realization struck her. "Wait," she whispered. "Look at their size and strength. These skeletons are different from the usual summoned ones. They''re powerful and more complex than other types of skeletons..." Cardian''s eyebrows raised in surprise as he observed the sturdiness of the skeletal figures. "You''re right. These skeletons seem more advanced, like they''ve been carefully crafted or imbued with enhanced abilities. Especially those two; they are over two meters in height, and they give off a powerful aura." The three mages continued to stand still.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. Despite their initial apprehension, a sense of awe and curiosity began to replace their fear. They all knew that if these skeletons decided to attack them, the only way to keep their lives was escape; magic combat was out of the question. They were all new mages with one or two spells, and even then, the casting time and their magical energy reserves were not nearly enough to take down all the skeletons. Ezekiel took a step forward, his eyes narrowing as he examined the skeletal figures more closely. "I wonder who summoned them, and for what purpose? This level of control over such powerful undead creatures is impressive." Cardian commented in his mind. "Cut the crap, you fucking bookworm; it is no time to get interested in these creatures. We could die here." Leyla nodded in agreement to Ezekiel. "While they may not be hostile at the moment, we shouldn''t let our guard down.¡± Cardian''s grip tightened on his staff, his gaze unwavering as he considered their options. "Agreed, let''s maintain a safe distance and continue to observe. We can decide on our next course of action once we have a better understanding of their purpose." With a collective nod, the three mages slowly began to retreat, their eyes fixed on the skeletons, especially the two that towered over all other skeletons.
At that time, something unexpected occurred. One of the bigger skeletons started talking. Not like humans, but still understandable. The three mages exchanged startled glances as the deep, resonating voice of the skeleton reached their ears. The unexpectedness of the skeleton''s speech and the message shocking for them. Ezekiel took a step forward. "Who is your master?" he asked, trying to keep himself calm. The skeleton''s eyes seemed to fixate on Ezekiel as it responded in its slow, magical voice. "Master, I desire your presence," it said. Come... with us... to see... Master." Leyla''s brow furrowed as she tried to decipher the meaning behind the skeleton''s words. "Why does your master want to see us?" she questioned. "Yeah, this is not good at all." Layla thought as she asked. The skeleton''s bony frame shifted slightly, "Master sees potential in you. He wishes to offer an opportunity." Of course, this was not the truth. The skeleton was talking about Archvel, and Archvel had no thought of these three; he didn''t even know much about them other than that they existed and that they were the ones that destroyed his skeleton. Cardian spoke up. "And what if we refuse?" he asked. The skeleton''s voice took on a chilling tone, sending a shiver down their spines. "Refusal... is not advised. The master''s reach extends far." This time it was not a complete lie; it was true that Archvel had connections with The Tower of Black Sun and Void Star, which is not a small power at all. Considering Cardian and others were students and new mages of The Tower Of Black Sun, it just makes the words of Skeleton even more true. Ezekiel''s mind raced, weighing the risks and potential rewards. The offer intrigued him, but he couldn''t shake the feeling of unease. "Can we at least know the nature of this opportunity?" The skeleton''s response came as a low, rumbling chuckle. "All... will be revealed... in due time. Follow... if you dare... the Master awaits." The young mages stood in silence, After a moment of deliberation, Ezekiel spoke. ¡°We will come.Lead the way." The decision of Ezekiel was expected by Cardian and Layla; they both know that it is the best decision for the time being. With a slow nod, the skeleton turned and began to move deeper into the forest. The mages exchanged one last glance before cautiously following. Chapter 30 - Pay - Message To Jareth As the three young mages continued following Ezekiel, he whispered to his two friends with some concern because he started seeing more and more skeletons join the group. "This mage must be powerful if he commands such a formidable army of skeletons." Ezekiel kept on looking as he whispered. "Fuck this!" Cardian thought in his mind as he was getting scared for real. Leyla''s gaze darted nervously from one skeleton to another, her voice trembling slightly as she replied, " We need to be careful. We don''t know what we''re dealing with here." Ezekiel and Cardian looked at Leyla with judging eyes. They did not need these words at all. It was clear that they needed to be careful. Cardian''s brow furrowed as he assessed the situation. "We can''t afford to back down now or show weakness of any kind; we are dark mages, and we are dealing with a strong, mysterious dark mage." "It is more than likely that other parties have evil intentions." As they thought, they kept on walking. The skeletons followed them; they did not know, but they were already in a circle. That is blocked by the skeletons. At this point, there was no escape. As they cautiously approached the entrance of the Dark Archive, Archvel, observing from a distance, couldn''t help but overhear their conversation. . "They''re just kids, inexperienced and unaware of the dangers." Archvel was aware of the fact that he was not that experienced in the mage world, but this does not mean that he was inexperienced in real life. He believes that Earth has its own evils, and there are many things that one can learn from experience that may very well work on this world too. In the end, they were both worlds that had humanity inside of it. Archvel''s gaze remained fixed on them. Ezekiel, Leyla, and Cardian took a collective deep breath. The sight of the imposing entrance before them sent a shiver down their spines. As they stepped closer, Archvel watched with interest. "They possess a certain bravery," he murmured, acknowledging their courage despite their naivety. Finally, the mages reached the threshold. The sight of the skeletons surrounding them was both awe-inspiring and intimidating. Ezekiel called out to the skeletons. "We seek an audience with the master of these skeletons." The skeletons, motionless and silent, seemed to regard the mages as objects with no life in them. The skeletons did not have enough mind on their own to judge the other individuals.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. The air seemed to hold its breath as the silence stretched on, each passing second fraught with anticipation. The mages and the skeletons stood in an uneasy stalemate. Suddenly, a deep, resonating voice resonated. "Step forward, youngsters." Ezekiel, Leyla, and Cardian exchanged a glance, their eyes reflecting fear. With a shared nod, they took a collective step forward, crossing the threshold and entering 2 km of the border Dark Archive. They were on a great plain, leaving the forest.
As Archvel stepped forward, The young mages were impressed and starting to feel real deep fear from the very depth of their soul. His black mask, adorned with the symbol of a black book, added an air of mystery to his figure, while the imposing skeletons flanking him sent a clear message of power. "I believe this mask should add a more mysterious aura around me; I found it in the Dark Archive, so it should be useful." Archvel''s voice was firm yet calm as he addressed the three mages. "I am Archvel, a necromancer who lives in these lands. You were in my area and destroyed one of my skeletons." Cardian spoke up with a hint of remorse in his voice. As he was the one who destroyed, he felt the real danger compared to his friends. "We apologize for our actions. We didn''t know that the skeleton belonged to you.¡± Ezekiel and Layla nodded in agreement. "We''re truly sorry for any offense we''ve caused," Layla added, her voice sincere. As they spoke, they both looked at Cardian with evil eyes. It was clear that they were swearing at him in their minds. Archvel studied them for a moment, assessing their words and intentions. His tone softened slightly as he asked, "Which organization do you belong to?" Ezekiel answered, "We belong to The Tower of the Black Sun.¡± Archvel''s mask hid his emotions, but he was not that surprised. ¡°Closest organization in these lands that has power and dark mages is the Tower of the Black Sun, so it is not that shocking to hear them to be members of it.¡± "So, they belong to an organization that I know; in the majority of cases, this would make them my friends, and so they should not be killed or harmed." "Instead of this kind of behavior and execution, I can talk with Jareth in this matter. So they will need to pay me to let them go." "This is better for me; in the end, they all know that we are all dark mages, and no dark mage is a good individual at all." Ezekiel, Leyla, and Cardian exchanged a glance. Ezekiel took a step forward and spoke with sincerity. "Master Archvel, as my friend said, we are really sorry about entering your domain and attacking one of your minions." "If we knew¡ª" Archvel cut off Ezekiel and started talking with a condescending tone. "It is just common sense if you knew you would not be attacking my minion. The lesson you have to learn from this encounter is not to act before thinking.¡± Ezekiel gulped and did not know what to say. "Let''s see if they know Jareth." Archvel thought as he asked. "So, you people belong to the Tower of Black Sun; do you guys know Jareth?" The young mages exchanged glances; it is easy to see that they were happy to hear the name of ¡°Jareth.¡± Cardian, his voice filled with hope, responded, "Master Jareth is one of our teachers, especially when it comes to magic practice and theoretical black fire elements." Archvel nodded, acknowledging their words. "Go back to him and tell him that he owes me thirty gold coins for the life of you three; also tell him everything that happened between us." "If you guys lie, I will find you." "I have connections with your organization, and these connections are good." Ezekiel, Leyla, and Cardian exchanged smiles and nodded. Ten gold coins per person is a good result of this encounter. Ten gold coins is not a huge amount, but it is not small either. Usually, student mages are paid one gold coin per month if they regularly perform weekly missions. A mage like Jareth would be paid five gold coins per month; basically, what Archvel wanted was a yearly salary for themselves and six months salary for Master Jareth. Considering that on the other end there was a chance to lose their lives, this was not something they could refuse. Chapter 31 - Lesson and Luck As the three young mages made their way back to Red Copper Town, they were thoughtful and kept on thinking about what happened. The encounter with Archvel changed their look on the world to some degree. For new students like them, even a new mage at the level of Archvel is something to be taken seriously. In a sense, the fact that Archvel has the resources and knowledge of the Dark Archive and that he is a hardworking mage with a keen interest in learning and adding to that he has a great level of intellectual mind, it would be expected to see that he improves at a lightning-fast rate. It was only to be expected that in about one month he would be at the level where new students would marvel. At the same time, he had some battle experience too, so he was not an inexperienced mage considering all the things he had seen. "It was exciting." Ezekiel thought as he kept on moving. Cardian broke the silence. "Did you see the way he commanded those skeletons? It was like they were an extension of his own will. Archvel is truly a formidable mage. It is no wonder he knows Master Jareth." Ezekiel nodded. "And the way he spoke was so composed.It''s as if he holds the knowledge of a thousand tomes within his mind. I can''t help but wonder what kind of experiences he has had to become so powerful." Layla chimed in. "I''m also curious about the punishment we''ll face from Master Jareth for destroying Archvel''s skeleton. He mentioned something about paying him 30 gold coins. That''s quite a hefty sum." The mention of their impending punishment brought concern to their faces. They knew that their actions had consequences, and Jareth, their mentor, would surely hold them accountable for their misstep. Of course, compared to the fact that the alternative to a bad encounter with a necromancer usually means that they would be killed and turned into the skeletons or undead to work for the necromancer. They would definitely pay for even more if needed. Even if they need to work doing the most mundane jobs for one year, it does not matter at all. Cardian let out a nervous chuckle. "I can already imagine the disappointment in Master Jareth''s eyes when he hears about what we did. I hope he understands that it was an honest mistake." Ezekiel nodded in agreement.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. "Indeed, we didn''t know the significance of the skeleton.¡± Layla added with a grin, "Well, we better start saving up those gold coins. We don''t want to be in debt to Archvel for too long. Besides, it might be an opportunity to earn some extra funds through missions and tasks." As they approached Red Copper Town, they were different. - Archvel had his own little plans for them in his mind that they weren''t aware of. Little did they know that the deal they made with Archvel and the impending consequences of their actions would shape their future in unforeseen ways. The young mages of The Tower Of Black Sun walked onward; they were having a good time because they were able to save their own lives from the hands of impending death. That was all they ever wanted from this interaction with Archvel, and they got it. They were lucky to encounter Archvel, and that was all. As the three young mages arrived at the headquarters of The Tower of Black Sun, they were greeted by the familiar sights and sounds of their organization. They approached Jareth''s office. The door swung open, revealing Jareth seated behind his desk, a stern expression etched on his face. His eyes met theirs. ¡°Why are you guys here? I heard that you guys were in the forest looking to find something and experience the world." Ezekiel coughed and then started talking and telling Jareth what happened between them and Archvel. Jareth listened attentively as the three students recounted their encounter with Archvel and the destruction of his skeleton. At first, Jareth''s anger flared, "You should have exercised more caution! Destroying the property of another mage is a serious offense, and it reflects poorly on our organization." The three mages lowered their heads, But Jareth''s anger soon gave way to a surprising shift in demeanor. His expression softened, and a glimmer of relief danced in his eyes. "However, it seems that you were fortunate enough to encounter Archvel instead of another dark mage. Archvel is a dark mage that is clear, but he is not inherently malicious. At least to us, this experience will serve as a valuable lesson for you all." Ezekiel, Cardian, and Layla exchanged glances, They again realized that their encounter with Archvel had indeed been a stroke of luck, one that had allowed them to learn and grow in a relatively safe manner. The thought of encountering another dark mage with necromancer tendencies was enough to strike fear deep into their blood and bone. Jareth leaned back in his chair, "Consider yourselves lucky, but do not forget the gravity of your actions. Archvel holds significant knowledge and power; I myself respect him, despite I did not spend much time with him.¡± The students nodded. "We were really lucky to encounter a person that our organization knew and had connections with." Layla thought as she looked down. With a final nod from Jareth, the three young mages left his office. Jareth laughed and thought "They had learned a valuable lesson about the consequences of their actions." "That lesson is worth more than thirty gold coins, as it will decide on their fate if they are going to keep on living or not." Ezekiel held the gray-colored small bag with thirty gold coins in his hands and then looked at the others as he spoke. "We should hurry up and go to the place designated to meet with him and give these gold coins to him." Layla smiled and nodded. The trio parted ways as Ezekiel and Layla wanted to go meet with Archvel again for the time being. They knew that they were going to get punished because of these events, but they were feeling lucky to be alive, which gave them good enough reasons to not care about these things. Chapter 32 - Dimensional Rift Discovery The next morning, Jareth called Ezekiel to his room to talk to him about the event. Jareth, as a teacher and experienced mage, knew that compared to other students. Ezekiel had more potential and was more intelligent. He wanted to know his observation of Archvel. His curiosity was piqued as he sought to gather more information about Archvel''s current state and power. He leaned forward, his eyes fixed on Ezekiel, as he posed his questions. "How powerful was Archvel?.And how many skeletons did you encounter?" Ezekiel took a moment to gather his thoughts, recalling the presence of Archvel and his formidable skeletal army. "Master Archvel possesses a great deal of power from what I can feel, Teacher Jareth.¡± ¡°He commanded an army of at least fifty skeletons, all of them strong and obedient. It was a sight to behold." "But the skeletons around them, which were also able to speak, were much more powerful." Jareth''s eyes widened slightly, ¡°Those talking skeletons must be the ones he summoned. I saw them while we fought against the mages from Death Tree...¡± "As those summoned skeletons must come from his natural magical power instead of being created from bones." "Because they have pure magic, power, and intelligence behind them at another level compared to other skeletons created using materials." He had known Archvel to be proficient in the dark magic despite not being that experienced, but the scale of his skeletal army was truly impressive. "And what of Archvel himself?.How did he carry himself? Did he exhibit any signs of strength or abilities?" Ezekiel took a moment and simply answered "He was a confident teacher; that is all I can tell..." Ezekiel then added. "I am not sure I have any more knowledge; I think I don''t have enough experience and knowledge to understand his power directly." Jareth nodded, his expression thoughtful. He had expected Archvel to have grown in power and skill during the past month, but the absence of any significant new abilities intrigued him.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. It hinted at Archvel''s focus on perfecting his existing arsenal rather than seeking new spells and research direction. "Good observation, Ezekiel,¡± Ezekiel nodded, appreciating the opportunity to contribute and answer questions of his teacher. With their conversation coming to a close, Jareth understood a simple fact. ¡°Having a good relationship with him is valuable. History always repeats itself; if only in the past, dark mages had a good relationship with Krimnok." Jareth thought as he remembered something, his eyes looking out from the window... - After about three hours later, a document landed on the table of Jareth. Jareth''s heart quickened as he delved into the contents of the blue envelope. His eyes scanned the document, absorbing the words that described the discovery of a Dimensional Rift. The mere mention of such a phenomenon stirred a deep desire for discovery. "This is fucking important!" As he read, his mind began to envision the possibilities that lay within the rift. "Who knows what is hidden in this new dimensional rift!" The document detailed how the rift had been located in a remote region of the continent, its exact location carefully noted. "If we know about this other bigger and maybe medium-level organizations too know about this." "I believe there will be a council of Dark Mages to decide on what organizations want to join the expedition." Jareth''s eyes lingered on the description, He read from other discovery reports that the lands of rifts can be and were reported to be where the laws of magic and reality could be vastly different from their own reality. As he closed the envelope and placed it aside, Jareth found his thoughts consumed by the desire to explore the unknown. The Dimensional Rift presented an opportunity for both personal growth and the acquisition of valuable resources that could benefit the Tower of Black Sun. "But, it is really dangerous and hard to explore a Rift. I knew and remembered that about twenty years ago, more than five thousand mages had been lost or dead in the Dimensional Rift¡ªEmber; it was not the best journey." "Of course, one has to know that even in such cases, things have been good for some." "Nightmare Ember, a high-level organization, picked up a Fire God Stone from that dimension, and because of that artifact of mystery, they were able to join the top ten most powerful dark magic organizations." As Jareth pondered his next course of action, he realized that embarking on a journey into a Dimensional Rift would be significant. ¡°Yeah, this would require assembling a team of skilled mages.¡± "I wonder what Archvel would think about this." Jareth knew what he wanted deep down. He wanted to seize this opportunity, harnessing the power and knowledge in the Dimensional Rift. "I guess I can tell Layla and others via telepathic fire to tell them about this and see what he wants to do about it." "If he wants to join, it would be the best result...""I feel like I am back to my first magic learning years; it was such an excitement and fun at those times, before it all went too complex and hard to understand as well as progress." For mages like JaJareth, who do not have the assistance of a powerful soul like Archvel as well as help from the system, improving and leveling up is a hard and slow process to do. It takes too much time and hard work just to reach the level of Archvel in just five to seven years. Chapter 33 - Accepting - Skeleton Ring Level Two Archvel''s footsteps echoed through the corridors of the Dark Archive as he made his way towards the entrance. He wondered why Leyla and Ezekiel had come to visit him. As he reached the meeting spot, he noticed the familiar figures of the two young mages standing before him. "Oh, so they are trustworthy, or are they just afraid?" Archvel commented. With a polite nod, Ezekiel stepped forward and handed Archvel a small pouch containing thirty gold coins. Archvel''s eyes glinted with satisfaction as he took hold of the pouch. The coins clinked softly in his hand. But there was something more that Ezekiel had for Archvel¡ªa document from Jareth. "This document was given to me by Master Jareth; he said that it belongs to you, Master Archvel." Archvel nodded as he took the document from Ezekiel via Skeleton Servants. Archvel''s curiosity heightened as he unfolded the parchment and began to read Jareth''s words. The document detailed a mission, Jareth telling him that he would need him in this mission. As Archvel read the words, his eyes widened in understanding. Jareth had informed him of a dimensional rift, a gateway to unknown realms and hidden treasures. Archvel''s heart quickened with excitement at the prospect of such an adventure. "This could prove to be interesting." Archvel thought and smiled as he put his right hand on his chin. The document outlined the importance of exploring the rift and the potential benefits it could bring to both the Tower of the Black Sun and Archvel himself. ¡°Of course, the mages always seek more knowledge and power. What is there in the best place to look for it?¡± "It would also make my bonds with The Tower of the Black Sun more robust. It is easy to see that in these lands, without enough power, being alone is just a death wish." Archvel folded the document and placed it securely in his robe. He looked at Leyla and Ezekiel and said, "Thank you for delivering this." Leyla and Ezekiel exchanged glances, smiling. They had come to trust and respect Archvel, recognizing his power; the fact that their teacher, Jareth, who they respected a lot and a council member of their organization, respected Archvel, helped a lot for them to see Archvel in a good light. After some time, Leyla and Ezekiel went on their way and left Archvel alone. Archvel read in the document that he needs to give some sort of approval to travel to the Dimensional Rift in three days, but the real mission will start in one year. So even if he accepts the dimensional rift mission, he will still have one year to prepare for everything. Before Leyla and Ezekiel left, they left him a magical item named the Message Ring, or Ring of Contact, which can be used ten times. It is basically a phone with ten times the use of a short message. Ezekiel said to himself that he could use this ring to send or receive messages from Jareth. "If the travel time was in just three days, I would not like to accept this journey."You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. "But considering that I will have one year of time, it is just foolish to not accept an opportunity like this." Archvel smiled. He went back to Dark Archive, put the document close to his bedside table, and then sat on his chair as one of the skeletons entered his room with a hot cup of tea. Archvel took a sip of his tea and then nodded. "I will accept the mission after two days and send them a message." "Right now, the most important thing is to improve my abilities and magical knowledge to their fullest." "For a fact, I did not know anything about Dimensional Rift, and it shows that I am not nearly enough for a mission like this." "At the same time, my personal combat capabilities and my undead army, as well as their utility, should be more useful for a mission like this." - For the time being, Archvel just kept on reading for more knowledge. He has learned that the bone type used to create the skeleton has different kinds of effects on the skeleton. According to the tomes and books, the best part to use to create any kind of skeleton is the skull itself. The more intact the skull, the more powerful and perfect the skeleton created will be. It is something simple but important. Archvel let out a deep breath and started eating the plate of meat in front of himself. One Day Later Archvel took a deep breath and whispered. "Status." "Archvel Detriment" "Stage 4: Necromancer (Level 4)" "Magic: 9.5" "Physical Power: 6.5" Spells "Conjure Skeleton Level 3 (Conjure six skeletons from the underground; the power of each skeleton increased by 15%, and the defensive power of each skeleton increased by 15%)." "Decay Bolt (able to shoot up a dark energy filled with decay in the form of a bolt) "Dark Burst" "Predatory Eyes" Passive Ability "Night Eyes (all necromancers have the ability to see better in the dark, around 50% to 70%) "Basic Dark Magic Rune Understanding, Level 2" "Basic Dark Magic Protection (Resistance against all magic spells is 10% and 20% against light magic spells)" "Ancient Language Mastery" "Human Body Mastery Level 2" "Death Investigation Level 2" "Cleaning Level 3" "Skeleton Creation, Level 2" Archvel took a look at his status and smiled. "I improve slowly but surely." If any dark mage or light mage heard what Archvel thought of his power increase levels, they would like to kill him and then make a skeleton slave out of his skeleton, even if the murderer is a light mage. Archvel did not know that for ordinary mages, even the talented ones reaching his level would need five to seven years of constant study and battle practice. Archvel closed off his status and then kept on creating skeletons. In two days, his skeleton numbers have reached one hundred. "I need a skeleton ring for myself." Archvel thought. A skeleton ring is a magical object that was used to store skeletons that one himself created. Even the simplest one costs more than twenty gold coins. But for the time being, Archvel had no problem buying it. Archvel used the message ring and then sent his message. In a sense, his first mission and target was to gather and find himself a skeleton ring in the first place. The reason he first accepted the investigation of Elliot Ken was to earn gold coins to have resources to acquire the Skeleton Ring. "I accept the mission and will show myself when the time is right, and I need a skeleton ring." I will be paying twenty gold coins for it." After Archvel sent his message, he placed the ring on the table and started waiting. Ten minutes later, the ring buzzed, and a message manifested in front of him. "It is good to hear you accept the mission, Archvel. I will send you a skeleton ring with level 2 enhancements, which will let you fit more than one thousand skeletons inside of it." "The real price for the skeleton ring level 2 is about three hundred gold coins, but it is my gift to you. You can pay it later or not pay it." Archvel said nothing. "I am not sure this is a good thing or not." "It is simple knowledge that accepting gifts from criminal organizations is never a good thing." "Considering dark mages are not that different from criminals of this world and they are all evil in the simplest sense, it just does not make any sense." "But there is no need for me to not accept it, as it would seem like I am not trusting them and have no future with them." "If I don''t have a future with them, it will make them suspicious of me, and it would be better for them to just shut me off instead of letting me grow and have alliances with other organizations." Archvel thought deeply and then sent his message. "I got it; thank you for your gift." Chapter 34 - Monster Parts For Versatility and Power One day later, Ezekiel arrived with the Skeleton Ring and gave it to Archvel without further talk, as Archvel gave twenty gold coins to Ezekiel. "Mister Archvel, I wanted to ask you about something." Archvel was inspecting the ring when he heard Ezekiel. He took a look at him for a second and then nodded. Ezekiel smiled and then asked. "I would like to know how to increase our magic control." Archvel smiled upon hearing this question. In the dark archive, these kinds of things are given some ideas but not a direct approach, as every mage has a different kind of connection with magic, and there is no one approach to magic control. Basically, there was no right answer. "Tell me about your magic control and what kind of style you are using." Ezekiel took a deep breath and started talking. "I am using the Black Sun Magic Control tome, and our approach is to think of magic as fire and control it according to how natural fire moves." Archvel nodded and then added. "If you want to increase your magical control and make your fire, or black fire in your case, more powerful, you need to think in terms of fire, but not only think but also embody it and understand it in the sense of knowledge as well as nature." "My words may come to you as confusing, but what I am trying to say in the simplest sense is basically that you need to learn more about fire; any knowledge and extra thought of understanding fire would do wonders for you." Ezekiel murmured what he heard, and then a smile formed on his face. "Thank you, Master Archvel; I will try to understand your words deeply when I am back." Archvel smiled and added "A fire does not care about when to burn or when to extinguish; you should not wait for it to burn as long as the place is okay." Ezekiel gulped and then left the area as the words of Archvel resonated in his head. - After Ezekiel left the area, Archvel went back to his place and then looked deeply at the Skeleton Ring. He smiled and then nodded. "This will be a great addition to my power." "Right now, my magical power only lets me control one hundred basic skeletons and six of my own sentinel skeletons." "Still, from now on, I can travel with all my force without any problem. If I want, I can summon all of them at the same time and take them back at will."Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. "This is a great tool; I wonder how it was created." Archvel stopped thinking and went on to study. He was going to learn more about skeletons and how he could improve them. He was thinking that if he were to give tools to skeletons, such as swords and knives, it may increase their power level to some degree. Of course, their power level will not be the same as sentinels. Each sentinel is a two-meter-tall, solid, magical creature that, in the form of a skeleton, should be able to take on more than sixty of the skeletons he created with ease if he controls them with great care and mastery. He should be able to take on sixty to seventy of them despite losing all of them in a battle. But of course, all of these things are calculated in his mind, and they may not be the same in a real battle. Who said that if he engaged in full-frontal combat with a hundred skeletons, he could use guerilla techniques to fight against an army, which would make six skeletons easy to destroy with no problem at all? - Archvel took a deep breath and started to think of different ways to create skeletons. "So, it may be better to try some sort of monster meat or monster skulls like that to create a different kind of material." ¡°The quality of bones affects the power of skeletons to a higher degree, which means if the bones I use belong to a higher-level creature, the resulting skeleton would be more powerful than ordinary parts.¡± "I wonder what kind of monsters live in these places." Three days passed since he took the Skeleton Ring from Jareth and paid twenty gold coins for a material, an item worth more than three hundred gold coins in the market, as it is a level two skeleton ring instead of a level one. In these three days, he worked for himself, in the sense of doing experiments on necromancy and other things as well as absorbing the information he found in the tomes. He was feeling really lucky, as he has almost unlimited knowledge at his power level. "I wonder if I did not have these resources and knowledge of the Dark Archive how things would turn out." Archvel then took a sip of his tea and nodded. "Yeah, it would make sense." "In that kind of a situation, most likely, I would try to join an organization and improve my power until I reached a point in my state of power where I would need to leave the place and reach my real freedom." "Lucky for me that I don''t need to do something like that for the time being." Archvel then closed his eyes and ordered "Twenty skeletons, leave the Dark Archive Temple and find me monster corpses and bring them out here." "Use any means necessary other than attacking other people or other dark mages." With the words of Archvel, twenty skeletons randomly selected started marching out from the Dark Archive Temple using the hidden gate, as it would make simple sense. Archvel gives the utmost importance to the fact that he needs to have his privacy all the time. He not only protects his privacy, but he also protects himself. If it is found out that he is sitting on a gold mine when it comes to knowledge of dark magic and magic in general, there would be organizations that would like to kill him to take over the Dark Archive Temple. Which is not something he wants to see at all. At this point in his life, even a small organization is something he cannot take on by himself or via his skeletons. He believes that for himself to take on a small organization, he needs at least one year of work and more than one hundred Skeleton Sentinel-type summons that are able to fight against a mage. "I also need a variety of different kinds of summons and creatures to help me out." "Skeletons are good for many things, but when it comes to versatility, they are not the best." "I need defensive, ranged, magic-user types of creatures that would help me fight against other mages." "As well as exploration and information gathering, these types of creatures would do well." "For a necromancer, having information about the land and the enemy is better." "It is better for me so that I can control my army to take a side and create a strategy." Chapter 35 - Huge Crow Undead and Beast Crocodile Undead Archvel, who had purchased a book of bestiaries for the current area, had some sort of information on the creatures that skeletons hunt. "So, we lost five of the skeletons while hunting these three. Five of them are killed by only one of them, which is a level two magical creature, as expected." The first creature looked like a crocodile. It was the size of a rhino and had robust and longer legs, which made it faster on land and sea. Its name was Beast Crocodile, which suited it perfectly, and its level was only one. The second creature was a bird-type creature, a crow-like creature, but the size of a lioness. It was also a level one creature, and it used the air element and air magic to fly, as its body alone could not handle the weight and fly at the same time. Its name was Huge Crow. The important one was the last creature. "So you are the one who destroyed five of my skeletons." Archvel looked at the cat-like creature. The creature only about the size of an ordinary house cat. The fur of the creature was pure black, and from the looks of it, its eyes were too black. It is called Shadow Cat, and it is a level two creature, which means it has at least three special abilities similar to magic spells. A creature like this would make quick work of an amateur mage, and for hunting it, at least three mages at the level of Ezekiel are needed. "It seems like this creature has an innate connection with Shadow Magic." Archvel had seen the remnants of knowledge about Shadow Magic in the book Dark Archive from time to time. There is not much knowledge existing in the matter of shadow magic. It is known to be the enemy and counter of light magic. It also has some connection to air magic, or curse magic. In a simple sense, it is the mysterious side of mages and magic. "For the time being, let''s try dissecting and working on these corpses so I can have a better understanding." Archvel then started using tools to cut and dissect all the corpses. He can order skeletons to do these things for themselves. But he decided not to rely on skeletons. He also did not trust the skeleton slaves to do the work with a great deal of care, as skinning is a delicate and mastery-needed job.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. He wants to know and understand how things work, not finish things quickly. While he has time, he should do these things even more. As a necromancer, these kinds of experiences are important. He needs to experience and take action alone without any kind of interference if he wants to learn for real. Seven hours passed in a flash, and Archvel immersed himself in the moment of understanding the bodies of the first two creatures. He left the Shadow Cat to the last, as he believed that there would be no problem in Archvel took a deep breath, and his magical energy started being injected into the skeleton parts and corpse of the first crocodile creature. After some time later, Archvel started commenting. "Yeah, it is right." "It takes a whole lot of energy to create an undead instead of a skeleton using the corpse of a level 1 magical creature." "The difference between two acts is different." "I presume, for one undead creation is the same as four to five ordinary skeleton creations." About five minutes later, the skeletons and the corpse merged into each other, and a humanoid-looking half-skeleton half-zombie creature showed himself in front of Archvel. "It looks great." Archvel commented and then felt the power rushing from the creature. "It is power equal to half of one of the sentinels. Two of these should be able to take on one sentinel with ease." "This means that two undead creatures created by me using the corpses of it equal one of my skeletons." "If I create ten of these, I will have roughly five more sentinels. Which would give a huge power boost." "It seems like it is better to use magical creatures as summons and my creatures while using ordinary skeletons as builders, servants, and other things." Archvel takes a deep breath, and then his eyes land on the second creature as he starts using his magical energy to create a different kind of creature from it. This time, because he knew what to do, it was easier and faster to create a level 1 undead creature according to the manual of Skeleton Creation. In less than three minutes, a pure zombie crow manifested in front of himself. It has not lost anything when it comes to size, but its eyes turned a pure red color, and its feathers have taken a dark color instead of a more grayish color. "Yeah, it is decided then; this crow and crocodile undead should be able to take on one of my sentinels. Their power, speed¡ªI can feel all of these things with ease." ¡°This means that Level 1 Magical Creature remains create level 1 undead-type servants of different abilities, which in terms of pure power have the power of 50% of a Skeleton Sentinel I summon...¡± Archvel smiled as the eagle started flying and the crocodile started running with his command. Because they were his creations and magical creatures, they were able to send bits of information to his mind without too much of a problem, and they were smarter than usual creatures. This only added to the fact that these creatures have some sort of intelligence due to them being smarter when even they were alive. ¡°Despite Huge Crow Undead, it is not stronger than the Skeleton Sentinel; if controlled by me, the Sentinel would lose against it.¡± ¡°Beast Crocodile on the other hand cannot be caught by Sentinel.¡± All of these things just added on and made Archvel think about the fact that if these creatures are this fast and this powerful, then how would a creature he would create from using the body of Level 2 Magical Creature, Shadow Cat, be? "It is decided; I am not going to wait much and try it." Archvel spoke to himself and then took a deep breath as he started placing the corpse of the Shadow Cat and more than four skulls in the circle. "I can use my imagination to help me out when it comes to injecting energy." "Think of it as injecting with an injector needle; it may help me out a little bit." Archvel started injecting his magical energy into the middle, the corpse of the shadow cat, and the bones started glowing up in seconds. Chapter 36 - Level-Three Giant - Attack and Battle Archvel smiles and claps his hands. "Yeah, it looks like the undead." "Its power levels should be around a Sentinel Skeleton." "This means that every undead I create from Level 2 Magical Creatures is equal to one of my own summoned Sentinel Skeletons. But in a sense more powerful because the type of the undead will affect its natural abilities and versatility." ¡°Huge Crow Undead can fly despite its human shape, and if it wants to, it can go back to its form of Crow.¡± ¡°Beast Crocodile can run and swim at fast speed and transform to humanoid form or its natural form.¡± ¡°Shadow Cat Undead faster than all others and has stealth capabilities as well as a magical ability called Shadow Strike.¡± ¡°It is bad that it has lost three of its abilities after becoming an undead, but I can''t complain about it.¡± "Considering right now that I am able to summon six sentinel skeletons in addition to this Undead Shadow Cat and more than one hundred ordinary skeletons, I have a great army." Archvel wiped away the sweat on his forehead and then picked up a pen and paper as he started writing. "Current Army." "100 Skeleton Servants" "Six Skeleton Sentinels (Summoning Magic)" "Two Level 1 Undead.¡± "One Level 2 Undead." Archvel ordered some food for himself to be prepared while he started thinking. "Undeads and skeletons are different; in most cases, skeletons are easier to create and simple to command. Which also makes them simple-minded and not the best helpers when it comes to complex tasks." ¡°Undeads, on the other hand, are different. They are able to talk to some degree, understand complex commands, and have more power. I can say that a sentinel skeleton or level 2 undead has the same kind of intelligence as a ten-year-old human. A level one undead created by a level one magical creature has the intelligence of a five-year-old human child." Archvel let out a deep breath and started eating the prepared meat. As he is eating, he is starting to think that he must hunt more creatures to create more. He also had plans to increase his own personal power via magical spells. "In the end, if something unexpected happens, which would happen in the majority of cases considering I am in a magical world, everything is unexpected." "I don''t want to lose my summons and die without power.¡± In the heart of the dense forest, a colossal and awe-inspiring creature emerged from the shadows. Towering at an impressive seven meters in height, the giant-type monster commanded attention and spread fear. The creature''s most striking feature was its four eyes, each of them gleaming with an otherworldly intensity. Positioned strategically around its head, the eyes allowed the monster to survey its surroundings with a powerful awareness, as if it possessed a heightened perception of its environment. The sheer power and presence of the creature left no doubt that it was the undisputed ruler of this domain. "I smell a human." The giant monster thought as he looked to the left.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. "It comes from the old temple." "I should go." As the giant thought, he started moving in the direction of the Dark Archive. - Archvel, who was asleep, woke up in great terror and then heard from his sentinels within his mind. "A monster approaches; danger approaches." "What danger!" Archvel exclaimed and started to move. All of the hundred skeletons had followed behind him as he got out of the Dark Archive Temple and saw the huge creature. "A giant!" "A giant, his level..." "This creature is higher level than level two; it is certain!" At the same time, the four-eyed giant looked Archvel deep in the eye and started talking. "You humans live here without asking for permission..." Archvel gulped and smiled. "Yeah, he is not an ordinary monster; that is certain." - Archvel took a good look at the giant, took a deep breath, and started planning. "A level three magical creature, probably possessing a high amount of physical power, endurance, and defensive capabilities.¡± At that time, the giant did not speak but started moving towards him and his creatures. It was not walking but running. "It is aggressive then." Archvel did not hesitate and commanded "All summons, get ready for a battle." With his command, Six Sentinels and Three undead, as well as one hundred skeletons, showed up. "Dark Magic..." Giant uttered some words that were clearly audible to Archvel himself. Which is not something that he was expecting to hear at all. "He knows about magic and mages. Level Three Magical Creatures are something else." Archvel then commanded "One hundred skeletons in the army, stay at your back and use materials around you for a weapon, throw spears, or anything." Of course, there were no spears for the time being, as Archvel did not have time to make weapons and tools. By spears, he meant sharp branches and other things. He knows that the skeletons he has created would be just cannon fodder for this giant creature and would do next to no damage to a level three magical creature. Because of that, using objects and other tools and weapons has more meaning. Archvel never forgets that these things always have some sort of basic understanding behind them, and it may not be the best idea, but he is here to learn and experience, and there is no need for him to take a backseat to any kind of opportunity. As Skeletons moved in unison. The giant did not stand idle. It moved faster. At this point, the Sentinels started to move to intercept the creature on its tracks. Three undead creatures started moving just behind the sentinels. The Crow Undead was flying and had more speed compared to the others. Archvel also made note of this. "It just shows that I need more versatility." The giant and the first sentinel made the first contact. The giant punched the sentinel, and the first one went shooting like a cannonball towards the backside. Some of its bones were broken, but it was not destroyed. "It is good to know that my sentinels are not weak." ¡°They can tank a full-powered punch from a level three giant-type creature...¡± Archvel gave the utmost importance to his sentinel skeletons because they were not just created skeletons but his own creations. Which means that as long as he has enough magical energy, even if one of them dies, he can summon another one. Sentinels, being strong, have direct influence and power of their own personal power. Other sentinels spread out and started attacking from all sides. One of them punched the creature on the left side, causing it to kneel. "Ahhh." The giant roared, and the punch and attack from the sentinel broke down some bones in his leg. "The attacking power of the sentinels has increased too; considering their size is two meters and they are fueled by magical power directly, it is normal to expect something like this." At the same time as Archvel was thinking. One of the sentinels jumped and tried to kick the head of the giant, but it was blocked by his left hand, and the giant counterattacked with his right punch. Sending the attacking sentinel flying. Archvel just smiled as he watched. "As long as the numbers are right and the strategy is good, there should be no problem taking care of any kind of enemy. Of course, if they are the normal kind of enemy that I can fight," Chapter 37 - Batte Against To The "Giant" The sentinel skeletons surrounded the towering Giant, their bones clanking together as they closed in on their massive target. They lunged at the Giant, kicking and punching with all their might. Their skeletal fists connected with the Giant''s stone-like skin, sending small cracks spreading across its surface. "Oh, this time it must hurt." Archvel laughed. The Giant swung its massive arms, attempting to crush the skeletons under its powerful fists. But the agile undead creatures dodged and weaved, narrowly avoiding the crushing blows. They countered with swift kicks to the Giant''s legs, causing it to stagger momentarily. "The speed difference between Giants and Sentinels and the fact that Skeletons are controlled directly by me changes everything.¡± The Giant let out a deep roar of anger, shaking the ground beneath them. Undeterred, the sentinel skeletons pressed on, using their teamwork to gain the upper hand. One skeleton distracted the Giant with a series of quick jabs to its chest, while another delivered a powerful blow to its knee, causing it to buckle under the force. "Aaaaaaaaaaaah" The giant shouted again, but this time his voice carried even more pain and agony. As the Giant fell to one knee, this time more tired, the sentinel skeletons seized the opportunity to launch a coordinated attack. They swarmed around the Giant, delivering a barrage of punches and kicks from all sides. At the same time, Shadow Cat and other undead creatures attacked with all their power. Despite their relentless assault, the Giant refused to be defeated easily. It counterattacked with a sweeping kick, knocking several skeletons back and sending them flying through the air. But as they crashed to the ground, the sentinel skeletons swiftly rose to their feet, "Despite taking damage, sentinel skeletons, or the undead in general, have no understanding or feeling of pain. Which makes them relentless enemies. Unless they are destroyed completely, they will try to obey my orders, and it does not mean if my orders mean certain death or pain, as there is no concept of death or pain for them..." The sentinel skeletons closed in on the Giant once more, using their combined strength to push it back. They struck with precision and skill, targeting weak spots on the giant''s body and chipping away at its defenses. The battle raged on, the clash of bones and stones reverberating through the air. Each punch, kick, and strike was met with an equal display of resilience from the Giant. As the battle reached its climax, the sentinel skeletons gathered their strength for one final, powerful attack. With a mighty roar, they converged on the Giant, striking with all their might. The sound of shattering bones filled the air as the Giant finally crumbled under the force of their assault.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. "It took much longer than I thought." Archvel took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a second. He turned to look at the ordinary skeletons and shook his head. "Yeah, these are not going to be useful in fights. They may look scary to ordinary people, but against proper enemies such as mages and magical creatures, they are helpless." "I need to focus on creating stronger armies and helpers." "Also, it is clear to me that from now on, I will quickly need more versatility in my summons as well as myself." "As always, there are many things to do." Archvel then looked at the body of the Giant and smiled. "Skeletons, take his corpse to the Dark Archive; use the main gate to enter, as it would not find it in the small entrance." "Quick, we need to be fast to not encounter any more creatures." With the order from Archvel, the skeletons looked at the giant and then started working. Using all of their power to carry it back to the Dark Archive. Archvel went back to the Dark Archive. He went directly to his room and started writing with his pen. He wrote down everything that happened as he battled against the Giant. In a sense, this was his first battle using his only summons against some sort of strong enemy. Of course, he does not consider the mages from Death Tree he fought before. Because the nature of that battle was much different. Archvel considered fighting against human mages harder than fighting against monsters. At least for now. "Fighting against mages is harder because they are able to think, combine their attacks, and plan further than most monsters." "Even that giant, who was at the level of three, only had the intelligence of a teenager." "I presume that until level four or level five, most of the monsters would not have intelligence that rivals that of humans." Archvel took a deep breath as one of his sentinels came to his room. He closed his eyes for a second, and all existing sentinels vanished. At the outside. "Boom." The huge body of the giant fell on some of the skeletons. The skeletons were taking help from the sentinels, and after they vanished, the sudden increase in weight caused some of the skeletons to not be able to handle the weight and be crushed under the weight of the giant. Level Two Undeads looked at the crushed skeletons and then at the existing alive skeletons. It was easy to see that three undead at level two were laughing their asses off. - Archvel remains unknown to the events outside as he started working on his magical understanding. In the depths of the forest, three humanoid creatures similar to the Giant that Archvel has killed are talking. In the middle of their camp, there was a huge bonfire, and on top of it, there was a creature being cooked. The creature looked similar to one of the deer, but it was huge¡ªmore than four meters in size. "Brother Langar did not come back." One of the young-looking giants spoke as it looked at the meat being cooked. "Langar is smart. Langar will find a way to come back. The giant in the middle spoke. Its words were simple but easy to understand. "What if Langar is hurt?" The oldest giant spoke as he looked at the two other giants. He seemed far more knowledgeable than other giants. His eyes revealed deep wisdom. It seems like being older makes him more experienced and maybe more powerful. The words of the older Giant caused some silence before the Giant in the middle spoke again. "Langar is smart and strong. He will find a way to come back to his brothers." After the words of the Giant in the middle, there were no more words from the giants. They all focused on the meat that was cooked and started eating it directly without caring about the huge fire. Despite their intelligence, it is clear as day that they were still creatures and not humans in the end. They were wild and uncivilized. It is only to be expected that they have some sort of different kind of behavior when compared to humans. - Three days passed in a flash. The body of the giant was put in the middle of one of the big hallways of the Dark Archive Temple, and Archvel was inspecting it as he was thinking about what he should do with the body of the giant. The answer seemed easy to find when he thought about it, but he was not sure. Chapter 38 - Northdeath Body Spell Archvel stood before the massive corpse of the giant, staring at it intently. He paced back and forth, whispering to himself. ¡°Turning this into a level three undead¡­ it could increase my power a lot. Its power would make it my strongest servant by far. I believe, according to my experience, if turned into undead, as a level three undead, this giant should have three to four times the power of an ordinary skeleton sentinel.¡± He stopped and looked at the giant again. ¡°But¡­ this isn¡¯t something I should rush. The last thing I need is a mistake.¡± He crouched near the giant¡¯s head, running his fingers lightly over its cracked skull. The sheer size of the creature was intimidating, even in death. ¡°No,¡± he said aloud, shaking his head. ¡°This needs planning. Rushing it will only lead to disaster.¡± Archvel straightened up and summoned one skeleton sentinel and then ordered it. ¡°Guard this body,¡± he commanded. ¡°Make sure nothing disturbs it. If anyone or anything tries to approach, eliminate them. Understood?¡± The sentinel gave a slow, mechanical nod before moving into position. Archvel turned and began walking back toward the hidden entrance of the Dark Archive, his dark robes flowing behind him. His thoughts were already focused on his next steps. ¡°I¡¯ll need time,¡± he muttered to himself. ¡°Two or three days. I need to study this creature carefully and understand how to handle its transformation.¡± As he entered the underground sanctuary, the cool, damp air greeted him. The familiar surroundings of the Dark Archive felt almost comforting after the intense moment outside. Archvel moved toward his study chamber. He sat down at the large stone table, resting his chin on his hands. He started staring at the ancient parchments scattered across the table. After a moment, he leaned back in his chair and let out a long breath. ¡°Two days,¡± he said softly. ¡°That¡¯s how long I¡¯ll give myself to prepare. By then, I¡¯ll know exactly what to do.¡± His skeletal servants moved silently around the chamber, Archvel watched them for a moment, then stood up and began searching through the shelves for the materials he needed. The giant outside wasn¡¯t going anywhere, and Archvel wasn¡¯t going to rush. This was too important to leave to chance. - Two days later, Archvel sat in his study chamber, surrounded by tomes and scrolls. The torches illuminated the room. His skeletal servants moved silently in the background, organizing materials and ensuring that nothing disturbed their master¡¯s concentration. Archvel¡¯s eyes were fixed on one particular tome. He muttered aloud as he read,Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. ¡®Enhancement of the physical body through necromancy,¡¯¡± he read the title. A small, satisfied smile crept across his face. ¡°Interesting. Very interesting.¡± Archvel leaned forward, flipping through the yellowed pages, his excitement growing with each passing sentence. The tome described the various methods necromancers had devised to strengthen their bodies, methods that were especially appealing to human mages, who often suffered from weak physical constitutions. ¡°¡®Most mages,¡¯¡± Archvel recited from the tome, ¡°¡®especially those of the human race, lack the physical endurance or strength to survive prolonged combat without the aid of spells or artifacts. To remedy this, some have turned to necromantic experiments on their own bodies, seeking to enhance their muscle, bone, and overall durability.¡¯¡± He paused, tapping his finger against the edge of the table. ¡°Fascinating¡­ but risky,¡± The text warned of the dangers inherent in such experiments. ¡°Many mages who attempted to enhance themselves ended up mutated beyond recognition¡ªor worse, dead. The magical processes involved were volatile and required an exceptional level of skill and control.¡± Archvel chuckled softly to himself. ¡°So that¡¯s why it¡¯s not common practice. The weak ones fail, and the ones who succeed¡­ well, they probably don¡¯t tell anyone.¡± His eyes continued to dart across the text until they landed on a specific section. ¡°¡®Transformation of Bone and Muscle Between Humanoid Creatures,¡¯ also known as the ¡®Northdeath Body Spell,¡¯¡± he read aloud. The name of the spell immediately caught his attention. ¡°Northdeath Body Spell?¡± he repeated, leaning closer. The description beneath the name was brief but intriguing. The spell allowed the caster to transfer the physical attributes of a humanoid creature to their own body, effectively enhancing their strength, speed, and endurance. However, it required the body of a humanoid monster to function properly, as the spell relied on the similarity of anatomy between the caster and the donor. Archvel¡¯s lips curled into a smile as he leaned back in his chair, the tome still open in his hands. ¡°A humanoid monster, huh?¡± he muttered. His thoughts immediately turned to the giant lying outside the Dark Archive, its massive form still untouched since the day he defeated it. ¡°I suppose you¡¯ll do nicely,¡± he said aloud, as if speaking to the absent creature. One of the skeleton servants, standing silently nearby, turned its hollow gaze toward Archvel at the sound of his voice. He ignored it, too absorbed in his own thoughts to notice. He couldn¡¯t deny the appeal of the spell. The giant¡¯s raw physical power could become his own, and with his mastery of necromancy, he could ensure the process went smoothly¡ªor so he hoped. Still, he knew better than to underestimate the risks. The tome¡¯s warnings were clear: even the smallest mistake could result in failure, and failure in this case would mean death¡ªor worse. Archvel frowned, running a hand through his dark hair. He stopped pacing, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the tome in his hands. ¡°Of course it¡¯s worth it; power is always worth it.¡± A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. One of the skeleton sentinels stood outside, its bony hand raised as if it had just completed the gesture. Archvel glanced at the creature and waved it in. ¡°What is it?¡± he asked. The skeleton didn¡¯t speak, of course¡ªit wasn¡¯t capable of speech¡ªbut it gestured toward the entrance of the Dark Archive. Archvel nodded, understanding its silent message. ¡°You¡¯re telling me everything¡¯s clear outside,¡± he said. ¡°Good.¡± Archvel closed the tome and set it carefully on the table. He gestured for the skeleton to follow him as he made his way out of the chamber and toward the surface. Not much after, his gaze immediately fell on the giant¡¯s massive corpse as he came to the main halls. It had been two days since he¡¯d last inspected it, but the body remained untouched, guarded faithfully by his Sentinel. Archvel approached the creature, He stood before the giant, staring down at its lifeless form with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation. ¡°This will be dangerous,¡± he said aloud, as if speaking to the giant itself. ¡°But you¡¯re the perfect candidate. Humanoid enough to make the spell work and powerful enough to make it worth the risk.¡± He turned to one of the larger skeletons standing nearby. ¡°Keep guarding the perimeter,¡± he ordered. ¡°No one is to disturb this area. Understood?¡± The skeleton nodded, its empty sockets fixed on Archvel. Satisfied, Archvel turned back to the giant. ¡°Two days of preparation,¡± he said softly. ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯ll give myself. Two days to ensure that everything goes perfectly.¡± Archvel knew that he had spent two days deciding, and now he believes he needs to spend at least two days to learn the spell and the ritual to start. He knew from the experience of all the stories and legends that he had read inside of Dark Archive. There is no need to hurry, or hurry will result in a fate worse than death when it comes to magic. Especially the necromancy and dark magic. He crouched down beside the giant¡¯s head, placing a hand on its cold, lifeless skin. ¡°You¡¯re going to make me stronger.¡± He had work to do, and he wasn¡¯t going to waste a single moment. The Northdeath Body Spell was dangerous, but if anyone could master it, it was him. Chapter 39 - The Transformation Of The Body Archvel had begun to focus deeply. Now, the most important part was naturally to organize his thoughts and logic into a cohesive plan and continue moving forward. The Northdeath Body Spell was recognized as an exceptionally complex spell. It might very well be the most intricate and preparation-heavy spell he had ever encountered. At the same time, the risks were evident; he did not want to face the consequences of a failed attempt. "I have many thoughts racing through my mind," Archvel murmured. "But it¡¯s not hard to see what the most important one is." Archvel personally understood the positive effects this spell could have if he managed to cast it correctly. A third-level creature like The Giant possessed immense physical capabilities. If Archvel could successfully apply the spell, his physical strength would increase three to four times, his speed would triple, and his defense would rise by at least fivefold. This would enhance him in countless ways. Mages like Archvel generally had weak physical constitutions and were especially vulnerable to harmful environments and sudden attacks when they weren¡¯t actively casting protective spells. Many mages invested heavily in passive defensive spells to address these weaknesses. However, while passive defensive spells could help to a degree, they were far from sufficient. Passive spells had two major drawbacks. The first was their constant energy consumption, which made them exhausting to maintain for long periods. The second was their ineffectiveness against sudden, powerful magical attacks. All these factors proved one thing: a single, strong, sneaky magical attack could easily kill most mages relying on passive defenses. Alternatively, a well-placed physical strike could yield the same deadly result. "All of this only makes my next step clearer," Archvel said to himself, determination sharpening his tone. With these thoughts, Archvel began making preparations.
  1. Drawing the Spell Diagram: This was essential.
  2. Placing Key Parts of the Target Creature: The heart, eyes, and sexual organs of the humanoid monster needed to be positioned in three specific regions of the diagram.
  3. Positioning: Once the ritual began, the humanoid monster had to be placed on the southern section of the diagram, while the caster¡ªArchvel himself¡ªneeded to stand in the northern section.
  4. Starting the Ritual: The diagram would be engulfed by a massive wave of magical energy. Neither the mage nor the creature could be moved or leave their designated spots. Any deviation would lead to catastrophic results.
  5. Energy Transfer: After three hours of energy transfer, the mage would extract the heart, eyes, and sexual organs of the creature in sequence, reciting the necessary incantations for each part.
  6. Final Transfer: With the recitation of the incantations, the final transfer of attributes would occur, completing the spell.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Archvel reviewed all these steps in his mind, ensuring that nothing was forgotten. Then, he began his preparations in earnest.
Two days later, Archvel believed he had prepared himself mentally and learned everything he needed. "Make the preparations and seal the entrance," he ordered his skeleton servants. He then turned to the Spell Diagram and began drawing it. The diagram itself was extraordinarily complex. Compared to the usual skeleton creation diagrams, it was three to four times more intricate. Archvel knew there was absolutely no room for error. "Yes¡­" he muttered to himself. Three hours later, the diagram was complete. "Sentinels and Skeletons, move the body of The Giant to this section," Archvel commanded, pointing to the designated part of the diagram. The skeletons and sentinels immediately moved into action. "Good¡­" he said, taking a deep breath. Archvel moved to the northern section of the diagram, stepping into the circle drawn there. He closed his eyes and began to focus, amplifying his magical energy. A dark, formless wave of energy began to radiate from him, enveloping the surrounding area. A few minutes later, the energy expanded to encompass the giant''s massive corpse. Once the body was fully surrounded by the energy, Archvel knew he had reached the point of no return. "Northdeath Body Spell," he whispered. "Activate!" With his whispered command, the spell and genetic transfer began. From this point on, stepping out of the circle or disrupting the diagram would have dire consequences. Death¡ªor worse¡ªwas a very real possibility. Archvel clenched his fists, his focus unshaken. The energy transfer was now underway. There was no turning back. -- Two hours later -- Archvel stood still in the northern section of the circle, his body encased in a swirling vortex of dark energy. The magic of the Northdeath Body Spell surged through him. He clenched his fists tightly, his eyes shut as he focused deeply on the spell. Each passing second, Archvel felt it¡ªthe change. ¡°The bones¡­ they¡¯re hardening,¡± he thought. He could feel his skeleton shifting, becoming denser, stronger, as if it were being reforged in the fires of magic itself. "Iron-hard... no, stronger than that. Like the very earth under my feet." His muscles, too, felt the transformation. ¡°This power¡­ It¡¯s unlike anything I¡¯ve ever felt before. When it comes to physical characteristics, humans are at their base weak.¡± ¡°I would add on that ¡®weak¡± is not a strong enough word to describe the physicality of humanity...¡± His breath came easier, his heart beat steadier, and his senses began to sharpen. "I can feel its lungs. Even its organs are better than mine ever were. This will make me stronger in every way." Archvel¡¯s skin tingled and burned as it thickened, becoming tougher and more resistant. He slowly opened one hand, staring at his palm as the sensation coursed through him. ¡°This¡­ this isn¡¯t just a spell. It¡¯s a transformation. A complete rebirth.¡± The process was not without pain. He gritted his teeth, a groan escaping his lips as the surge of magic pushed his body beyond its limits. "Pain is irrelevant. If this works¡­¡± As the minutes passed, Archvel¡¯s confidence grew with every sensation. The spell was working. The strength of The Giant was becoming his own. Chapter 40 - New Body and Power The hours dragged on as the spell reached its end. The Northdeath Body Spell had drained every ounce of magic from the room, Archvel¡¯s body swayed as the last of the ritual''s power seeped into him. His legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground with a dull thud. His breathing was shallow, his consciousness slipping away. The strain of the spell had pushed him to his absolute limits, both physically and mentally. For what felt like an eternity, Archvel lay motionless on the cold stone floor of the Dark Archive, his mind drifting into a dark void.
When his eyes finally fluttered open, he was in a neutral state of emotions. The silence was deafening, and for a moment, Archvel simply stared at the ceiling, his mind blank as he processed what had just transpired. Then, like a spark igniting a fire, the memories of the spell surged back into his mind. He slowly sat up, his muscles stiff but pulsing with a strange new energy. Archvel flexed his fingers, feeling the strength coursing through them. His once pale and wiry arms now appeared more robust, his veins slightly visible under his thicker skin. He ran a hand across his chest, feeling the density of his muscles. Even his breathing was different¡ªdeeper, stronger, as though his lungs had doubled in capacity. A slow, triumphant smile spread across his face. ¡°It worked,It actually worked.¡± - He then checked his status to confirm the changes. -
"Archvel Detriment" "Stage 5: Necromancer (Level 5)" "Magic: 10.7" "Physical Power: 23.5" - Spells - "Conjure Skeleton Level 3 (Conjure six skeletons from the underground; the power of each skeleton increased by 15%, and the defensive power of each skeleton increased by 15%)." "Decay Bolt (able to shoot up a dark energy filled with decay in the form of a bolt) "Dark Burst"Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. "Predatory Eyes" - Passive Abilities - ¡°Northdeath Body ( ¡°The Giant¡± (All physical capabilites are increased.) "Night Eyes (all necromancers have the ability to see better in the dark, around 50% to 70%) "Basic Dark Magic Rune Understanding, Level 2" "Basic Dark Magic Protection (Resistance against all magic spells is 10% and 20% against light magic spells)" "Ancient Language Mastery" "Human Body Mastery Level 2" "Death Investigation Level 2" "Cleaning Level 3" "Skeleton Creation, Level 2"
- His body, once frail and delicate like most mages, now felt solid. He made his way out of Dark Archive Temple. His skeleton servants and sentinels remained stationed throughout the Archive, their empty eyes following him as he passed. Archvel ignored them for now. - Archvel stood before a massive boulder¡ªone of the many scattered near the entrance to the Dark Archive. The stone was as tall as he was, its surface rough and weathered from centuries of exposure to the elements. Archvel clenched his fist, feeling the raw power in his arm. He took a deep breath, planting his feet firmly on the ground. ¡°It would be great if I do not break my hands...¡± he said jokingly. Then, with a single motion, he threw a punch at the boulder. The impact was deafening. A crack echoed through the air as the boulder split down the middle, fragments of stone scattering in every direction. He stared at the remains of the rock, his hand still clenched in a fist. There wasn¡¯t so much as a scratch on his knuckles. He couldn¡¯t suppress the grin that spread across his face. ¡°Incredible.¡± Archvel turned his gaze toward the nearby trees, their trunks thick and sturdy. Without hesitation, he sprinted toward the closest one. The world around him blurred as he moved, the wind whipping past his face. He reached the tree in a fraction of a second, leaping effortlessly into the air and landing on a thick branch ten meters above the ground. ¡°Ten meters...and it felt¡­ easy.¡± Archvel leaped down, landing lightly on his feet, and took off running again. His speed was astounding, far beyond anything he had experienced before. The forest around the Archive became a blur as he dashed through it, weaving between trees with perfect precision. He estimated his speed to be around sixty or seventy kilometers per hour, and yet he felt no strain, no fatigue. He came to a stop near a small stream, his breathing steady despite the exertion. He crouched down, his fingers brushing against the cold water. His reflection stared back at him¡ªa face sharper, more defined than he remembered. Even his posture had changed, his frame exuding an air of strength and confidence. ¡°This isn¡¯t just power,This is a transformation. I¡¯m not the same as I was before.¡± Archvel stood and began testing his endurance. He sprinted through the forest for what felt like hours, pushing himself to his limits. Despite the speed and intensity, his body showed no signs of slowing down. He estimated that he could maintain his top speed for two, maybe even three hours before tiring.
As the day drew to a close, Archvel returned to the Dark Archive, Not only had he closed the gap between himself and the physically dominant warriors of the world, but he had also surpassed them in ways they couldn¡¯t imagine. Sitting down in his study, Archvel allowed himself a moment to reflect. He glanced at his hands, clenching and unclenching his fists. ¡°This is just the beginning,With this power, I¡¯ll carve my name into history. No one will stand in my way.¡± Archvel leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile on his face. For the first time in a long while, he felt invincible. Chapter 41 - Incoming Battle Archvel stood still. After the intensity of his tests, he knew he needed time to process what had happened, to understand and internalize the changes fully. He stepped back into the meditation chamber, a dimly lit room at the heart of the Dark Archive Temple. Sitting cross-legged on the cold stone floor, he took a deep breath, closing his eyes and letting his mind settle. Calm yourself. Focus. The breath left his body slowly, deliberately, as he concentrated on the flow of energy within him. He could feel the difference¡ªhis body wasn¡¯t the same anymore. The transformation wasn¡¯t just magical; it was physical. The bones, muscles, even his internal organs¡ªthey had all been altered in ways that were far more profound than a simple enhancement spell. "Physical change is far different from magical augmentation." Archvel whispered to himself, "Magic affects the soul, the mind. It¡¯s tied to willpower and focus. But this¡­ this is something else entirely. This is a change in my very essence, my DNA itself." He clenched his fists, feeling the strength within them, then let them relax. "If I don¡¯t master this, if I don¡¯t make it a part of me¡­ it might end up controlling me instead." He visualized his body and its changes as a vast web of connections, each one pulsing with life. The Giant¡¯s physical attributes were now part of his being, but they needed to harmonize with his mind and soul. Only then would he truly wield this power without hesitation or loss of control. Time passed, though Archvel wasn¡¯t sure how much. His focus was so deep, so absolute, that the outside world seemed to fade away entirely. Until a sudden sensation jolted him back to reality.
A sharp, mental tug pulled him from his meditation¡ªa signal from one of his skeletons. Archvel¡¯s eyes snapped open, He extended his senses outward, connecting with the network of Skeleton Servants that patrolled the perimeter of the Dark Archive. The feedback came almost instantly: one of his skeletons had been destroyed. The others in the vicinity reported the cause¡ªtwo massive figures moving through the forest, their heavy footsteps shaking the ground. Giants. Two of them, moving steadily toward the temple.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. Archvel frowned, standing up quickly. "Giants? How unusual, and two of them? This isn''t a coincidence." He reached out to the remaining skeletons near the perimeter, silently commanding them to observe and report. Through their shared vision, he saw the approaching figures. They were massive, one and a half times the size of the Giant he had just used in his ritual. Their skin was a deep gray. They were armed¡ªone carried a crude but massive stone club, while the other wielded what appeared to be an uprooted tree. "They¡¯ll reach the temple in about ten hours," one of the skeleton sentinels reported in its hollow, echoing voice. Other than Sentinels and Undead Level Two creatures, other servants cannot estimate the arrival time and report it. Archvel nodded to himself. "Enough time to prepare,Still¡­¡­ why are they coming here? And how did they even know this place exists?" He paced the chamber for a moment, considering his options. They were resilient creatures, capable of enduring tremendous damage and possessing monstrous strength.
"All sentinels, report to me immediately." Archvel commanded through his telepathic link to the sentinels. "Begin fortifying the temple. Reinforce the main entrance and prepare defensive positions. I want traps set along their likely path of approach." The skeletons responded in unison, their voices hollow but resolute. "As you command, master." He turned toward one of his sentinel skeletons. "You," Archvel said, pointing at the sentinel. "Go to the site where the first skeleton was destroyed. I want a detailed report on what happened there¡ªsigns of battle, magic, anything unusual. Move quickly." The sentinel bowed its head slightly before marching out of the chamber, its footsteps echoing down the stone corridors. ¡°Two giants... Why now?" he muttered to himself. "Is it mere coincidence, or is something drawing them here? The only reason I can think of that they are related to ¡°The Giant¡± I have fought with.¡± He glanced down at his hands, flexing his fingers.
Hours passed as Archvel and his skeletons worked to prepare the Dark Archive for the impending battle. The entrance to the temple was reinforced with heavy stone slabs. Archvel stood at the center of the preparations, his mind focused and sharp. He issued commands with precision. Yet, even as he worked, his thoughts kept drifting back to the approaching giants. "They¡¯re more than just mindless brutes." ¡°It is more than likely that they are at least level three magical creatures.¡± ¡°Same as the Giant, I have killed.¡± He clenched his fists, a flicker of anger crossing his face. "If they think I¡¯ll be an easy target, they¡¯re sorely mistaken. My physical capability right now should let me use my magical spells even more..." ¡°With a good strategy, I can deal with them...¡± As the tenth hour approached, Archvel stood at the entrance to the temple, his sentinel skeletons flanking him. In the distance, he could hear the heavy footsteps of the giants, the ground trembling beneath their weight. The sound grew louder with each passing moment, until the two massive figures emerged from the treeline, their glowing eyes locked on the temple. Archvel smirked, his confidence unshaken. "Let¡¯s see if you two are as powerful as you look," he muttered, his voice dripping with defiance. He raised a hand, dark energy swirling around his fingertips. The time for preparation was over. Now, it was time to fight. Thank you - Support - Books Hi, first of all thank you for reading my books and I would love to hear that you had great deal of fun reading the book. If you want to support me, please do consider buying the book on amazon to help to algorithm to reach other people.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. If you like my writing style, you may look at my other series, which has four volumes on amazon, thank you. , Thank you for helping me out as it means much to me and will help me keep on writing and living. Volume 1 - Archvel The Necromancer - Free On Amazon
Archvel¡¯s eyes snapped open to near-darkness, his breath sharp and uneven. The cold of the stone beneath him seeped into his back, grounding him in the surreal reality. He sat up slowly, squinting at the dimly lit room around him. The silence was suffocating, broken only by the faint sound of his own heartbeat.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. "Where¡­ am I?" he muttered, his voice hoarse, unfamiliar even to himself. Archvel will soon find out, his life undergoing a big change. - System, Villain & Chaotic-Neutral & Evil MC No Harem