Category: This Necromancer Wants to Capture the Hearts of Deceased Beautiful Girls

v2c30: A Partnership as Close as Sisters

Lannis, sitting on the basement floor, slowly sipping a healing potion, couldn’t believe her eyes when Abyss entered, accompanied by Rebecca.

Who was that beside Abyss? The long, flowing black hair, the eyes that seemed to hold the entire galaxy within them… That face was etched in Lannis’s memory. It was Rebecca, the brilliant alchemist she had once followed.

She had seen that face countless times in her dreams, reunited with someone she couldn’t touch, only to watch that face fade away, her outstretched hand grasping at nothing.

Was this another dream?

“Lannis, I’m back,” Rebecca said, approaching the stunned halfling, her voice gentle.

Lannis’s mouth opened and closed, her voice failing her.

Rebecca smiled, bending down and taking Lannis’s arm. “Lannis, have you been taking care of yourself while I was gone? Look at your teeth. Have you been smoking again?”

“Rebecca… Is it really you?” Lannis, hearing Rebecca’s familiar, slightly scolding tone, feeling the warmth of her hand, her eyes regaining their focus, stared at her face. Tears welled up, overflowing and streaming down her cheeks.

“It’s me. I’m dead, but thanks to you not destroying everything as I instructed, Abyss was able to resurrect me…”

“Abyss wasn’t lying?” Lannis asked, her voice filled with surprise, although she had already suspected his success. “He really… He really brought back my Rebecca?”

“You’re still as crazy as ever,” Rebecca said, laughing. “You’ve aged quite a bit in forty years, but your madness hasn’t faded.”

Lannis, hearing Rebecca’s laughter, finally accepted the reality before her. Her heart overflowed with joy.

Rebecca was back! It didn’t matter that she was undead now! The genius alchemist she had once vowed to follow to the ends of the earth was back! And she was the same as before, her smile as radiant, her eyes as captivating as ever.

“Waaaaah!!!”

Lannis cried out, sobbing uncontrollably, ignoring her injuries, clinging to Rebecca like a child seeking comfort.

Flora, ever attentive, chanted a prayer, casting a gentle healing spell on Lannis. Rebecca nodded gratefully, stroking her assistant’s back.

For Rebecca, the past forty years had been an extended slumber. Her soul, having found peace in death, hadn’t experienced the loneliness of time. But she knew that for Lannis, those forty years must have felt like an eternity.

She felt the trembling sobs of her aging assistant and remembered the Lannis of their youth.

She had been as eccentric as she was now, obsessed with her potions and explosives, indifferent to everything else. Her only source of income was rat extermination for wealthy families, but her abrasive personality and crude language limited her clientele.

Through a series of coincidences, or perhaps a deliberate setup, Lannis had been caught in a gang war. The poor halfling, dodging bullets and crossbow bolts, had even been injured. Rebecca had intervened, using a sleep-inducing potion bomb to subdue the thugs, ordering them to drop their weapons and surrender to the authorities, saving the struggling alchemist.

Lannis had vowed to follow her savior, and Rebecca had discovered her alchemical talent. Despite her eccentricities, she was meticulous and precise in her potion brewing, never making a mistake. She was the perfect assistant. Rebecca had formally offered her a partnership, and from that day forward, Lannis became her sole assistant.

With such a capable partner, Rebecca’s efficiency doubled. They worked together seamlessly, their bond growing stronger with each passing day. Rebecca admired Lannis’s loyalty and reliability, while Lannis respected Rebecca’s intelligence and boundless energy. In Hai-Teweru, halflings lived one and a half times longer than humans. At thirty years old, Lannis, in human years, wasn’t much older than Rebecca. Their relationship blossomed into a sisterhood.

Stroking Lannis’s back, Rebecca understood the profound impact of her death on her assistant. Lannis was a solitary person, with no known relatives. Rebecca had been her closest companion. Losing her only friend had been like losing her entire world.

So, she let Lannis cry, her calloused hands clinging tightly to her. Lannis needed to release all the pent-up grief and loneliness of those forty years.

Abyss watched them silently, a smile on his face. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction at this happy reunion. He was a sucker for happy endings.

“Lannis, tell me everything you did while I was gone,” Rebecca said, her voice gentle, wiping away Lannis’s tears once her sobs subsided.

Lannis, her emotional outburst over, quickly regained her composure. Her mood swings were as rapid as ever. “After assuming you were dead, I followed your instructions and burned all your notes and blueprints, using potion flames, ensuring nothing remained… But I was so grief-stricken that I overlooked a few unimportant ones. And I also hoped you might return one day, so I kept the Gateway to the New World and didn’t destroy the World Conduit. You’re not angry, are you?”

“If not for your judgment, I might be dead forever,” Rebecca said, shaking her head. “You made your own decisions, and you did the right thing. Why would I blame you?”

“Rebecca, why did you ask Lannis to burn your notes and blueprints?” Abyss asked, his voice curious.

Rebecca glanced at him, her expression darkening slightly. “The reason… I’m not ready to share it yet. But I can’t allow those I don’t trust to acquire my inventions, even if they could change the world. I’d rather keep them hidden…”

“I understand. You can tell me when you’re ready,” Abyss said, nodding. Rebecca’s affection for him wasn’t strong enough yet for her to share her deepest secrets. This extraordinary genius wasn’t the type to readily divulge everything, even to her “fiancé.”

v2c29: “Old Friends” Reunited

“Well, well, if it isn’t my old friend, Titus,” Eugene said, spotting Titus approaching. Despite his unease, he wasn’t afraid. Titus didn’t have many men with him. Even if they fought now, the Black Hats wouldn’t stand a chance.

Titus smiled, spreading his arms wide, but he didn’t approach. The spoon in his mouth made his words slightly muffled. “Oh, Mr. Eugene, you remember me. How wonderful. I thought my ugly mug wouldn’t be worthy of your memory.”

“Let’s cut to the chase, Titus,” Eugene said, his fake smile disappearing. “We might not have captured Lannis today, but don’t get cocky. If we fight, your men are no match for mine.”

Titus chuckled. “You’re being too formal. The Black Hats have always treated the Goat Eyes Gang with respect. Even though your men attacked several of my strongholds, I only retaliated with a few minor inconveniences. I didn’t order their deaths, just a few broken bones, and some lingering headaches for the stubborn ones.”

Gang wars were brutal. Even Titus, with his principles, was ruthless when dealing with enemies. His decisiveness and ruthlessness belied his youthful appearance. He seemed more like a seasoned veteran of the underworld than a gang leader in his thirties. Eugene, watching this strong man speak so casually about violence, tightened his grip on his cane.

“Your Black Hats bombed my warehouses first. And then, you hired a mage to attack my factory and destroy my solvent machine,” Eugene said coldly. “Why are you still pursuing this? You’re young, Titus. I suggest you think carefully before acting, leaving room for reconciliation. We wouldn’t want things to escalate to a point of no return.”

Titus laughed, as if hearing a joke. He leaned forward, his expression mocking. “Oh, hey, Mr. Eugene, could you repeat that? Are you suggesting I let you go, so we can coexist peacefully?”

The veins on Eugene’s temples bulged. Titus’s nonchalant demeanor infuriated him. If he weren’t surrounded by his guards, he would have smashed his head in with his heavy alloy cane.

But the situation was dire. Eugene didn’t want to fight anymore. After the disastrous attack on Lannis’s house, his men were demoralized. Even a well-trained army would struggle against a prepared enemy in such a situation, let alone his gang of thugs with minimal combat training. If they fought now, he would suffer a humiliating defeat.

“Yes, let me go, and I promise not to harm the Black Hats for a year. We can coexist peacefully. We’ll split the Lavoisier City potion market,” Eugene said, his eyes narrowed, watching Titus warily.

Titus chewed on his spoon, considering Eugene’s offer, then shook his head, smiling.

“I want the entire potion market in Lavoisier City. Agree to that, and I’ll let you go.”

“Don’t push your luck!” Eugene roared, slamming his cane on the ground.

The moment the cane struck the pavement, the Goat Eyes gang members rolled up their sleeves, aiming their wrist-mounted crossbows at the Black Hats. Before the Black Hats could react, a volley of darts, equipped with miniature syringes, filled the air! This was their prearranged signal. If Eugene struck the ground with his cane, they would attack without hesitation!

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The darts pierced through the Black Hats’ clothes, embedding themselves in their flesh. The syringes injected small doses of a potent potion.

The Goat Eyes Gang was the most powerful gang in Lavoisier City. Despite their low morale and their reluctance to fight, their attack was swift and coordinated. Almost everyone in the Black Hats’ front line was hit, some unlucky ones receiving multiple darts.

“You’re still too green, boy!” Eugene shouted at Titus. “Who’s cornered now?”

“Huh? What are you talking about?” Titus asked, pulling a dart from his arm, his expression nonchalant. He looked at Eugene, grinning. “You are, of course.”

“What?!”

Eugene realized something was wrong. Their darts were laced with a powerful tranquilizer. Upon contact, the syringes injected the potion, rendering the target unconscious within seconds. Without the antidote, they would remain asleep for at least two or three days! But why weren’t the Black Hats collapsing?

“Have you heard of spies? We have the antidote for every poison you use,” Titus said, stretching casually. “You might change the potion in your darts frequently for security reasons, but your mistake is your obsession with uniformity. My informants told me what kind of darts you were carrying today. We all consumed the antidote before coming here. Now do you understand? I initially thought you had a mage with you, but he’s gone now. I can guess what happened. Such a shame, Mr. Eugene.”

Eugene stared at Titus, stunned. He hadn’t anticipated such meticulous planning from his young rival, as if Titus harbored a deep-seated grudge against him.

“Alright, enough talk. Boys, it’s our turn,” Titus said, yawning, waving his hand dismissively. “Take them alive.”

As the Goat Eyes gang members watched in despair, the Black Hats rolled up their sleeves, revealing their wrist-mounted crossbows…

Unlike before, the Goat Eyes Gang hadn’t consumed any antidotes…

…

While the two gangs clashed on the street, Abyss and his companions were enjoying a moment of peace.

The necromancer, Legnas, was long gone. Abyss’s plan had been successful. He could finally relax before moving on to the next stage.

Lannis’s house was on the verge of collapse, but Abyss had summoned several bone pillars to support the structure. It wouldn’t crumble until he removed his magic.

He patted Rebecca’s shoulder. “Let’s go downstairs. Your assistant is waiting for you.”

“Ah, Lannis,” Rebecca said, her eyes softening. “She must have been worried sick…”

v2c28: You’re Not That Important

“You’re mentioning people I don’t know again. Who are the Three Venerables?” Abyss asked, rubbing his temples, feeling a headache coming on.

“The Three Venerables are the leaders of the Necromancer Council. They led us out of the Hai-Teweru continent and established a settlement in the Shadowed Depths. It’s no wonder you’re unaware, considering your ignorance of the current state of necromancy. If I’m not mistaken, you’re not even human, are you?” Legnas said, his eyes narrowed, scrutinizing Abyss.

“Hmm? Oh, I am human. Perhaps I have some elven ancestry, but I haven’t confirmed it,” Abyss said, scratching his head.

Legnas scoffed, assuming he was lying, and remained silent.

“If that’s all he wanted from me, I think our conversation is over,” Rebecca said, her voice light and dismissive. “I know nothing about Shadow Demons. You didn’t find anything related to them when you rescued me, did you?”

“Well… That’s true,” Abyss said, pondering for a moment, then looked at Legnas. “Perhaps your Three Venerables were mistaken. Even gods make mistakes. How can you be sure your leaders are infallible?”

Legnas felt utterly defeated. His confrontation with Abyss had shattered his pride. This boy, sitting on the ground, had effortlessly defeated him, inflicting only minor flesh wounds, wounds Abyss didn’t even seem to notice. And after this humiliating defeat, this gray-haired, enigmatic boy had summoned his target, the deceased Rebecca Viper.

Rebecca had personally confirmed that she knew nothing about Shadow Demons. This meant his mission to the Eastern Empire was a complete failure. He was an eighth-tier mage, highly respected within the Council. This setback was a crushing blow, leaving him feeling hopeless.

“Just… kill me…” he said, closing his eyes, his voice filled with despair.

“Who said anything about killing you?” Abyss asked, chuckling. “I never said I wanted to kill you.”

Legnas opened his eyes, looking at him, confused.

“First, I’m going to free the undead you enslaved. There’s no room for negotiation on that. If they allow you to leave after being freed, you can go. Of course, I’d prefer you to leave safely, so I’ll put in a good word for you,” Abyss said, approaching Legnas. “Tell the Necromancer Council about me. Tell them to come find me when they’re ready. I have a reason they can’t ignore.”

“A reason…?” Legnas asked, puzzled.

“The Lord of Submergence is no longer in contact with you because he’s now exclusively partnered with me,” Abyss said, smiling faintly. “His power is now solely for my followers. Leona, show him.”

Leona, still pouting about having her tongue pulled, reluctantly raised her hand. A few translucent tentacles flickered around her arm, then vanished.

Legnas’s eyes widened in horror.

So this boy was responsible for the Lord of Submergence’s disappearance! What had he done to convince that insatiable Outer God to partner with him exclusively? Those tentacles were unmistakable. Although Legnas wasn’t a follower of the Lord of Submergence, he was familiar with the tentacles that manifested when the Council’s followers used their god-given abilities.

Abyss was right. If the Council still desired the Lord of Submergence’s power, they would inevitably target him!

And this boy was actually looking forward to a confrontation with the Necromancer Council! What kind of power did he possess that made him so confident, knowing the Council’s strength?

And how powerful were his followers?

“You want to destroy us? You’re a Traditionalist necromancer!” Legnas exclaimed, finally realizing Abyss’s true nature. “If you hate us so much, why not just kill us all?”

“Because it’s troublesome,” Abyss said, picking at his ear. “I would have to make a special trip. You’re not that important. And I don’t want to destroy you. I dislike killing. But if you come after me, it’ll keep your strongest warriors occupied, away from innocent people.”

Legnas felt the sting of Abyss’s disdain. It was as if they were insignificant, not even worthy opponents…

But he couldn’t deny the truth of Abyss’s words…

Abyss confiscated all the containers holding Legnas’s enslaved souls, then released them, severing their connection to him.

Legnas was a seasoned necromancer. The quantity and quality of the undead he had enslaved were impressive. Dozens of skilled spectral warriors and mages now stood before them, their gratitude towards Abyss overflowing. Abyss then conducted a vote among them to decide Legnas’s fate.

Legnas was relieved that he had only mistreated and abused his undead servants, not inflicted any irreparable harm. This, combined with Abyss’s persuasive arguments, led to a narrow victory for the “release” faction. Legnas, fortunate to be spared, was stripped of his possessions and sent away, carrying news of Abyss to the Necromancer Council.

Watching Legnas’s dejected figure disappear, Abyss clapped his hands and turned to Rebecca. “Well, that’s settled. Now, it’s time to reunite you with Lannis.”

“Abyss…” Flora said, tugging at his dress.

“Hmm? What is it, Flora?”

“Well… You just let him go. What if he tells the Necromancer Council about your… crossdressing… habit?”

“…Ah,” Abyss said, his mouth agape, staring at Flora.

“I’m sorry… I should have mentioned it earlier…”

…

The Goat Eyes gang members, escorting Eugene, were retreating towards their headquarters.

Eugene had been terrified. He had assumed his eighth-tier necromancer was invincible, but a stronger mage had appeared out of nowhere, effortlessly defeating his powerful ally. He had thought he was going to die when that mysterious mage had flung him out of the house with magic.

But he had survived, and he would come back stronger! Eugene believed that after a brief period of recovery, he would crush the Black Hats once more!

Damn it! Damn it! Why was that Titus so cunning!

“Damn it… Titus, one day, I’ll gouge your eyes out…” Eugene cursed, his voice filled with hatred, as he limped along, leaning heavily on his cane.

“Hoho, gouge my eyes out? That’s a bit harsh, isn’t it?”

A familiar voice interrupted him.

Eugene looked up and saw a group of men in black fedoras blocking their path, their weapons glinting menacingly, potions strapped to their belts, their expressions hostile.

And standing among them was his old nemesis, Titus!

v2c27: What the Necromancer Council Desires

As Legnas watched in disbelief, Abyss summoned his magical catfish, enlarging it. He then reached into its gaping maw and pulled out a slender, pale arm.

First, a petite girl with silver hair emerged from the catfish’s belly. Then, a black-haired girl in a white dress, her feet bare. Finally, a graceful woman with flowing blonde hair.

“Are we back?!” Leona exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. Time was frozen within the catfish’s belly, so she had no sense of how much time had passed.

Flora looked around, surprised to find herself amidst a pile of rubble. She quickly realized it was Lannis’s house. She wasn’t worried about anything, except that the house seemed on the verge of collapse, and she feared for Abyss’s safety—although that was highly unlikely.

Rebecca, having inquired about the magical catfish’s abilities beforehand, was prepared for their return to Hai-Teweru. The moment she regained her mobility, she spread her arms wide and shouted, “Hai-Teweru! Your alchemist has returned!”

Abyss patted Leona’s head, exchanged a knowing glance with Flora, then nodded at Rebecca. “Yes, we’re back. But the situation is a bit complicated. Let’s resolve it first, then we can enjoy our homecoming.”

Legnas, meanwhile, was dumbfounded.

He had never heard of a familiar that could swallow people and spit them out, nor had he witnessed such advanced spatial magic. And the three girls Abyss had brought with him… He didn’t recognize two of them, but he instantly recognized the black-haired one!

His mission was to find Rebecca’s body. He had studied her extensively, memorizing her appearance from the descriptions in books—black hair, hazel eyes, delicate features. And based on the rumors among the common folk, she was also exceptionally well-endowed.

Rebecca’s figure was far from frail. She was youthful, her curves full and alluring, especially in the simple white dress she wore.

Had Abyss already resurrected her? What kind of high-level necromancy was this? Why did she look so lifelike, indistinguishable from a living person?! Legnas couldn’t believe his eyes. In his experience, even the most powerful Summoning necromancers could only restore a deceased individual to near their full potential in life, but their appearance still differed from the living. They had pale faces, lifeless eyes, imperfections that required makeup to conceal.

But these three girls didn’t seem to be wearing any makeup. Their beauty was natural, vibrant.

Who was this Abyss? How could he be so powerful?

Leona, after mentally calculating how many times Abyss had touched her head and how much she could charge him, finally noticed the mage pinned to the ground by bone spikes. He looked pathetic, and it was obvious Abyss was responsible.

“Abyss, do you need me to beat him up for you?” she asked.

“Oh, no, this man is looking for Rebecca,” Abyss said with a smile, patting Leona’s head. “I’m going to introduce him to her.”

“Twenty…” Leona muttered under her breath.

“Hmm? What was that?”

“Not telling! Blegh!” Leona stuck her tongue out at him.

Abyss lightly pulled her tongue, ignoring her indignant protests, then turned to Rebecca. “Rebecca, this is Legnas, from a necromancer organization called the Necromancer Council. He came to Lavoisier City looking for you. He claims you possess secrets about Shadow Demons. Do you know anything about that?”

“Secrets about Shadow Demons?” Rebecca asked, chewing on her finger thoughtfully, looking at Legnas with a puzzled expression. “Why would you think I have such secrets?”

“…Because during our investigation, we discovered that before your death, you acquired a batch of contaminated magic crystals from the Shadowed Depths, through several intermediaries,” Legnas said, his voice strained from the pain. Although he was reluctant to reveal his organization’s plans, he knew he couldn’t hide anything from Abyss. “Your research on those crystals must have involved the Shadow Demons’ world of origin. If we had access to your research, we might be able to communicate with those creatures…”

“Then why didn’t you act sooner?” Abyss asked, amused. The Necromancer Council was truly unlucky. They always seemed to be one step behind him, gaining nothing. If they had acted before him, Lannis might have died, and he would have faced even more challenges.

“Because it was a long shot. You know about the Lord of Submergence, right? Some of our members are his followers. We recently lost contact with him, so we decided to try and awaken Rebecca, hoping to control the Shadow Demons and maintain the Necromancer Council’s power,” Legnas said, his eyes fixed on Rebecca. “The Necromancer Council needs power, and we can never have too much.”

“Are you that determined to take revenge on the world?” Abyss asked, his voice laced with a hint of disapproval. “Why not consider alternative methods to achieve peace?”

“You’re a necromancer too. Don’t you understand the hatred people have for us?” Legnas scoffed at Abyss’s pacifistic ideals. “Are you willing to live with their constant hatred?”

“The living might dislike me, but the dead adore me,” Abyss said, spreading his hands. “I respect the deceased, and in return, they follow me willingly. But you treat them as slaves, so you don’t even earn their respect.”

“Hehe… Words are meaningless. There can never be peace between necromancers and the living. Even you, can you offer a solution that satisfies everyone?”

Abyss was stumped. Although he advocated for peace, he couldn’t think of a solution that would please everyone.

“Don’t try to distract my fiancé with your twisted logic. Revenge won’t bring any progress to this world,” Rebecca said, interrupting their conversation. “I understand the situation now. But unfortunately, I have no information about Shadow Demons. I did travel to another world using those crystals, but there were no Shadow Demons there. You came for nothing.”

“That’s impossible! The Three Venerables’ judgment is never wrong!” Legnas exclaimed, refusing to accept her answer.

v2c26: Don’t Even Think About It

Abyss paused, looking down at the bone spike protruding from his rib. It had branched from his rib, pierced through his chest, then curved back inwards, impaling his heart. Blood trickled from the wound, but the flow was slow, staining his sea-blue dress with a dark red blotch.

“Knowing I’m a Bone Necromancer, you shouldn’t have let your guard down. I’m quite skilled in this art,” the necromancer said, a triumphant smile on his face, as he slowly got to his feet. “I’ve shattered your heart.”

Abyss looked up at him. “Don’t leave yet. You haven’t told me your name.”

“I am Legnas. The Necromancer Council sends its regards,” the necromancer said, his voice cold, staring at Abyss as if he were already dead. “We can have a proper conversation once you’ve passed.”

That crossdressing freak is dead! Legnas thought, confident in his spell’s effectiveness.

He was an eighth-tier necromancer. Once a mage reached the seventh tier or higher, even against a stronger opponent, there was always a chance for a counterattack. A high-ranking combat mage’s destructive power could bypass any passive defense, unless the enemy anticipated the attack and countered it directly! It didn’t matter how powerful or mysterious this Abyss was. With his heart shattered, he couldn’t possibly survive, unless he wasn’t human!

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Legnas. I didn’t realize Bone Necromancers were so skilled these days. I almost didn’t react in time,” Abyss said, his voice calm and even, his emerald eyes meeting Legnas’s gaze, a hint of amusement in their depths.

“What?! Why aren’t you injured?!”

“To be precise, I suffered a minor flesh wound,” Abyss said, casually grabbing the bone spike protruding from his chest. He snapped it at its base, then pulled it out effortlessly.

Legnas stared in horror as he saw the bone spike in Abyss’s hand. It wasn’t the expected crescent shape, but a loop, as if it had encountered an obstacle and curved around it.

It had bypassed Abyss’s heart! This meant that Abyss had somehow intercepted and controlled his spell, a spell so swift that it had seemed impossible to react to!

Abyss tossed the bone spike aside, the sound of it clattering on the ground echoing through the basement. “I’m actually quite curious about the other necromantic schools and their current progress. It’s been a while since I’ve encountered a competent colleague.”

Fear gripped Legnas.

This gray-haired boy had effortlessly neutralized his supposedly ingenious attack, and instead of anger, he seemed intrigued?

Either Abyss was a nightmare, or he was an entity beyond Legnas’s comprehension, completely indifferent to his attacks!

He had to escape! This boy must be connected to the Lord of Submergence’s disappearance! He had to report this to the Council!

But Abyss had other plans. He was genuinely curious about the current state of necromancy.

He had never specialized in any particular school during his training. He learned every spell his master taught him, regardless of its school. Specialization was for those who sought to excel in a specific area. Abyss didn’t need that. His master’s carefully crafted training regimen had been completely unnecessary.

His understanding of necromantic schools was purely theoretical, based on his master’s teachings.

Every magic school had different branches, and necromancy was divided into three main schools: Summoning, Bone, and Corpse Puppetry. The spells Abyss used to resurrect his followers belonged to the Summoning school, capable of awakening the souls of the deceased, either as wraiths or by returning them to their bodies. The Bone school specialized in manipulating bones. Their most basic spells involved using bone dust and mana to create bone spikes and armor. It might seem unimpressive, but it was the most practical of the three schools. And finally, there was the Corpse Puppetry school, whose practitioners manipulated corpses without recalling their souls. A high-ranking Corpse Puppet Necromancer could control an entire army of undead, even utilizing a portion of their former combat abilities. Limb manipulation was one of their basic spells. Abyss had used this spell to control the Lord of Submergence’s billions of tentacles.

The Bone school did have spells that could manipulate an enemy’s bones, growing spikes to inflict damage. But this was the first time he had encountered one so fast. And since many of the spells he learned as a child were ancient techniques gleaned from deceased necromancers, he was curious about the current state of necromancy.

However, Legnas, having lost his will to fight, was looking for an opportunity to escape. He summoned his bone armor again, this time intending to fly away.

Abyss, seeing through his intentions, sighed. He flicked his finger.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

“Aaaaaargh!”

Legnas screamed in agony as bone spikes erupted from his own body! They pierced his skin, burrowed into the ground, and continued growing, anchoring him like a plant!

Excruciating pain shot through his body, and he instinctively tried to struggle, but he was firmly rooted to the ground, unable to move.

“Don’t even think about it. You attacked me, so I retaliated. If you don’t attack me, I won’t harm you. Let’s set aside the school discussion for now. Tell me, what’s your purpose here?”

Abyss remained seated, his posture relaxed and composed.

Faced with this insurmountable power disparity, Legnas finally abandoned his futile attempts at escape.

“I… I’m here to find Rebecca’s body… to acquire the secrets of Shadow Demons…”

“See, you should have just told me. We could have avoided this misunderstanding,” Abyss said, a smile spreading across his face. “Rebecca is with me. I’ll introduce you to her later. We’ll see what she says. Then, you can tell me about the Necromancer Council’s goals, and I’ll let you go. Everyone wins, how about that? Oh, and before that, I’m going to free your undead servants. I won’t ask for your permission. They have the right to decide their own fate.”

v2c25: The Eighth-Tier Mage Crushed by a Crossdressing Necromancer

Despite his shock, the necromancer’s combat instincts, honed through years of practicing dark magic, kicked in.

He chanted a spell, and his bone armor, having already launched all its spikes, grew thicker, enveloping his body, making him appear larger and more imposing.

The bone spikes, now under Abyss’s control, hovered in the air, patiently waiting for the necromancer to prepare himself before launching their attack.

“Aah!” Eugene, standing beside the necromancer, lacked the protection of enhanced bone armor. He screamed, covering his head with his hands as the swarm of bone spikes hurtled towards them. He couldn’t bear to watch the clash between these powerful mages. He squeezed his eyes shut, his body trembling within the basic bone armor, as a cacophony of clanging sounds erupted from the necromancer beside him.

Abyss remained seated, not even bothering to stand up. As he casually brushed dust off his dress, the bone spikes he had commandeered rained down on their former master.

The necromancer’s thick bone armor did its job. The spikes created craters on its surface but failed to penetrate. However, the necromancer wasn’t unharmed. Although the armor absorbed the spikes’ piercing force, it couldn’t negate their immense kinetic energy. The continuous barrage knocked him off balance, his internal organs churning. He would have collapsed, but the spikes’ new master seemed determined to keep him upright, pushing him back into a standing position whenever he stumbled.

“Gah!” The necromancer screamed in pain, his body swaying like a reed in a storm.

Abyss, meanwhile, sat on the ground, his legs gracefully crossed. He had initially intended to adopt a more casual posture, but his dress restricted his movements. He adjusted his position, sitting sideways.

Thump!

As blood trickled from the necromancer’s mouth, Abyss’s attack reached its climax. The remaining bone spikes slammed into the necromancer simultaneously. With a resounding crash, the thick bone armor shattered, exploding into fragments.

The necromancer, unable to withstand the impact, collapsed, desperately trying to get up. But the pain coursing through his body, his internal organs churning, made it impossible.

“Your bone armor is quite impressive. Are you a Bone Necromancer?” Abyss asked, his voice calm.

The necromancer, gasping for breath, looked up at Abyss, who sat there gracefully, his feminine attire contrasting with his deep, masculine voice. He couldn’t believe he, an eighth-tier necromancer, had been effortlessly defeated by this seemingly unassuming young man! And a crossdressing one at that?

The ability to control another necromancer’s bone spikes, especially those of an eighth-tier mage, meant this individual was also a necromancer, and his power far surpassed his own!

Who was this person? Why was he in this insignificant city of Lavoisier? Why was he helping that crazy alchemist?

“What’s your school… Why did you attack me…” the necromancer rasped, wiping the blood from his mouth. “Don’t you know about… the Necromancer Council?”

“Ah, so you’re from the Necromancer Council. I didn’t intend to attack you. You struck first,” Abyss said, scratching his head. “As for my school… I can’t say for sure. I know a bit of everything. Wasn’t the Necromancer Council seeking the Lord of Submergence’s power? Why are you kidnapping alchemists now?”

Abyss was feigning ignorance. He had already deduced the Necromancer Council’s current predicament. Bishop Dallan, sent to investigate the Lord of Submergence’s artifact, had vanished without a trace. And everyone who knew about the battle outside Golden Griffin City had their memories altered by Flora and Abyss, turning the event into an unsolved mystery. And they must have lost contact with the Lord of Submergence—after all, he was now technically Leona’s subordinate. Compared to Abyss, who provided a steady supply of souls, this easily satisfied Outer God wouldn’t bother with those self-important necromancers.

“You know about the Lord of Submergence?” the necromancer asked, his voice filled with disbelief, as he finally caught his breath.

“Don’t answer a question with a question. I’m asking you,” Abyss said, frowning, a hint of annoyance in his voice. “What is the Necromancer Council planning?”

“Like I would tell you…” the necromancer said, his eyes narrowed.

“Fine, keep your secrets. I’ll ask you again later—hey, mister, you can put your hands down. I wasn’t planning to attack you,” Abyss said, turning to Eugene, who was still cowering behind his hands.

The necromancer had expected anger, but the young man seemed unconcerned, even addressing the terrified Eugene.

Eugene, hearing his name, hesitantly lowered his hands, looking at Abyss. He realized that covering his head was a pointless gesture against such overwhelming power.

“You must be Mr. Eugene,” Abyss said with a smile. “I’ve heard so much about you. By the way, I dismantled your solvent machine and freed the child laborers from your factory. You don’t mind, do you?”

“Huh?”

Eugene was stunned, speechless. A wave of rage surged through him, but he quickly suppressed it.

How could he retaliate? He had witnessed this young man effortlessly defeat an eighth-tier necromancer, without even standing up!

“We need to have a little ‘family meeting,’ so please excuse us. And if you could kindly withdraw your men outside, it would be much appreciated,” Abyss said, glancing at the terrified Goat Eyes gang members through the holes in the wall. “Your legs seem a bit wobbly. Perhaps I could assist you?”

“This…” Eugene hesitated, glancing at the necromancer lying on the ground.

Crash!

The Goat Eyes gang members, huddled outside, were still debating whether to storm the house and rescue their leader. But before they could reach a decision, they saw Eugene, clad in a thin layer of bone armor, crash through the wall, landing heavily on the ground!

Eugene lay there, gasping for breath. Abyss had sent him flying without even moving. Although he was unharmed thanks to the bone armor, he had crashed through two walls, his vision spinning.

“Retreat… Retreat… The enemy has reinforcements…” he stammered, issuing his order.

“Protect the boss!” The remaining Goat Eyes gang members finally remembered their duty, rushing towards Eugene.

…

Inside the house, Abyss smiled at the necromancer lying on the ground.

“Now that we’re alone, let’s talk. My name is Abyss. What’s yours?”

Shhhk!

The necromancer’s response was a bone spike erupting from Abyss’s own rib, piercing his chest!

v2c24: A Warm Welcome Home for Mr. Abyss

As Abyss emerged from the portal, he found himself plummeting into a deep pit, the Gateway to the New World falling alongside him. A wave of searing heat washed over him, singeing his face.

Startled by Lannis’s overly enthusiastic welcome, he exhaled a blast of icy air, transforming the heat into a cool breeze. He then chanted a spell, invisible winds catching him, the falling portal, and the chunk of floor they were standing on. He also extended his magic to support the collapsing ceiling above, realizing it was Lannis’s basement.

Despite his emotional obliviousness, Abyss was perceptive in such situations. He instantly understood what was happening.

Enemies, immune to Lannis’s explosives, had breached her defenses. He didn’t know their motives, but he was certain they wouldn’t show her any mercy.

As these thoughts crossed his mind, he had already levitated the fallen section of floor back to its original position, returning to the basement.

Lannis lay on the ground, seemingly resigned to her fate, while a spectral warrior stood before her, observing the surroundings with a hesitant expression.

“Hmm? What’s going on? Why is there a specter here?” Abyss wondered, scratching his head, deciding to assess the situation before releasing the girls.

He had assumed the enemy was simply powerful, but he hadn’t expected a spectral warrior! And a formidable one at that. No wonder Lannis couldn’t defend herself. These creatures were practically immune to physical attacks. Explosives wouldn’t harm them.

But why a specter? Were necromancers now bold enough to operate openly in cities?

He sensed another magical force attempting to stabilize the ceiling, but it was weaker and more frantic compared to his own.

“Hey, spectral friend,” Abyss said, his voice calm, as he crouched down and helped Lannis to her feet. He addressed the specter, who was standing motionless. “Who sent you here? Is the one controlling you up there, trying to hold up the ceiling with magic?”

“Grrr…”

The specter remained silent. Abyss, after a moment of thought, repeated his question in the ancient language.

The specter, finally understanding, nodded fearfully but resolutely, replying in broken ancient language, “Evil… mage… control… me… kill… halfling… above… waiting.”

“I see,” Abyss said, nodding, then snapped his fingers. “You’re free now.”

The chain around the specter’s neck shattered, severing the link between him and the necromancer. The spectral warrior, freed from his enslavement, touched his neck, bewildered, unsure what to do.

“I’m not dead?” Lannis, whom Abyss had been holding by the collar, finally lifted her head, her face covered in dust, her eyes wide with surprise. “Gray-haired boy? You’re back? Or did we both die and end up in the afterlife?”

“I’m back,” Abyss shrugged. “Were you hoping I would die?”

“You succeeded? You wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t!” Lannis exclaimed, her voice rising in pitch.

“Hehe, I won’t tell you,” Abyss said, grinning mischievously. “First, tell me what’s going on with the enemy.”

Lannis, about to throw a tantrum, realized there must be a reason for Abyss’s smugness. “Boy, if you had arrived any later, I would be speaking to you as a ghost. There’s a necromancer up there, I don’t know where he came from. He wanted to capture me. I couldn’t fight him, so I blew up the place.”

“You risked your life?”

“It was my promise. I said I wouldn’t let the enemy near the portal, and I keep my promises, even if it means death,” Lannis said, wiping the dust off her face, grinning.

“I admire your dedication,” Abyss said, smiling at her. “You seem to be injured. Rest here for a while. I’ll deal with our necromantic ‘family matters’ upstairs. I’ll be back soon. Don’t worry, the ceiling won’t collapse.”

“You’re not with him, are you?” Lannis asked, sitting down without hesitation. She was exhausted and out of explosives. Even if she detonated the remaining ones, it wouldn’t achieve much.

“Of course not. I wouldn’t associate with someone like him,” Abyss said, then turned and walked towards the basement exit, pausing to pat the spectral warrior on the shoulder. “If you don’t wish to rest yet, you can follow me. I won’t disappoint you. I’m going to deal with the one who enslaved you. Wait here for me.”

The spectral warrior stared at Abyss’s retreating figure, grumbling, seemingly surprised by his offer of freedom.

In his time, there were no mages who could enslave the dead. The necromancers he had encountered after becoming a specter were all ruthless individuals who showed no respect for the deceased. He had never met one who treated the dead as equals.

Could it be… that not all necromancers were evil?

…

The necromancer, standing in Lannis’s ruined house, felt a growing sense of unease. Someone had stabilized the collapsing basement, and then silence had fallen.

Before he could decipher what had happened, he felt a sudden disconnect within his mind—he had lost his connection to Kells, the ancient warrior specter!

He was horrified. That was his strongest servant!

He wanted to rush down and investigate, but his instincts screamed at him to stay put!

Lannis was alone down there! What had she done? What had she summoned?

A terrifying premonition filled him, urging him to raise his bone spikes, aiming them at the basement entrance. Something was coming, although he couldn’t sense any presence. A primal fear surged within him!

Eugene, witnessing the necromancer’s reaction, was surprised. What was this powerful eighth-tier mage so afraid of?

Then, a gray-haired figure in a dress slowly emerged from the basement entrance.

The necromancer, his nerves on edge, reacted instantly, launching all his bone spikes towards the approaching figure, a deadly swarm filling the air!

“Hold on, let’s talk,” a calm voice said.

And as the words echoed through the air, the bone spikes lost their connection to the necromancer. They changed course, turning on their former master, stopping a meter before him.

The necromancer’s face paled. His necromancy had been completely suppressed!

v2c23: Protecting Her Precious Legacy

Bang!

An explosion erupted as the bone spikes entered the basement, accompanied by a spray of red, glowing liquid.

The bone spikes, traveling at the speed of arrows, pierced through the exploding liquid. However, before they could travel a few meters, they began to melt, dissolving like snowflakes.

The necromancer’s face, hidden behind his bone mask, contorted in a frown. He hadn’t expected Lannis to possess a potion capable of disrupting his control over the bone spikes.

The spikes were formed from a small amount of bone dust and a large amount of mana. The potion Lannis had used not only reacted with the bone dust, dissolving it, but also interfered with the necromancer’s mana control, preventing him from maintaining the spikes’ shape. This was something the eighth-tier necromancer hadn’t anticipated.

Could a mere mortal counter an eighth-tier mage’s attack with a potion?

But his frown lasted only a moment. He chanted another spell, retrieving a small jar from his person and opening its lid.

As Eugene watched in surprise, a translucent figure emerged from the jar, initially just a wisp of smoke, then gradually solidifying, taking on a human form. It was a spectral warrior, clad in heavy armor, a two-handed sword and a light crossbow strapped to his back, a shield and a scimitar in his hands. His imposing figure suggested a powerful and respected warrior in life.

“Kells, pierce the heart of the halfling in the basement. Don’t damage her brain,” the necromancer commanded.

However, the spectral warrior, Kells, didn’t obey immediately. He grumbled, his voice a low growl, reluctantly moving towards the basement entrance.

“Faster. Don’t give her time to prepare,” the necromancer said, his voice cold and commanding. He then began chanting another spell. A thin chain materialized around the spectral warrior’s neck, tightening rapidly. The warrior roared in pain, clawing at his throat, but the chain wouldn’t budge.

This spurred the spectral warrior into action. He leaped into the basement, bypassing the stairs.

“Master, what is that you summoned?” Eugene asked, his voice filled with awe.

“The specter of an ancient warrior,” the necromancer replied, not moving from his spot, his voice calm and collected. “He was powerful in life, perhaps eighth-tier. But now, he’s my slave. I have many slaves, but he’s the strongest. He’ll complete his task efficiently.”

“Amazing! To think you would resort to such measures for me. I’m truly humbled. As expected of a high-ranking mage, your power is boundless…”

“I have my own reasons,” the necromancer interrupted, cutting short Eugene’s flattery.

Eugene, silenced, dared not speak further. He knew that angering this powerful mage could lead to his swift demise—and even death might not be the end, considering the necromancer’s abilities.

They remained outside while the spectral warrior descended into the basement, his weightless form making no sound as he landed.

Lannis stood in the basement, a jumble of alchemical equipment behind her, as if trying to conceal something.

“Grrr…” The spectral warrior stared at her with his glowing blue eyes, his expression hesitant, but he continued his advance, his heavy footsteps echoing through the basement.

Lannis’s smile faltered. She was trapped.

These spectral warriors, controlled by necromancers, only materialized when attacking, and their bodies possessed remarkable regenerative abilities. Even if she managed to injure him, it wouldn’t significantly hinder his combat effectiveness. Although Lannis was an alchemist, she was knowledgeable about various magic systems, especially the infamous and ruthless tactics employed by necromancers. She knew she had no chance.

She couldn’t fight him, not with her explosives. She hadn’t anticipated Eugene hiring a high-ranking necromancer…

She wondered if the gray-haired boy who had entered the portal was stronger than this necromancer, who had effortlessly cornered her without breaking a sweat.

The spectral warrior continued his advance, sheathing his scimitar and shield, drawing his two-handed sword, a weapon better suited for thrusting attacks.

Lannis gritted her teeth, her eyes hardening.

There was one more option…

She pulled out a magic crystal remote from her pocket, channeled her mana into it, and activated several hidden mechanisms within the basement…

Boom!

A ring of explosions erupted behind her, centered around the Gateway to the New World. The basement floor collapsed, the heavy stone slab, along with the portal, falling into a deep pit.

Yes, even though she had known Rebecca was likely gone, Lannis had prepared for this scenario when constructing her house. Beneath the basement was another hidden space, designed to protect Rebecca’s portal at all costs. She had never given up hope of her mistress’s return. All she needed was an opportunity!

And now, she had entrusted that opportunity to the gray-haired boy. Even if she died, she would ensure his safe return to this world!

The powerful blast threw Lannis off her feet, but she quickly retrieved another remote and activated it.

Rumble! Crash!

Another series of explosions rocked the basement. The supporting walls crumbled, and the ceiling caved in, burying everything in a cascade of rubble.

“You might be after me, but you’ll get nothing!” Lannis shouted, her face contorted in a manic grin, as flames and smoke engulfed her.

The massive explosion shook the entire city, and even the necromancer, standing in Lannis’s ruined house, stumbled, his composure momentarily broken.

“Suicide! That madwoman!” he cursed.

A specter’s state was linked to its condition at the moment of death. If Lannis’s brain had been severely damaged by the explosion, her memories might be lost!

He needed her to retrieve Rebecca’s body! He had to!

Desperate, the necromancer channeled his mana, pushing it to its limits, attempting to stabilize the collapsing basement.

But… It wasn’t as difficult as he had anticipated.

“Hmm? Someone’s helping me?” he thought, sensing something unusual.

v2c22: The Necromancer’s Secret Quest

“Kill her, Master,” Eugene said to the necromancer beside him.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The necromancer nodded, his expression impassive, seemingly devoid of any emotion towards taking a life. With a flick of his fingers, the sharp bone spikes hovering in the air shot towards Lannis’s house. They pierced the walls effortlessly, like swords through paper, turning the entire structure into a sieve. Eugene could see through the countless holes, straight to the other side!

But the screams he had anticipated didn’t come. He spat on the ground, his voice filled with frustration. “Damn it, she’s hiding in the basement!”

“Go in and kill her,” the necromancer said, gesturing with his hand. The bone spikes that had riddled Lannis’s house flew back, attaching themselves to him and Eugene, transforming and merging, forming two suits of white bone armor.

Eugene, feeling emboldened by the armor, struck the ground with his cane, issuing orders to his men. “All of you, stay here and watch for any movement. If those Black Hats try to rescue Lannis, do what you must! No one slacks off until Master and I return with her corpse!”

“Yes, sir!” the Goat Eyes gang members shouted in unison, dispersing quickly, surrounding Lannis’s house. Their lack of training and discipline was evident in their haphazard movements, but they were still a formidable force.

“Alright, Master, help me kill that damned halfling! I’ll reward you handsomely!” Eugene said, his voice brimming with anticipation.

The necromancer, unfazed by Eugene’s enthusiasm, simply nodded, his voice cold and detached. “Agreed. But remember our agreement. I’m not here just for the money. Lannis is mine to deal with.”

“Of course,” Eugene said, a hint of disappointment in his voice, but he agreed nonetheless. “Let’s not waste any time. Let’s go inside.”

The two figures, clad in bone armor, approached Lannis’s house. The walls were riddled with holes. The necromancer chanted a spell, an invisible shockwave slamming into the wall, creating a large opening. They stepped through the rubble and entered the courtyard.

Boom!

Before they could take a few steps, a deafening explosion erupted behind them!

Lannis had planted more explosives underground! The Goat Eyes gang members, caught off guard, their vigilance relaxed after assuming victory was certain, were thrown off their feet by the blast. Several lost their legs, their screams echoing through the air. In an instant, half of the men surrounding Lannis’s house were incapacitated.

“Hahaha! Eugene, you old fool! Come closer! Come closer!” Lannis’s laughter boomed from the magical amplifier.

Eugene struggled to control his rage. He wanted to scream, even though he had been carefully cultivating an image of a refined gentleman since becoming wealthy.

But the bone armor, a gift from the necromancer Master, calmed him. Yes, this necromancer was a powerful eighth-tier mage! Lannis’s bombs were no match for his magic! This was the insurmountable gap between a mage and an ordinary human! No potion could bridge that chasm!

A humble gang leader, commanding a high-ranking mage! He had been incredulous when he encountered this dark mage who had traveled all the way from the Shadowed Depths the previous night.

The mage had offered to eliminate his rivals, the Black Hats, in exchange for Lannis, whom Eugene had captured and imprisoned in his factory. What a profitable deal!

Even though he had received news that morning that Lannis had vanished along with the factory’s child laborers, the patient necromancer hadn’t seemed concerned, even promising to resolve the situation flawlessly!

Eugene didn’t care about Lannis’s secrets. He just wanted to make money. He wasn’t interested in what this corpse-loving mage desired. It held no value to him. Money was all that mattered! Heaps of imperial coins, more women for his pleasure, more children to exploit for cheap labor!

So what if he was angry? He just had to follow this Master!

Eugene strode towards Lannis’s house, his fear replaced by a sense of invincibility. Lannis, seemingly aware that their bone armor protected them from explosions, hadn’t detonated the remaining explosives in the courtyard. She was waiting for something.

But the necromancer wasn’t concerned. He walked up to the front door and casually sliced it open with his bone-clad hand.

Then, he stepped inside.

“Lannis, come out. You have no chance of winning,” the necromancer’s voice, muffled by the bone armor, echoed through the house.

“Hahaha, necromancer, I don’t even know you. Do you think you have the authority to negotiate my surrender?” Lannis’s voice, amplified by the magical device, replied.

The necromancer, tired of her games, chanted a spell. Several bone spikes shot from his body, homing in on the source of Lannis’s voice, destroying the magical amplifier.

He then located the basement entrance. He chanted another spell, a wave of magical energy emanating from him, probing the basement. It returned a moment later, carrying information—a rapidly beating heart, clearly belonging to an agitated halfling.

“Rebecca Viper… Share with me the secrets you know about Shadow Demons…”

The necromancer muttered these words, then gestured with his fingers. Numerous bone spikes detached from his and Eugene’s armor, swarming into the basement!

v2c21: Lannis’s Little Gift

When Eugene’s men arrived at Lannis’s house, the air was thick with the pungent smell of potent potions and the lingering smoke from explosions.

Several Goat Eyes gang members lay groaning on the ground, their legs mangled by the blasts, bone shards protruding from the shredded flesh. The sight chilled the spines of those arriving behind them.

Lannis’s usual antics involved mostly property damage, leading people to believe she was just a harmless pyromaniac. But seeing their comrades maimed, they remembered that she was a madwoman, truly unhinged. If provoked, her retaliation would be swift and brutal.

She had spared these men, not out of mercy, but as a warning to those who followed. The sight of their mangled bodies, their screams echoing through the air, was far more effective than a pile of lifeless corpses.

Eugene stared coldly at the small figure perched atop Lannis’s wall, observing them with amusement.

He recognized her instantly. It was Lannis, the explosives-obsessed madwoman.

“Lannis! Why did you destroy my solvent machine? We don’t have any unresolved grudges, do we? You bombed my warehouses, so I detained you temporarily for compensation. It was a perfectly reasonable action,” Eugene said, his voice laced with barely suppressed rage, his eyes like a viper’s, fixed on Lannis. “But you collaborated with the Black Hats to attack my factory? That’s going too far.”

“Hahaha, I apologize, but I never ask about grudges before I blow things up. You should know that, you well-dressed old geezer,” Lannis’s voice boomed, amplified by some magical device, her laughter echoing around the Goat Eyes gang members.

“Hey, Lannis, you know I have to kill you today, right?” Eugene said, his anger morphing into a chilling smile. “You attacked the foundation of the Goat Eyes Gang. This is far more serious than stealing my woman or bombing my warehouses. You’ve made me very unhappy, and there’s only one way to restore my good mood: First, I’ll cripple you, then I’ll burn down your house right before your eyes. I know you were once Lavoisier City’s wealthiest citizen, Miss Rebecca’s assistant. You possess many of her belongings. I’ll destroy them all, just to see if a madwoman like you can feel sadness.”

“Hahahahahaha…” Lannis cackled. “You want to enter my house? Have you asked my explosives for permission? If you dare trespass, something wonderful will happen! Explosions! Explosions! Beautiful fireworks! Boom!”

“Capture that damned halfling!” Eugene roared, losing his patience.

“I’ll get her!” a gang member with a metal prosthetic arm shouted, rushing forward. He aimed his arm at Lannis, perched on the wall.

Hiss! Bang!

Steam erupted from multiple vents on his prosthetic arm, and the metal hand split open, firing a barbed arrow attached to a long chain. The arrow, imbued with a magic array, pierced Lannis’s shoulder, the barbs anchoring it securely.

Clank! Clank! Clank!

The chain retracted, pulling Lannis’s small body towards them. Eugene finally got a clear view of her face.

Or rather, what was supposed to be her face. It wasn’t Lannis at all, but a doll made of a strange material, dressed in her clothes! Its lifeless eyes stared at Eugene, mocking his rage.

“Surprise gift!”

Lannis’s shrill laughter echoed from the magical amplifier. Eugene, sensing danger, quickly retreated. At that moment, the doll in the metal-armed gang member’s hand exploded!

Boom!

The overzealous gang member’s body was ripped apart by the blast, dying instantly. Eugene, thanks to his quick reaction, was relatively unharmed, but the shockwave and the searing heat singed his face, sending him and several nearby gang members flying.

He crashed to the ground, then quickly scrambled to his feet. He smelled something burning. He touched his face, realizing his meticulously groomed mustache had been partially singed off!

“Fuck!” Eugene roared, his usual composure shattered, his true nature, a ruthless thug, exposed.

“Ehahahaha!” Lannis cackled. “Get out! Get out! One more step into my house, and I’ll blow you all to bits! Do you even know where you’re standing? You think I only planted explosives within my property? You’re standing in my minefield! I’ll send you all flying, high enough to touch the sun!”

“Damn it! I’ll kill you, Lannis!” Eugene shouted, grabbing a nearby man by the collar. “Master! Protect me! I’ll pay you!”

The man he had grabbed was thin and frail, his face pale, his eyes vacant. He turned to Eugene and nodded slightly.

The man stomped his foot, chanting a spell. A network of white bones erupted from the ground around him, spreading rapidly, covering an area of over ten meters in diameter. Several gang members, unable to dodge the rapidly growing bones, screamed as their feet were pierced.

Lannis detonated the explosives beneath their feet.

Thump!

A muffled sound echoed from beneath the bone-covered ground. The bones shattered, but the explosion’s flames and shrapnel were contained, unable to reach Eugene, who stood at the center of the blast zone. A few gang members vomited from the shockwave, but Eugene was unfazed.

“You hired a necromancer? You’re resourceful, old man!” Lannis cackled. “Perhaps he can collect your corpse after you’re dead!”

“Still so arrogant on the brink of death!” Eugene said, his smile twisted. “You won’t be laughing for long! Master! Take care of her!”

The bones that had covered the ground rose into the air, their sharp edges glinting menacingly, aimed at Lannis’s house. With a single thought from the necromancer, they could turn the house into a beehive.

“It’s too good for you, but you can finally shut up. Oh, wait, I suppose this necromancer can resurrect you and make you suffer even in death,” Eugene said with a cruel smile.