NOVEL NEXT Chapter 6
– Clack.
“What are you going to do? I’ve already made my decision.”
– Clatter!
According to the knowledge ingrained in my mind, there are four ways for a necromancer to utilize the corpses of enemies obtained in battle.
One way is to completely dissolve the dead human’s body with magical energy and feed it to the Dungeon Core to increase the magical power necessary for constructing the dungeon.
The second method involves sacrificing equipment or souls in exchange for ‘coins,’ which can then be used to purchase various needed items.
The third is to directly control the corpse or soul with the necromancer’s inherent technique, employing them as soldiers.
Finally, the fourth method is to use parts of the corpse as enhancement materials for existing soldiers.
Among these, the second method can also be employed by Dungeon Lords of other categories, but the rest are exclusive to Undead-type Dungeon Lords.
Of these, the method I am about to use first is the last one that wasn’t available in Mill Don 1.
Time must have evolved the necromancy within the Mill Don world.
“Let’s see… ‘Sacrifice Appraisal.'”
Following the knowledge that came to mind, I operated the overflowing magical power of the Dungeon Core within my body.
Black magic puffed and coiled, mixed with purple lightning, forming a small sphere that floated in my palm.
After bursting the sphere, I spread it wide, moistening my eyes.
『Name – Jack Miller』
『Job and Rank – Apprentice Warrior』
『Attributes – Strength 12 Agility 6 Endurance 8 Magic 4 Resistance 5』
『Traits – Explosive Strength』
『An adventurer warrior with capabilities beyond his rank. His physical body is of high quality.』
『His head has suffered severe damage, leading to a decrease in rank and a loss of full capabilities if used as a sacrifice for the Undead.』
As I raised my gaze towards Jack’s corpse, the information of the deceased flickered in my mind, appearing as a message window before my eyes.
Though it might seem shabby compared to a Skeleton’s stats, this warrior’s stats were undoubtedly high, based on my knowledge of beginner adventurers.
Adventurers don’t usually have one or two traits from the start compared to basic Dungeon units, which adds to this.
If Remia hadn’t been distracted by the Goblin Zombie, she could have delayed me significantly with my own soldiers.
Of course, had they ignored the Goblin Zombie, they would have used it to put a knife to Sonia’s throat.
『Name – Remia Olas』
『Job and Rank – Apprentice Archer』
『Attributes – Strength 8 Agility 10 Endurance 6 Magic 12 Resistance 6』
『Traits – Moonlight Capture』
『An adventurer archer with capabilities beyond her rank. Both her body and soul are of high quality.』
『Very little damage.』
‘So she’s an archer, not a thief or hunter.’
I initially thought she leaned that way because of using a crossbow and dagger, but it seems it was based on convenience in equipment choice.
In Remia’s case, her stats were even slightly better than Jack’s.
『Moonlight Capture – Increases the critical hit probability and damage of thrown or projectile attacks that hit the target.』
Her single trait is purple, of the hero grade.
With stats like these, she reaches slightly above apprenticeship level, approaching a somewhat clumsy official adventurer level.
If we disregard the magical stats that can’t be used for now, Jack would still hold an edge, but with a bit of time for growth or by taking on a mentor to learn magic, she could easily hold her own anywhere.
‘If the enemy wasn’t my Skeleton, she would have surely lived to return normally.’
The demise of such a talented individual is akin to the loss of a promising candidate for humanity.
If this represents the average specs of today’s beginner adventurers, future battles might be a bit tougher.
Yet the quality of loot gained after such battles would also rise.
Even in Mill Don 1, having corpses of those ‘with capabilities beyond their rank’ increased the likelihood of receiving titles when turned into Undead, making it matter more how exceptional their abilities were compared to the average rather than how strong they were alive.
Of course, usually, those two characteristics coexist, so it wasn’t something to worry too much about.
But it’s rare to get a stroke of luck like this.
“Come here.”
– Snap.
I decided to use one of my quality first spoils for my first soldier.
As if anticipating what would happen, the Skeleton knelt before me, resembling a knight in posture; it was quite satisfactory.
Having such a dashing one serving me made me feel as if I were really of high status.
I proceeded to enhance him using Jack’s corpse.
“’Sacrificial Enhancement.’”
『Entity – Conducting enhancement using Jack Miller’s corpse on the nameless perfect Skeleton swordsman.』
Swish!
With the initiation of necromancy, the black magic covered the corpse, which appeared to dissolve into a state between liquid and gas, some of it seeping into the ground while the rest merged with my soldier.
This was enhancing my superior soldier using the material from an excellent individual’s corpse.
What outcome would this yield?
『The nameless perfect Skeleton swordsman’s Strength and Endurance have increased by 1.』
『The ‘Explosive Strength’ trait of Jack Miller has been inherited.』
There was no need for a long wait to recognize him.
『Title/Entity Name – Perfect Skeleton Swordsman』
『Attributes – Strength 13 Agility 15 Endurance 11 Magic 12 Resistance 13』
『Traits – Specialization: Swordsmanship, Explosive Strength』
『Explosive Strength – In battle, it can unleash 100% attack strength for necessary single shot attacks.』
“Wonderful… truly.”
This soldier, who initially had a spec I would find hard to believe had never been promoted, now had even further improved stats.
Though he was just a ‘black’ one, he had gained an additional special trait, making him more powerful than before.
Based on Mill Don 1, a normal Skeleton would need at least twenty to ambush my current soldier.
Assuming excellent orders brought down casualties to less than five.
“Wanna give it a try?”
There was a suitable target for testing the traits.
That would be Jack’s small iron shield, which had various markings and designs all over it, likely from Jack’s hobbies, making it impossible to sell as is.
Regarding the conversion to coins, it didn’t matter if it was intact or damaged.
– Snap!
Crack -!!
The soldier charged at the shield after a solid jab to the jaw, gripping the Bastard Sword’s handle with both hands as he thrust powerfully at the center of the shield face.
The crimson light that had been shimmering over the Bastard Sword traced a straight path before disappearing.
Crash -!!
Using the attack without hesitation and without proper stance to concentrate power, he executed the assault in no time.
Even so, the iron shield being targeted was shattered with surprising ease.
Clap clap clap.
“Quite satisfactory. Congratulations. Good capabilities.”
What incredible power!
If such an attack could occur at any time, shields below a certain level would indeed become utterly meaningless.
Typically, shields are meant to be focused on deflecting rather than absorbing blows, but even considering that, this was remarkable.
If a shield partially reinforced with iron breaks so easily, a wooden shield would struggle to withstand it at all.
This could grant superiority over adventurers forming tight formations while using standard shields to deal with tougher opponents.
Perhaps Jack lacked magic, so he considered such attacks a trump card. Then, due to a momentary misstep, he lost his life without a chance to utilize his ability.
In my soldier’s case, due to overwhelming capability, he could perform the same attack several times within the same amount of time, making it a significant advantage.
– Clack!
The satisfaction from witnessing his own accomplishment radiated from him.
“Well then…”
After sharing a moment of joy by patting his arm, I turned my attention to my second harvest.
Remia’s corpse still had the dagger plunged in her heart.
The dagger’s hilt jutted out from beneath her left breast, with congealed blood dripping from below, her face pale, eyelids and lips dried and cracked shut.
Looking at the corpse still felt uncomfortable, though perhaps I had grown accustomed to it, it wasn’t horrifying enough for me to look away completely; it just felt grotesque.
That very discomfort made it seem as though I was taking another step toward monstrosity, yet I should probably get more comfortable with such feelings.
“’Summon: Skeleton.’”
Sssss…
Without waiting longer, I raised my power and muttered the designated incantation, a slithering, unsettling sound spread.
The magic enveloping Remia’s body quickly ‘peeled’ it, leaving just the bones behind.
All flesh and organs melted away to black, disappearing through the ground of the dungeon.
This wasn’t just excess dissipating, rather it transformed into magic and was devoured by the dungeon on its own. That same effect had occurred earlier when part of Jack seeped into the ground.
– Clack.
Moments later, what remained in place was Remia, now standing as a skeletal form.
Compared to the soldiers I previously held, she looked less pristine, with bloodstains not yet removed and remnants of flesh adhered to her body, and bore a less imposing presence as Soldier No. 2.
As I observed the new Skeleton, my curiosity was piqued even more than her strength.
The figure I had referred to simply as ‘that one’ in my head was strikingly similar to the new Skeleton’s skeletal form.
“Wait… you were a girl?”
It was a moment of realization when I understood the fact I had merely speculated about while gazing at her slender skeleton before.
– Clatter.
The one who showed no emotional response or reaction at all. After a moment of looking at her face, I began to confirm Remia’s information.
It was quite curious to discover that the dependable figure I’d unconsciously relied on was indeed a woman in life, but that didn’t matter much right now.
『Title/Entity Name – ‘Delicate’ Skeleton』
『Attributes – Strength 6 Agility 11 Endurance 3 Magic 8 Resistance 5』
『Traits – Member of the Necropolis』
“Hmm.”
The first thing that caught my eye was the attributes had diminished by at least 1 and as much as half, along with an empty traits slot except for what I had bestowed.
There was no need for disappointment.
In truth, I hadn’t anticipated gaining a title, and getting to retain her agility while accompanied by the title was a significant achievement itself.
Moreover, the lost traits would likely still linger as potential. If she were raised as an archer or tracker, the chances of recovery would be high.
Her magical capability remains elevated, so if she were to acquire other species’ powers later, she might even learn a spell or two, or rank up as a Mage. So, there was no need for further disappointment.
‘This is an ordinary… or rather, a decent Skeleton.’
Though, I almost found myself slightly disappointed.
It seemed my previous soldier was so powerful that the standard had somewhat risen in the meantime.
“Well then, here’s your weapon.”
– Clack.
Having assigned her the crossbow and two daggers she had previously used, I once again looked at my first Skeleton.
To discuss a certain uncertainty I had suddenly thought of.
“Speaking of which, I haven’t even named you yet.”