After Otto's class, I went through the rest of my day as usual though this time, after supper and before I left the village to make my way out to my undead, I once more returned to the library to continue inscribing more copies of the different stories I could find. Though the village had funded the library, it was actually quite small, and if I spent the entire night here, I would be able to have nearly three fourths of the library completely stored in my inventory.
And that's what I did. I spent the entire night inscribing books, though as the night passed I found that I wasn't feeling the least bit tired. Confused, I looked at my stats to see if I could make an understanding of why that was.
<[ Eric]>
<[ Human ]>
<[ Necromancer ]>
<[ Level 4]>
<[Exp: 163.5/400]>
Health: 51/51
Stamina: 22/22
Mana: 22/22
Willpower: 161/200
<[ Statistics ]>
Strength: 12
Agility: 7
Intellect: 11
Vitality: 14
Energy: 28
Extra Stat points: 10
I noticed that my willpower was quite high and my mana was entirely filled up. Seeing this, I could only assume that since both of these stats were still quite full, I was able to go without sleeping, though I thought it best that I check later tomorrow to see if there's a difference. Of course, to verify if it was my willpower that allowed me to not feel tired, I figured it would be best not to use any of my mana in the following day as I experimented with my sleep schedule.
I also realized that I had found it far easier to inscribe the new books today then I had previously, though I immediately figured that it had something to do with my intellect level being increased.
As I was looking at my stats, I quickly realized that I had entirely forgotten to assign my new level 3 free points from earlier this morning, along with the fact of looking at the notifications of my undead killing things. I decided to look at all the experience notifications that my undead had brought me.
[10]
[6] x 4
[1] x 7
[2] x 24
[12]
[4] x 8
[ Level Up]
[Gained 5 Free Stat Points]
[Gained 2 Free Skill Points]
Looking back at my stats window, I quickly realized I had missed the fact that I had leveled up along with the fact that I now needed 400 experience points to level up to level 5. Of course, I was almost halfway there so I figured it wouldn't be long before I leveled up once more.
I quickly added two of my free stat points into vitality, raising my vitality up to 16 before I then deposited the other 8 points into energy, raising it to 36 points. Pulling up my stats window once more, I noticed that I could now see the regeneration of my different stats.
<[ Eric]>
<[ Human ]>
<[ Necromancer ]>
<[ Level 4]>
<[Exp: 46.5/400]>
Health: 105/105
[HP Regen: 7/ 10 min not in combat]
Stamina: 34/34
[Stam Regen: 2/ 10 min of non-excursion, 4/ 10 min of rest, 8/ 10 min asleep]
Mana: 22/60
[Mana Regen: 2.5/hr awake, 5/hr asleep, 10/hr meditation]
Willpower: 161/200
[Resets upon a full night of rest]
<[ Statistics ]>
Strength: 12
Agility: 7
Intellect: 11
Vitality: 16
Energy: 36
Extra Stat points: 0
I wondered why I couldn't see this before, though I figured this most likely had something to do with my new Analyze skill, and maybe the fact that since I didn't have my new stat points added, it was no longer going to show me an outdated regen.
After finishing inscriptioning my last book, I made my way back to the guild hall to have my breakfast and go about my day once more. After lunch, I arrived at Donven's butchery, surprised to find that he had not opened for the day.
Knocking on the door and waiting for a few minutes, Donven finally opened up and looked out at me. "Oi laddie, sorry but I 'aven't been feeling the best for today, and me family has been quite sick for today. Come back tomorrow, and we'll see how I be feeling."
I nodded before Donven closed the door. Since I now had the afternoon to myself, I figured I should head on out to my undead and check up on them. I could also take the time to clean the corpses that I already had so that when I went and sold them later, I would get a greater profit. Of course, as I was making my way to the Northern Gate, I remembered that I personally didn't own any butchering knives, meaning I would need to stop by Hunganner's smithy to see if he had any butchery knives that I could afford.
Opening Hunganner's door, I didn't see him in his shop, leading me to realize that he was most likely in the back forging new items. As I looked around, a boy a few years younger than me entered from the back room and greeted me. "Do you by chance have any cleaning knives for sale here?"
"Skinning and gutting knives? Ya, we have them right here." The boy pointed to a segment of the glass cases off to the right, and I walked over to begin taking a look at them.
"How much would the cheapest of the two be?" I hesitantly asked while looking amongst the different knives lying in the case.
"Around one silver for the two of them." The boy responded back, and I sat in contemplation over what I should do. I only had 75 copper pieces, meaning I would need another 25 copper pieces for the knives. After making a decision, I finally looked back at the boy. "I'll be back in half an hour."
After quickly leaving the smithy, I made my way to the butchery I had sold my previous Hashoret Mouse at. After handing over another Hashoret Mouse, along with two Blue Wings, I was able to make 26 copper pieces, allowing me to quickly make my way back to the smithy to purchase the two knives.
After leaving Hunganner's smithy, I glanced at my inventory to make sure that the two new steel knives were there before quickly making my way to my undead. I wondered if it would be possible to teach my undead how to use the knives so that I myself wouldn't have to skin and gut the remains myself.
As I made my way out into the woods, I glanced at the notifications that had appeared during the morning so as to remove them from my sight.
[12]
[10.5]
[4] x 7
[2] x 18
[1] x 6
[6] x 2
[14] x 3
As I walked, I also began to wonder if I could teach my undead skills like looting, gathering, and even herbalism. I chuckled at the thought of a skeleton or corpse undead walking through the woods with a basket as it plucked different herbs while humming to itself. But, if that were possible to teach them skills and such, it could make my life even easier.
I guess, I would first teach them how to skin and gut the animals so that I wouldn't have to do that, then I would try teaching them looting. Wait, hold on. Could I even loot the corpse after cleaning it? I should check this first when I arrive at the cave. I also remembered that I wanted to try and find the location of the nearby dungeons. Since it had been over a month now that I have been in the guild hall, I figured no one would feel suspicion towards me wanting to go see the other main locations. Afterall, word should've at least gotten out amongst the staff that Otto intended to take me as his assistant after I finished my classes with him.
Hmm. Now that I think about it. Why would Otto be willing to offer me an assistant position, especially knowing that I'm classless. Something didn't seem right here.
I eventually entered the gorge and made my way through its winding twists and turns until I reached the cave. I could see Poky and his five undead keeping watch over the immediate surroundings before I made my way into the cave.
Upon entering the cave, I immediately noticed my three bone undead all standing off to the side, waiting; while Capser continued to give off a soft eerie green light. Confused as to why my bone undead weren't out hunting, I remembered that I had ordered them to stop killing things once they reached level 2 and to bring things back for Casper to reach level 2. I smiled upon learning that all my bone undead and my little spirit had reached level two.
I then noticed the new pile of corpses, a scowl quickly forming across my face as I realized I hadn't told my two new bone undead to properly and cleanly kill the creatures they were hunting. Instead this pile was a slightly larger pile of mixed mutilated carcasses and properly intact carcasses. I sighed, deciding that I wouldn't use any of the carcasses from the new pile to sell. I also quickly noticed three cedar wolves, and my interest was piqued as to why they had come down the mountains to hunt.
But before I do anything with that, I wanted to take a look at all of my undead to see what had all changed both due to their level up and to my unlocking of the Thorough Inspection skill. I first walked up to White Death, who was at the lead of the line, and quickly activated my Thorough Inspection.
White Death
<[ Feeble Bone Creature ]>
<[ Level 2 ]>
XP: 87/150
25/25 HP
[Damage]
-1 (Scratch)
-2 (Bite)
-3 (Jab) (Pierce)
<[ Skills ]>
[Undeath] (Passive)
-Immune to cold, poison, blood damage, hunger, stress, fear, pain, exhaustion
[Shade Vision] (Passive)
-Undead can see in the absence of light, nothing escapes their ever vigilant and eternal watch
[Hollow Existence 1] (Passive)
-Due to no internal or external tissues, slashing attacks do nearly nothing (90% resistance to slashing attacks)
[Hollow Existence 2] (Passive)
-Due to no internal or external tissues, stabbing attacks glance off bones (50% resistance to stabbing attacks)
[Hollow Existence 3] (Passive)
-Due to no internal or external tissues, piercing attacks have no tissue to pierce and are blocked by bone (60% resistance to piercing attacks)
[Hollow Existence 4] (Passive)
-Due to no internal or external tissues, there is no cushioning. (Crushing attacks deal 200% damage)
[Bone Eater] (Passive)
-Eat bones to replenish health
<[ Description ]>
[A monstrosity that defies the will of the gods, and spits on the laws of both the world, and of life. Death favors those who strike it down. Execute with extreme prejudice.]
I found that nothing much had really changed, other than the fact that I was now able to see the amount of his experience needed for leveling up. I smiled since this would allow me to more easily predict when my undead would eventually level up and I could begin sending the ones who are closest to leveling up out to hunt.
I then turned my sights onto the two waist high skeletons, realizing that I hadn't given them permission to eat any bones so as to increase their size. I figured I would give them the order once I had finished taking a look at them. Activating my skill on the second bone undead in the line, I quickly realized it was Azrael who I was now inspecting.
Azrael
<[ Feeble Bone Creature ]>
<[ Level 2 ]>
XP: 26.5/150
<[ Twin - Dabria ]>
10/25 HP
[Damage]
-1 (Scratch)
-2 (Bite)
-3 (Jab) (Pierce)
<[ Skills ]>
[Undeath] (Passive)
-Immune to cold, poison, blood damage, hunger, stress, fear, pain, exhaustion
[Shade Vision] (Passive)
-Undead can see in the absence of light, nothing escapes their ever vigilant and eternal watch
[Hollow Existence 1] (Passive)
-Due to no internal or external tissues, slashing attacks do nearly nothing (90% resistance to slashing attacks)
[Hollow Existence 2] (Passive)
-Due to no internal or external tissues, stabbing attacks glance off bones (50% resistance to stabbing attacks)
[Hollow Existence 3] (Passive)
-Due to no internal or external tissues, piercing attacks have no tissue to pierce and are blocked by bone (60% resistance to piercing attacks)
[Hollow Existence 4] (Passive)
-Due to no internal or external tissues, there is no cushioning. (Crushing attacks deal 200% damage)
[Twin Bonded] (Passive)
-Born from the same resources and at the same time, the twins are entirely united (increases fighting capabilities between the two of them when working together, can sense the location of the other, can sense if the other is in danger, can share thoughts across long distances)
[With My Twin] (Activated Passive)
-When twins fight together, their damage is increased by 100%
[For My Twin] (Activated Passive)
-When my twin is in danger or heavily injured, damage output increased by 200%
-Should my twin die, damage output increased by 400% enters state of rampage and madness, always hungering for blood, especially against those who killed my twin
[Twin Mirroring] (Passive)
-The twins share all experience between each other no matter the distance or actions taken
[Bone Eater] (Passive)
-Eat bones to replenish health
<[ Description ]>
[A monstrosity that defies the will of the gods, and spits on the laws of both the world, and of life. Death favors those who strike it down. Execute with extreme prejudice.]
Twin: Dabria? As I continued going through all his information, I was surprised to learn that he and Dabria had skills that White Death didn't have. I smiled seeing all the buffs the two got together, and decided that I wouldn't let them fight alone ever, so as to maximize on this ability. Plus, even if they were in perfect sync, still having them take their time to work and fight together now, would greatly strengthen their fighting capabilities and unity in the future when they were stronger and we were all fighting against more powerful beings. I also quickly checked Dabria's stats, finding that they mirrored Azrael's to the tee.
After finishing checking my Feeble Bone Undead, I then made my way deeper into the cave towards Casper. As I drew near, I noticed frozen trails of blood that trailed deeper into the cave from where the piles of corpses lay. I wondered if I killed enough animals, would I eventually flood the entire place with frozen blood. What would the reactions be of people who accidentally discover this place after that much blood was frozen here? I grinned evilly at the thought before turning my focus on seeing how Casper was doing.
Walking up to him, I could immediately feel a slight heaviness in the air, sending shivers up my spine and causing my hair to stand on end. This must be what condensed miasma feels like, I thought. Though, other than feeding the lesser undead, I still had no real clue as to what purpose miasma had, maybe I could use it in place of my necrotic mana? Activating my Thorough Inspection skill on Casper, I quickly noticed his changes.
<[ Casper ]>
<[ Feeble Spirit ]>
<[ Level 2 ]>
XP: 4.5/150
20/20 HP
10/10 Mana
[Mana Regen: 24/hr] (Doubled by AnS)
[Damage]
-4 (Straight Damage) (Ethereal Touch)(Doubled by AnS)
-4 (Ice Dart)(Chilled Effect)
<[ Skills ]>
[Undeath] (Passive)
-Immune to cold, poison, blood damage, hunger, stress, fear, pain, exhaustion
[Lingering Presence 1] (Passive) (Doubled by AnS)
-Lowers the temperature around it to freezing (All water magic is frozen, fire magic is weakened by 60%)
[Lingering Presence 2 - Level 1] (Passive) (Doubled by AnS)
- Produces 2 liters of miasma a day
[Cold Resistance] (Passive)(Doubled by AnS)
-30% resistance to ice magic
[Ethereal Vision] (Passive)
-The souls of all are laid bare before the spirits, and no amount of stealth or invisibility can hide you
[Ethereal Touch] (Passive)
-Attacks bypass all physical armor and attack the soul directly
[Soul Burn] (Passive) (Doubled by AnS)
-Those touched by the soul find themselves becoming unstable (cancels natural mana regen for 20 minutes, burns mana -10/sec)
[Incorporeal Form 1] (Semi-Activation/Passive) (Doubled by AnS)
-The spirit becomes tangible for 30 seconds every 8 minutes
-100% resistance to every physical (non-magical) type damage when intangible
[Unholy Aura] (Passive)
-Induces Fear into living mortal beings
[Ice Dart] (Activation)
-Condenses the chilled moisture in the air into a shard of ice before firing it in a chosen direction
-Takes 1 mana per attack
-Cool down 10 seconds
[Anchored Soul]
-The spirit grows stronger the longer it remains in its domain
-Double soul damage and soul related passives
-5% increase to all magic damage
-1% increase to fire and holy magic resistance
-10% resistance to detection magic while in domain
-When outside of domain, all enhanced abilities return to normal
<[ Description ]>
[A monstrosity that defies the will of the gods, and spits on the laws of both the world, and of life. Death favors those who release the trapped soul. Execute with extreme prejudice and give final burial rites so the soul may rest in peace. Purify the tainted land.]
Anchored Soul huh, must be because I had him stay stationary in this cave and he just naturally gained this skill. I was however curious as to why a skill called Domain didn't appear since it was mentioned in the description of the Anchored Soul, but maybe it would appear later. I then looked through and noticed all the skills that were being doubled by Anchored Soul, and I shook my head in slight defeat. I had turned Casper into a level 2 boss monster. Anyone who tried to attack him, would need to be capable of dealing lots of damage to him while having a strong defense with lots of health because he could definitely kill adventurers with complete ease; hell, they may even need a priest or paladin to be able to defeat him.
Turning around to begin pulling out my different knives and a few carcasses so I could show my skellies how to skin and gut a creature, I immediately found Poky standing behind me. "By Forvaha, Poky! Don't fucken scare me like that!" I yelped out as I jumped roughly a foot into the air, and ended up going backwards half a foot. Trying to calm my racing heart, I looked at him, trying to gauge why he was standing behind me. I noticed that he kept tilting his head in what I could only assume as excitement, along with a few twitches along his tail. 'Does he want me to inspect him as well? I guess I can do it, not like it will really take any time to see.'
Poky
<[ Feeble Corpse Creature ]>
<[ Level 2 ]>
XP: 48/150
40/40 HP
[Damage]
-1 (Scratch) (Necrosis)
-2 (Punch) (Crushing)
-3 (Bite) (Necrosis)
<[ Skills ]>
[Undeath] (Passive)
-Immune to cold, poison, bleed, hunger, stress, fear, pain, exhaustion
[Necrosis] (Passive)
-Necrotic Energy courses through their bodies, festering and corrupting within their flesh and fluids. Converts living creatures into new, lesser undead should parts of the infected get either ingested or injected. (Deals -1 damage/sec until death or purification)
[Scent of the Living] (Passive)
-The undead can smell those that are alive, the scent of their beating blood and charged minds draws them in their horde.
[Shock Padding] (Passive)
- The rotten tissue acts as an insulator/cushion (30% reduction to crushing damage)
[Latch 1 - Level 1] (Activation)
-Your jaw locks onto your target, never letting go (Lasts for ten seconds)
[Undead Devouring - Level 1] (Passive)
-Eating flesh heals you by 4 points
[Horde Maker] (Passive)
-Command the horde of undead spawned by you directly (Horde count: 5)
[Stiffen] (Activation)
-Muscle fibers stiffen to deflect a blow for 10 seconds
-Causes temporary paralysis upon self for 11 seconds
-Deflects most non-magical physical attacks 100%
-Can not block crushing physical attacks
-Cool down: 1 minute
<[ Description ]>
[A monstrosity that defies the will of the gods, and spits on the laws of both the world, and of life. Death favors those who strike it down. Execute with extreme prejudice.]
Stiffen? Seems like a tank sort of skill to be honest. Now I just need to get him to learn some sort of taunt and I would be entirely set with having a tank, several damage dealers, a ranged attacker, and then me, their master and strategist. After I had finished inspecting Poky, he turned around and seemed to lumber along, and as I looked at his appearance cast by the light of the sun, I realized he seemed bigger than before. Glancing over at my skeletons, "Azrael, Dabria, the two of you can go ahead and eat until you're fully healed. Please eat from that pile over there so as not to become contaminated with necrosis for the time being."
I quickly made my exit from the cave as the two began tearing into the carcasses that were in the pile, and I prepared to teach them how to properly clean and skin the animals so that I could begin making life truly easier for myself.