"Karen Haze is a male with blond hair and fair skin, and is notable for having four pupils. On March 8th, 2999 in the Sacred Calendar, he was involved in the Blue Mountain City Glory Academy Riot where 13 bodies of great magicians were stolen. Following an investigation by the Sacred Storm Empire, Karen Haze was classified as a heretic with a strong inclination towards destruction, rebellion, body theft, and annihilation. Consequently, the Sacred Storm Kingdom has issued a warrant for his arrest, offering a bounty of 500 shillings for any information leading to his whereabouts and 3000 shillings for his direct capture."
"Boss, this archaic wanted poster is completely underwhelming," cackled the cadaverous witch, Buck, as he directed his smirk towards the young man driving the carriage. He relished participating in eccentric exploits with his master, such as the audacious heist of the stolen cadavers."
"It's inevitable - they require new members. Powerful necromancers always yearn for fresh blood."
In this exceedingly cutthroat world where competition is rampant, people seem to be indifferent to your academic achievements, the strength of your magical abilities, and the prestige of your occupation. It appears that nobody pays attention to the struggles and difficulties you encounter, nor does anyone acknowledge the hard work you put in to improve your academic performance or master the art of magic. Your status, whether it is of a prestigious or modest nature, seems to be irrelevant and does not garner any recognition or respect.
In this world, the only aspect that is truly valued and acknowledged is achievement. If one manages to reach remarkable and exceptional results, they will be bestowed with a coveted 'title' and regarded as a figure whose actions have the potential to impact and transform the world. It seems that only those who have attained such feats are able to garner attention, appreciation, and acclaim from their peers and the society at large. Whether it is in the field of academics, magic, or any other area of expertise, those who have proven themselves to be accomplished are the ones who are celebrated and remembered.
Regardless of the specific field, whether it be magic, totemism, alchemy, demonic arts, merfolk chanting, war songs, enchanted gold, territories, or kingdoms, as long as one achieves something notable and impressive, they will be highly regarded and respected. It seems that in this society, the end justifies the means, and the value of an individual's achievements overshadows everything else. The ability to excel and make a meaningful contribution is highly prized, and those who possess such skills are revered and held in high esteem. Ultimately, it is not the specific domain of expertise that matters, but rather the ability to succeed and make a significant impact in any field.
"Do you have any information about the Church of the Sinister Moon?"
As the young man on the carriage heard the question, he rolled his eyes in response, revealing two striking pearl-like black pupils with two even smaller black dots nestled within them. The unusual arrangement almost appeared as though he had four pupils, especially when glanced at inattentively.
With his flowing blond locks, striking black eyes, and a complexion that was almost vampiric in its paleness, the young man bore a striking resemblance to a nobleman of high birth. His features exuded an air of aristocracy, with an otherworldly quality that made him stand out from the crowd. Despite his youth, he carried himself with a confidence and poise that suggested he was accustomed to commanding respect and admiration from those around him.
Karen's attention shifted from his own wanted poster to the newspaper headlines, his gaze fixed on the latest news. It seemed as though he was more interested in keeping up with current events than his own status as a wanted criminal. His eyes scanned the text eagerly, devouring every word and detail with an intense focus. Despite the gravity of his situation, he seemed unfazed and unconcerned, almost as though he was on a mission to uncover every scrap of information he could get his hands on.
The headline on the newspaper proclaimed: "Sir Caton Bestowed with the Esteemed Title of 'Gold Digger' by the Holy Storm Empire for Unearthing the Tomb of the Ancient Ghoul."
The news of Sir Caton's accomplishment spread like wildfire, as it was announced that he had been honored with the revered title of "Gold Digger" by the esteemed Holy Storm Empire. The title was bestowed upon him in recognition of his exceptional feat of excavating the tomb of an ancient ghoul, a task that was arduous and perilous. The article highlighted the details of his expedition, showcasing his unwavering determination and unmatched expertise in uncovering the long-lost tomb, and unearthing rare artifacts and treasures from a bygone era. Sir Caton's success was lauded as a remarkable achievement, earning him acclaim and admiration from both his peers and the empire.
In the Holy Storm Daily, Karen's wanted poster was relegated to a minuscule corner, barely the size of a fingernail, in stark contrast to the prominent headlines and captivating stories that dominated the front page. The poster, with Karen's description as a heretic with a penchant for destruction, rebellion, body theft, and annihilation, paled in comparison to the larger-than-life tales of heroic exploits, dazzling achievements, and grandiose titles bestowed upon individuals who had made significant contributions to the empire. It was a stark reminder of the cutthroat nature of the intensely competitive world in which Karen found himself, where accomplishments and achievements were celebrated and elevated, while transgressions and misdeeds were relegated to mere footnotes in the grand narrative of success and recognition. As Karen observed the stark contrast between his inconspicuous wanted poster and the attention-grabbing headlines, he couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration and a renewed sense of determination to make his mark in a world that seemed to prioritize accolades and accomplishments above all else.
Title!
The Imperious Quest for Recognition: Karen's Wanted Poster Fades in Comparison to Grandiose Titles in the Holy Storm Daily.
A Coveted Power: A Proof of Strength Desired by Countless Beings.
"No."
Old Buck responded promptly to the inquiry, his voice filled with intrigue. "The Lunar Cult," he explained, "is a clandestine organization that serves as a network for necromancers, enabling communication and coordination among its members. Our triumphant counterattack against Blue Mountain City was made possible in large part due to the strategic machinations of the Lunar Cult's grand plan."
The lifeless bodies of thirteen revered archmages.
"How far is it from Gold Shining Town?"
"Approximately thirty minutes," replied Old Buck with a tone of reverence.
"Notify Churchill to meet me in one hour," commanded Karen, his voice brimming with confidence. "He promised me a town," he added, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes as he touched the three arcane staves behind him. The mithril surface was etched with intricate patterns, marking them as top-notch merchandise. Memories of his recent deal with Forbes, the cunning fox, just three days prior flashed through his mind.
"He offered Karen a tantalizing proposition - a location with the remains of a grand archmage. However, the catch was that Karen would need to retrieve 3 arcane staves in exchange. If he successfully completed this daunting task, he would be rewarded with a small town of his own, directly granted to him. The memory of his recent deal with Forbes, the cunning fox, just three days ago, flashed through Karen's mind. The arcane staves were top-notch merchandise, with uneven patterns intricately carved on their mithril surfaces, marking them as valuable treasures. It was a tempting offer, and Karen couldn't help but recall the anticipation and excitement that had fueled his decision to accept the challenge."
A small town!
Obtaining a small town in exchange for three precious arcane staves is certainly a lucrative and tempting deal. The prospect of owning a town, with all its resources and potential for wealth and power, is enough to make anyone's heart race with excitement. The value of the arcane staves, with their intricate engravings and potent magical properties, cannot be underestimated. It is a deal that Karen cannot resist considering, as he imagines the possibilities and opportunities that come with owning a whole town. The weight of the decision bears down on him, as he calculates the risks and benefits of this enticing proposition. Will he be able to successfully retrieve the arcane staves and claim his reward of a small town? Only time will tell as Karen ponders his next move with eager anticipation.
As Karen set foot in Shimmering Gold Town, his once cheerful demeanor quickly soured. The town seemed to be in a state of disarray, with dilapidated buildings, unpaved roads, and an air of neglect that hung heavy in the air.
Karen couldn't help but feel disappointed as he set foot in Flashgold Town. The once promising prospect of owning a small town now seemed bleak. The town was filled with smoke and haze, with nothing but thatched houses in sight. A dirt road divided the town into two parts, and the scorching sunlight made the whole place look desolate. If it weren't for the signboard hanging high on the town gate with the words "Flashgold," Karen would have thought he had come to the wrong place.
"This is not a town at all, it's more like a shanty town," Karen muttered to himself, disappointment evident in his voice. The reality of Flashgold Town was far from the grandeur he had envisioned.
He realized that he had been deceived and tricked by the cunning Forbes. The reality of Flashgold Town was far from the prosperous small town he had envisioned. Karen couldn't help but feel a surge of anger and frustration. He had put his trust in Forbes, only to end up in what seemed like a run-down shanty town.
Karen clenched his fists, his mind racing with thoughts of how he had been misled. He had traded three precious arcane staves for this dilapidated place, and he felt a sense of betrayal. He vowed to confront Forbes and demand an explanation for this blatant deception.
"Kill that fox Forbes for me," Karen ordered his only henchman, the old necromancer.
"Boss, you're a rational person. Churchill has helped us a lot, and you're not willing to kill him," replied Buck, the old lich apprentice, without taking Karen's words seriously.
bold, cautious, and calm during critical moments, while showing respect towards capable individuals
"The reason why he joined the Evil Moon Church is simply because the leader of the Evil Moon Church ranks 956th on the ladder list of "World Bulletin". His master worships the strong and dreams of becoming strong at the same time."
Buck pondered the Evil Moon Church's collective invasion of Blue Mountain City, while their leaked information emboldened their master to strut into Glory Academy with seven attractive girls.
"He is an exchange student from Aolong Kingdom."
"No one suspected anything, and they were not even surrounded. They openly seized the precious holy tomb of the college and left Blue Mountain City under the protection of the dean."
Hearing the Lich's flattery, Karen couldn't help but smile. He truly admired Forbes for his shrewdness and flexibility in business dealings in the wasteland. Besides, it's a small town.
He understands that there are many intelligent people in the world
"Now he can only wait and see what this small town can offer, hoping for a pleasant surprise.
Soon, he surveyed the entire town and found 30 kobolds, 17 thatched huts, 1 well, and 1 abandoned cowshed. Of course, the dirt road must also be included
"The skinny dog-headed creatures seemed to have only a thin layer of skin left on their emaciated bodies. With hunched postures and a musty odor, the pill-shaped black noses twitched back and forth, causing nausea and disgust.
"Who's in charge here?" Karen asked, hesitant to step out of the carriage. He was already contemplating getting rid of these useless creatures.
"I am Bunker, the acting mayor of Gold Shining Town," replied a slightly taller kobold who stepped forward."
"Do you know Churchill?" Karen took a step back, feeling his nose irritated by the other party's odor.
"I do," replied the kobold Cancan with a smile. "Are you here to take over the town of Gold?"
"You know?" Karen was taken aback. The kobolds seemed calm, as if they were aware of his arrival.
"Oh, Churchill had sent us four mayors before you, and you are the fifth," the kobold replied cheerfully.
Karen felt disgusted, as if he had eaten dog feces, and cursed silently, "Damn that cunning fox." Even a pig could figure out Churchill's scheme now.
As Karen realized the truth of how Churchill had trapped him in this small town to acquire the arcane staffs and possibly a fortune from the kobolds, he couldn't help but curse at the treacherous businessman. Glancing at the kobold named Bunker, Karen asked, "You guessed it, didn't you? Your name is Bunker, right? Churchill handed over the town of Gold to me."
Old Bunker's response was flat, "Yes, mayor. We will listen to you in everything from now on." Though he didn't express how long that would last, at least not during this time in Gold Flash Town where no one knew how much power Karen really had.
Karen's priority was dealing with the 13 corpses, a task he had been itching to complete for half a month so he could form his own army of Lich. Pointing to the largest thatched hut, he declared, "This will be my barracks from now on. I have three rules. First, one hundred percent obedience to my orders. Second, don't call me the leader or salute me, I don't want to be directly targeted by some bandit in the wasteland. Lastly, you can call me boss. Take care of your kobolds' legs, eyes, and mouth. Don't enter this room, don't peek, and don't talk nonsense. Do you all understand?"
"Understood," Old Bunker replied absentmindedly.
"You can leave," Karen said, feeling that if he continued to speak, he would almost smell like a kobold. He never liked creatures with no skills.
"That's it, mayor," Bunker hesitated.
"Anything else?"
"Churchill promised us that the new mayor will provide us with some water and food. We haven't had fresh water for three days." Although he was pleading, Karen couldn't hear the tone of pleading.
Karen took out a backpack and threw it on the ground. "Here are some water and dry food."
As soon as the backpack hit the ground, the kobolds who had been waiting pounced on it, tearing it to pieces and grabbing the food and water inside. In just a few seconds, the entire bag had been emptied.
Karen was taken aback. He had to admire the kobolds' ability to loot; it was first-rate.
Old Bunker pocketed a small bag of rum and smiled at Karen again.
"No more!" Karen yelled without waiting for the other party to speak. "Take everyone and leave. Remember the three points I just said." As he spoke, he drove the carriage straight into the largest thatched cottage.
He didn't let out a breath until he entered the room. The kobolds' hungry eyes were like those of a drunk man seeing a pretty girl, as if they wanted to eat themselves.
The thatched hut was very large but empty - there was nothing in it.
Lich Buck stopped the carriage and asked, "Boss, shall we unload?"
Karen nodded, untied the ropes tied to the carriage, and removed the black canvas. On the top floor were rows of suitcases, with over a dozen machine parts in the middle, and a neat row of corpses at the bottom.
To say that they were corpses would be an understatement; they were large bones that were almost completely rotten.
He wanted to convert these corpses into undead, which was his practice and the foundation of his strength.
As he approached the first target, who was the shortest and most decayed, Karen crouched down and touched his head. He slowly moved his fingers downwards, allowing the magic to flow into the bones. He was very careful, like a woman embroidering delicate patterns.
crunch!
Suddenly, the animated corpse lunged forward with surprising speed, grabbing hold of Karen's arm with a vice-like grip. Karen winced in pain, but didn't panic. He knew the spell he had used to raise the dead was not perfect and often resulted in unpredictable behavior. He calmly spoke a few words and the undead creature immediately released its grip and stood still, awaiting further instructions.
"Ordinary skeleton," Buck said succinctly.
Karen was a bit disappointed. It was not worth summoning just a regular skeleton from a mage's skeleton. If all thirteen were just ordinary skeletons, his raid on the Blue Mountain Academy would be his worst business deal ever.
At least five necromancers must be summoned.
He silently prayed in his heart, but soon he realized how difficult it was for a corpse witch to be born. The second skeleton that stood up also remained motionless.
"Ordinary skeleton."
"Ordinary skeleton."
Buck's voice made Karen's heart jump every time he spoke.
"Impudent!" Buck snapped at Karen.
"Five ordinary skeletons in a row, fate must just playing with him." he thought..
"May the God of Light, Holy Mother, and Son bless me with a special skeleton," Karen prayed while holding a cross before he began the summoning ritual.
Still just a white bone, standing stiffly, but this time it's not completely motionless. Its head twists and scrapes against its neck with creaking sounds. It turns to the left to look at Buck, then to the right to look at Karen, twisting back and forth five times before finally settling down.
"It's done!" Karen jumped up happily, and would automatically turn his head without Karen's order, which is a manifestation of thinking.
He finally summoned a mutant skeleton.
This is his ability. In summoning skeletons, there is always a chance to summon some special skeletons. Old Buck is the work of his luck. "Immediately send it to the robot to read the message." Pointing to the newly assembled iron lump, he shouted, This is the next most critical step.
After the skeleton is successfully summoned, the memory is often retained the most, and then it will start to be lost.
Only when the robot reads the memory, stores it, and performs a second injection can it be regarded as the formation of a mutated skeleton
The memory reading and input went smoothly, and I was stunned when I saw the data appearing on the robot's screen.
The process of reading and inputting the memory went smoothly, and I was left in awe as I witnessed the data materializing on the robot's screen. The information presented the following details:
Name: Li Wen
Form: Skeleton
Identity: Time Traveler
Rate Territory: Earth
Occupation: PhD in Chemical Engineering
Skills: none
Karen, perplexed by the data, started scratching her scalp, trying to figure out what attributes this time traveler might possess.