I was in deep thought, This is the first time I ever encountered something like this, it's a fucking lich.
I know from my gaming experiences these types of creatures are hideous and dangerous and mostly they are villains. The one who could consider the final bosses in dungeons and tombs.
I never would have thought I would get a subordinate like this one. I approached him with a silent step. Being careful as much as I can.
It was the same height as me and had a different air around it. I don't know what it was but I felt the heaviness of it. I wonder what would happen if this thing were to make any move.
"Who are you?" I raised a question and hesitated.
A question mark popped up on his white skull, his head tilting even more. "Is that a question mark?"
Again another one was added and a system panel broke in my vision field.
[Shadow Slave is not a higher grade thus it cannot talk to the host!]
So, he is mute? But does this thing... have a consciousness of his own? He, is not a puppet is he?
[No, the Slaves have their intellect and they behave according to their level of understanding. The higher the level goes the higher intelligence it becomes]
[ This specific Slave is special grade and possesses an intellect, unlike any other mid-grade slave!]
Holly cow! Does that mean he can use its brain? The thought of doing things in the wrong way created extreme uneasiness in my heart.
What if one day, it's decided to defy me and attack me? Kill me or hurt people related to me to take revenge?
System? What do I do? What if it betrays me? What if it turned down my orders?
[Host does not need to worry! This is why I exist, the slaves will always follow your orders and will not betray their owners]
[It does have intelligence but they will not use it against the host but will provide any aid according to the situation]
Thats awesome! I calmed down my breathing turning back to the Ark.
"How should I give him orders?" I asked the system and instantly answered floated in front of the screen.
All I have to do is order him directly or just tell him it mentally as our connection was established. The lich was connected to me and will do anything for me.
I smiled brightly. If that is so then why not scare the shit out of those biches in the tomb. I hope Acropash's soul will not curse me for taking over his body but thank me for taking revenge on those scums for disrespecting him.
The Lich turned into a dark fog and went inside the white snow producing a shadow-like structure in the snow field. There was a shadow without any actual person casting it. It looked bizarre.
I wavered seeing the movements as it proceeded in their direction. Fuck they are dead.
I crept slowly to the last place where I had a great view of the bandits. The fire was lit high and their bodies cast shadows over the backside but there were now four shades. It successfully sneaked behind them without letting them know a thing.
"Show me what you can do, my man" I mumbled getting eager to see his powers and the look on their faces.
The Lich materialized taking its full form behind them, although this time its head was covered in a hood making him look even more ominous.
The Word Fear appeared over Ark's head. The air around its shadowy body turned into ghastly red and purple. The two eyes gleamed red inside the dark hood where the head was well hidden.
[Fear has taken effect on your enemies!]
[Their morale dropped 50℅]
The bandit's eyes widened. Their back faced Ark but they felt his dreadful presence. They did not dare to look back, hands slowly touching the weapons that lay beside them.
Fuck yeah! That's the terror of the goodman Lich Ark. My boi go ahead and do what you think is best. The first bandit who got his hands on his hammer-like weapon swung back without even thinking what was behind him.
The smirk on my face sputtered. He directly whacked Ark's face.
??
He stumbled back as the question marks formed over his head.
Bandits did the same but they were in the most terrible shape due to the effect of Fear. They crawled their way out with shouts.
"Ghost! Run"
I was puzzled. How can that mini-weapon harm the Lich? It's not possible, it was a mere fluke. Yes, it was or else Ark could have easily avoided that simple blow, heck even I would have done that.
Ark glared back at them as the person who hit him across the face peed his trousers. The furry pants leaked a fluid that trailed down to his shoes.
Bruh!
I burst out laughing as they glared back at me but did not dare to face Lich who was in front of them. They made a run for their lives without glancing back as I made my way out of my concealment location.
I wiped my eyes, rubbing my stomach. That was hilarious, I never would have expected that the fear effect could do this to anyone.
I turned back to Ark. He did fucking amazing job, I loved it and who knows how many abilities this guy had up to his sleeves.
A hammer banged from behind Ark throwing him on the wall. The dust flew around as a huge guy's figure began revealing slowly as I took a few breaths.
It was a direct hit enough to break anyone's bones. I took a step back as I saw a huge guy wearing armor and uneasy expressions on his face appeared.
[ Name - Lark Simil (Bandit chief)
Level - 21
Age - 39
Race - Human
- is this scary thing dead? I should get away or else he will get up again. ]
A bead of sweat trickled down the back of my neck, and my feet trembled. He is level twenty-one, god damn it. It has to be a Bandit Chief, the one who orders around the batch of bandits.
There were several figures behind him, all focused on the Ark.
Ark's unmoving figure moved as he tried to get up. That's right he still is all-powerful... I bit my tongue.
Bandit chief roared. "Don't let him get up, or he will cast a terrible spell on us. Attack with everything we have!"
The people were looking as if they would run at any point and rained down weapons on the Ark. Striking repeatedly back and forth making sure they left no space open.
I watched the mob ganging up on the Ark the fucking Lich. I was speechless.
How can this be? Where are his powers? Isn't this a bit humiliating?
They stopped blasting as smoke began rising from Ark's robes. The dude lay flat like a cartoon.
We all waited anticipating a wild return from Lich but he did not move.
"What the fuck!" I shouted.
"Hey, you. Did you bring this thing here?" The Bandit Chief bellowed his hammer resting on his broad shoulders.
"No sir, I have never met this thing in my life," I said shamelessly.
I doubt they will believe me.
"Catch him and bring him inside" The chief ordered giving a final bang to Ark. He twitched but remained as he was, motionless.
Did he fuking die?
The Bandit chief went inside as one guy followed him and the other four approached me, pointing their weapons at me.
"Come with us or you will lose your life here, lad," One said.
I shook my head. This brat has the nerve for a mere twelve-level man. The rest was nearly ten or less so I did not bother to reply to them.
They surrounded me as I stood silent. I saw movements on the side of Lich, and a smile formed on my face. So he is not done yet, what an enduring guy.
Ark raised his hand from his sleeping position and pointed at us. The skeleton hand flashed flames but the fire attack never reached us, it went inside the snow just right before Ark's location.
???
This time there were questioning expressions on all our faces including on that damn skeleton. What the heck was that?
Ark shook his hand and then tried again only to get a similar result. He visibly panicked looking at me and then feigned to faint.
"..."
This Lich!