We went to a blacksmith, bought some leather armor for Vivia and gave my measurements for a custom order. I went over it again and again and emphasized how I imagined the armor and how I wanted the details and stuff. Both Siarre and Escalor were surprised to see me this excited but oh well…. The armor would be ready on the same day Escalor and Siarre would leave, so that was cutting it close.
"By the way, I've been wondering for a while now but, you don't have any guns?" I asked.
I hadn't seen a single gun or rifle since I came to this world. Which was fine since it was a medieval world but, but it was a bit painful to swallow how even blacksmiths didn't carry guns which supposedly weren't effective against monsters (according to light novels).
"What's a gun?" The blacksmith asked.
"Do you mean, Gunblade?" Escalor said. "You won't find them anywhere other than Bryst."
A sigh of relief escaped. At least they existed. 'Better start finding maps.'
With that the day was basically over, so we went back to the inn to rest for a few hours and then set out for some quests. Rest for who? Vivia of course. We also bought her a good meal. That was the least we could do.
Although I did despise slavery in the past, I felt nothing now. So, I made a conscious effort to at least not be a complete asshole. I made a conscious effort to every now and then, ask- Hey, do you need anything?
How long would I be able to keep this up? I wasn't sure. But it was better than nothing. It was better than what the world had given me.
***
"So, I'm sure you already understand what you'll be doing," Escalor said, looking back.
We were about to leave the confines of the city, going out through the south gate. This time, we were again headed for somewhat of a swampy area. But there weren't many farms on this side.
Still some color left in the west sky, and the city was bustling as usual. Actually, there were far too many people going about. A mix of the living, and the dead.
'So, they 'can'… go around together….'
"I suppose. You want me to teach him the basics, yes?" Vivia said.
"Well, yes and no. Just basics won't be enough. He hardly remembers anything of the world, so it would be effective if you were to explain things to him as if you're explaining to a child," Siarre said.
Were they trying to hurt my feelings? I didn't say a thing, begrudgingly. But I did wonder if I should- summon that elf. Thinking about the elf brought another problem though.
"What should I do about the whole necromancy thing? I've developed the skill and can probably level it up eventually. But you guys think I'll also be making enemies, right?"
The guards at the gate, saluted us and let us through. They only needed to glance at my face once to figure out who I was. And yes, apparently, the whole city now knew about me. information traveled super-fast in this town. This particular town didn't have a name, at least no official name. it was just a border town in the greater city of Tailen. But the locals called this place- Brailen.
"Enemies? Maybe. But you'll be swarmed by all kinds of people who'd want to escape mortality and become immortal even if it meant they'd be your slaves," Escalor said. "I wouldn't necessarily call them enemies but since they'd only be after your skills… I suppose that's not far-fetched."
"Huh…" I wondered; we could still see the gates and the city lights but we were quite far away. "Summon."
Darkness spiraled into a single space, almost like it had a mind of its own. Soon I saw bones. Familiar bones.
Was this connected to another world? Where had the skeleton gone and where was it coming from? I couldn't tell. Trying to feel the other world… left me with no clue whatsoever.
The elven skeleton fully appeared, bowed once and smiled faintly. But it wasn't alone, a goblin skeleton had also appeared and it just stood there, no expression.
"So, every single one would appear if summoned?"
"No, I don't think so," Siarre said. "You probably didn't think about who you were summoning explicitly. Some skills tend to show some form of autonomy when used without thought."
"Hmm… this particular skeleton has affinity for bows. I was hoping you'd teach her, Siarre."
"Sure. But what about you? Would you be learning anything?" Siarre asked.
"Me?"
Learning? What? Fighting?
I did consider it. Fighting monsters, having fun adventures. But no, it wasn't fun when you were doing it and you were the one fighting for life and death. I was undead. I was already not living in the sense of being alive. But I still cared for this life. I wanted to change who I was, I wanted to… become better. I didn't want to throw it away. And yes, undead could indeed perish; my HP was proof enough.
"Yes, you. As you level up, you'll eventually will have to decide your fighting style," Escalor said.
"You could instead come with us and become a noble of Estoniam," Siarre said.
Choose how you fight. Yes, I was given the choice before. But I chose to run away, I chose to hide. I chose to lock myself up.
'Not again.'
"Teach me more about leveling up and spells. I don't think I'm suited to close combat, so swords, spears aren't my thing. Instead, I'd prefer magic that could get me out of any situation."