As Eamon stirred awake, his eyes fluttered open to the sight of the sky, the sun already casting long shadows as it began its descent. He sensed Malakai's presence nearby, feeling the subtle shifts in his movements without even needing to look. The connection between him and his creature seemed to have deepened; he could almost feel its presence as if it were right beside him.
Malakai, noticing Eamon's awakening, remarked, "You feel it too, don't you? The difference in our connection."
Eamon nodded in agreement, his gaze shifting to the undead creatures gathered around them. In addition, he now felt the connection to Malakai's zombies through their bond.
Eamon pondered about it. It seemed, it had something to do with the attributes he had absorbed.
"Your body has undergone a remarkable transformation," Malakai remarked, his tone filled with admiration.
Eamon's senses were heightened to an extraordinary degree. He could discern the subtle nuances of insects rustling in the earth and the distant murmurs of flowing water with unparalleled clarity.
With his enhanced vision, he could now perceive the intricate movements of ants traversing the bark of a tree in the distance, each detail crystal clear.
Eamon rose with effort, his body tingling all over. As he straightened up, his pants strained and tore slightly under the pressure of his newly developed quadriceps.
He realized that he was much taller than before, towering over his undead companions. He estimated his height to be around 185 centimeters (6 feet 1 inch). Eamon was delighted. Though he had never been self-conscious about his short stature in the past, he couldn't help but feel pleased.
He observed his newly sculpted arms, each muscle defined and prominent, while his chest boasted an impressive breadth.
For someone who had never considered himself physically imposing, this transformation felt surreal, almost too good to be true.
With a clenched fist, he marveled at the power coursing through his muscles, fascinated by the display of strength.
As he executed a squat, he soared to a height of over 160 centimeters, a feat that left him in awe.
"This is incredible," he exclaimed, marveling at the newfound capabilities of his body.
It appeared that absorbing the essence of those four monsters had bestowed upon him extraordinary abilities.
Without hesitation, he turned his attention to his attribute panel, eager to assess the extent of his transformation.
[Eamon's – Lord (Novice)]
- Strength: 8 (Above Average)
- Stamina: 7 (Above Average)
- Agility: 9
- Intelligence: 7 (Above Average)
- Charisma: 7 (Above Average)
- Special Power: Necromancy
Upon seeing that all his attributes had increased, a grin spread across his face.
He noted that his agility had surpassed human limits.
He was officially a superhuman now.
Eamon decided to test his agility by performing a series of complex movements. He executed precise kicks, spins, and jumps, each movement accomplished with astonishing speed and precision.
He effortlessly maneuvered, his body responding to his commands with newfound agility. It was as if he had become one with his movements, each action flowing seamlessly into the next.
Eamon couldn't contain his joy. He shouted in triumph.
His attributes surpassed even Malakai's, except for the stamina. With a newfound sense of power, he believed he could face a giant rat alone and slay it effortlessly, especially if he was armed with his lance.
He observed that even though his intelligence remained within human limits, his resonance with Malakai had increased. The necromancer status made the intelligence attribute crucial; he needed it to summon more entities. Perhaps upon reaching level 9, his necromancer rank would evolve.
Swiftly, he summoned the necromancy page on his attribute panel and scrutinized the evolution conditions.
[Necromancy]
[Rank: Apprentice]
[Promotion possible by increasing the necromancer's intelligence attribute and the power of controlled creatures.]
Eamon contemplated the situation. While he had yet to unlock the method for enhancing the power of his summon, he was well aware of how to increase his own attributes. It was merely a matter of time before he ascended in rank.
_________________________________
The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with streaks of crimson and gold. Eamon watched as the daylight waned, the encroaching twilight casting a serene yet ominous glow over the land.
It was late, and he didn't know if there were any dangers that could be lurking in the darkness.
With a decisive nod, he turned to Malakai. "We must return to the cave before night falls," he declared.
The troupe, bound to his will, stirred.
He led the way, they navigated through the dense forest, leaped across the murmuring river, and crossed the plain to finally reach the natural cave.
Once safely ensconced in his cave, Eamon's weariness washed over him. The events of the day had taken their toll, leaving him drained. Despite having been unconscious for a significant portion of the afternoon, he felt the weight of his adventures.
The rat zombie's body lay nearby. Eamon's head rested against the creature's cold form, and he closed his eyes. The rhythmic drip of water echoed through the cavern, lulling him into a fitful slumber.
In his dreams, he was no longer bound by the limitations of his mortal coil. He walked the Earth as a powerful superhuman.
The world around him was vibrant, colors more vivid than he had ever seen. People looked up to him, their eyes filled with admiration and hope. Eamon was a beacon of strength. Skyscrapers bowed to his silhouette, and the winds whispered his name. He soared above cities, his vision piercing through the veil of night.
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Eamon stirred as he woke up, his eyes adjusting to the dim light of the cave. Malakai, ever watchful, stood nearby. The moment Eamon's consciousness returned, Malakai leaned in, his voice a low murmur.
"Master, there's a problem," Malakai said with concern. "it's best if you see it for yourself."
Eamon's grogginess dissipated as he sat up. He followed Malakai to the cave's entrance, squinting against the sudden brightness. And there, just beyond the threshold, stood a massive rat—a creature whose size eclipsed even the other giant rats that lingered nearby.
The smaller rats seemed to defer to the colossal one, their beady eyes filled with fear. Eamon's pulse quickened. This was no ordinary rodent. Its intelligence gleamed in its gaze, and its presence so close to his sanctuary was no accident.
"What is it?" Eamon whispered, his mind racing. Malakai's response was a mere inclination of his head, but it spoke volumes. The rat king—Eamon had no doubt that's what it was—held sway over its kin.
Malakai's voice was tinged with a solemn gravity as he shared his conjecture with Eamon. "I suspect the rats have followed our trail back here after we've eliminated too many of their number."
If Malakai's suspicions were correct, they had inadvertently led a vengeful tide right to their doorstep.
Eamon's hesitated, even as he acknowledged his enhanced physical prowess. The thought of confronting the rats, was a daunting prospect. Yet, fear did not grip him. If the rats hadn't breached the cave, it likely meant that its protective barrier held firm. His territory was a fortress for now.
His gaze fell upon the rats, particularly the leader. They were not mere monsters to him but prizes to be claimed, each one an opportunity. The leader, especially, piqued his interest. Alive, it exuded a commanding presence; in death, it could offer so much more.
As the rat king's eyes bore into his, Eamon realized that the confrontation was inevitable and it would be his most formidable adversary thus far.