Chereads / Lord of Necromancy: Starting from a cave / Chapter 19 - Zombie Ascension

Chapter 19 - Zombie Ascension

Klac spoke to Eamon, his voice filled with excitement. "With my increased energy, I can offer you more detailed insights," he explained.

Intrigued, Eamon inquired further. "What kind of insights?" he asked.

"I can provide you with detailed information about the creatures and entities within your territory," Klac replied.

Eamon nodded. "That will be invaluable," he remarked.

"Let's put it to the test."

Eamon focused his attention on Fred.

[Fred - Lictor (Low Level Undead)]

[Lictor: The Lictor is an agile and slender creature, with long limbs concealing formidable strength. Its elbows are adorned with razor-sharp blades, capable of easily tearing through leather and flesh.

It is a creature born of a curse. It derives satisfaction from hunting its prey and experiencing the sensation of blood upon its razor-sharp blades. Its desire for destruction compels it to target creatures much more powerful than itself.

Endowed with superhuman agility, the Lictor moves with sinister stealth, its silent movements leaving no trace of its presence. It possesses the ability to effortlessly scale vertical walls and move through darkness without making a sound.]

[Attributes:

- **Strength**: 11

- **Stamina**: 12

- **Agility**: 9

- **Intelligence**: 3 (Low)

- **Charisma**: 2 (Weak)

- **Special Power**: None.]

Eamon marveled at the evolution of Fred into a Lictor. The description provided painted a vivid picture of its capabilities, from the razor-sharp blades adorning its elbows to its uncanny ability to move with stealth and precision.

"Remarkable," Eamon murmured, his gaze lingering on the attributes listed. "With strength, stamina, and agility like that, Fred will be a formidable warrior."

He felt a sense of pride at the transformation.

As he considered the creature's intelligence level, Eamon nodded in understanding. "Even with lower intelligence, Fred should still be able to understand basic commands and make simple decisions," he mused. "And with his heightened physical capabilities, he'll be a force to be reckoned with."

Eamon was pleased with the outcome of the transformation. He looked forward to seeing how Fred would perform in the days to come.

Eamon shifted his attention towards Cassandra, eager to observe her transformation.

[Cassandra - Necrotamer (Low Level Undead)]

[Necrotamer: The Necrotamer possesses an appearance resembling that of a human, but pallid, with eyes entirely blackened.

Its aura serves as the heart of its power, granting it the ability to control beasts and creatures of the wild. This enigmatic force evolves in tandem with the Necrotamer's maturity and attributes.

In its nascent stage, the Necrotamer emits a faint, almost imperceptible aura, barely discernible to the untrained eye. However, as it grows in power and proficiency in the dark arts, its aura expands and becomes increasingly potent.]

[Attributes:

- **Strength**: 7 (Above Average)

- **Stamina**: 9

- **Agility**: 4 (Low)

- **Intelligence**: 5 (Average)

- **Aura**: 1

- **Special Power**: Domination Aura.]

[Domination Aura: Necrotamers emit an ominous aura that subjugates the natural instincts of animals, bending them to their will.]

Eamon turned his attention to Klac, acknowledging the token's observation. "You were right, Klac," he remarked.

"I can see why you mentioned that I've created a terrifying creature," he added thoughtfully, his gaze lingering on the attributes displayed before him. "Her Domination Aura will be useful."

"I wasn't referring to Cassandra," Klac clarified.

"It's Fred. I instinctively sense immense potential and danger emanating from him."

Eamon furrowed his brow, contemplating Klac's words. "But Fred doesn't possess any inherent powers," he remarked.

"Indeed," Klac acknowledged, "which makes this all the more intriguing. His potential may be dormant, waiting to be unlocked. I advise you to continue investing attributs in him in the future."

Eamon nodded thoughtfully.

"Additionally," Klac continued, "I sense a moderate threat emanating from one of the corridors." He gestured towards the passage leading to the abyss, which he had sealed off with stones.

"I detect a similar energy to mine, suggesting that there may be another lord in the abyss."

Eamon remained silent, but he was intrigued by Klac's choice of words. Klac had used the term "moderate threat" for a potential lord, but "enormous danger" for Fred, indicating the significance Klac placed on the Lictor.

"Prepare yourself, Eamon," Klac's voice echoed with urgency. "We must swiftly move to conquer other lords. It is imperative for your evolution and the growth of the territory. We will likely have to confront the lord in the abysses, as there seems to be no significant threat in the surrounding territories."

Eamon's mind swirled with conflicting thoughts as Klac spoke.

The idea of confronting a lord who hadn't yet attacked him gave him pause, but the allure of gaining more power and protection was undeniable. The token had bestowed upon him knowledge and abilities beyond his wildest dreams, and as long as it acted in his interest, he would heed its counsel.

"Why is it important?" Eamon asked.

Klac's response was swift and assured. "If I absorb another token, I should have enough strength to create a creature entirely made of energy, bound to the territory and dedicated to protect it. This creature will naturally regenerate over time by consuming the energy of the territory, making it nearly indestructible."

"I am impressed," Eamon admitted, "but also uneasy. If the other lords have creatures like the one you described, we may be facing a formidable opposition."

Klac's response was direct. "That's precisely why we must act swiftly," he emphasized.

"We can't afford to be caught unprepared."

"Moreover," Klac interjected, "there are only two days left before the protection of the territory fades away."

"We'll need to fortify our defenses," Eamon agreed. "And we must strike before our enemies have a chance to strengthen their positions."

"Use the fibrous plants I brought back," he instructed Malakai, "to bind the wings and legs of the female Eagle securely before tethering her to a rock in the corridor leading to the dark abyss."

Malakai nodded in acknowledgment before departing to carry out the task.

Cassandra approached Eamon with a graceful bow, her movements exuding confidence.

"My apologies for interrupting your discussion, my lord," she began, "but I believe I can offer assistance. I can mount the Ghoul Eagle and venture alone into the mountains and forests surrounding our territory. Although my aura is not yet strong enough to dominate a beast of significant power, it is sufficient to control and work in perfect harmony with a creature already in service to our troupe." She stood poised and confident.

"And," she continued, her tone earnest, "by familiarizing myself with the Ghoul Eagle, I believe my aura will naturally evolve. Eventually, I might gain the ability to control not only the Ghoul Eagle, but also the female eagle and the eaglets." 

Eamon was pleased to see Cassandra articulate herself so well with her increased intelligence. "You have my permission," he replied, acknowledging her proposal.

With a nod, Cassandra placed her palm on the Ghoul Eagle's forehead. The two of them then hurried off, disappearing into the corridor leading to the summit of the mountain.

A few minutes passed before Malakai's silhouette emerged once more.

"Master," Malakai began, "we're more than prepared to receive the Earth followers into our sanctuary. Their assistance will be valuable in fortifying our defenses before we consider confronting the other lords."

Eamon nodded in agreement. Together, they reached the teleportation portal.

As Eamon approached the portal, Klac's eyes emitted a vibrant green light, casting an eerie glow in the cavern.

Energy crackled in the air, accompanied by a low, resonant hum that reverberated through the chamber.

The intricate design of the portal shimmered with symbols, pulsating with a rhythmic energy.

Eamon extended his hand towards the portal, feeling the surge of power coursing through him. With a final surge of energy, the portal burst to life with a resounding roar.

Klac's laughter echoed through the cavern, infused with his childlike voice. "This is so exciting!" he exclaimed.

Malakai tightened his grip on his lance, a determined gleam in his eyes, while Roxy tensed, her muscles coiled as she bared her teeth, ready for whatever lay ahead.

Two distinct silhouettes began to take shape within the portal's shimmering aura.