Jay exhaled, his breath visible in the cool mountain air. "Now it's time to summon the undead," he whispered, his voice steady with anticipation. With a wave of his hand, 3,000 zombie bodies appeared, piled across the rocky terrain like a grotesque offering.
Opening his system interface, Jay tapped on "Arise Undead Legion."
Instantly, the familiar black necrotic mist surged out, thick as smoke, curling and twisting over the bodies. The stench of decay grew stronger as the dark magic seeped into the corpses, and soon low groans echoed through the mist. Figures began shifting within, shambling forward one by one.
When the mist finally cleared, a horde of 3,000 undead stood before Jay. Some zombies were humanoid, their rotting forms clad in scraps of rusted metal armor. Others were more beast-like, with wolfish features, jaws hanging loose, and limbs distorted by decay. A few stood out as irregular monstrosities—stitched together from multiple creatures, their grotesque forms unstable but lethal.
Jay's eyes glimmered with satisfaction. These were no ordinary zombies. They bore armor and weapons—remnants of the lives they once had—now serving only him in death.
The undead legion groaned once more, a symphony of unsettling moans, before each of them dropped to their knees, just like the skeletons. Despite their ragged and decomposed forms, they knelt with perfect discipline, their clouded eyes now locked on Jay, awaiting orders.
Jay opened his system interface to inspect the status of the new legion.
[Undead Legion ]
[Legion count - 3,000]
[Rank - Warrior (lvl 19) ]
[Special - None ]
[Bloodline - None]
[Humanoid Zombies - 2000]
[Wolf Zombies - 500 ]
[Giant fat Zombies - 250]
[Irregular Zombies - 250 ]
Jay's eyes glimmered with satisfaction as he scanned the diverse makeup of his legion. "Damn, I didn't expect to get so many irregular zombies," he muttered, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "These guys alone are going to make things interesting."
He turned his gaze toward one of the irregular zombies standing apart from the others. It was a 3-meter-tall monstrosity, its warped body designed for nothing but destruction. Sharp bone structures jutted from its limbs like crude weapons, and its face was a twisted snarl of exposed teeth and decayed flesh.
Jay grinned. "These irregulars are going to be dangerous." He then shifted his attention to the giant fat zombies, scattered throughout the legion. Towering over the rest of the horde, these bloated monstrosities looked slow but carried sheer brute strength, their grotesque forms built to smash through anything that stood in their path. "And those giants... Yeah, these guys are going to be a problem for anyone in our way."
From behind him, Amelios stood silently, accompanied by the three Black-Eyed Ghouls, their eerie auras humming with energy. Jay glanced over his shoulder and grinned knowingly at Amelios. The pale necromancer gave a small nod, understanding the unspoken command. Amelios stepped forward, positioning himself beside Jay.
Jay raised his hand, his voice cold and commanding. "Zombies, arise!" he boomed. "I, Jay—the Lich Monarch Necromancer—bind you to my will. You shall serve me until death takes you again—or until we conquer death itself."
The zombie horde stirred, their low groans and growls filling the air. One by one, the undead rose from their knees. Their rotting bodies twitched as they stood, waiting for further orders.
Jay scanned the sea of undead before him, his grin widening. "Now, listen well. From this moment on, you will follow Amelios. He will be your commander. As our numbers grow and you evolve, we will divide into more legions—until you become an army that will blacken the land."
Amelios turned to face the zombies, his gray eyes glowing with necromantic power. His voice was calm but carried a weight of authority. "Follow my commands without question. Your only purpose is to fight, conquer, and serve."
The zombies responded with a chorus of snarls, some snapping their jaws, others pounding their fists into the ground in acknowledgement.
Among them, the irregular zombies stood eerily still, their bone blades shimmering in the dim light. They radiated an aura of menace, as though waiting eagerly for their first opportunity to slaughter. Meanwhile, the giant fat zombies grunted heavily, their swollen bodies shifting as they tested their balance.
Behind Jay, the Black-Eyed Ghouls watched with amusement, their glowing eyes flickering with interest at the new recruits. The Nine-Headed Serpent swayed slowly, its many heads studying the zombies, while the Kaiju rumbled approvingly, shaking the ground beneath it.
Jay folded his arms, pleased with how everything was falling into place. "We're going to carve a path of destruction," he whispered to himself, eyes gleaming with ambition. "This legion is just the beginning."
He turned back toward Amelios. "Prepare them. We're heading to the summit soon. And when we do... we bring down everything that stands in our way."
Amelios gave a slight bow. "It will be done, Master. The undead will know only victory."
Jay glanced at the system interface as the final group emerged from the dissipating mist. The eerie, unsettling chuckles still echoed, as if carried by the lingering wisps of necrotic energy. Jay furrowed his brow, thinking aloud, "Did I summon ghosts…? Or do ghouls just come in spirit form too? Damn, this system can be full of surprises."
He shifted his gaze to the figures standing before him—an assortment of bizarre creatures.
Some resembled pale, gaunt humanoids, their greyish skin stretched over bony frames. Their sunken red eyes glowed faintly, and their crooked limbs gave them an eerie, predatory stance. These ghouls grinned unnervingly, their sharp teeth glinting as they let out occasional bursts of dry laughter.
Among them floated spectral-like beings, their transparent forms shifting between mist and shadow. These creatures hovered above the ground, moving as if gliding on invisible currents. Their faces were twisted in expressions of eternal sorrow and madness, making them look like vengeful spirits trapped between life and death.
Jay also noticed ghastly beasts, malformed and disturbing, lurking among the group. One resembled a wolf with translucent skin, its bones faintly visible beneath a mist-like aura, while another appeared to be a serpentine creature, its body phasing in and out of reality, as though it didn't belong fully in this world.
Jay took a deep breath, letting the scene settle. He opened his system interface to examine the stats of this new group.
[Weaker Ghoul Group ]
[Group - 100]
[Rank - Warrior (lvl 24) ( 5 levels above jay rank)]
[Special - Soul seeing , Curse- Resistance 100 , Physical damage Resistance 30]
[Bloodline - None ]
[Spectral Ghosts - 25]
[Humanoid ghoul - 50]
[Ghost Beast ghouls -25 ]
Jay observed the Weaker Ghoul Group kneeling before him, their forms strange and ominous. Despite being only a fraction of the size compared to his skeletal and undead legions, their level advantage and special abilities gave them an edge. Jay gave a satisfied nod, feeling more than pleased with the outcome.
"Even though there's only 100 of them, their stats are crazy. Five levels higher than me—and with abilities like Soul Seeing and Curse Resistance at 100%. Not bad at all..." he thought, glancing at the system interface.
As Jay continued inspecting his new forces, the Ghouls bowed low before him in perfect synchronization, their eerie forms blending with the ambient necrotic mist.
He glanced at the 3 Black-Eyed Ghouls—the 9-Headed Serpent, the 4-Legged Kaiju, and the Black Ghoul Beholder King—who stood behind him. Their enormous, intimidating frames hovered in silent anticipation.
"Alright," Jay said, his voice calm but filled with authority. "It's time to meet your new commanders."
With a subtle gesture, Jay stepped aside. The three titanic Black-Eyed Ghouls moved forward, their towering bodies radiating ominous energy. All three stood over 20 meters tall, casting massive shadows over the kneeling ghouls.
The 9-Headed Serpent slithered forward, its many heads hissing and twisting in unison. Its piercing black eyes glowed with sinister intent as it examined the ghouls.The 4-Legged Kaiju stomped the ground, shaking the earth with every step, its muscular body brimming with raw power and ferocity.The Beholder King floated ominously, its grotesque, bulbous form covered in countless watchful eyes. Each eye darted around, taking in every detail of the ghouls beneath it.
The spectral ghosts flickered uneasily at the presence of these commanders, while the humanoid ghouls and ghost beasts lowered their heads, sensing the overwhelming power radiating from the titanic figures.
Jay stepped forward, addressing the ghouls with the same speech he gave his Undead Legion. "I am Jay, the Lich Monarch Necromancer. You are summoned to serve me until death claims you once more. From this moment, your loyalty is to me, and your orders come through your new commanders."
He motioned toward the three Black-Eyed Ghouls. "These three will lead you. They will divide you into divisions based on your species and ensure you are battle-ready. Work hard under their command, and I promise there will be more to come."
The ghouls remained silent but nodded in unison. Their glowing eyes flickered as they acknowledged Jay's authority and the new command structure.
The 9-Headed Serpent hissed softly, amused at the creatures it would now control. The 4-Legged Kaiju let out a low growl, already eager to test its new forces in battle. The Beholder King's eyes scanned the group meticulously, likely plotting out how to organize them efficiently.
Jay turned, giving the commanders a brief nod. "Sort them into divisions however you see fit. I'll leave the details up to you."
The three titanic ghouls exchanged glances—some unspoken understanding passing between them—and began directing their new subordinates.
Satisfied, Jay stepped back toward where Pluto, Wynther, Seraphina, Alpha Skeletal Wolf King, and Chenoo waited. His core summons stood silently, observing the new additions with measured curiosity.
Pluto gave a low chuckle. "They're growing fast. You're really building an army, Jay."
Jay smirked. "This is just the beginning. We've got a long way to go before we reach the summit."
Nearby, Wynther, the silent, frosty being, stood motionless. Frost gathered on the ground beneath it's feet, and her glowing, icy-blue eyes locked onto the ghouls. Though it couldn't speak, but the cold aura expressed both curiosity and approval, a chilling breeze swirling gently around Jay.
The Alpha Skeletal Wolf King prowled next to Wynther. It let out a low, guttural growl, its bones rattling as it circled Jay like a protective sentinel. The wolf's posture exuded silent loyalty, always ready to defend its master. Jay gave it a small nod, running a hand along the jagged bone of its spine. "I know. They're a bit different, huh? But they'll fall in line just like you did."
Chenoo, the silent ice spirit, remained close. It tilted its massive head, the eerie glow in its eyes flickering slightly. Although Chenoo couldn't speak, Jay could sense its satisfaction with the new recruits. The ghostly creature's looming presence was reassuring, like a guardian that needed no words to convey its thoughts.
Jay turned to Seraphina, the fiery yet enigmatic fallen angel who leaned casually against a nearby boulder. She gave him a half-smile. "Don't get too cocky now, Jay. A bigger army means more mouths to feed—or, I guess in this case, more bones to maintain."
Jay smirked at her sarcasm. "Lucky for me, they don't need food. Just battles."
Seraphina laughed quietly, flipping a dagger between her fingers. "As long as they don't get in my way, I'll call that a win."
Pluto grinned again. "You hear that? She's already planning who to set on fire when things get messy."
Seraphina shrugged with a sly grin. "What can I say? Ghouls don't burn well, but skeletons make great torches."
Jay rolled his eyes but couldn't help smirking. He enjoyed these moments with his closest companions. "Relax, guys. They'll all fall in line. And soon, we're going to need every single one of them."
The skeletal wolf gave another low growl of approval, while Wynther's icy aura intensified for a brief moment—her version of agreement. Chenoo, standing behind them all, exhaled a misty breath, signaling it was ready whenever Jay needed it.
Jay stood silently, arms folded, watching as the three Black-Eyed Ghouls went about organizing their divisions. Each of the three titanic figures moved in their unique way, bringing their own presence to the task of dividing the spectral ghosts, humanoid ghouls, and ghost beasts into distinct units.
The 9-Headed Serpent hissed and circled the ghost beasts, its many heads looming over the strange, pale creatures. It lashed one head at a restless beast, coiling around it tightly until the beast calmed. One of the serpent's heads turned back to address the others, hissing approvingly as they fell into line. The serpent ghouls, recognizing strength, knelt without resistance beneath the serpent's gaze.
The 4-Legged Kaiju, with its immense bulk, stomped toward the humanoid ghouls. Its deep, growling voice rumbled like distant thunder as it inspected their ranks. Though it did not speak, the kaiju's sheer presence was enough to inspire discipline. Any ghoul that didn't immediately fall in line received a powerful glare from its glowing black eyes, forcing even the most defiant to submit.
The Beholder King hovered over the spectral ghosts, its myriad eyes shifting in unsettling patterns. These ghosts were far more elusive than the other ghouls, flickering in and out of sight. But under the Beholder's intense gaze, they soon complied. It pulsed with psychic energy, and the ghosts let out eerie, ghostly wails in submission, circling tighter into a cohesive formation.
Jay glanced back toward the Black-Eyed Ghouls. The three commanders had finished dividing the 100 ghouls into their new units. The serpent, kaiju, and beholder exchanged nods—an unspoken agreement that their new forces were ready for deployment.
Jay smiled in satisfaction. "Well done," he called out to them. "Keep them in line. We've to start moving to the summit now ."
The 9-Headed Serpent hissed in acknowledgment, slithering closer. The 4-Legged Kaiju gave a thunderous snort, while the Beholder King's eyes flickered as it floated silently.
Adonis strode confidently to the front of the ghouls, flanked by his skeletal legion, while Amelios appeared beside him with his undead horde. They exchanged knowing grins, a subtle competition brewing between them. Behind them, the skeletons stood perfectly still, bone weapons glinting faintly, while the undead legion swayed with subtle movements—groans echoing from deep within their ranks.
Chenoo silently melted into Jay's shadow, his role clear as ever: to shield his master from danger. The Alpha Skeletal Wolf King prowled in a slow circle behind Jay, its jaw creaking slightly as it snapped at the air. Pluto, glowing faintly with a soft blue aura, stepped to Jay's right side. His gaze was sharp and attentive, ready for any command. Seraphina, with her six tattered wings folded elegantly behind her, stood on Jay's left. Her white hair flickering in the wind, and her red eyes remained calm and unreadable as she surveyed the vast forces assembled before them.
Wynther stood beside Seraphina, cold and silent as ever, his frost-laden aura causing the air to shimmer. Though words were unnecessary between them, their presence radiated unity and purpose, each ready to act when needed.
Ahead, the three Black-Eyed Ghouls began sorting through the weaker ghoul group. The Beholder King hovered slightly off the ground, its many dark eyes spinning lazily as it claimed the spectral ghosts. A sinister laugh echoed from its mouthless face as it herded them under its control.
The 9-Headed Serpent coiled and uncoiled its many heads with fluid grace, hissing softly in satisfaction as it chose the ghost beast ghouls. Its serpentine eyes glinted with malice as it observed its new subordinates.
The 4-Legged Kaiju snorted, towering over the rest. With heavy stomps, it corralled the humanoid ghouls into its command, satisfied by their sturdy physiques. It released a low, rumbling growl, pleased with its selection.
Jay crossed his arms, watching the interactions unfold with a grin. His forces were vast and terrifying—each member carrying power and potential far beyond what he had imagined.
Pluto turned his glowing eyes toward Jay. "Master, these forces... They will crush anything that stands in our way."
Jay gave a quiet chuckle, patting Pluto's shoulder. "Of course. This is only the beginning."
Seraphina glanced at him briefly her wings twitched in anticipation. The faintest smirk touched her lips, though she said nothing. Wynther, ice-cold and unreadable, gave a slight nod, understanding the weight of what was to come.
Jay's gaze drifted back to his legions. Skeletons, zombies, ghouls, and beasts—all kneeling, ready to serve him until death called them again. The power amassed before him was intoxicating, and he knew this was only the first step toward the summit.
With a slow, satisfied breath, Jay spoke softly to himself.
"Soon... we reach the top. And when we do... we end this."
Jay continued leading the way, his bony feet crunching against the rocky trail, his undead legions marching in eerie unison behind him. The groans from the zombies grew louder, rattling bones from the skeletons clicked with every step, and the ghouls howled into the wind, their sounds blending with spectral wails from the ghosts. The atmosphere thickened with necrotic energy, making it feel as though the mountain itself was cursed by their presence. Anyone witnessing this march would have sworn they were watching an army straight from the underworld, a procession of death ascending to claim its prize.
Jay narrowed his eyes as he spotted a plateau looming above, its flat expanse promising danger. "That's gotta be where the Boss is," Jay muttered to himself, noting the last stretch was still a mile ahead. Just as the thought crossed his mind, Seraphina's voice rang out, calm yet laced with amusement.
"Jay, we've got company. A lot of them." Her glowing red eyes gleamed mischievously, and the smile tugging at her lips hinted at excitement rather than concern.
Before Jay could respond, the deep hiss of the 9-Headed Serpent followed. Each of its heads swayed with anticipation, its forked tongues flicking out to taste the air. "Master... I can feel them. Weaklings. My legion can crush them and prove their worth." Its low, rumbling voice carried the weight of sadistic glee, eager to unleash destruction.
Then Adonis, the Multi-Winged Devil Skeleton King, strode forward, his golden hollow eyes flashing with pride. "Master," he said, a grin in his skeletal voice, "let these fools fall to my skeletons. There is no need to waste your energy on insects. Save your strength—if this plateau holds the Boss, you may be forced to fight yourself. And if there are rules that pull you in... you will need everything at your disposal."
Jay gave a sharp nod, satisfied with their readiness. "Good," he muttered. "Let them come. Skeletons in the front, ghouls to the flanks. Undead—stay close and cover the rear."
Adonis bowed and raised one bony hand. "Skeleton Legion, take the vanguard!" The front ranks of the skeletal army shifted seamlessly, bone weapons at the ready, their empty eyesockets facing the incoming threat.
The 9-Headed Serpent hissed once more. "I'll keep the stragglers entertained," it snarled, each head twisting with eagerness.
Amelios stepped forward, a cold grin stretching across his pale face. "The undead are yours to command, Master. We'll defend your path and destroy anyone foolish enough to block it."
Jay glanced over his commanders and companions—Seraphina, Pluto, the Alpha Skeletal Wolf King, Wynther, Chenoo lurking in his shadow—all radiating their own deadly aura. He grinned. This was his army, his power, and no one would stand in his way.
"Let's clear this mountain," Jay said with finality, cracking his knuckles. The mountain air felt heavy, electric with anticipation.