Simon sat in his dimly lit room, surrounded by the faint aroma of ancient texts and candle wax. His eyes were glued to the flickering computer screen, scrolling through endless forums dedicated to the latest game updates. The digital clock in the corner ticked closer to midnight, but he was lost in a world of strategy and power. His heart raced as he read about the new dungeons popping up around the globe. They promised untold riches and powerful artifacts, but the risks were high. Only the strongest and most skilled h dared to venture inside.
The house was quiet except for the occasional creak from the floorboards above. His mom was probably asleep by now, unaware of the digital battles her son was fighting. He had always been drawn to the macabre, the arcane, and the mysterious. When the option to become a necromancer appeared on his status window at the age of 16, he didn't hesitate. It was a rare class, often misunderstood and underestimated, but he knew its potential. The art of controlling the undead was not for the faint of heart, but he was ready to prove his worth.
His friend, Alex, was the complete opposite. An outgoing, athletic boy with a knack for charm, Alex had chosen the path of the swordsman. He was a natural leader, the kind of guy who had friends everywhere. They had known each other since childhood, sharing a bond that transcended the digital world. Even though their in-game classes were different, they had agreed to stick together when the real-world stakes became too high. Simon envied Alex's social ease and combat prowess but knew that his own skills had a place in this new, dangerous world.
The chime of his phone jolted him back to reality. It was a message from their school's announcement board. New dungeons had been discovered in the abandoned industrial park on the outskirts of town. The government had posted a warning, advising only experienced players to enter. Simon's pulse quickened. This was it. This was the opportunity he had been waiting for. He looked up at the ceiling, imagining the adventures that awaited them outside the city walls, and wondered if the girl he had a crush on, Lily, had seen the news too. Known as the "Ice Queen" for her sharp intellect and cold demeanor, she was the top student in their class and a prodigy in the art of combat magic. He often wondered if she ever thought about him when she wasn't busy decimating monsters and solving complex equations.
The next morning, Simon woke up with a plan. He packed his bag with a few essential items: a trusty wand, a vial of holy water, and a necklace with a tiny skull charm that his grandfather had given him. As he made his way to school, the usual bustle of students and the hum of passing cars seemed to fade into the background. His thoughts were consumed by the looming dungeon, the potential treasures, and the girl he has a crush on. He couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and anxiety.
At school, the atmosphere was electric with whispers of the newly discovered dungeons. Lily, the ice queen, walked into the classroom with an aura of confidence that seemed to suck the air out of the room. Her piercing blue eyes scanned the room, and for a brief moment, they met Simon's gaze. He felt his cheeks flush and quickly looked away, hoping she didn't notice his sudden nervousness.
Their teacher, Mr. Castellanos, a grizzled veteran hunter with a stern demeanor, called the class to attention. He spoke of the dungeons, the dangers they posed, and the potential rewards. His words were a stark reminder that the world they lived in was no game. Lily's hand shot up, and her voice, cool and composed, pierced the silence. "What's the level requirement to join an exploration party?" she asked. Simon's heart skipped a beat. If she was going, he had to go too.
He waited for the class to end, gathering his courage. As the students began to file out, he approached her, his heart pounding in his chest. "Hey, Lily," he murmured, "I heard about the dungeons. Are you planning to go?" She turned to him, her gaze unreadable. "Maybe," she said, a hint of curiosity in her voice. "What about you?"
"Well, I've been thinking," Simon began, fidgeting with the strap of his bag. "Since we're both... you know, hunters, maybe we could form a party? Alex is in too."
Lily raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing on her lips. "A necromancer, a swordsman, and an ice mage. Quite the trio." She paused, considering. "But your class isn't exactly popular. Can you even handle the undead in those dungeons?"
Simon felt a spark of defiance. "Necromancers have their uses," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. "We can manipulate the dead to fight for us, and we're surprisingly good at crowd control. Besides, the dungeons are filled with undead, and that's my specialty."
Lily's smile grew. "Alright, Simon. I'll consider it. But if we're going to do this, we'll need to be prepared. Meet me and Alex at the gym after school. We'll run some drills, see how well we work together." With that, she turned and strode out of the room, leaving Simon feeling a mix of excitement and dread.
After school, the gym was a flurry of activity. Hunters of all classes and levels were sparring, practicing their skills, and preparing for the inevitable dungeon runs. Simon found Alex already waiting, swinging his sword in a series of precise, powerful arcs. "Hey, man," Alex said, grinning widely when he saw him. "You talked to her?"
Simon nodded, trying to hide his nerves. "Yeah, she said we could form a party."
Alex's eyes lit up. "No way! That's huge! But she wants to run some drills first. Smart move, she's not taking any chances." He clapped Simon on the back. "Don't worry, I'll cover you if things get hectic. We'll show her what we're made of!"
The two friends met Lily in the center of the gym. She was dressed in a sleek, form-fitting outfit that reflected her serious approach to the upcoming challenge. In one hand, she held a gleaming staff, the tip shimmering with an icy glow. "Alright, let's get started," she said without preamble. "Simon, I want to see how fast you can summon your minions and how well you can control them."
Simon
class necromancer
level 1
health 100
mana 100
strength 10
agility 10
focus 10
endurance 10
luck 5
skills:
-skeletal shield; lvl1
- skeletal minion: lvl 1
- animate dead: lvl 1
- shadow step: lvl 1
- dark vision: passive
inventory:
- wand of bone: durability 80/100
- holy water vial: x1
- skull necklace: passive bonus to necromantic spells
- health potion: x3
while spar with lily and Alex the school's emergency alarm blared, a piercing wail that echoed through the halls. The training sessions around them abruptly ceased as hunters and students alike froze in place. Simon's heart raced as he looked at Lily and Alex, their eyes wide with understanding. This was not a drill.