Elias used the manipulated zombie as bait with precision, allowing him and Art to escape the deadly trap that had cornered them.
During the confrontation, the accumulated experience was enough for Elias to reach level 2, unlocking the skill tree.
This new feature not only expanded his options but also eliminated the need for traditional learning: a simple click on the panel granted him instant mastery of any skill.
Among the available options, an alchemical skill caught his attention. It wasn't his interest in alchemy that motivated him, but rather a specific formula: the Zombie Cure Antidote.
The recipe was crucial for his survival, as Elias was still infected and losing health gradually.
Without hesitation, he selected and learned the necessary skill to create the antidote. Now, he had the knowledge but needed to gather the ingredients and complete the ritual before it was too late.
The formula required three essential components: a fresh heart, a captured zombie, and a blood offering from the necromancer.
The process began with the creation of a magical circle, drawn precisely on the ground and adorned with arcane symbols representing purification and the delicate balance between life and death.
The necromancer's blood was poured at the center of the circle, acting as an energetic catalyst.
Next, the heart, placed at the ritual's center, received a direct infusion of mana.
A magical chant was then recited, invoking purification and the removal of the affliction corrupting the target.
The result of the ritual was transformative: the channeled energy fully restored the patient's health, eliminating the infection and returning them to a functional state.
However, the challenges were significant: capturing a zombie, obtaining a heart, and spilling a considerable amount of blood.
The process was closer to a dark ritual than traditional alchemy, but Elias had no choice.
He reviewed the formula's details again, pondering:
"Do I need a human heart, or would a zombie's heart suffice?"
Rereading the description, he noticed there were no clear specifications requiring a human heart.
With no restrictions or fine print, he concluded that a zombie's heart could work.
A sigh of relief escaped him as he turned his attention to Art, who was visibly exhausted: his hair was disheveled, sweat dripped down his forehead, and his breathing was heavy.
Elias seized the moment to open his panel and check the changes in his attributes.
The revelation hit him like a shock: all had increased by 10 points.
He knew that 10 was the average for a typical adult, so reaching 20 meant his attributes were double those of an ordinary human.
Practically, this made him superhuman.
To test his newfound strength, Elias ran and jumped. To his surprise, he easily reached a height of about 3 feet.
Previously, his jumps ranged between 2 and 3 feet, depending on conditions, but now the sensation of power was undeniable.
Art, watching the display, widened his eyes in disbelief. "Did you just jump like a basketball player... or am I losing my mind?"
Elias nodded calmly, still analyzing his capabilities. "I think I'm now twice as strong as an ordinary man."
Shocked by Elias's response, Art asked,
"Did you level up?"
Elias nodded again and replied,
"Rest and wait for my return. I'm going to test what I can do."
Art grinned, assuming Elias wanted to explore his new skills. Even so, a faint trace of envy crossed his mind.
"I still need 43 XP to level up…" he thought, with a twinge of frustration.
But Elias had much more pressing objectives. He needed to gather the ingredients for the curing ritual.
Wasting no time, he headed toward the forest, aiming for the zombie-infested area.
Elias used the manipulated zombie as bait with precision, allowing him and Art to escape the deadly ambush that had surrounded them.
During the confrontation, the accumulated experience was enough for Elias to reach level 2, unlocking the skill tree.
This new feature not only expanded his possibilities but also eliminated the need for traditional study: a simple click on the panel granted him instant mastery of any skill.
Among the available options, an alchemical skill caught his attention. It wasn't his interest in alchemy that motivated him but rather a specific formula: the Zombie Cure Antidote.
The recipe was crucial for his survival, as Elias was still infected and losing health gradually.
Without hesitation, he selected and learned the necessary skill to create the antidote. Now, he possessed the knowledge but needed to gather the ingredients and complete the ritual before it was too late.
The formula required three essential components: a fresh heart, a captured zombie, and a blood offering from the necromancer.
The process began with the creation of a magical circle, drawn precisely on the ground and adorned with arcane symbols representing purification and the delicate balance between life and death.
The necromancer's blood was poured into the center of the circle, acting as an energetic catalyst.
Next, the heart, placed at the center of the ritual, received a direct infusion of mana.
A magical chant was then recited, invoking purification and the removal of the affliction corrupting the target.
The result of the ritual was transformative: the channeled energy fully restored the patient's health, eliminating the infection and returning them to a functional state.
However, the challenges were significant: capturing a zombie, obtaining a heart, and spilling a considerable amount of blood.
The process was closer to a dark ritual than traditional alchemy, but Elias had no choice.
He reviewed the formula's details again, pondering:
"Do I need a human heart, or would a zombie's heart suffice?"
Rereading the description, he noticed no clear specifications requiring a human heart. With no restrictions or fine print, he concluded that a zombie's heart could work.
A sigh of relief escaped him as he turned his attention to Art, who was visibly exhausted: his hair disheveled, sweat dripping down his forehead, and his breathing heavy.
Elias seized the moment to open his panel and check the changes in his attributes.
The revelation hit him like a shock: all his attributes had increased by 10 points.
He knew that 10 was the average for a typical adult, so reaching 20 meant his attributes were double those of an ordinary human.
Practically, this made him superhuman.
To test his newfound strength, Elias ran and jumped. To his surprise, he easily reached a height of about 3.3 feet.
Previously, his jumps ranged between 2 and 3.3 feet, depending on conditions, but now the sensation of power was undeniable.
Art, watching the display, widened his eyes in disbelief. "Did you just jump like a basketball player... or am I losing my mind?"
Elias nodded calmly, still analyzing his capabilities. "I think I'm now twice as strong as an ordinary man."
Shocked by Elias's response, Art asked,
"Did you level up?"
Elias nodded again and replied,
"Rest and wait for my return. I'm going to test what I can do."
Art grinned, assuming Elias wanted to explore his new skills. Even so, a faint trace of envy crossed his mind.
"I still need 43 XP to level up…" he thought, with a twinge of frustration.
But Elias had much more pressing objectives. He needed to gather the ingredients for the curing ritual.
Wasting no time, he headed toward the forest, aiming for the zombie-infested area.
On the way, he passed the site of the previous battle and found a few scattered zombies. Gripping his spear tightly, he attacked the first one with precision, smashing its skull in a single blow.
He then turned to face another, delivering quick, brutal strikes that dismembered it.
The ritual didn't require the zombie to be intact—only that it remained "alive." Satisfied with the result, Elias summoned his bayonet and brutally ripped the heart out of the dead zombie.
He wiped the bloodied blade on his shirt and, without hesitation, made a cut on his palm, spilling his own blood onto the ground.
Carefully, he began drawing the magical circle. At first, he controlled the amount of blood, but, feeling fine, he increased the flow to speed up the process.
After completing a larger circle, he drew another, smaller one at its center.
He carefully placed the heart in the smaller circle and dragged the "alive" zombie, along with its dismembered limbs, into the larger circle.
Taking a deep breath to calm his anxiety, he began infusing mana into the circles, working from the smaller one outward.
A notification sounded on his panel, but he ignored it, focusing on the ritual. When he finished channeling the mana, he started chanting:
"Oh, forces of the veil between life and death,
Guide the spirit along the thread of destiny,
Undo the rot that corrupts the flesh,
And grant balance to the profane body.
Through the ancient blood that I pledge,
Through the cycle I renew in vow,
May the plague be annulled,
And the lost essence be restored."
As he recited the words, visible energy began flowing from the zombie to Elias, as if the creature's life force was being extracted and redirected.
The sensation was immediate: the dizziness caused by blood loss vanished, and he felt as though a tremendous weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
Relaxed but exhausted, Elias collapsed onto the dirt ground. After a moment, he opened his panel, prepared to check the ritual's impact on his condition.
Elias Moureau
Origin Universe: Terra:K-283
Level: 2
Experience Points: 10 / 200
Class: Initiate Necromancer
Age: 30
Appearance: Tanned skin, dark hair, brown eyes.
Species: Human
Status: Healthy
Attributes
| Health (HP) | 201 / 210 |
| Mana (MP) | 20 / 20 |
| Strength | 21 |
| Agility | 20 |
| Wisdom | 20 |
| Magic | 21 |
Special Skills
| Skill | Level |
| Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) | 1 / 10 |
| Versatility | 1 / 10 |
| Mental Resistance | 2 / 10 |
| Physical Resistance | 2 / 10 |
| Marksmanship | 3 / 10 |
| Diagnostics | 1 / 10 |
| Corpse Manipulation | 1 / 10 |
| Alchemy | 1 / 10 |
Inventory
Bayonet (Rank: F)Spear (Rank: F)Necromancy Grimoire (Rank: B)Supplies
Inventory weight limit: 55/60 kg
He examined his status and realized that, in addition to being healthy, he had discovered a "side effect."
His HP hadn't just been restored—it had increased by 10 points.
Additionally, his strength and magic attributes had each increased by 1 point.
This led him to reflect. He started questioning why necromancers were considered vile in this world. Initially, he had assumed it was the immorality of their actions—a simple and plausible explanation.
However, something didn't add up. What if the true reason was something else?
What if, in reality, necromancers were feared not for their repugnant practices but because they could grow stronger faster than other classes?
This suggested that the fear of them wasn't rooted in morality but in their rapidly growing power.
They weren't hated for their actions but for the ease with which they gained strength.
With this thought in mind, he became even more determined to hide his true profession.
To explain his sudden recovery, Elias would need to come up with a convincing excuse for Art.
But he didn't think that would be a challenge—years as the younger brother of a strong-willed sister had given him a refined improvisation skill.
Of course, this wasn't a special ability worthy of appearing on the panel, but if it were, Elias was certain it would be maxed out—or close to it.
Before departing, Elias made sure to eliminate any traces of the ritual he had performed. On the way back, he pondered how to explain his recovery to Art.
From a distance, he noticed a trail of smoke and a smell that he quickly associated with his companion.
As he approached, he saw Art by a campfire. Art noticed him, waved, and shouted:
"Welcome back, my dear friend! I'm making a barbecue. Grab a skewer of meat and choose your poison." He pointed to a few bottles of alcohol scattered on the ground.
Drawing closer, Elias commented, "You're burning the meat. Turn it."
Art noticed and, with a muttered curse, flipped the pieces with skill.
Already planning what to say, Elias smiled at Art and said, "Art, I had a fortunate encounter. I'm cured of the zombie infection."
Art was dumbfounded. "What do you mean? Explain yourself! Did you level up again?"
Smiling, Elias replied, "I spotted a golden fruit hanging from a tree. Curious, I got closer. It looked like an apple, so I decided to take a bite to taste it."
He paused, grabbed a bottle of wine, and took a sip before continuing.
"Unfortunately, the taste wasn't great. But the effects were remarkable: first, it strengthened some of my attributes; second, it completely healed me."
"That was indeed a lucky encounter!" Art exclaimed. Raising his bottle, he declared, "A toast to your health!"
Elias lifted his drink, and the bottles clinked softly. After taking a sip, he added, "A toast to Helena, my late sister."
The bottles touched again, but this time the tone was more somber. Elias took another swig and bit into a piece of meat.
After a bite, he grimaced and remarked:
"This meat is way too salty. Did you miss salt that much?"
Without bothering to respond, Art raised his middle finger and kept chewing.
Then he added, "Let's set up a shelter here. Tomorrow, we'll keep killing zombies."
Elias nodded, leaning back on the grass to rest.
With his eyes half-closed, he allowed himself to be carried away by the surrounding silence, as the crackling fire and the distant murmur of the night completed the scene.