124 "The Shadow and the Shadow" (1/2)

There are four main types of undead that are created by necromancers.

Skeletons are created from bones.

Fleshmen, which are created from flesh.

Wraiths, which are created from the soul.

A carrion man (zombie) is created from a decomposing corpse.

But there is more than one way to mutate from there.

The rank mutation of the undead is a directed evolution built in by the necromancer.

The hood was removed to reveal a body made up of dry bones and skin. The skin was black and dry, and a strange light shone in its eye sockets.

It was in an illustrated book of the undead I once stole at Lord's house. A mutated form of bone man.

Unlike the skeleton knights used by Lord, this is a form of bone that has transcended death and gained even more power.

Litchi.

His magic is powerful. Even when used by humans, it can be a force to be reckoned with. What happens when the undead get their hands on such power?

Their appearance makes them unfit to blend in with humans. The danger level of vampires takes into account the fact that they can blend in.

If you think about it, they're the rulers of the abyss, possibly even surpassing vampires in pure combat ability.

I can feel their power. A powerful power of death that overwhelms even me, an undead.

The powerful magic emanating from his body is greater than any sorcerer I've ever seen.

Is this the king of the dead?　No, ---- is not. He's a pawn at best.

If he could use necromancy, he'd be the first to use it.

I shuddered and roared into the night sky.

It's an opponent worthy of caution. I would even consider running.

But in the midst of my intense pain, I was sure I had caught it.

The fearsome transcendent of death in front of me. The killing intent radiating from its glowing eye sockets contained a slightly different set of emotions.

Low-ranking undead have no will or emotion. But the monster in front of you is different. It has a high intelligence as well as a hatred for the living.

Change your position. Check your feet.

He squinted down at the monster in front of him, feeling the senri that had been clinging to the corner of his body leave.

”You're afraid of me, aren't you?

”...... bullshit!

”Senri, I'll take care of this one.

The blessing is powerful against the undead, but it does not nullify offensive magic. Powerful mages are a bit of a nuisance for humans.

No need to answer. She knows what she has to do.

”My name is ...... Abicode. A vassal of the great king and blessed of the darkness. Let me show you the way, lad.

Richie, who calls himself Abichord, raises his arms. Space appears to be distorted by the swirling magic. I jumped into it without a second thought.

I felt an uncomfortable sensation as if the skin of my entire body was buzzing. I can feel the flow of swirling magic being disturbed by the foreign substance that is me.

Abichord quickly steps back and avoids the cleave of my front foot. Apparently, he's also a monster.

I'll kill him before he sees what I can do.

You never know when Lefley and the others will try to surprise you. Don't overuse your woge.

The Lord's voice echoed in my head.

”How can you move with that pain?

Pain was my friend.

I never wanted to experience it again, but since I was bedridden, it was the only thing that made me feel alive.

I just move my body forward. Use your whole body to flail and disrupt. Just be careful not to step through the ground.

No matter how immortal you are, if your body is crushed, you will die. Or maybe I'll just chew him up.

The debris hits you on the head, but you don't care. Abichord's moves are beyond human, but not as strong as mine. He doesn't look as strong.

I've got a definite advantage.

”Acro-glide, darkness, come.

Abichord chants as he steps back. Magic requires mental focus. Perhaps the reason the undead are so fearsome as sorcerers is that they are insensitive to pain.

The change was instantaneous. The swirling magic burst. Darkness seeped out from nowhere and filled the space.

Even the moonlight can't strip it away. The Lord groans softly.

It's ...... old magic.

But I see you.

The Lord didn't tell me to be wary.

A vampire's eyes see through the darkness. What good is a species that lives by night if it can't see the darkness?

In the spreading darkness. He swings his claws down toward the Abichord he can see so clearly.

But Abichord evaded the full force of the swing by stepping back again.

Without giving him any room to maneuver, he swung his paws down in rapid succession. Swing down. Cleave away. He spins his body and slams it down. It opens its jaws wide and bites.

The rubble is crunchy but tasteless. I spit it out.

Abichord stood there in the rubble unconcerned.

Evaded with minimal movement. It's not magic. Even Senri couldn't have evaded it so brilliantly.

He's not fatigued, but the pain is flickering before his eyes.

”Hmm. Hmm. You're quick for your age.

”Ag-gal-del-galum. King of the Underworld--Corrosive Winds.

The air exploded around Abichord. A terrible stench of decay spreads through the air. The rush of magic that filled the air reminded me of the great river that Senri once carried me across.

I walked forward regardless. His body tingled with pain, but he didn't care as he swiped his paw across his body.

Abichord's reaction was delayed for the first time. Its eyes twisted in astonishment as my attack hit its body for the first time.

The recoil that came back to my hand was too heavy to have struck that slender body.

Just as Abichord is about to blow up and slam into the wall, I change my posture and land on the wall. There seemed to be little damage.

But I see it.

Evasion. He's using his magic to evade. It's probably sensing the flow of air and pushing itself with magic.

My movements are reasonably fast and violent, but they don't violate the laws of physics.

Did I say ”wind in the willows”?

The fact that the recoil was unexpectedly heavy may be due to the fact that I am protected by magic.

It doesn't look invincible, but it looks like it'll break your bones. I'm not a bone man.

I'm not a bone man, but I'm a skilled sorcerer who can easily fend off my attacks.

I'm sure you're not the only one.　I'm sure you're not the only one.

”Of course. This end is the crystallization of wisdom. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.