"Let's form a party." A tall, handsome boy brimming with confidence announced, catching everyone's attention.
Quickly, many agreed and began to form various small groups. Thoren, however, did not have any intention of joining a party.
With his occupation, no one would allow him in their party. Thus, he did not bother trying and left the group.
This was the Abyss—everyone for himself.
In the distance stood a small town, surrounded by a wooden wall. Thoren, with other solo awakeners, walked quickly toward the town.
"Hm?"
Thoren creased his brow as he got closer to the town entrance. Standing at the entrance were two sturdy guards.
Merely looking at them, anyone could detect their occupation—warriors. Most importantly, their levels were not low.
The guards did not bat an eye at Thoren and the other fresh awakeners. It was as if they were ants.
Stepping inside the small town, Thoren instantly felt the shift in atmosphere. A thick, heavy aura filled the air.
People moved in groups, their faces filled with urgency and solemnness.
"You must be new?" a voice said, catching Thoren's attention.
He did not speak but nodded. A quick glance showed that he was a fresh awakener.
"I'm Alma. I work for the Federation, and I'll be your guide." Alma explained, motioning him to follow.
Quickly, Alma explained the most important parts of the town and some of the famous guilds to join if he was interested.
He listened to everything without asking questions.
Finally, when she was about to depart, she looked at Thoren and advised, "Get stronger fast—human life means nothing here."
Thoren agreed with her. From their small tour, he could see dried blood splattered in some parts of the street.
"Thank you…" he said.
Alma nodded and departed. Her mission was completed. Thoren's life and death had nothing to do with her anymore.
Suddenly, she stopped and looked back at Thoren departing.
"A Necromancer…" she mused and shook her head. "I wonder how long this one is going to last."
Without thinking too much about it, she left for her next mission.
For Thoren, his goal was to get stronger quickly and pay back his family's debt. He increased his pace and left the small town.
The oppressive atmosphere made him realize how dangerous the Abyss was.
Without any strength to protect himself, he might not even know how he would die.
He quickened his pace, heading north toward the Lumin Forest.
The Lumin Forest was the only forest with mostly low-level beasts.
Apart from the Lumin Forest, everywhere else teemed with high-level beasts with monstrous power.
Fifteen minutes later, Thoren arrived at the foot of the Lumin Forest. Outside, he could see many awakeners going in and out of the forest.
Some were covered in injuries while others wore bright smiles.
Without thinking too much, he entered the forest as well. Inside the forest, Thoren took a deep breath and calmed his racing heart as he walked deeper.
The trees were tens of meters tall, their long branches and broad leaves casting shadows on the ground.
Arriving at an open space, he summoned his only undead servant. Instantly, the air twisted before him as an undead human appeared, standing before him.
This was the dead criminal man's body he received from the government.
[Undead Human]
[Level: 0 (0/100)]
[Attributes: Strength 5, Constitution 4, Agility 2]
[Trait: None]
The undead stood with hollow eyes, staring at Thoren, waiting for his command.
Looking at its rotten skin, Thoren twisted his nose and shook his head. "I need to remove its flesh."
[Bone Manipulation Skill]
Instantly, all the flesh fell off from its body, turning it into a human skeleton.
[Human Skeleton]
Looking at its new name, Thoren was pleased and took out a common Iron Grade spear from his inventory and gave it to the skeleton.
"Move."
He commanded, and the skeleton moved forward slowly. Walking behind the skeleton, Thoren took out a common Iron Grade sword for protection.
As a necromancer with only one summoned, he knew he couldn't depend on the skeleton for survival.
Every rustle in the trees made his grip tighten around the sword. He wasn't afraid, not exactly, but the silence pressed down like a weight.
Suddenly, from a thick bush, a massive rabbit jumped out and attacked the skeleton.
[Feral Rabbit]
[Level: 1]
[Attributes: Strength 6, Constitution 5, Agility 8]
[Trait: None]
Bang!
The skeleton was pushed back and wobbled but managed to remain standing. Looking at the Feral Rabbit, Thoren was stunned for a moment.
The Feral Rabbit was nearly two meters tall with glowing red eyes. Without hesitating, he commanded the skeleton to attack.
The skeleton moved toward the Feral Rabbit, but it was pounced on by the Feral Rabbit.
With no fear, the skeleton stabbed forward with its spear. The spear pierced its belly, blood gushing out like an open dam.
The rabbit's claws tore through the skeleton's ribs. Thoren's pulse spiked—if the skull broke, the skeleton would collapse.
He gritted his teeth and urged the skeleton to attack quickly.
He must end the battle as soon as possible.
Crashing to the ground, the Feral Rabbit howled fiercely, but the skeleton stepped forward and struck again fearlessly.
The two tangled for a few seconds before the Feral Rabbit lay lifeless on the ground.
[Experience Gained +20]
[Summoned Entity: Human Skeleton Experience +10]
[Spirit +0.02, +2 Copper Coins.]
Looking at the notification, Thoren was stunned. He had never thought that, apart from him growing stronger, his summon could also grow stronger.
"Is this the effect of my talent?" he mused, a light smile creeping onto his face.
He shook his head and did not dwell on it. He walked to the dead Feral Rabbit and wanted to test his talent.
[Undead Summoning]
Using the Undead Summoning Skill, the Feral Rabbit struggled back to life and its hollow eyes stared at him.
[Bone Manipulating Skill]
Instantly, all the flesh on its body was cast off, leaving only a skeleton.
[Feral Rabbit Skeleton]
[Level: 1 (0/300)]
[Attributes: Strength 5, Constitution 4, Agility 7]
[Trait: None]
"Hahaha," Thoren laughed.
In the Federation, everyone regarded the Necromancer occupation as useless. They were known for their physical weakness and slow growth.
Most Necromancers could only have one or two undead servants at the beginning. To increase their strength, it would require massive resources.
As for him, he did not have such weaknesses.
He could have as many as possible undead summon.
He recovered from his excitement, and he thought for a moment. "With this talent, I should try to see if I can clear the first floor before 14 days."
He never forgot his parent's massive debt. He thought it would be difficult to grow stronger, but now…
Filled with confidence, he commanded his two skeletons to move forward.
*****