Following the trickle of mindless servants to its source, we continued deeper into the sewer system. Ahead, the claustrophobic passageway expanded into a large chamber with a far wall more than a hundred meters away and a ceiling more than ten meters up. The chamber served as a basin of the city’s wastewater where it would sit and fester until the water level reached high enough that it began to flow into the river. Several dozen rotten wooden structures had been built atop the wide basin, giving it the appearance of a city built atop the type of poison swamp that was popular among certain Japanese video game developers.

  In a flash of recognition, I realized that this was the end of a large dungeon in [Ferrum Online]. I hadn’t realized it earlier because the player typically entered the sewer at a different place. This unsettled me as I remembered that the final boss of this dungeon was a lich, and I was absolutely not ready for that fight. Sure, I could punch way above my weight class, but the difference between me and a lich was simply insurmountable.

  The smell was almost intolerable, and I had to stop myself from gagging. It was the kind of smell that could only be generated by thousands of people working in tandem for several decades. Compared to this smell, human waste was pleasant. The disgusting odor rising out of the basin carried the undeniable hint of disease and decay. With my [Frail] constitution, I knew that I would contract a deadly illness if I came anywhere close to the basin. I snapped my fingers and created a spark of [Hellfire]. The smell was lessened somewhat by my conjured flame, but not by much.

  With my [Mana Sense], I could sense that the monster summoning ritual was centered on the small wooden shanty town built atop that fetid basin. Kinro and half a dozen of my zombies approached a bridge that led from the edge of the basin to the wooden structures built atop it. Before anyone in my group could step onto the bridge, a small group of monsters stepped out of cover and blocked our way.

  The group was composed of five gargoyles and one humanoid figure wearing heavy armor and carrying a greatsword. After a moment, I recognized the armored individual to be a [Death Knight], a level 40 undead creature that specialized in melee combat. It was not nearly as powerful as a [Death Lord] or [Lich], but it would be almost impossible for me to beat alone. With Kinro fighting at my side, the creature did not concern me.

  What did concern me, however, was whatever had summoned the [Death Knight]. It would require a level 30 [Necromancer] just to summon such a creature, and you would need to be much stronger if you wanted to have any chance of controlling it.

  “Stop!” I called out. My undead thralls followed my commands instinctually, and Kinro stopped a second later. The enemy’s minions stopped as well, and several seconds passed where they remained stationary.

  “Salutations! I am Thale Feldrast, Lord of Gwynedd and Heir Apparent to the Realm of Northwind, Experienced War Mage and Burgeoning Necromancer. I humbly ask to hear the name of the [Necromancer] who stands before me.”

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  The [Mages] of Ferrum were a strange bunch. They had no problem with sneak attacks against non-practitioners, but they had a strict code of honor between each other. To use the element of surprise against another [Mage] was paramount to admitting that they were more skilled than you.

  An individual in long dark robes and carrying an old gnarled staff stepped out from behind a wooden structure. The [Necromancer] flipped his hood back, revealing an old man with sallow eyes and gaunt cheeks. The moment we locked eyes, I used my [Observe] talent.

  Name: Salmasius

  Class: Necromancer

  Level: 35

  HP: 442

  MP: 210

  Fortitude: 10

  Strength: 9

  Agility: 14

  Intelligence: 20

  Willpower: 16

  “I am Salmasius, Master Necromancer and Expert Ritualist,” the man said, a grim look in his eyes. When he looked at me, I could tell he only saw a future undead for him to add to his collection. “My organization has had their eyes on you, Lord Thale. Your skill in the art of magic is quite good for a child. It would be a shame for you to throw away all of your potential just to play hero.”

  As the opposing mage spoke, I considered his stats and realized something. Salmasius’s attributes, HP, and MP were identical to the base enemy [Necromancer] stat block from [Ferrum Online]. When I used to play that game, you couldn’t walk through Etronia without constantly running into enemies like Salmasius. I had fought so many [Necromancers], that I had basically memorized their move set and attack patterns. My lips turned upward in a smile as I realized that I knew exactly how to fight him. I was just missing one piece.

  In an attempt to buy a bit more time, I said, “I’ve been keeping my eyes on you guys, as well. What if I told you I wanted to join the Lich Cult?”

  Thale, what is the counter-charm to the [Mana Bolt] spell?

  The Necromancer’s upper lip curled into a snarl as he asked, “Where did you hear that name?”

  “It might have been my uncle, Olofir Vulpa, or it might have been Orion Arcturus. Who knows?” I said, scratching my cheek in a show of mock confusion.

  Why should I tell you that?

  “You know much of our organization, too much. Either pledge your undying loyalty to the Lich Cult or die by my hand,” Salmasius said, pointing his gnarled staff in my direction.

  If you don’t, we’ll both die right now.

  “Pledge my undying loyalty? How would I do that?” I said, playing dumb.

  Fine. The counter-charm is vas terrae.

  “Kill the [Priestess] standing at your side,” Salmasius said, pointing at Miriam.

  “Well,” I said, sighing loudly. I twirled my staff in my hand, and the runes began to glow with the cinders of an eternal fire. “That isn’t going to happen.”