Necromancer 4

Test

4. Aiming for the Surface

[You have defeated the Dungeon Worm. You can now turn lower-level monsters into undead servants.]

[Do you want to make the Dungeon Worm (Undead) your servant? Y/N]

"Yeah, I'll make it my servant."

I nodded in response to the message.

Then—,

ZZZZZZ...

A black mist poured out from the Dungeon Worm's corpse, and as it gathered, it transformed into a black Dungeon Worm.

"This is…"

I see, it's the undead Dungeon Worm.

Until now, I'd only turned naturally undead monsters like low-level ghosts or skeletons into my servants, but this is the first time I've turned a regular monster into an undead.

"Does this mean I can turn other monsters I defeat into undead servants too…?"

If that's the case, my ability's usefulness just skyrocketed.

If I can take down a bunch of strong monsters, I'll be able to command the ultimate undead army.

Just as I was thinking that, it hit me.

Wait, so Mirage is an undead monster too, right?

What species is this guy anyway?

Lower-level monsters usually have simple designs that scream "fodder", but Mirage is different.

Its armor is elaborate, and it has that protagonist-like coolness.

But since I could make it my servant, it must be a low-level undead, right…? Hmm.

What exactly is Mirage?

"What's wrong, Master?"

Mirage asked.

"Since you've made the Dungeon Worm your servant, why not have it guide you to the dungeon's exit?"

"Oh, yeah, you're right."

I'll ask him eventually.

For some reason, I hesitated to ask about Mirage's true identity.

"Dungeon Worm, guide us to the exit of this dungeon."

I gave the order to my newly turned servant.

Kiuii.

It let out a small cry and began moving.

Is that the direction of the exit?

I started walking in the same direction, with Mirage by my side.

"Will this take us back to the surface?"

"Most likely."

Mirage answered my question.

"Oh, but after we get back, what should I do…? My classmates abandoned me here, after all."

How am I even supposed to face them?

Will they even accept me?

Actually, since they left me to die, maybe I should be angrier.

But right now, I'm just focused on getting out of here, and any anger or resentment toward them feels… numb.

I don’t even know how I should feel about them anymore.

Bashu!

Suddenly, a bluish-white light flashed, and the Dungeon Worm walking ahead of me was obliterated.

"What…!?"

Something huge was approaching from down the corridor.

Its silhouette was oval-shaped.

I squinted to see.

Even though the labyrinth was dimly lit, the more I focused, the clearer it became.

My eyesight seems to have improved, probably because my stats have increased due to the unlocking of the [Necromancer] skill.

"That's—"

It was a massive face, about five meters long.

Its entire body was made of rock, and gemstones were embedded where its eyes should be.

Kaaah!

The gemstones began to glow, and it fired bluish-white beams from its eyes.

"Ugh…!"

I instinctively raised my shield with my left hand.

"[Shield]!"

A barrier appeared, blocking the beams.

Mirage also blocked the beams with his shield.

Crack.

Both my shield and Mirage's were shattered in two.

"Just from one hit…"

I shuddered.

"It's likely the floor boss." 

Mirage said.