Necromancer 48

Test

48. Deep Within the Ruins

"Is Shigure here...?"

He slowly stepped into the ruins.

His eyes were bloodshot.

The memory of being beaten by him still lingered vividly.

But if he attacked him in the castle, people around would surely intervene.

Besides—though it was infuriating to admit—it was uncertain whether he could win even one-on-one.

Shigure had grown truly powerful.

And now, seeking even greater strength, it seemed he was exploring these ruins.

"I won't let that happen... I'll defeat you myself...!"

Tap, tap, tap...

His footsteps echoed as he pressed onward.

Fueled by the flames of vengeance—

※

After commanding dozens of skeletons as my minions, I checked my status.

***

Name: Shigure

Strength: 93 → 113

Speed: 107 → 138

Endurance: 80 → 91

Magic Power: 255 → 272

Additional Skills:

[Slash], [Shield]

[Mapping: Beginner]

[Flying Sword]

[Fire Buster]

[Heal], [Stretching Arms]

***

"My skills haven’t increased... but my stats overall have improved, so that’s enough."

It was then.

Roooooar...

A strange voice echoed from deeper within the ruins.

"Another monster?"

Perfect timing.

I’d defeat it and make it my minion as well.

With my Reaper, Swordsman, Red Mage, and the newly recruited skeleton army, I moved forward.

After walking for a while, I came upon a large room.

A massive hall.

"What’s that—"

In the center stood an altar, and a radiant sword was thrust into it.

"What’s with that sword—"

Though I had never seen it before, it felt oddly nostalgic.

"Could it be... the Hero’s Sword?!"

The Reaper spoke.

"What?"

"As the name suggests, it’s a divine weapon bestowed by the gods upon a hero."

The Reaper explained.

"A divine weapon...?"

"My guess is it might be sealing something. Perhaps a powerful monster—"

The Reaper continued.

"Ah, yeah, that’s a typical thing in anime and manga."

I found myself oddly convinced.

"The Hero’s Sword, huh. Sounds fun."

Suddenly, a voice rang out behind me.

No way, that voice—

"Kenzaki!?"

Why was Kenzaki, injured so badly in his fight with Ran, here...?

Looking closely, his severed arms seemed to have been healed, likely by a makeshift healer.

"They’re mine—[Beast Transformation]!"

Without warning, Ran transformed into a beastman resembling a rhinoceros.

Before I could stop him, he charged at the pedestal.

"I’m a hero summoned from another world. That means I have the right to take this sword, doesn’t it?"

"Wait, Kenzaki! Don’t pull that sword!"

I shouted in a panic.

"It might be sealing a powerful monster!"

"Hah, who cares? Besides—don’t you think I’d become even stronger with this sword in the hands of a kendo master like me?"

Smirking, Kenzaki placed his hand on the sword’s hilt.

"Hmph!"

Kenzaki pulled the sword out.

With a slick motion, the sword came free with surprising ease.

"Oh, this is...!"

Kenzaki shuddered all over.

"Power! Hahaha, I can feel the ‘power’ coursing through me from this sword!"

The sword in his hand radiated a rainbow-colored light.

The altar touched by the light warped and shattered.

"...!"

Would a human body also be destroyed by that light?

The thought sent chills down my spine.

"Heh, this is great..."

Kenzaki licked his lips as he turned to face me.

"Now I’ll kill you, Shigure!"

"Kenzaki—"

I froze in terror.

It was as if something had possessed him.

Was it the sword’s influence?

Or was this his true nature coming to the surface?

And my desire for vengeance.

"Reaper, Swordsman, Red Mage."

I called out to my minions.

"I want him neutralized. Try not to kill him if possible. But—"

I bit my lip.

"If it’s unavoidable... kill him."

The moment the words left my mouth, nausea rose, threatening to make me vomit.

A mix of tension, fear—

And disgust at myself for uttering the word “kill.”

It was horrifying—

I felt like a loathsome creature.

But it was true: if I didn’t kill, I’d be killed.