Battling the Necromancer
Nam Gyuil led his team forward. Naturally, their pace was slow. Trudging through the thick, sticky mud drained their stamina quickly. And the deeper they went, the deeper the mud pulled at them—starting at their ankles, now up to their thighs. It slowed them even more.
"Ugh, this sucks. What kind of terrain is this? I hate it!!" Lee Chanu whined, pursing his lips.
Everyone grumbled as they pushed on for what felt like ages, finally crossing the mud. The 01 Team members collapsed onto the solid ground, panting like they'd hit rock bottom on stamina.
"Rest."
Nam Gyuil issued the order. The team flopped down and caught their breath. Even amid their exhaustion, not a drop of sweat beaded on Nam Gyuil's brow. His breathing stayed steady— the polar opposite of his drained teammates. Han Kangsu matched him perfectly.
Nam Gyuil called out. "Han Kangsu."
"Yes, sir."
"You're on watch with me. Stick close."
"Understood."
Nam Gyuil volunteered for guard duty, taking Han Kangsu along. Exhausted comrades might slip up on watch, so it was better if he handled it.
Hong Shinu watched Nam Gyuil's back. He's incredible. We're wiped out, but Sergeant Nam looks fresh as ever.
Such tiny differences highlighted the gap in skill. About thirty minutes passed. Nam Gyuil rallied the team and set off again. They'd recovered enough stamina.
As they advanced, a presence prickled the air.
— Halt! Take cover.
Nam Gyuil signaled with hand signs. The team froze, dropping low and ducking behind rocks or bushes.
There was one reason for the cover order.
Zombies nearby.
Luckily, they hadn't been spotted. The zombies stared blankly into space, motionless. But one thing nagged at him.
Why are they clustered around the cave? Zombies are mindless wanderers.
They stood stock-still, like they were guarding something. That didn't fit their nature.
Standing around like this in one spot... not zombie-like at all.
It had to tie to the boss monster.
What could it be?
Nam Gyuil recalled knowledge from the Akashic Records.
A monster that controls zombies...
One candidate popped into his mind.
Necromancer? No way, is it that guy?
The necromancer was a dark mage who summoned zombies and skeletons.
In the world of Arnia, dark mages were treated as trash that needed exterminating.
Human, yet monster-class for using dark magic.
Nam Gyuil tilted his head.
Hold on. They're human, even if treated as monsters. Why come to Earth?
No one had pinpointed why the gates appeared. Some called it random; others suspected sabotage. Pure speculation, with clues still scarce.
Nam Gyuil furrowed his brow.
What if the gates weren't random? What if someone triggered this invasion on purpose?
Couldn't dismiss the gate crisis lightly. His expression hardened. Plenty to ponder later, but focus now.
Close the gate first.
He eyed the cave. The necromancer was surely inside.
Can I take it down while fighting all those zombies?
Nam Gyuil shook his head.
If the zombies move organized under orders, our odds plummet.
He mapped a plan. His armor prevented infection anyway.
Team handles zombies; I kill the necromancer.
Most efficient. He signaled: I'll enter and take the boss. Zombies are yours.
They nodded, awaiting the charge.
He signaled.
Thud-thud-thud.
The team burst from cover, shields and swords forward.
Slash!!
01 Team's blades cleaved zombie heads. Han Kangsu shone brightest.
"Hah!!"
He felled zombies, carving a path to the cave. Then he glanced at Nam Gyuil.
— Go on in, Sergeant Nam.
Nam Gyuil smirked. He'd promised to follow orders—and charged ahead. Commendable loyalty.
He passed Han Kangsu and entered. He scanned for traps; surprisingly clean and spacious.
Thud-thud-thud.
His footsteps echoed. Then, distant light.
He halted. Someone ahead—in black robes, staff in hand!!
Shing.
Nam Gyuil drew his longsword from his back. Not some gross zombie. Black robes, staff, white beard. Textbook necromancer.
My guess was right.
He narrowed his eyes. First humanoid monster in Earth's history. If it could talk, gate mysteries might unravel.
Nam Gyuil questioned it. "You're the boss here, right?"
"……."
No reply. Language barrier? Or mute? But its pupils glowed bluish with killing intent.
Whoosh.
Black fireball—curse magic.
Nam Gyuil identified it instantly.
Uquenchable flames.
Burns forever until the caster dies. Tricky dark magic.
One hit means endless burns. Hard to heal.
Can't get touched. Necromancer was strong.
Closing in past black flames? Tough.
Ranged duel it is.
He pulled his staff, glancing at the entrance. Team busy with zombies outside. His magic wouldn't tip them off.
Magic battle...
First time; tension mixed with worry. National and guild hunters failed at magic. Even for him.
Whoosh.
Black flames flew; Nam countered with rock. They collided. Rock fell, wreathed in black fire.
Necromancer's eyes blazed fury. Nam Gyuil, who'd blocked it, grinned.
Magic fights are doable!
Pharaoh's staff earned its keep. His turn.
Rock launched. Necromancer raised a thin shield—basic mage defense.
Splat!!
Shield cracked like glass. Necromancer's pale face wrinkled in pain.
Shatter.
Rock smashed its shoulder.
"Gah!"
It tumbled back. Nam Gyuil smiled, confidence surging. He prepped another rock.
Then—
Purple smoke birthed twenty skeletons.
Nam Gyuil puzzled. Skeletons? What with weaklings?
Whoosh.
Unexpected combo: skeletons wreathed in black flames.
"What?!"
His eyes widened. Skeletons were just bones—flames couldn't stop them if the skull held.
Bad. Close combat now? Disaster. Flames eternal till caster dies. One touch, and defeat.
He hurled rocks fast.
Splat!!
Skeletons toppled. But hitting every charging one? Tricky.
Deep breath. Stay calm in chaos.
Steady. Use Akashic knowledge.
Monster books. Magic.
Flash: Blind the necromancer briefly for reversal?!
Cave dim. Sudden flash like a grenade—perfect.
Light magic's tough, but Pharaoh's staff...
Feasible. Eyes closed, he cast.
Blinding light seared the cave, striking the necromancer's eyes.
"Grahhh."
Blinded white. Brief window.
Nam opened his eyes. Skeletons approached, but necromancer exposed.
Kill it, and all minions vanish.
Whoosh.
Rock accelerated by wind magic.
Splat.
Necromancer's head flattened.
"Gurk!!"
Neck snapped grotesquely. It crumpled.
Thud.
Black flames on skeletons extinguished. Skeletons clattered to lifeless bones.
Nam stowed his staff, approached. Inspected its staff.
Low-grade staff.
Two tiers below his.
Still, loot it.
He pocketed it. Heading deeper for the core...
Something gleamed in its robes.
Huh?
Amulet around its neck.
"This is..."
Akashic magic book memory.
Kobold summon item.
He infused mana. "Summon."
Sparks flew; kobolds appeared. Short-legged, hooked-nose dwarves. Master metalworkers.
They eyed him. Summoned minions obeyed him alone.
"Move right."
They did. He tested: sit, stand, push-ups, jumping jacks. Perfect obedience.
"Dismiss."
Sparks, gone.
He eyed the amulet. Free labor force? Perfect for future moneymaking.