Ascaros (2)
'Take Ascaros with me?'
That was something I never would have imagined before coming here.
I'd come to check on the Jin Gang Regiment's forces and snag a special-grade trait.
But Ascaros's proposal was too tempting to ignore.
In the game lore, he'd been a grand archmage whose name echoed through Lunaria Empire history even before delving into black magic research.
A powerhouse rivaling one of Lunaria's Five Kings, based solely on his human strength before becoming a lich.
'If I take him along... he'll be a massive asset.'
I ran the calculations in my head.
Having someone of Ascaros's caliber on my side would prove invaluable moving forward.
Plus, this would be my first real ability—not some illusion from the False Name Imprint.
'Learning black magic directly from its creator...'
The personal guidance of the trait's originator would maximize proficiency gains for my unique trait.
New possibilities for power that the Ultimate Bastion trait alone couldn't provide.
But...
'Then I won't get the Ultimate Bastion...'
I gripped the Life Vessel in my hand tightly.
A tier-1 special-grade trait. Absolute defense. Near-invincibility for survival.
The Ultimate Bastion wouldn't boost my combat prowess, but it would guarantee unbreakable defense.
Similar to a lich's Life Vessel, it created an orb infused with life force that absorbed all damage in the trait holder's place and regenerated endlessly.
In short, unless an enemy shattered the Ultimate Bastion with relentless attacks before it could recover—or landed a single blow surpassing the special-grade trait's defenses—I'd take zero damage.
'What's the real reason you're so desperate to escape this seal?'
Ascaros hesitated at my question.
"...Yes, truthfully, I've been terribly lonely for thousands of years. Bored, weary... even cursing my own undying existence."
Resignation laced his voice, mingled with profound sincerity.
"...But in the end, I am a mage. A seeker of magic's pinnacle... of truth itself. How could I remain alone when one of such astonishing talent stands before me...?"
'Even without flesh, his sincerity cuts through.'
It was astonishing that emotions could transmit from a bare skeleton.
'Fine. I'll rely on Rynel's ability for defense. Even without Ultimate Bastion, the other traits will suffice.'
"Very well. I accept your proposal."
'Kuhahaha! Excellent, then as your master—'
"Hold on. Not quite. You will serve as my slave, utterly loyal to my commands."
The lich's red glowing eyes whipped sideways in shock, his bony neck nearly snapping. His jawless skull froze facing me.
'Slave? To me, Ascaros—the grand archmage, symbol of terror?'
I raised the Life Vessel instead of replying.
'W-wait! Hold on! Ah... ahaha... this one's a bit hot-headed!'
"Friend?"
'M-m-master...?'
Hearing "master" from a lich felt oddly off-putting.
"Unless I force an environment where you have no choice but to obey me, I can't take you from this seal."
This was my final condition. The ultimate safeguard I could extract while holding the Life Vessel.
'Cunning bastard.'
"What was that?"
'N-nothing, sir... Astra... sir.'
Ascaros immediately backed down.
'When inserting the Life Vessel into the skeleton body, infuse it with your black mana as well, sir. Let's proceed.'
We wove through towering bookshelves and bizarre apparatuses to a workbench holding a black skeleton.
Its pitch-black bones and compact frame stood out starkly from ordinary white ones.
'Place the Life Vessel in the empty heart cavity and infuse your black mana.'
I carefully settled the Life Vessel into the skeleton's hollow chest. A faint ripple of mana stirred.
"Hmmm..."
I gathered the dark, vicious mana within me.
"Alright... Ascaros... here we go."
Black mana coiled menacingly from my fingertips.
Using the basics of mana control I'd just learned, I slowly channeled it toward the skeleton's chest, into the Life Vessel.
Shiiieeeek...
My black mana seeped into the black bones and the Life Vessel.
The binding began. Before the lich's soul fully transferred to the new body, I inscribed my command over his existence.
'Gaaargh!!!'
The lich's telepathic scream echoed. A gut-wrenching wail like his soul tearing apart.
My mana touched his soul directly, etching unbreakable restraints—unbearable agony overwhelmed him.
His screams filled the hall, but my hand didn't falter.
Black mana flowed relentlessly into the skeleton and vessel.
His millennia-sealed desperation to escape and my need for security made this inevitable.
I felt his soul rising from the old body.
My mana delved deeper, binding him utterly.
His resistance and pain echoed telepathically, but my will was ironclad.
And finally...
Target: Ascaros has been bound to you.
The moment lich Ascaros became fully subjugated to me.
Simultaneously, the bones that had endured millennia crumbled to dust like a sandcastle, mana draining away.
In that instant, a sinister glow flickered in the eyes of the black skeleton infused with my mana.
Ascaros's soul had fully settled into its new vessel.
The Life Vessel pulsed in its chest like a newborn heart.
The skeleton stood steady, red eyes fixed on me.
Lich Ascaros, reborn after thousands of years...
"Th-this... is... now... my... body...?"
opened his mouth...
and uttered a physical voice for the first time in ages.
"Am... am I... speaking...?"
Out of practice, his voice was awkward and unsteady.
Like an ancient machine grinding to life—clumsy tremors, low and gravelly, bones clacking.
"Yes. That's your new body now."
I said.
"And this time, it's clearly coming from your mouth."
Ascaros stared at me with glowing red eyes.
His new body still felt foreign; his wobbling movements evoked a newborn fawn.
"Feels awkward, doesn't it? Natural, after thousands of years in the old one."
Ascaros nodded at my words, joints creaking.
"Ahem... a bit... a bit awkward, sir... Astra, sir..."
"Figured. It'll take time to adjust."
'But... is the binding solid?'
The system confirmed it, but I decided to test personally.
"Sit."
I commanded Ascaros.
"Gak!"
His body crumpled like a puppet on strings, defying his will.
"Stand."
"Eek!"
He shot upright.
"Sit."
"...Ah... Astra, sir... wait...!"
Panic filled the lich's voice.
"Grovel."
"...Stop!!!"
"Roll."
"...Wh-what the hell... you little shit!!!"
Finally, curses burst from the sudden ordeal.
"Little shit?"
But that was a grave mistake.
Daring to curse me?
'W-wait... s-sorry... forgive me, just once...'
Ascaros frantically apologized and excused himself, but
"Bunny hop."
I issued the final command.
Ascaros awkwardly bunny-hopped forward on command.
The black skeletal bunny hopping was grotesque yet hilariously absurd.
Perfect confirmation of the binding's strength.
Right then...
Urgent footsteps and ragged breaths echoed from the research lab passage.
"Astra, sir!!! Astra, sir! Are you here!!!"
The executives and knights burst in.
Caked in sweat and dust, they charged into the lab with urgent expressions.
Scarlet, at the front, spotted the scattered lich ashes.
"...Th-that... the lich's... body...?"
She muttered dazedly.
Rynel, Cervantes, and the others gaped in shock, eyes flicking between bone dust and me.
"Astra, sir... did you... did you take down the lich... alone...?"
Rynel asked incredulously.
Relief mixed with deep shame crossed their faces.
They'd been tied up fighting undead outside, while their captain faced the lich solo—guilt weighed heavy.
'He surrendered on his own, but...'
I thought, eyeing Ascaros still awkwardly bunny-hopping on command.
"Yes... the expedition is over."
That instant, the lich's telepathic scream wailed in my mind.
'Astra, sir... you little shit...! Stop this... or let me stop!!!'
Cervantes noticed Ascaros and asked,
"Shall I handle that skeleton?"
"No, it's a byproduct from slaying the lich. Taking it back to Cheongam Fortress. And..."
I met each of their eyes.
"Your performance exceeded expectations. Redouble your efforts."
With that, I strode out of the lab first.
'Hey, you little shit! Take me too!!!!'