Asterium

The new functions of the Soul Tracking Doll were also worth noting.

'Undead disruption and temporary control?'

With this, I could avoid pointless battles with undead for the time being.

Disruption made sense, but temporary control? I had no real feel for it.

'Does it work on naturally spawned undead? Or only manufactured ones?'

Something to test later.

Honestly, I had zero info on who made undead or how.

It'd be weirder if a slave trader mage knew that.

So, nothing to do but experiment on every undead I saw.

I was already looking forward to the trials.

And finally.

'Network formation...'

I could use the Soul Tracking Doll like a commander to direct other magic dolls for intel gathering.

'So I won't have to micromanage everything?'

No wonder it was Unique grade.

These were functions on a whole different level.

And they seemed drawn from the undead's essence.

'That's why forbidden magic never fully dies out.'

Undead essence was incredibly efficient.

Other mages would find it even more tempting.

"Anyway, this should make intel gathering smoother."

A smile tugged at my lips.

They say crisis breeds opportunity, and the commander Black Skeleton fight had yielded unexpected gains.

"Now, what's left..."

My gaze turned toward the count's territory.

Still a long way to go.

Of course, a few experiments first.

Sorry, mercenaries, but I hoped more undead showed up soon.

'Finally getting the hang of it.'

Controlling the Soul Tracking Doll was trickier than expected.

To test the new functions, I'd tracked undead traces and released the doll.

The standard intel-gathering magic dolls had strong autonomy, but the Soul Tracking Doll moved like a precise puppet, following my every command.

'This... is kinda fun?'

The network formed automatically, consolidating messages.

Before, each doll's reports overwhelmed me.

Now, the Soul Tracking Doll summarized, delivering only essentials.

A standard skeleton soldier was spotted a bit from camp.

Luckily, alone—perfect test subject.

"Lena."

"Yes?"

"Let's go run a quick experiment!"

Lena nodded.

Her eyes sparkled at "experiment."

She loved watching me, but peeking at tests was a favorite ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠too.

'First... disruption.'

The Soul Tracking Doll glowed blue, approaching the skeleton soldier.

Reaction was instant.

Clack-clack? Clack-clack?

I felt the skeleton's confusion.

Then it jerked its head around, mimicking the doll's moves.

'Now, control...'

I focused the doll's mana on the skeleton.

Like the Subjugation Ring, control mana enveloped it.

Clack...

The skeleton's blue glow flickered.

Then it obediently followed the doll's motions.

Messages popped up simultaneously.

I grinned at the messages.

Better than expected.

Probably synergy from the Soul Resonance Necklace's binding boost and mana resonance.

'12 hours? So this undead is mine for at least half a day?'

I'd figured "temporary" meant minutes, like 5 or 10.

But hours.

That changed everything.

'And those limitations aren't absolutes. If I level up, they might lift?'

Too soon to tell.

And this might not be the end.

Hunter System fused with magic—endless potential.

'With enough mana... could I command an undead legion? ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Even I'm impressed.'

Not legion-scale yet.

But more commander dolls like this? Possible.

Then, one-man army for real.

Thinking of that future gave me chills.

"Th-Theo-nim! The undead... it's following the doll! Is this a new doll ability?"

Lena's voice snapped me out.

First time seeing this—she was stunned.

"Yeah. What do you think?"

"Amazing! Controlling undead! Theo-nim, you always show new powers like this..."

Lena marveled.

Me too.

Freely manipulating undead was hugely appealing.

And that wasn't all.

New message.

I smiled faintly and asked Lena.

"If it's that fascinating, want to try?"

"Me? H-how? I don't know magic..."

"Hold on."

As Lena tilted her head, I approved the transfer.

She flinched—like she'd seen a message.

Probably minion-exclusive.

"Wh-what?"

Lena's surprised voice.

But she adapted quick—the skeleton slowly moved toward her.

"Th-Theo-nim! The skeleton... it's moving as I think! Is this your magic?"

Her reaction confirmed it.

She could control it in my place.

Because she's a registered minion.

It even moved smoother under her.

Thanks to her special ability, high magic affinity.

"Manageable?"

"Yes... Me controlling an undead? Unbelievable."

"Yeah, same."

I shrugged at her words.

I hadn't expected this either.

Even if just half a day.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"But... Theo-nim."

She toyed with the skeleton briefly, then looked worried.

"It's amazing magic, but... we shouldn't show others easily."

"This?"

"Yes. I know it's yours, but others might think..."

I nodded.

Undead control magic.

Looks like necromancy.

It is necromancy.

The kind that dances with human blood, life force, flesh.

State-forbidden.

"Yeah, it does look sketchy."

"Best to be careful."

"Don't worry. If I use it, it'll be discreet."

Lena nodded, relieved.

We played with the skeleton a while longer.

Time to head back—can't leave camp too long.

"Alright, finally..."

I aimed my Sunogi at the skeleton.

Last test phase.

Thwip-thwip-thud!

Boom-boom!

Crash...

The skeleton crumbled.

Instantly, the Soul Tracking Doll glowed blue, absorbing the remains.

With the last message, I grasped the doll's functions.

'Wonder how the intel dolls at the baron's castle are doing...'

Curiosity hit.

But too far.

Connection cut as we neared the count's lands.

Low magic level—can't relay info at this distance yet.

"Theo-nim, worried about the other dolls?"

"Nah, just curious how they've reacted while we're gone."

Intel dolls store data.

But how long they operate post-summoner? Unknown.

Would know on return to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠baron's castle.

"Lena, let's head back."

She nodded.

Undead weren't much threat now.

Hell, I was waiting for them.

All undead were just test subjects to me.

"We've finally arrived."

After days of grueling travel, Asterium—the count's city—came into view.

Scale dwarfed Baron Sellevan's lands.

Wall height, soldier presence—all different.

'This... population over 50,000 easy?'

I gauged the city's size.

Nothing like the baron's 20,000.

And the magic cannons atop the walls? Impressive.

Bigger, finer than the baron's.

'Hmm... precision aiming? This could be useful. Maybe adapt to Sunogi later...'

Magic cannon blueprint auto-registered.

Unlike baron's, this allowed precise targeting.

As expected from the count—top-tier.

Hard to craft now.

But I could extract elements.

"Mage."

Mid-Sunogi thoughts, caravan head Granfel approached.

His Purification Ring still gleamed.

"You helped hugely this trip. Especially the Purification Ring... truly grateful."

"Glad it helped."

"Any plans to trade here in the count's lands?"

Tempting offer.

But not now.

"Sorry, other business this time."

"Ah, shame. A mage like you, Theo-nim, would explode in popularity in Asterium... such a loss."

Granfel looked disappointed.

Repeated his regrets.

Then handed a prepared card.

Gold-embossed, with Granferi Merchant Group mark and his name.

"If you want to trade later, visit us. Show this for special treatment."

"Oh, thanks."

VIP card, basically.

My actions impressed him—wants ongoing ties.

Link with a major merchant group? Not bad.