Chapter 31
Chapter 31
Unless one possessed papal-level divine power, it was nearly impossible to face thousands of undead alone.
And these undead weren’t just zombies or skeletons.
A Death Knight alone could force even expert-level swordsmen to their knees.
In the story, a Death Knight charged with a raised spear atop a skeletal horse, cutting down dozens of soldiers in a single charge.
Even eight holy knights fighting together had only managed mutual destruction against it.
It was truly a monster among undead.
The fact that I had taken such monsters for myself was reassuring.
This place really was an undead goldmine.
‘I should’ve priced the Death Knights higher. Ten gold feels too cheap.’
[…You might be the only human trying to do business with a demi-lich.]
Too late to take it back, I observed the demi-lich.
He trembled, teeth clattering.
Was it fear? Rage?
It was hard to tell.
Just as I was about to end it, he spoke.
“I admit it. Your skill surpasses mine, and you wield that demonic sword with ease. You are… special.”
His red eyes burned fiercely.
Even after losing his army, he had no intention of retreating.
“So what? You still think you can win?”
“I am a high-ranking demon, an undead who transcends death, and a great mage of the demon realm! I will not lose to a mere human!”
“Guys who boast like that usually end up yelling they’re third-rate.”
[That’s a classic line.]
“S-shut up!”
The ground trembled with his shout.
He rose into the air, conjuring icy spears.
“Come! I will pierce your heart!”
“You sure about fighting alone?”
“I need no army!”
He hurled the spear.
Corpse golems stepped forward as shields.
But they froze instantly.
Then shattered.
“Advance.”
The undead surged forward.
Since he floated, I piled undead into a wave.
“Futile!”
Lightning crashed down, destroying them.
“So you really are a great mage.”
[Be careful. He’s not at full power yet.]
“That’s why I’m wearing him down.”
A Death Knight charged.
But—
“Still don’t understand?”
The demi-lich absorbed it instantly.
“Enough games!”
[…Necromancy has its limits.]
“Yeah. Fighting a lich with undead wasn’t ideal.”
I stepped forward.
The demi-lich prepared magic.
Three seconds.
Enough.
‘Possible.’
The World of a Moment.
Time froze.
I moved.
Jumped.
Used a falling zombie as a step.
Reached him instantly.
“Got you!”
Slash—
His head fell.
I retreated immediately.
Fireballs rained where I stood.
[No need to warn you.]
‘If he could die that easily, he wouldn’t be this dangerous.’
As expected—
his head regenerated.
“Typical undead.”
A lich hides its soul elsewhere.
Unless destroyed or purified—
it cannot die.
I had neither method.
“How unfortunate. You’re strong, yet limited by being human.”
“Funny, coming from someone laughing.”
“Hahaha! You cannot kill me!”
“Careful. You might regret that.”
“I do not regret.”
Ten magic circles formed.
Time to get serious.
‘Prah, now.’
[I’ll handle the undead.]
‘Got it.’
I steadied my grip.
One target—
him.
“Die.”
Lightning came first.
I dodged before it fired.
Ice froze the ground—
but I floated.
Fire meteors—
blocked by undead.
“Impressive. But what about this?”
A massive boulder with wind acceleration.
“I’ll handle it.”
A clear voice—
Rin.
The rock shattered instantly.
“Thanks.”
“Anytime.”
I leapt again.
The demi-lich panicked.
Lightning struck—
but was redirected to a Death Knight.
Ice spears shattered.
Flames blocked.
Dark orbs cut apart.
“Impossible!”
“You still don’t get it? You fought me alone.”
I reached him.
Grabbed his face.
Pressed my blade to his neck.
“Feel it yourself.”
He glared defiantly.
Even knowing he couldn’t die.
True.
But I didn’t need to kill him.
‘Prah.’
[Ready.]
I stabbed.
The runes glowed.
Black energy drained from him.
“Ghk—!”
He struggled.
But couldn’t escape.
His demonic energy was completely drained.
He collapsed.
“Done.”
“Done?! I will hunt you forever!”
I laughed.
He still didn’t understand.
“Stand.”
“Ugh!”
“Sit.”
“Ah!”
“Prepare exercise position eight.”
“What—?!”
He obeyed.
Perfectly.
“This… what is this…?”
His resistance came from being half demon.
But without demonic energy—
he became a normal lich.
And subject to control.
That was my plan.
Force him to expend energy.
Then drain him.
Now—
he was mine.
“What did you call yourself earlier?”
“……”
“A high demon, immortal undead… what else?”
“…Third-rate mage…!”
Training complete.