Leon stood over the fallen mantis, its core pulsing like a captured star in his palm. The shadows in the chamber felt as if they were closing in on him as he opened his system interface. A cold blue light illuminated his face, casting sharp angles.
With a steady hand, he tapped the "summon zombie" option. Instantly, a new window appeared before him.
───────[ZOMBIE CREATION]──────────
Sacrifice Material: Mantis Core (Rare) Are you sure you want to proceed? [YES] / [NO]
Leon's finger hovered over the confirmation button, his heart racing. This was his first rare-tier creation, and he knew that whatever emerged would far surpass his current undead.
With a deep breath, he tapped YES.
───────[SELECT CLASS]──────────
Warrior - Heavy combat, high durability Saint - Support abilities, team buffs
Mage - Ranged damage, elemental control Summoner - Commands lesser undead
The warrior option called to him—raw power ready for the battles ahead. Leon's eyes locked onto the selection, his decision clear.
He made his choice and moved forward.
─────[SUMMONING IN PROGRESS]───────
Elite Warrior Creation: 2:43 remaining Please wait while essence binds to form...
The mantis' core dissolved into a stream of energy, light coiling through the air like liquid mercury as it gathered mass and substance. Leon watched the countdown tick away, his pulse racing with anticipation.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed through the chamber.
Four hunters emerged from the shadows, their mid-tier gear gleaming with enchantments. The ARES Guild insignia blazed on their chest plates—a crimson spear piercing a skull.
Leon's blood ran cold. He recognized that symbol. It belonged to Tobias Virell's guild.
The leader stepped forward, tall and sharp-featured, reminiscent of his deceased brother. Marsen Virell's eyes held the same calculating cruelty that had marked his family line.
"Weren't you that F-Rank nobody from the Awakening?" Marsen's voice dripped with contempt.
One of his teammates chuckled. "You fight too well for an F-Rank necromancer."
"Yeah," another added. "Even your undead assassin was impressive."
Leon remained silent, his eyes scanning their positions. His Elite Grave Mage stood ready behind him, while the regenerated assassin crouched strikingly. Two against four wasn't impossible odds.
Marsen stepped closer, his jaw set with inherited arrogance. "You know the rules. Leave all the dungeon loot, and we'll let you leave. Maybe. That is, if you can even leave this place."
Leon met his gaze without flinching. "And if I don't? What will you do?"
Marsen's face twisted with rage. How dare this F-Rank trash question him? His hands ignited with blue fire as he conjured a spinning disc of concentrated flame.
The attack screamed toward Leon's face.
In an instant, his assassin moved without orders. She threw herself into the disc's path, her spectral flesh erupting in fire and shadow. The explosion hurled her across the chamber, where she struck the stone with bone-breaking force.
Leon's system chimed.
───────[SUMMON COMPLETE]─────────
Elite Warrior assigned. Say the keyword to summon
Perfect timing. Leon's lips curled into a cold smile. "Well, you guys attacked first. So I think it's only fair that I do my own test run. Maybe you'll be good enough to help me break in the new summon."
The system flashed its final prompt, waiting for his command.
──────[SAY KEYWORD TO SUMMON]─────
Leon shouted without hesitation, "Arouse!"
Marsen burst into laughter. "Arouse? What are you, twelve?" His team joined in, weapons lowering as they mocked the ridiculous command word. Their laughter echoed off the chamber walls like the cackles of hyenas.
But their amusement died instantly.
Mist erupted from the remains of the mantis' core. Bone and shadow twisted together, flesh forming over a spectral framework. The elite warrior materialized with deliberate menace—eight feet of mottled muscle and natural armor. Its eyes burned with blue fire, hinting at intelligence beyond mere undead animation.
Leon tapped his interface, transferring the Predator's Blade to his new creation. The mantis weapon flowed like liquid mercury into the warrior's grip.
The hunters' laughter turned to nervous shuffling. This wasn't standard necromancy. The creature radiated a power that made their enhanced gear feel inadequate.
"Formation!" Marsen barked.
His team reacted with trained precision, their powers activating in a coordinated sequence.
Kalden channeled energy into his fists and boots. Golden light wrapped around his limbs as enhancement magic supercharged his physical capabilities. He launched himself at the warrior zombie, fists trailing fire.
Serik's rune-etched chains writhed to life around his arms. The metal serpents snapped forward with crushing force, seeking to bind and strangle their target.
Minseo's form is split into three identical copies. The mirror images darted toward Leon and his zombies from different angles, curved blades flashing in phosphorescent light.
Marsen conjured another spinning disc and split it into three projectiles. The fiery arcs screamed through the air with lethal intent, each aimed at vital organs.
Leon stepped back, observing the coordinated assault with analytical detachment. This was why the ARES Guild commanded respect—their teamwork was flawless.
But they had never faced anything like his warrior.
The elite zombie squared its shoulders, and the mantis blade was held in perfect guard position. Its voice emerged as a low rumble that seemed to come from everywhere.
"I await your order."
The four hunters converged from every angle, their enhanced abilities blazing with lethal energy. Kalden's flaming fists led the charge while Serik's chains whipped through the air. Minseo's copies created a web of slashing steel as Marsen's fire discs carved burning arcs through the chamber.
Itt was a perfectly timed ambush, executed with guild-level precision.
The warrior zombie stood motionless at the storm's center, patiently waiting for its master's command.