The contract between Elias and Helena was both convenient and problematic.
Because she was a ghost rather than an undead, Helena had no physical body.
That meant she couldn't interact with the material world, which made it impossible for her to wield weapons or fight alongside Elias.
Of course, Elias had never made the pact with combat in mind. His true goal was to bring Helena back to life, if and when he had enough power to do so.
Still, resurrection was an extremely complex feat, far beyond his current capabilities.
Nevertheless, Graelish had assured him that, at least in theory, it was possible. And that was enough to keep Elias's hope burning.
For now, Helena's presence was more like a persistent hallucination, like a schizophrenic hearing voices.
She talked constantly, asked questions, gave opinions.
But since Graelish couldn't see or hear ghosts, the situation was, at the very least, strange, Elias looked like he was talking to himself.
Trying to interrupt the one-sided conversation, Graelish cleared his throat:
"Ahem! I've already taught you the basics of necromancy. Now we need to figure out how you'll carry out your role in the plan."
With a brief gesture and a whispered incantation, Graelish summoned an undead before them.
"You don't have a single undead in your arsenal," he said, looking at Elias. "And since your sister lacks a physical form, she won't be able to help directly in the next mission."
He crossed his arms.
"So let's speed things up. We need to make sure you can fulfill your role."
Helena pouted, clearly offended:
"What do you mean I'm not a fighter? I took out several Strays, remember?"
Elias chuckled at his sister's reaction. Turning to Graelish, he asked:
"So you're going to help me level up?"
Graelish nodded, emotionless.
His plan was simple but effective: have Elias gain levels quickly through intensive experience farming.
With a discreet motion, he signaled for Elias to prepare. In response, Elias summoned his longsword through the panel.
He gripped it firmly, swung his wrist, and executed a horizontal slash through the air to feel the weight and warm up.
Cracking his neck, he said calmly:
"Let's begin."
Graelish muttered incomprehensible words under his breath. The ground trembled slightly as an undead emerged from the shadows.
A zombie simple and decaying, similar to those Elias had already faced on his journey.
"This Stray looks like a mummy," Helena observed, floating nearby with her arms crossed.Elias smiled.
"The skin's well preserved… but dry as parchment."
He raised his sword and, with a single fluid motion, slashed the zombie's torso. The creature collapsed without resistance.
[Zombie eliminated. +5XP.]
Without saying a word, Elias turned his gaze to Graelish, waiting for the next challenge.
Graelish murmured another arcane sequence, this time heavier.
From the void emerged a grotesque creature: a dark wolf, its muscles stretched beneath rotting flesh and eyes glowing bright red.
Elias narrowed his gaze and activated the Diagnosis skill.
[Diagnosis failed. Required level to view creature information: 2. Current level: 1.]
He frowned.
"What is that, Graelish?"
"A zombie-plated wolf," the necromancer replied. "Tougher than the last one. Test your skills on it."
Without hesitation, Elias stepped back, creating space to maneuver. In a low voice, he activated:"Imbue Sword with Miasma."
The blade was enveloped by a dark, rippling aura, like liquid smoke, coating it irregularly. The weapon now looked even more menacing.
"What does that do?" Helena asked, watching the sword with curiosity.Elias gave a sly smile.
"Just watch."
The wolf began circling, looking for an opening. Elias held a firm stance, sword at the ready, eyes tracking every move.
As his mana bar began to dip, he made his move.
He dashed forward. The wolf leapt sideways and lunged at Elias's side, fangs bared.
With precision, Elias countered:
"Wind Burst!"
A spiral of wind exploded from his open palm. The impact knocked the wolf off balance and onto the ground. Seizing the opening, Elias raised his sword and brought it down in a vertical slash.
The creature's body split in two. Upon hitting the ground, its halves crumbled into ash, carried off by the magical wind still blowing in the hall.
[Zombie-plated wolf eliminated. +30XP.]
Graelish smiled, eyes glinting with restrained malice.
"Perfect. Now we begin for real."
Elias raised an eyebrow, puzzled by the sudden shift in tone.
"Wait… begin?"
Graelish ignored the question. With a firm gesture, he traced glowing inscriptions in the air, shimmering briefly in green light.
Then, he whispered a series of words in a language that made Elias's ears ache.
The hall's floor trembled. The temperature dropped sharply.
From the cracked stone before them, something began to emerge. First, the tip of a black sword tore through the surface.
Then, a skeletal hand, covered in dry leather and remnants of corroded armor. When the figure finally rose completely, Elias instinctively took a step back.
The creature stood over two meters tall. It wore tattered ancient armor, covered in moss and dried blood.
Parts of its face were exposed, yellowed bone where the flesh had rotted away, and eyes glowing with spectral green fire. The sword in its hand seemed to pulse with restrained hatred.
"What… is that?" Elias asked, fists clenched.
"A Putrid Knight," Graelish replied, with a hint of pride. "A warrior who died in battle, but whose soul refused peace. He still remembers how to fight, Elias."
"And fights better dead than you ever did alive."
Elias swallowed hard.
Helena, floating beside him, whispered:
"That doesn't look like a regular enemy."
The knight raised its sword and struck the ground forcefully, as if issuing a duel challenge. A metallic clang echoed through the hall.
Elias activated Imbue Weapon with Miasma.
His sword was once again covered in black mist that dripped from the blade like liquid smoke, vibrating with corrupted energy.
"Let's see if he's sword-resistant," Elias muttered.
Without warning, the knight charged.
The impact of their first clash was brutal. Elias barely managed to raise his blade to block the downward strike. The shock reverberated through his arms, almost making him drop his weapon.
The knight stepped back with surprising agility for a dead man, then struck again. Elias dodged to the side and tried to counter, but the monster raised its free hand and slammed it to the ground.
Bone Barrier.
Spikes of bone shot from the floor like spears, forcing Elias to retreat in a quick leap. One spike grazed his leg.
"He casts spells too?" Elias grunted, retreating again.
"He adapts too," Graelish replied coldly. "Keep going."
Elias tried a lateral approach, but the knight stepped back and let out a monstrous roar.
Grave Wail.
An invisible shock hit Elias in the chest, draining his strength for a moment. His body felt heavier, and his mana seemed to leak from his pores.
"I need to end this quickly..."
Catching his breath, Elias whispered:
"Wind Burst."
The spiral of air shot from his palm, destabilizing the knight. Seizing the opportunity, Elias lunged and struck.
The miasma-coated blade slashed through the armor. The knight staggered, and some of the putrid mist seeped into his dead flesh, making him shudder.
But he didn't fall.
He raised his sword again, now swinging more violently.
Elias stepped back and scanned the area. The enemy's pattern was clear. Three attacks, retreat, Bone Barrier, Wail.
He was locked in a cycle.
"If he adapts… I need to break the rhythm."
Elias feigned a direct charge, then rolled to the side and, without hesitation, cast Stone Shot.
The magical stone appeared in his hand and launched like a projectile. It hit the knight's knee, making him briefly collapse onto one of his own bone spikes.
Elias ran. Without thinking, he leapt over the body and drove his sword deep into the creature's chest.
The knight let out a rough gasp, and his eyes dimmed. Then, slowly, he turned to green ash, carried away by the hall's lingering wind.
[Putrid Knight eliminated. +80XP.]
Elias dropped to his knees, panting.
"That was… intense."
Graelish approached, satisfied.
"You did well."
Elias was still catching his breath, sweat dripping from his brow, mingling with dust and the stench of burnt bone.
Adrenaline thundered through his veins.
"This is amazing," Helena said with a faint smile. "How did you get so strong?"
Elias smiled, slightly uneasy, still kneeling.
"A lot happened while you were gone."
Helena floated closer, arms crossed.
"You'll be fine, don't worry. You'll get even stronger."
Before Elias could answer, a warm wave rushed through his body. It felt as if something deep and invisible was rewiring itself inside him.
His muscles relaxed, then tightened again, like new connections were being made. His mind cleared.
Thoughts flowed faster.
The panel lit up before his eyes.
Elias Moureau
Universe of Origin: Terra:K-283
Level: 3
Experience Points: 38 / 300
Class: Graveblade
Age: 30
Appearance: Tanned skin, dark hair, brown eyes
Specie: Human
Status: Healthy
Attributes:
| Health (HP): 301 / 301
| Mana (MP): 50 / 50
| Strength: 31
| Agility: 30
| Wisdom: 30
| Magic: 41
Special Skills:
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) 1 / 10
Versatility 1 / 10
Mental Resistance 3 / 10
Physical Resistance 2 / 10
Marksmanship 3 / 10
Diagnosis 1 / 10
Corpse Manipulation 2 / 10
Alchemy 1 / 10
Elementary Swordsmanship 2 / 10
Elementary Magics 2 / 10
Inventory:
Weapon:
Sword (Rank: B)
Spear (Rank: F)
Armor:
Reinforced Leather Pieces
Iron Greaves
Shoulder Guards
Strange Tunic
Mask of the Dead
Potions:
5 Mana Potions
3 Vitality Potions
1 Vigor Potion
Grimoire:
Necromancy Grimoire (Rank: B)
Supplies:
Small ropes
Matches
Protection Talismans
Map
Monster Glossary
Herb Glossary
Weight Limit: 58 / 60 kg
[Unspent points: 1]
A section highlighted itself below: [Check Evolution]
He clicked to confirm, and a detailed description popped up.
[Changes Elias Moureau – Level 2 ⟶ 3]
[Class: Necromancy Initiate ⟶ Graveblade]
[Level: 2 ⟶ 3]
[HP: 201/210 ⟶ 301/301]
[MP: 20/20 ⟶ 50/50]
[Strength: 21 ⟶ 31]
[Agility: 20 ⟶ 30]
[Wisdom: 20 ⟶ 30]
[Magic: 21 ⟶ 41]
[Skill Changes]
Mental Resistance 2/10 ⟶ 3/10
Corpse Manipulation 1/10 ⟶ 2/10
Elementary Swordsmanship ⟶ 2/10
Elementary Magics ⟶ 2/10
Elias blinked as he read the summary. He could already feel the benefits, his reflexes were sharper, his sword grip more natural, and magic flowed more smoothly through his body.
He stood slowly, still processing it all.
"Now this... this feels like progress," he murmured.
He closed the panel and took a deep breath. His gaze fell on the sword still coated in miasma, which was slowly fading.
A recurring thought emerged:
"How strong can I really get?"