Chapter 19

Omnus was now more than just mildly annoyed by this guild representative. Who was she to threaten him just because he can use, and is made from, Necromancy magics? The absurdity of it was insulting. He had no say by which means he came to existence. What he found truly insulting though was the implications she said indirectly about his creator the Primus Sage. By what right did she have to question a being with the knowledge of a lost age? Who was she to subtly back hand the a being that surpassed life and death? Who was SHE to delay progress that can change the world.

No, Omnus found that he did not much care for this woman. Nor did he care for the how there was now a gathering of more adventurers. Each with twitchy hands that rested on their weapons.

Ah, it seems I have finally found my limit with the ignorant and the foolish. Omnus thought to himself.

With the minor discovery of himself made, he released enough Aurigold threads in the air for quick action but few enough that they were hard to see.

“I see. So, you wish to speak candidly. Very well, let us speak frankly and, as they say, 'cut the nonsense.'” Omnus stated as he took resumed his seat on the improvised stone seat. "Ask your questions, and let us conclude this. It is evident you have not approached in good faith, so let us not waste any more time than necessary."

The guild leader stood her ground, hand resting on the hilt of her blade. Her face a stone mask. There was a slight flicker of her eyes yet she continued to stare at Omnus.

"The fact I’m here talkin’ instead o’ rainin’ spells and arrows down on ye should be good enough faith." The Dwarven woman said as Omnus noticed her forcing her gaze to stay on him.

Omnus now had enough. He can tolerate the ignorant, the foolish, and dimwitted. But a liar?

No.

"Is that so?” Omnus said, their voice low and even.

With a flex of his finger, he channeled mana into the Aurigold thread making it light up for but a second as it slashed through the previously empty air. A second later, there was a thump and clatter to the ground with a dagger and a hand becoming visible. A second latter there was a wailing as the previously invisible assassin shimmered into reality. The man now clutching a stump that was their wrist to their chest to try and stem the bleeding.

Everyone watching could only stare on wide eyed. At least all the guards who had been watching the event take place. The dwarven guild leader though seemed more aggravated at the sight as their sword was now partially drawn. Omnus remained motionless while the would be assassin clutched their ruined arm, wailing in pain.

“Then you are a liar." Omnus stated with the same disinterest as one would say the sky was blue.

Adjusting his potion, he turned to the downed assassin and gripped a fist full of their hair in his hand. Ignoring the arrow that was loosed at him that was summarily cut from the air by a Aurigold wrapping made whip. With the would-be killer not properly caught and exposed, he turned once more dragged the whimpering wretch to sit next to him in the dirt to face the guild leader once more.

"Be silent, child." Omnus said, letting mild agitation seep into his tone. Casting a spell to muffle the assassin’s cries of pain and fear. Never breaking their gaze from the guild leader whose name he purposely forgot.

No one said anything, no one moved, unsure if they too would end up suddenly losing a limb as well.

"Now that I have your undivided attention, it seems an opportune moment for a proper lecture. Especially given your earlier statement, which was not only infuriatingly ignorant but also in dire need of correction. Necromancy and restoration magic are, in truth, one and the same. Two faces of the same coin, distinguished mainly by their aesthetic. One animates the body, like so..." Omnus lectured, casing the reanimation spell on the severed hand. causing it to twitch before it started to move and flex its fingers push itself up off the ground. Crawling and moving closer to him and his reluctant teaching assistant. Using one of his wrappings to hold out amputated end of the assassin’s arm. "...and the other reforms it.”

Omnus puppeteered the severed hand and made it crawl into place back ere it once was before. Pressing its severed end back to the stump it came from. When it was there, Omnus cast a spell to make the regeneration spell he developed from watching studying the troll body. Releasing the animation spell on the hand as it reattached itself to the assassin’s wrist. Everyone watching on in grizzly fascination while it all took place. Even the assassin watched dumbly with a slack jawed expression. When it was done, the assassin found that the could move and wiggle their fingers once more. further stupefying them and the rest of the on lookers.

"There. Your hand is reattached. Thank you for being a, albeit reluctant, volunteer for my demonstration. Now, limp back to your master." Omnus said as they released the assassin’s hair and withdrew their Aurigold bindings. Feeling no further need to further punished the fool.

The assassin cradled their newly healed arm as they shuffled to the gate. Face full of shame, fear, and perhaps some phantom pains that still lingered. no one moved closer to help them. no one made any threats or tried to get in his way.

Once the assassin was gone from everyone’s sight, Omnus looked to each adventurer who was watching. Certain that no further attacks from some hidden dagger were coming. He turned his attention back to the dwarven woman who’s arcane channeling blade was partially drawn. Clear anger and frustration painted across her face.

“Yes, there exist magics that are truly 'good' or undeniably 'evil,' but they are exceedingly rare. Necromancy and restoration do not belong to such extremes; they are simply tools, knowledge to be wielded." Omnus said, crossing a leg over his knee. “Now, to your second offence.”

He allowed his mana to release from his body at this point. Letting it chill the air with frost forming around everything in his immediate area. He felt anger for sure, but he was not one to let it control him. No, no. Omnus would never allow himself to be blinded by anger. Others might have burning anger. But for him, it was precise, cold and focused.

“The lie.” He said with a voice that was colder then peak of a harsh winter. “Here, of all places, you dared to claim you acted in good faith. I can scarcely imagine a greater insult. The irony is both profoundly sad and, frankly, revolting beyond belief.” He took a moment to let his words settle in over the crowd.

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Taking note of a some ashamed filled faces along with a few angry glares while others looked confused. The dwarven woman though, was not shame faced or angry. She was only focused on him, ready to act.

There was doubt in her eyes maybe. A light hint of acknowledgement perhaps. Either way it didn’t matter to Omnus. He had a mission and right now this woman was anything but useful.

"Now, will you answer my question, or do you intend to keep wasting everyone's time?" Omnus asked his tolerance now at an end.

The dwarven woman said nothing at first still regarding him with deep thought before releasing her sword to let it fully sheath itself back in the scabbard.

"I don’t trust ye." She said tersely.

“"Waste my time, it seems. Very well. I had intended to offer payment in exchange for information, but it appears I’ll have to seek my answer elsewhere.” He signed tiredly, wanting to go back to be around people who were intelligent once more. Resolving himself he turned his gaze for the dwarven woman to a dwarven man that was on the wall taking aim at him.

"You, over there, on the wall.” Omnus called out, earning a very confused look from the dwarven he called out. “Yes, you. With the bow aimed at my head. Five thousand gold coins if you tell me why no one progresses beyond the first layer."

The man had an expression of greed plastered all over his face. the woman he been speaking with looked ready to bark orders. Instead of letting her, Omnus summoned a sound proof dome around her so she wouldn’t waste any more of his time. The dwarven archer looked uncertain as to what to do. They were clearly tempted and wanted to take the offer, but with so many people present they likely didn’t want to accept in front of everyone. It wasn’t long though for them to sucum to the temptation once Omnus presented the bag of gold and opened it to show the treasure inside.

In short order, the archer told Omnus everything that he wanted to know.

The adventurers were planning to delve deeper in the near future. The main reason they haven’t done so yet was because they were busy building up their town first. They were working on building a smithy, an inn, some barns and permanent housing. Omnus took notes in his down with a small journal then snapped the book shut once the archer had nothing left to say.

"There now, that wasn’t so difficult to say, was it? So much trouble could have been spared if this had been shared from the start.” Omnus said feeling much more content now that he had his answers, tossing the heavy bag of coins to the archer who had been of far greater assistance. “I am certain the Primus Sage would gladly arrange for supplies to be sent. Farewell, and rest assured, you can expect them to arrive shortly."

With that, Omnus turned left before departing. Choosing to take the long way just in case anyone tried to follow. Taking it a step further by casting spells that would conceal his presence and using his aurigold wrap whips to get of the ground and move faster. Preventing them from having a trail to follow. Only when he was absolutely sure no one would follow and no scrying spell was on him did he return how. Eager to share his good news.

***

Jack was anything but happy at the moment.

He had watched everything that happened between Omnus and the adventurers. Admittedly he was thrilled that they were planning to explore his dungeon soon. Hells, he was downright excited to see them try the new challenges and explore the residential area. All the hidden traps and treasures the puzzles. Not to mention the lore and mobs he had all set up for them to test themselves against. He was excited to see it all and relieved to know that all he needed to do was be patient.

What had him pissed off, was that Omnus was followed.

When Omnus made his great escape he did manage to lose the adventurers that were tailing him eventually. But that after he partly made his way into the dungeon territory. The adventurers just barely stepped inside and it was to see if they could find him again. Luckily they hadn’t so they couldn’t report back to the he and his community were. There was no question that he could put on one hell of a fight but he knew there was some very powerful people out there. He didn’t know if there were any in the budding town outside of his territory. In all likely hood there probably weren’t any here and likely those people won’t be interested in his dungeon why he was still low leveled. Unfortunately, since it was an unknown factor he can’t afford to risk it.

"Primus Sage... may I, perhaps, be permitted to leave the corner now?" Omnus pleaded.

Jack whirled to face Omnus, ending his pacing as did his best to glare.

They were in his tower work shop, the sun was down with the sounds of insects filled the air. His tools were in their assigned place with a half-made project on his work bench was the start of a yatagan sword for Frizzy to have and study. The air was cool and the lighting was dim with half of the torches out. The far side of the work shop having a corpse that Jack had summoned to experiment with to see about possibly making a new mob. Notes scattered around the test subject along with various metals he had available to test. Jack had been pacing back and forth between his work stations with his hands behind his back. Trying to think of what to do about the mess. Only for Omnus to interrupt his thoughts and pondering.

“Naughty boy will be quiet!” Jack warned with fists on his boney hips. “What did I tell you to do?”

“Sit in the corner and reflect on what I’ve done...” Omnus answered, unable to look Jack in the eye sockets.

“Damn right! And you are grounded! No experimenting privilages for a week!” Jack barked.

“But-!” Omnus began to protest before Jack raised a warning finger at him.

“You wanna make it two weeks?” Jack asked. “And don’t you lord the fact you have an ass while don’t over me!”

"I'm... truly sorry, Primus Sage..." Omnus said defeated, sounding truly remorseful for his part.

Jack pinched his nasal bone, as he let out a sigh.

Omnus had gotten the information as promised, he even made a trade with some public relations work by promising the town supplies and materials. The problem was he thought too much like a scholar. Meaning he didn’t see the problem of approaching the town FROM the direction of the dungeon. An undead and construct dungeon. Anyone would be suspicious if they saw that and not to mention everything about his appearance was automatically suspicious. Jack really did appreciate Omnus efforts, he really did. The problem was Omnus didn’t have nearly enough street smarts or common sense for this kind of work. It was no fault of his own or course. He was as Jack made him. curious and hungry for information consequences be damned.

“It’s ok Omnus.” Jack relented, realizing he might have been slightly unfair to the dungeon sentinel. “Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone. Even me. You acted in good faith but you didn’t think beforehand about how to solve the problem. You just dived right in. That is not how you solve problems involving people and it is not how you should do research.”

At this, Omnus recoiled. Clearly horrified that he might have been doing reseach the wrong way the whole time. Jack could feel though the link that his mummy mage was in fact panicking.

“The punishment stands.” Jack said in full seriousness.

Hells, if he left the mummy to continue working like that then it was only a matter of time before blew up half the dungeon. Especially if Jack ever told the mummy about the dangerous concepts he was aware of for transmutation and arcane circles.

Still… Jack didn’t want to discourage Omnus’ thirst for knowledge and he knew just how to put a positive spin on this. And maybe kill two birds with one stone. Maybe four if he was lucky.

“That said, you’ll be working with Frizzy, Shol’theran The Fleshsmith, and myself to work on one of my projects.” Jack said cheerily, getting a sensation of shock from their link. “we’ll be making a new mob for the dungeon and maybe we’ll have a new-OOOOF!”

That, apparently, had been a mistake.

Omnus closed the distance between the two of them in a heartbeat. Tackling Jack with surprisingly more weight than he thought from the Silvery gold mummy. Being pulled into a hug while being lifted off the ground as Omnus.

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” Omnus shouted still hugging and spinning Jack around like a limp rag doll.

“Down!” Jack commanded. “Shinny man crushing spine!”

Omnus for his part was simply too happy to hear Jack’s protests. Taking a full minute for him to finally put Jack down.

"Apologies, Primus Sage, but I cannot contain my excitement! You rarely allow others to assist with your projects. It’s usually only First Disciple Frizzy who gets such an honor! This is incredible!" Omnus said practically bouncing with giddiness.

“OOooookay.” Jack said, twisting his back to make a vertebrae pop back into place. “Back’s it fixed. Alrighty, Omnus you’ll be helping by working with us and I am very happy you are happy. Today though… YOU STAY IN THE TIMEOUT CORNER!!”

“EEEEEEK!” Omnus shrieked, running as fast as he could for cover as Jack arches of lightening danced between his boney metal fingers.