With weapons at the ready and their nerves on edge, they braced themselves for the impending onslaught, prepared for whatever might come. The monsters would soon descend upon the village, driven by primal hunger to seek out any living adventurers they could find.
But Zealot and his skeletal companion were determined to survive. They had faced formidable foes before, and they would face them again, no matter what horrors the night might bring.
According to Zealot's recollection of the novel, at least an army of ten thousand monsters would spawn during the night. While he might be capable of defeating them individually, confronting thousands at once would put him at a severe disadvantage. Therefore, the safest course of action was to avoid conflict and remain hidden until morning.
As Zealot and his skeletal minion settled into their makeshift underground shelter, the darkness of the night began to envelop the village above. The air grew thick with tension, the eerie silence broken only by the distant roars and growls of the nocturnal monsters that rampaged just beyond their temporary refuge.
Zealot leaned against the rough stone wall of their shelter, his eyes fixed on the top entrance, which was well concealed and camouflaged to be nearly undetectable. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves and focus on the task ahead.
“Alright, Bony,” he whispered, his voice barely more than a murmur in the dark. “We need to stay alert and conserve our energy. We’ll wait it out until morning.”
However, instead of nodding in agreement, to Zealot's surprise, Bony shook its head vigorously, clearly refusing its master’s command. Bony then began to gesture animatedly with its hands, forming intricate signs that conveyed a strong desire to go outside and face the monsters.
Zealot was taken aback; it was the first time he had witnessed his skeletal minion defy an order. “Bony, are you suggesting you wish to venture outside and engage in combat…?”
The skeletal minion, with an air of resolute determination, nodded firmly in response.
Zealot began to contemplate, and a sudden idea occurred to him. He realized he could grant Bony’s request. All he needed to do was dismiss his minion and then resummon it. Additionally, he could position the summoning-portal outside, enabling Bony to exit the underground shelter smoothly without breaking the shelter’s entrance.
“Alright, Bony,” Zealot said, his voice filled with a mix of pride and concern. “I trust your judgment. Let’s give this a try.”
With a gesture, he dismissed his skeletal minion and positioned the summoning-portal just outside the entrance of their underground shelter. Next, he resummoned his skeletal minion, and in an instant, Bony emerged from the summoning-portal, arriving directly above the underground shelter.
"Be careful out there, Bony," Zealot whispered, his voice tinged with anxiety. "Avoid fighting near this place; take the battles farther away."
WHOOSH!
With a final nod, the skeletal minion exited the house, stepping into the open air. Almost immediately, Bony was surrounded by a horde of monsters, their menacing forms emerging from the shadows. The cacophony of clashing weapons filled the air, reverberating through the village with a chilling intensity. The ground trembled under the weight of their advance, and the once peaceful village was now a chaotic battleground, engulfed in the sounds of battle.
RAAARRRRR!!!
KRAAARRRR!!!
GRAAARRRR!!!
‘This is a blessing in disguise. Not only can I gain experience points and level up, but the death of my minion does not affect me either,’ Zealot realized that Bony’s suggestion to engage in combat wasn’t so bad after all.
HORIZONTAL SLASH! VERTICAL SLASH! DIAGONAL SLASH!
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Every minute, every second, Zealot was alerted by the notifications of his skeletal minion slaying monsters:
[You have slain a Goblin Soldier!]
[You have slain a Goblin Soldier!]
[You have slain a Goblin Soldier!]
[Skeleton’s Progression: 73% >> 74%]
After approximately five to seven minutes, Zealot received a notification of his skeletal minion's death:
[Your Skeleton Bronze Warrior has been slain by the Goblin Soldiers!]
Upon hearing that, Zealot remained completely unfazed, his expression transforming into a malevolent grin. He knew that all he had to do was summon Bony again. As long as his mana did not run out, he could perpetually and endlessly resummon his minion, ensuring his dominance and control over the battlefield.
‘Hahaha! Good stuff!’ Zealot thought, a sense of satisfaction filling his mind. ‘Well done, Bony! It seems this is progressing much better than I anticipated.’
***
In the underground vast chamber of the fortress, Morgrim’s party gathered around a flickering campfire to enjoy their meal. They were careful to keep their voices low and their movements quiet, determined not to attract the attention of the monsters lurking above. Their cautious silence was essential, allowing them to savor their meal as a brief, peaceful respite amidst the surrounding dangers.
GRAAAARRRR!!!
“Seems like it’s going to be a noisy night as usual,” Morgrim remarked, feeling slightly annoyed by the relentless roar of the monsters above.
“Yeah, it’s been like this every night,” one of his companions grumbled, his brow furrowing with irritation.
“I swear, they’re louder than ever tonight,” another added, shaking her head in frustration.
"Boss, do you think that necromancer survived?" one of Morgrim's companions couldn't help but ask.
Morgrim shook his head, "Unlikely. The sheer number of monsters tonight would overwhelm even a seasoned warrior. We’ll search for his remains in the morning."
Another companion nodded. "Makes sense. With this many monsters, it’s hard to imagine anyone surviving out there."
"We should still be cautious," a third added. "Necromancers are known for their tricks. We can't assume anything until we see proof."
Morgrim agreed. "You’re right. Let's stay on guard tonight and be thorough in our search tomorrow. We need to be certain he’s truly gone."
Having battled Zealot’s skeletal minion before, they were acutely aware of its formidable power. Despite this, they were 99% confident that Zealot wouldn’t survive the night, leaving only a 1% chance of his survival.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
***
Zealot’s plan was simple yet effective. He tasked his skeletal minion, Bony, with battling the endless waves of monsters throughout the night, allowing him to gain experience points without exposing himself to direct danger. If Bony was defeated, he would be promptly resummoned and sent back into the fray, perpetuating an endless cycle of combat and resummoning.
Minutes turned into hours as Zealot repeated this process, the notifications of slain monsters becoming a steady rhythm in his mind:
[You have slain a Goblin Soldier!]
[You have slain a Goblin Soldier!]
[You have slain a Goblin Soldier!]
[Skeleton’s Progression: 74% >> 77%]
[Your Skeleton Bronze Warrior has been slain by the Goblin Soldiers!]
[You have slain a Hobgoblin!]
[You have slain a Hobgoblin!]
[You have slain a Hobgoblin!]
[Skeleton’s Progression: 77% >> 81%]
[Your Skeleton Bronze Warrior has been slain by the Hobgoblins!]
The notifications were relentless, a testament to the ferocity of the night’s battles. Zealot’s mana reserves were tested, but his foresight and strategy ensured that he never ran out completely, always maintaining enough to resummon his skeletal minion when needed.
Unfortunately, despite the thousands of monsters his skeletal minion had slain, Zealot has yet to level up. This is because the monsters were only level 60, while Zealot himself is level 72. Defeating monsters that are lower in level than him does not yield significant experience points.
As the night wore on, the intensity of the monster waves gradually diminished. Zealot knew that the first light of dawn would signal the retreat of the monsters, giving him a brief respite. He continued to summon his skeletal minion, pushing through the last waves with determination.
The final notification came as the first rays of sunlight began to pierce through the forest canopy:
[You have slain an Ogre!]
[You have slain a Hobgoblin!]
[You have slain a Goblin Soldier!]
[Leveled Up!]
[Level: 72 >> 73]
[Skeleton’s Progression: 99% >> 100%]
[Your Skeleton Bronze Warrior has leveled up!]
‘Finally leveled up,’ Zealot thought to himself, a sense of accomplishment settling within him.
Zealot allowed himself a moment of satisfaction as Bony completed its progression, signaling its readiness for the next stage of evolution or upgrade. The night had been grueling, but it had also been immensely rewarding.
As the sun rose, the village that had been a battleground throughout the night was now eerily silent. Zealot emerged from the underground shelter, cautiously surveying the surroundings. The bodies of monsters littered the ground, a grim reminder of the night’s events.
“Great job, Bony. We made it through the night,” Zealot said, a hint of pride in his voice.
Bony nodded, feeling a sense of pride and satisfaction in having been of service to its master.
[Congratulations! Your Skeleton Bronze Warrior has reached 100% progression! You can now choose to evolve or upgrade your minion.]
Zealot's heart raced with excitement as he considered his options. The potential to summon an additional Skeleton Warrior or to evolve his current one into a more powerful form was a tantalizing prospect.
After a moment of contemplation, Zealot made his decision. “Alright, it’s time for your next evolution,” he said, opting to evolve his Skeleton Warrior, intrigued by the promise of greater power and enhanced abilities.
Bony nodded, eager and ready to undergo its next evolution.
With that said, Zealot pressed the evolve button to initiate the process.
[Evolving Skeleton Bronze Warrior… Estimated time, approximately 10 seconds…]
10 seconds later…
[Congratulations! Your Skeleton Bronze Warrior has successfully evolved into a Skeleton Silver Warrior!]
Before his eyes, the Skeleton Bronze Warrior underwent a transformation. Its bones took on a metallic sheen, and its form became more imposing and robust. The newly evolved Skeleton Silver Warrior exuded an aura of strength and menace, a clear testament to its enhanced power.
Zealot couldn't help but feel a surge of pride and satisfaction as he surveyed his newly evolved minion. The Skeleton Silver Warrior stood ready, its eyes burning with a fierce, otherworldly light.
Meanwhile, back at the grand fortress, Morgrim’s party emerged from their underground hideout.
“Well, looks like we made it through another night,” Morgrim said, surveying the scene.
“Do you think that necromancer guy is still alive?” one of his companions asked, glancing around.
Morgrim frowned. “I doubt it. Let us have breakfast first, and then we shall search for his remains.”
***
Back at the village, the morning sun bathed the peaceful streets in a warm glow, its rays filtering through the trees and casting light on the remnants of the night’s monstrous assault scattered across the battlefield.
"Hahaha! Excellent!" Zealot exclaimed with a grin. "Now, it's time to put your newfound power to the test."
With his newly evolved Skeleton Silver Warrior by his side, Zealot felt more confident than ever. The demon adventurers had previously proven capable of defeating his Skeleton Warrior, but now, with his minion’s enhanced power, he was certain that his bony warrior would be unstoppable and emerge victorious.
"Ready, Bony?" Zealot asked, glancing at the imposing figure of his newly evolved Skeleton Silver Warrior.
Bony nodded, its eyes glowing with an intense, otherworldly light. The metallic sheen of its bones reflected the morning light, making it appear even more formidable.
"Alright, let’s do this! Let's conquer the fortress and claim our victory!" Zealot declared, his voice filled with determination.
Bony nodded once more, eager for another clash with the demon adventurers, determined to pay them back for the previous defeat.
The skeletal minion, now enhanced in form, moved fluidly alongside Zealot as they departed the cute village and headed towards the tower defense fortress. The landscape around them blended open fields and dense forests, with occasional encounters with monsters that added some challenge to their journey. High in the sky, the sun cast a warm glow over the land, lighting their path.
After several hours of traversing the varied landscape, they came across a dirt road that meandered through the ancient forest, leading towards the tower defense fortress where Morgrim’s party was stationed.
As Zealot and his skeletal minion advanced along the dirt road towards the fortress, the forest around them was alive with vibrant energy. The morning sun shone brightly, bathing the landscape in a golden glow that danced through the leaves. Birds chirped merrily, and the air was filled with the scent of pine and fresh earth. The rustling of leaves and the occasional scurrying of small monsters added to the symphony of the morning, making the journey feel almost tranquil despite the imminent battle.
Zealot's mind was racing with thoughts of the battle ahead. With his new and more powerful minion, he felt a surge of confidence, ready to confront the demon adventurers who had bested him before. He glanced at Bony, who marched steadily beside him, its eyes now burning with a fierce, metallic light. The transformation had not only made Bony stronger but also imbued it with a sense of unyielding determination.
“We’re almost there, Bony. Stay sharp,” Zealot murmured, his voice low but filled with resolve, his eyes scanning the grand fortress walls ahead.
Instead of entering through the fortress’s front gate, Zealot had a different plan in mind. He intended to outflank Morgrim’s party and catch them off guard. With a determined nod, he motioned for Bony to follow as they veered towards the back walls of the fortress. The dense foliage provided ample cover, and Zealot’s keen senses guided them through the shadows, ensuring they remained unseen.
“Keep quiet and move swiftly, Bony,” Zealot whispered, his eyes fixed on a small, unguarded opening in the fortress wall. “We’re going to catch them by surprise.”
Bony nodded, its eyes glowing with a fierce, metallic light. The two moved like shadows, silent and swift, climbing the colossal fortress walls with practiced ease. The rough stone provided ample handholds, and their movements were fluid and deliberate, each step bringing them closer to their objective.
Within the grand fortress, in the expansive armory room, Morgrim’s party could be seen methodically donning their gear. Each member meticulously checked their equipment, ensuring everything was in place and ready for their journey. They were preparing to leave the fortress on a mission to find Zealot’s remains.
GLASS SHATTER!
Suddenly, one of the armory room windows shattered with a deafening crash as Zealot and his skeletal minion stormed in, their ominous presence filling the space.
"Surprise motherfucker!!! Hahaha!!!" Zealot taunted, his voice echoing off the walls. Before Morgrim’s party could even register the intrusion, Zealot and his skeletal minion launched themselves into battle, their attack swift and relentless.
CLANG!
“Watch out! We’re under attack!” shouted Thalia, her eyes wide with shock as she drew her sword.
“Everyone, brace yourselves!” Morgrim roared, trying to organize his stunned companions. “Focus and don’t let your guard down!”
“Fuck! W-Where the hell did they come from?! We didn’t even see them!” Garik stammered, barely dodging a swipe from the skeletal minion.
EYES OF TRUTH!
MINION BERSERK!
CURSE OF DIARRHEA!