(xx.)

Lazarus took some time and built a camp fire in one of the nearby abandoned villages. He needed to take some time to think and did not feel like fighting monsters all night again. Sitting beside the fire, he considered what his goals should be from here on out.

I don't really care about guild rank. I'm sure I'll get to the highest rank just by living a long life, so that's not a priority. This land is infested with these kobolds and other monsters but I don't see why they had trouble keeping this kingdom. There has to be more going on here than that.

“Knowledge should be what I'm aiming for first,” the Lich murmured to himself. “Why was a Taoist here? He seemed surprised that I used the word Taoist. Should I try to find this noble faction that is still fighting?

I'm sure I could pass myself off as one of the Taoists and get them to lead me to this Immortal's resting place that fool mentioned. Maybe I'll be able to find out more if I go there.”

He called Jet to his side and lavished his affections on the skeletal pup.

“I evolved, but it did not seem like a huge change. Not that I can see myself currently, of course. I don't need to eat, I have not been hungry. Similarly, I don't need to sleep and I have not gotten tired. Just taking time to think like this is acting as a mental buffer for fatigue.

“Death's Companion leveled up earlier. What's changed? I couldn't cast it again after getting Jet the first time, but I feel like I can use it again now. It also changed some of my skills' aesthetics and mana cost.”

Lazarus looked down at his armored arm. It was still the same silver he started with. Was it because he had not dispelled it yet? He went ahead and dispelled the silver holy armor and found that his skeleton was now pure black, like polished obsidian.

That's new...

Lazarus cast Ebon King's Armor. He could not get a good look at it but it felt more lightweight and seemed to be the same color as his new bones. He considered the name of the spell.

“This is the second spell I have now with the name 'King'. Should I aim to become a king? That might be interesting. I haven't even been acting like my class should. I should be the summoner type but I feel like I haven't found anything worth using the skill on...”

Lazarus reconsidered that point. Come to think of it, the Taoist might be a good target for his first Create Undead. He rose with a rather human-like grunt, slapping his gauntleted palms to his knees in the process. There was something to be said for old habits...

“Well, I'd better go get the body and bring it here for starters.”

So he did so. The body was surprisingly heavy, but not unmanageable. The heels left small indentations in the earth as the Lich dragged the body into the light of the campfire with the dubious assistance of his ever-faithful hound. Though he suspected the wolfdog was only in it to steal one of the Taoist's shoes.

He retreated to the other side of the fire with his new chew toy.

“I don't know if time is a factor here. No monsters got to the corpse, so it's relatively intact, if a bit... perforated. I'll go ahead and give it a try it now.”

Lazarus focused on the Taoist who never even bothered to introduce himself and cast Create Undead. A screen of options popped up just like the other times.

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-Create Ghost: 100 Mana

-Create Skeleton Swordsman: 500 Mana

-Create Skeleton Archer: 500 Mana

-Create Zombie: 700 mana

-Create Ghoul: 1,000 mana

-Create Lesser Lich: 2,000 mana

Lazarus considered his options. Of course it would take mana to create an undead. All things had a cost, didn't they? He attempted to use the Appraisal skill on the first option.

-Ghost: A scout unit that increases in strength over time.

Unable to interact with the physical world until Strength conditions are met. Average intelligence.

Good, I can check what they all are before I decide.

He proceeded to appraise the remaining options available to him:

-Skeleton Swordsman: A general melee combat unit that has average physical strength. Low intelligence.

-Skeleton Archer: A general ranged unit with average strength. Low intelligence.

-Zombie: A high defensive unit with average attack strength. Low intelligence.

-Ghoul: An infiltration unit that appears as a living creature with all the downsides as well. Average human's strength and intelligence.

-Lesser Lich: General of lesser undead. High intelligence but lacking melee skills. Generally spell casters.

“That's a lot more information than I started with before,” he mused. “Well, I don't know if I will have full control over him if I make him into a lesser Lich, not to mention that would leave me almost empty on mana for a while. Creating something of similar intelligence to myself? I shudder to think. And it would be a waste to turn him into a ghost, skeleton, or zombie. That just leaves us with... a ghoul.”

Lazarus made his decision and selected the Create Ghoul option.

Instantly the Taoist corpse was transformed. The bloodstains receded and the holes in his flesh filled themselves from within. His not-quite-empty eyes fluttered open and he shuddered to his feet. With newfound purpose, he knelt directly in front of Lazarus and spoke.

“Master, how may I serve you?”

Lazarus could feel the link they shared and the control he had over him. It was like having an extra set of arms and knowing you could just will them to do whatever you desired.

“Do you have any memory of who you were?”

“No, Master, I am only just born,” the Ghoul droned.

Lazarus pondered the answer with a gauntleted hand on his full plate helmet's chin.

I see... so basic things like speech and motor control are fine, but any memory of when he was alive was lost when he became a Ghoul.

He used the Appraisal skill on the newly born Taoist Ghoul:

Status:

Name: No Name

Race: Ghoul

Sex: Male

Class: Rogue

Skills:

Pain Nullification – You do not feel pain, Level MAX

Backstab – Level 1

Stealth – Level 1

Magic Aptitude: Earth

Major Stats:

Level: 1

Heath: 1,000/1,000 Mana: 500/500

Minor Stats:

Strength:5, Dexterity:5, Intelligence: 5

Wisdom:1 Charisma: 5 Luck:0

I see... so it really is like he has just been born. Charisma for a normal person must be 5 since he looks like a human. What would happen if I got my Charisma up? Would they just treat me the same? Or would it work for others of my race, I wonder? I'm sure its not an end-all solution.

Lazarus got back on track.

“You will act as my party member. For now, just try to blend in.”

“Yes, Master.”

As Lazarus was talking to the Ghoul, Jet was sniffing at him and circling him curiously, his tail down. Lazarus reached down to pat the dog's head.

“This will be our new friend.”

Jet tilted its head to the right then started wagging his bony tail in acceptance.