Alaster ordered his Undead forward. He had made the changes he wanted. Now he wanted to see them in action. The Goblins had certainly warned the others in the Dungeon, so he was expecting to fight more prepared enemies, but in the narrow tunnel, there wasn’t much to prepare for. Battles would be more dictated by the individual strength and their stamina. The Undead were certainly stronger than these Goblins, and they never tired.

The tunnel didn’t change much. Occasionally there was a stalagmite or pillar that they would have to step around, but the Undead were disciplined and moved around them without disrupting the formation too much. A good thing too, because as they were moving through two pillars, they were once again attacked by bolts.

A dozen bolts flew through the air, almost invisible in the dim light. Monster were caught by the Minotaurs’ shields, but three managed to bypass them. Two embedded themselves into the shoulder of one Minotaur and the forearm of the other. While the third slammed into the shoulder of the frontline Black Guard on the left.

These ‘injuries’ were purely cosmetic to the Undead. They didn’t feel pain or bleed out. They didn’t have muscles that were harmed by the bolts. In fact, the only way to hinder the Undead would be to damage the Mana Veins that run through their limbs, but they were completely encased in reinforced bone, and could only be damaged through Magic, at least to Alaster’s knowledge.

The Minotaurs didn’t move at being shot, it was as if the Goblins had shot a stone wall, except this stone wall would take perverse pleasure in ripping you apart. The Black Guard had been forced to take a step back from the force, but was still completely functional. It just as quickly returned to its position, its shield raised.

Alaster peeked between the Minotaurs and saw the Dozen Goblins reloading their crossbows, but they weren’t alone. Right behind them, ready to charge forward if needed, at least another two dozen Goblins, probably closer to three, were waiting. However, they weren’t charging. They weren’t advancing at all. The Goblins were standing there, impatiently, but standing there while the Goblins using the crossbows reloaded.

‘They are going to use all their bolts before they attack, hoping it thins out my Undead.’ Alaster realized with a grin, ‘They aren’t the only ones with ranged attacks. Plus, it’ll help increase the level.’

Alaster had the two Minotaurs shuffle to either side, providing enough room for Alaster to use his Magic through while not exposing him. Two bolts made out of Necrotic Mana flew over the distance separating the two, faintly glowing as they went. But they weren’t aimed at the Ranged Goblins in front. They were aimed at the Goblins behind. Due to his limited view, and the distance involved, neither shot was very accurate, but the Goblins were bunched up enough that he didn’t really need to pinpoint where each bolt would go.

Two Goblins collapsed to the ground, one screaming, one silent. The bolt had hit one Goblin in the arm, quickly melting it off, the rest of the limb falling to the ground. While the second bolt had punched through the skull of another. It had been dead before the bolt even properly dissipated into its flesh. The Goblins shrieked in anger, but didn’t charge. Something Alaster was perfectly content with exploiting.

The Ranged Goblins finally managed to reload their crossbows and raised them to fire. As they did, Alaster ducked behind the Minotaurs, who closed the gap and raised their shields a bit higher. The Black Guards raised their shields as well. Alaster, after seeing the crossbows in the last battle, had changed the shapes of the shields to be more square in order to better protect their legs. It was a minor change, but one that would protect them more. Even if the Bolts didn’t do any actual damage, he didn’t want to see his Undead riddled with them.

Another volley of bolts slammed into the bone shields of the Undead. This time, the Black Guards were forced back a step as they had another Black Guard behind them, supporting them with their own shield, which Alaster hadn’t changed. Leaving them in their round shield form. However, Alaster had used the Living Bone aspect of [Bone Crafting] and enchanted the armor and shields of the Undead to repair themselves.

It was a very weak enchantment, as Alaster could repair the same damage in a quarter of the time. But in this way, he didn’t have to fix every little bit of damage. However, Alaster noticed that the bolts from the previous battle, which he had forgotten to remove from the Minotaurs’ shields now had bone growing on them from the shield out.

‘Huh, I wonder if they will create little spikes?’

Even Alaster noted how weird a thought that was while taking cover from Goblin Crossbows, but he ignored that and stood up, the Minotaurs creating the gap once more. Allowing Alaster to fire off another two casts of [Necrotic Bolt]. Another two dead, and two wounded. Each [Necrotic Bolt] agitated the already angry Goblins. Now, they were struggling to control themselves from not charging.

‘Maybe one more.’ Alaster noted, taking cover behind the Minotaurs as the Goblins raised their crossbows again.

The bolt stuck into the shields once more, two even managing to hit the Minotaurs themselves, doing no actual damage once again. Alaster peeked around, and cast another [Necrotic Bolt]. As he had expected, as the bolts took down, either killing or injuring, two more Goblins, they lost control, and charged. Their cries of battle resounding through the tunnel.

Alaster managed one more cast of [Necrotic Bolt] before the Goblins slammed into the shields and spears of his Undead. He actually saw one of the Goblins impale themselves on a Minotaur’s horns. Alaster had made those horns to be extra defense against large Monsters charging them. He had not expected them to see actual use. It had pleasantly surprised him.

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The Black Guards were pushed back a step, but he had made them take a step forward before they charged in preparation for this moment. Now, the Black Guards were even with the Minotaurs. The Goblins hacked and thrust at his Undead, but they were wild, never managing to do anything serious. However, they were so close and packed, they didn’t leave much room for the Undead themselves to attack either. Luckily, Alaster had noticed this issue in the last battle, and had made changes to resolve it.

Two of the Black Guards, who had been behind the forward Guards, took two steps back and lowered their spears, which Alaster had lengthened. They weren’t long enough to be considered pikes, but they were close. They were also three-pronged like a pitchfork, with each prong being three sided, like a triangle, which would make wide wounds that would bleed profusely. Against most beast type Monsters, such a weapon would be too fragile, but against humanoid Monsters, such as Goblins, it worked very well.

There were only two such weapons, but with each thrust made, one or even two Goblins would go down. Within moments, there were much fewer Goblins, which even as frenzied as they were, even they noticed. They attempted to run away, but in doing so, they gave the front line Undead enough room to attack. Which for the two Black Guards, only meant one kill each, but for the two Minotaurs, with their glaives, meant two chopped into pieces and another hurled into the tunnel stone walls.

The Ranged Goblins fired one more volley before they also retreated. Alaster cast a [Necrotic Bolt] after them, but by the time the Minotaurs moved aside after blocking the volley, the Goblins were already disappearing into the dark. He doubted he hit any. Even if he did, he wouldn't be able to hear them. Not all the Goblins that had gone down were dead. Luckily for Alaster’s ears, the Night Children jumped from one to another, silencing their groans of agony.

Alaster stored his Snow Ape Fur in his Ring. It was chilly in the tunnels, but not freezing. Lukas’ Cloak was plenty to keep the young man comfortable. However, it was only then that Alaster realized that the Snow Ape furs his Black Guards and Mist Ape furs his Minotaurs wore were covered in Goblin Blood.

‘I hope it washes out.’

Alaster opened his Status. Surely, after killing so many Goblins, he had leveled at least once.

[Class: Death Knight

Level: 20<22

EXP: 12%<35%

Health: 460/460<475/475

Health Regeneration: 12/min

Mana: 465/465<480/480

Mana Regeneration: 11/min

Abilities: Necrotic Bolt, Raise Undead, Bone Crafting, Mana Manipulation, Death Touch, Skeleton Creation, Meditation, Necrotic Heal, Dead Aura, Flesh Crafting, Raise Mage

Bonuses: Horde, Death Pact, Split Mind, Blood Price, Imbuement, Fine Control

Strength: 66<68

Dexterity: 58<60

Constitution*: 70<73

Wisdom*: 110<113

Intelligence*: 77<80

Free Points: 0<5]

‘Wow, two levels. Perhaps its not impossible to use this Dungeon to level up to fifty.’

Alaster grinned to himself. He was slowly growing stronger and stronger. Currently, while his level was still lower than most people’s he was roughly as strong as a single Combat Type Adept. His versatility would make him a larger threat, as did his numbers, but in the end, an Adept would still dispatch his Undead quite easily. The Night Children could be killed from a slap from an Adept, but that was if they were caught. The Black Guards would slow the Adept down simply because they worked well together and there were a lot of them. And as for the Minotaurs, Alaster’s strongest Undead, they would make the Adept struggle, but in the end, they too would fall apart with some effort.

Alaster could very well be the strongest sixteen year old in the world, but he was still weak, incredibly so. And in the eyes of large organizations, he was nothing but an ant. The only thing that would give them pause about squishing him was his Class. All organizations wanted to recruit Summoner Type Classes, or basically anyone who could create Minions, of any kind. Strength was important, but numbers were vital.

Alaster desperately wanted to find another Necrotic Mana User. There was so much he didn’t know about his own Magic. And if he could find a Necromancer, even better. Elemental Magics were common and basic enough that basically everyone knew how they worked. But for Necrotic Magic? Alaster had heard of it, but never seen or heard how it worked. He was simply going with what he knew, which led his Undead to be simple and predicable and his Abilities such as [Necrotic Bolt] and [Flesh Crafting] to be ignored.

He still had not touched [Flesh Crafting], not only because the idea of it makes him gag, but because he has no idea how to even begin using it. [Bone Crafting] had been easy for him. He just treated it like any other building material, like clay. But he couldn’t do that with Flesh. He didn’t understand it enough to tamper with it.

‘Alaster, you should rest and eat.’ the Parasite reminded him, ‘I am sensing that you are growing fatigued.’

‘Yeah I guess I should,’ Alaster agreed, ‘I have a few ideas to try out as well. By the way, I should really name you. By now, it seems kinda insulting to call you a parasite.’

‘By your definition, that is what I am. I do not mind. But if you insist on a proper name, I also do not mind. However, do so after resting.’

Alaster chuckled and pulled out some bone, quickly molding it into a lawn chair and laying down, pulling out some dried Snow Ape meat. He was running out and would have to locate another source of food, or resort to eating the Goblins. Something he really didn’t want to do.

‘You know, you kinda remind me of Lady Siphas,’ Alaster’s smile died, ‘or my Mother.’

‘Why is this?’

‘Always nagging me to take care of myself.’

‘If it helps, you can think of my care of you as selfish. If you die, so do I.’ The parasite said, with little emotion.

‘Aren’t you already dead?’

‘So are your Minions, but you still think of them as dying when they crumble.’

‘Yeah, I guess so.’ Alaster yawned.

‘Rest. Your Minions and I will watch over you.’

Alaster’s eyes were heavy, and he allowed them to close, ‘Thank you.’

The world fell away from him, as he began to dream, but not all were pleasant.