Now ranked 97,232 Will Nguyen has grown as a powerhouse in the new era, leading his troops North of Lindburg. Due to his display of power and leadership, his group has now reached more than 200 in terms of members. Most of their members are the locals who have seen through the ways of the other human focused realms, his group's current success has also been thanks to the support of the Western Alliance.

One of the main members of this alliance, The red-eyed skeleton king has brought Will under his wing. With the innate ability to strengthen others so long as they remained loyal to him, The red eyed skeleton king chose Will as one of his trusted warriors. Meaning that on top of his innate ability and gift, he also gained talent in martial arts and the signature red eyes.

About 30 members of his group, including Will himself were contracted with the red-eyed king. With half of their merit points gained immediately forfeited to the King as per contract. This time around a special request from the king was sent out.

"Ranked 321, The Master of Otherworlders has allied with our faction. As a show of good faith, the Strong-armed magician has given me the opportunity to send out soldiers to his territory. Bring two soldiers under my influence in the area, to act as both gifts and spies for me." This was the chat message that the Red-eyed king sent to Will.

Having just arrived to the island, Will and his small group were only part of a larger group of soldiers that will act as "guards" for the region for the next month or so.

"This guy really is a big shot huh?" A local survivor, one that's carrying a flail stated, he was admiring the sea serpent before but the layout of the island was much more impressive to him. The island looks to be untouched by the new era, a great feat that only the strongest could achieve

"The red-eyed king messaged Will, directly about him. So of course it's a VIP bro." A tall and muscular man shook his head.

"Enough bickering you two, You need to be on your best behavior if we want this mission to go well." Unlike the other two who were meant to be long term spies, Will was only assigned to be there to supervise them until he has to be "replaced". He was the leader of a large group after all and the Red Eyed King had other plans for him.

'Though these undead soldiers are rather weird, he must have a necromancer under him. Maybe they'll know something about that Dark Elf that dominated our city during the start of this whole mess.' Will waited until the end of the day to try and get an audience with the Island's leader.

"Excuse me, Is Mister Montes available for a short talk. I just have questions regarding our mission tomorrow." Will spoke to one of the humans in the area, the blonde haired Mira.

"The Master will be busy, but I will try to ask him for you."

"Ahh well you see, I was also a local from Lindburg. I would just like to ask him a few questions." Will knew that giving that information out would give him a better chance at getting his attention.

The soldier opened up her chat function and with just a few clicks she got a response. "I will escort you to the Strengthening tower."

'A survivor from Lindburg, I thought we forced them all out when Vantak took over the North. The prisoners and the disaster shelters were fully wiped from what I can remember. Sure, we can have a talk.' Travis thought to himself as he enjoyed a fine dinner, grilled meats and an assortment of side dishes that were prepared by Gen.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

"I have brought the guest, My Lord." Mira bowed as she led Will into the strengthening tower.

"Grab a seat, come join us. Dinner just started!" Travis gave a welcoming smile, one that he has practiced over the months. A friendly expression that he gave to his recruits on their first day as his contractor.

While powerful in his own right, gathering merit points and trading for resources in the trade tab, Will hasn't used the tab for anything to improve his own quality of life. He bought equipment, drones and the occasional raw material to patch his armor or to supply his allies but for someone like him it has been a little over three months since he's had food that wasn't canned or instant in nature.

"So, what is it? I know you have a few questions for me, I do have some of my own. But I'd prefer if you just state your purpose." Travis held all of the power here, Will knew this and he was lucky to even get an audience with someone that was on equal footing to his benefactor.

"I will start with giving a bit of a background, My name is Will Nguyen sir. I serve under the Red-eyed Skeleton King, as I've told Miss Mira I am a local of Lindburg. I led a group during the starting month and my group was chased off by the Necromancer who controlled the area at the time. With what you've told us about the situation... is it safe to assume that this necromancer is dead?" Will enjoyed the food, but was forced to ignore it for his spiel.

"What do you know about the necromancer who took over Lindburg?" Travis asked, his friendly disposition has now disappeared. 'If he finds out that it's Vantak then we'll have a fight in our hands.'

"All I've seen is the raw power of his troops. I haven't met this necromancer myself, I've only seen the floating figure from a distance back when he made the move on the northern region. But basing it off of how you speak sir, is it safe to assume that this necromancer is the least of our worries?" William didn't want to offend the VIP, he feels like he was already overstepping boundaries by questioning the man in his own home.

"I was holed up in the junkyard during the start of the new era this I can assure you is the Truth. But from the undead in my region I'm also sure that you suspect me of having a hand in this. After all my rise to power as a ranker was mostly thanks to my own necromancer." Travis was cunning when he had to be but due to his self-reflection over the past few weeks, he couldn't help his honesty.

"My necromancer is named Vantak, he is in the Elite Silver-grade. I'm sure that you've seen my other servants. At this point he is still one of the most crucial parts of my forces, During the start of the new era what was the upper limit on visitors?" He gave Will a question that was easy to answer.

"Elite Silver-grade." Will kept his cool, despite realizing what Travis was implying.

"I was weak, I had to give him what he wanted to bring him over to my side. If you've noticed some of my recruits haven't been all that enthusiastic, especially the stronger ones. It's a bit harder to keep them in control... his rampage in the city of Lindburg is partially my own fault." Travis knew that he was twisting the truth, taking only a bit of the blame despite being the unhinged individual who ordered the cleansing of the city in the first place. 'Taking responsibility for the lives lost isn't solely my own, there were multiple invaders in the city. But I know that the ones that were taken by Vantak also falls under my own hands.'

"The locals were already losing to both the Ahagins and the Butikans. It was only a matter of time before everyone fell." Will knew not to place all of the blame on the Necromancer, in the eyes of Travis he might have seemed like a wannabe hero. This would be true if it was the same Will that tried to fight for his place in the city, Will has grown since then. The encounter with the necromancer was an event that humbled him greatly, it was the day when he finally realized the benefits of being humble. "I'm not here for revenge sir, All I ask is to be given the chance to train... have a bit of a spar with the necromancer."

"That can be arranged, for now enjoy your meal. You can have the spar tomorrow morning, Vantak should be back at around midnight. Dark Elves only rest for a few hours and they're back to full strength, you should get enough rest if you want to challenge him."