Chapter 14 - Legendary Undead

“Who is this Legendary Midnight Soldier?” Gerald asked. Sitting around a campfire outside of Deluc’s Dungeon, the party was about to begin devising a plan to raid the ancient tomb. Thankfully, Dario remembered Elder Saru’s excursion in great detail when the Demonic Teacher had explored the ancient tomb. On top of that, the time to fulfill the young disciple’s dream of conquering such a place embroiled him further. His resolve had to be absolute when entering the old and dangerous dungeon.

Initially, there would be a long and wide stairwell accompanied by hundreds of thousands of undead creatures and monsters. Sadly, most of the enemies were not notable enough for resurrection as no single creature had a name.

Although the Rainbow Bird and the Malevolent Jar would make worthy candidates for resurrection, the spoils of defeating such unique monsters outweighed such a notion. Dario had hoped that a Skeleton Mage or even a Skeleton Knight with a name would show themselves. In the end, none had appeared until now. And, Dario’s number of undead did not increase in capacity even when leveling up. This made the young disciple picky when choosing who to resurrect.

“The Legendary Midnight Soldier, Azad, is a member of the horned tribe, the Ronso species. Not many Ronso Tribe members exist since they were annihilated by the Fairy species long ago. Unfortunately, the existence of the horned species was burned in history after they lost the war known as the Fairy Campaign,” Dario replied.

“If he’s such a legendary figure, then why haven’t we heard about him?” Asked Nocturne.

“Hmph,” Dario scoffed. If anyone had received such an arrogant response, they would have held the young disciple in contempt for showing such disrespect, however, it is simply Dario’s way of becoming like his Master who often shows haughtiness. There wasn’t a semblance of disrespect at all. Nocturne, Gerald, and Caesar have an understanding that this is how the strong usually act, but they also understood that Dario is a young man with impeccable manners. Besides, the three Experts are not as sensitive as most people. “As of now, Azad should be older than Elder Saru.”

!!

The three Experts were surprised.

“With that much time, it’s expected that he’s attained a great amount of power. It’s strange…” Dario commented.

“What is?” Replied Caesar.

The young disciple was seen rubbing his chin, a sign that usually depicts an individual pondering on a thought, “The Ronso have similar lifetimes like humans, yet, Azad is alive and well.”

“But from what Elder Saru said, that guy has been through magic rituals that could extend someone’s life?” Gerald blurted out.

“There is little information about the Ronso’s magic. But…” Dario held his palm upward and manifested mana into an orb-like form. “Their society has been gone for a long time while other civilizations progressed and evolved. We can make up the difference in power with our advanced chi cultivation and arcane knowledge. And of course, we can be crafty as well.” The young disciple dissipated the chi ball.

Not many can do what the young disciple just did by easily manifesting chi externally and forming it into any shape. Not only that, to dissipate the condensed mana signifies great control of the arcane. Only master manipulators of mana can do such a feat.

Gerald, Caesar, and Nocturne comprehended what the young master was trying to say, “We must give our thanks to Elder Saru when we return to the tribe,” Dario said.

“Why’s that?” Gerald replied.

“It’s because of the information about the berserk phase that Azad enters when a good portion of his HP is down.”

Caesar leaned forward while sitting on a tree branch close to the campfire. “I see. In exchange for high attack output, one’s defense is reduced drastically.”

The young disciple nodded, “Indeed. However, we must move before the Berserk Phase. Nocturne, this is where you come in.” Nocturne’s ears puckered up.

Dario reached into the air and his hand fazed into a subspace. He retracted his hand and a dark green vial was taken out. “For the first half of the battle, you’ll be clinging to the shadows without being sensed. When I give the order, stab Azad’s neck. Before that, you must remember to apply the liquid to your daggers. The tone of the battle will be determined only if you succeed.”

The shrewd Warrior and Thief nodded his head in acknowledgment, “By the way…” Nocturne commented while peeking with one eye.

Dario grinned and anticipated what he would ask. “This vial was extracted from the tears of a Marlboro King. Thanks to the Omen Tribe’s alchemists, they purified and enhanced the tears to the point of completely blinding an opponent. Although it is expected that the Legendary Midnight Soldier is immune to all status ailments, the Marlboro King’s tears will blind him for a short moment.”

“Heh!” Nocturne sneered. “So this is what you meant by being ‘crafty.’”

“Bah! So much work for one person!” Gerald babbled loudly.

“From what Elder Saru and the young master had said, this ‘Azad’ fits the description of a one-man army. It’s best not to underestimate this individual,” Caesar replied.

Dario uncovered his hood. “Make no mistake about it, a normal attack will instantly kill any of us.”

Gulp.

The three Experts felt apprehensive. Noticing the change in the air, Dario lifted the mood with a few words. “Worry not, we do not intend to fight The Blood Ox for a long duration. Follow the plan and all should work out as intended.”

The question is, will it end up that way?

***

“Grrraaaahhhh!!!” Azad growled with Aura infused. The horned individual growled so loudly that a shockwave pulsed through the entire room.

“Here it comes!” Dario yelled.

At this moment, the young disciple was wielding two swords bequeathed to him by his Master. Normally, he would not deign to use two overpowered weapons, however, the opponent was someone more powerful than himself.

Sijjin Grade: Mythical Artifact

-A legendary holy sword belonging to the previous Vicegerent of Soa. It constantly tempts the wielder to submit their soul to the weapon. Only those with the most unwavering resolve dare wield it.

-Instantly inflicts the status “Death” on any opponent.

-Can morph the size of the sword according to the user’s will.

Illiyin Grade: Legendary Artifact -A non-elemental sword forged by the Fair species. It is said that it was created to destroy and compete with the holy sword Sijjin that exists somewhere in the world.

As of this moment, the party was surrounding Azad and their respective Aura can be seen as a silhouette around their body. The strategy would be to launch a continuous assault led by Dario. Brandishing the two beautiful and deadly-looking swords, the young disciple unleashed a long-range Aura technique.

Aura Techniques: [Skill - Celestial Core Inversion] Rank: SSS Proficiency: 98%

-Synergizes two weapons that can harmonize different energies.

-Combines the two mixing energies to unleash a potent attack.

Kaboom!!

The legendary figure took massive damage due to his being in Berserk status. With the opponent not being able to think rationally and functioning in a purely offensive mentality, Azad’s anger brimmed to the core. Yet, even with that mindset, he was forced to play on defense because of the blinding effects of the Marlboro King’s tears.

Now, the second phase of the plan was starting to initiate. Much like Gerald’s Dual Wave Blade technique, Dario’s Celestial Core Inversion also formed into an “X” attack pattern. However, there is a clear distinction that separates the two. Gerald’s technique is an oncoming “X” wave, whereas, the young disciple’s skill is like a whip coming down from above that eventually forms an “X” pattern.

Not missing a beat, the three Masters followed through with the second phase of the plan. Gerald, Caesar, and Nocturne were given simple instructions and all they had to do was attack in sequence. It was easy to understand that such a provocation was meant to annoy and disrupt Azad’s momentum.

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“Dark Wave Blade!” Gerald combined two skills, one that was of his own, and the other that was taught by the Demonic Teacher.

Aura Techniques: [Skill - Dark Wave Blade] Rank: SS Proficiency: 100%

-Dual Wave Blade combined with the skill, Darkseid.

-Amplifies the attack severalfold at the cost of one-fourth of the user’s HP.

-Unleashes enormous waves in an “X” formation.

I can feel my life draining… Thought Gerald.

The skill hit Azad’s left shoulder pauldron. “Kurrrghh!”

Thanks to Dario’s attack beforehand, it whittled the opponent to where any damage would hurt from now on. As soon as Azad turned his head to where Gerald discharged his skill, Nocturne leaped onto the horned man’s back and quickly pierced his dual daggers into it.

The Mad Devil Ox quickly tried to stab with his twin katana blade behind him but Nocturne jumped and did a front flip. Feeling the lift-off, Azad was going to intercept Nocturne with his giant axe while he was still in mid-air. Fortunately, Dario and the rest of the party could now read the Legendary Midnight Soldier’s movements due to the blind status effect.

By a hair’s breadth, the young disciple instantly cast a Fireball that disrupted Azad’s attack. If that giant axe were to connect, it could have easily cleaved Nocturne in two while doing a front flip.

“Keuk!” Azad groaned.

Usually, a spell like Fireball would be like a mosquito bite to the horned being, but, his health was already in the red, meaning, less than 10% of his HP was left.

!!

Azad sprinted to the one he sensed had the most mana. Finally, we’re nearing the end. Thought Dario.

The Arishok attacked with both weapons faster than the eye can perceive. Dario was seen being torn to pieces, but it was all a mirage. The young disciple moved at such a speed that creating after-images was possible.

“Everything is going according to plan,” said Caesar as he initiated his long-range skill.

“Dark Buster.”

Aura Techniques: [Skill - Dark Buster] Rank: SS Proficiency: 100%

-Demon Buster combined with the skill, Darkseid.

-Amplifies the attack several-fold at the cost of one-fourth of the user’s HP.

-An execution wave skill dealing a consecutive series of slashes emanating from one move.

A large concentrated wave of dark Aura dealt severe damage to the Midnight Soldier. So far, his marvelous ebony plates were now ragged and cuts can be seen all over.

The party continued their onslaught for hours. It was a battle where they were permitted to show all of their techniques and skills. At Dario’s current level, this would be the first opportunity where an opponent would not die from one of his attacks. Hours had passed. It was a short, but seemingly long time. In this battle of life or death, the party was growing at a terrifying rate.

“Thank you…”

!?

All this time, the Legendary Midnight Soldier had said no words, only a threatening aura, and malicious growling. It confused the party when at the climax of the battle, a phrase like “Thank You” was not something anyone would expect.

Azad said such words while he slowly fell. Before he touched the ground, Dario stopped him in the nick of time, “No, it is I who should be thanking you, Arishok,” Dario replied.

With those last words, the young disciple resurrected the horned individual.

Congratulations! You have succeeded in resurrecting a Legendary Undead, Legendary Midnight Soldier, Azad!

***

“Kurgh,” he let out a groan. “What’s...this?”

Some time has already passed after the intense battle. Azad got up from the ground and looked at his surroundings. Several areas of the room tiled with ebony were smashed into pieces. The three Masters, Gerald, Nocturne, and Caesar were busy meditating in a lotus-form position. And the last to be seen as the young disciple as he approached the newly resurrected Familiar.

“It is an honor to meet you, Arishokras,” Dario bowed deeply.

“Ari..shokras…” Azad was struggling to find his words. He had been in a sub-conscious state for a long time.

“You have been in a trance for quite some time. Take a moment to gather yourself,” after those words were said, Dario also joined the three Masters and meditated. Not too far from the party, Revenant and Parsifal were silently standing guard.

When Azad looked upon himself, he noticed several pieces of armor were taken off, the ones that were about to break, specifically. He understood why it had to be done and felt a sense of gratitude. It surprised him, thinking that the first thing he would feel was a sense of appreciation. Azad was still feeling the effects of the trance-like state that Dario was speaking about and the mind was slow to grasp all that had occurred.

“Master…” He inadvertently blurted out.

?

Again, he surprised himself. He looked in the direction where the party was silently meditating and followed suit. It was as though it was second nature to him. The Ronso species do not have any mana-breathing methods. It was a fact Azad knew all too well.

It is because you have been resurrected by me. This means you have access to my power. Dario telepathically messaged Azad while in a meditative state.

The horned being responded to the message with an emotionless expression. After comprehending his situation, he knew what needed to be done.

There was a reason why the party was busy meditating in the destroyed ebony room. It was to recover all the mana they had expended and to heal the body. Many chi cultivation methods can recover mana by simply circulating one’s Dantian which allows the absorption of mana from the air, but not many chi cultivation methods can heal the body. Thanks to the teachings of Elder Saru, the three Masters were capable of doing such a feat. And as for Dario, his special breathing method granted him to do both of those things while at a highly accelerated rate.

For Azad, even though he had no experience in any breathing methods, it was easy for him to circulate mana into his Dantian. Much like Revenant and Parsifal, the Legendary Midnight Soldier began anew and experienced what it was like to store mana in one’s body without arcane rings around the heart. The Sith Lord job had many amazing effects and sharing chi cultivation methods was one example.

With Azad’s mangled body, the numerous cuts, bruises, and damage that had been done to him began to dramatically heal. Cuts were closing themselves, and bruises began to lighten up and revert to their original pale skin color. On the other hand, internal injuries were being healed as well. The heart, lungs, and all the important internal arteries are important for any being to function properly.

It would take several hours for the three Masters to fully recover their HP, MP, and AP because they were recently new to the world of chi cultivation methods. As for Dario and his Familiar, Azad, they were expected to recover in the least amount of time.

***

“Phew!” Gerald said while standing up and stretching.

“Do you always have to be so loud? Nocturne replied.

“Gahaha! If only we had this ‘gift’ in the beginning,” the three Masters had completed their meditation. HP, MP, and AP were fully recuperated and they felt reinvigorated.

Caesar looked on and saw Dario and Azad having a conversation. They immediately halted their dialogue and approached the Masters.

Gulp. Gerald, Nocturne, and Caesar instantly realized the situation before them and felt a cold breeze go through their spine. Dario had managed to resurrect a Legendary Undead with a name.

That statement alone was enough to bewilder even three Masters that had recently crossed to the Transcendence Realm. Contrary to his domineering appearance, when Azad began to speak, his deep voice brought upon a sense of calmness and words that carried volume.

“Arihon. Mura shokost. Anaam quadaaran shokroqun,” Azad said while making a solemn bow.

“He says his greetings and is grateful to the party that saved him,” Dario said.

What was mentioned before about the Iron Slasher mercenary group having good manners, especially for the three Masters, they too bowed in response to Azad’s action.

“I am Azad, once a spiritual general to a country that existed long ago,” one of the Masters stepped forth and extended his hand. With the heart of a warrior’s spirit, Gerald was the first to reciprocate with a broad smile on his face.

“I am Gerald Killeway.”

The tall-horned individual received the greeting and extended a hand as well. It was an act of respect as the two firmly clasped each other’s forearms.

Soon after, Nocturne followed suit, “My name is Nocturne Mallory.”

In Caesar’s case, he introduced himself as well but added a solemn bow as is the case with the culture and code of a Samurai.

“We can have a proper conversation later on. There are pressing matters to deal with” Dario interjected. “Azad, can you tell us anything about the Undead, Deluc?”

The Arishok nodded in response. With that thought, the Legendary Midnight Soldier began detailing everything he knows about the owner of the tomb. Overall, the dialogue was concise and straightforward. Not once did Azad digress on any points.

Eldar Lich Deluc was once a Blood Elf that chose Necromancy to attain 8 Arcane Rings. Well-versed in Blood Magic, one of the side effects of such practice leads the user to thirst for more power. However, other nations’ mages caught wind of the foreboding power emanating from the crimson desert, Hollow World. When the countries sent their scouts, none of them returned.

At the time, a handful of boss-level monsters began crossing many nations' borders. Many places rich in mana will tend to produce wild creatures or monsters of significant value. Of course, it would take decades for such organisms to be at boss level, yet, such creatures kept appearing at an alarming rate. If monsters at that level were to show up in more numbers, then other countries would have to end the problem with their armies. In the end, that is what they did.

The wise men in those countries foresaw the monster infestation as a national crisis for the coming years. When one country took the risk to enter Hollow World to personally see the situation, many nations quaked in fear of the shocking discovery. An 8-Circled Archmage had been born.

Then, when the time came for the many countries to act upon their coalition agreement, they sent their nation’s treasures known as Heroes to deal with the unknown power. Yet, their Heroes were not able to kill Deluc and had him sealed instead. This is when the legend and the myth of Eldar Lich Deluc came to be.