Alpha and the Main Bird shook their heads. Several more fell. Alpha, howling, ordered a few of his brothers to capture the fallen ones and disarm them.
The Main Bird did the same. For a while, they forgot about their hostility and even helped each other catch the fallen brothers. After catching them, they cut off their legs, tails, and wings, and then ran away, taking their limbs with them.
Alpha, seeing how the fallen ones tried to attack, understood that one day he would also fall, like his enemies, and no one would be able to save him. The only thing left was to prolong his existence, and only food could help.
Looking at the Main Bird, who was greatly frightened by the explosion, Alpha became demoralized, as did others. But he didn't dare to run away because they hadn't found anything for a long time, and these flying parasites were watching them to steal their food in the end.
The Main Bird could no longer stand it. A cry burst from her illusory beak. Alpha looked at her proposal with disbelief, but, looking at his flock, gave them time to think.
The Main Bird cried, agreeing, but not for long. The longer they wait, the more dangerous it could all become.
Alpha, looking at the birds, could not understand why they needed cooperation. Maybe he felt their strength, but he was a sly coward. He often watched them and even sometimes stole their food, causing several brothers to fall and no longer think clearly. What should they do?
***
Creating undead, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was missing something. Several times he tried to ask the book, but all he heard in response was, "When the time comes. You must find out for yourself if you want to become a powerful necromancer. Even if you are in danger."
After that, he disappeared and reappeared as a tattoo on his left hand.
"What could I be missing? Maybe I'm doing something wrong. Let's take a closer look at the process. I create six runes for a regular corpse and eight if there's a soul in it. I spend five to ten seconds on each rune. Only the seventh and eighth runes were created in twenty to forty seconds. At first, I spent five minutes creating two runes. Apparently, I've improved my skills... From my experiments, I've learned that if the runes are created incorrectly, the corpse can explode. I also noticed that I can insert a circle while the corpse is still stable, but it takes longer and is more costly."
Looking at his army of rats, he thought, "I created undead, but I really don't understand much. It's better to say I don't know anything. But I'm starting to gradually realize and understand how everything works. Maybe I'll try creating only the runes without connecting them?"
With this thought, he began drawing runes on his hand. After creating all six, he broke the connection between energy and runes. Strangely enough, they did not explode but began to dim. After which they disappeared.
"What if I continue to fill them with energy?"
Creating the runes again, he did not break the connections. On the contrary, he began to feed them with more energy. They began to glow brighter and brighter until they suddenly stopped.
"Hmm, this is interesting. They could become good sources of light. It's a shame it's useless for those who can't see in the dark... But what if..."
Searching for ideas of what to do with them, he began to incorporate them into the corpse. Strangely, this happened quickly, without any loss of energy or time. Afterward, he connected them into a circle.
The corpse stood up... but it was different. It was more energetic than the others. If the others were languid, as if ready to fall from the wind, this one stood confidently. Even it didn't have the same scary spinning eyes as the other undead. Could it be that the runes weren't working at their maximum with the others?
With that thought in mind, he touched one of the old undead. Feeling the circle, he began pouring energy into it. Hm... it was hard, but he began to glow brighter, until he couldn't take in any more energy.
At the same time, the undead rat seemed to be... healthier than it was at the beginning.
Its eyes weren't spinning like some of the other scary dolls anymore. And the best news was that the whole process took no more than ten seconds.
Having made eight more rats, he began to create new servants according to a new scheme.
After a few minutes, he realized that this method was more effective than the previous one.
Only because he already had some experience and knowledge. And if you pay closer attention, you can guess that this method is complex. You need to control the energy, the runes, and so on. It's like imagining a painting and then trying to recreate it, but you can quickly forget. But if you've already created that painting several times, it's harder to forget all the details.
Or how teachers keep track of children in special notebooks in the early grades. How to say it correctly or better, how big and long should a letter be, and of course, a word.
It is wrong to use a line for just one word. It is costly, stupid, ugly, and of course, impractical.
Well, what I wanted to say is that I learned what size each rune should be to be efficient and not costly. And most importantly, to have harmony between them.
Yes, it's genius! Without even knowing that I learned the basics of runes. And now I can recreate them anywhere. I'm a genius.
The book pulsed once, and a message came to the brain: "No, you're not a genius. Your level of thinking is statistically lower than that of an ordinary person from this world."
"Here's your book, have fun," he said when he read the message.
The book lit up again, and a new message came: "I don't understand what you're trying to say. But I must inform you that you are in danger. Don't forget."
"Hmm, he only knows how to joke and doesn't want to teach me. Greedy jerk," he thought.
"So, a few more corpses, and that's it. I can't increase my army anymore." After collecting the last corpses, he saw a saw in the sand.
"Oh, right, I had a homemade saw. Where were you all this time, damn it?" he thought. Taking the saw and the corpses, he began to create a new party of undead.
***
Alpha, watching as the rat corpses were taken away by a human hand, was filled with both joy and fear.
He was glad that the enemy was a human or human-like creature, which meant that they didn't have to be strong if they were hiding.
But he was also afraid because of his instinct and the purpose of the corpses, which could rise again. At least, he could only feel a few souls and nothing more. It was strange how so many bodies couldn't rise. His own kind and enemies would rise even when their souls had departed.
But the rats had not risen all this time, which meant that their souls had been fully consumed. And there weren't many of these monsters.
The Head Bird also saw the human hand and it gave her courage. She shouted at Alpha and asked for his decision.
Looking at the hole, Alpha decided to take a risk. With a powerful howl, he gathered the whole pack and surrounded the tree. Even if the order didn't appeal to the pack, they still followed it and even showed their backs to the birds, showing who their current target was. This action showed Alpha's choice.
This greatly pleased the Head Bird. Letting out a cry, all the birds took off and began circling above the tree, forming a circle.
***
"Ugh. The latest ones." he said as he stood up, hearing a loud howl. "Can't they take it anymore? Well, I'll test my army."
Looking at the dozens or hundreds of rats, he wondered where so many corpses had come from. "Strange, I remember killing only forty rats. Hmmm, mysticism, what can I say. Maybe they came on their own? And if so, how? Some of them could have come specifically to hide and seek revenge. And finally became food for those rats. But where is the rat itself?"
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Looking around, he saw a huge mass of fur in the corner, eating a rat and fighting with it. But it quickly lost and was eaten itself... an undead rat.
This must be him. He is eating now. He looks even bigger than before. If he eats everything that comes his way, he will inevitably become fat.
He wanted to approach closer when he heard the growling of dozens of wolves. He was ready to order an attack, but remembered one thing.
"Hey, Book. Can you teach me some attacking spell?"
The book appeared in front of him. The empty page filled with words: "For the time being, you should pay more attention to your physical condition. There's no point in killing someone with one blow if you can be killed in one second. Train your will, spirit, and mind. A true necromancer must be able to control an army regardless of its size, otherwise, the commander will not be able to control it."
"I don't know what to do. Should I be offended or accept the truth... I don't know if this is right, but I'm sure of one thing. If I keep hiding like a coward when I have a chance to gain combat experience, then, just like playing Dark Souls, I won't be capable of anything. After all, I played as a knight-mage."
He looked at his powerful army of rats and pointed to the exit where the wolves were already waiting.
"Everyone outside!" he shouted loudly.
All the rats ran out like madmen towards the exit. The ground began to shake, and there was only one question left: where did all these rat corpses come from if he knew for sure he only killed less than forty?
***
"He has taken his first steps. Will you be disappointed if he fails?" asked Death in the emptiness of space. But there was no answer, only silence.
"It doesn't matter... If so, let him owe me for my gift of corpses. As always, such a carefree person," he muttered the last words as quietly as he could. But a loud thunderclap sounded where Death had just been.
"I see you've woken up... Then I'll go about my business," she said, disappearing like black smoke, leaving only her slippers behind.
"Fool," a melodic voice was heard. There was no anger, rage, or anything else in it, only sadness, a sadness that had not left him for centuries.
This person looked at the soul that had fallen into that ruined paradise. What a sad fate it had.
***
Alpha growled with an order for them to enter inside. Like a swarm of rats pouring out of a hole, all this filth spewed out like a geyser. The main Bird looked on in surprise as a hundred rats emerged from that hole. And how much space was in there?
When all the rats had emerged, a hand was visible from the hole - a human hand, black with a slight grayish hue. A man whom they had not seen in years emerged from the hole. And now everyone's wild hunger had awakened. Only human-like creatures could provide enough spiritual food.
And now one of them stood before them. Yes, he looked pitiful. But looking closer, they realized they had found their dinner. Alpha, like everyone else, craved it, but he held back and simply watched. This man was dressed only in a cloak, which was in a pathetic condition. In one hand, he held a saw, and in the other - a glowing ball?
Seeing the ball begin to enlarge and become brighter, Alpha ordered the pack to stay away from the man. But some of them were already completely conquered by hunger. And, not obeying the order, they pounced on the man.
The other part even wanted to attack faster. They obediently ran away from the man. The leader was not an idiot, if he ordered something, then there was something there. And, indeed, after a few seconds, a powerful explosion engulfed those who wanted to attack. The poor wolves began to emit strong moans.
Some of them were full of wounds, others lost parts of their bodies. And some turned to ashes altogether. And all the gray mist headed towards the culprit.
"Now that's a surprise. My guess was correct. If you can control the direction of energy, you can also direct an explosion. But the problem is that only I can remain unharmed. And everyone else, be it an enemy or a friend, will be affected. Food for thought for the future."
Looking at the four-legged and ugly birds, your mother, what's with them. Don't be surprised and don't forget what's hidden beneath the skins of these wolves.
Alpha growls and orders to surround the enemy. After that, he lets out a strong howl at the birds. The main bird responds, and all the birds begin to fly in a circle. With each passing second, they accelerate, creating a strong wind that soon turns into a hurricane, and then a tornado.
"Well, damn, how do I attack them..." he thinks, looking at the wolves who have surrounded him and his army. He estimates them - well, almost more than a thousand wolves, and he himself has killed only a few dozen or hundred. It's not advantageous for him.
"Well, I won't give up without a fight!" he shouts at the rat. "Attack the living!"
The rats rush at the wolves like a hungry swarm of locusts. Some of them jump on trees, trying to attack the birds. But, unfortunately, either the strong wind interferes, or few birds are flying near the trees.
The first rats to reach the wolves attack with rotten teeth, trying to bite them. The first rat that jumped on a wolf was pierced by the tail with a needle at the end. And another rat was hit with a paw and flew away.
A dog's cry could be heard nearby. Looking at the source, the wolf saw that more than ten rats had attacked his comrade. He threw the rat struggling on his tail at several rats surrounding the poor guy.
Rats, even if they are weak, are as tenacious as cockroaches. And now they are an even bigger headache. At the same time, gray feather fluff began to fall from the sky, like needles falling on rats.
Alpha snapped the neck of a bold rat as soon as he saw the birds attack. "A mass attack right away?" he looked surprised at the gray circle. Flying birds have been created.
"AUE. These birds are causing more trouble than I expected. But first, let's play with them." He watched as over twenty wolves surrounded him. The only black man wanted to use his slingshot again. But he quickly changed his mind and didn't want the wolves to take countermeasures.
Holding the saw tightly, he lunged at the nearest wolf and struck it right in the head. Black, spoiled blood gushed from its head. He was ready to take the saw out of its head when another wolf jumped on him from behind. And the first one that was wounded attacked his tail, trying to hit his chest.
At the same time, the main bird watched the chaos on the battlefield. He saw the rat, no, the undead, attack and kill the wolves. But the pack still led. Half an hour of battle and victory is ours. But it's still too early to draw conclusions.
With his thoughts, he attacked where the most rats had gathered. And they gathered around the Alpha. Still, he was a tasty morsel for everyone. Even for me, but the main dish now is not him.
Alpha sent the rat back into flight again. Looking at this restless army, he even wanted to laugh if he could. They are as resilient as cockroaches but pose no danger. And it only depresses him that they are lifeless, soulless... No, sorry, one of them has a drop of energy. But it's like a glass of water in the desert.
And only a man who resembles an ocean can temporarily quench the thirst of those with a clear mind. Watching as the wolves attack the man, bouncing him around like a ball. He may be weak, but he poses no threat. He is simply food. And why did he get angry when he killed my brothers? I should have already made peace with the victims. No, I will not be like that bastard.
His eyes followed the man and occasionally attacked bold rats. He was surprised when several rats stopped and turned towards the man. These rats attacked the wolf that was holding the man. Tearing into his skin, they entered him, and he fell. He didn't fall like the others, but was torn apart by rats. Other uninjured rats began to gather around their master and attack his enemies.
If at first, all the rats were scattered throughout the battlefield, doing whatever they pleased, now less than half of them began to attack in groups. Not like before, when two or five rats attacked eight or ten wolves, but now ten rats per one wolf. Moreover, they no longer walk in such a huge bunch, which greatly hinders the birds, who watch as their attacks have become less frequent.
The Black Man stood up and looked at his hands, then wiped the edge of his lips with his index finger. His eyes began to look at the bodies of the wolves and his rats. He touched the nearest wolf, which turned out to still be alive, and began to draw a circle to enslave it.
After waiting a short time, he turned this wolf into undead with a soul. But the strangest thing was that this soul was different from all the others. It seemed to have lost its mind, and there was almost no energy in it.
And I'm not talking about necro-energy, but about the one I first encountered. How do I know that it's energy? I just guessed, that's all. But I am very happy that I was able to feel the connection between me and my servants.
***
A few minutes earlier.
Flying back and forth, I tried to free myself from all of this. I was attacked and thrown, not even given seconds to rest. And how I fought rats in the past. Oh, they are still rats, and they are not as huge as these wolves.
"What is my mistake? Maybe that I rushed at that wolf. Or maybe I am too cautious. But now, what's more important: how to get rid of the beating."
Reflecting on all possible options, he was glad that he did not feel pain, or, more interestingly, his skin had become stronger. Did I just renew my wooden skin?
Suddenly something weak came inside. Like an invisible thread, it connected him to something. And that something directed energy like of a soul and a necrotic energy.
"This feeling. The connection between master and servant. I got it. Why didn't I think of this earlier? I'm so stupid."
It turns out, when I create undead, I create a connection, a contract, an agreement, call it what you want. And this connection helps the master control the servant. And here's the catch: I can control an army without a voice. Only with my thoughts, what does that mean? "Yes, I'm a dumbass, I can't deny it. But the book is to blame for everything."
And as a response, he received a strong mental blow from the book. "Wait, what does this mean? Is she reading my thoughts? I didn't sign up for this crap."
Looking at the source of the thread, I saw that fatso. The same one who ordered the mutation. It now has one wolf, while holding another wolf by the body. This rat is almost twice as huge, or even three times. And all the energy absorbed in it comes to me.
With the power of my thoughts, I tried to feel that thread and command it. The rat stopped for a split second, then attacked the wolf that held...
"Damn it," he couldn't concentrate on the rat and flew away again, and everything turned black. His mind was already burning with hatred. Concentrating his will, he felt that same thread of fat, along with a thousand others nearby.
Using them, he contacted the nearest rats and ordered them to attack those dogs. The closest rat stopped and turned its head to the master, after which they all pounced on the wolves.
I focused on each thread and ordered each rat what to do. It may seem like I'm spending too much time on this, but in reality, it takes only a few seconds. Because I don't shout out loud, but through the agreement, and as it turned out, I don't need to talk about it out loud. I just need to think about it, and that's it.
So I think for each rat to do its job. And they do it, as luck would have it. The rats that came to help didn't run in packs, but scattered and not far away. The first of them to reach the wolf jumped and started attacking the eyes. Another made a hole in the stomach, and so on.
And so with all the nearest wolves. I felt myself falling to the ground, opening my eyes...