Alius spent the next few weeks traveling between cities, farming [Soul Pearls], and forging an arsenal of [Prestige Weapons]. Using his spare time, he also prepared a reserve of [Soul Pearls], ensuring he had the resources needed for his next steps.
Learning about the mysteries of [Mental Power], he started strengthening his mind. Alongside his training, he searched for any sign of Sora, convinced his twin would have left Japan by now.
When his search proved fruitless, Alius shifted focus back to his own growth. Determined to develop a Supreme Skill, he set a new goal: mastering the skills of the [Deathweaver] class without relying on the class itself.
As Alius stepped into his [Soul Palace], he paused, taking in the incredible transformation. What had once been a barren desert was now a thriving domain that felt worthy of kings and legends.
The endless sand was gone, replaced by grass, life, plants, and rivers flowing gracefully through the land. At the heart of everything stood a gigantic castle, its walls pulsing with the Soul Power he had amassed. This fortress replaced the broken hut that once symbolized the start of his journey. Around the castle there was a city of smaller buildings, their purpose unknown to him and lacking activity.
To the east, the plains stretched endlessly, giving room to undead encampments. Rows of neatly aligned tents and barracks formed a grid, each marked by banners bearing the insignias of his undead battalions. Each battalion had a specie of undead, all beasts Alius had subdued after death.
Beyond the plains, distinct environments catered to his beasts. There was a dense jungle full with life, cliffs housing his flying beasts and several environments where they could live comfortably.
Alius couldn’t help but smile as he took it all in. 'This is my new family,' he thought, affection swelling within him. For the first time since his 'birth', he felt a little less lonely.
He headed toward the undead encampments, his footsteps steady as he approached his undead army. Over the next few hours, he immersed himself in training them, honing their skills with the power of the [Deathweaver] class.
[Evolve] [Description: Using Soul Power, help your undead evolve to a higher undead form.]
The skill’s simple description was hiding its incredible power. By channeling the excess [Soul Pearls] he had accumulated, Alius elevated his regular undead to higher levels, transforming them into warriors capable of fighting far beyond their levels.
His base undead, though disciplined and reliable, had talent levels of 1 or lower—barely comparable to common beasts. But after evolving them, their power increased tenfold, some even a hundredfold. Each transformation allowed them to soar in power.
Testing the limits of his abilities, he focused on his first undead soldier—the [Frost Fairy]. Over time, he had poured a staggering 11,111 [Soul Pearls] into her five evolutions, pushing her to heights he hadn’t thought possible for an undead.
Alius opened her status panel, and the numbers sent a shiver down his spine. The undead [Frost Fairy] he had first resurrected had become something else:
[Name: Reminder]
[Species: Undead Frost Fairy]
[Level: 110]
[Talent Level: 1,048,576] — Strength: SSS
— Agility: SSS
— Stamina: SSS
— Magic: EX
— Mental Power: EX
— Soul Power: SSS [Mana Affinities:
— Ice: (EX)
— Time: (B)
— Arcane: (SSS) [Special Abilities: [Absolute Zero], [Unreal Ice Prison], [Ice Domain],...] [Unique Traits: None] [Disposition: Loyal] [Growth Potential: 100%] [Bloodline Quality: None] [(Click for more...)]
Alius stared at the numbers, feeling equal parts pride and unease. 'Her mastery over [Mental Power] alone is light-years ahead of mine. She can probably destroy anyone below level 150 with just her mind and ice skills.'
The fairy stood before him. She was only the size of his arm, and her small frame looked quite weak, but the overwhelming power he could feel from her told him another story.
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“Master...” her soft, clear voice interrupted his thoughts. Alius looked down, noticing she was kneeling on one knee. “I’ve wanted to ask you something for a long time but feared it might offend you.”
Alius was uneasy, unsure of what she could want. 'Does she want her freedom? I wouldn’t stop her, but... I’ve invested so much in her evolution. And she is one of my first friends...' Realizing that losing her would hurt, he feared her next words.
“I’ve told you a hundred times—stop calling me Master,” Alius said with a sigh. “You’re not my servant; you’re family to me.”
Despite his words, the Frost Fairy remained in her position. “Master, can you please change my name?”
Her words took him by surprise. The name 'Reminder' had been her identity since her rebirth, a token of his first step on his path. But as she evolved and regained her intelligence, she had clearly grown frustrated with the name.
Alius couldn’t help but laugh softly. 'So that’s why she’s been pouting lately... She’s gained enough consciousness and pride to ask for her name change.'
“Of course,” he said warmly, relieved that she didn't want to leave his side. “What would you like to be called?”
The fairy hesitated, her confidence faltering. “I... I don’t know, Master. My knowledge is too limited. Can you suggest names? I’ll choose the one I like best.”
Alius thought for a moment before offering, “What about Isolde? It fits your icy nature and battle prowess. Or maybe Loula—it means ‘first,’ as you’re the first member of my undead legion. Or... how about Nyx? It’s the name of the Goddess of Nig—”
Her eyes lit up at the last suggestion and she interrupted him. “Nyx! I love that name! Please, Master, call me Nyx.”
Alius smiled, seeing a rare flicker of excitement in her expression. “Nyx it is, then. But remember, if you don’t stop calling me Master, I’ll stop helping you evolve.”
Nyx’s enthusiasm was palpable, her icy demeanor momentarily replaced by warmth. Alius found himself smiling at her reaction, feeling a strange sense of accomplishment. 'If even undead can find happiness, maybe I’m doing something right.'
After a moment of silence, Nyx spoke again, her voice more confident this time. “Thank you, Ma—” she caught herself, pausing before correcting, “...Alius.”
Alius nodded approvingly. “Much better. Keep that up, and maybe I’ll help you unlock a new trait soon.”
Nyx’s eyes gleamed with excitement as she nodded.
Feeling the mood lighten, Alius gestured for her to stand. “Now, let’s get back to work. I want you to select 4 other undead that I will focus my training on."
Developing his beasts with the [Nurturing] skill he bought in an auction house, Alius spent the next few days alternating between them and undead, ensuring both sides improved not just individually but as a collective force. His vision was clear: an army with a clear hierarchy, powerful enough to take on any challenge.
Similar to Nyx for the undead, Magnus, his first familiar, the [Celestial Tiger], played a critical roles in organizing the beasts legion. Magnus, organised his lacking legion through overwhelming might, not hesitating to crush them to death, aware that his master's subordinates could not die permanently.
Satisfied with their training, Alius started the next step of his plan. To maintain stealth and avoid drawing too much attention, he devised a strategy.
"Spread out across the neighboring regions," he instructed his 10 generals, his tone calm. "Avoid humans entirely. Your goal is to hunt down many monsters, to help everyone grow stronger. Focus on growth, and stay as hidden as possible. When we'll reach a sufficient level, we'll start capturing beasts and welcome them in our legions."
'I'd rather stop developing my undead legion, but this is the best way to develop my control over Soul Power... I hope all of you will forgive me in your next life.' He thought, feeling bad for the countless beasts that were about to join his undead legion.
Spreading his two legions, he started seeing his experience bar being filled. Reaching level 135 in a few days, he was satisfied with his progress and started recruiting more and more beasts and undead in his legions.
Before his recruitment spree started, a figure had appeared beside him without him noticing. Following and watching him act for a few days, the figure finally spoke.
"I've never seen someone so proficient in the use of Soul Power..." A feminine voice sounded.
Alius spun around, almost scared to death. A woman stood just a few feet away, a smile on her face. Her name and information appeared above her head, causing a chill down his spine.
'I'm doomed.' He thought, before activating a skill.
[Vanguard] [Hope - Level 180]
Instinctively, Alius activated [Summoning], and his ten generals instantly surrounded him, with Nyx and Magnus taking the lead. Despite their comforting presence, the disparity in levels between them and the woman left him worried.
Hope floated in the air, her light brown hair brushing against the shoulders of her white cloak. She looked young, in her early twenties, wearing something humans did not need anymore: glasses.
"I was passing by, unable to find a few monsters for a quest of mine," she said, her voice seemingly amused. "Imagine my surprise when I found the reason they were missing. You’ve been careful, hiding your power early on. But these last few days, you’ve gotten so greedy... They will come for you now."
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image-2024-11-02-192827181 [https://i.ibb.co/ZGDZGCj/image-2024-11-02-192827181.png]
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