Chapter 61: Strenght

“Rise…”

The words rolled off Niko’s tongue like a spell, low and commanding. His voice echoed in the stillness, carried by a palpable tension that made the air itself seem to shiver. The phrase ignited his skill, [Spirit King’s Order], and a deep green aura began to radiate from his body, swirling with intensity as it surged forward, tendrils of energy writhing toward the still form of the Rat Swordsman of Rust. Niko’s heart raced, his eyes fixed on the swordsman’s fallen corpse with an anticipation that bordered on obsession. A faint smile played on his lips, and for a fleeting moment, there was a look of pure avarice there—as if he were about to seize a treasure that had been waiting for him alone.

The aura reached the corpse, wrapping around it in coils of light and shadow, and the body trembled in response. Slowly, the fallen Rat Swordsman began to stir, as if waking from a centuries-old slumber. Wisps of smoky, ethereal light gathered around it, condensing into a hazy form that flickered between substance and mist. Niko’s energy fed the transformation, tendrils of green energy binding to the very essence of the creature, anchoring it to this new, undead existence.

The swordsman’s form became sharper, more defined, until finally, the same fierce eyes of the creature opened, glowing with a cold, ghostly light. It stood before Niko as if reborn, gripping a spectral version of the same rusted sword that had once gleamed with the dull reflection of blood and battle. The physical blade it had wielded in life—a weapon forged with its own bloodlust and tempered in a thousand skirmishes—faded into mist, dispersing into the air with a whisper, as if it had been merely a dream. In its place was a blade made of raw spirit energy, shimmering with an unsettling brightness.

At last, the resurrection was complete. The Rat Swordsman of Rust’s form steadied, and its cold, unyielding gaze locked onto Niko’s. Yet, unlike in life, there was something new—a recognition in those spectral eyes, a glimmer of respect for the one who had called it back from the void. The aura around them faded, leaving only Niko and his latest creation standing in the silence.

For a long moment, Niko gazed at his newly summoned spirit, his grin widening with satisfaction. He could feel the strength of this creature, its resolve undiminished even in death, now bound to him in a bond as strong as steel.

[Celestial Probe]

[Name: Spirit of the Rat Swordsman of Rust]]

Rank: F+

Potential: E+

[Status]

Strength: 12

Constitution: 10

Agility: 8

Intelligence: 3

Mana: 1

Mana Power: 1

Spirit Power: 1

[Skills]

[Shriek of Terror]

[Rusty Slash]

“This guy is a complete tank! With this much strength and physical power, he should be able to bring my enemies to complete terror!” Niko was quite happy with his new acquisition. Although initially, he felt bummed out for losing eight spirits, however, he gained something much better, as this rat swordsman spirit was much more powerful and useful.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

“Huh?” Nikos's head moved towards the ground again as the body od the dead rat began to grow and slowly Items materialized above the corpse.

“No way!” Niko’s eyes shone as he noticed one of the items that had dropped.

There laid a longsword exactly like the one of his new spirit. The rusty look was still there, as it really didn't look too bad.

[Celestial Probe]

...

[Item: Longsword of Rust]

Rank: F+

Description: A longsword once created by the dwarfs and modeled after the swords of Ogre warlocks and stolen by the Ratmen. Although small in comparison, the Longsword of Rust holds great powers for the wielder.

[Additional Information]

* Extra Skill: Rusty Slash: As the sword changes into its full rusty transformation, the power within multiplies causing great calamity to those struck by it.

* Skill has a chance to give a bleed effect..

* Skill can be used five times per day.

* +3 strenght.

* Required: 6 Strength

...

“Good sword!” Niko exclaimed as he truly believed this sword would be exceptional for someone his level. He had the staff currently, and did not have the proper strength to wield such a sword.

Bang!

Bang!

Boom!

Suddenly, Niko jumped to the side as the wall inside of the room began to collapse after a few loud bangs. Unsure of the cause he prepared himself as he called out his spirits once again.

“Dammit so soon…?” Niko spoke to himself as he had just finished a battle not long and starting a new one right now would be problematic for him as he felt like he didn't have enough mental power to go through with this.

Suddenly as the dust settled from the wall falling, a few figures emerged and they looked quite familiar to Niko. Once again he gave a heavy sigh of relief.

“It's you guys! Hey!” Niko said as he waved slightly, turning his head towards the chest he hasn't gotten to yet.

Zheng who was walking with the others said, “We heard loud noises from the other room. We faced some ratmen but nothing too crazy. We reached a dead end and thought this was all that this dungeon had to it.”

Ivanic continued, “We brought that wall down, as we felt like it was definitely you also i'm guessing that shriek was from that thing right there…” He pointed towards the rat swordsman who was still there, “And these items…”

Niko who seemed to have just come back to his senses said, “Oh right! Does anyone here have over six strength?”

Ivanic shook his head as Zheng responded, “ Hah! Mine is exactly six!”

Fumito also answered, “Mine is eight. Since I'm wielding a heavier weapon I wanted to be more comfortable doing so.”

A lightbulb flashed in his head as he smiled towards Fumito, “There take this sword it's better than the one you have now.” He pointed towards the sword which hadn't been picked up.

“This old-looking thing?” Fumito takes it and puts his normal longsword in his inventory as he equips the rusty longsword.

“No way.” Fumito spoke as he held it in his hands, “This thing is awesome! My strength has improved and I have an extra skill! This thing is terrifying!”

There was clear excitement in Fumito’s eyes but Niko wasn't done yet, “ Here, take this.”

Niko spoke as he threw the skill gem he received earlier towards Fumito.

“Arms… Of the... Demi… Titan…? A skill gem!?” The last two words were said in unison between the three who were shocked at the fact that there was a skill gem here. They were rare!

“How did you get this!?” Ivanic said in surprise.

“The bronze box I got from killing the shaman previously dropped this when opened,” Niko said it straightforwardly.

“Ah, I see why you gave it to me… It's way too hard to even use this myself without the help from this sword; it requires a lot of strength.” Fumito analyzed it and gave his assessment.

Suddenly Fumito activated it and the gem exploded in a soft magenta-colored light, as it began to surround Fumito and his arms mainly.

Niko picked up the other items which were shards, and a useless ring that gave no special effects or attributes.

Niko nodded as he was quite happy that Fumito could activate it and turned to look towards the chest, “There is still this bad boy.”

Niko’s face went from excitement to shock and horror as he heard movement coming from his group of three friends.

“A mimic! Kill this goddamn thing!” Fumito rushed forward ready to pounce.