Chapter 13: Ganhurs Mountains (2)

“Nothing like a wave of Undead to finish off a week-long trip... Just what I needed—said absolutely no one!”

It had been almost a week since my departure from the Elven city of Dormou. After coming face-to-face with a wide variety of Outer Region denizens such as Greater Trolls and Nagas, and even Grey Grimms which were monstrosities with massive statures, four eyes and had razor sharp teeth and claws—I had already grown tired of the constant battles. The Grey Grimms had also been accompanied by groups of magical beasts too. That didn’t make for an easy fight at all, and thanks to that, I was already down to only two Divination spell usages left out of my usual eight.

“And here I was hoping I’d be able to make my way to Druhwood before sunset, but I might have to just camp out around here after all...”

Not being able to even rest properly, my [Necklace of the Ardent Prayer] wasn’t able to recover in full. And now, the pathway to the split that divided the two regions was being blocked by an army of Undead. They were even being controlled by what seemed like a Lich of all things.

Name: [Daywalking Corpse, Gahell]
Rank: [Undead], [Lesser Lich]
Level: [70 (MAX)]
Class: [Necromancer, Tier IV]
Alignment: [Chaotic Evil]
INFO: A named Lesser Lich that has the ability to hold full control over the Lesser Undead. Has the ability to temporarily apply one of the following status effects on touch: fatigue, paralysis, hysteria or plague. Chance is dependent on one's Magic Defense, including equipment. Has the ability to Spellcast. Weak against physical attacks. Very weak against [Bludgeoning] attacks. Phylactery must be destroyed to kill completely.

Hm? That’s a bit strange...

The fact that it held—not only a name—but as well as a title was surprising to say the least. It was a Lesser form after all. Non-raid monsters had always been capped at Level 70 and remained nameless unless they were tied to a specific quest or event. Whereas, raid and dungeon monsters, had a Level cap of 100 and some held names, but no titles. From 101 and on, was raid boss and Special Beasts territory that capped at Level 250 in MO. This was the first named and titled monster I had seen in the Outer Region so far as well.

I’m bound to see more and more differences, aren’t I? Well, let’s just focus on the matter at hand. First and foremost—

“A Lesser Lich? Well, I guess that makes sense, since you wouldn’t normally find an actual competent Lich out in the open like this to begin with. Are you really the one leading these Undead?”

The beady red eyes that were seemingly locked on to me the entire time now brightened in response to my snide remark. I had never tried to provoke a monster with words, but there’s a first time for everything.

“A fragile bone-in-skin, daring to antagonize the great Gahell? Know your place!”

Oooh! He actually responded!

“So, you can actually speak then? Wow! Though it’s either you or one of those guys around you, is it not? Oh! Is it the one—way in the back over there—this Gahell person?”

Pointing specifically at one skeleton amid the dozens of Undead, its listless expression matched its movements as it refrained from even humoring me in any way, shape or form. How rude.

“What an intriguing hierarchy you all have going on here... Letting his minion speak for him.”
“If you wish to incur my wrath, then so be it!!”

The Lesser Lich, Gahell, had now begun swaying their arms with a cheap-looking staff in their right hand—initiating the movement of its nearby companions. An estimate derived from a quick glance around gave me the impression that around 40 to 50 skeleton soldiers were adjusting themselves toward my direction. They held numbers, but they weren’t more than just simple lower leveled adds in this fight. The Lesser Lich was the only real threat given its ability to spellcast, but even that wasn’t anything special.

As long as I focus on aiming for its phylactery, I shouldn’t even have to use more than a single Divination spell. I’ll leave the cleaning up of the mobs to my summon. After all—

Name: [Albel]
Rank: [Human]
Level: [60 (MAX)], [32]
Class: [Divination/Wizard]
–SUB: [Conjurer]
Alignment: [Chaotic Good]
INFO:
Unique SKILL - [Extra Class]
Titles - [Goddess' Token],
[The Diviner]

A week of fighting constantly within the Outer Region allowed for me to level up my Conjurer class a bit. Before leaving for the mountain split, it was originally at Level 29—and now it was at 32. It was only a few levels, but crossing that Level 30 threshold allowed me to access a certain attribute that I had yet to even test out. Slamming my stave into the ground before me, I pulled out my quarterstaff as well. Since, after some practice, I had discovered a new way to fight.

"Casting: [Eye of the Magi], [Arcane Hands]. Summoning: [Elemental Spirit: Holy]!"

Quickly initiating my three preemptive spells, the wave of Undead soldiers was already charging toward me. Over my buried [Abysmal End], a magical eye and a pair of spectral hands took shape above the black orb. A link between the magical eye amalgamated my own vision, causing for a white shift in coloration in my left eye—giving me the ability to alternate between both lines of sight. All the while, in front of me, a Spirit of Holy attribute took form—one resembling an angel adorned in brilliant white.

Everything is in place. Now, let’s see how this plays out!

“Handle the incoming guests! Just leave the shady looking guy in the middle to me.”

Dashing past the Spirit of Holy; it began preparing its own set of attacks in attempt to deal with the charge of the Undead army. Their movements were rigid and slow due to their equipment, and thanks to that, I was able to run past most of them without issue. For the few that came a bit too close, I simply swung my quarterstaff outward and cleared the way. The quarterstaff Captain Vaalyun had given to me held the name, [Spiritstaff of the Auburn Giant], and it was a rather peculiar quarterstaff at that.

I’m getting better at using its innate skill, but it requires precise timing and can be a bit risky. Either way, I have to make sure to thank the Captain again. It has been pretty handy while traveling through the Outer Region after all.

[Scaling Bole] was a semi-defensive skill that switched your highest stat with your defense stat for a single moment, and during a parry, it’d amplify the damage using that same altered defense stat—with an increase by 1.5x. The auburn-colored quarterstaff itself, held small curved grooves on both ends that protruded slightly outward—in opposite directions. Seemingly in order to assist with parrying.

“Not like any of that will actually be helpful against a spellcasting Lich though...”

As the Lesser Lich was now within reach, it immediately began establishing a magical shield around itself and amassing several orbs of magical energy above its body. Behind me, the Spirit of Holy had already caught up and began dominating the Lesser Undead via [Undead Ruination], which was a form of Lesser Holy magic that spread a wave of holy aura throughout the air like pollen riding the wind. It wouldn’t work on stronger Undead than itself or my Conjurer Level, but it was perfect against this Lesser army.

Good to see that the Spirit of Holy is doing wonders by itself. Now, to figure out where that is. A Lesser Lich out in the open? There’s no way it isn’t portable and somewhere on their body...

“Seems like you’re already starting to run low on minions. You’re a Necromancer, right? Do you really think a few [Magic Bullets] will change anything here with you losing your army? I can wait for you to call for backup, if you’d like?”
“SILENCE! I am the Daywalking Corpse, Gahell, the most powerful Necromancer of this region! I won’t have you looking down on my prestige, referring me to something as feeble as a Lesser!”
“...Huh? Never thought I’d meet a Lich that’s deluded—in utter denial of their own status rank...”
“Another mindless creature before me! A bone-in-skin that’s simply basking in their ignorance—blinded by ill-begotten edification! Embrace naught! I, Gahell, shall claim my right of evolution with the chance bestowed upon me!”

Right of evolution? What in the world is this Lesser Lich on about? Does it have to do with the reason why this Lich has a name and title? Maybe I really should—

In a split second of thought, a rain like assault of [Magic Bullets] descended toward me from Gahell. Though after having to deal with Captain Vaalyun’s incredible speed and the problematic magical beasts that accompanied the Grey Grimms—dodging had become easier. And as I danced around his ongoing assault, I had finally found what I was searching for. A small, black orb was hidden in the cavity of their chest as their robe swayed with each recast.

Better yet, I doubt this Lesser Lich would have a proper conversation with me anyways. I guess I have no other choice.『Casting: [Dispel]!』

“Casting: [Self Accelerate]!”

Dual casting established. As the [Arcane Hands] from prior began casting [Dispel] with [Abysmal End] in order to shatter Gahell’s [Shield], I was casting [Self Accelerate] separately in order to reach Gahell in an instant. This was a method I had discovered during my travels in the Outer Region. As long as the two spells, [Arcane Hands] and [Eye of the Magi] worked in tandem with [Abysmal End]—I could separately cast from a distance now.

Sorry, but I’d like to set up camp before the sun sets after all!

Closing the gap between Gahell and myself, the shield around the Lesser Lich completely shattered just in time. I then swung in succession toward Gahell’s chest with an upright force. His sudden and out stretched hands attempted to strike me as I then pivoted to his side—dodging his grasp. He was now lifted into the air slightly, and despite that direct hit, it still hadn’t been strong enough to break through. Thus, without missing a beat, I once again began dual casting

『Casting: [Gravitation]!』

“Casting: [Force Push]!”
“YOU ACCURSED—Ghrggaaah!!”

Using the tip of my quarterstaff, I centralized a smidge of magic energy—pure force—in order to propel the Lesser Lich higher. Using the [Eye of the Magi] to establish the precise point of execution, I then used [Gravitation] from afar to bring the Lesser Lich back down. All the while, I held my quarterstaff ready to pierce through their chest—the place where their phylactery was hidden. As their skeletal frame collapsed on the tip of the quarterstaff, I could hear a shatter on impact.

“It’s over.”

Complete silence took to the field as the remaining soldiers of the Undead army had already collapsed in response to Gahell’s defeat. I couldn’t help but feel a bit startled by the outcome.

“...To think that a named and titled monster would be far easier than those nameless Grey Grimms from earlier this week. How strange.”

Looking toward my Spirit of Holy, I gave a small nod in thanks as it disappeared along with the two spells that were hovering over my grounded stave. I collected my gear and walked back toward the remains of Gahell. A series of unanswered questions loomed about.

“It’s probably safe to assume that Gahell was involved with something after all. But what exactly?”

I could only sigh loudly in thought. As much as I wanted answers, my exhaustion was beginning to weigh on me. Finally, I began setting up camp for the last time in the Outer Region. Tomorrow, I would venture through the final pathway leading to the Central Region. Where my first chance to interact with the humans of this world, Aerith, awaited me.