Chapter 49: Skeleton army

“Katakatakata”

The Lich clatters its jaw. It seemed to be laughing before, but now, it appears to be scared. It raised its wand and this time, it used a dark magic, shadow bind. With gripping sounds, chainlike darkness wraps around my body. However, the power of the robe quickly disperses it.

“Are you done? It’s my turn then.”

I’m getting closer and closer.

The Lich also stepped back further. It is smart after all. It seems that it is aware of the difference between our ability. In the first place, if it can’t get rid of me with magic, it’s going to be powerless. It is the weak point of a magical beast that specializes in magic after all.

“Katakata”

The Lich ran away.

―But I can’t let it go that easily. I catch up behind the Lich in an instant, then from its shoulder, I slashed diagonally downwards.

It rolled on the ground and tries to escape while crawling like an undead but I make another blow. It’s a slash on the skull. With a clink, the Lich’s body stopped moving. I then acquired the Lich’s skills right away. Familiar Strengthening and Familiar Summoning were added to my status.

“Oops, I almost forgot to collect the material.”

I pull the Lich’s body apart and stored it in the bangle. With this, the request has been fulfilled. However, if possible, I would like a Lich to be my familiar so we will continue exploring the 27th floor.

◇

“Shinichi! I hear footsteps from here!”

We go around the 27th floor relying on Erna’s hearing. To be honest, since the skeleton unit eliminates the zombies that we encounter, the impression that this place is difficult to capture is not that much anymore.

“Katakata”

The Lich, who we finally found, still has a terrifying atmosphere with green flames in its eyes. I quickly used the analysis skill, this second Lich was also a familiar of Federer.

Who is Federer?

“Well, I should try it for the time being…”

I used the skill Familiar Creation on the Lich. A red gauge appears in my field of view, and the green gauge immediately begins to push the red one. However, the progress was slow.

“Skeleton unit, hold the Lich down!”

When instructed, the skeletons flock to the struggling Lich. Of course, the Lich is not just looking at us. It swings it wand and fires magic. It shot a flame bomb at the approaching skeletons, however, the jet-black skeletons appeared to be intact amidst the flames. They are not just skeletons, they are homeless skeletons after all.

The skeletons fulfilled the order and hold the Lich down as it tried to escape.

“It’s almost 100%. Just a little more.”

The green gauge was now up to 90%.

It only takes a few seconds for a skeleton, but it appears that it takes time to get another person’s familiar. It took two minutes to reach 100%, and turning the Lich into my familiar finally succeeded.

【Analysis Result: Homeless Lich: A Lich that transformed due to Shinichi Tanaka’s affiliation. Boasts ten times more power than a standard lich. It is good not only at magic but also at close range combat: Rarity A】

【Status】 Name: Homeless Lich Race: Homeless Lich Magic attributes: Darkness, Fire, No attribute Magic: Shadow, Shadow field, Shadow bind, Flame bomb Skills: Swordsmanship (Intermediate), Spearmanship (Intermediate), Taijutsu A (Intermediate), Taijutsu B (Intermediate), Enemy Search (Intermediate), Hardening (Intermediate), Familiar Creation, Familiar Strengthening (Beginner), Familiar Summoning,  Soul eating Control rate: 100% controlled by Shinichi Tanaka Evolution: Does not meet the condition. 【Evolution Condition: Swordsmanship (Special), Spearmanship (Intermediate), Attack Prediction (Beginner)】

Its body is now dyed black and both eyes have red flames. This Lich is more terrifying than before.

“Katakata”

The Lich, who stabbed one knee in front of me, bowed deeply. It’s as if it’s greeting a king, and it’s not a bad feeling for someone to do that before me.

“Whoa, Tanaka-dono sure is amazing! You even made a Lich into your familiar!”

Freya was looking at me with glittering eyes. It’s not like I don’t understand why she’s in high spirit. Lich is a magical beast that is strong enough to reign as a boss in a small dungeon after all.

Even during subjugations, there’s a criterion that it’s for advanced adventurers and above, intermediate adventurers can be killed instantly with a flame bomb from a long distance after all. In addition, it has darkness attribute which is an attribute for anti-mage, so it has a wide defense against magic attacks. It is a magical beast that is scary not only in appearance but also in ability.

“Well then, let’s move on. Our goal is the 28th floor.”

We then head to the stairs while looking at the map. The next level looks like a large room according to the map. I am excited about what kind of place it is this time.

The large rooms I have seen so far have had many interesting places such as lakes, bamboo groves and grasslands. It’s a great place to get ingredients in particular.

When we arrived at the stairs, we went down without hesitation.

◇

“It’s dark…”

As Erna said, the twenty-eighth floor was pitch black. Well speaking of that, my eyes can see in the dark as if it were daytime. From what I can see, bare ground extends to the horizon, with a few grasses growing in some places.

“Light”

After Erna magically creates light, the surroundings were illuminated with white light. They had no special reaction upon seeing such scenery.

“Father, there’s nothing here?”

“That’s appears to be so. Do you want to dig the grass over there for the time being?”

When I dig the grass roots with Pero, a long and thin object comes out from the ground. The surface is not that brown but it doesn’t look like a food either.

“…Wait a minute.”

I washed the roots with water and scraped off the brown skin with a knife. I then bite on the root as it is. Right, this is burdock. No doubt about it.

【Analysis Results: Goboun: Grows in well-drained land and contains a lot of dietary fiber. There are many cooking methods such as salads and fried foods: Rarity D】

The analysis results also described such things. Then there’s no need to hesitate. Let’s get as much burdock as we can get here.

“Hey, maybe it’s a skeleton…?”

A huge number of footsteps can be heard from the direction Erna pointed out. Their number was clearly visible to my eyes. About 10,000 skeletons were rushing here.

“Everyone get ready for battle!”

When I gave such instructions to the skeleton unit, the jet-black skeletons hold their swords and spears. Suketarou and Lich watch over the troops from behind.

“It’s time to show my evolved power.”

“Father, I will fight too.”

“Tanaka-dono, as your comrade, I will fight as well.”

Not only do they leave it to the skeletons, but they also offer to fight. Certainly, a hundred skeletons alone will not be enough to defeat them. In that case, now is the time to use Familiar Summoning. Or rather, I want to use it.

“Familiar Summoning!!”

I point my index finger towards the sky and made a nice pose. I was itching to do something after I acquired it and now the time has finally come.

Countless lights appeared on the ground, then my skeleton familiars appeared from inside. As soon as they joined the skeleton unit, they formed a team and began engaging with the enemy skeletons. The battle of 2,000 against 10,000 is a powerful sight. Moreover, this army overwhelms the other side. It’s amazing how much power there was between skeletons and the homeless skeletons.

“Flame Bomb!”

Erna’s magic hits the enemy directly. Its power is not comparable to the previous Flame Bomb. Intermediate magic was as powerful as advanced magic. I think it’s because of the Essence of Magic, but the power is too strong that I’m worried that the damage will even reach here.

“Raging wind!”

A gale is generated from Pero’s fist. The enemies involved were crushed and blown away with the wind.

“Teyaa! Seiyaa!”

Freya uses her spear to steadily reduce the number of enemies. Well, she was once a guard knight after all. Her ability was certified.

In the meantime, I will also make some familiars. All of the enemy skeletons were under the Lich’s control. I think there is a Lich somewhere here, but for now, I’ll just think about cutting off the enemy’s strength.

“But when it comes to snatching them away from the Lich, time is…”

While saying that, I use Familiar creation on the enemy’s skeleton, I gained control over it in seconds.

Hn? Isn’t it the same as before?

I used Familiar Creation on the enemy skeletons one after another but I quickly take over its control. Perhaps the Lich’s dominance is weaker than my mysterious opponent, Federer. That seems to be so once I think about it. In that case, this is convenient for me.

After three hours, the difference in fighting power had reversed. My side is now 10,000 and the enemy is down to 500. The incapacitated enemy skeleton was struggling on the ground.

“Katakata”

Before I knew it, Suketarou and Homeless Lich were standing beside me. Moreover, there are two Lich near them with their bodies tied up with a chain of darkness.

“Don’t tell me you searched for the enemy’s Lich?”

“Katakatakata”

Suketarou clatters his jaw. He’s brilliant despite being a skeleton. If he’s an employee, one would like to pay him a bonus.

“Let’s make them into my familiars then.”

I paused as I tried to make the two Lich into my familiar. Well that’s because I’m concerned about its status.

“…Is it still under Federer’s control?”

Upon confirmation, the two Lich were indeed Federer’s familiar. I don’t know who it is, but since the other side did it, I’m not going to step back either.

After taking control on the Lich after some time, I decided to name the three Lich. Lich A is the first Lich I got. The latter two were designated as Lich B and Lich C, respectively. I wrote the alphabet on their foreheads as a mark so there that I won’t be mistaken.

“Shinichi! We won!”

The battle was over before I knew it. It has grown to 10,000 troops and no one has been injured.

Isn’t it a great victory?

“Father, there’s a different smell from the other side.”

Pero points to the horizon. Does it mean that something which is not a skeleton or lich is still in this floor?

“We’re leaving right away! Let’s capture this floor at once!”

The skeletons lined up quickly. The army was so well-controlled that it made me feel good. With the current me, there’s no such scary thing. We then continued to walk on the 28th floor and discovered a mansion-like building.

“What is a mansion doing in a place like this…?”

Freya murmured. I thought so too, but I wondered if it was like a villa built by the Great Mage Moore. It’s dark and quiet here. To Moore, who was trying to avoid the public eye, this seems like a good environment.

“I can smell it from that mansion.”

Pero’s sense of smell pointed to the mansion.

When it comes to the reaction being this strong, it would be more natural to think that something alive has settled inside that mansion. Is it a person or a magical beast? I don’t know yet.

The mansion is a two-story brick building and the entrance is made of sturdy wood. I could see some windows, but all the curtains were closed and it gives of this impression that there’s no one there.

There was a creaking noise upon opening the door. When I stepped on the floor and entered the building, I heard a rattling sound from somewhere. It was a Lich that emerged from the dark.

“Katakatakata”

The Lich immediately holds out its cane. However, it was Erna who attacked first.

“Rock Arrow!”

A stone arrow pierced the Lich’s head. After that, the arrow exploded. It’s pretty cool magic.

“…Wait a minute. Erna should only have the attributes of fire and light, right?”

“Fufun. You haven’t seen my status yet?”

Erna proudly sticks out her chest. As she had pointed out, I did not take a look at her status after the evolution.

【Analysis Result: Erna Frederia: The second daughter of the Frederia family. She hates zombies as she was traumatized when she was chased by zombies in the forest in the past: Rarity S】

【Status】 Name: Erna Fredelia Age: 19 yrs. old Race: Founder Elf Occupation: Adventurer Magic attributes: Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Light, Darkness Magic: Fireball, Fire Arrow, Flame Bomb, Flame Chain, Flame Wall, Flame Burst, Flare Zone, Aqua Ball, Rock Arrow, Air Ball, Light, Stan Light, Camouflage, Shadow Skills: Spearmanship (Intermediate), Archery (Special), Taijutsu A (Advanced), Taijutsu B (Advanced), Hell Ears (Advanced), Super Sensation (Intermediate), Attack Prediction (Advanced), Indomitable Spirit (Advanced) , Essence of Magic (Beginner) Evolution: Does not meet the conditions 【Evolution Condition: Attack Prediction (Beginner), Noble Spirit, Essence of Magic (Special)】

I was so easy-going about the founder elf. I never thought that it was a race that possesses six attributes!

“As expected from a founder elf.”

“Right? With this, I might become a Great Mage too.”

That’s a complex one you know?

There must be a good reason for someone to be called the Great Mage or wise man. If I think about it carefully, neither me nor Erna understands who Moore really is. First of all, is he really from around here?

“Shinichi!”

Erna reacted to something.

We could now hear footsteps and a man appeared from the dark.

Red eyes with pale white skin. He wore black menswear and his black hair is arranged in a swept back hairstyle. The teeth visible from the purple lips have unusually sharp fangs and the smell of blood fills the man’s breathing.

“Why are you here?”

The man asked in a low voice. As the representative, I decided to reply back.

“We are adventurers. Who are you?”

“Adventurers huh… then you’re just right on time. I couldn’t help being thirsty you see.”

The man opens his mouth wide and shows his saliva-soaked fangs. Freya shouted when he saw it.

“This is bad! It’s a vampire!”

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.

---

Previous ⚜ Table of Contents ⚜ Next

---