20. The Necromancer
The sunlight from the rising sun flashed upon his tired eyes, with huge eye bags underneath. He hadn't slept a wink since he got back from the meeting with Nirvana. There were too many things lingering in his mind. He couldn't help but feel there was a bigger plot at play on this huge chessboard called the Summoners' War, and he was just one of the players.
'But it's ok'
He let out a calm sigh from his dry lips as he stood up from his king-sized bed.
'Because once am done piecing together this obscene puzzle...they are going to regret meddling with me'
Afterwards, he freshened up, brushed his teeth, and wore a casual hoodie and sweatpants along with a pair of comfortable slides. He was once a shut-in after all.
"SS to SPS: I have noticed a hostile gathering of what seems to be skeleton knights in front of the dominion," Reima transmitted abruptly.
"SPS to SS: continue to observe. If they can't get through the mist barrier, then there's no need for a counter-attack," Fubuki replied.
Thinking back, John had used an unknown white crystal to break through the mist barrier.
"A mysterious figure clad in a dark robe seems to be holding a crystal similar to the one John used," Lovian transmitted.
"Hahahaha, we modified the mist barrier. They shouldn't be able to ---"
Boom!!!
A booming sound echoed from the explosion at the front of the mist barrier.
"SS to all squadrons: the barrier has been breached," Shina transmitted lacklusterly.
"SPS to DS and AS: initiate counterattack."
'It looks like that necromancer is back for round two... utterly pathetic. Did he come himself this time?'
'Why don't I check it out myself'
Whoosh--
This was quite the number of skeleton knights, about ten times the number from last time. But the spirit energy around them had gotten a lot stronger. It looked like somebody had been farming a lot.
Foosh--
A skeleton archer fired an arrow at him, but his default shield blocked the attack.
'Carrot or Stick?'
He let out those words coldly as he looked at the mass army before him with utter disdain.
"Whatever do you mean?"
The mysterious figure clad in a robe removed it, revealing a male, probably around the same age as him.
"Last time, not only did you trash my precious summons, but you also called me a coward," the man grunted absurdly.
'Oh, so you are holding a grudge then'
A crude smirk formed on his lips.
'I have one very simple question to ask you. Then I might consider at least keeping you as my subordinate, but it completely depends on what you choose'
"Are you mocking me, huh?!" the man exclaimed unsettlingly.
It looked like he had very low self-esteem. He could take advantage of that to get the information he needed from him.
'Is your brain so minuscule that it can't comprehend simple words?'
"You mongrel, who gave you the right to talk to me in such a foul manner?" he grunted. "I, the great Avani Dux Defati, will show no mercy at your insolence. Just look at the uncouth outfit you are wearing. Do you perhaps lack proper clothing... you fiend!"
He stated boldly, his voice echoing throughout the horizon.
It seemed the ragebait worked perfectly. He was super predictable. Now that he looked closely, he was actually dressed in proper royal attire.
His smirk widened.
'What's with that mediocre name... Give me a break. I give you one last chance, answer my question or--'
A large fireball was suddenly thrown at him.
"You mongrel!!" he grunted louder. "I'll show you your place, this instant." He took a step back. "Say hello to the queen of the vampire slayer and the king of zombies!"
Two eerie-looking figures emerged from the ground, their presence dyeing the sky scarlet red.
"Master, you called?" they both said in harmony as they bowed before him.
"Show that mongrel his place... mhmmmmhmmm, I'm sure my brilliant flame has already burned him to a crisp," he scoffed.
'Is that the best you could do?' He dusted the flames off his body with ease. "Surely someone as great as you can do better than this."
"You fiend... I was sure I got you. Attack him this instant!"
The vampire and zombie suddenly attacked him, but their movements felt slow. He dodged them easily.
"What are you doing! Why isn't he dead yet?!" he groaned loudly from behind them.
"What the hell is going on? How does he keep dodging our attacks so effortlessly?" the vampire stopped attacking, catching her breath heavily, sweat dripping from her chin.
'I'm sick of this'
He tapped the zombie lightly on the chest, sending it spiraling into the ground, the impact spiderwebbing the surface.
"I give you permission to use your abilities... You are done for now, you bastard!!"
The spirit energy of his summons suddenly skyrocketed. They appeared in front of him instantly, their speed increasing immensely.
'But it certainly isn't enough'
He grabbed the heads of both of them and twisted them off their bodies. He dropped the heads on the floor, and they rolled toward Avani's legs.
His eyes widened in shock. "What just happened... They were my only mystic-grade summons."
His voice echoed with disappointment.
'Surely you can summon more... or can't you?'
He stared at him with ice-cold eyes, sending shivers down his spine.
"Don't think you have won. I always save my trump card for last!"
He cut his finger with his teeth, blood dripping from his hand as a red magic circle formed beneath his feet, glowing brighter by the second.
"Answer your master's call: Undead Titan!"
The ground began to rumble as cracks appeared on it. A huge figure emerged from the ground, rising to the very sky. Tall enough that mountains paled in comparison, huge and towering with a husky structure—it indeed classified as a titan.
"Destroy him!" he exclaimed loudly, pointing his hand at him with a grin on his face.
Bam!
The titan struck, raising dust everywhere.
"I'm sure that would have gotten him," he said, his smirk getting wider as he walked closer.
He suddenly fell to his feet as if he had seen a ghost. "What the hell are you?" he exclaimed shakily, his face filled with terror.
The fist of the titan was blown off before impact by Duran's flames.
"This big guy would have made an amazing pet if it wasn't so weak!" Asmaroth stood atop the undead titan as it fell flat on its body due to countless holes she had pierced throughout it.
"Revet-sama. Good morning!" she exclaimed as she jumped down from the falling titan.
"What a scumbag," Duran muttered as he burned the titan to ashes.
'I ask you again, carrot or stick?'
Avani broke down completely, crying as he trembled uncontrollably.