(viii.)

Linda guided Lazarus behind the counter to a small side room no bigger than a closet with a curious black obelisk-like device in it. It sat in the middle of an unadorned wooden table with two chairs reminding him somewhat of a room one might interrogate a prisoner in, save for the window on the left showing the bustling village streets.

“Please, take a seat,” Linda gestured to the empty chair, smiling at the lich.

Lazarus crossed the room and, setting his greatsword aside, sat down across from her.

“If you'll kindly place your dominant hand on the Stat Stone,” she requested.

Lazarus raised his gauntleted hand in the air then hesitated for a moment.

Wait. Will this create a problem for me if they find out that I'm a lich? What about my Necromancer class? Damn it, I should have asked more questions before I agreed to this farce. Well, I suppose if worse comes to worse I'll just have to kill her and flee. Though I would prefer not to have to kill anyone intelligent... it's just distasteful!

“Oh, don't worry about removing your armor,” Linda said placatingly, noticing his hesitation. “It won't be a hindrance to the Stone.”

Oh, my dear, that may well be the least of our worries, here. Let's get on with it!

Lazarus warily placed his right hand on the stone. Immediately his status screen materialized above the stone for both of them to see:

Status:

Name: Lazarus

Race: Lesser Lich

Sex: Male

Class: Necromancer

Skills:

Death Companion – Summon a Unique intelligent companion (evolving skill), Level 1

Summon Jet-Allows you to summon Death's Companion Jet back to the summoner. Level MAX

Create Lesser Undead – Create small animal undead that can follow basic orders, Level 1

Pain Nullification – You do not feel pain, Level MAX

Mana Manipulation – Allows you to control mana within yourself and the world. Level MAX

Spell Craft – Allows the user to create custom spells of magical aptitude.

Appraisal – Allows user to appraise information about anything connected to them or the world around them. Level 2

Herb Gathering – Enables the user to have an above average success rate at gathering wild herbs or other plants. Level: 1

Unarmed Combat – User gains access to martial skills, requiring the unarmed skill as a prerequisite. Damage increased while not wielding a weapon. Level: 1

Spells:

King's Great Sword – Create a better than average sword with aesthetic appeal. Mana cost: 500 per sword. If the sword is destroyed the mana will be returned to the caster. Level MAX

Holy Knight's Armor – Garb the caster in full plate armor with holy aesthetic. If the armor is destroyed the mana will be returned to the caster. Mana cost: 800

Level MAX

Magic Aptitude: Metal

Major Stats:

Level: 1 Elite

Heath: 1,000/1,000 Mana: 1,300/0001

Mana Regen:1 per hour

Minor Stats:

Strength:10, Dexterity:7, Intelligence:15

Wisdom:15 Charisma: 0 Luck:15

Reading through his stats, Linda's eyes grew so large Lazarus feared they may just pop out of their sockets. Astonishingly, she looked back at him not with with fear but with utter awe and disbelief in her eyes.

Surely I'm mistaken... but I truly believe this woman has no fear of me!

“You're... you're a lich,” she said in a quiet voice. No sense of fear, resentment, or malice in her voice, just... amazement?

After a moment she coughed into her hand. “Well, well, well! This is going to be a day to remember. This is the first time a lich has ever applied to be an adventurer. I was fairly sure that they were fairy tales until now. But let's just push past that for now.

“You have a unique skill we have no information on. Several, actually. If you would like to explain any of these skills to us, the guild will gladly compensate you for the information. That's 10 gold for a unique skill's information, and 5 gold a piece for any normal skill or spell we have no information on. The guild knows nothing about your 'Death's Companion' skill, 'Summon Jet', 'King's Great Sword' spell, or 'Holy Knight's Armor spell',” she said, listing off a number of skills he'd received that very morning.

“Your approval or denial can be given at the interview phase, so no rush. Your Necromancer class is also like you... a Legendary class the guild knows nothing about. You're the first individual with this class to register with the guild. Furthermore, you have the Elite tag next to your level which means you're naturally going to be very strong.

“Just by staying alive your stats will eventually go up on their own without leveling. Every year one of your stats will raise. I've only seen this tag on a few of our Diamond and Black Diamond adventurers before. Even starting at Level 1 your minor stats are insanely high. Your strength would put you at Ruby level alone.

“But you're even smarter and wiser than you are strong. You can even create your own original magic with your Spell Craft skill. Really unheard of... all of it, honestly! So, care to explain anything? Like, how in the Greater Gods do you even exist?” For a moment it seemed that the receptionist's friendly facade slipped and she started to sweat noticeably.

Lazarus did not turn away form the status screen and just took a breath before responding, deciding how much information he was willing to reveal to this woman.

I suppose it can't be helped. But perhaps I can skew the odds in my favor.

“Like I told the young lady, I'm a traveler of sorts. However, I did not come from her homeland. Or any other country you know of, for that matter. I traveled here from another world very different from yours. Depending on how you handle this little revelation you may become my enemy. Young Miss, I do hope you make the correct decision here,” he said, putting great emphasis on his last few words.

The lich paused for a moment as Linda gaped open-mouthed at him. An overwhelming icy chill descended upon the small room.

“Also, allow me to share this bit of information with you: the Necromancer class' primary ability is to create undead creatures lesser than myself, mindless puppets controlled by me... with few exceptions. Very intriguing, don't you think? I will expect the guild to pay for that information, regardless of the outcome of these little 'tests',” he said coldly.

Lazarus turned to face her at eye level. “What will it be, Linda? I could be a great ally to your guild and your people. I'd much prefer not to have any enemies.”

A bead of cold sweat dripped down Linda's face.

Skill Acquired: Intimidation – Put pressure on the target to force compliance. Level: 1

All hail the Red Text! Most excellent timing! The Intimidation skill was instantly added to the display under his list of skills. With that, Lazarus withdrew his hand from the stone and stood in front of the receptionist.

Linda smiled, recovering.

“Master Lazarus, the guild would never dream to make an enemy of a lich. And yes, the guild will gladly pay for any information you are willing to provide on your class. I'll have to confirm the amount with the guild leader when your test is complete. Will that be alright?”

“Yes, that should not be a problem,” the lich said. “However, I do expect you to keep the fact that I'm a traveler a secret even from your guild leader unless I give my permission. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, sir!” Linda responded immediately, likely an effect of his Intimidation skill. “Let's move on to your next test. Did you have any questions for me?”

“None at this time. Lead the way.”