The Undead Pandemic. All around the world, areas had been overrun by the dead rising up from their point of death as soon as the final breath left their bodies. Hordes could be found mostly in areas of high death rates.

Teams were created as exterminators. They would be sent out to deal with any problematic hordes. These teams often eliminated the smaller hordes to prevent more large hordes from forming.

They did not go to take on the large hordes. Even when all one hundred of the six-man teams were combined, they did not number enough to take the large hordes on. The many attempts to eliminate the large hordes had always ended up in failure. The attempts included calling in help from the military and the strongest civilians.

Yet the large hordes, numbering at over five million in the two largest hordes, were able to keep their numbers due to a strange phenomenon. Upon being killed, the undead would be covered in a brief golden light and get right back up, 'alive' again.

The golden light was that of the light element but no one knew which branch it could be. None of the known spells could heal the undead. Researchers attempted to figure it out but to no avail.

To keep the large hordes contained, powerful barrier spells were cast around them, preventing them from leaving the area.

While there were numerous teams of exterminators, there was still only so much they could do. With the slowly spreading revival phenomenon reaching the other areas of undead, it was becoming more difficult to do their job. Several towns, villages, and even some cities were slaughtered because of this fact.

There was a newer phenomenon that had popped up in more recent reports on the matter. The undead now had a minor barrier protecting each individual. The barrier could be broken after ten powerful hits but it quickly depleted the mana stores of items and exterminators.

Little by little, civilization was forced into smaller and smaller areas. In some places, different races were living together, forced to intermingle.

Kail mulled over the information of the Undead Pandemic in his mind. "If the God of Death was a Blood Mage, then certainly someone like him should be able to take care of the problem somewhat easily, right?"

Spider hummed in thought. "That does make sense. But that's only if the God of Death was a Blood Mage in his lifetime. No one knows what his element was. Too much information has been lost to time."

"He's a Blood Mage. He had red hair and eyes when we met," Kail confirmed. "I think he might be the puppeteer branch but that's just my guess." He paused in his writing information in the journal.

"Wait. It might be a completely unknown branch. I need to ask him more about his abilities. If I'm correct, I think he was able to use the blood element to keep spirits detached from their bodies and from going on a rampage. It sounds like something from the light element but yet blood element's strange abilities makes it the perfect element to control the dead."

Spider listened closely, his mind opening up to new possibilities as Kail spoke. Kail tapped his pen on the edge of the page idly as he continued to speak.

"A branch that's a combination of light and blood. A branch so powerful that only one person has been known to use it. If such a branch exists, then that means there's a chance that the other divine are also users of forgotten branches. It explains why the Goddess of Light is being such a problem."

Kail frowned as soon as he mentioned her. "She's taking advantage of her unique branch to take control. She's trapped the God of Death because no doubt he kept her powers in check. They need each other to keep the world from becoming the way it is now. Since the God of Death is trapped, the undead rampage and she protects them."

It was a theory that probably no one had ever thought of before. The pen stopped moving as a dark and murderous expression took over his young face. "She's using the undead to eliminate the living and create a new world that will solely worship her."

Spider's eyes went wide. "What?"

Kail shook his head. "Tch! I don't understand why she's so obsessed with power and control. If she doesn't release the God of Death soon, she may lose control of the undead and kill everyone off before she can achieve her goal. She'll need to leave some people alive if she wants to make sure people worship only her."

Spider was horrified at his revelation. "Civilization is heading towards extinction....just like the days of old."

Kail looked over at him. "We'll need to add solving the Undead Pandemic to our list. Hopefully we can save the God of Death quickly."

Spider nodded in agreement, a grim expression on his pale face. "I just wish it wouldn't take you so long to grow up enough to do so."

Kail sighed in frustration. He shared his thoughts. There was nothing he could do about it and it bugged him to no end whenever it came to mind. I really wish I had been transmigrated into someone else's body instead of being reborn. There is so much I could do immediately if I had been put into an adult body.

A tap at the window gained their attention. It was the raven. Kail walked over to the window and opened it. The raven flew to his shoulder. Kail smiled and hesitantly reached out to it. He gently rubbed the top of its head with a finger.

The raven closed its eyes, enjoying the feeling.

"Perhaps the God of Death will visit me again tonight," Kail said as he continued to pet the large black bird. "I'll see if I can learn more about him then."

Spider stood from his chair, looking towards the door. Invisible to the naked eye, webs were spread throughout the house. The webs were all connected to Spider. Whenever someone passed through them, he felt the vibrations and a variety of information was given to him thanks to the webs being made of his mana.

"Well, I'll be damned. You've got a special guest. I believe your teacher has arrived," he said with a smile. "You're one lucky kid. The Goddess of Darkness did not disappoint with her selection."

"Who is it?" Kail asked as he looked towards the door.

"A Night Elf," Spider answered. A bit of excitement could be heard in his voice.

Kail was now even more eager to get started with his lessons. "Where are they now?"

"He's making his way to your room. He's in his ethereal form. No one but us knows he's here," Spider described.

Kail nodded. The two watched the door with anticipation and soon a robed thin figure appeared in front of them. The deep hood of the black robe covered the elf's face. The elf reached up and pulled the hood back, revealing pitch black hair, skin and piercing gray eyes.

His skin and hair had shimmering white, silver and gold specks that varied in size. They twinkled like stars in the night sky. It was safe to say the elf was beautiful.

Kail was awed by his unique look. It reminded him once again that the world he was in was straight out of a fairytale or epic fantasy. He wondered what the other races looked like in person.

The elf smiled warmly. His facial features had a pale silver outline. "Hello, Young Master Kail. It is nice to finally meet you." He bowed deeply, his right fist against his left palm. "Anyone made a warrior by the great Goddess of Darkness has my deepest respect. Especially someone as young as you."

He straightened as Kail smiled, feeling a bit awkward to have an elf bow to him. "Welcome and thank you for coming all this way. I am eager to learn from you. May I ask your name?"

"My name is Nova Pierce." His eyes went to Spider, full of curiosity. "You have already created a spirit contract?"

Spider bowed deeply with respect, his right hand over his heart. "My name is Spider. It is an honor to meet you."

"Likewise, young Snow Elf." Nova returned his gaze to Kail. "A spirit contract at the age of five. It's unheard of."

Kail was surprised to hear this. "Really?" He knew spirit contracts were special but he had no idea that they were that unique.

"Yes. Like the development of powers, spirit contracts can only be performed with those of age fifteen and up. Yet you have no problem breaking that rule. Tell me: did any side effects happen when you made the contract?" Nova inquired.

"No. Everything has been fine," Kail answered. He looked at Spider. "You never told me there was an age limit."

Spider shrugged his shoulders. "I did not know," he admitted. "I only learned about the spirit contract from the few other spirits I met and my own experiences."