Necromancer

A Royal Road Fan Fiction

By: Halosty

Chapter 15

Quietus was glad that there were few low level monsters near Morata. Although it would be a problem later, now it meant there weren’t many places Lupin, and the others, could be leveling. He reached the location they had been hunting in before, but they weren’t there. He climbed up a nearby tree, hoping to get a better view. He learned that it was hard to climb a tree stealthily- he’d have to work on that. His clothes kept getting stuck on branches as well.

He moved on to another possible location, and repeated his search. Just as he was about to give up searching the area, he spotted people from his perch on the tree. They were too far off for him to tell who they were, even squinting didn’t help much. As he was descending from his lofty perch...

*Ting*

You have learned a skill

Climbing

Reduces the stamina cost of climbing, makes climbing slightly easier, and slightly reduces the amount of falling damage you take.

Although he was glad to get another skill, he didn’t think he would have much use for it. After all, a mage rarely needs to climb. He couldn’t foresee any circumstance in which it would benefit him much, except for this one. Anyone else could have told him he would use it quite a lot in the future, based on his normal activities.

He rushed as quickly as he could towards where he had seen the people, and this depleted his stamina quickly. After all, hurrying along and attempting to be stealthy at the same time can take a lot out of a man. Sure, he could have stopped sneaking. However, he didn’t want to make anyone uncomfortable by seeing him. He wouldn’t want them to think he was going to steal their mobs.

Soon, he got close enough to see the people from the ground, and he quickly recognized them. Now he would have to plan his strategy for killing Lupin... Unfortunately, Lupin was never alone.

Time passed, and they hunted monsters- and so did Quietus.

During some downtime, Quietus pondered what to do as he boiled some rabbit in his pot. Perhaps he’d have to risk it, and attack at a time when Lupin was just there with one or two of the others... preferably the wizard and the priest. The priest would die first, then the wizard, then Lupin. Hopefully he could do it silently.

After eating the rabbit, Quietus felt a bit sick. Maybe he didn’t cook it enough. It sure hadn’t tasted very good. Perhaps now would be a bad time to attack. Plus, he didn’t have a time limit he needed to kill Lupin in, and if he failed once they would be more alert.

Since he wasn’t feeling up for combat, he gathered some more herbs for his alchemy skill. He chewed on one of them he thought was supposed to reduce stomach pains, and felt a bit better.

People seemed to be gathering around and talking to the bard now. No wait, it was probably just a party meeting. Still, Quietus strained to listen from where he was. He could almost... but not quite... tell what they were saying.

Then...

You have learned a skill

Listen

Increases the distance at which you can hear, as well as your ability to pick out fine details.

This skill, Quietus had to admit, would be useful. Even he couldn’t deny that he liked to listen to people sometimes. Plus, approaching closer might bother people.

Now, he could hear what was being said.

“... they say it gives great buffs to stats, very helpful for hunting. We’ll need to visit it if we want to move on to fight stronger monsters.”

Murmurs of agreement came from the rest of the group.

Thus, the party picked up and moved... to wherever they were going. A shadow followed them. In this case, as it was getting late in the evening, Quietus actually was like a shadow, as he used his dark cloak ability... as much as he was able. During the trip, he ran out of mana quite a few times. However, he did gain a level in dark magic mastery due to his continuous usage of the related magic.

They stopped where there was a large gathering of people, looking at some kind of abstract art. Quietus moved closer, but hung away from the crowd some.

You have seen A night in Morata

15% increased health and mana regeneration during the day.

30% increased health.

All stats increased by 10.

All chef, dancer, and bard skills are one level higher.

Other statue effects do not overlap.

Quietus honestly had no idea what to make of the art. Frankly, it looked like junk. Unfinished. Then again, that was often on purpose, or so he’d observed.

He quickly went back to looking at Lupin... who appeared to be wandering almost randomly about the crowd. However, after watching him for a while, Quietus noticed his hands were moving strangely. He was reaching for peoples belts, just a little bit below, as if he were... yeah, he definitely was, that sicko. He was pickpocketing them. Certainly couldn’t be anything else. Quietus frowned at the thought of theft. It just wasn’t right.

Then, fortuitously, Lupin moved off away from the crowd, into a dark area... presumably to count his ill gotten loot. The moon was just coming over the horizon, and Quietus activated his Darkvision spell.

Just as that happened, lights sparkled all around in the central area. It really kind of hurt Quietus’ eyes, and made him feel a bit sick, for some reason.

You have seen the Tower of Light!

A great masterpiece made by a skill sculptor!

Sometimes a sculptor leaves behind a work so great that it stuns the continent.

The tower takes on a grander appearance at night and its full characteristics are displayed.

- Health, mana, and stamina regeneration increased by 25% for the entire day.

- All stats are increased by 15.

- Maximum health and mana increased by 15%.

- Movement speed has increased by 20%.

- Luck increased by 100.

- Increases the power of holy and elemental magic.

Statue weakens the nearby forces of darkness, strong monsters will weaken.

When the sun goes down, then a light show will occur.

The Tower of Light sculpture increases defense to 1.5 times the original value.

Quietus’ vision quickly recovered, and he hurried to take the opportunity that Lupin had left by going off by himself, and even turning his back on the crowd.

“Die, filthy pickpocket,” Quietus whispered.

Now, talking to someone you’re trying to kill, and thus ruining your element of surprise, is a sure recipe for disaster. Many a villain has been defeated by his arrogance. However, just a moment before that...

Critical Hit!

...Quietus had stabbed his knife into a weak point in Lupin’s lower back. He’d seen too many people ruin a perfectly good surprise attack to do otherwise.

Lupin’s health bar dropped to below half almost instantly. If he had not been higher level than Quietus, he probably would have died immediately. Although he was alive, Lupin was too surprised, and confused, to properly shout for help. He was not, however, too surprised to draw his weapon.

Although Quietus had done nothing else, Lupin’s health bar continued dropping.

Lupin was not, however, out of the fight just yet. He stabbed at Quietus, but he wasn’t really very good, and Quietus easily dodged. Quietus returned with a better performed attack, but Lupin had high enough agility to partly dodge the blow, and negate the critical hit it would have been. They exchanged a few more blows, Lupin failing to connect, but Quietus making little progress.

Then, Lupin did a move that left himself open. Quietus immediately took advantage of the situation with an attack to a vital point, deftly dodging Lupin’s attack.

Well, that was what he intended. Instead, Lupin completely avoided his thrust, and Quietus found himself with a dagger in his gut, taking a critical hit.

“Oh, so that’s what it feels like,” he thought. He had only been stabbed by a dagger once before... in the dungeon.

Quietus immediately felt stupid, as he realized what had happened. He was going to show master Valarao what he had learned...

Then he remembered he was still fighting Lupin. He activated Dark Hand, and grabbed Lupin’s wrist, holding it still. Then, he slashed across Lupin’s throat, finishing off the last of his dwindling health.

The poison he’d mixed together from random herbs he was pretty sure were poisonous sure had been effective. He felt like there was something else at play, as well, as he looked down at his blood stained hands. He just wasn’t sure what.

Well, enough of that. He’d better get to the looting. First, he looked for the ring, and was glad he was able to take it. Then, he set about taking anything else the system would let him. First, he picked up the ill gotten goods Lupin had. Then, Lupin’s own money pouch. His dagger. Boots. Armor. Wow, he was sure getting a lot here. Good thing Lupin had a bag to hold all this stuff in.

Quietus walked away, leaving Lupin, dead, in just his underwear. Quietus felt he could have probably taken that, but he didn’t really need it.

He didn't notice that he was being watched.

End Chapter 15

Next Chapter: viewtopic.php?f=47&t=742