Necromancer

A Royal Road Fan Fiction

By: Halosty

Chapter 85

Quietus returned to the city to turn in his quest, and receive his rewards. Included among those rewards would be advancement to Spirit Necromancer. Hopefully, he would get an additional reward for solving the problem of the ghosts “peacefully” instead of annihilating them. He could have done that, after all. Granted, it would have taken a long time, but it could have been done. This way he had saved most, or possibly all of the remaining ones, from a horrible fate. Depending on how long it takes to digest souls. Quietus was banking on “more than a few minutes”, so any souls that were eaten by the dragon during the battle were probably fine… relatively.

Quietus was indeed praised for his success. “You have done well, not only calming the spirits, but defeating a dragon who could cause more such incidents. We have prepared a robe and staff of the highest quality for you.”

While Quietus could certainly use both the robe and staff, he had very little interest in the latter. Whether or not he would use the robe depended on whether it hindered his mobility. Of course, he wasn’t going to say that.

You have completed a quest!

Level up! x2

The two additional levels brought Quietus to around level 320. He couldn’t possibly have advanced to Spirit Necromancer before level 300, and he didn’t go to get the quest immediately. Thus, he had been somewhat higher than the minimum level. Then, he had gained some levels on the quest. He’d also very briefly lost some, but he had gained all of that experience back, thanks to The Power To Accept Death.

The robe and staff were brought out, along with a tome that presumably contained the method to create ghosts, and other necessary information for Spirit Necromancers.

Robe of the Spirit Necromancer

A robe created by the necromancer’s guild, intended for use by those pursuing the path of the Spirit Necromancer. Only awarded to those with good achievements.

Requirements:

Spirit Necromancer Class

Defense: 300

Black Magic Resistance +25.

Affinity with ghosts and spirits increased by a large amount.

Affinity with other undead increased by a small amount.

Improves defense of the wearer and undead servants against spiritual attacks and holy magic.

Mana + 2000.

Quietus quite liked the robe. Though it wouldn’t increase his physical statistics, he would do well enough without using his leather armor, at least in certain situations. Plus, it would greatly increase his mana pool, which he was somewhat lacking in.

Staff of the Spirit Necromancer

A Staffcreated by the necromancer’s guild, intended for use by those pursuing the path of the Spirit Necromancer. Only awarded to those with good achievements.

Requirements:

Spirit Necromancer Class

Increased effect of Black Magic by 50%.

Black magic has full effect on ghosts and spirits.

More powerful ghost type undead can be created.

Mana + 1000

He had changed his mind about the staff. Even if he didn’t use it in combat, which he might, he definitely still wanted it. After all, he could always just use it when he wanted to make ghosts. Its increase to black magic was useful, but Quietus could get more effect out of his dagger, if he remembered to alternate magic and physical attacks. The staff could still be very useful at long range.

As for the tome, as expected it contained the methods to create ghosts, and other similar undead such as banshees. Quietus also learned how to take the form of a ghost with his undead mimicry skill, though that was partly because he’d experienced his soul being ripped out. The tome also contained the initial spells for Spirit Necromancers:

Soul Shock

Ripples of power flow out and attack the souls of those in range. Ignores most defenses, and temporarily lowers the mental defenses of enemies.

Cost: 2000 mana

Astral Projection

Allows the user to move around in a pseudo-soul state, leaving their physical body behind. The astral projection is invisible and intangible, but cannot attack and is vulnerable to magical attacks. If destroyed, the user returns to their body instantly.

Cost: 1000 mana/minute

Shield of the Soul

Creates a shield around the user, providing minor resistance against magical attacks, and significant resistance against any soul attacks, or the attacks of spiritual creatures.

Cost: 1750 mana

These were all of the spells that Quietus gained access to now, but there would likely be more later, though he might have to acquire them separately. All in all, Quietus had reaped quite a good harvest from this quest.

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Of course, he hadn’t forgotten about the (physically) largest benefit that he had received. He currently had all of his minions guarding the body of the dragon. He hadn’t been able to bring it with him, after all. However, he hadn’t been prepared to turn it into an undead right on the spot. That might be good for monsters below his level, but he definitely wouldn’t get an optimal effect if he just turned it into an undead immediately.

He still couldn’t make it as strong as it was when he fought it, at least not immediately, but he could increase its level just as anything else. Eventually, it could even be stronger. Some of that would depend on whether it could still use its special “breath” attack, but Quietus had no way to know without trying it. It’s not like there was an online guide about turning dragons into undead minions. (Quietus didn’t actually check, but there wasn’t. At least, nothing involving adult dragons.)

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Lucky was… still alive. Which was something. Quietus wasn’t sure if he had at all contributed to the fight, or just survived it. However, Quietus officially promoted him to head zombie, which meant absolutely nothing at all. He did plan to observe Lucky’s actions, though, because he hadn’t expected a zombie to develop anything resembling a personality. Maybe it could happen, though. Well, it’s not like he would consider Lucky smart though. He still only had the one boot, which made his walking even more lopsided than it would otherwise be. It was funny when he tripped though.

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The last thing Quietus got, he almost hadn’t thought about. However, upon remembering it, he went and got it identified. Sure, he often went off instinct and guesswork to figure out what his items were, but he wanted to confirm his intuition about this item.

Orb of Damned Souls

This small black orb’s origins are unknown, but it radiates a terrifying and evil aura. When given mana, it affects the sanity of any spirits or ghosts within a distance based on the mana supplied. In addition, any free souls, such as from a death nearby, are automatically turned into a ghost.

Quietus was glad that it did nothing when it had no mana in it. He didn’t really want crazy ghosts springing up around him all the time. He did have to admit that it could be useful in the right circumstances, but it would probably have to be a pretty desperate situation. Mostly, if he just wanted everything dead, likely including himself.

//End Chapter 85