Lion carted in a wheelbarrow with a couple of boxes into my cave while Elizabeth began to prepare. “I will cast a skeleton warrior spell here. Then we will all leave.” and Tony's friends can find it here. I pointed to the rats skeletons i had in the corner. Then i pulled out laura grimoire and pointed at me and Laura.

Elizabeth nodded “Three skeletons are better than one you will have to leave Tony's sword and some of his gear the tent and chest. Lion open the chest let us take a look at what Tony had.”

Lion sat down and used a piece of wire to giggle at the lock. He pulled open the chest and whistled. I bent down and grasped the gold and a gold ring. I tossed a gold coin to Lion who gave me a grin

Jarold leaned down and looked threw the letters and Tonys diary “Not enough to blackmail Tony oh well it would have proven hard to do anyway. Anyway it is crowded in here once you have your three skeletons up and about we will dump the spare to make it look like a neomancer cave. Come on Lion it is time to go.” Jarold left to make way for the corpses to be wheeled into the cave.A goblin skeleton was gived to me and Laura and a hobgoblin skeleton was given to Elizbeth. A further dead goblin dressed in a black robe with was tossed into my hole. He was not a skeleton just a decaying corpse and had a missing hand.

Lion entered with his missing hand and a wooden stick with crude marking on it. Then he took Tonys sword and plunged it into the body which he positioned to look like it had put up a fight. He pulled out a evil looking half burnt book and gave me another grin. I stared at the book

Book of Love poems value 0

A book of horrible love poems in horrible condition. Luckily non of the poems are readable as someone has destroyed them. This book looks like insane person wrote it. This book is badly put together from pig skin which now that it is burnt looks like human skin. The ink at a distance looks like human blood. Someone has poured pig blood on the cover of this book.

Effects

High chance if caught with this item in any human village you will be arrested on the spot for crimes against humanity.

Slight chance if seen with this book the guards will attack you in horror.

Elizabeth and Laura began to chant while i focused my mana while keeping my open to Todd. He would need magic soon enough. I finished first my skeleton quickly.

Achievement gained: skeleton summoner. 50 exp gained

I felt forward for some sigh of awareness this was my skeleton after all. Elizabeth finished soon after me. Hers looked tough it had a massive chipped and rusted claymore which Elizabeth traded for Tonys sword. I starred at my brother. Elizabeth gave me a sad smile “A normal skeleton has no self awareness you have. It is because Laura lost control you came into existence plus she made a mess of the the spell. That is a construct with no will of its own. In time you may come to be able to create skeletons that can on there own develop free will but not yet”

Laura collapsed into a sweating heap “That was harder without the gloves” Her skeleton got to its feet. I noticed it was armed with a axe just like Elizabeth's and was glowing with a strange red aura.

Lauras berserk Skeleton warrior level 1 hp 220

i jumped forward and caught the skeletons axe before it buried it in Lauras head. I grasped the skeletons spine and lifted in into the air with one hand.

Diplomacy impossible construct is insane and can not be cured.

I felt the skeletons mind

Elizabeth stood up “Use drain life on him it will help we will talk later laura”

Drain life activated

target 0 hp damage 20 mana points drained

target 0 hp damage 20 mana points drained

target 0 hp damage 20 mana points drained

target 20 hp damage 0 mana points left

target 20 hp damage 0 mana points left

it did not take long to drain the skeleton warrior fully.

Achievement gained: skeleton adsorption you have adsorbed a skeleton with a evolution greater than your own. Your ability to adsorb mana has been set to maximum .

level + 5 you are now level 90

your base mana level multiplier and been increased by 100%

bonus for adsorbing skeleton.

Intelligence + 2 basic weapons knowledge all weapons. Night vision increase.

Blessing of the dark gods

Can adsorb mana and create skeleton with pure magic

The last of the skeleton turned to mist and flowed into my body.

I grabbed Laura and put her on my nee. “Stop that what are you doing.” My hand came up and down “Agghhh stop that.” i gave her another two and left a crying Laura with Elizabeth. I wanted to be gone from this cave and now. I picked up Todd and left the cave behind.

The Town Carnfort.

I walked into Carnfort thinking with Todd asking to see everything. “What is that a ditch what is on top of it are those roses” i moved in to take a look the roses did not seem to be growing normally. There was a hole in the ground running in a straight line and after that there was a straight line of roses. Even the flowers were evenly spaced. Then i noticed the massive thorns that grew along the roses. “Wow boss those are three inch thorns. That is something when i have my own town i am going to have roses as well they will really attract the flies. I know your a bit upset and everything but could you scratch my head by my left eye. Yeah right there.”

“Try being a toad boss it sucks. I mean i schemed and schemed to get that spot by the pond with those vipers bullying us. You know what the worst part was boss my evolutionary path. I was poisonous or my skin is. But the vipers have poisonous bite. You know what that means they bite something and run away and get the experience points when it drops dead. On the other hand i have to get eaten to poison something sure most creatures stay away but some vipers have poison immunity. I was getting a ulcer from all the fear of being eaten you got off easy boss.”

Todd stared at a local villager pushing a wheelbarrow “Just look at that boss that is amazing do humans bow down and worship the builders of such things no. They have there stupid nobles when i rule the ponds and lakes it will change of course i need to study first it is why i am still with you.” i gave it some thought “Well technically i out rank you on the monster scale. I am a basilisk after all. I could have broken the familiar bond when i leveled up to basilisk toad variant.”

I thought about it

Todd croaked indigently “Say what i am a basilisk with the power to turn mortals to stone with fear. A bite that can a elephant three different ways poison, disease, and my instant death threw toxic shock. I can spray a bacterial mist strong enough to kill a small town. It what universe could you take me in a fight?”

Elizabeth ran up to us and starred at Todd in horror “Holy cow that is not a toad is it?” Todd looked up at me “What she say boss?” Elizabeth picked up a stick and poked Todd “Ouch quit that”

Todd spat a small napalm burst at the stick which burst into flames. Elizabeth then ran behind Lion who gave her a worried stare “Everything alright Elizabeth. Whats up with the stick can the toad spit flames” “Everything is not alright that is not a toad. Where exactly do you think the hydra meat went to?” Lion shrugged “Best guess he gave it to the toad to eat holy crap.” Jarold leading a upset Laura “Is something the matter?” Lion looked at Todd nervously “Yes something is the matter that skeleton of lauras gave all that hydra meat to the toad. That toad should be ten feet tall and breathing oceans of fire so why is it that small?”

As no one could hear me i spoke to Todd “Hello miss i am not going to misbehave.” Elizabeth took a step out from behind Lion. She walked over to Todd and looked him in the eye “alright a skeleton i can handle show me your basic stats”

Elizabeth paled “Holy crap that toad has better stats than the hydra or will.” Jarod Walked over and gave Todd a glance “My identify is not showing up anything especially dangerous how about you Ivan you have that mercenary ability right?” Ivan starred at Todd and jumped backwards dropping the wheelbarrow “That thing is legendary base class minimum. It makes the skeleton look like a child. I can not read any of its abilities at all.” Jarod nodded “Well lets make a stop on the way home we can make a killing.” Elizabeth pushed out her hand “Your daughters skeleton has a pillow case over its head is this the time for this?” Jarod grinned “Yes this is the time we can get the town talking about the monster toad instead of him. Ivan take Laura home and put her in the cellar lock the door my wife is not to see her yet. Lets go.”

We approached a bunch of knight who were watching a sparring match between two of them Jarod walked up to them and talked to the head knight who nodded. Jarod walked back to us “We can safely take say 500 gold in the first match. We can get odds of 10 to 1 so fifty fifty split skeleton?”

i pulled out fifty gold coins and spoke to Todd who spoke to Elizabeth. After a little haggling we settled on 20 percent for Jarod.

I watched as A limping Tony approached “Who is that peasant. And why do i hate the sight of him no matter you wish to challenge my Cousins wolf hound?” a massive knight Barry approached “Who hit that toad with a ugly stick. But i am setting the odds against my hound to 5 to 1. I suspect the toad ate some hydra meat right. So i will have my boys put in the requested gold but at 5 to 1” i pulled out a purse with Tonys Gold and nodded. Barry gave me a interested look “i can not make out any of your stats still gold is gold lets get them ready for it. Somehow i think my knights are going to be a lot poorer tonight.”

Tony limped off to summon a large fighting dog

Larry large fighting dog level 10 hp 150

Todd looked bored and Barry put up his hand “Wait a minute can anybody identify its level. That toad is seriously messed up” Tony growled “Who cares that toad looks like the one that spooked me in the forest let the match begin.” he gave Larry the command and the fight was on. It lasted about a second Larry leaped forward and Todd hit him with his stare. Larry hit the ground and Todd set him on fire with a belch of flame from his mouth.

Barry roared “Holy crap did you see that. A flame toad that was the coolest.” Todd jumped forward and began to eat the still flaming corpse. Barry stared “Alright double or nothing i have a tamed massive acid spider. I will have a whip around everyone put in say fifty gold lets get this done.”

Ned level 134 huntsman monster tamer brought out a massive spider. Ned blinked “No freaking way that thing is a basilisk. It will eat old Betsy for breakfast. You put Betsy up against that it is only going to end one way.” Barry pulled out a movable stool “A legendary monster i have not seen a fight between one of then in a while anybody want to give back there gold.” One of the knights voiced his displeasure “No way but could we at least find a bear for that to destroy. I would pay double to see that kind of fight.” Barry nodded “I will send for one lets get this fight started.”

The spider took its place.

Old Betsy Monster acid spider level 65 hp 225

a acid spitting spider

Todd looked at it and it fell over dead. Todd then took a couple of jumps towards it and spat a black mist onto it, it began to dissolve and Todd began to eat.

Barry fell off his stool laughing “Oh man that was priceless. The spider just fell over dead. Man you have got to bring that to the local fights you have made my day.” Ned moved forward he stared at Todd “That is not a toad-basilisk mix it is a basilisk-toad mix. It is growing into a basilisk i would think a greater basilisk as well. You were lucky to find such a monster.” the knights congratulated Jarod and we left with a massive pot. We received 500 gold for the first fight and 1150 gold from the 23 knights who watched the second fight. Barry was still laughing as we left.

Elizabeth was not happy “Are you all insane that was a monster tamer he might have spotted you.” i shrugged i was not in the dark anymore and i was not taking any sun damage. Still it would pay me to be a little more careful. We came to a house and Elizabeth pulled out on a chain. A board of wood came loose and we walked down some stairs to a door that lead into a cellar. Jarod pushed a wooden rotten board away i noticed there were signs that the other boards had been recently removed.

Jarrod looked around Ivan and a sullen Laura were standing near a couple of camp beds. Jarrod motioned around “This is a bit of a dump but there are only two entrances one up there i have had boarded upthe one that lead directly into my house and this one that leads to our yard. There is plenty of space as i have stopped using this place to store goods. I will have a door assembled and for now there is a old curtain to keep out the sun. As well as the board i will have Lion construct something down here and then have workmen assemble something where the board is so Elizabeth explain to the skeleton what is going on. Lion you can go explain to Barry and his idiot of a cousin that you know where to find the skeleton that robbed him just make sure Ivan got rid of all the evidence we were there. Elizabeth explain things to the skeleton and skeleton you might want to choose another name.”

Elizabeth nodded “So you know that at level 100 you can often evolve well humans have magic to predict with reasonable accuracy what you can change into we have tables going back centuries. In fact i have a breeding book right here that list the various evolutions of skeletons. It lists the general achievements you need to increase in level. Now we get to the main point of all of this Laura took the job Neomancer and can not change it at least not yet. Lets talk about lion he is a level 50 hunter poacher but originally he was a level 100 rogue poacher with a little magic we altered the description and altered his job when he hit level 100. People can hide the 150 rogue status with the 50 hunter descriptor. It takes a bit out of me but i can alter your next evolution.” Todd perked up “Can you alter mine?” Elizabeth shook her head “You would need a specialist for that. A monster tamer or monster raiser. One of those could get you a basic chart with your most likely evolutions on it. ”

Jarold pulled out a book “I have contacts i will acquire the needed information but back to what i need. Laura is stuck with the title neomancer and i do not want the locals to know. She might be banished from the village i need to keep it quite so she needs to reach level 100 and change her display status to mage. She has to be out of the village in the next week. With the knights around i need to be careful if one of them spots her new vocation they might sent for a witch burner. I have gold and contacts but i need a bodyguard for Laura while she learns at the only type of places that teach Neomancers. Thieves murderers and insane mages live in certain areas Bloodport and smaller human settlements. I need to get Laura out of here and i need to keep her safe. That is where you come in so Elizabeth will help you evolve and you help my daughter. So meet your new master Laura.”

Laura looked annoyed “i made him how is he my master?” Elizabeth pulled out a book “Basic requirements for neomancer growth most have restrictions after level 50 you need a master or it can take a lot longer to develop. So we either go out and hire you one or we help this skeleton to develop to the level he can help you develop.”

Elizabeth pulled out a candle and put in on the ground and drew a chalk circle around the circle then she chanted “In your toad goes and blows out the candle. Do not scrap the circle mind”

Toad jumped into the circle and blew out the candle. Elizabeth hastily wrote down a few words onto the scroll.

Monster toad Todd the Toad hp 70

basilisk toad second evolution level 10

magic due to familiar bond magic level incresed +++

Earth basic

Fire basic

water basic

Elizabeth put down the scroll “that is all i can get because i am not a tamer. Still it is a start now Todd jump out of the circle and lets see about your friend.”

I stepped into the circle and Elizabeth lit four candles and put them on the circle she then started to write on a scroll walking around me chanting. Elizabeth blew the candles out one by one “Alright it looks good but we are going to have to get you to level 100 before we begin. Your almost there already and i have a spell ready to help you out. Now let me see yes just sit still and i will cast the spell. Just follow the instruction on this scroll”

i read out the scroll with my mind

This will set auto level up to off are you certain

yes no

then i went threw the rest automatic notifier of level increase switched off and so on.

I hit yes and Elisabeth stopped chanting “Part one done and dusted i have got thing to do good to gather. Do not gain any experience points except from reading the books i have over there just look threw them for now do not try to understand them just flick threw them memorize them they will come in handy later.”

Ivan pulled out a couple of beds and motioned to Laura “Bedtime i am to keep an eye on you.” Elizabeth wearily got up “i am going to charge you for extra services. I will give you a discount to for helping Todd so what do you want.”

i gave it some thought i pulled out a pen

500 gold goes towards magic equipment for Todd, i need good feed for Todd so

300 gold towards that, say 100 for any books or advice the Monster tamer has and 100 for any equipment he might have.

I want equipment from Jarod

Bow and arrows 30 gold

sword 10 gold * 2

tent how much?

Backpack

something to hold gear straps lots i want one of those belts for holding my sword.

New clothes two sets 50 gold one nice

boots 5 gold

Also my sun resistance is only 35 once it gets to 55 i will start forming my dark Armour

Elizabeth looked at the list “Well there are books over there on most everything i will see you tomorrow night We can not risk you going out to level up your sun resistance i admit you need it. I know just the spell. Sunlight i will teach it to Laura and she can use it on you. You can not use this one yet your skeleton dark affinity blocks it.”

Alright take off the robes and we will get it set up. I took off the clothes and Elizabeth cast sunlight “Ok it a few moments it will begin to burn you just stay here reading until your hp points go below 40 percent and disperse the spell i will show you the disperse spell.”

Laura was told to read Lucys gromire. While my health went down drastically i read threw the books. There were a bunch but as i was not trying to understand them it was easy. Just look at a page memorize the page and move on. This went on until my hp reached 40 percent and i suited up and got rid of the sunlight spell. Todd was looking around for and rats he could find. When the sheet we had over the entrance open up and

Suzie age 13 level 4 child no class yet

entered. Ivan stood up as Suzie pulled out her cat. “Ha i heard you got a fighting toad. My cat will eat him for breakfast.” i starred at the cat.

Fluffy cat level 2 hp 5

a good mouser and Suzie's pet.

Fluffy jumped to the ground and Todd hopped over “Can i eat him boss” i made a motion to Ivan who starred at Suzie “Your mom complained me for being drunk right” “You are a drunk my mom says so. Gutter-born trash.” Ivan gave Suzie a nasty grin “Lets see what how your cat does against my toad monster. But shouldn't you have your friends watching.” Suzie ran out to get her friends and i got back to reading. “The big Lug Ivan is ok with it right?” I passed a note to Ivan

Your going to check this with Jarod right?

Ivan nodded “He hates Suzie mother as Much as me. No worries”

“Hello down there a voice called out ”and

Elise level 30 age 29 housewife

Entered the room. She gave Laura a knowing stare “Your leaning on your side. Your father does not hit you enough so whatever you did i am going to find out about it and i have the switch ready. Alright Ivan does my daughter have a giant killing toad and can it beat that Suzies.” Ivan was definitely caught “Well strictly speaking it is not a toad we just won gold off the knights over a thousand gold betting it in a fight against there animals” Elise looked at Todd “Well he is big and ugly i will give him that but can he win i want to show Suzies mom my daughter has a better monster” “Well eh the thing is strictly speaking he is a basilisk” Elise looked at Todd whose eyes seemed to glow for a second. Elise looked at Ivan “A Basilisk MY DAUGHTER IS THE SAME ROOM AS A CREATURE THAT EATS WHOLE VILLAGES?” Ivan was not looking well “It is just a newly made one you know that hydra that died well toad boy over here ate some of him and evolved the thing is he has not begun to alter shape yet so we thought we would make some gold”

Laura was starring at Todd “Wait Todds a basilisk can he turn Suzie to stone?” Todd who could not understand anything anybody was saying was asking me a different question “Hello boss can i eat the female” Elise gave Ivan a chilling stare “My husband spoils our kids maybe i am a bit hard on them but if that Basilisk even looks at Laura the wrong way you split its head open. I had better tell Suzies mom that there is not going to be a fight and you young lady i will tan your hide good with my belt if you run off and do anything to that toad you sit there and study while i go see your father about this”

Laura sat still for a few minutes after her mother left “Do you think mom is going to beat me after she finds out i choose the neomancer class.” Ivan pulled out a stick “Your father bought this when he found out. The only reason you can sit down now is the job title can not be removed your father has to get you out of here and fast.” “Wait you mean like we are going on a adventure?” Ivan kept quite.

I got back to reading and checked my status my sun resistance was 55 percent the maximum allowable. I kept reading not bothering trying to understand just passing my eyes over a page before moving onto the next page the information stored until it was needed. Ivan set Laura to bed and as i kept flicking pages my speed increased as it got easyier to simply stare at a page and move onto the next.

The next day Elizabeth opened the curtain and she entered with Jarod. Elizabeth had a staff in her hands “For you Laura.” Lion stepped in after her. I noticed he had a crossbow with some weird sort of bolt in it. I used identify on the bolt

magic bolt

effect 1 ????

effect 2 ????

poison ????

“Whats going on boss? Attacked by who?”

Elizabeth pulled out a scroll “Your master is smarter than you remember from now on that some mages can here you speak. Basilisk before we continue we are going to need a oath from your master just a oath that he will not kill Laura. Here take this”

Minions oath

i will faithfully serve my master and put his needs before mine

i will serve him to the best of my ability

i never will i never unless ordered disclose information that may cause him harm

I swear to uphold this oath upon pain of dire punishment from the dark gods that i invoke to seal this pact.

Elizabeth motioned to Laura “Laura will swear this oath to be your minion in front of a altar of the dark Gods we are going to have installed here.” Laura looked appalled “But i made him why am i his minion?” “Because monsters evolve faster than humans he is ready to evolve with a slight push. When he does he gets a visit from the dark gods. So we want this signed when he evolves it will block any further offers from the dark Gods.”

Todd jumped onto a crate “Whats going on boss?”

Elizabeth pulled out a necklace “identify this.”

Necklace of the Dark Gods bone necklace value – 50 gold

someone was stupid enough to place temporary prayer effects on this necklace. These effects will last only for a hour. Most merchants will want to be paid to get rid of this nasty looking cursed object

Effect 1 prayer to God of darkness

Effect 2 prayer to god of evil

Effect 3 prayer to god of pure evil

Effect 4 prayer to all dark gods possible

I put the necklace on and Elizabeth pulled out a box. “Undead bees you just have to adsorb the rest of hive mind.”

i adsorbed the bees and the world seem to darken for the first time i knew what true darkness was voices filled into my mind.

Evil God : Well you could always take me up on my offer kill Laura i will give you the Berserk ability.

Evil God: So what?

Evil God: So what you can kill Laura before you are cut down it will be glorious

Evil God: Well it can be fun the rage the fury

Pure Evil God: i like you have my blessing you want it

Pure Evil God: I like you have a increased Curse

I felt rather than heard the god of darkness brush my mind.

Would you like to evolve now?

Yes no