(xxv)

“I don’t think you are using that word how you think you are using it,” Lazarus said, the amusement in his voice clear. “To describe exterminating worthless rats who contribute nothing to the continuation of society and, indeed, simply drain it is no challenge. It is simply a bother. Much like yourself. Now, would you like to die quickly or be experimented upon?”

The Lich cast Appraisal, curious about this new enemy.

Race: Lesser Lich

Sex: Male

Class: Summoner

Skills:

Create Minor Bandit – Level 3

Pain Nullification – Level MAX

Mana Manipulation – Level 4

Spell Craft – Level N/A

Intimidation –Level 1

Spells:

Pain of Death – Level 6

Disguise – Level 8

Magic Aptitude: earth

Major Stats:

Level: 5

Heath: 900 / 900 Mana: 900 /900

Minor Stats:

Strength:5, Dexterity:7, Intelligence:11

Wisdom:14 Charisma: 1 Luck:2

“You are an undead?” Lazarus asked, shocked as the man frowned. He certainly didn’t look like a Lich. He still had flesh, organs, and muscles. He was watching him breathe right now!

“Ah, of course! The disguise skill. A simple overlook on my part, really. Silly me, such a beginner mistake,” Lazarus said with a laugh.

A look of rage passed over the enemy Lich's face. “I am no mere undead! I am a Lich! A rare, borderline mythical being in this world. You cannot understand the depths of my magical prowess and might. Fool, I am the savior of this world. And you, you are simply another undead. You may be the same race as I, but I am far superior to your--”

A skeleton archer sunk an arrow in between the Lich summoner's eyes. They went cross, staring at the shaft of wood sprouting from its forehead. “You fucking shot me!” he said in disbelief.

Lazarus looked over at the two remaining Skeleton Archers questioningly. The one who had fired the arrow apparently had an arm fall off. It was attempting to reattach it while its remaining partner simply provided their boss a bony shrug.

He turned back to the still ranting undead. “I don’t think they did it on purpose. Your luck is abysmally low. That could have something to do with it.” The undead on the wall dropped his Disguise, showing his true form as nothing but a skeleton in leather armor.

“You call yourself a Lich? Granted, a lesser one according to the blue text, but a Lich nonetheless. You don’t even have real armor or robes! You are a shame to all Lichkind,” scoffed Lazarus. “Begone with you, foul personification of all failed undead.”

Lazarus’s troops looked to him in uncertainty. He waved an armored hand, “That means go kill him. Again. Twice if you can manage it.”

The panthers needed no encouragement. The three that were free rushed forward to attack the Lesser Lich, who squeaked and began backpedaling rapidly. The remaining panther, still tangled in the harness, simply chuffed in annoyance.

“Oh, don’t worry, I will save an arm or something for you,” said Lazarus, a bit sad on his summon's behalf.

Turning back to the fight, the Lich was startled to see what he thought would be a quick engagement turn into a brawl as the Lesser Lich summoned more Bandits. This time, there were four Warriors. Unfortunately for the newly summoned creatures they were quickly dispatched as the panthers tore into them in fury.

“Interesting. The bandits don’t seem to disappear upon taking lethal damage. Are they… living summons of some kind? Hmm… he will be valuable research material,” muttered Lazarus as he watched the fight progress in his favor.

A sudden spike in Mana quickly garnered his attention as his undead foe thrust a hand forward and called out, “Pain of Death!” Two of the panthers disintegrated. Along with the entire squad of Skeleton Warriors who had just gotten within range to support.

“Amazing. Some kind of large scale area of effect spell. Hmm, it seems to be more effective for a group than my Black Iron Maiden. I wonder if perhaps I can alter it to become more suitable for a wider scale use?” the Lich mused.

As Lazarus thought about different applications of his spells, the battle came to an end. The two Skeleton Archers had been firing nonstop at the Lesser Lich, turning him into a slow moving ball of arrows. A ball that the panther was all too happy to slam into and end.

The massive undead cat leapt into the air and landed directly on the Lesser Lich, smashing it to pieces. Its appendages scattered as bones broke under the weight of the enraged feline. Lazarus would be angry too, if he now had to pull a wagon with half the help.

“Hmm, sad, but I suppose there was no helping it. To find another Lich though… how interesting,” he muttered. He turned to where the carriage, guards, and woman he had saved had been only to find the spot vacant.

“Wonderful. I hope they appreciated being saved and won't just tell everyone a monster is coming. I do have things to get done,” he said, mildly annoyed. “They didn’t even have the manners to stay and thank me. The audacity.”

He checked his Mana levels and, seeing that it was nearly full, targeted what remained of his Lesser Lich opponent. “Create Undead - Create Lesser Lich” he said, having the familiar feeling of his Mana being used up in one fell swoop fall over him once more.

A screaming soul rose from the pile of bones, only to have ethereal green chains wrap it up and force it back into the skull. A blazing green pentagram carved into its forehead as the bones were forcefully reassembled. Much to a dismayed panther who had a leg bone taken from it.

The bony remains slammed together and its eyes burned with a green light.

“You let that cat gnaw on my leg? Damnit! That’s so fucking rude!” yelled the Lesser Lich.

If he had eyes, he would have rolled them… in a very gentlemanly way. “Be respectful when you speak, or do not speak at all,” he said. His newest undead companion fell silent, thankfully.

This trip was becoming longer by the moment.