Chapter 128 Necromancer [1]

Chapter 128 Necromancer [1]

Sometimes, all it took was one mutual interest for people to hit it up with each other suddenly.

"....The fuck am I witnessing?"

"This..."

"I'm not seeing things wrong, am I?"

"...."

It was the next day. The expedition group had resumed their walk towards the necromancer. However, compared to the previous day, things appeared to be different.

"Hahahah! You're good!"

".....Thank you."

It was Julien and Professor Hollowe.

Walking ahead of everyone, the two had been inseparable since last night. But that wasn't the most shocking thing.

'He can laugh like that...?'

Seeing the subtle smile on Julien's face as he talked to the Professor, and recalling how he had laughed the previous night, Aoife had a hard time making heads of tails of the situation.

It was as if she was seeing a completely different person.

"...."

Turning her head, Aoife's gaze fell on Evelyn.

She appeared to be the most shocked by the scene that was unfolding before their eyes.

"How...?"

And Aoife once again recalled the words she had told her not so long ago.

'He's changed.'

Julien certainly did seem like a different person than he usually appeared. It could just be that he found himself comfortable with the new Professor.

Perhaps she was overthinking. And she probably was.

But...

'Why do I feel like something isn't right?'

Turning her head, her eyes paused on another figure. With long platinum hair and red eyes, her gaze was locked on Julien.

It was hard to read her thoughts.

However, the sight of her made Aoife frown.

'Right, I did hear rumors about the two of them spending time together. Could she know something...?'

At first, Aoife thought that way, but the more she looked at it, the more unlikely this seemed.

Just as she had taken another step forward, she hastily covered her mouth.

"Achoo!"

Aoife sneezed.

Covering herself up, she pursed her lips.

Looking up at the sky, she frowned.

"Is it just me, or is it getting colder?"

***

It was almost as if I had met a long-time friend. No, rather, I had never had a proper friend. Be it in this life, or my past life.

It was hard to tell.

However, for some reason, I felt extremely comfortable when talking to the Professor.

....It was weird.

"I heard you were one of the cadets involved in the incident that happened in the forest?"

That was until a certain event was brought up and my heart twitched. I didn't show it on the outside and merely looked at the Professor who was looking towards the distance with a serene look.

We weren't far off from the destination.

I could feel it.

"....Are you perhaps referring to the incident with Professor Bucklam?"

"Yes."

Professor Hollowe turned his head and our gazes met.

"It was an unfortunate event. I was quite close with Robert."

"You were...?"

What bullshit.

I had seen his memories. There was no such figure in his life.

With that being said, I pretended to understand.

He went on to elaborate.

"....Well, you can say we knew each other? Acquaintances?"

"Oh."

I still didn't believe it.

Rather, I raised my guard up without showing it outwardly.

"How was he?"

I asked, pretending to be interested in the conversation.

How many times had I been here in my memories?

"We'll take a moment to wait for you guys to adjust yourselves to the environment."

The decision was as such.

I had no complaints.

Rather, I sat down on the ground and guided the mana inside of my body.

There was something that I wanted to test.

'Since the curse element here is thick, what happens if I practice my spells...? Will it boost my progress?'

I put that to the test.

"Ah..."

?| Lvl. 1 [Hands of Malady] EXP + 0.1%

?| Lvl. 1 [Hands of Malady] EXP + 0.05%

?| Lvl. 1[Chains of Alakantria] EXP + 0.1%

?| Lvl. 1[Chains of Alakantria] EXP + 0.05%

Notifications flashed before my very eyes.

Both spells started to increase in proficiency at visible speeds.

I started to grow excited.

What would happen once the spells reached the next level?

Would they evolve...?

If so, what would become of them?

"....."

I sat there in silence and basked in the environment.

The visible improvement felt exhilarating. But even then, I knew that I couldn't enjoy such a sensation forever.

"Seems like everyone is ready. Let's head deeper."

Rubbing my face, I stood up from the spot.

'...What a pity.'

If possible, I would've preferred to stay a little longer.

'Maybe I'll find a way of doing so later.'

For now, there was something else that I wanted to figure out.

"I will try my best to guarantee your safety. However, there may be circumstances where I may be unable to assist you. Since that's the case, I hope you all get yourselves ready and react for the worst-case scenario."

Everyone heeded the professor's words, channeling their mana and drawing their weapons out.

Only then did we proceed forward.

Unlike before, our steps were slower and we were more careful.

We were following the right direction, I could tell.

In the mountainous area, we followed the only path forward, winding its way through the rugged terrain as jagged rock formations towered on either side.

"....."

A strange silence took hold of the group as we marched forward.

Everyone could tell we were just a few meters away from the source of all trouble. It was for that reason that everyone remained quiet.

And then...

"Ah."

A familiar purple-shaped dome appeared in the distance.

It was large.

Far bigger than what it was in the memories.

"What is that....?!"

"Ukeh!!"

"I-I can't breathe."

And the same was true for the sense of oppression that lingered in the air. It was a stark contrast to the one in the vision.

So much so that the Professor was forced to take a step back, raising his left hand to shield us.

"....Stay back."

But it was too late.

In the distance, within the sphere, over a thousand familiar figures entered our vision, their heads robotically turning to face our direction. Each one seemed to be fixated on our presence, their gazes piercing through the space between us with an unsettling intensity.

"Uh?"

"H-how are they here? Weren't they..."

But if that wasn't bad enough.

A cloaked figure, shrouded in darkness, stood in the middle. The moment its gaze fell on us, it felt as though my entire body had frozen in place as if caught in the grip of an icy hand.

The same was true for the others who stopped dead in their tracks.

"Ah, this..."

Professor Hollowe's bitter voice echoed from beside us.

".....Who exactly did the scouting?"