Chapter 32: Evolved Nickel and Combat

Chapter 32: Evolved Nickel and Combat

"Oh? You're Charon's disciple. What brings you here today? I haven't heard anything from Charon," Fireman said, belatedly noticing me and tilting his head.

I performed a brief bow and replied, "I came for personal matters."

"Personal matters? Ah! Did you come to find the ring?"

Dan's gaze, fixed on me without wavering, sharpened at the mention of the ring.

While conversing with Fireman, I nodded attentively, keeping a close eye on Dan.

"Let's go inside and talk," I suggested.

"Oh, is that so? What is it? Did you bring the money?"

Fireman, that bastard.

Suggesting we go inside to talk.

As soon as the topic of money came up, Dan completely turned his attention towards us, listening to the conversation.

"Yes, I brought it. Let's go inside and discuss," I said.

"Hmm, is that so? But what if I'm not ready to sell the ring yet?"

To be honest, I had half expected this.

That despicable bastard. In the end, since I'm the one in a hurry, he's trying to raise the price somehow.

"Hehe, by the way, I heard quite an interesting story this time..."

Fireman's tone became subtly vague.

And I could roughly guess what interesting story he was referring to.

As black magicians, rumors and information spread quickly in the underworld.

Most likely, he was talking about what happened at the recent assembly.

"Adrias Cromwell. I heard you obtained quite a few good things this time, huh? Ah, that must be nice. Some people work in this cemetery for decades and can't even find a decent knight, let alone a master."

He chuckled, showing a sense of satisfaction.

In the end, I reluctantly raised my head and showed him the bag I had been carrying on my back.

"Could you be referring to this, by any chance?"

"What's that?"

"You just mentioned it yourself. Quite a few good things."

"No way, is it in there?"

Greed flickered in Pyman's eyes.

However, quickly suppressing his excitement, he cleared his throat and pointed at the bag I was holding.

"I can't believe it. I'll believe it when you take out the contents."

"Fireman, whether you believe it or not is meaningless. When did I say I would trade this?"

"What did you say?"

Seemingly thinking that he was being ridiculed, Fireman glared at me with an irritated expression, while Dan's gaze remained fixed on my bag.

"If you really want this, show me the ring as well. I don't know if you've already sold it or still have it," I pleaded.

Please.

He couldn't have sold it, right?

Somehow, I felt like Fireman would have sold it off already...

"No, I won't. Show me yours first, and then I'll show you mine."

"Did you already sell it?"

"What are you saying? I have it. So, show yours first."

I stopped my bag once again.

And without hesitation, I shook my hand.

"The one at a loss here is you, not me. Compared to the ring, it's better for me to create a new one when I have a corpse in my possession."

"No! Stop!"

Fireman's desperate shout echoed, and suddenly, the surrounding graves stirred.

What is this madman doing?

Could it be?

No...

Ungh!

Various undead creatures emerging from the tombs turned to look at me.

Is he really that crazy?

I was just playing hard to get, but look at this sudden escalation!

But our impulsive player, Fireman, didn't stop there.

"Dan! Let's make a new deal. If you bring me that guy's bag, I'll give you a hundred million wil!"

"Hmm, a bit low."

"You bastard! Fine, two hundred million!"

"Okay. Deal."

He really went all out.

What did he see that made him act like this?

Was he really convinced that the bag contained it?

Of course, the corpse of Oro Master was a treasure that any necromancer would eagerly search for.

At first glance, it seemed like a crisis, but I remained calm.

Did I come to a place like this without any preparation?

It's better this way. It was an opportunity to handle not only the ring but also the troublesome Bloody Dan.

"Nickel, kill him."

A straightforward command was issued.

And Nickel, appearing behind Fireman like a ghost, swung his sword.

Thunk!

Swoosh!

The Tier 4 skeleton warrior was certainly stronger than an ordinary skeleton.

And soon after, elite undead summoned from Fireman's otherworldly space started joining the battle one after another.

"Heh, heh. Die!"

Fireman's grotesque shout, with his eyes rolled back, continued to echo as Elder Ghouls, Skeleton Warriors, Skeleton Knights, Poison Zombies, and various other undead surrounded me.

Thud!

I parried the Knight's sword and, using the recoil, spun my body to avoid the Warrior's mace.

My hands were soon occupied by the onslaught of Fireman's elite undead.

Clang!

With a deflection that sent the Knight's sword away, I rotated my body to evade the Warrior's mace.

My exceptional combat talent constantly analyzed the movements of the enemies, guiding me to the best path.

'One and a half step to the right.'

I instantly read the angle, force, and speed at which the enemy swung their weapons, and moved my body accordingly.

Narrowly avoiding the enemy's attacks, I counterattacked.

Crunch!

I shattered the skeletal arm of the Warrior and lowered my body.

A sharp slashing attack passed over my head, and this time, an Elder Ghoul launched a physical assault.

Desperately turning my body, I thrust my sword into the face of the oncoming assailant.

The sword, which wouldn't normally penetrate a sturdy body, impaled him due to the combined acceleration, resulting in a tremendous impact.

"Grease."

Immediately, I reduced the friction and smoothly pulled out the tightly lodged sword.

"What are you? Why won't you die!"

Seriously, he's been noisy since earlier.

I created a Rock Spear and threw it, although it was easily blocked. It was a gesture telling him to shut up.

Amidst the chaotic battle, I had lost track of what happened to Nickel. There were still an overwhelming number of undead around, and four undead remained from the otherworldly space.

Among them, the Skeleton Knight posed a considerable challenge with its powerful physique and refined swordsmanship.

Clang!

Once again, I blocked the Knight's attack, but my arms trembled.

My opponent was not human but a monster.

Even though I managed to deflect most of the attacks, the overwhelming difference in strength caused a significant impact.

How can it produce such strength with no visible muscles?

"Huff."

My stamina was gradually depleting.

I wanted to drink a potion, but there was simply no time.

Ugh, this bastard is annoying.

I swiftly dispatched the Poison Zombie, who sprayed poison with its slow but venomous attacks. If I dared to touch it, I would be the one getting poisoned.

Phew!

The one-armed Warrior swung his mace, and simultaneously, the Knight thrust his sword from a corner.

This... I couldn't avoid it.

Thunk.

"Ugh."

Despite being stabbed in the left shoulder, I managed to pull out the sword quickly and tried to step back, but the Knight was faster.

Whoosh - thud!

Clang!

"Ugh."

With the sword still embedded in my shoulder, the Knight forcefully pushed me to the ground.

I lay on the ground like a pierced rat, unable to move a muscle.

However, even while being attacked, I was able to shatter the Knight's collarbone with a counterattack.

The broken collarbone caused the Knight's right arm to move awkwardly.

"How about that, you bastard?"

Just to show off, I provoked the unresponsive opponent.

While still gripping the sword that struck me, the Knight swung his remaining fist to strike my face.

Thunk!

Thanks to the Knight's awkward movements, even lying down, I was able to block his attacks with my sword.

The problem was the other undead approaching.

"When is Nickel coming?"

I cursed under my breath, my shoulder pierced by the sword, and pressed my shoulder against the ground, raising my upper body.

The sword pierced through my shoulder, drenched in blood.

The excruciating pain of bones and flesh tearing gnawed at my brain, but I paid no attention.

"Die, you bastard!"

Evading another incoming punch by bending my knees, I struck the Knight's head with my sword.

However, the opponent's skull was incredibly tough.

I regretted not targeting the neck.

This time, I aimed for the neck, swinging my sword.

[Diligent training and innate talent awaken mana.]

[Due to the 'Dual Core' trait, the body accepts a second mana.]

[Combat frenzy is activated, and mana is stored.]

[Achievement unlocked: 'Second Awakening.']

A new power awakened.