Chapter 001 – Excellent citizen Matthew and the damn Necromancer
...
Gold Rush Basin.
Rolling Stone Town.
Spring.
A blue-feathered and yellow-chested bluebird flapped its wings and flew up from the lawn in front of the town hall.
It flew over several chimneys and several roofs of brick-red houses.
It skillfully landed on an oak tree wrapped in many red and yellow walls.
There were insects crawling on the branch just below.
The bluebird was about to pounce.
But suddenly.
A roar came from the translucent glass window behind it--
The insects quickly shook off the branch.
The bird hurriedly flew away.
Only the five well-dressed humans behind the second-floor glass window were still arguing.
...
"I disagree!"
...
Liz, a wealthy middle-aged woman, slapped away the wooden sign in front of her that said "Outstanding Citizen Selection," and then unleashed her fury on the bald man in front of her.
...
"Howard is a complete scoundrel and scum!
...
Not only does he like to seduce married women.
He also likes to seduce married men!
He always goes to find their men when the women are out shopping...
I've seen it with my own eyes dozens of times!
Dozens of times!!!"
...
Liz became more and more excited as she spoke, spitting all over the table.
The four men sitting shrank back involuntarily.
"Calm down, Liz..."
The bald man tried to appease her.
"This is just a nomination."
Liz's attitude was extremely firm.
"A nomination is not enough! Howard is too terrible!"
As she spoke, her slender eyes scanned the room, as if she had suddenly discovered something.
"None of you have been seduced by him, right?"
The four men trembled and denied in unison:
"No!"
The bald man even tore the recommendation letter in his hand to shreds:
...
"The committee unanimously rejects the nomination of Howard Rose!"
...
Anyone who had worked in the town hall for more than a week knew how terrible Liz's mouth was.
She was a walking gossip board.
If she happened to include someone in her gossip, then everyone in town would know the rumor early the next morning.
Everyone present was respectable people, and they couldn't bear such slander.
...
"So, the last nominee is Mr. Matthew from the Mage District, um, the surname is not specified.
...
He has been living in Rolling Stone Town for just over two and a half years, meeting the criteria for 'Outstanding Citizen Selection';
...
During the day, he works as a history teacher at the Sifel Academy, and the students all like him;
...
He also has a part-time job at the police station, and Captain Blade of the police station speaks highly of him;
...
According to the description of the recommender, Mr. Matthew is kind-hearted and generous. He doesn't have many friends in Rolling Stone Town and always keeps to himself because he is too busy to make friends..."
...
The bald man hadn't finished speaking yet.
A gentleman sitting to the left of Liz raised an objection:
...
"Mr. Chairman, reclusive individuals do not meet the criteria for 'Outstanding Citizen Selection'."
...
The bald man nodded slightly:
...
"Don't worry, Richard.
...
According to the recommender, our Mr. Matthew has planted nearly 1,000 oak trees in Rolling Stone Town in the past two and a half years, greatly greening the town's environment. Look, the oak tree outside the window and the three in front of the town hall are all thanks to Mr. Matthew.
...
In addition, Captain Blade of the police station has stated that Mr. Matthew has made an indelible contribution to the security and environment of Rolling Stone Town, and he deserves the Outstanding Citizen Award for this year."
...
After listening, everyone couldn't help but look out the window.
"Was this tree planted just two years ago? Why do I feel like it has always been here..."
Richard, dressed as a gentleman, muttered.
"It seems so, I remember... Matthew, a tall and handsome, somewhat shy young man."
Liz showed a nostalgic look.
"This is indeed an outstanding contribution."
Another man reminded:
"But whether he can get along with other citizens is the most important criterion for the selection."
The bald man nodded:
...
"Usually, that's true, but the owner of this recommendation letter doesn't seem to write anonymous letters often. She accidentally attached her own name at the end..."
...
Richard clapped his hands:
...
"Violation of the rules! Direct rejection! Well, Rolling Stone Town still doesn't have any outstanding citizens who can even be nominated this year, just like the past three years!"
...
The others either shrugged or spread their hands, accepting this result.
But at this moment, the bald man said again:
...
"The signatory is Sif Bloodflag."
...
Bloodflag.
The surname of the lord of Rolling Stone Town.Sif Bloodflag is the only daughter of the lord of Rolling Stone Town.
The room fell silent for two or three seconds.
Even Liz, who was the most picky, raised her hands:
...
"Let's skip the nomination process, I support Matthew to become an outstanding citizen."
...
The rest of the people agreed one after another.
However, the bald man hadn't finished speaking.
He slowly pulled out an old parchment from the bottom of the pile of documents:
...
"And there is one last question. This is the registration form that Matthew submitted to the city council two years ago. It clearly states his background and adventurer profession...
I suspect that he might have written it wrong at that time.
Based on my observation,
his actions in Rolling Stone Town over the years have nothing to do with his adventurer profession, and even contradict it.
But if what is registered on this paper is true,
he might miss out on our generous reward for outstanding citizens."
...
"What profession? Isn't he just an ordinary mage?"
Everyone curiously gathered around to take a look.
The first thing that caught their eyes was a bright smile in the sketch.
In the profession column below,
the words "Necromancer" were written prominently.
...
"Wow..."
Someone exclaimed in exaggeration.
"If he is an Necromancer, then it's indeed not good. I remember that Lord hates Necromancer the most..."
Richard said seriously,
"But this might be a misunderstanding. How about this, I will talk to Matthew after work."
The bald man nodded,
"Then please do, and also complete the assessment work. To be honest, I don't believe that a Necromancer would be planting trees every day."
...
...
Evening.
North of Rolling Stone Town.
In the newly formed oak forest.
A tall and thin figure was busy.
Matthew held a shovel and skillfully filled a thin layer of fertile soil into the freshly dug hole.
There were several small sacks on the ground next to him, one of which contained saplings, while the others were empty.
In the next moment,
he planted the sapling into the hole.
Covering it with several layers of different textures of soil.
After the transplantation was completed,
Matthew took out a bottle of green liquid and poured it onto the soil near the sapling.
A pale green light wave surged.
The sapling could clearly be seen growing taller.
Its posture also became more resilient.
...
"Successfully planted an oak tree, your affinity with nature has slightly increased.
...
Cumulative number of planted and surviving oak trees: 996
..."
...
"Just 4 more, it will be enough tomorrow!"
Glancing at the sky,
Matthew decided to go home and rest.
As usual,
he also checked the content of the task bar again.
...
"Main Quest: Planting Trees
...
Description: Choose a type of deciduous tree for large-scale planting in the vicinity of Rolling Stone Town. Please complete this task while ensuring the survival rate. No time limit.
...
Primary Goal: 1000 trees
...
Primary Reward: Summoning Spell (Bone Dragon) & a large amount of XP"
...
Putting aside the reward,
this task would be normal if it was given to a Druid.
But the problem is--
Matthew is very certain that he is a talented Necromancer!
It's written clearly on the character panel.
...
"Name: Matthew
...
Profession: Level 5 Necromancer
...
Attributes: Strength 10 / Agility 14 / Constitution 11 / Intelligence 15 / Perception 15 / Charisma 16
...
Traits: Necromancer / Dreadful Reaper
...
Abilities: Casting / Scroll / General Knowledge (Undead & Magic) / Insight / Medicine / Nature's Gift / Summoning Undead Creatures (Contract: 1/3) / Mastery of Corpse Pouch
...
Spells: N/A"
...
"I shouldn't have dual-logged to farm monsters back then!"
Looking at this strange and contradictory game system,
Matthew's emotions were complicated.
He remembered it very clearly.
On the eve of his transmigration, he was still dual-logging to farm the Swamp Mud Monsters in the Forest of Corruption on his computer. The professions of the two accounts were Druid and Necromancer, respectively.
And then, the next second, he transmigrated.
And became a Necromancer.
Immediately after,
Matthew discovered something even more confusing--
After transmigrating, he gained a game system.
But this system seemed to have a slight problem.
In the game he played, the system names for different professions were different.
...
The system for Necromancers was called 'Path of Undeath';
...
The system for Druids was called 'Heart of Nature';
...
But the system name for Matthew was a jumble of overlapping garbled characters.
Apart from the garbled characters, he could barely make out the words "Undeath" and "Nature", and these two words were overlaid with countless watermarks of each other.
It made people dizzy if they looked at it for too long.
Matthew was dumbfounded at that time.Fortunately, the system quickly stabilized.
At the same time, it issued him the first main quest.
That is to plant trees in Rolling Stone Town.
As a newcomer with no relatives, Matthew had no reason to refuse.
So he worked diligently.
He worked like this for nearly three years.
...
...
Mage District.
Outside an elegant and ancient two-story residence.
Matthew, who had returned home, stopped in his tracks.
He didn't immediately open the gate.
Instead, he looked at the opposite alley.
Someone was waiting for him.
"Mr. Matthew!"
A youthful girl ran out of the alley.
The two guards behind her hesitated and didn't move.
The beautiful girl ran up to Matthew.
Even though it was already dark, Matthew could still see the blush on her face.
"Bianca."
Matthew responded.
"Matthew, I will be leaving for the Emerald Jade Court next week. My father wants me to go there to learn dance and art... Before I leave, I wanted to see you."
The girl lowered her eyes.
Matthew nodded:
"The Emerald Jade Court is a good place."
Seeing that the girl didn't respond, he added:
"The wood elves are skilled in singing and dancing, their artistic taste is indeed superior to humans."
The girl still kept her head down.
Matthew had no choice but to say:
"When you go to the Emerald Jade Court, remember to write to me so that I can write back to you."
Finally, there was a glimmer of anticipation in the girl's eyes.
She raised her head slightly.
Her big eyes were full of hope:
"I will."
"Matthew... Before you go, can you hug me?"
Matthew hesitated:
"I'm afraid I can't."
But the girl had already hugged him.
Her soft body pressed against Matthew's chest.
He could feel her rapid heartbeat.
"I like you, Matthew."
Bianca confessed boldly.
Matthew let her hug him for a while.
Then he gently pushed her away.
Then he kindly reminded her:
"Bianca, you're still young, you don't understand what true liking is; even if we take a step back, you only see the surface of me, you don't truly know the real me."
Bianca excitedly retorted:
...
"I understand you!
I secretly watch you every day during class!
I know everything you do!
You're a good person!
You love plants and life so much!
There is no better man in Rolling Stone Town than you!"
...
"I have reservations about this view... Ah, I'm sorry to disturb you, but official business is important..."
A man's voice suddenly came from the other side of the house.
Bianca's face immediately turned red.
She quickly hid behind Matthew.
Then, a gentlemanly man came quickly:
...
"Mr. Matthew, I am Richard from the five-member committee of the Municipal Hall. Regarding the selection of outstanding citizens, there is an urgent message that requires your confirmation—"
He handed Matthew a document and glanced at it.
Then Matthew said firmly:
"There is no mistake."
"As you can see, I am indeed a Necromancer."
Richard was stunned for a moment:
"This is unreasonable, you don't look like a Necromancer..."
Bianca also followed with a soft hum:
"I don't believe it! You must be deliberately lying..."
Matthew remained calm.
The next moment, he snapped his fingers in the direction of his house.
Before long, the kitchen door was pushed open from the inside.
A tall figure walked out and into the garden outside.
Richard and Bianca widened their eyes in an instant—
It was a two-meter-tall Minotaur skeleton!
As it walked, the skeleton greeted them:
...
"Hey! Matthew, is it rare to have guests tonight?"
...
Matthew shook his head:
"I don't think so."
He looked at the stunned Bianca and Richard:
...
"I'm sorry to startle you, but I must say—"
...
It seems that you don't understand me, nor do you understand Necromancers.
...
Goodnight, goodbye, both of you."
...
...
Night.
The aroma of mushroom soup filled the restaurant and kitchen.
Matthew and the Minotaur skeleton sat facing each other, enjoying their dinner.
"It's a pity, Matthew..."
The skeleton said regretfully:
...
"You shouldn't have let me show up. Now, you have not only lost the selection for outstanding citizens but also may lose the admiration of an innocent girl... It's a big loss no matter how you look at it!"
...
Matthew took a sip of mushroom soup, looking satisfied:
"I don't care."
The skeleton asked with interest:
"Then what do you care about?""Let's do it in stages. For now, I just want to focus on planting trees."
Clack!
Matthew gently put down his bowl.
"Peggy, go to the greenhouse and prepare the seedlings I'll need for tomorrow."
"I'm going to meditate in the basement."
The skeleton complained:
"Why do I have to go again?! I've been working non-stop for 72 hours! I even made the loving dinner just now!"
"I'm so tired!"
Matthew calmly responded:
"You're a skeleton, Peggy, you don't get tired."
"Besides, you're the only summoned creature I have a contract with, I don't trust other skeletons to do the job."
Peggy couldn't refuse.
She grumbled and walked into the greenhouse on the east side:
......
"Damn Necromancer!"
......