Chapter 062 – I knew you were one of us!
......
Matthew recognized this kind of tag!
It was once very popular in Baiyan City, used by Necromancers as a sign to categorize, mark, and arrange the Undead.
This could reduce the mental energy consumption of Necromancers when arranging their troops.
In addition to the spell identification, some tags also carried secret codes, which could only be deciphered by Necromancers who had mastered the unique decoding method of Baiyan City.
This was also considered a surprise or trap left by the solitary Necromancers for their kind when they were wandering outside.
Matthew took off the tag and tried to decipher it. Soon, a line of glowing text appeared before his eyes——
......
"If I hadn't become a Necromancer, would things have been different?"
......
Matthew frowned, the sentence was abrupt, but it vaguely revealed regret after becoming a Necromancer.
But at the same time, he was also a little curious about the owner of the tag.
"He might also come from Baiyan City, but Necromancers usually don't like hot and humid weather, which makes the already difficult-to-maintain Undead even more difficult to manage. Why did he come here?"
Matthew's gaze turned to the depths of the swamp.
At this time, Old Ge, who had been circling around the giant forest python, also came over:
"This snake came from the depths of the Bitter Water Swamp. It must have swallowed more than one zombie along the way, otherwise it wouldn't move so slowly."
"This is not good news."
Hearing this, Lolan, who had quietly returned to the team, interjected: "Why? Isn't this a good thing? Even it can swagger in the depths of the swamp, doesn't that mean the swamp is already very safe?"
Old Ge glanced at him:
"It could also be luck, and its traces are very obvious along the way, maybe it will attract something terrifying."
Lolan's eyes widened.
Before he could continue, Old Ge suddenly asked: "Where did you go just now? Didn't you say you were going to fight alongside Matthew?"
Lolan looked at him innocently: "Please, I did contribute! You don't really want me to wrestle with the monster, do you? That's beneath me. And I saw you, an old man, being chased by such a big snake, it looked very dangerous, so I wanted to support you, but you ran too fast and I couldn't catch up."
Old Ge laughed and didn't say anything more.
Matthew's gaze, however, was cast further away, where several zombies were staggering along the path the giant forest python had crawled. One of them accidentally stepped into a hole, its lower body sinking deep into the mud pit of the swamp. It struggled violently, but soon sank deeper.
Matthew saw that they all had tags around their necks, so he wanted to take action.
But this time, Old Ge was faster.
Still with that short knife for chopping trees, he rushed forward, his moves fierce, and slashed horizontally at the zombies' necks.
Puff, puff, puff!
Old Ge moved steadily, his knife skills proficient, and with almost one stroke per zombie, he knocked them all to the ground.
Although the combat power of the Undead would be greatly reduced after losing their master, Old Ge's smooth handling made Matthew look at him in a new light.
He had never had the opportunity to see this guide take action before, so he was always unsure about Old Ge's strength. After this round, Matthew preliminarily judged that he was at least a third-tier Ranger or Forester, and he should also have mastered some native professional skills.
This was rare.
You should know that this rainforest does not welcome northern Druids, Rangers, and other professions.
Old Ge's ability to blend in here like a fish in water must have his extraordinary aspects.
After killing the zombies, he did not keep those tags for himself, but handed them all to Matthew:
"If you need them, take them all. But remember, it's best not to show your identity as a Necromancer in front of the Jango people in the depths of the rainforest. They may not do anything to you, but they will definitely bear a grudge. It's better with the peripheral tribes like the Yuka, because they didn't participate in the war to exterminate Necromancers back then."
Matthew nodded and thanked Old Ge, then took out a cloth to wipe the tags clean and deciphered them one by one.
......
"In my opinion, zombies are much cuter than humans. They just want to bite you a little bit, and they're satisfied with just a little bit;
But humans, if they bite you once, that's just the beginning."
......
"Those natives are really annoying. Isn't it just that I took a nest of their young feather snakes?
They're drumming and gonging all day, it's so annoying!
I need to give them a warning, but I can't tarnish the reputation of Necromancers too much. Hmm, I'll just use the corpses of their compatriots to make a stitched monster!
No, two!"
......
"An amazing discovery—if you dissolve the relationship with an Undead creature you have contracted with, you need to wait 72 hours before you can re-contract with it!
This is truly an unprecedented discovery!
What's the meaning of these 72 hours, a cooling-off period after breaking up?
Hehe, but I, the genius, have discovered the latest use of this rule!
Most of the Undead creatures that can be contracted by us have spirituality. They will actively ask for Soul Crystals, and we usually pay monthly.
Based on this, we just need to dissolve the relationship when it's time to pay the salary each month, then keep it locked up for 72 hours to prevent it from getting lost or being abducted, and then re-contract—according to my observation, most Undead creatures will forget about the previous arrears after re-contracting.
Undead creatures that don't want salaries are just too cute!
With this method, you can promise an unlimited number of Soul Crystals, since it's all pie in the sky, why not make it bigger?
I'm a genius! Praise me, praise me!
Eh, even if you praise me, I can't hear it."
......
"I'm an idiot."
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......
"Felog is completely ignoring me now.
I'm such an idiot."
...
"I'm leaving. The legend of the Feathered Serpent God is indeed a hoax. I was so naive. After the ascension of the Heavenly Palace, where in the mundane world would there be a true god? I'd rather go to the Outer Plane to find demons than trying to squeeze a bit of divinity out of them!
Perhaps I can try to become a god myself, but if I do so now, would I be banished by the laws left by the Cataclysm Mage?
Ah, if only I had connections with the Cataclysm Mage."
...
"I've left some interesting things in the swamp. If there are any fellow travelers, you can go and get them, but I can't guarantee that you won't die.
— The eternal undead girl, Dania."
...
After reading, Matthew's expression was playful.
It seemed that the suspected legendary necromancer deep in the swamp was a female. Some previous clues had led Matthew to think of Usul, but Usul was long dead.
This Dania should be another powerful necromancer.
The cryptic message she left on the plaque was lively and cheerful, which seemed to contradict the gloomy image of a necromancer, but Matthew knew this was the norm.
Because they are usually introverted, they would let loose in this kind of message left for fellow travelers.
He was somewhat interested in what Dania had left, but he had to deal with the angry spirit of the rainforest first.
Matthew put away the plaque, then found the body of the Blackback Gnoll and began to summon zombies.
Leaving now would be pointless. No matter where they went, they would be attacked by the most ferocious beasts recruited by the spirit of the rainforest.
If that's the case, Matthew would definitely choose the stronger zombies over skeletons for a defensive counterattack.
Moonlight fell, and the chanting continued.
Under the strange gazes of Old Gitch and Loran, one after another "Silver Moon Blackback Gnoll Zombies" stood up.
Their Barkskin and Holy Moon Armor were so dazzling.
But Old Gitch and Loran didn't ask any questions.
They just silently accompanied Matthew, waiting for the next wave of beast attacks.
The night passed quickly.
The expected full-scale siege did not come. Matthew only encountered a few sporadic attacks, which Sodie alone could resolve.
In the morning.
The sky above the rainforest gradually became overcast.
The dull thunder came from the sky, as if millions of people were drumming in the clouds.
The atmosphere on the ground became more and more oppressive.
Matthew knew that the spirit of the rainforest was pressuring him by controlling the environment.
The real attack had not yet come.
It wanted to make him bow his head through various demonstrations.
Unfortunately, Matthew had already figured out the temper of the rainforest.
Bowing his head was impossible.
The only plan now was to fight to the end and make the spirit of the rainforest call him daddy!
By the afternoon.
More and more beasts gathered around the high ground.
Most of the beasts were still watching.
But a few couldn't hold back their temper and clashed with Matthew.
After several rounds of fierce battles.
The beasts suffered heavy losses, while Matthew became more and more courageous - he had just arrived in the rainforest and was short of materials. With the generous donations of his good brothers, his undead were naturally endless!
He was now very proficient in summoning zombies and skeletons, and his mana consumption had dropped to a very low level.
So.
The whole afternoon, the chanting on the high ground hardly ever stopped.
At dusk.
Looking at the dense undead figures on the edge of the high ground.
The surrounding beasts all quieted down.
...
"Prompt: You have summoned a Silver Moon Zombie Tiger using Necromancy!
Current total number of zombies: 56/Skeletons: 22"
...
Matthew was not very satisfied with this number. He still had surplus mana and negative energy, and could summon more.
But the beasts that had lived in the rainforest for many years were not fools.
After seeing the pioneers become puppets of the necromancer, these tigers, leopards, crocodiles, and snakes dared not approach.
However, they did not go far, but lurked nearby, seemingly waiting for an opportunity.
Matthew was also very patient.
He would seize every interval of the beasts' attacks to rest well.
Like now.
Crackle!
The bonfire in the center of the high ground was billowing with black smoke.
The climate of the rainforest was humid, and this was what wet firewood looked like when it burned.
Originally, Old Gitch did not allow them to make a fire in the forest, saying that it would attract real beasts, but now it obviously didn't matter.
Looking at the dense undead around them, the two had a clear understanding of Matthew's strength.
"So, to deal with a necromancer like you, we have to kill you all at once? If we just keep sending people to besiege you, we're actually helping you?"
Next to the fire, Loran was holding his booklet, glancing at it from time to time and chatting with Matthew casually.
Matthew nodded:
"As long as it doesn't exceed the threshold, what necromancers fear the least is the human sea tactic. The more powerful the necromancer, the more so."
"I'll remember that. I'll write it directly into my work. Hmm, brave Matthew said - necromancers fear nothing!"
Loran replied casually.
Looking at his relaxed demeanor in the face of a major enemy, Matthew couldn't help but feel curious.
Throughout the day.
Matthew had also seen Loran fight with beasts.
To Matthew's surprise, this poet was not only good at playing the flute.
His close combat skills were also quite impressive.
In the afternoon, Matthew saw him knock down a tiger with his bare hands!The bard displayed a deft and composed demeanor when faced with the attack of the beasts. Even when surrounded, he could quickly find a way out and maintain a safe distance.
The only thing that puzzled Matthew was.
From beginning to end, Lorand never used a melee weapon - to be precise, apart from that light green flute, he never used any other weapon!
This also resulted in him not killing even a single beast.
At most, he just inflicted heavy damage.
"Could this be the spirit of a wandering bard causing mischief?"
Matthew muttered to himself.
In addition, he noticed that Lorand loved to read that small booklet, always engrossed every time he read it.
But according to Matthew's observation, the booklet was thin, only about a dozen pages. Lorand had been reading it for days, even if he read slowly, he should have finished it by now, right?
But he hadn't.
He was still reading it.
Matthew became more and more curious.
So he took the opportunity when the beasts were quiet to ask:
"Lorand, I have two questions for you, um, if it's about your privacy and you don't want to answer, just ignore my questions."
Lorand instantly became interested:
"Oh? Matthew, after pretending to be indifferent for so many days, you finally admit that you're interested in me?"
Before Matthew could say anything.
There came a cough from Old Gitch.
The two looked over, Old Gitch was holding a dry pipe, standing up and saying:
"I'll go over there, you guys chat."
Although he said so, he didn't go far, and he was sideways to the two, his ears perked up.
Matthew smiled:
"I'm curious, this afternoon you clearly had several opportunities to kill the beasts, but you didn't do so, why is that?"
"And that booklet in your hand, what's so interesting in it that it attracts you so much?"
Lorand thought for a moment:
"These are indeed my two secrets, but since it's Matthew who's asking, I don't mind telling you."
"But secrets between friends should be exchanged. I'll also ask you two questions later, and you must answer truthfully."
Before Matthew could agree.
Lorand said somewhat embarrassingly:
"The reason I don't kill is not because I'm compassionate, but because I have a slight fear of blood.
It's not that serious, but it does affect my focus and thinking.
Back in Zeshui City, when I saw the head of the Plague Messenger, I was completely stunned.
To be honest, seeing blood only slightly reduces my focus.
But if I were to kill a beast with my own hands and see the scene of blood splattering, I might faint on the spot!
As for this booklet.
It's actually a priceless magical item that helps me stay focused."
Saying this, he generously handed the booklet over.
Matthew opened it and found that each page was filled with exquisite pictures!
The pictures were all of women with their upper bodies bare.
These women were either laughing or angry, their expressions varied, and they weren't necessarily beautiful, but they had one thing in common -
They all had quite full breasts.
"You can stay focused by looking at this?"
Matthew couldn't believe it.
However, the next second.
……
「Prompt: You have read Lorand's "Book of Curves", your focus +1 (your spellcasting success rate has greatly increased)」
……
Matthew was instantly silent.
"This magical item is quite special."
He handed the booklet back.
Lorand smiled gently, then asked eagerly:
"Now, it's my turn, first question, what's the deal with the owl on your chest?"
Matthew answered straightforwardly:
"Her name is Ella, she's not in good health at the moment, she's recuperating with me."
To his surprise, Lorand's eyes lit up:
"She?"
Matthew looked at him, puzzled.
"Are you two very close?"
Lorand's eyes were full of admiration.
Matthew thought for a moment:
"I guess so."
Lorand slapped his thigh and praised:
"I knew you were one of us!"
"Even an owl can get you going, well done Matthew, as a Necromancer, you really know how to play!"
Matthew's face darkened.
He was about to explain something.
But at that moment, the sky suddenly darkened completely.
A piercing roar came from the horizon.
A shadow swiftly swept across the sky.
The high ground was instantly swept by a wild wind!
At the same time.
Heavy footsteps and the rumbling of falling trees came from deep within the rainforest!
And from the west came the sound of rushing water.
Ella poked her little head out and exclaimed:
"Matthew, Matthew! I sense something terrifying crawling out of the river over there!"
……
「Warning: The Spirit of the Rainforest is about to launch its final assault on you!
You are about to encounter "Primitive Species: Wind God Winged Dragon (LV15)"!
You are about to encounter "Mutant Lord: Spotted Giant Crocodile (LV15)"!
You are about to encounter "Primitive Species/Mutant Lord: Steel Tooth Tyrannosaurus (LV16)"!」
……
Another 10,000 words today, continue to ask for monthly tickets! (Wipes my first ten thousand badge)
(End of Chapter)