The next day.
Matthew rose early.
Today was Saturday.
He didn't have to attend classes at the Westfell Academy during the day, giving him the perfect opportunity to complete his final mission objectives.
He hastily grabbed several bags of saplings from the greenhouse and headed out.
Peggy's attention to detail was remarkable. In addition to everything needed for planting, she had placed food and a water bag next to the sapling bags, as if she knew that Matthew would probably forget to eat today.
Such thoughtfulness was a miracle for an undead creature of his low level.
Sometimes, Matthew thought that Peggy could replace him in tree planting.
But that was just a fleeting thought.
Although Rollington Town wasn't a remote place devoid of magic, necromancers weren't exactly welcomed with open arms in the Aendora World. And having a walking skeleton like Peggy, especially one transformed from a deceased minotaur, would surely attract a lot of attention.
Not to mention, "Skeleton Tree Planting" would certainly raise eyebrows in a small town like Rollington.
Just thinking about it seemed troublesome.
...
North of the oak forest.
Matthew carefully surveyed the land ahead.
He was in the process of selecting locations for the saplings.
Planting trees was never an easy task:
Choosing the right type of tree.
Germination.
Soil preparation.
Planting in the greenhouse.
Selecting the spots for tree holes.
Transplanting and care.
...
These steps had become second nature to Matthew over the past three years.
But in practice, there were always various challenges to overcome.
For instance, right now, Matthew had all the saplings and tools ready, but he was having difficulty finding suitable planting spots.
"Rollington Town really isn't a good place for tree planting," Matthew mused as he watched the billowing black smoke approaching from the west.
The Goldseeker Basin was famous for its various mines, and the land here had been dug up by humans and kobolds multiple times, making it unsuitable for plant life.
Human-made pollution was one thing, but the more terrifying aspect was the large scar to the north!
Matthew stood on top of a small hill and looked north.
"It's getting closer," he remarked, gazing at the ever-expanding black scar from the north.
...
"The Mark of the Undead."
...
It was a scar left on the earth by a catastrophe that had occurred many years ago.
Starting from the Gemstone Bay, passing through the Jade Grove, and the Eternal Song Forest, it extended into the territory of humans: the Goldseeker Basin.
Near the Mark of the Undead, life ceased to exist. Even undead creatures struggled to survive in this place. It was the purest and most brutal force of extinction.
No mortal could rival it.
...
"This world has many similarities to the game world, but there are also many differences. The game world doesn't have the Mark of the Undead, and I've never heard of Rollington Town and the Jade Grove. Maybe it's the same universe but on a different plane?" Matthew wondered.
...
He shifted his gaze away and descended the hill.
Behind him was the burgeoning oak forest, and in front of him lay a barren and infertile land. Rollington Town with its red-topped yellow-brick buildings loomed in the distance.
The three regions were starkly contrasted.
Sometimes, Matthew felt that the missions assigned by the system might be related to the Mark of the Undead because the oak forest seemed to be like a shield guarding against it.
However, "relying solely on an oak forest won't stop the spread of the Mark of the Undead," he thought casually.
...
Matthew circled around the hillside.
Finally, he found several suitable spots.
Though these were beyond his planned range, they were still far enough from the Mark of the Undead for the oak saplings to have a chance at survival.
Limited by his physical condition and strength, Matthew wasn't the most agile worker, but his experience made up for it.
He maintained a steady pace and rhythm until the sun reached its zenith.
The small saplings in the sacks had all found their new homes on the hillside.
Matthew wiped his sweat away and took out a bottle of green liquid from his pocket, carefully applying it to each sapling.
This was the "Growth Elixir" that he had bought at a high price from a druid in the Watcher's Highlands. It had various effects on plants, such as catalyzing growth and strengthening them. With regular watering, it could accelerate a year's worth of natural growth in just one year.
Unfortunately, this was Matthew's last bottle.
For these three years, he had invested almost all his savings into this grand reforestation project.
Now, it was finally time to reap the rewards.
His hands trembled slightly.
Plop.
Droplets of the green liquid fell.
The wilted saplings instantly perked up!
At that moment, Matthew's eyes sparkled.
...
"You have successfully planted 5 oak trees, and your affinity with nature has slightly improved.
Total planted and living oak trees: 1001...
You have completed the main quest 'Planting Trees' at the basic level.
You have gained the rewards 'Necromantic Arts (Bone Dragon)' & 'a large amount of XP'!"
...
"Your level has increased to level 8!
(Unable to continue leveling up, surplus XP has been stored, please advance as soon as possible)...
Your spell level in Necromantic Arts has increased to level 8, and you've gained an additional contract slot!
Your intelligence +1
Your perception +1...
You've gained new abilities: 'Instant Summoning' and 'Point-to-Point Descent'!
Your ability 'Corpse Grasp' has upgraded to 'Corpse Mastery'!
You can now learn more advanced spells!"
...
A flood of information appeared before Matthew.
A tremendous sense of satisfaction overwhelmed him.
The increase in attributes and abilities was expected. However, the experience points he had earned for leveling up three times still had a surplus, making this reward very generous.
This was much more than what he gained daily from his Necromantic Meditation skill.
However, what Matthew valued most was the ability to summon a Bone Dragon.
...
"Necromantic Arts (Bone Dragon): You can summon a Bone Dragon to serve you at any time.
Note: The level of this Bone Dragon does not exceed 15.
Contract Status: Already Contracted."
...
"It's already in a contract state, and it even saved me an extra contract slot!" Matthew was highly satisfied.
Necromantic Arts were the trademark skill of a necromancer, and it improved with each level. Every two career levels, a necromancer gained an 'contract slot' for binding specific summoned entities. This reduced the magical power consumption when summoning the contracted being and increased the synergy between the necromancer and the summoned creature. Over time, some necromancers even formed emotional bonds with their contracted entities.
...
...
The necromancer thought, "Necromantic Arts: Bone Dragon – You can summon a Bone Dragon to serve you at any time.
Note: The level of this Bone Dragon does not exceed 15.
Contract Status: Already Contracted."
...
"It's already in a contract state, and it even saved me an extra contract slot!" Matthew was highly satisfied.
Necromantic Arts were the trademark skill of a necromancer, and it improved with each level. Every two career levels, a necromancer gained an 'contract slot' for binding specific summoned entities. This reduced the magical power consumption when summoning the contracted being and increased the synergy between the necromancer and the summoned creature. Over time, some necromancers even formed emotional bonds with their contracted entities.
...
Deep within the goblin mine.
In a hidden underground cavern, Matthew, wielding his staff of withered wood, was attempting to summon a Bone Dragon for the first time.
Incantations filled the air.
With the newfound ability "Instant Summoning" in place, as the first syllable passed Matthew's lips, a reverse hexagram pointing to the negative energy plane shimmered in the dark cave. Pale bone dust and eerie phosphorescent flames drifted down from the void like falling snowflakes.
Matthew stared intently.
A colossal skeletal beast, nearly submerged in the darkness, stood alert.
"Sizzle."
A ghostly blue soul fire flickered within the Bone Dragon's skull.
It stared at Matthew indifferently.
Matthew felt a bit nervous under its gaze.
The constant echoing of "sizzle" in the air filled the cavern like a breeze.
They stood there, one human and one dragon, locked in a standoff.
Matthew's muscles were tightly wound.
This was his first encounter with a creature twice his level!
The contract he had made granted him immunity to the Dragon's faint aura, but the immense presence of this monstrous form and its terrifying appearance couldn't be erased.
"...No wonder people are wary of necromancers. Everything in the realm of death is scarier than the last. How many can actually face such fear?" Matthew mused.
He adjusted his mindset. Waving his staff of withered wood, he commanded the Bone Dragon, "Bow."
The Bone Dragon's movement was slow but resolute. Its elongated neck wound its way gracefully through the cave's rubble and ceiling.
Then, it landed steadily on the ground in front of Matthew.
Its lower jaw rested on the ground, the ghostly blue soul fire jumping rhythmically.
For some reason, Matthew detected a hint of nervousness within the flickering soul fire in front of him.
Matthew chuckled. "If the Bone Dragon's nervous, then I have nothing to fear."
With newfound courage, he stepped onto the Bone Dragon's skull.
The dragon emitted a soft growling sound, appearing docile.
Matthew felt at ease.
He bent down, stroking the dragon's bone.
It was so dry and rough.
Clearly, not a high-quality bone.
"When I have more money, I promise I'll get you a new set of bones," Matthew couldn't help but say.
"Sizzle..."
The Bone Dragon let out a low hum.
"Phylorius," Matthew named it. "I'll call you Little Fei."
"Phylorius," Matthew named it. "I'll call you Little Fei."
Phylorius seemed puzzled for a moment, but soon its soul fire started to shake vigorously. An outpour of joyful emotions came through the contract.
"Phylorius's loyalty to you has increased to 85!"
Matthew grinned. "Is it really that easy to please you? I'll just keep offering you imaginary treats in the future."
Phylorius raised its head slowly.
The motion was minimal.
Matthew could now overlook the entire cave from a higher vantage point.
This place was initially a paradise for gold prospectors, but later, when the mines were depleted, it was occupied by a tribe of goblins. Under the rule of the Bloodflag family, the local lord had issued multiple orders to drive the goblins away. Due to the efforts of the adventurers and mercenaries, this area gradually became lifeless and abandoned.
According to Matthew's knowledge, there were several such caves in the Goldseeker Basin. These underground tunnels were complex and interconnected, with rumors suggesting they led to the vast underground world, where the goblins had eventually retreated to.
Matthew rarely ventured into these areas.
But Phylorius was enormous, even for this underground cave. If it were to appear on the surface, it would undoubtedly cause quite a commotion.
Matthew was a pragmatic individual. He had no intentions of hiding his identity as a necromancer, but he also didn't want to invite unnecessary trouble.
"From now on, we'll just play around in the cave," he decided.
With that thought in mind, Matthew carefully examined Phylorius's body.
While he was at it, he checked the dragon's stats.
"Name: Phylorius
Race: Bone Dragon (Level 15)
Attributes: Strength 24 / Agility 10 / Constitution 17 / Intelligence 4 / Willpower 10 / Charm 14
Traits: Blindsight (60 feet) / Acid Immunity / Cold Immunity / Heightened Senses / Undead
Abilities: Flattery / First Strike / Necrotic Dragon's Aura / Charge / Tail Sweep..."
"Flattery?" Matthew raised an eyebrow. "Was it trying to flatter me just now?"
As if to confirm his thoughts, Phylorius made a series of "sizzle" sounds. Its pulsating soul fire seemed to carry a hint of flattery.
The macho image Matthew had formed in his mind after seeing the imposing Bone Dragon vanished in an instant.
He couldn't help but stomp his foot. "Your name is too hard to pronounce."
"From now on, I'll call you 'Little Fei!'"
Phylorius was briefly bewildered, but then its soul fire started to shake even more vigorously. An overwhelming sense of joy flowed through the contract.
"Grateful for the name bestowed, Phylorius (Little Fei) has increased its loyalty to you to 90!"
Perhaps it was too excited. Little Fei's head shook violently. Matthew nearly fell off!
Thankfully, his keen awareness and agility saved him. He executed an elegant leap and landed safely in the cave's shadows.
But at that very moment, something didn't feel right. He turned to face the source of the strange sensation beneath his feet.
He had stepped on a garment soaked in blood.
Unlock exclusive early access to a more than 100 chapters before anyone else by becoming a valued member of my Patreon community.
Next Chapter
For just $5, you'll receive:
- Early access to 100s of chapters before they go public. (check all the novels I'm translating from HERE, all the novels have 100s of exclusive early access chapters.)
- Your name prominently featured on the "Wall of Gratitude" of my website (in silver).
- The power to vote on which novel I should translate next.
If you decide to pledge $10, you'll get all the perks from the $5 tier, plus:
- The opportunity to suggest a novel for me to translate (if there is more then one novel a month I will ask the other Patreon members to vote).
- Your name prominently featured on the "Wall of Gratitude" of my website (in gold).
- Digital artwork related to every novel I translate.
And if you're feeling generous with a $20 pledge, you'll unlock all the perks from the $5 tier and $10 tier, plus:
- The ability to recommend a Novel for translation, and I'll start translating it immediately.
- The power to suggest a novel abandoned by a previous translator, and I'll pick it up for translation immediately.
- Your name featured at the very top of the "Wall of Gratitude" on my website.
- Exclusive access to e-books of the novels I translate.
Don't let this amazing opportunity slip through your fingers!
