Chapter 6: The No-Bark Tree
The morning sunlight streamed through the window, casting soft shadows across the room. Ray woke early, as usual, his mind swirling with all the new possibilities that had opened up to him. His system, his domain, and everything in between—he was still grappling with the implications of it all. But there was one thing that had become increasingly impossible to ignore: the No-Bark Tree.
He had stumbled across the tree the first day he'd activated his domain, tucked away in a quiet corner of the vast, growing space. At first, it had seemed like just another strange feature of his new reality, but over time, Ray had noticed something... unusual about it.
The tree was unlike any he'd seen before. Its bark was smooth and pale, almost translucent, and its leaves shimmered with an ethereal glow. But the strangest part? It didn't bark. Or, rather, it never produced any sounds at all. Not like the trees in the outside world. It was almost... dead. Still. Silent. And yet, Ray could feel a kind of power emanating from it, subtle but undeniable.
He stood in front of it now, his hand resting on its smooth trunk. It didn't respond, but somehow, he knew that this was more than just a decorative piece of his domain. The No-Bark Tree was special.
"What are you?" he whispered, his voice barely audible in the quiet.
In that moment, the air around the tree seemed to hum. It was faint at first, like the softest vibration, but Ray felt it. He pulled his hand away, looking around as though expecting something to happen. The tree's leaves rustled slightly, though the wind was still. He took a cautious step back.
"Okay, that's new," he muttered to himself, unsure of what to make of the sudden shift. The No-Bark Tree wasn't just a feature of his domain—it was alive in some way. Perhaps even more alive than anything else in the space.
"Ray, you up yet?" Elara's voice called from the doorway.
He turned to find her leaning against the frame, arms crossed, a look of amused curiosity on her face. "I thought I heard you talking to yourself."
Ray sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, well... I'm trying to figure this out. This tree—there's something about it, Elara. It's different."
"Right, a magic tree," she said, her tone skeptical, though her eyes held a spark of interest. "Are you going to be alright, Ray? You've been acting strange since you started this whole 'domain' thing."
"I'll be fine," he said, though his voice lacked conviction. "But this tree—there's something off about it. I think it's connected to the domain in some way."
Elara raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly does it do? If you can figure it out."
"Not sure yet," Ray admitted. "But I'm going to keep an eye on it. If it's important, I need to understand what it can do."
Elara stared at the No-Bark Tree for a long moment before giving a half-smile. "Well, if it's important, then I guess I'll be hearing about it at some point. Just don't get too lost in your... magic world, alright? There are still things we need to do here."
Ray nodded absently. "Yeah. I know."
As she left, Ray returned his attention to the tree. The humming had stopped, but the subtle feeling of power still lingered. Whatever this tree was, it was tied to him now, just like the rest of his domain. And he had a feeling that understanding it was going to play a key role in what was to come.
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Hours later, after breakfast, Ray found himself standing with his father and younger brother outside the family estate. The sunlight bathed the grounds in golden light, and the world seemed serene—a stark contrast to the storm brewing in his mind. It was time for a little diversion.
"Ray!" Kalen called, looking over at him. "You ready for our first training session?"
Ray gave a wry grin. "Ready as I'll ever be. You sure you're up for it?"
Kalen squared his shoulders, his confidence almost palpable. "I'm not backing down now. We've trained with swords before, but this time... we're going to learn real techniques. From you, right?"
Ray had promised to help his brother develop his skills, though he wasn't sure how much he could teach him yet. Still, he had to start somewhere. He wasn't going to let Kalen get left behind.
"Alright, grab your gear," Ray said. "But don't expect me to go easy on you."
Kalen's eyes lit up with excitement as he sprinted toward the weapons shed, leaving Ray with a moment to reflect. His father, who had been quietly inspecting some tools, turned to him and gave a slight nod.
"You're taking responsibility for the boy now?" his father asked, voice steady but tinged with a hint of pride.
Ray shrugged. "He's my brother. I'm not going to let him fall behind."
His father clapped him on the back. "That's good. Family's everything, Ray. Don't forget that."
"I won't," Ray replied, though a part of him wondered if he could keep everyone safe. They had no idea what was coming, what he was truly capable of. He wasn't even sure of that himself.
They spent the next few hours training together, with Ray giving pointers to Kalen, testing his brother's reflexes, and honing his own sword skills. It was a refreshing change of pace, and for a while, he was able to forget about the mysteries of his domain, the tree, and the responsibilities that were creeping up on him.
Later, after the training session was over, Ray walked with his family into the nearby market. His mother was talking with a merchant about supplies for the estate, while Elara and Kalen were walking ahead, arguing about something trivial. Ray, for once, felt the warmth of normality.
It was simple, but it was what he needed—a reminder of the world he was trying to protect. No matter what came next, no matter how powerful he became, he had to hold onto these moments. His family, the life he had here, that was his anchor.
As they returned home, Ray glanced back at the market square, the bustling life of the village still vibrant around them. The world outside was still a place of beauty, of warmth. But deep down, he knew that would change. Soon, they would face trials that no amount of training could prepare them for.
But for now, he could cherish these small moments. After all, in the calm before the storm, what else could he do?
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End of Chapter 6
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Would you like to continue with Chapter 7?Chapter 7: Necromancy 101
The morning after their trip to the market, Ray found himself standing in the center of his domain once again, the No-Bark Tree looming silently at the edge of his vision. He had spent hours in the previous days familiarizing himself with its subtle power, but today, it was time to focus on something more pressing: necromancy.
"Alright, let's see if this works," Ray muttered to himself, glancing over at the small group of undead he had raised over the last few days. They were a ragtag assortment—two skeletons, a couple of zombies, and an oddly graceful but decaying elven warrior who seemed more annoyed than anything else at being pulled from the afterlife.
"You're with me," Ray said, looking at the elven warrior. The figure didn't respond, but Ray could feel its lingering presence. He focused, tapping into the energy of the domain. The connection felt strange at first—like pulling on a thread and hoping it wouldn't snap. But as he focused more, the flow of power grew smoother.
A strange sensation filled the air, as if the very ground beneath his feet was pulsing with a heartbeat. The undead began to stir, their hollow eyes flicking to life.
"Get in formation," Ray ordered.
The skeletons clattered into place, falling into a loose line, while the zombies moved awkwardly to take their position. The elven warrior, however, didn't budge. Ray scowled, feeling the connection with the undead strain slightly.
"I said, form up," he repeated, more forcefully this time.
The elven warrior's eyes flickered, and for a brief moment, there was a flash of recognition—then the figure stepped forward, joining the others.
Ray sighed in relief. "Good. Now... let's see if I can actually teach you anything."
He had begun to experiment with his necromantic powers in small ways over the past few days. He had raised a few basic undead—skeletons, zombies—but they were more than just mindless puppets; they were tied to his will. Every connection he formed with them felt like a delicate web, and the stronger the undead, the more intricate that connection became. That was part of the reason for his testing. He needed to understand the limits of his power and how far he could push his undead before the bond snapped.
Ray looked at the elven warrior again. "You, I want to test something."
The warrior tilted its head, but didn't speak. It didn't need to. Ray focused again, trying to call forth the energy that would allow him to instill purpose into this being—something beyond simple reanimation. Something more intelligent.
"I want you to fight. Show me your combat skills," Ray instructed.
For a long moment, nothing happened. But then, the elven warrior moved. It was slow at first, stiff, like a puppet struggling to move on its own. But as Ray's will pushed deeper into it, the warrior's movements became more fluid, graceful. It drew its sword with ease, and before Ray knew it, the undead figure was executing a series of precise strikes—slow but undeniably skilled.
Ray blinked. "Well, I'll be damned. That actually worked."
He had expected the warrior to stumble through the motions, as his other undead had done, but this... This was something more. It was as though he had tapped into the warrior's former skills, guiding them from beyond the grave. He could feel the power coursing through the elven figure, but also something else—something beyond just the reanimation.
It was a flicker of the person it had once been.
Ray paused, letting the warrior finish its mock battle before he called it to a halt. He wasn't quite sure why, but something about this moment felt important. The undead weren't just empty shells; they were still connected to the world in some way, still tethered to the memories of their past lives. Was that the key to controlling them more fully?
"Alright, enough," Ray said, his voice firm but not unkind. The warrior froze immediately, its body going rigid, like a marionette with its strings cut. "You did well."
Ray exhaled, stepping back as the undead figures returned to their lifeless states. A wave of exhaustion hit him—necromancy took a lot out of him. Each connection with an undead was like pulling a piece of his own energy to fuel them, and the stronger the undead, the more energy he had to feed into them. But this was only the beginning.
"Good progress," Ray muttered to himself. "Now, let's see if I can make something even more useful."
He turned toward the next task. His mind was already jumping ahead—there was much more to learn about necromancy, about the limits of his powers, and about what kind of undead he could raise. The world beyond his domain was full of potential minions, and he had the power to shape them.
"System 15," he called out, and immediately the familiar, sarcastic voice filled his mind.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm here, Ray. What's up? Did you finally realize how awesome I am?"
Ray ignored the teasing tone. "How can I improve my control over the undead? I know I'm just scratching the surface here, but I need more. I want to be able to raise stronger creatures and get more out of them."
"Ahh, so now you want a necromancy upgrade? You do realize that's going to require a bit of effort, right? But I guess if you're dead-set on making your little army, I can help. Just... don't overdo it. You're still too weak to handle anything crazy."
Ray sighed. "I'm not trying to raise an army of Level 10 beasts just yet. I just want more control."
"Fine. Fine. So here's the thing: the stronger the undead, the more focused your connection with them has to be. You need to learn to tether yourself to them without draining your energy. Build up your power and expand your domain, and the connection will become more stable. But don't go raising any dragons just yet. That's gonna take some serious juice."
"Noted," Ray replied, already mentally moving on to the next part of his plans. There were so many paths open to him, so many ways to grow.
"By the way," System 15 added, "don't forget—there's still a lot of potential in your domain. And that tree of yours? Yeah, you should really start figuring that out. Might be useful for your little undead project."
Ray's eyes narrowed in thought. "The No-Bark Tree? Yeah... I've been meaning to check that out. It's definitely connected to something important."
"Sure is," System 15 said. "So, get to work."
With that, Ray dismissed the system's voice and turned back to the task at hand. His undead army was small for now, but every step forward was a step toward something greater. And for Ray, that meant learning, growing, and adapting to this new world. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he would be ready.
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End of Chapter 7
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Would you like to continue with Chapter 8?---
Chapter 9: Hidden Power, Silent Growth
The days seemed to blur together for Ray as he continued to hone his newfound skills. The undead, though limited in their scope, were showing more promise each day. But despite the constant training and increasing power, something felt off. He wasn't just training the dead—he was growing too, and in ways he wasn't entirely prepared for.
Today, however, was different.
"Alright, let's see what happens when we push the limits a bit," Ray muttered to himself, standing before the entrance of the dark cavern that had mysteriously appeared in the middle of his domain a few days ago. System 15 had called it a "Dungeon Core," but Ray hadn't quite figured out what it was for yet. The energy in the air felt... thick, almost alive.
He could feel it in his bones—whatever lay inside would push him to new heights, and the thought of it both terrified and excited him. With a sigh, he nodded to the undead who stood at attention nearby, ready to follow his every command.
"Time for some action," he grinned, and the undead shuffled forward, their empty eyes locked onto him, awaiting their orders.
Before stepping into the cavern, Ray glanced at the other side of his domain. The No-Bark Tree swayed gently in the wind, its roots reaching deep into the earth. It had grown taller, more massive, since his first encounter with it. And now, with his Domain expanding, the tree's presence was more commanding than ever.
A small smile tugged at his lips. It was strange, but somehow comforting, having such an... odd piece of life in his domain. At least the tree didn't talk back to him. That was a luxury, as far as Ray was concerned.
The caverns were dark, the stone walls slick with moisture. The faint glow of bioluminescent fungi illuminated his path as Ray ventured deeper, the soft clattering of bones echoing behind him. His undead, though stiff and clumsy, kept up with impressive coordination.
"Let's see how you handle this," Ray said, as a low rumble shook the ground beneath them. The sound of distant growls echoed through the cave, sending a shiver of excitement down Ray's spine.
The moment the first beast emerged, Ray grinned. The creature was massive—easily the size of a small house—with jagged scales covering its back and a pair of razor-sharp claws that could cut through stone. Its eyes glowed an eerie red, and its breath reeked of decay.
"A bit much, don't you think?" Ray muttered. "But hey, you're not the first big, ugly thing I've had to deal with. Let's have some fun."
The creature charged forward, its claws swiping through the air with deadly precision. But Ray was already on the move, his undead stepping in to intercept. The skeletons, though less agile than the creature, managed to block the initial strike, their bones rattling with the impact. Ray, in the meantime, kept a safe distance, watching the battle unfold with amusement.
"Okay, let's turn it up a notch," Ray muttered, summoning more undead from his domain. These were his higher-tier soldiers—stronger, more durable, and, most importantly, they had learned how to fight. He raised his hand, commanding them forward.
The battle raged on, and for a long while, it seemed like the beasts and undead were locked in a deadlock. The beast roared, swiping through Ray's soldiers with a deadly force. Bones cracked, but the undead kept coming—no fear, no hesitation. It was exactly what Ray had trained them for.
And in that moment, Ray's power surged. A spark of energy from the No-Bark Tree coursed through the ground, igniting something deep within him. He wasn't sure where it came from, but the surge of power felt… natural, like an extension of himself. Without hesitation, he summoned a massive wave of energy, sending the beast flying backward.
"What the hell was that?" Ray muttered, stunned for a moment. He had felt the energy flow through him, like something ancient awakening from deep inside.
The beast, stunned by the sudden attack, quickly regained its footing. But now, it was different. Now, it was hunting Ray, and the full weight of its anger and desperation was directed at him.
"Well, I guess we're going all out now," Ray said with a grin, cracking his knuckles.
The battle turned into a chaotic blur. Ray's undead were doing their best to keep the beast distracted, but it was Ray himself who delivered the final blow. With a crack of his fingers, he summoned a blast of bone and energy, enveloping the beast in a torrent of dark magic.
The creature howled one last time before collapsing, its massive form crumbling to the ground in a heap of scales and blood.
Ray stood over the fallen creature, panting, eyes wide with a mixture of triumph and disbelief. His undead were slowly gathering the spoils of the battle—strips of the beast's scales, claws, and teeth—items that would undoubtedly be valuable.
"Not bad," Ray said to himself, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Not bad at all."
But as he started to walk away, the cave began to shake once again. The earth rumbled beneath him, and he couldn't help but grin.
"Oh, come on," Ray muttered. "I was just getting started!"
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End of Chapter 9
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Chapter 10: First Beast Encounter
The battle had left a deep mark on Ray. Not physically—he had the stamina of a necromancer with an unhealthy obsession with power-ups. But mentally? Oh, that was another story. There was something about the beast's eyes—the glowing red fury that screamed "I'm going to rip you apart," that seemed to haunt him even as the adrenaline of victory wore off.
As Ray wandered back to his domain, he felt that weird hum again—the same energy he'd felt surge through him during the battle. He couldn't explain it. But there was something about this world, something deeply connected to his Domain, that made his powers feel… alive. Not in the usual "here's some dark magic for you to play with" sense, but in a way that made him feel part of the very fabric of this place.
"You've got me thinking too much, old man," Ray muttered, shaking off the odd sense of vulnerability. He wasn't about to get all philosophical just yet. There was too much fun to be had. "First, let's see what kind of prize we got from that monstrosity."
Ray started to collect the spoils—mostly parts of the beast's body that would be useful to his undead soldiers. He smiled at the idea of using those massive claws to create a few new weaponry upgrades for his troops. Just another perk of being a necromancer: free monster parts.
"System 15, bring up the details," he ordered.
The voice of System 15 chimed in his mind with its usual chaotic energy. "You have unlocked the following: Hell Scale, Beast Claw, and Roar of Terror. Roar of Terror: A terrifying bellow that can disorient enemies. Hell Scale: A tough material useful for crafting armor. Beast Claw: Sharp as hell and just as deadly."
"Useful," Ray muttered, inspecting the claw. "Could definitely turn this into something nasty for my undead. Maybe I'll keep it for myself for a rainy day."
Ray turned to leave, but his attention was drawn to the rest of the cave system. The beast had only been the first, after all, and he wasn't the only one in here looking for a fight. The next few hours would determine how far Ray was willing to push his growing strength.
As he ventured deeper into the cave, the temperature dropped noticeably. The air felt thick, almost too heavy to breathe. Ray's footsteps echoed, and it wasn't long before he could hear the distinct sounds of growling and hissing up ahead.
System 15, what are we dealing with now?
The system buzzed irritably, a typical response. "Oh, you're in for a treat. Nesting creatures. Unidentified yet, but they're predatory. Great. Another disaster waiting to happen."
"Perfect," Ray muttered, rolling his eyes. "Nothing better than a disaster to keep me entertained."
The moment he turned the corner, he saw them—massive, multi-legged creatures, their exoskeletons glinting in the dim light. They were similar to giant centipedes, but with claws that could tear through rock, and mouths lined with razor-sharp teeth. Their hissing, dry sound grated on Ray's nerves like nails on a chalkboard.
"Oh, you're one ugly bunch," Ray said to himself, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips. "Time to test out some new strategies."
Ray snapped his fingers, summoning the first wave of undead to charge in. The skeletons, armed with whatever crude weaponry Ray had provided them, rushed forward in an uncoordinated, yet somehow efficient, assault.
The first centipede-like creature lunged at them, its sharp claws sweeping through the air. One of Ray's skeletons—poor guy, a low-level warrior—was sliced clean in half before it could react. But Ray didn't flinch. The undead were meant to be expendable. After all, this was a test.
"Alright, let's give it some extra muscle," Ray grinned, calling upon stronger undead soldiers. As the battle escalated, Ray's forces grew in number, now supported by his best fighters. Meanwhile, the creatures started losing ground. Ray watched as one of the larger centipedes tried to burrow into the ground to escape, only to have its path blocked by a wall of bone and energy. The undead didn't allow them to retreat, moving in with a ferocity that made Ray proud.
The battle raged on for what felt like hours, and Ray kept the pace high, constantly reinforcing his army. The centipedes fought hard, their size and strength making them formidable foes. Their legs scraped the floor as they attempted to snap and grab, but Ray was one step ahead each time. He kept his distance, using his undead as pawns, while sniping from the sidelines with dark magic.
"Not so tough now, huh?" Ray chuckled, unleashing a dark beam that sent one of the creatures flying back into the cave wall. "You're just oversized cockroaches with a serious attitude problem."
By the time the last creature collapsed in a heap of limbs and shredded exoskeletons, Ray was grinning from ear to ear. The dungeon had become a playground, and he was loving every minute of it.
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End of Chapter 10