Kael stood before the opened passage beneath the altar, the chilled air wafting upward in stark contrast to the blazing desert heat. The oasis had grown quiet, unnaturally so, as though the world held its breath at the threshold of something long forgotten.
Global Lord System Notification:Main Quest Progression: Enter the Tomb of the AncientsStatus: Ongoing...
Kael motioned to his undead troops, two warriors and one skeletal archer, all enhanced by the desert's affinity. They silently descended into the yawning abyss, their glowing eyes illuminating the ancient stone steps.
Behind Kael, the orphan girl, Lina, clutched a worn satchel filled with her few belongings. Her big, curious eyes sparkled with faint violet, a sign of her budding potential.
"I'll protect you, brother," she said with an earnest smile.
Kael chuckled softly. "You just stay close."
The staircase descended into a cavernous hall lined with crumbling stone statues—knights, mages, beasts, and creatures long forgotten. An enormous circular sigil glowed faintly at the center, thrumming with power.
As they entered the room, a spectral voice reverberated.
"To claim the inheritance, the Lord must prove his dominion over death."
Kael tightened his grip on his staff.
Global Lord System Notification:Trial Unlocked: Hall of BindingObjective: Survive the waves of the Tomb GuardiansReward: Necromancer Skill – [Mass Grave Raiser], +1500 EXP, Skill Evolution Material
The ground trembled. Dust poured from the ceiling. And then they rose.
Ancient undead, clad in rusted armor and wielding cursed weapons, shambled from the walls. Twenty of them.
Kael raised a hand, directing his own undead to intercept.
"Formation Lock! Archers, rain hell!" he shouted.
Active Skill Activated: [Minor Command Field]Effect: Increases coordination and movement of undead troops within 20 meters.
Skeletal arrows clattered, pinning two tomb guardians. Kael poured mana into his staff.
Skill Activated: [Dark Pulse] – Level 2Damage Dealt: AoE necrotic burst – Moderate.
The explosion of necrotic energy blasted five undead back into the walls, breaking their bones apart. Lina, watching from the edge, held her hand to her chest. Her eyes shimmered, a small rune glowing.
A fusion?
Without thinking, she stepped forward.
"I-I can try it! Brother, lend me one of yours!"
Kael nodded, directing a fallen skeleton toward her. Lina knelt and pressed her palm to the corpse.
Fusion Skill Activated: [Elemental Merge – Wind Bone Archer]Base Undead + Wind Affinity Crystal (from Oasis flora)New Unit Created: Galebone HunterRarity: RareGrowth Potential: Evolvable (✰✰✰)
The Galebone Hunter lifted its bow, sleek and fused with green energy. It released an arrow that whistled through the air, severing a guardian's head in one clean strike.
Kael's eyes widened. "Incredible…"
Within minutes, the last tomb guardian fell.
Trial Complete: Hall of BindingRewards Obtained:
Skill Unlocked: [Mass Grave Raiser] (Summon up to 10 low-tier undead at once)
EXP Gained: +1500
Skill Material: Bone Catalyst of Echoes
Kael Leveled Up!Level 3 → Level 5New Passive Unlocked: [Efficient Necromancy] – Undead upkeep cost reduced by 15%
The room brightened, revealing a stone coffin in the center. As Kael approached, the lid slid open by unseen hands, revealing a tome glowing with dark blue symbols.
Global Lord System Notification:Item Obtained: [Codex of Forgotten Kings]Effect: Grants access to unique necromancy evolutions and passive undead enhancements.
Kael absorbed the knowledge through the tome, his mind burning with symbols and diagrams.
Lina sat beside him, leaning her head on his shoulder. "We did good, huh?"
Kael ruffled her hair. "Yeah. We're just getting started."
Above them, the system pulsed again.
Main Quest Progression: Path of the Death Lord – Chapter 1 CompleteNew Main Quest Unlocked: Rise from the DustObjective: Establish a Defensive Territory Around the TombReward: Territory Management Panel, Summoning Circle Blueprint, +2000 EXP