CHAPTER 35: FAMILIAR

For the past few days, Zephyr had thought long and hard about how to survive this ordeal. Initially, he was just reacting to the situation, but with the recent substantial increase in his mana pool, his options increased.

For example, the spell he just cast was one of his options.

Something he prepared knowing he would have to deal with an undead.

Zephyr’s mana-enhanced kick smashed open the dilapidated front door. Immediately, before the door’s debris could fall, he threw out the spell.

’Mana bolt + light element + fire element + mini explosion.’

It was a chain spell made up of the mana bolt as a projectile and three modifiers to enhance lethality. It was a generic chain spell he used in the game.

But he was not done with it.

The moment the spell flew out, releasing a streak of light, he cast two more in quick succession.

Now, three mana bolts were flying in a straight line towards the enemy who was standing outside.

If it were a zombie or a skeleton-type undead, it would be enough to kill or immobilize it.

If the enemy were a ghoul, the spell could certainly take a chunk out of its body.

If the enemy were something stronger born of darkness, it would still be effective.

Therefore, the spell he concocted was nothing to scoff at.

’Fortunately, I had the time to prepare.’ Zephyr thought as he watched the light streak fly forward.

It illuminated the silhouette of the enemy as it approached its target—the person’s torso.

’Now, he could either tank the attack or avoid it. Tanking means he will be injured, but at the same time, he will have an opportunity to come close to me. If he decides to avoid, that will allow me to gauge the enemy’s strength. Either way, I know what I should do.’

Even before the attack commenced, Zephyr had thought of what he was going to do. So, he waited for the enemy to react.

’I am a weak mage. I am weak in close range. So, come at me.’ He prayed.

A prolonged battle was a bad idea. He wanted to end it quickly. For that, he needed the enemy to come closer.

However, contrary to what he expected, the silhouette of the person disappeared from his view the moment the spell reached him.

A second later, he appeared a few meters away from the house.

’Damn it.’

Zephyr commented to himself and gazed at the dark silhouette hiding in the fog.

Because of the mana bolt having the light elemental property attached to it, the light streak it produced allowed him to see what happened.

The man had jumped back.

It was not exactly what he was hoping for.

"Oh! That’s different."

The person who jumped away commented. He stood a couple of meters away with a nonchalant posture. It seemed as if he was unfazed by the spell Zephyr cast.

Meanwhile, the three mana bolts that flew away struck a tree outside the garden. It released a bright flash of light, burned the bark, and exploded, leaving a hole where it hit.

"You can cast stronger spells now!" The enemy watched it in surprise and began to speak. "And was that multicasting? Casting three spells almost simultaneously. Even an intermediate mage would have struggled to do that. There’s more than meets the eye with you, Mage Zephyr."

The man said, standing in a relaxed posture.

By that time, Zephyr cast a simple light spell to illuminate the area. A ball of bright white light immediately came into being over his head.

The light was bright yet soft. It was a basic utility spell that most mages would learn. Though its effect only lasted a few minutes, it was designed to follow the mage around like a wisp and illuminate the path.

"The dark fog is thinning. That’s unexpected."

Zephyr mumbled.

With the light floating above his head, he could see the enemy of his in much detail. If the dark fog had been in the same density as it was before, he wouldn’t have been able to.

’Why is the dark fog disappearing?’ He wondered as he looked at the man before him.

It was an older man with grey hair, wearing dark robes that covered his entire body. His face was covered by a metallic mask with detailed engravings. There was also a sword holstered to the left side of his body.

"You don’t look like a mage. Then, you must not be the necromancer. So, who are you?" He asked.

The man was in no hurry to end Zephyr. He casually walked two steps forward.

Zephyr’s body tensed up. The sword hanging on that man’s waist means he was a warrior.

A beginner mage was at a disadvantage when they were facing a warrior. So, silently, he prepared the next spell.

If the man decided to do anything funny, he was going to bury him in spells.

Seeing Zephyr tense up, the man stopped walking and said.

"Young man, you are right. I am not the necromancer. I am his subordinate. I have been ordered to kill you."

"You do not look like you want to kill me."

Zephyr could see something different about the man. It was the only reason why he was engaging in a conversation.

"I don’t. But the order is inviolable. Even if I don’t want to, my body would force me to do it. Such is the life of an undead slave."

The man grasped the sword hanging by his waist.

"Fortunately for you, when I was given the order, he didn’t ask me to be quick. So, there is some time before your inevitable death."

"I don’t want to die," Zephyr muttered.

"Oh! I do. Ha ha." The man said with a laugh. "If you can kill me, you can live." He added.

Their conversation paused as they looked at each other cautiously. Zephyr realised the man before him was a different kind of undead. He seemed to want to die and escape from the control of his master.

And for that reason, he was very cooperative and provided all the information he needed.

Zephyr was excited.

Information on the enemy he was about to face was important if he wished to succeed.

"Sir, what is your name?" He asked.

"I was Gale of the ’Order’, one of the many who bear the burden of the secret covenant. Now, I am an undead knight, a slave forced to work against my will for my enemies."

The man spoke, lost in thought as he gazed at the sky. Responding to his feelings, the rain clouds released lightning snakes, illuminating the sky.

Zephyr, on the other hand, was shocked beyond words. He stood there looking at the man in awe.

He was familiar with the name of the person and the ’Order’ he spoke of.