ch 13: Sanctuary of the Dead (2)
Sanctuary of the Dead (2)
Elias wandered inside the dungeon of "Sanctuary of the Dead," where he was surrounded only by dense fog, dilapidated graves, and a gray sky that blocked all hope. Dead trees extended their twisted branches like skeletal hands trying to grab him.
His mind was busy analyzing his next step.
Relying on "The Bargainer of Annihilation" alone won't be enough. The costs are increasing, and my speed in raising my "value" isn't keeping up with this depletion.
I need a real combat element.
He looked at his empty hands.
My sword arts are poor. Traditional magic is forbidden to my body without a medium. Physical martial arts alone won't work against mages or flying enemies.
That's why I'm here. To get "that" item.
Suddenly, he noticed the dead silence had become heavy and suspicious, as if the graveyard itself was holding its breath.
Elias stopped, his eyes scanning the shadows between the graves.
Nothing moved, but the feeling of eyes watching him penetrated his bones like the cold.
He opened his mouth coldly and broke the silence:
"If you are already awake, then it's time to talk, isn't it?"
For a moment, only the echo of his voice answered.
Then, mocking laughter erupted from nowhere.
"Pfft! It seems he knew about us from the start. Let's come out, guys, the prank is ruined."
A second voice replied grumpily, "It's your fault! I told you stopping the sound of the wind suddenly would make him wary."
A third voice intervened wisely, "I don't think that's the reason. Look at him, he doesn't seem scared or confused. He's known of our presence since he set foot on the ground."
Then, as if in collective agreement, five voices echoed at once: "Yes, that's true."
Elias remained still. "Are you done chatting? I have something to ask for."
One of the voices replied cheerfully, "Alright, speak. We haven't seen a living visitor in centuries, so excuse our excitement."
"Doesn't matter. But wouldn't it be better if you showed your forms so we can talk face to face?"
Another voice sighed, "We apologize, kid, but we are just bones under the dirt. All we can show you is this..."
In the space before him, five pale blue flames appeared, hovering in the air like lost souls.
Elias looked at the flames with features devoid of sympathy. "Fine. Since I am here to ask for your help, I think this amount of 'generosity' is appropriate."
Before the dead could wonder what he meant, he activated his ability.
(Deal?)
The entity's voice came into his head in a surprised and amused tone: (Sanctuary of the Dead... I didn't expect your boldness—or madness—to reach here~)
Elias ignored the intro. The five spirits before me. I want you to grant them temporary spiritual bodies.
(Price?)
10 Gold Coins.
(No. I want more. 50.)
No. They are just temporary holographic images, not true resurrection. 10 only.
(Tsk... cheapskate. Fine, agreed.)
The deal was done.
Suddenly, crimson energy flowed from Elias's body and surrounded the five blue flames.
"What is this?!" one of the dead screamed, trying to resist, but quickly stopped when he felt the nature of the energy.
"This is..." he muttered in astonishment.
The energy began to take shape. It drew features of bodies, then limbs, then clothes, and finally old-fashioned armor.
When the light cleared, five ghost warriors stood before him: three men and two women, their bodies looking transparent but clearly defined.
They looked at their hands in amazement, touching faces they had long forgotten.
Elias spoke: "Consider it a payment for requesting help, but it is temporary."
One of them stepped forward, a man with a thick beard, and said in a trembling voice, "I understand it's temporary... and yet, I must thank you. But, may I ask... what do you mean by wanting help?"
Elias nodded. "I am looking for the grave of Sir Radlof."
The ghosts' eyes widened.
"Sir Radlof?" the spirit repeated. "His grave isn't far... but why?"
"Can you take me to him?"
The spirit exchanged glances with his companions, then sighed and turned around. "Fine... follow me."
Elias walked behind the ghostly procession until they reached a massive stone mausoleum covered in black moss in the heart of the graveyard.
The spirit bowed before the grave respectfully. "Commander... I brought a visitor to see you."
Elias felt violent fluctuations in the surrounding mana.
The fog began to gather and condense, turning a blackish-green color, to form the figure of a massive man wearing a torn military cloak, his face sharp and his eyes hollow sockets burning with green fire.
Sir Radlof. Commander of the Battalion of the Dead.
He opened his mouth with a voice like grinding rocks: "What do you want, living one?"
Elias asked with a hint of surprise instead of answering, "Can you create a spiritual body yourself?"
Radlof replied coldly, "If you are strong enough and possess the will, creating one isn't difficult. Now answer... what brought you here? And what happened to the Dungeon Guardian?"
Elias said clearly, "I came because I want to obtain the 'Robe of the Lightning Incarnate'."
Radlof froze for a moment. "You know about that? It seems you did your research... but I must refuse. I have no reason to give it to you, and it is not a toy for children."
"Just give it to him, Radlof."
A deep voice came from behind.
Radlof turned his head to see the Headless Knight walking toward them.
"What do you mean, Guardian?" Radlof asked.
"Exactly as you heard me. Give it to him. He defeated me in fair combat."
The Commander stared at the Guardian in astonishment, then shifted his gaze to the ghost soldier standing near Elias.
"Soldier... how did you get this form?"
The soldier performed a quick military salute. "Report to the Commander! This young man created it for me and my comrades, saying it is temporary for meeting you."
Radlof looked at Elias with a long, piercing gaze. "Defeated the Guardian... and granted forms to my followers..."
He shook his head slowly, as if accepting an inevitable truth.
"Impossible... unless..."
Radlof sighed, and reached his hand into the empty space beside him.
The air split, and a dark dimensional rift appeared. He reached in and pulled out a long black robe, elegant and clean, decorated with precise mesh lines and paths resembling lightning veins, glowing with a mysterious purple hue.
"Here it is." Radlof threw the robe to Elias.
Elias caught it. The robe looked too big for him.
But as soon as he placed it on his shoulders, the fabric shrank and changed shape to fit Elias's body perfectly, like a second skin.
In that moment, information flowed directly into his mind:
[Robe of the Lightning Incarnate]
Description: A robe created by the "Beast Lord" in his youth as a heavy prank for a friend, by fusing unknown materials with a pivotal part of his energy and refining it with lightning. The robe was later cursed due to the amount of blood it drank.
Effect: Upon activation, summons lightning to strike the user and their surroundings (50-meter range) with destructive force, ignoring barriers and weather.
Curse: The human body cannot withstand lightning. If the lightning strikes the user 5 times in a row, they will die instantly from the curse.
Cost: Massive consumption of mental energy.
Elias opened his eyes, a glint of satisfaction shining in them. Dangerous... but perfect.
He noticed that Radlof and the Headless Knight were watching him while talking.
"It seems you already understand how to use it," Radlof said.
"Yes."
"Good. Since you got what you wanted, leave now. Staying here too long will harm your living soul."
Elias turned to leave, but Radlof's voice stopped him.
"Living one."
The Commander raised his hand, and a small green flame shot out, settled on Elias's chest, and vanished inside him.
"I have imprinted a simple spell on you. When you become strong enough... the spell will alert you. Then, return here again."
Elias nodded silently, accepting the mysterious gift.
"You may go."
Elias walked back toward the dungeon gate, the black robe fluttering behind him in the still graveyard wind.
Once he disappeared, the Headless Knight turned to Radlof.
"Why didn't you give him 'that' other thing? It would have been useful to him."
Radlof's body began to fade and return to the mist.
"No... his body won't withstand 'that' right now. Also, he seems to know his path well. Let us postpone it until the promised time comes..."
The Commander vanished completely, leaving the Knight alone.
"Tsk... show-off. Disappearing in such a dramatic way when he's just a ghost."
The Knight muttered, then walked away into the darkness, the smile never leaving his face.
