Outside the dilapidated inn, thick tension hung in the air as Federation Police stared intently at the silver-haired boy at the inn entrance.
Thoren met Minerva's gaze, who stood with a poised, unwavering stance, her long dark sword aimed at him.
Behind them, Ophelia and Fidelia wore solemn expressions. They hadn't expected the rookie to incite such a ruckus only two days after arriving in the Abyss.
"Big sister, what should we do?" Ophelia asked Fidelia in a low voice.
"There is nothing we can do. Let's hope he doesn't push this and surrender to authority," Fidelia replied, though her eyes never left the silver-haired youth before them.
Her gut told her things wouldn't be simple.
And indeed, things wouldn't end easily.
Thoren remained calm. Too calm for Minerva.
This was not the first time she had led an arrest, but the boy before her sent every hair on her body standing on end.
"What is my offense?" Thoren asked in a low, steady voice.
"For turning a fellow human into an undead servant, you've broken Federation law and must answer for your crime."
"Those I turn into undead servants only try to kill me. So, I'm not guilty of any offense." He attempted to reason.
"Humph!" She snorted. "When you come with us, we will verify whether what you're saying is true."
"I'm telling the truth. Please, don't force my hand."
Minerva did not care. She had never liked Necromancers in the first place.
"Men, arrest him."
Thoren could not repress a chuckle. He knew talking was pointless. Since they had sent an army to arrest him, he would respond in kind.
Whoosh!
Before anyone could react, ten massive skeletons appeared before him. Looking at the deadly skeletons, the officers' expressions shifted to shock.
"How could this be?" Minerva muttered, eyes wide.
"Attack!"
Arresting fellow awakeners never came easy. Every time, it ended in battle, and this time would be no different.
Minerva swung her sword, and a powerful flame formed an arc that struck one of the skeletons.
Bang!
The strike cut through a Level 8 skeleton, sending it lifeless to the ground.
However, the other nine Level 8 Skeletons rushed forward. The soul fire in their eye sockets burned brightly.
Behind Minerva, the officers also rushed in to attack the skeletons, each deploying their skills.
Minerva's eyes were locked on Thoren as she planned to capture him.
Everyone knew Necromancer was weak in isolation; as long as she closed the distance, the battle would end.
She moved from one element to another, relying on fire to strike the skeletons, while using wind to dodge their attacks.
In a couple of minutes, three skeletons lay defeated, and the Federation police began to feel confident.
Thoren watched with a cold expression. From his undead space, he summoned another ten Level 8 skeletons.
"What!" someone gasped.
"How is this possible?"
"What is going on?"
Minerva and the Federation squad widened their eyes in disbelief. How could he command so many skeletons?
Inside the inn, Ophelia and Fidelia's jaws dropped. They stared at the rookie as if he were a monster.
Thoren's mind remained focused on the battle. Since he had decided to defy the Federation and avoid becoming a pawn, he had to show anyone who schemes against him the price of their plans.
Slowly, he began issuing simple commands to the skeletons.
Fearlessly, they advanced, ignoring the barrage of attacks.
Ahhh! Ahhh!
An average-looking boy was lifted from the ground by a bony tail that pierced his heart, blood gushing from his mouth like a broken dam.
[Experience Gained: None]
Thoren was not surprised. He was a Level 9 Awakener, and being two levels above him would not yield experience, but a fallen foe could still be useful.
He commanded the skeletons to drag the dead boy toward him.
"What are you trying to do?" Minerva screamed, veins pulsating on her forehead.
'Inferno Vein Ignite.'
She struck with her hidden skill. The Inferno Vein Ignite was a deadly crowd-control technique.
A burst of flame spread everywhere, covering half of the skeletons, but to her shock—
It was useless against the fearless, relentless undead.
Ahhhh!
A few feet from the blaze, a girl in leather armor failed to react and was struck by another skeleton.
She fell to the ground, screaming in agony.
"Where is the healer?" a voice cried.
From behind the melee, a boy in a green robe broke into a cold sweat as he began to cast a healing spell.
'Warmth Gentle Embrace.'
However, to everyone's shock, from the flame, a human skeleton surged forth and plunged its broad sword into the girl's heart.
Ah!
The girl let out a guttural cry before she stopped breathing.
Without hesitation, the skeleton dragged the girl into the flames.
Cold. Brutal.
Watching the brutal killing, all who witnessed the battle could not help but shudder.
The battle drew more eyes from a distance. This was the Federation Police being forced into a tight corner for the first time.
Minerva gritted her teeth, her face a mask of unwillingness.
She knew that girl—the junior sister she had invited into the police force.
Now watching her die so brutally, her eyes burned red with rage.
She glared at the silver-haired boy behind the flames with a burning fury.
This battle had just become personal.
*****
[AN: Liking the story so far, please comment. This allows me to know your thoughts. Your words mean a lot.
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