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2024-10-29 19:42:56Never before had the path leading to the orchard seemed quite so long and arduous. Despite having walked this path many times in these last several weeks, Kyle found himself spotting new things, brought to his attention because now, time was of the essence.
He longed for a day of rest, but the Elven leader’s letter filled with urgency kept him from that wish. What if it was already too late? What if the orchard had been overrun by the Locust God’s minions already? What if the elves had already been forced to retreat, or worse, had been killed?
That possibility was what gave him the strength and willpower to make the trek from Cacophus’ cave to the Elven orchard, despite feeling exhausted already.
“You should have sent your raven to scout ahead.” The Fallen Knight suggested as she walked beside him. She didn’t seem tired in the slightest, and her long steps were only this slow, so Kyle wasn’t left behind. He couldn’t help but feel like he was holding her back.
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The Lich's Master Chapter 56: You Must Survive!
The elf’s last breath was a heavy one, filled with pain. Kyle dropped the piece of cloth he had been pressing against her stomach, against the wound that caused her death. He reached for her open eyelids, and gently closed them. Not far from where he was standing, someone collapsed. He forced himself to get up, and rush towards the next dying person. He intentionally avoided looking to his left, towards the battlefield, because he knew all he would see was just death. More death. He helped the younger looking elf get up again. This was just a sharp stinger in his leg. Simple. He used a tourniquet to stem the flow of blood, then removed the black stinger that was the same size and thickness as his forearm. “Stand still,” He muttered, almost absentmindedly, as he pressed some herbs against the open wound. Leaves that the other medics had given him. Things they used to draw the insect’s venom out of the open wound. “Thank you,” The elf muttered, though h
The Lich's Master Chapter 57: Last Stand
Some began rising into the sky not too far away from where they stood. Gathered around the large tree at the heart of the orchard, Kyle and the elves shot worried glances towards the smoke and flames visible through the trees. They were burning the orchard. The elves gritted their teeth and tightened their grasp around their weapons, but none of them tried anything futile. Kyle respected their discipline. His gaze remained fixed on the oversized insects surrounding them. Large praying mantises, ants, and other despicable, disgusting creatures swayed back and forth, clicking, and screeching constantly. They were waiting for the elves to make the first move. “Stall.” Kyle whispered softly. The elven leader standing beside him nodded. He knew just as well as Kyle did that they couldn’t win against these bugs, even with the protective spells around the heart of the orchard. They needed aid, Cacophus needed to arrive, now! Kyle shot a glance east,
The Lich's Master Chapter 58: Smoke and Ashes
The smell of charred wood and burnt bodies lingered in the air despite the mild breeze. It was too strong to be washed away simply like that. Too many trees had been burned, too many bodies incinerated. “How are they?” Kyle asked the elven leader as the tall elf stood by the large tree at the heart of the orchard. The wounded had been carried off further up north, to where the smell of death and loss didn’t reach. “Not well,” The elf said softly. He pressed his palm against the large, sickly tree. “It was getting better,” He said with a bitter smile on his lips. “The venom was almost gone, and your Lich’s spell would be easy to revoke as he is our – your – ally. It was getting much better.” Kyle looked away. Seeing the elf broken and distraught like this felt wrong. “I’m sorry,” He finally muttered. “I should have come earlier. I was too late, this happened because of me.” He clenched his fists. It was all that stupid paladin’s fault! Had he no
The Lich's Master Chapter 59: A Night's Rest
Kyle lay on the fur covered bed. It was soft and cosy – exactly what he felt he needed at the moment. He had spoken with Cacophus before heading off to his own room. Asked why the Lich had arrived so late. The answer had been simpler than he expected. He had raised an entire army before coming here, because he didn’t think the one and a half dozen miner skeletons would be useful in battle. Kyle’s anger had faded when he heard the Lich’s answer. Cacophus had spent the journey back constantly apologising and promising to do better. He had left over half of his skeletons behind to protect and serve the elves, with no prompt from Aoris or Kyle. But still, Kyle couldn’t help but feel like something was off. He let out a sigh and shook his head. Maybe it was just his exhaustion speaking. He closed his eyes, but the bloody, gore filled images of the battle surfaced, causing him to immediately open his eyes again. He didn’t think he was going to be able to sl
The Lich's Master Chapter 60: Clear Waters
‘New Message from Igna: Let’s meet! Come to the lake we killed the pondweed. I’ll be there at noon. Don’t be late~’ The sound of the notification woke Kyle up abruptly. Startled he, read the notification, then let out a sigh. “Damn it Igna, it’s still early…” He pouted and forced himself to get out of under the warm, soft, cosy blankets. He put on his cloak, then paused before the somewhat dirty and cracked mirror the skeletons had put up against the wall. Was this always here? He chuckled and shook his head – it was no matter. Looking at his dirtied and torn clothes, his shoulders dropped. He really ought to get some new garments. He left his room, heading to Cacophus’ study. The Fallen Knight Aoris had scolded the lich plenty the evening before, but Kyle also had a couple of words he wanted to speak. He paused before the closed door, then knocked. “AH YES, I
The Lich's Master Chapter 61: The City of Arceum
Her blunt words made him chuckle. “…yeah, yeah I do.” He tried to brush his messy hair back. “Yeah…” Igna sighed. “I get that you don’t visit the city often, or at all, but we need to get you some new clothes.” She pointed at his tattered clothing. “Something with defensive enchantments perhaps?” She suggested. “Those are expensive, Igna. I don’t have much gold yet. I haven’t been grinding for it at all.” Igna smirked. “Don’t worry about that!” Her bright, cheerful smile was almost blinding. “My treat!” Despite Kyle’s best attempts to refuse, he soon found himself being dragged towards Arceum, the city where nearly all players resided in. The trade capital of this world. “But Igna!” He tried to refuse for the tenth time within the last hour, only for her to shut him up, and point straight ahead as they climbed a hill. The city of Arceum entered their view as they reached the top of the hill. Surrounded by tall and thick
The Lich's Master Chapter 62: The Auction House
“Don’t touch it,” Kyle warned Igna as her hand reached for the cursed blade within the wooden box. “It’s apparently cursed, and I don’t know what it does.” The crimson haired woman shot him a quick glance. “Cursed, huh?” She muttered as she pulled her hand back. “Most interesting.” She leaned forward and looked at the weapon carefully. “Are you going to sell it here?” Kyle hesitated. “It’s of no use to me. I can’t risk a curse – what if it kills me?” He shrugged. “You could sell it in the auction and buy something defensive with those funds.” Igna suggested as she reached for the lid and closed the box. “You’ve been levelling since we last met, haven’t you? You’re probably beginning to notice the shortcomings of your class.” Kyle nodded. How couldn’t he notice them? “Lack of mana, lack of healing and sustain, lack of mobility.” He shrugged. “I don’t know how to cover these.” Igna smirked. “Well, what are your strengths?” Kyle pursed hi
The Lich's Master Chapter 63: The Auction
Sitting on the soft cushions of the couch on the balcony overlooking the auction hall, Kyle couldn’t help but feel very much out of place. Until now, the most luxury he had anywhere within this game had been his fur covered bed in Cacophus’ cave. “There’s still some time before the first items are shown.” Igna cheerfully said. She fitted right in here. She had immediately gotten a glass of some kind of juice and was drinking it while sitting comfortably. She didn’t out of place at all. Not one bit. “Right,” Kyle muttered. He simply couldn’t relax. “Oh, by the way,” Igna placed her glass of juice on the table beside her. “Kyle, a week from now, the patch I talked about will happen.” The young man flinched. “Oh, right.” He had completely forgotten about that. “Yeah, that’s next week, isn’t it?” Igna nodded. She leaned forward, her intense gaze on him. “I’m worried. What if you don’t survive the maintenance?”
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Chapter 277: The Locust Demon Arrives
The serene white light changed as soon as they stepped into the garden. It grew brighter, lighting up even the darkest corners of the garden. “Finally.” Azazel whispered. He calmly stepped towards the bright white light. “It’s been so long.” He and the rest of the group arrived before the tree. The Fallen Angel reached for the tree, only for his fingers to touch a barrier surrounding it. The yellow-brown barrier rippled as soon as the Fallen Angel’s fingertips touched it. Azazel flinched, and pulled his hand back as a look of disgust appeared on his face. With furrowed brows and blazing eyes, he turned around, and shouted at the top of his lungs. “Show yourself, Demon!” Droigheann flinched. “He’s here?!” The Demon of the Nightbloom asked wide eyed as he unsheathed his blade, and put his helmet on without hesitation. Luke stepped forward, making sure to stand in front of Caille and Kyle. Igna tightened her grip on the hilt of her blade, while Cacophus’s bony fingers rummaged through
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Chapter 276: The Ancient City of Necron (4)
The fully armoured knight dropped his sword and tried to grab the slimy goo with both of his hands. The goo only latched onto his helmet further as he struggled. The man started to stumble a few moments later.Kyle couldn’t help but laugh a little, though his near brush against death kept him from enjoying Jeffrey’s suffering. The knight soon managed to grab onto the goo properly, and threw it away, only to be met with Kyle’s light magic.“Bolt of Light!” The young man shouted, then as the Knight raised his hand to cover his eyes from the bright golden light, he dashed towards him, blade in hand. He hadn’t used a sword properly in ages, not since he’d gotten his Summoner class, and started summoning powerful people such as Aoris, or Irena. But Aoris and Irena were busy protecting the cathedral, and Droigheann had his hands full with the remaining group of enemies.And he had a particular hatred against Jeffrey and his constant stupidity. He grabbed the hilt of his blade with both his
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Chapter 275: The Ancient City of Necron (3)
“Oh for fuck’s sake.” Kyle rolled his eyes as the enemy charged at him and his allies. Jeffrey’s ridiculous accusations and ignorant behaviour was the last thing he needed at the moment.Droigheann unsheathed his blade and struck the ground with it. Black veins spread across the grey marble plaza, originating from his blade. They leapt off the ground, reaching for Jeffrey and his allies.“Fire storm!” A voice boomed. Kyle flinched as a whirling storm of flames burnt away the roots and veins. Droigheann gritted his teeth and removed his swords from the ground. “Damn mages,” The Demon grunted as he stepped forward. His helmet materialised in his hand, and he promptly put it on.“SHALL I DISPATCH OF THEM, KYLE?” Cacophus’ sudden question surprised him. “Yeah, please help Droigheann.” Kyle hissed as he pointed at the group. “We shouldn’t waste much time on them.”As he spoke, several shards of crystallised light formed at his fingertips. He fired them at the man leading the charge.“AS YO
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Chapter 274: The Ancient City of Necron (2)
Kyle took the first step down the grey marble staircase. As his feet touched the ancient slabs, he involuntarily flinched.Azazel and Droigheann followed just a step behind, along with Cacophus, who chose to float next to them.“AMAZING, IT HAS BEEN PRESERVED PERFECTLY!” The Lich exclaimed, pausing just a few steps in, and carefully inspecting the waist high walls preventing them from falling off the side. “LOOK AT THIS CRAFTMANSHIP!”Kyle shot a glance at the waist hight wall. It was covered in intricate carvings from top to bottom. Just a few meters of this wall must have taken weeks to create, if not more. “Yeah, it’s amazing.”“Just like the legends.” Droigheann carefully ran his finger along the carvings. “A city of ancient wonders, housing powers beyond imagination, made from the most beautiful materials by the best craftsmen ever to grace the face of this world.”“Seems about right.” Azazel pointed at the buildings. “Any one of these would have taken months to perfect, if not y
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Chapter 273: The Ancient City of Necron (1)
The Necronomicon’s pages turned on their own. Kyle waited patiently for the book to settle on a page. Once it did, he read through the spell. It was a modified dispel spell.“Stand back, just in case.” He said to the others. Everyone took a few steps back, even Cacophus who had just arrived. The Lich didn’t speak, but the green glows in his eye sockets glimmered and lit up brightly with excitement.Kyle’s lips curled up with a faint smile for a moment before he turned his gaze back to the Necronomicon. “Open thine gates, lift thine veil.” He recited the spell’s words clearly. “Allow me passage to what is rightfully mine, as I hold the Book of Ancient Secrets!”A moment passed before the spell fully took effect. The barrier around the Ancient City of Necron began to lower as Kyle felt his vitality drain with alarming speed. He looked down at the back of his hand with a panic as the few locks of dark hair dangling before his eyes slowly began to turn white.The mark of the Evertree glow
- The Lich's Master
Chapter 272: The Records Restored
The elderly woman took the two pieces of the hourglass in her hand. A faint, almost mellow smile appeared on her lips as she closed her fingers around the pieces of the hourglass. “I am in your debt, Azazel, young man.” She whispered as she clenched her fingers further. The muffled sound of something cracking sounded. Then, a fine dust flowed from between her fingers. The cool breeze caught the dust, carrying it away from the patio. The elderly woman smiled. “No, come back.” Her voice was calm, almost as if she was speaking to an old friend. “I’m right here.” The wind whirled, suddenly changed its direction, and blew the dust right back at her. She closed her eyes and smiled. Kyle braced himself for… something. “It’s alright now.” Her motherly voice reached his ears. “It feels good to be whole again.” She turned her gaze towards the sky. “It is a beautiful day, isn’t it?” Kyle disagreed. Dark clouds covered the sky. “It is good to have you back, Record Keeper.” Azazel bowed his
- The Lich's Master
Chapter 271: The Hourglass
It was a misty morning and getting out of bed felt like a huge chore. He still dragged himself out of bed, albeit slowly, and staggered towards the hot spring. He paused in front of the mirror for a second. The bite marks on his neck were awfully visible. Vis had definitely taken some of her frustrations out of him last night.He let out a sigh and went to take a bath. She was rightfully upset, and he didn’t care about how he looked too much. He bathed, then got dressed and opened the door of his room, only to see Droigheann standing there, leaning against the wall.“I didn’t realise you’d come out.” Kyle said as he fixed his cloak and hair before the mirror.“You were asleep.” Droigheann explained with a faint smile. “You found the second half of the hourglass.” He stated with a hint of curiosity in his voice. Kyle nodded. “We did. We almost died for it too.” He shuddered. “I’m never going back to the Celestial Plane.”Droigheann laughed out loud. “That is indeed a good idea.” The De
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Chapter 270: The Waking World
His eyes shot wide open, and he stared at the grey ceiling above him. A couple of moths were walking in rough circles. One of them tried to fly, only to continuously hit the ceiling afterwards.He blinked a few times as he tried to figure out where he was.“You’re awake!” A panicked voice reached his ears. “Rhealis, they’re back!” It took him a moment to recognise Vis’ voice. A cold hand pressed against his forehead as he slowly began to notice the numbness around his right arm. There was a mild pain too.Footsteps approached as Kyle tilted his head to look at Vis. “Did something happen while we were gone?” He asked with a crusty voice. He licked his dry lips. He could use some water right now.“Your arm got charred!” Vis hissed wide eyed. Was she angry? “And the Fallen Angel’s wings started bleeding!”“Indeed,” Rhealis approached them with a glass of water in her hand. She helped Kyle sit upright, then gave him the glass. He drank it without hesitation. The water passing through his
- The Lich's Master
Chapter 269: The Wasteyard of Heaven
Azazel led him through the distorted landscape in a hurry. “They can’t see as well here.” The Fallen Angel explained as soon as they walked through a cathedral door and fell upwards. Kyle hit the ceiling with a muffled thud. A thick, soft carpet had broken his fall.He moaned with pain still. Constantly falling somewhere was slowly taking its toll on him. His back couldn’t take many more falls. “Why?” He asked as he sat upright and rubbed his sides.Azazel flew up and closed the cathedral’s door. “Because of the distortions. They don’t see things as you do. They see what something is, can be, and was.” The Fallen Angel hesitated upon seeing Kyle’s confused expression. “You don’t understand, do you?”Kyle shook his head. “Nope.”Azazel’s shoulders dropped with disappointment. “When you see something,” The Angel said, speaking slower th
