Alder Mythren
In the depths of the Helianthus, in a forest, one know by the name Hainzel, it's tress and land sprawled across hundreds of kilometers.
The trees, colossal in nature, towered like giants, casting an ominous shadow both within and beyond its borders.
The Hainzel Forest was dubbed a "Monster Zone," this foreboding forest earned its reputation by spawning terrifying beasts that devoured anyone brave or stupid enough to venture into its heart.
Yet, despite its fearsome reputation, the Hainzel Forest served as a vital border that separated two enemy kingdoms.
But to most, it was know as the barrier that guarded the capital city known as Marston, a city of the Lykonia Kingdom, A barrier protecting its northeast side of the walls.
Located a mere 50 kilometers from Marston, this forest of death stood as a formidable wall, daring none to cross.
However, the forest's blessing came with a curse, one that was most to random.
If their numbers not kept in check, the monsters that called Hainzel home often times found it lacking.
Food became scarce in their domain, and with no other choice, they would venture out, shattering the peace of any nearby towns as their meals.
It was then that adventurers, the most skilled professionals in this realm, would thrive, preying upon the beasts that dared to escape the forest's confines.
This delicate balance of survival had long been the rule, but it was a thread that was ever so close to being severed.
On the southernmost edge of the forest, where the trees stood sentinel facing the capital city, a faint, purple glow suddenly materialized.
The soft, ethereal light descended upon the earth, and moments later, a series of circles began to form, radiating from the center.
Like a mystical dance of the purple-runes, the magic circle had begun to rotate and once again, The Cicle that was once seen in Pantheon materialized.
As the circle reached its completion, a human figure began to take shape, coalescing from the very essence of the magic.
But this was no ordinary being. His features were striking, with two black, spiraling horns protruding from his temples, pointing forward in tandem with his face.
His silver hair cascaded down to the tips of his shoulders, creating a stark contrast with his purple dark, piercing eyes.
His face was a masterpiece of chiseled features, with a strong, flat chin and a nose that seemed to have been sculpted by the gods themselves.
The being's physique was equally impressive, a lean, athletic build that stood at an astonishing 2.1 meters tall.
Yet, his attire was surprisingly humble, consisting of simple, black commoner's clothing that barely covered his body.
As the magic dissipated, the being stretched, his movements seemingly restricted, as if he had been shackled by invisible chains.
"Become public enemy number one, they say," he muttered, his voice laced with resignation. "Well, the offer itself wasn't that bad..."
His words carried a deep sense of longing, a weight that few could comprehend.
Death was an experience that few returned from, and any who were given the chance to escape its grasp would seize it, no matter the cost.
He was no different from the rest.
With a languid stretch, Alder voiced his fatigue, "It's been far too long..." His eyes, still heavy with the weight of centuries, slowly focused on the distant capital.
The town, with its 25-meter-long walls encircling an area of approximately 32 kilometers, seemed almost... inviting.
As he stood at the edge of the forest, the gentle breeze rustling the grasslands and farm lands before him, Alder's gaze remained fixed on the capital.
His thoughts, however, were elsewhere.
"Status!" he called out, his voice low and mysterious.
In an instant, four purple, circular holograms materialized before him. Each halo displayed a title, and the runes etched into their lines pulsed with a faint, dark red hue.
Alder's eyes gleamed with interest as he shifted his gaze to the farthest right hologram.
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{~PROFILE~}
Name: Alder Mythren
Age: 28 (1458 Soul Age)
Gender: Male
Species: Mortal
Race: Demon-Dragon
Occupation: None.
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Alder's eyes scanned the information, his mind reeling with the implications. "A thousand years, huh? So that's how long I've been... gone."
The weight of those centuries settled upon him, but he brushed it aside, his focus shifting to the more pressing matter of his new existence.
"Given my... changes, I assume the gods have accepted my requirements."
His gaze lingered on the 'Demon-Dragon' designation, a mixture of curiosity and awe.
"But which aspect is tied to magic, and which to physical prowess?" The question hung in the air, a puzzle waiting to be solved.
Maybe this world held such a race know as Demon-Dragons, but from the experience of his former world, that seemed unlikely.
Either the gods had just created such a race to comply with his demands, or it truly did exist before him..
With a resigned sigh, Alder acknowledged the mystery. "I suppose time will reveal the answers."
With a subtle nod, he turned his attention to the next hologram, the secrets it held waiting to be unraveled
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{~STATS~}
Level: 01
Health: 100/100
Mana: 230/230
Strength: 36
Defense: 29
Agility: 20
Endurance: 15
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Alder's gaze lingered on the holographic display, his expression a mixture of confusion and fascination.
The concept of status windows was foreign to him, a relic from a world beyond his own.
"I'm not sure what to make of these numbers," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'll need to at least find a way to compare them, otherwise they won't be of much use to me."
With a resigned sigh, Alder shifted his attention to the next hologram.
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{~Magic~}
Affinities: Water, Earth, Time, Fire, Wind, Space, Light, Dark, Spirit
Skills: ~
Unique Skills: Undead Summoning-Lv.Max
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Alder's eyes widened as he absorbed the information.
"An army that doesn't require rest or sustenance... Undead fit the bill perfectly."
He had had taken a wild shot at the dark when he asked for an army like this, but it seems like the gods truly knew what they were doing.
A hint of excitement crept into his voice. "And it seems I have affinity with all elements, just as I requested." The gods, it seemed, had not disappointed him.
With the magic window now understood, Alder turned his attention to the final hologram.
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{~Equipment~}
Armour: Commoner Clothes
Weapon: ~
Accessories: ~
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Alder's gaze fell upon the sparse equipment list, a defeated sigh escaping his lips.
"I suppose I shouldn't have expected more." Yet, a relieved smile soon replaced his disappointment.
The status system, at least, had provided him with a grasp of the functions of these status used in this world.
With a wave of his hand, the holograms vanished, leaving Alder to ponder his next move.
His gaze drifted toward the capital's walls, where activity bustled outside the city. Carriages, drawn by horses, moved in and out of the city, their occupants unaware of the eyes watching them from afar.
"Now, that's going to be a problem," Alder murmured, his eyes fixed on the two entrance points. "I'll need to seal those off first."
As he contemplated a solution, the undead summoning skill came to mind. "Better late than never," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Moments later, a dark, swirling portal materialized behind him, and a bony hand emerged, grasping the ground.
A 1.7-meter-tall human skeleton slowly pulled itself out of the miasma, its empty eyes glowing with an otherworldly energy.
At its center, a glowing purple orb pulsed with power. The skeleton, armed with an iron sword and a simple wooden shield, stood at attention, awaiting Alder's command.
Alder's gaze swept over the skeleton, a hint of disappointment flickering across his face. "A wooden shield? Will these skeletons be of any use?" he wondered.
Yet, as more skeletons emerged from the portal, lining up behind the first, Alder's doubts began to fade.
Within minutes, 300 skeletons stood at attention, their empty eyes fixed on some distant point, their presence both captivating and unsettling.
Alder spared them a moment's glance before his gaze returned to the capital's walls.
The sun, now a burning orange hue, cast long shadows across the landscape. "An ambush at night... a truly sane man's romance," Alder said, a wry smile twisting his lips
As he moved forward, the skeletons followed, their bony feet marching in unison.
The air seemed to grow heavier, the shadows deepening, as Alder led his undead army toward the unsuspecting city.
A holographic display flickered to life beside him, its soft glow illuminating the darkening landscape.
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Mana: 200/230
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Alder's gaze flicked toward the display, his eyes narrowing. "So, 10 mana points for every hundred skeletons summoned... not a bad trade, I suppose."
The display vanished, leaving Alder to ponder the intricacies of his newfound powers.