JoLuLu

In a world where every individual awakens with a class at sixteen, Arlan, an orphan from the grimy alleyways of Duskhaven, dreams of a better life. However, when his awakening reveals the forbidden and feared class of Necromancer, his dreams quickly turn into a carefully guarded secret.

Arlan isn't your typical necromancer raising hordes of undead; instead, he finds himself bonded to Bones, a quirky skeletal rat who quickly becomes his unlikely companion. Together, they navigate the perilous life of adventurers, joining a rookie adventuring party while desperately concealing Arlan's dark powers. As they delve into dangerous dungeons teeming with monsters, hidden treasures, and deadly rivals, Arlan must carefully balance his necromantic abilities, all the while convincing his skeptical party members that he's just another summoner with an unusual familiar.

The stakes rise when Cedric, a righteous paladin prodigy, joins their group. Ever vigilant against the dark arts, Cedric's suspicions threaten to expose Arlan’s secret at every turn. Amid thrilling battles, humorous mishaps, and heartfelt friendships, Arlan struggles with his growing powers and morality, learning the true meaning of strength, loyalty, and courage.

A Slightly Undead Adventure is an exhilarating journey filled with humor, heart, and heroics, perfect for fans of fantasy who enjoy watching an underdog navigate the complexities of friendship, secrecy, and discovering one's true potential—even if that potential happens to involve talking skeletons.

A Slightly Undead Adventure

Arlan pushed open the door to the inn, stepping inside just as the scent of food, smoke, and cheap ale filled his senses. The warmth of the room contrasted the cold weight in his gut.

He had kept his cool. He had given nothing away.

But the Holy Order was already watching.

They knew Duskhaven wasn't just an attack—it was a signal.

The question was: How much did they truly know?

Tomas' voice cut through the noise, his usual smirk in place as Arlan approached their table. "For a second, I thought we'd have to rescue you from a back-alley mugging."

Leila snorted. "More like, he'd be the one doing the mugging."

Arlan slid into his seat, flashing an easy grin. "Oh, come on. You guys were worried about me?"

Mira, who had been drinking from her cup, set it down with a little too much force. "You were bait, Arlan. Of course we were worried."

It was rare to hear Mira openly admit to worrying. The irritation in her voice was genuine.

Tomas leaned forward. "So? Who was it?"

Arlan glanced around, lowering his voice. "Cleric. Holy Order."

Leila crossed her arms. "Are we in trouble?"

Arlan hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Not yet."

Mira frowned. "What does that mean?"

He exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "He knows we came from Duskhaven, but he doesn't have proof of anything. Yet."

Tomas muttered a curse under his breath. "And let me guess—the Order isn't just sitting around, waiting for another town to fall."

Arlan nodded. "They're preparing for war."

Beren tensed. Leila looked uneasy. Mira pressed her fingers together, deep in thought.

"The Order suspects something was awakened in Duskhaven," Arlan continued. "They don't know what, but they're mobilizing."

Mira's expression darkened. "Then it's only a matter of time before they come here."

Leila shot him a glare. "And go where? This town was supposed to be where we lay low."

"We can't just sit here," Beren insisted. "If they start sniffing around, we'll be next."

Tomas tapped his fingers against the table. "How long do we have?"

Arlan shook his head. "No idea. But if the Order is moving against the necromancers, they'll be focused on the real enemy first. We're not their priority."

The weight of those words settled over them.

Leila sighed, raking a hand through her hair. "So what do we do?"

"We get stronger."

He met each of their gazes. "We're not ready. We barely survived Duskhaven, and the monsters in this dungeon were already pushing us to our limit." He let that sink in before continuing. "If we're going to survive—really survive—we need to train. We need skills, better gear, everything we can get."

Tomas smirked. "And here I thought you didn't believe in hard work."

Arlan grinned. "I believe in not dying."

Leila exhaled. "So, what? We just keep taking guild quests, pretending nothing's wrong?"

Mira folded her arms. "No. We push ourselves. We go deeper into the dungeon. We take harder jobs."

Arlan leaned back. "Then we'd better be ready for a rough few weeks."

Tomas lifted his drink. "To getting stronger."

Leila rolled her eyes but clinked her cup against his. "To not dying."

Mira exhaled, glancing at Arlan. "And to not doing anything stupid."

Arlan smirked. "Can't make any promises."

But as the group settled back into conversation, a single thought lingered in Arlan's mind.

The Order wasn't their biggest problem.

Because something far worse was coming.

A Warning Unheeded