SSS-rank monster

Playing along with their beliefs had gotten him a warm meal and a place to stay, but if they ever realized he wasn't some prophesied hero, things could turn ugly fast.

He had to maintain the act.

He cleared his throat and sat up straighter. "Tell me, Garrick. What do you know about this prophecy?"

The large warrior immediately straightened, his expression turning serious. "The texts speak of a warrior who will walk beside the Great Calamity. He shall be the master of beasts, a conqueror of lands, and a ruler of fate itself."

Ren barely stopped himself from choking on his drink. Ruler of fate?! That's a bit much, isn't it?

Garrick continued, oblivious to Ren's internal panic. "It is said that this warrior will shape the world, either leading it to glory… or ruin."

The entire room fell silent.

Villagers gazed at Ren with a mixture of hope and fear.

Ah.

So that's why they were so eager to please him.

They didn't just see him as a legendary hero.

They saw him as a potential destroyer.

If he played his cards right, he could secure a comfortable place here.

If he messed up?

They might turn on him in an instant.

Ren kept his face unreadable. "And what does this village expect from me?"

Garrick bowed his head. "Only to serve you, great one. We are but humble people. If we can aid you in your journey, then our lives have meaning."

Ren resisted the urge to sigh. He hated how easily they had handed over their loyalty. It almost felt… wrong.

Then again, wasn't this the best possible scenario?

He had a place to stay. He had food. He had an entire village at his disposal.

It wasn't like he was taking advantage of them. If anything, he was keeping them safe.

After all, his army of beasts made this the most well-protected village in existence.

He decided to test something.

"I will accept your aid," he said smoothly. "But in return, I require information."

Garrick nodded eagerly. "Of course, great one. Ask anything."

Ren leaned forward. "Tell me about this world."

For the next hour, he listened.

Garrick explained everything he knew.

This land was called Eldoria, a continent divided into kingdoms and warring factions. Magic was real, monsters roamed freely, and power determined everything.

Strength was law. The weak either served or perished.

Ren frowned.

It was a brutal world.

One where a guy like him someone with no prior combat experience—would normally be crushed instantly.

Except…

He glanced at Goaty, who was now casually drinking from a golden goblet.

He had an SSS-rank monster at his side.

If power was all that mattered, then he was already at the top of the food chain.

But strength alone wasn't enough.

If he wanted to survive no, thrive in this world, he needed more than just brute force.

He needed strategy.

He needed influence.

And, most importantly…

He needed to know who his enemies were.

Ren tapped his fingers against the table. "Who is the most dangerous power in Eldoria?"

Garrick hesitated. "That would be the Kingdom of Zevran. They are ruthless, expanding their territory through blood and steel."

Ren's eyes narrowed. "Are they a threat to this village?"

Garrick's expression darkened. "Not yet. But if they continue their conquests, it is only a matter of time."

Ren exhaled slowly.

So this peaceful village was one war away from being wiped off the map.

A week ago, that wouldn't have been his problem.

But now?

This was his village.

He wasn't about to let some random kingdom march in and destroy everything.

Not when he had an army of monsters.

Not when he had Goaty.

A slow grin crept across his face.

"If Zevran comes," he said, "they won't know what hit them."

Garrick's eyes widened, and for the first time, a smirk tugged at his lips.

"It would be an honor to fight alongside you, great one."

Ren chuckled, leaning back in his seat.

Let them come.

If this world wanted war, then he would give them hell.

---

The peaceful air of the village was deceptive.

For the past three days, Ren had been preparing.

He wasn't an idiot. If the Kingdom of Zevran was truly as powerful as Garrick claimed, then it was only a matter of time before they set their sights on this village. And while he technically had an SSS-rank goat, it would be reckless to rely on Goaty alone.

No, if Ren wanted to turn this village into a fortress, he needed more than just raw power. He needed a proper army.

And for that, he had to put his Necromancer system to the test.

Standing in the middle of an open field just outside the village, Ren took a deep breath.

"Alright," he muttered, rolling his shoulders. "Time to see what I can do."

He focused, summoning the familiar floating system window.

[Necromancer's Call – Skill Menu]

Summon Skeleton (Rank F) [Mana Cost: 10] Summon Ghoul (Rank E) [Mana Cost: 50] Summon Revenant (Rank D) [Mana Cost: 150] Summon Wraith (Rank C) [Mana Cost: 500]

Ren rubbed his chin.

Skeletons are the cheapest option, but they're weak.

Ghouls and Revenants were stronger, but they cost too much mana.

I need to figure out how much I can handle first.

He turned to Garrick and a handful of villagers who had gathered to watch. "Step back. This could get dangerous."

Garrick nodded, ushering the others away.

Ren exhaled, then stretched out his hand.

"Summon Skeleton."

The air rippled.

A cold chill spread through the ground as black energy erupted from Ren's palm, sinking into the earth. Moments later, a skeletal hand burst from the soil, followed by another.

With a rattling sound, a thin, bony figure pulled itself free. Its skull tilted, empty eye sockets glowing with a faint blue light.

[Summoned: Skeleton (Rank F)]

Ren raised an eyebrow. "Huh. That actually worked."

The skeleton stood at attention, awaiting orders.

Excited, Ren pushed further.

"Summon Skeleton. Summon Skeleton. Summon Skeleton."

More black energy surged into the ground.

One by one, three more skeletons rose, standing beside the first.

Four skeletons in total.

Ren let out a breath, checking his mana bar.

[Mana: 60/100]

I can summon six at most before running out.

That wasn't bad, but it wasn't enough.

He needed something stronger.

"Alright. Let's step it up."

Ren focused his mana, pouring more energy into the spell.

"Summon Ghoul."

A dark mist swirled around him, the ground shaking slightly. The villagers gasped as a clawed hand emerged from the dirt. Unlike the fragile skeletons, this creature had rotting flesh, jagged teeth, and glowing red eyes.

The ghoul rose to its full height, standing nearly twice as tall as a normal human. Its muscles twitched, its breath coming out in ragged snarls.

[Summoned: Ghoul (Rank E)]

Ren grinned. "Now we're talking."

The ghoul growled, awaiting its orders.

Before Ren could test its strength, a loud horn blast echoed from the village.

Garrick's expression darkened. "That's the alarm."

A scout came sprinting from the trees, panting heavily. "Sir! A group of bandits is approaching!"

Ren's grin widened.

Perfect timing.

The Bandits Attack

The bandits arrived within minutes.

There were nine of them, riding on scrappy-looking horses and wielding rusted swords, axes, and bows. They had the look of men who had spent their entire lives surviving on violence.

Their leader, a tall man with an ugly scar across his jaw, pulled his horse to a stop and sneered. "Nice little village you got here." His voice was oily, like someone who enjoyed making others suffer. "Be a shame if someone burned it down."

Ren stepped forward.

The bandit leader's eyes narrowed. "And who the hell are you supposed to be?"

Ren smirked. "Just a guy with a pet goat."

The leader blinked, then laughed. "You've got some guts, I'll give you that. But guts won't stop me from cutting you down."

Ren cracked his knuckles.

"You can try."

The bandit leader's smile faltered as he took in the skeletons and ghoul standing behind Ren. "What the…?"

Ren snapped his fingers.

"Attack."

The skeletons rushed forward, their bony hands reaching for the bandits.

One of the bandits screamed as a skeleton grabbed his arm, its unnatural strength yanking him off his horse. Another bandit swung his sword, but the blade passed through empty ribs.

The ghoul moved next.

It lunged, covering ten feet in an instant. Its claws slashed through leather armor like paper, sending one bandit flying.

The bandits panicked.

"What the hell is this?!"

"This isn't normal!"

Their leader gritted his teeth. "Stop whining! Kill the damn things!"

Ren watched calmly as the chaos unfolded.

The bandits fought back, but their rusty weapons barely did anything against the undead.

One of them tried to run.

He didn't make it far.

Because Goaty moved.

The golden-furred goat barely twitched, and a shockwave exploded from beneath its hooves. The fleeing bandit was sent flying, his body smashing into a tree like a ragdoll.

Dead. Instantly.

The entire battlefield fell silent.

The bandit leader's face turned pale. "W-We surrender!"

Ren crossed his arms. "That's cute. But you made a mistake."

The bandit gulped. "W-What mistake?"

Ren smirked.

"You thought you had a choice."

He pointed at Goaty.

"Kill them."

The goat's eyes glowed.

A golden beam of pure destruction shot from its mouth, vaporizing the remaining bandits in an instant.

Silence.

Only the smell of burned flesh remained.

Ren exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "Well. That was fun."

The villagers stared in awe.

Garrick stepped forward, bowing deeply. "You truly are the chosen one."

Ren smirked.

Yeah.

This world was his now.