Chapter 523 Necromancer & Companion (1/2)

It was an equally disturbing night for Michael.

The senior read the report with bloodshot eyes and thick eyebrows that were knitted together. He slammed his fist on the table and the loud impact numbed his ears.

”Damn it!” He glared at his pale-faced subordinates. ”Why am I only notified of such important news now!”

Michael learned that seven border patrol teams consisting of 140 militias had gone missing yesterday night. He was furious that no one had reported to him when it first happened…

Damn it, what have this bunch of bastards been doing?!

Michael wasn't aware that these Border Officers treated the countryside militias as unorganized and undisciplined, so it wasn't anything alarming to them since the militias could have gone home without informing then. However, they were worried when the teams failed to return one after another and they dispatched a few patrol teams to search for them. In the end, none of them returned!

Due to the lack of manpower, the 5th Division assigned the local militias to the Grosso's periphery and the militias' parents were distraught when they knew about their disappearance. They checked in with the 5th Division anxiously and the 5th Division reported frantically to Michael after realizing that the situation was beyond their control.

”A bunch of worthless crap! Crap!” Michael punched the table to vent his anger. He knew that the situation on hand was no longer repairable… Although the Grosso's border area wasn't important, there would be an internal riot if seven patrol teams disappeared just like that, not to mention the currently sensitive situation…

As a Southern Legion Commander, Michael wasn't in favor of the Reformist Party's declaration of independence because he knew that this wasn't the solution to resolve issues and their military strength was weaker than the King's Party. Michael didn't resist like his fellow colleagues who ended up in prison. He was equally unwilling to risk his life on the front lines clashing with his old compatriots, which was why he had been appointed for garrison duties. He was prepared to face misfortune of illnesses and wild animals in Grosso because it was located in the Southern hinterland and he was confident that the King's Party wouldn't dispatch manpower to destroy Grosso that easily. But he didn't expect that this would happen…

What is going on?

The senior ruminated on this unusual case. It would be too high-profile if it was the King's Party who dispatched their people to stir trouble. If there were only one to two patrol teams that had gone missing, it can be explained that they were silenced by the invaders and even dummies would stay vigilant after so many patrol teams were annihilated. Until now, the frontline hasn't informed us of similar news and the invaders must be professionals since they were able to get through the multiple layers of defense.

But, who would they be if they weren't sent by the King's Party? Wild animals? How is it possible that wild animals would kill so many militias secretly? Even though the militias were inferior to the soldiers, they have also gone through military training and they wouldn't all perish no matter how strong the wild animal was. Besides, I haven't heard of wild animals emerging by the Grosso borders…

Michael had made his decision. He dispatched his adjutant to lead an infantry column to investigate the causes and also increasing alert for the Grosso to prevent further accidents. This was the best and only solution that he could think of for now…

While Michael was troubling over this matter, victory was within grasp for Rhode in the nearby Grosso mountain forest. He scrutinized his palm and counted 60 leaden, marble-like Soul Cores.

It was a surprising night for Rhode as he didn't expect to kill so many people. He anticipated that he could destroy up to three night patrol teams and extract their spirits using the [Hell Lord] talent tree to prepare for his plans. However, after getting rid of the fourth, the enemy actually dispatched another patrol team to search the area… Rhode kindly accepted their offering.

Compared to the Soul Cores that Rhode had used, these 'shoddy' products were inferior in terms of shape, color, and size. But Rhode wasn't mindful of that.

Let's begin.

Rhode shut his eyes and a summoning ritual circle emerged on his palm. The array of blue spiritual radiance spread apart line by line and the 60 pearl-sized Soul Cores hovered around him.

[Soul Core detected. To awaken?]

Awake them all.

Rhode answered with no hesitation. His body trembled slightly and freezing cold air erupted around him.

The Soul Cores surrounding him shattered into powder subsequently and white, thin mist fluttered. In the blink of an eye, the mist condensed and flew towards him.

[Received Undead Fighter 1/1]

[Received Undead Warrior 1/1]

[Received Undead Archer 1/1]

…

The system prompts emerged before him while the condensed mist formed into three cards that appeared above his palm. These cards were average in stats with between 1 to 3 for both offense and defense and they were inferior to even the Spirit Bird in its pre-advanced form. Also, these cards didn't possess any unique skills and even their descriptions were basic one-liners.

However, this result was more than enough for Rhode.

Because they were only 'Sub Cards'.

A Spirit Swordsman's summoning deck was divided into the 'Main Library' and 'Sub Cards'. The 'Main Library' referred to a perfectly equipped summoning deck while 'Sub Cards' referred to those cards with a single attribute, type, and functionality.

In the world of the Dragon Soul Continent, it could be said that the summoning card used by a Spirit Swordsman could form a miniature version of a world. A perfect 'Main Library' would require the combination and mutual support between multiple card types.

Firstly, the 'Core Creature' of the Card World was required—the Dominator, which was the most important card.

Secondly, there must be a Venue Card to project the Card World into reality. Next, two or three spell cards were needed to provide detailed interpretations of the Card World.