The Third Return of the Necrotic Magic Swordsman

[14th Everdusk 2103], CGA branch, Dyna Crest country.

After Lyre came out of the dungeon to check her rank on the ranking board, she found that her rank was not in the first place as she expected, but there was another name she recognized.

Lucas was first on the board while she was second, being at Lv.13 and he was Lv., just one level above her with some difference in time taken for completion.

As she was dazing off, she remembered something and looked below to find certain names in team or solo when she found it in the eighth place.

Yes, it was Evan who was still in the third stage clearing the dungeon, which she expected, but she didn’t expect him to be solo as Necromancers were support-type holders who needed the help of others in the first few stages until they got strong enough to be on their own. But even those who have high class rank while Evan was being solo here with only a rank class, which was just average.

”Maybe I do have to take help from the Guild to find information about this guy, even that Lucas who came out before me even though he had just an rank class,” she said. After saying goodbye to all her teachers and the Principal, she left with her guards to leave the city for some time to meet her father.

Meanwhile, Lucas, who was still there, was smiling like he had found a gem in ashes while looking at the ranking board of the eighth rank, thinking maybe this kid has a second class in his status.

After telling Tess about going home, he left as standing here wouldn’t do much and he didn’t want to waste his time watching board ranks changing as time goes by, which he could use to rest in his house after the dungeon raid.

He took a taxi and left the hunter association.

__

While in the dungeon, Evan stepped out of the portal, entering the third stage, which was again a forest, a mix of first and second stages.

”Well, it looks I might have to roam around forest for some time more,” I said, thinking that if goblins were included, I might be able to get out of this forest. But seeing the surroundings, I guessed the goblins’ place should be somewhere in the middle.

I decided to check my status before moving out, as checking one’s condition is the second rule, with the first being never to trust anybody.

I started walking in the opposite direction from where the portal was, as it never appeared in front of enemies for an unknown reason.

I was walking when I heard some noises in the distance, which made me alert.

I hid behind a tree to see what was happening. I waited until the source of the noises finally came into view.

Yes, it was the goblin group, consisting of three dwarf-like goblins holding wooden clubs. One of them, who appeared stronger based on his physique, was wielding a crudely made sword, perhaps worn down from use.

However, that was not my concern; my priority was to eliminate these monsters and escape this cursed place.

”But wait, can’t I use that? It could add an element of surprise to my attack, and besides, it looks cool,” I muttered to myself while glancing around to ensure no one was listening.

I then steadied myself with my newly semi-evolved sword and armor, assessing their power as I prepared to attack using my newly acquired skill.

My body, hidden behind the tree, vanished and reappeared in front of the goblin group. Initially, they did not realize my presence, but when they saw me materialize before them, they were shocked. The sword-wielding goblin tried to retreat, but my attack speed was too fast to dodge, and I cleanly slashed his body into two parts.

The goblin’s face remained in shock even as the upper half of his body fell to the ground after the attack.

While I, who didn’t take much notice of it, was looking at the sword-goblin whose hand was severed by my attack, his sword lay on the ground, also in blood.

The goblin tried to run away, but I was prepared. I quickly picked up the rusty sword and threw it like a spear towards his fleeing figure, piercing his chest. He fell to the ground with a loud screech.

”This will attract other goblins in the forest,” I said. I hurried to, but not before using my talent.

, I said as the talent energy covered their body.

[Detected 3~Lv.9-10 Goblins. What do you wish to do: Plunder, Dismantle, or Store?]

[No talent, ability, bloodline, or skills have been detected. Stats are identified.]

[You’ve gained +2 VIT, +1 END, +1 INT.]

I looked at the stats plundered, and then started running away from the scene as I heard many footsteps approaching. Had I stayed even two minutes longer, I would have been surrounded.

While back there, we could see many goblins standing in front of the three dead bodies of their kind. They were speaking gibberish in their own tongue as they started looking around. The stronger goblin holding a sword ordered them to search for the culprit who was standing meters away.

I, who was standing away from the area, noticed that many goblins were searching to see if they could find me, but I was far enough away not to get caught as the notifications of the kill appeared.

{You’ve slain 2~Lv.9, 1~Lv.10 Goblins, you’ve gained 130 EXP}[330/450]

[You’ve gained 29 Evo-enchant points. T.P: 365]

I looked at the notification and was pleased to see the points increasing steadily.

But my joy was shattered as I heard many goblins coming towards me. I looked around to see if there was any place to hide but found none as all the trees around were too thin to conceal my whole body, and even the smell of blood would help them find me here.

So, the best option was to confront them face to face, as I was stronger than all of them due to the continuous plundering of stats.

”But why am I getting scared to face them face to face when I am stronger?” I asked myself in a low voice, but I knew in my mind that what I still feared was death, which might come finding me due to my arrogance of high stats. Even the memories I got from my late past self are blurry; the only part I remember is the memories of Blue Star, the name, and the family I transmigrated into then. Nothing else was remembered after that.

I was thinking about this when a group of goblins came to find me.

I steadied my sword for confrontation as the battle was about to begin.

-- To be continued --