The Third Return of the Necrotic Magic Swordsman

Just as Evan stirred from his barely satisfying sleep, the continuous ringing of his phone finally snapped him awake.

Grumbling, he reached for it with an annoyed expression, ready to lash out at whoever was disturbing his peace. But the moment his eyes landed on the screen, his annoyance vanished—replaced by shock and confusion.

Countless messages from the Association flooded his notifications. These weren’t routine updates… they were urgent warnings. A live news broadcast was already in progress, where Lilia and a high-ranking executive from the Ashen Nest Guild were addressing the public.

They spoke of an impending attack.

Beast Lords.Marching toward the city.Expected arrival: tomorrow night.

Evan’s eyes widened. Quickly, he jumped from his bed, rushed to the window, and threw it open.

The street below was chaos.

Officers and hunters were moving through the neighbourhood, alerting citizens and directing them toward emergency shelters. The tension was thick in the air, and it was clear—the attack could happen at any moment.

”Not again… these ’destined ones’ always bring trouble wherever they go,” Evan muttered, rubbing his face in frustration. ”This city’s either doomed to fall or if it survives, that guy is definitely walking away as a hero. It’s always the same script...”

He shook his head—but what he didn’t know was that this particular disaster was triggered because of him.

Without wasting more time, he changed his clothes and got ready to head toward the Association. He figured he might as well try to get in on the action—after all, beast raids were like lotteries for hunters… assuming they didn’t get torn apart.

He ran into a familiar face as he shut the door behind him and started hurrying down the stairs.

Horace, the building owner he’d met just a few days ago.

”Hey! Evan, where are you going at a time like this?” Horace asked, clearly shaken.

”Just heading to the Association,” Evan replied calmly. ”Gotta do my duty and help defend against the beast raid.”

Horace scoffed, visibly tense. ”Oh, please. You’re just Tier 0 and a D-rank Necromancer. What are you even going to do out there? Just stay back for once. Have a little fear of death, will you?”

”I’m sorry, Mr. Horace, but my teammates are also joining in. I’ve been asked to assist,” Evan said, his tone more serious now. ”And if—by some chance—I mean if the beasts breach the city walls, do you think this building is going to protect you? Nowhere is truly safe. So instead of waiting to die… I’d rather fall while doing something.”

Without waiting for a response, Evan dashed off, leaving Horace blinking in stunned silence.

”…Huh. So much big talk from a low-level hunter,” Horace muttered under his breath. ”Hope you get beaten so bad you can’t even stand for two months.” Still grumbling, he retreated into his apartment, locking the door and switching on the live news—just like the rest of the city.

Outside, Evan was waiting for a taxi. But after a few minutes, it dawned on him—none were coming. Not in this situation.

So, with a sigh, he activated one of his skills:

{Phantom Bond – Zephoros}

His shadow expanded rapidly, forming into the shape of a majestic undead horse. It was sleek, ominous, and clearly far more refined than before—his max proficiency and improved stats had made a huge difference.

Evan mounted the spectral steed and raced down the empty roads. With the streets cleared due to evacuation orders, he was finally able to gallop freely, past a few patrolling hunters and panicked civilians trying to reach shelters.

In the past, such a wild ride would’ve left his legs sore and barely functional. But now? He handled the beast like a natural.

Before long, he reached the Association headquarters.

The area was swarming with people—hunters, officers, and panicked civilians. Officers were doing their best to keep the growing crowd under control.

Evan blended in, slowly pushing his way forward. After some effort, he reached the front of the assembly where a large stage was being hastily constructed. Behind it, a few important-looking individuals were already seated.

Among them, he saw familiar faces:

Lilia. Darian. Lucas. Tess. Ilya. Lyra.And seated beside Lyra was someone who resembled her greatly—Caius Dawnfield, her brother.

Evan’s eyes narrowed when he spotted Lucas.

’So it’s really going to be him getting the spotlight from this battle, huh? Better hurry before he becomes a wall I can’t climb anymore...’

He checked around—no one seemed to be paying attention to him. Slipping into the crowd’s blind spot, he ducked slightly and summoned his artifact:

{Mask of Concealment}

In an instant, his features shifted. He also altered the visible part of his status to match that of the Genius Prodigy Necromancer—his other identity.

After all, he couldn’t show himself as plain old Evan during a major public raid like this. Too many guilds would be watching.

If anyone managed to link him and Evan together, most of his plans would crumble.

Now, he was ready. Prepared to take on the raid by assuming a new identity—Raven—a name inspired by his in-game alias, Revenant.

He blended in with the crowd, casually observing his surroundings like any other bystander. Yet, his sharp gaze remained fixed on the individuals seated behind the stage—those who truly mattered.

Minutes passed. The stage was finally modified, and Caius and Lilia stepped up to deliver the much-awaited orders for the raid.

Lilia approached the mic, her expression solemn. Her voice rang out with a commanding tone, filled with urgency and determination.

”Hello, my fellow hunters.We all know why we’re gathered here today. The place we call home—our city—is in grave danger.

A massive Beast Raid, consisting of nearly one million magical beasts, is heading straight for us. This unprecedented threat follows the recent dungeon aura incident, which is currently our prime suspect for drawing them in.

Let me be clear—dungeon monsters and wild magical beasts are completely different. The power gap between them and us is enormous. A single Level 1 beast is roughly equivalent to a Level 10 hunter.

And now, a horde of close to a million beasts is marching our way, led by three powerful Beast Lords.

First, Crag Howler — a massive, armored ape.A Lord-Tier beast born of the mountains, with stone-like skin and thunderous fists. A near-Peak Tier 2 Beast Lord, ruling the forest near our city’s southern walls. He’s said to have been alive for twenty-three years, and no one’s ever dared challenge his territory.

Second, Ashscale Wynern — a lesser dragon.A sleek, black-scaled wyvern whose wings release scorching ash with every flap. Though not a true dragonkin, he commands an aerial army of flying beasts. He is also Peak Tier 2 and resides in the mountains north of the city.

Third, and by far the most dangerous—Malwrath, the Corrupted Half-Demon Undead Hybrid.Rumored to be a former hunter who fell into darkness. Now a Psuedo Tier 3 zombie-like abomination with demonic blood, unmatched intelligence, and overwhelming power. He commands two-thirds of the entire beast army and is likely the true mastermind behind this raid.

Let’s talk numbers.

There are several other Tier 2 beasts under these Lords, but none are on their level. The bulk of the army includes:

354,120 Tier 1 Beasts

867,300 Tier 0 Beasts

And now, let’s compare that to our side.

1 Tier 3 Hunter (Mr. Caius)

11 confirmed Tier 2 Hunters, with a few more on the way

162,138 Tier 1 Hunters

452,310 Tier 0 Hunters

Yes... it’s not enough. Not even close.

But don’t lose hope.

Because now—let me pass the mic to someone who can give you a reason to stand tall.”

With that, she stepped aside, giving the stage to Caius.

”Hunters,” Caius said, his voice steady and strong.”I am Caius Dawfield, and I represent the Ashen Nest Guild.

We’ve decided to establish a permanent branch right here in your city. But for that to happen, we need the city standing.

So, we’re not going to sit back.

We’ve mobilized reinforcements, currently en route and preparing for teleportation to this location:

200,000 Tier 0 members

90,000 Tier 1 fighters

30 Tier 2 elites

And I, personally, will be on the frontlines with you.

We’re not just here to build. We’re here to fight.So, stand your ground. Fight with everything you have.Defend this city—not just for survival, but for a future worth living.”

Caius’s words did lift the morale of many, but the looming fear of death still hung heavy in the air.

Lucas, however, felt more motivated than ever. This was a rare opportunity he couldn’t afford to miss—a perfect chance to grind levels and push closer to his goal. Even his system acknowledged it, offering hunting quests, though the rewards weren’t as grand as the previous dungeon-stopping mission. Still, progress was progress.

With the briefing concluded, hunters were told to prepare for the impending assault. The northeast sector outside the city walls was predicted to be the main point of attack. It was being heavily fortified, especially to deal with threats from the air—Ashscale Wynerm was no joke. If left unchecked, that beast alone could decimate the city.

Hunters flooded the Association Market, grabbing every useful item they could find. Weapons, gear, support tools—especially health and mana potions—were in high demand. Vendors were making a killing, and neither Lucas nor Evan could avoid the steep prices.

Meanwhile, far beyond the city walls...

A vast horde of beasts, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, marched with terrifying unity. Different species moved side by side without conflict—any monster that dared disobey was instantly slaughtered. The reason? Their leaders were not ones they could defy and live to tell the tale.

Three terrifying presences moved behind the army.

First was a colossal ape, covered in mountain-like stone armour. His arms gleamed with strange ores and glowing crystals embedded into his flesh. This was Crag Howler, Beast Lord of the forest. With every step, the earth trembled beneath him. Any unfortunate beast who wandered too close was mercilessly crushed—whether a subordinate or not.

Above him flew a massive wyvern with blackened, ashen scales. Scars from past battles marked his rugged body, proof of his vicious nature. His presence alone caused fear among the lower-tier monsters. He was Ashscale Wynerm, a lesser dragon with the bloodline to prove it. Even if only partial, dragon blood was still dragon blood.

And ahead of both was a humanoid figure, riding a sleek, ominous beast, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon as though he could see what others could not.

”Oi... can you really achieve what you said?” Crag Howler rumbled, his voice like distant thunder. ”If not, be ready. Even if I have to die, I’ll drag you down with me.”

”You don’t have to,” the undead figure responded coldly. ”Within that human city... lies what we need to evolve beyond our limits. I, and that lizard above, require only two specific humans. The rest of the city, the leftovers... they’re yours. So, follow my lead and keep your threats to yourself. Or have you forgotten what happened when you and your entire tribe tried to defy me?”

His words chilled even the air around them.

The wyvern let out a flaming roar. ”You still believe this half-dead fool? What we need are those two humans—nothing else matters. If we don’t find them, you can rot in your dying forest.”

”Shut it, lizard,” Crag Howler scoffed. ”You dream of becoming a dragon, but do you think one human will make that fantasy real?”

Ashscale snarled and swooped down, flames erupting from his maw, ready to clash—but before the two lords could collide again, a tremendous pressure exploded from the undead.

Malwrath, the Corrupted Half-Demon Hybrid, unleashed his aura. Instantly, both beasts froze.

”You fools. Save that rage for the humans. This is why beasts can’t evolve—you waste your power fighting each other over petty pride.”

The oppressive pressure faded, and the march resumed.

The city was now in sight.

Back inside the city...

Curfew had locked everything down. Alarms were blaring. No soul was spared from duty.

Hunters were scrambling. Many made last calls to loved ones, uncertain if they’d survive the upcoming bloodshed.

Lucas’s party was also preparing, everyone accounted for—except the swordsman. Ilya noticed someone approaching.

”Lyra, are you joining us or going with your brother?” she asked.

Lyra nodded. ”With you guys. My brother’s assigned to the frontlines to deal with the Tier 3 Lord. He told me to support from the rear.”

”That works for us,” Tess chimed in. ”If you don’t mind, could you share your level? We’re trying to coordinate our formation.”

”Sure, but don’t be too surprised. I’m already Level 38. Planning to hit Level 50 or more during the raid.”

”Nice! We’re in that range too,” Tess grinned. ”Looks like we’ll make a good team.”

Everyone double-checked their gear, hearts pounding with a mix of fear and excitement.

”W-What? But I thought you all would be around level 20 to 25! Just to reach this level, I’ve had to grind day and night in dungeons! And now you’re telling me that Lucas and the rest of you are already near my level? That’s not fair!” Lyra complained, puffing her cheeks. Her childish reaction made everyone burst into laughter.

Meanwhile, outside the city...

The guards stationed on the outer wall were on high alert, eyes constantly scanning the distant treeline for any disturbance.

One of them flinched as movement flickered in the periphery of his vision. He swiftly lifted his binoculars—and froze.

A massive horde of beasts of varying sizes and species surged forward like a dark tide. His face turned grim.

”Sound the alarm! Report to the branch manager—the beast raid has begun!” he shouted.

His comrade immediately contacted the branch inside the city. Moments later, Lilia received the report and sprang into action. She alerted every official, and within minutes, an emergency broadcast echoed throughout the city.

The hunters had already been deployed to the northeastern outskirts—the direction predicted for the beast surge. As the announcement rang out, the city mobilized.

Hunters gathered at their designated areas:

Tier 0 hunters: Positioned within an 8-kilometer radius, forming the front line.

Tier 1 hunters: They took positions in the 12-kilometer ring beyond them.

Tier 2 and above: Awaited beyond, where battles would become catastrophically intense. Any Tier 1 or lower beings caught there would be annihilated instantly.

The hunters were placed according to rank to prevent overlap. A Tier 0 hunter caught in a Tier 2 clash would be like a twig in a storm.

Evan stood alone within the Tier 0 region. Around him, various hunter teams and guild squads had already set up their battle formations. He was the only solo hunter.

The other hunters eyed him with skepticism, some even offering him a spot in their teams out of goodwill. Evan politely refused.

Many sighed, unsure whether to admire his courage or pity his recklessness.

’Honestly, I thought the battlefield would be cramped with so many hunters. But it’s... surprisingly breathable,’ Evan thought as he looked around. Wide gaps had been left between groups, giving everyone ample space to move freely during the fight.

Above the walls...

Tier 2 hunters, including Caius, stood ready. Formation masters, led by Darian, were hard at work creating a layered barrier. A Tier 2 formation master from the Ashen Guild—reinforcements that had arrived just 90 minutes ago—assisted in the effort.

Tier 1 formation crafters had already exhausted their mana, resting as Darian and his partner continued their intricate work. Finally, after several more minutes of focus, the central defensive formation activated.

A ripple of glowing runes shimmered in the air before a massive barrier dome erupted skyward, expanding outward from the city walls.

First, it reached the 8-kilometer Tier 0 zone, forming a translucent wall of protective light. Then, a second wave expanded to envelop the 12-kilometer Tier 1 region.

Each zone was now layered and protected, designed to contain battles according to the hunter’s strength. Tier 2 monsters would be blocked from descending into the lower regions, while Tier 1 monsters would be stopped before reaching Tier 0.

It was a last-stand setup, with the city wall and its barrier as the final fallback.

The battle draws near...

Tier 2 hunters began making their way to their designated battlegrounds. Tier 1 hunters followed suit, bracing for the incoming horde.

Half an hour later, the wave arrived.

From the horizon, an overwhelming force of monsters thundered forward, kicking up dust and shaking the earth.

The beast tide crashed into the outer barrier. Only monsters of a similar power level were allowed through each section. Many weaker beasts slammed into the wall, howling in pain as they were rejected violently.

Yet others—those who matched the hunters in strength—slipped through effortlessly.

Despite the chaos, no higher-ranked hunters intervened in the lower zones. They only fought those deemed worthy—of equal strength or above. Wasting energy on weak opponents served no purpose.

Surprisingly, the beasts followed the same principle. Guided by instinct, they avoided targets too strong for them and sought prey on their level—or tried to breach the city.

Within the Tier 0 zone, the first proper skirmishes began.

Hunters clashed with incoming beasts. Shouts echoed. Bodies fell. Blood soaked into the dirt.

Some of the fallen were human—but far more were monsters, taken down by the coordinated efforts of trained teams.

The battlefield stretched too far for Evan to spot Lucas or the others. But he was itching for action.

He summoned his spear from his inventory, stretching his limbs casually.

’Guess it’s time to warm up a bit… before things really get serious.’

He turned just in time to see a monstrous beast burst from the brush in front of him.

His First Opponent,

It wasn’t a group of beasts— but may become far worse than that.

As a Razorhide Mantirox, a mutated panther-like beast with obsidian scales lining its back like jagged blades. Its glowing yellow eyes locked onto Evan, blood dripping from its fangs, fresh from a recent kill.

Its tail lashed the air like a whip, crackling with static energy.

With a blood-curdling snarl, it lunged at Evan, fangs wide.

It saw him as easy prey.

Big mistake.

– To Be Continued…

Did you enjoy the chapter? If so, prepare yourself for more excitement and suspense in the next one.