A mound of corpses- a nice, smelly, decaying mound of corpses.

“So they just threw the corpses in a crater.”

I shake my head as I gaze at the mound of decaying and damaged flesh with blood and ichor leaking from various wounds. Some were eviscerated, others burned, many crushed. Heck, it looks like the kitsune were trying to hold back but kept failing and overkilling everything.

For some of these, I can't even figure out what monster they were while alive.

“Well, at least I only need the bones and not the actual skeletal structure.”

I raise my hand towards the mound and call up my mana.

“[Corrosive fog.]”

The skill activates and mana condenses around my hand before spraying towards the mound. The purple gas-like smoke expands over all of the bodies. The flesh begins to sizzle and melt at a faster pace than some of the most concentrated acids.

Corrosive fog was a skill I gained from leveling. I was confused on why I had gotten it. Though useful, it didn't at first seem like a skill that would be specific to the [Necromancer] class and more the skill of, say, a [Dark Mage]. It was only after a bit of experimentation that I understood its purpose. The fog only affects flesh. It destroys flesh but leaves bone alone. It is a spell for preparing bones for undead creation just as well as a combat spell against the living.

A good five minutes and a third of my mana later, the mound turns into a huge pile of white bones.

“Huh?”

Once the pile of bones is the only thing left, I notice thousands of connections beginning to form to each bone in the pile. The connection is very similar to [Bone Levitation] but is even thinner and costs me nothing.

Curious, I mentally order one of the bones to move. A microscopic amount of mana leaves my body and the bone begins to levitate far easier than ever before.

“Hmmm. This seems like an upgraded version of [Bone Levitation]. It seems kind of automated.”

I focus on the thin connection between the bones and myself. Instantly, I notice that there is no connection to the bones on the far side of the mound. I take a step forward and feel more connections form.

I see. It seems I am connecting to bones in a radius around me, which seems to have the added effect of drastically lowering the amount of mana I need to move the bones.

“Another thing to experiment more with. But first…”

I call up my stats and take a gander at my maximum mana.

“My maximum mana is a little over two thousand. Good number, but not nearly enough for some of the more costly creations. Combine that with mana for manipulation, then the cost increases further.”

Gazing at the bones, I notice that the average level is in the eighties, which means that more resources would be required to create things at my level. As I am currently level 102 in my [Necromancer] class, I can probably infer that my creations will be at or around my level.

“Well, I should start with something simple first.”

I call up the skeletal creation list and scroll through the various creations. Some mana costs ranging from less than a hundred to…

“Wow.”

Who the fuck would have this much mana? Scratch that. Who the hell has that many corpses?

“Focus Quasi. Stop drooling. Simple first.”

I go through the lists some more and finally stop at something that would be pretty interesting to test.

That should work.

I extend my hand and call up my mana, the whole process of which is not required thanks to my [Motionless Casting] skill. Still, there is something fun about waving your hand and yelling out magical spells.

“[Skeletal Creation].”

I stand there, my hand extended, an expectant smile on my face.

Nothing happens.

I scratch the back of my head in confusion. The skill didn't activate or even try to.

“[Create Bone Assassin]?” I say after a moment of thought.

Mana blazes forth from me, exiting every pore of my body and converging to a location in front of me. Bones from the pile begin to levitate and turn into a bone powder. The powder accelerates towards where my mana is taking shape. It begins to swirl and compress, beginning to create an undead. A humanoid shape slowly takes form, but I can already tell that it is different.

It takes about two minutes before the undead is complete. Its arms are blades, its toes are missing, and it looks like the skeletal structure was created for higher mobility and speed.

“[Advanced Analyze]”

I gaze at the stats of the undead. They are probably very good for someone of its level, but nothing too crazy. Still, its endurance is lacking quite a bit, even with the boost, though that may not be a problem if it does what it is supposed to do.

“Mana cost was around 800 thanks to [Mana Font] lowering the cost. That’s surprisingly good, considering my mana regenerated more than half through the summoning process.”

I guess Mana Strain would be the restricting force regarding undead creation for everyone except myself.

With a mental command, I order the undead to move around. First walking, then running, jumping, jogging, acrobatics. The undead is silent thanks to its skill, though its physical structure leaves much to be desired.

“Let's see if we can make some improvements. [Undead Modification].”

Mana bursts from my being, but instead of going towards my undead as my formerly [Minor Undead Modification] did, it enters the pile of bones, disintegrating a decent chunk and hovering the bone dust over the [Bone Assassin].

 

Holy shit. That's not modification, that's literally changing the undead.

A smile forms on my face as I begin to add and remove bone. I elongate and thin the blades of bone on its arm. I thin the skull, decreasing the surface area while filling in the unneeded eyeholes. I remove its useless ribs and use them to improve the spine, adding more options for movement and increased flexibility. A significant sum of bone dust is used on its legs. The legs no longer look human but are instead reminiscent of a raptor. This will significantly increase movement speed and lunge capability. I spend more dust on the limbs, thickening where appropriate while also making them aerodynamic so as to limit air resistance.

I take a look at how much bone is remaining.

Using two pounds of dust, I begin to craft artistic lines throughout the body, including a very sinister smile on its eyeless face.

With the body complete, I focus on the mind and what I want to impart. As I impart my thoughts, the rest of the dust seems to consume itself.

 

I read and reread the stats as well as the bonuses. I am impressed regarding the [Artistic Talent] skill and the rather significant bonus it provided. The level seems to enhance stats as does my modifications. The posture of my undead is now completely different. Where before it was standing and waiting for orders, now the undead has lowered itself while keeping its limbs ready to react at all times.

“Good, It seems the imparted knowledge is already in use, though I should probably give you a name.”

I touch my lips, gazing at my creation and the rather impressive looking smile.

“Aight. I’ma name you Joker.”

 

Holy crap. Did I just create a skill?

The mental question goes unanswered as several boxes spawn in my vision range.

 

Damn, that is a lot of levels. Though I do find it saddening that I gained no new skills. Heck, maybe [Bard] will actually be worth it at the higher levels. [Artistic Talent] is already paying dividends.

“Hmmm, I wonder if I can upgrade undead to my level,” I say as my gaze swerves towards an undead by the name of Mule standing next to Berosus. With a mental command, I have Mule walk to me.

As Mule makes his way to me, I activate my [Advanced Analyze] skill.

Mule, to my surprise, is actually rather strong even though his level is lagging behind. His strength and endurance are impressive even though his Dexterity lacks too far behind for it to be useful against any trained combatant. Enemies will dodge any and all attacks with relative ease.

With a mental command, Mule moves right next to Joker.

“Alright, I have a weird feeling that this will work.”

I open the Skeletal Creation List and begin perusing for an undead that matches the physique of Mule.

It takes a good minute before I stop on something that will require practically all of my mana.

“Now, let's see if this works.”

With a mental command, I order Mule to remove everything he is wearing. He does so and takes a standing position before me.

I extend my hand and call up my mana.

My eyes begin to glow a powerful purple.

“[Create Bone Archknight]”

Mana converges in my hand before shooting forward. The mana, guided by the skill, attempts to find an open location to start the creation process. It is here that I use my willpower over the spell, forcing it to use the same location as Mule.

The skill fights back, but I persevere. My mana converges over Mule, covering him completely.

“Knew it!”

Like before, bones begin to turn into dust, flying from the pile and swirling around Mule. Mule’s body begins to shift and change, thickening and getting taller by about another inch.

Minutes pass by until the skill ends and I am left with what looks like a fully armored knight… except made of bone and probably weighs a good seven or eight hundred pounds. I activate my [Advanced Analyze] skill.

The new and improved Mule… is kinda boring. Yes, he looks way better than the mess he was before, but his new form is not nearly as impressive as Joker.

I scratch my head as I begin to have Mule move around. I make him do several various movements so as to gauge mobility as well as flexibility. Unfortunately, what I see is pretty much what I expected. The armor is trash. It was made to tank and that is all it is good for even though the Strength stat should not restrict the speed too much.

“Simple enough fix, [Undead Modification].”

Like before, a hundred pounds of bone dust rises into the air from the pile. It gathers around Mule, instantly waiting to be directed from my thoughts.

“First things first, armor design needs to go.”

With a flick of my thoughts, the entire armor covering begins to shift entirely. Where before it was a thick and restrictive mass, the armor becomes segmented plate entirely. Chains of inner bone formed on the insides to keep the segments firmly in place, allowing the new design to have nearly full human levels of movement. With another thought, I use a good portion of bone dust to create sharp angles on the armor that start at the chest and extend outward.

I frown at the 35 remaining pounds of bone dust left over. The larger surface area of Mule makes it so that the modification costs are significant.

“Damn. Either make him smart or stronger.”

The choice, though annoying, is not difficult.

5 pounds disappear and disperse around Mule, decorating the armor in several images of crows reminiscent of the mark that Jessica carries.

The remaining thirty pounds of dust are consumed for the process of implanting knowledge. This knowledge should allow mule to better utilize his new mobility and body structure.

 

“True Sentience? What the hell is true sentience?”

My question is answered immediately as Mule bends down and picks up his sword of bone. The sword, formerly a two hander, is now wielded like a longsword thanks to his now increased girth.

Mule then turns and begins walking away without me giving any orders. His steps create deep imprints on the dirt while I stare at him, confused.

I send a mental order for Mule to stop.

…

Nothing happens.

“Oy, where the hell are you going!” I yell, annoyed and confused.

I was not expecting a voice to be heard in my head.

Following Priority Directive: Protect Jessica.

What? Shit. Did my undead talk to me? Mule can talk now? Why is it protecting Jessica? What the hell is happening?

“So what, you can communicate now?” I yell but get no reply.

The undead continues its stride away. Its back is facing me.

Leave it to me to create an undead that can think but refuses to answer.

“Mule, as your creator, I order you to stop moving.”

Cannot follow order: Order interferes with Priority Directive.

“Then I order you to change your goddamn directive.”

Cannot follow order: Order interferes with Priority Directive.

Mule continues walking away, my mind slowly catching up to what is happening. The undead is still connected to me and is being fed my mana. I can very easily stop the feed and allow it to die.

“Fine then,” I wave my arms.

“Keep walking. What do I care. Joker is better than you anyway.”

Mule continues towards the location of Jessica while I turn and gaze at Joker who did not move an inch.

“You’re not going to grow sentience and leave me too, right?”

The undead failed to respond.

“I’m going to take your silence as a hard maybe.”

The skeleton stares forward vacantly.

I sigh.

“I’m going insane, aren't I Joker?”

*Silence*

“You know, you are a great conversation partner. Not even created ten minutes ago and already you are such a great listener.”

Joker continues to stay silent and unmoving.

“Yup. I’m insane. Just denying it now.”

I shrug my shoulders.

“Meh, I’ll continue denying it. Makes life more interesting that way.”

I turn away from Joker and begin walking towards where the Gejan are camped and training. Joker follows me silently while I take a gander at the levels I obtained from creating Mule 2.0.