This Necromancer Just Wants to Plant Trees - Chapter 164

Chapter 164: Matthew's Mount

...

Matthew had never heard such a strange request before.

So, he simply replied, "Okay."

Then, with a thought, chaos ensued.

Undead creatures from the graveyard surged forward—skeletons and zombies grabbed legs, pressed feet, positioned themselves in the front and back. Meanwhile, specters floated over Agus's upper body, howling wildly, greedily sapping his energy.

The Dark Priest led his three attendants, slowly beginning to chant a collective spell—Dark Matrix.

Their hoarse and eerie chants weren't from their throats but from the vibrations of their souls. Seconds later, a massive darkness engulfed the space around Agus.

His knees gave way involuntarily, kneeling on one knee. "Wait!" he exclaimed. "No, this... won't suffice. You must use your own power to defeat me to convince me."

Confused, Matthew looked at him. "They are my own power. Don't you calculate the summoner's abilities when gauging a necromancer's strength?"

Agus paused, contemplating. "I do."

"Then that's it. They're no different from me."

However, Agus shook his head.

Next moment, a chilling darkness erupted from him. Immediately, all the lower undead creatures retreated. A space cleared around him, halting the actions of the other undead except for the Dark Priest's chanting.

"You need to show me your true power," Agus demanded as he stood up.

Narrowing his eyes, Matthew commanded the Dark Priest to cease the Dark Matrix chant.

"So, you want to witness my true power? But I'm a necromancer. How do you expect to witness that?" Agus seemed puzzled.

"I don't know," he admitted. "I'm not clever. But you must show me."

Stubborn indeed.

But that obstinacy was what Matthew loved—solid and unthinking, pushing forward without hesitation.

After contemplating for a moment, Matthew suggested, "If you insist on displaying power, how about an arm-wrestling match?"

Agus agreed without hesitation, but the next moment, a moon bear appeared in front of him, flexing its muscles.

"You—you..." Agus appeared astounded. "Aren't you a necromancer? Have I come to the wrong place? Isn't this the graveyard?"

The moon bear urged, "I'm a necromancer too! Is there a rule that necromancers can't transform into bears? Come on!"

Saying that, he led the Dark Warrior to a stone table, and both sat on either side. Matthew extended his sturdy bear paw, meeting Agus's equally strong hand.

The moon bear's strength was 16 points. To enhance his strength further, Matthew wielded the Exxon's Nail Hammer with his left hand, sacrificing two points of agility but gaining a staggering four points of strength.

In theory, Wild Shape couldn't benefit from weapon specialization. However, Matthew accidentally discovered that the Nail Hammer doubled the strength of any form he assumed.

He speculated this effect stemmed from a curse on the hammer itself, aptly named "Cursed Nail Hammer."

Now possessing a strength of 20, the limit for ordinary mortals, he thought even if he couldn't beat Agus, he could at least match him.

However, after the countdown, Agus exerted terrifying strength! His power evidently surpassed Matthew's. In the arm-wrestling match, Agus dominated completely, and within fifteen seconds, the moon bear's paw slowly succumbed to defeat.

"Incredible power!" Matthew murmured, stealing a glance at the data panel.

...

"Hint: You've noticed that the Dark Warrior, Agus, possesses transcendent power exceeding at least 22 points!"

...

Transcendent power, a rare state for a mere mortal to reach legendary strength. Matthew acknowledged his defeat; after all, he was a mage.

Out of respect for the Dark Warrior, Matthew decided to give it his all.

He funneled all his strength into his right hand, inadvertently lifting his left hand.

Unintentionally, the massive Nail Hammer wavered before Agus.

Although Agus remained expressionless, his initial power diminished visibly. Seizing the opportunity, Matthew pushed back.

The two reached a stalemate.

Seeing the Nail Hammer constantly threatening him, Agus finally uttered slowly, "Let's... call it a draw."

"Your strength has earned my respect," he added, his tone tinged with wariness.

Relieved, Matthew released his grip.

Bang! The colossal Nail Hammer fell, shattering the stone table into halves.

The Dark Warrior silently observed the wreckage, a flicker of flames in his eyes.

Immersed in the arm-wrestling process, Matthew hadn't noticed this detail. He took a few breaths and reverted to his human form.

"I'm a mage; strength isn't my forte. If you want to see something else, I can demonstrate some spells," he offered, smiling.

The more Matthew observed Agus, the more he liked him. A flesh-and-blood warrior who didn't think too much but charged ahead—Matthew admired that.

Agus cautiously asked, "When casting spells, do you need to keep that hammer with you?"

"Of course not," Matthew replied, easing Agus's concerns. "Please, let me demonstrate."

With that, Matthew guided him to the northwest corner of the graveyard—a designated training ground piled with stones.

Chanting slowly, Matthew cast the Deadly Scissors spell on a colossal rock. As the first pair of scissors made of negative energy appeared, Agus's soul fire quivered slightly.

Boom! The enormous sound echoed as the scissors cut the stone in half.

After a while, a visibly stronger pair of scissors manifested.

Casually, Matthew snapped his fingers, and another stone split, this time with a smoother cut.

Agus's soul fire flickered again.

When the third incantation ended, the final pair of Deadly Scissors materialized in the air. Maybe due to the dispersed stone dust in the air, Matthew sneezed.

Instantly, the scissors tilted slightly, pointing vaguely towards Agus.

Agus immediately knelt, "No need to demonstrate! I sincerely acknowledge your power!"

Rubbing his nose, Matthew was surprised by Agus's change in attitude. Nevertheless, since Agus had said that, Matthew wouldn't overdo it.

He then directed the Deadly Scissors to cut through the air.

Swish!

The terrifying negative energy tore the surrounding space. For a moment, the area showed signs of a slight rift.

Agus silently observed everything, his soul fire pulsating vigorously.

Only after Matthew finished the demonstration did Agus slowly rise from the ground.

"Your power is truly astonishing. I have no further inquiries in this regard. However, I still need to reside in your graveyard for a while to genuinely decide if I'll love it here. No more than seven days, and I'll give you an official answer."

Though Agus didn't immediately agree, it seemed likely to yield a positive result.

"Of course, I was planning to draw out some elite units from the zombies, skeletons, and specters, along with the Dark Warriors, to form a formidable defensive force," Matthew eagerly explained.

"They'll patrol the graveyard and nearby dungeons, ensuring security. They'll also enjoy more negative energy fountains and other privileges reserved for high-ranking graveyard members. If you're willing to stay

, I hope you'll guide them occasionally," he added.

Agus nodded in agreement.

"Then, please follow me to the crypts. There, I have prepared a decent living space for you," Matthew said respectfully.

As they walked towards the crypts, Agus finally turned his head slightly and asked, "By the way, what's your name, young mage?"

With a warm smile, Matthew replied, "I'm Matthew, the Necromancer."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the darkness began to seep into the graveyard, welcoming its new Dark Warrior.

Almost a king?

Matthew wondered if it was little Fei?

This guy even silently publicizes his outstanding deeds among the undead?!

I must definitely commend him loudly when I get back!

Matthew asked, 'How was that news phrased?'

Agus replied, 'He said there's a necromancer named Matthew who treats his undead quite generously, even better than the living!'

'He said you don't take bones from skeletons, don't pull teeth from zombies, and certainly don't play with torches around spirits.'

'He said your attitude towards your subordinates is earnest, fair in rewards and punishments. Especially, you don't covet the soul crystals of your undead underlings. If they merit it, they are duly rewarded instead of being toyed with like other necromancers do.'

'I didn't believe it at first. How can anyone treat dead better than living?'

'Until yesterday, Lady Peggy took me to visit many places in the cemetery—'

'I saw skeletons dancing;'

'I heard spirits singing;'

'I found zombies immersed in the joy of carrying tombstones;'

'Only those humans.'

'Always working for you with furrowed brows!'

After confirming this, there was nothing to stop me from becoming your subordinate!'

The Dark Knight spoke passionately.

Matthew was almost moved to tears.

He wanted to explain that "treating the dead better than the living" was a misunderstanding, but the atmosphere was so intense that saying anything else seemed pointless.

At that moment, Matthew used a contract slot and welcomed the Dark Knight, Agus, into his undead harem!

...

"Hint: Contract Slot -1.

You have acquired the new contracted undead 'Agus' (Dark Knight Shield Defender/LV17).

You are obtaining Agus's attributes and abilities information."

...

Looking over, Matthew grew increasingly jubilant.

Confirmed.

This guy was exactly the talent he lacked!

A shield defender specializing in strength with taunting abilities!

Agus's attributes were the epitome of the term 'meat shield.' Every aspect of him was tailored to draw fire, provide defense, and shield teammates!

However, Matthew's joy didn't last long.

Because he saw a very special permanent status.

...

"Home Guard Fanatic: The Dark Knight Agus drifted through the negative energy planes for an extremely long period, causing him immense suffering.

Upon joining your cemetery, he immediately formed a profound bond with it, considering it a home that he must protect with all his might.

Agus loathes leaving the cemetery.

When within the cemetery, his combat will is at 200%;

When leaving beyond 10 kilometers from the cemetery, he experiences 'Weakness,' reducing attributes by 10%.

The farther from the cemetery, the more severe Agus's weakness becomes.

At 30 kilometers, Agus will lose mobility and suffer a 50% attribute reduction.

In theory, you cannot persuade Agus to leave beyond 30 kilometers from the cemetery."

...

"Why am I not surprised at all?"

Matthew silently quipped to himself.

Agus was indeed a super meat shield.

But his activities were limited to within the cemetery and its vicinity.

Long trips were out of the question.

Matthew really wanted to ask how he managed to get around when he was wandering.

But the atmosphere was so intense.

Saying anything else seemed pointless.

Hence, for a while, master and servant reveled in joy.

Matthew spoke some polite words and entrusted Agus with the task of assembling the guard, allowing him to choose from the undead in the cemetery.

Agus complied.

And eagerly set to work.

Leaving Matthew quietly contemplating the graves around.

In the end, when venturing out, the meat shield was still himself!

...

Days went by.

Unbeknownst, it was mid-June.

The weather grew hotter.

This climate was unsuitable for planting trees, not because magic couldn't negate its impact on planting, but because it was against the natural order.

Defying nature would be met with its punishment.

For instance, magically birthing trees would, to some extent, violate nature, something many druids disapproved of.

The punishment was that such trees wouldn't bear seeds for thirty years.

Matthew couldn't work against nature's fury.

So, after entering June.

Symbolically, he planted a tree every day.

Though earning just a bit of XP each day, it brought him a slight sense of happiness.

Post-summer, Matthew spent most of his time in the cemetery.

For the coolness it provided.

In between, he took a trip to the Crystal Palace, completing the solidification of three remaining spells.

These days, Matthew could feel the miniature constructs implanted by Suyan integrating into his body.

Once the fusion was complete.

These abilities would be permanently solidified within him.

Like any other on him, they'd undergo a qualitative change upon ascending to legendary.

Ascension to legendary was a marvelous process.

When a mage ascended, their spells and abilities received comprehensive enhancements.

This process was called 'Legendary Shaping.'

The enhancement effect of Legendary Shaping was usually directly related to two factors—

One was the practitioner's practice of legendary arts, and the other was the number of domains.

The more domains one had.

The higher the coefficient for ability enhancement.

Correspondingly.

The more abilities one accumulated before ascending to legendary, the greater the comprehensive improvement after enhancement.

It was a multiplicative relationship between them.

The difference between a single-domain practitioner and a multi-domain practitioner in terms of enhancement after legendary shaping could be described as 'heaven and earth.'

Similarly.

The difference in combat power after legendary between a mage with 100 abilities and one who ascended with only 10 would be staggering.

The most obvious reason for this was.

The former took full advantage of the 'multiplicative effect' of Legendary Shaping.

A regular mage's hand would transform into a 'Legendary Mage's Hand' with at least triple the effect after Legendary Shaping.

If you waited to learn the Mage's Hand after ascending to legendary.

Not only would you fall into the 'Arrogance Law.'

But you'd only learn a regular 'Mage's Hand.'

Legendary Shaping offered only one chance.

Miss it, and it was gone.

So, for anyone aspiring to become a strong legendary figure, ascending to legendary wasn't the goal but a means.

Before that step, they had to accumulate as much as possible.

Once they took that step, many things couldn't be compensated for.

This was also why 'Water Legendaries' with a single domain were extremely rare on this continent.

Every legendary possessed tremendous willpower and wisdom.

Even if they were unaware of Legendary Shaping's details, they silently accumulated their abilities and domains, guided by instinct.

Until they soared.

For Matthew, it was no different.

Legendary was just a means to become stronger. Before stepping through that door, he was determined to accumulate enough abilities and domains!

"Domains, at least 20 or so at the initial stage."

As for abilities.

Starting with

the basic 100, Matthew set a goal of reaching 1,000 by the time of ascension.

From then on.

Who could suppress him?

The real game started after becoming a legendary!

...

This chapter of summoning undead mounts. The first three contracts are free.

A Golden Pegasus was summoned from the celestial realm as the first mount.

A Nightmare, fiery and dark, was summoned from the hellish domain as the second mount.

The last one was unknown.

The hint was: A white cat observing the rooftop.

But this matter was quite difficult.

Because Matthew had too many good options.

"Golden Pegasus, flying speed and grace, the ability to cross realms, and the noble bloodline of the celestial realm.

Nightmare, fearsome in appearance, immune to fire, and skilled in aerial combat.

White cat… unknown attributes, but most probably skilled in stealth, agility, and perception."

At this moment, Matthew had a huge headache.

Each option was tempting.

But he had only one free contract left.

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