The Strongest Necromancer

[Name: Elizabeth Parker

Age: 18 vf

Race: Human

Talent: {The Light Of God}

Level: 1

HP: 100

MP: 20

Strength: 9

Defense: 8

Agility: 9

Endurance: 8

Intelligence: 7

Available Stat Points: 0]

"By time," Elizabeth cried as she fell on the ground, her body covered in sweat. The exhaustion from her training session weighed heavily on her limbs, each muscle fiber screaming in protest from the intense workout she had just completed. Increasing stats in this world was easier than on Earth. For example, thanks to the magical energy in the air, one adapts faster than back on Earth.

The process was still demanding, requiring dedication and pushing one's body to its absolute limits. In other words, breaking and healing your bones for a long enough time would cause your bones to heal back stronger than before, thereby increasing one Defense stat. The method was brutal but effective, a testament to how different the rules of this world were compared to their previous life.

Push your body for long enough, and you will increase your endurance stats. Elizabeth had been doing exactly that, maintaining a rigorous training schedule that pushed her cardiovascular system to its breaking point. Running and pushing your speed for enough time would increase your agility, and so on until you reach your limit, which is a stat of 10. Each point of improvement represented hours of grueling effort, making every small gain precious.

Of course, this is talking about someone at level one. The advantages of being at the first level were significant, but they wouldn't last forever. Going forward, it's foolish to train to try to increase your stats, as it would be much harder with every level up. The system seemed designed to reward early dedication while making later improvements increasingly difficult. Plus, for a human, the max stats at level 1 were 10, even with powerful talents.

That radical cap wasn't for sure, as she, along with everyone else, knew fully well that it would take a long time to reach a stat of 10 like Seth. The gap between her current abilities and what she knew was theoretically possible seemed vast, especially when she considered Seth's seemingly effortless superiority.

Elizabeth slowly picked herself up from the ground, her breathing still labored from the intensity of her workout. She looked to the shade where Seth was watching her, just to sigh helplessly, seeing he was fast asleep. His relaxed posture under the tree's shadow was a stark contrast to her own exhausted state, and she couldn't help but feel a mixture of frustration and affection.

Seth was always lazy, sleeping every chance he got. This behavior hadn't changed even after their transportation to this magical world, much to Elizabeth's ongoing bewilderment. She was slightly disappointed that, even coming into this new world, he didn't train. The irony of the situation wasn't lost on her - here they were in a world of magic and adventure, yet Seth seemed content to nap through most of it. Although he didn't have to, since he had the most stats out of all of them, even after a month of training.

The disparity in their abilities was a source of constant amazement and mild frustration. Even with all of the enchanted equipment, drugs, and other sources to allow them to reach their peak at level one, Seth still stood above them as the strongest... although it might be different in combat, seeing as he only had an S-tier talent, which he had avoided using.

His reluctance to demonstrate his abilities only added to the mystery surrounding his true potential. As she approached his sleeping form, her eyes landed on the golden necklace around his neck. The piece of jewelry caught the filtered sunlight, its surface reflecting light in a way that spoke of the magical enchantment within. It was a gift she had given him a few days after coming into this new world. She had enchanted her talent into the necklace, allowing it to heal Seth.

The process of creating the enchantment had been exhausting but rewarding, representing one of her first successful applications of her divine power to a magical item. Her talent had the unique effect of not removing any effect from training. This property made her healing particularly valuable in this world, where physical improvement was tied to enduring and recovering from strain. So, if someone were to work out and be healed by her, they would instantly feel the benefit of the workout without the side effects.

"Wake up." She said with a light sigh, causing Seth's eyes to snap wide awake. The transition from sleep to alertness was immediate, as if he had been only lightly dozing rather than deeply unconscious.

"I wasn't asleep, I was just resting my eyes," Seth said quickly, to which she rolled her eyes. It was the same excuse he had used countless times before, and she was no more convinced now than she had been then.

"I find it funny how the roles are reversed here. Back on earth, you had to protect me, but here I'm the one who would be doing the shielding." She said with a light sigh. The change in their dynamic was something she thought about often, remembering how different things had been in their previous world.

"Since when did I need a shield?" Seth asked while standing up, brushing himself off with casual movements that suggested he was more alert than his previous position had indicated.

"I don't get you... Wasn't it your dream to live the anime life? Instead, you laze around instead of living it." She said with a sigh, unable to understand Seth. His apparent lack of enthusiasm for their current situation puzzled her, especially given how he had always seemed to fantasize about such adventures before.

"What's an anime life compared to being with you?" Seth asked with a charming smile, to which she rolled her eyes and went to take a shower. His words carried a warmth that made her heart flutter, even as she tried to maintain her exasperated facade. Seth followed, but was blocked by the female guard who threw him a cold look filled with killing intent... which Seth simply ignored and sat outside the bathhouse while waiting for her.

The guard's hostility was palpable, her entire posture radiating barely contained violence. "..." The female guard, a level 40 warrior, looked at Seth with absolute disdain.

Her expression was one of pure loathing, the kind of hatred that went beyond mere dislike into something far more dangerous. Pretty much everyone dislikes Seth; his talent made sure of that. His laziness only made things worse... but the worst of it was his relationship with Elizabeth.

The combination of his dark abilities and his connection to someone as pure as Elizabeth seemed to offend the guard on a fundamental level. How could someone with such an evil talent be in a relationship with someone so pure and innocent? The philosophical contradiction appeared to torment her, creating a source of constant internal conflict. She wanted to do nothing more than to cut Seth down, but that act would not be good for many reasons.

The political ramifications of such an action would be severe and far-reaching. With Elizabeth and the others finding out that they killed Seth, how would that look? The consequences would extend far beyond simple justice, potentially destroying the carefully maintained relationships between the heroes and their hosts. Wouldn't it be them making possible enemies?

Elizabeth and the others were also new to the concept of death. Their previous world had been remarkably peaceful compared to this one, making them unprepared for the casual violence that seemed to permeate daily life here. Back in their world, it would be heaven-shaking news if 10 people died in their city.

Meanwhile, in this new world, people died every day in the thousands for countless reasons. The scale of mortality was something that none of the summoned heroes had fully grasped yet, making their psychological state particularly fragile. Exposing them to death and that being one of their own kind would have huge side effects they couldn't afford. The trauma of witnessing Seth's murder would likely shatter their effectiveness as heroes, creating problems that would extend far beyond the immediate loss.

[Name: Seth Morningstar

Age: 18

Race: ???????

Talent: [King Of The Dead] {True Name Sealed Due to Requirements Not Being Met}

Level: 1

HP: 100

MP: 33

Strength: 20

Defense: 22

Agility: 25

Endurance: 31

Intelligence: 39

Available Stat Points: 0]

Seth looked at his stats, the familiar interface appearing in his mind's eye as he mentally called up the information. The numbers were impressive by any standard, representing a level of power that far exceeded what should have been possible for someone at his level. While at level 1, his stats were all above 20, while Elizabeth and the others were still below 10. The disparity was so significant that it bordered on the absurd.

How was this possible, you might ask? Well, Seth honestly didn't know. The system that governed their growth in this world remained largely mysterious to him, responding to his efforts in ways that he couldn't fully understand.

Although he slept a lot, he of course trained on his own time. His training sessions were conducted in private, away from the prying eyes of those who already viewed him with suspicion. Thanks to the necklace Elizabeth had gifted him, he was able to train without a care for his own safety. The healing enchantment meant that he could push his limits without fear of permanent injury, allowing him to engage in training methods that would have been impossible otherwise.

Although many resources were not given to him, which in the end slowed down his growth, Seth didn't care much. The deliberate withholding of enhancement items and magical aids was an obvious slight, but he had learned to work within the limitations imposed upon him.

As for how his intelligence was so high, that was simple. The royal library had become his refuge, its vast collection of books and scrolls providing both knowledge and solitude. He had read through all of the books within the library, as well as mastered many spells. The accumulated knowledge from centuries of magical research and historical documentation had proven invaluable for his mental development. All of this greatly increased his intelligence; the more he learned, the higher his intelligence stats became. The relationship between knowledge acquisition and stat improvement was one of the few aspects of the system that he understood clearly. The more he used his intelligence, the more his stats also increased.

"I wonder how long it would take until I get assassinated?' Seth thought while throwing a look towards the female knight, who had not removed her eyes from him. Her constant surveillance had become a fact of life, but the malice behind her gaze suggested that her intentions went far beyond simple observation.

He wasn't blind to the people's dislike and distrust of him. The hostility that surrounded him was as constant as the air he breathed, creating an atmosphere of tension that never truly dissipated. He just didn't care about their thoughts towards him. Their opinions were irrelevant to his primary concerns, though their potential actions were another matter entirely. What he did care about was how to deal with the future of them trying to kill him.

The signs were becoming increasingly obvious to anyone paying attention. He had already seen how many were trying to matchmake Elizabeth with Mark. The political maneuvering was subtle but persistent, designed to isolate him from his most important ally. After their Dungeon raid, or even during, Seth expected them to start making moves against him. The upcoming mission would provide the perfect opportunity for an "accident" that would remove him from the equation permanently.

The sound of the bathhouse door opening interrupted his dark thoughts. "You know you didn't have to wait for me," Elizabeth said, stepping out of the bathhouse with clothing on. It was a white dress, something which the maid inside had ready for her. The garment was clearly chosen to emphasize her divine nature, its pristine color serving as a visual reminder of her purity.

"I thought we should both get our soul weapons together," Seth said lightly. The timing was deliberate - he had no intention of allowing Elizabeth to face this important milestone alone, especially given the political undercurrents that surrounded their group. A soul weapon, it was a unique weapon that only the lucky and chosen ones could afford to get their hands on.

The rarity of such weapons made them objects of legend and desire. It was a magical item that didn't just enhance one's stats, but also grew alongside the user. The weapon would evolve with its wielder, becoming more powerful as they developed their abilities. It was bonded to the soul, and thanks to its unique nature, it was the perfect weapon for its user's talent.

"I'm a bit nervous, what if I can't form one?" Elizabeth asked nervously. Her usual confidence had given way to genuine uncertainty, the weight of expectation clearly affecting her composure.

"Lady Elizabeth, if you can't form a soul weapon, then no one could." The guard said in a hurry, not wanting to let her doubt herself like that. The woman's devotion to Elizabeth was absolute, creating a stark contrast with her treatment of Seth.

Elizabeth smiled at her guard, but she couldn't say anything to her. The guard's confidence was touching, but Elizabeth was aware of the harsh realities that surrounded soul weapon creation. How could she when she had heard how even some A-tier talents were not able to form a talent? The stories of failure were numerous and well-documented, creating a body of evidence that suggested success was far from guaranteed. No one knew the requirement to get a soul weapon; it seemed random...

The uncertainty surrounding the process made it all the more nerve-wracking.

The place they were at, and had been summoned to, was the royal castle. This place was huge and was filled with many small buildings, such as the library, the training area, and so on. The architectural complexity of the castle was staggering, with each structure serving a specific purpose within the greater whole. It was like a town, with all the stuff that was here and could be done here.

Of course, Seth and the others were given their own place to stay. The accommodations provided to the heroes were luxurious by any standard. The place was just that huge.

"You're all here. After 1 month, your bodies have all been given the chance to adapt to this world. Meaning, it's time for you all to form your Soul Weapon." The Queen said with a light smile, seeing Seth and Elizabeth arriving. Her presence commanded attention, radiating an aura of authority that made the very air seem to thicken around her.

Behind the Queen was what seemed to be a room of infinite weapons. The sight was breathtaking in its scope, suggesting dimensions and spaces that defied conventional understanding. All stabbed into the ground, as if waiting for the day someone would arrive to get them. The weapons seemed to pulse with their own inner light, creating a display that was both beautiful and intimidating.

Seth's eyebrow raised as he didn't expect her to be here. The Queen's attendance spoke to the significance of this ceremony, though he suspected there might be other reasons for her presence. He joined Elizabeth as they paid their respect to the queen, but she waved it off, her eyes scanning Elizabeth for some time before they landed on Seth. The intensity of her gaze was unmistakable, as if she were trying to read something in his expression or posture. The two locked eyes for some time before the queen looked away, turning her gaze to Mark and the others.

"Behind me is the Hall of Weapons. Many cities have their own unique ways to get a soul weapon, our way, you enter this room." She said while turning to look at the Hall of Weapons behind her. The chamber beyond seemed to extend far beyond what should have been physically possible, its dimensions suggesting magical enhancement.

"It's another dimension in which only your soul can enter. All of the weapons you see inside are the soul weapons of the former warriors of our Blazing Star Empire." She said her eyes landed on a huge, heavy sword that had the symbol of the sun in a hole on the hilt. The weapon was clearly special, its craftsmanship and magical aura setting it apart from the countless other weapons visible in the hall.

"Even if you can't form your own Soul weapon, there is a chance one of the ancestors' soul weapons would allow you to draw them and use their power." She said, turning to look at everyone, looking for questions. The implication was clear - failure to create a new soul weapon didn't necessarily mean complete failure, though the alternative path carried its own uncertainties.

"Is it possible to form a soul weapon and also pick up one of the swords there?" Mark asked, to which the Queen paused for a second as such a thing had never happened. The question clearly caught her off guard, suggesting that the scenario was unprecedented in the kingdom's history. But after a moment, she nodded.

"Yes," She said lightly, before looking around, awaiting another question. But seeing no one had questions, she stepped aside to allow them to enter.

Mark gave Elizabeth a look before looking at Seth for a second. The exchange was loaded with meaning, the tension between the two young men obvious to anyone paying attention. With a look of determination, he stepped inside, followed by everyone else. Seth and Elizabeth, holding hands behind, were the last to enter.

The transition was unlike anything they had experienced before. Although it looked like their bodies entered, only their soul entered. Their body was instead in a safe space, away from any possible harm from anyone outside. The sensation was disorienting, as if they had suddenly become weightless while simultaneously feeling more aware of their own essential nature.

"How many soul weapons are here?" Elizabeth said in shock while looking around. For as far as the eye could see, weapons of all forms and shapes could be seen. The variety was staggering, representing centuries of accumulated armaments from countless fallen warriors. Arrows, Bows, Spears, Swords, Hammers, and the list went on. Each weapon seemed to tell its own story, creating a sense of history and weight that was almost overwhelming.

"The empire had stood for 10,000 years. So, I'm guessing a few hundred million weapons." Seth said while looking at the sight that reminded him of Ultimate Blade Work. The comparison was apt, as the hall seemed to stretch infinitely in all directions, filled with an impossible number of weapons.

'Lord, forgive me... but I can't help but think of stealing every weapon here to make my own gate of Babylon.' Seth thought, sighing at the sight. The temptation was almost overwhelming, though he knew such thoughts were both impractical and dangerous given his current circumstances.