Lily raised her fist, trembling slightly.
"Don’t test me," she said.
Mike leaned back on the chair.
"Relax. You’re a mage. Your punches won’t hurt."
She glared at him for a few seconds, then slowly lowered her hand and sighed.
"...You’re really annoying," she muttered.
Mike smiled.
"Yeah, I hear that a lot."
She sat down across from him.
"But seriously," Lily said, calmer now, "thank you. No one has ever done this much for me."
Mike shrugged.
"You’re my friend. That’s enough."
She looked away, a little embarrassed.
"Still... I won’t waste it. I’ll get strong. Strong enough that your investment pays off."
"I know," Mike replied. "That’s why I chose you."
They sat quietly for a moment.
Then Mike stood up.
"Alright. Let’s start upgrading your stuff."
"You’re going to do it here?" Lily asked, surprised.
Mike shook his head.
"No. I meant let’s go to my home or your home. We can do it there."
She looked at him strangely.
"...The way you’re saying it, if others heard us, they might think something weird."
"Nah," Mike said casually. "Everyone would just think I’m too good for you."
Lily felt her patience reaching its limit.
"Damn it, why are you so annoying to talk to?" she snapped and punched him in the arm.
As Everyone looked at their tabel due to her outburst, causing her face to turn red as she sat back on her chair.
Mike leaned back, covering his mouth as he burst out laughing.
Thud!
"Ah! That hurts!" Mike yelled, holding his leg as she kicked him with her heels.
Seeing him finally stop laughing, Lily put on a smug expression.
"Hmph."
Mike looked at her smug, childish expression. It was the same look his five-year-old sister make whenever she feels like she is Queen. He couldn’t help but shake his head.
"Let’s go," he said, standing up.
Lily nodded.
Soon, they were back in Mike’s room. He placed all the items they bought neatly on the table.
"Okay, I’m going to start now," Mike said, nodding to himself. "Let’s begin with the drake egg."
He picked up the drake egg. It was about the size of his forearm. Placing his palm on it, he activated his talent.
Midas Touch.
A soft golden light spread from his hand. The rocky, gray surface of the egg began to crack—not physically, but in texture. The dull shell transformed into a smooth, black, crystal-like surface.
"It’s upgraded," Mike said calmly. "It’s now an Obsidian Drake. Its defensive and tanking ability increased even more."
He handed the egg to Lily.
"Prick your finger and drop some blood on it. That will start the bonding," he said.
Lily nodded, bit her finger lightly, and let a drop of blood fall onto the egg.
The egg absorbed it instantly.
She felt a strange sensation form—a clear connection between her and the egg.
"I can feel it," she said softly.
"Good," Mike replied. "Now hatch it."
Lily placed both hands on the egg and began pouring mana into it without holding back. Thanks to her talent, the amount of mana flowing out of her was enormous, yet her expression remained calm.
The black crystal egg started to tremble.
Cracks of dark light spread across its surface.
Crack.
Crack.
A deep, low growl echoed softly in the room.
"It’s coming out," Lily said, eyes wide.
Mike stepped back slightly.
"Stay calm. Let it finish."
The cracks spread faster.
A sharp crack echoed as a piece of the black crystal shell broke away. Dark mana poured out, filling the room with a heavy pressure.
Lily instinctively stepped back, but she didn’t stop channeling mana.
"Easy... easy..." she muttered.
The egg split open completely.
From inside, a small creature pushed its way out. It had a thick, muscular body covered in smooth, obsidian-black scales. Its four legs were short but powerful, built for strength rather than speed. There were no wings—only a solid, grounded form that radiated endurance. Its eyes opened slowly, glowing a deep amber.
The young drake let out a low growl.
"Grrr..."
The sound was quiet, but carried weight.
Lily froze.
"...It’s big," she whispered.
"For a hatchling," Mike nodded. "Yeah. That’s normal for an Obsidian Drake."
The drake lifted its head and looked at Lily.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then it walked toward her, movements clumsy but steady, and pressed its head gently against her leg.
Lily sucked in a breath.
"It... recognizes me."
"Well, you did form a bond with it," Mike shrugged.
The drake looked at him, then suddenly growled.
Mike raised an eyebrow.
"Look at this little bastard. I evolved it to the next level, and it’s growling at me."
He flicked the drake lightly on the head.
The drake rolled backward from the force.
"Why are you bullying a baby?!" Lily shouted and quickly moved to help the young drake up.
Mike rolled his eyes.
"That ’baby’ can easily tank a full-force hit from a Rank 0 being," he said.
Lily still glared at him.
"I’m upgrading the rest now," Mike said, ignoring her look.
He placed his hand on the first skill book.
The Skeleton Warrior Creation skill glowed and transformed.
"Upgrade complete," Mike said. "Skeleton Knight Creation."
Next, he upgraded the Skeleton Mage Creation skill.
"This one’s now Skeleton Grand Mage Creation."
Lily stared at the books, stunned.
"...You’re serious," she muttered.
Mike handed them to her.
"Learn them too."
She took them carefully, nodding.
"I will."
Mike then picked up the last book.
Land of Decay.
"This one’s special," he said. "Let’s see how far it goes."
Golden light flared much stronger than before.
The air grew heavy.
Dark energy spread outward as the book’s aura twisted and deepened.
After a moment, the light faded.
Mike looked at the title.
"Epic to Unique," he said. "Successful."
Lily swallowed.
"...Unique?"
Mike nodded.
"It’s no longer Land of Decay."
He turned the book so she could see the name.
Land of Blighted Death
Silence filled the room.
Lily slowly looked up at him.
"You’re right. You can really make a ton of money with this," she said.
Mike nodded.
"Yeah."
He continued, "Anyway, let’s focus on getting stronger. Do you want more necromancy stuff? You could also take summoner-type skills."
She looked interested, so he went on.