"Have you heard of the Necromancer who commands more than two undead servants?" A burly young man spoke to his partner in a tavern corner.
He wore light leather armor, and an iron shield rested beside his feet.
"Hm? A Necromancer with more than two undead servants? How is that possible?" his partner, a thin boy with curly blueish hair, asked with wide eyes.
Seated inside the tavern, news of Thoren had spread among the awakeners.
Each day after their fierce battles with deadly beasts, many awakeners returned to the tavern to relax and listen to the latest gossip.
This was the human race’s primary source of entertainment inside the Abyss.
At another table, a girl with an average build added her voice. "I saw him. His undead summons are more than five, and all of them were powerful."
"Really? Where did you see him?" another person asked.
With many voices contributing, everyone inside the tavern began to talk about it.
"Do you think the powerful guild will recruit him? With so many undead servants, I bet his talent would be above A-Rank," a stoic young man said, gulping down his rum.
"What do you expect? I think the five top guilds must rush to recruit him as we speak," a girl added, her cheek crimson from the heavy alcohol.
"I suppose this is good for us. The number of high-level, powerful beasts is increasing with every passing day. With him, perhaps our burden will be reduced."
Just as they discussed the potential influence of this newly powerful Necromancer, a girl spoke in a low voice. "What do you think the Federation will do about him?"
A sharp gasp echoed through the tavern as everyone momentarily halted their chatter.
They all knew the Federation’s strict laws against Necromancers, and that awakeners who violated those laws faced severe consequences.
No one could predict what the government would do.
"If he joined a powerful guild, I think he would be fine, right?" a boy asked, his voice uncertain.
"I don’t think so. Necromancers were banned for this reason. Since he broke the law, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was locked up," another voice replied.
...
Meanwhile, inside a two-story building, a young man sat behind a wooden desk and listened to the latest report.
"You mean there is a Necromancer who has more than two undead servants, and among them a few were humans?" he asked, raising his brow as he stared at the strikingly beautiful girl before him.
"Yes," Minerva nodded with a solemn expression.
"Do you know who he is?" Elric asked, frowning deeply.
For many years, there had never been a Necromancer who dared to defy the Federation’s strict laws—until now.
Even those on the higher floors dared not.
Yet...
Minerva thought for a moment before replying. "Captain, I can think of only one name."
"Who?" curiosity burned in his eyes.
"Thoren Starfall."
"Thoren Starfall?" He had never heard of him.
As a Federation Police Captain, he knew of many powerful awakeners entering the Abyss, but Thoren Starfall did not ring a bell.
"He’s one of the fresh awakeners who just arrived two days ago. He’s from an ordinary family," she explained.
Hmm?
Elric’s eyes widened in disbelief. A greenhorn daring to defy Federation rules—was he tired of living?
He had assumed such a daring boy would come from a powerful family or a prestigious guild, but who would have expected he would be from an ordinary one.
"I want to see what gives him the confidence to defy the law," he thought, his eyes darkening.
"Gather the men and arrest him immediately," he ordered.
"Right away, Captain." Minerva nodded and departed with large strides.
....
In a secluded corner of the town, an ordinary wooden house stood.
"Are you saying our men failed?" a young man asked with a deep frown.
"Yes. Now everyone is talking about him," the burly man standing before him replied.
"Norman, do you know what this means?" Gilbert asked, his voice dangerous and low.
Hearing his tone, Norman shuddered. He swallowed hard, forcing down the lump in his throat.
No one had ever escaped the claws of their guild before—until now. Their business must never see the light of day.
Discretion was their motto.
And for such a rare slave to escape their grip would cause a deep problem for their guild.
"Before the guild master learns of it, gather our men and find him at once. That rare specimen must never fall into another guild’s hands," Gilbert commanded, leaving no room for argument.
"Sir Gilbert, you can depend on me. I will get to it right away."
"You better be..."
...
Unknown to the growing undercurrent in the town, Thoren walked into the town with a bright smile plastered on his face.
******
[AN: Please support this book with your power stones. Thanks.]