The Lich who Brings Ruin

Chapter 1 | Awakening (1)

As the resurrected Supreme Magus sighed deeply with a facepalm, the necromancers around him stared dumbfounded. They had expected the ego of Versci's soul to be great, but for him to have absolutely zero compulsion to show his allegiance to his summoners once brought back had exceeded their expectations.

The elder believed that they may have bitten off more than they could chew.

Coming to terms with the fact Fortun's premonition had come true, Versci released his bony hand from his face to understand what had happened.

"So, you three brought me back from the dead? Pray tell, explain why you did such a foolish thing before all your bodies turn into ash."

Well, less understanding and more getting an answer out of the people who put him in this situation in the first place. The chilling aura from the magus-turned-Lich had become an aura of dread, responding to the owner's emotions. Anyone standing remotely close to Versci would feel an undeniable fear welling up inside of them, a fear of death.

The elder immediately started foaming from the mouth, suffering from a heart attack thanks to the sudden fear that gripped his mind. The orc-like fellow had wet himself and ran away, only to be burnt alive with a snap of Versci's fingers. Only the female necromancer remained, her eyes trembling on the verge of tears. She had prepared herself for the worst beforehand, but she couldn't have imagined something like this happening.

"It would appear you're the only one left. Answer my question before you face the same fate as the coward before you." The cold blue light in the Lich's eyes stared deep into her own, as if sucking her soul out of her body.

Prostrating herself, she spoke as clearly as she could. "W-w-we are vagabonds in pursuit of great power, O Supreme Magus. A-after learning that your glorious remains were here, we aimed to bring you under o-our unworthy command and bring the w-world to its knees." 

"Flattery will do you no good, but your honesty is appreciated. Although it's good to hear people still remember who I am." 

Fools who seek the power of others to do what they cannot do themselves. It wasn't the first time Versci had run into these kinds of people. Once he got an answer the dreadful aura calmed itself, allowing the woman to breathe normally and recollect herself. Unfortunately, the elder had passed away from his sudden heart attack.

"D-does this mean I'm allowed to leave?" She promised to herself that she would never deal with necromancy ever again if these were the consequences.

Sadly, Versci had other plans for her. 

"Seeing as you managed to gather the resources to bring me back from the dead and complied to my request, I suppose I should compensate you." 

Instead of feeling relieved, she felt even more scared than before. It's well known that the undead had a universal hatred for the living, including their own summoners. This compensation might as well be a painless death, but still death nonetheless.

Extending his hand towards her, she immediately grabbed onto it without hesitating. With an open palm forward, mana flowed through Versci's bones into his fingertips as a magic circle appeared from thin air in front of him.

"[ Greater Mass Teleport ]."

In a split second, the woman's vision was blinded. It would take a while before the light settled, revealing that the environment had changed from a dusty old catacomb to a library which had bookshelves which stretched as far and high as one could see. The air in this place was clearer than anything the woman had ever experienced. She had almost forgotten she was holding onto the undead hand of history's most powerful mage.