I Go First

The temperature inside the cave was extremely low, like an open freezer. A chilling aura emanated from it, causing the four men standing in a row to shiver.

The Aragorn Passage is troublesome; the cave seems to lead straight to the underworld, and just standing outside it sends chills down your spine.

He took off his backpack, preparing to make a simple torch. Russell put his hand on his shoulder and shook his head, saying, "Middle-earth is already in the Third Age, and you're still using torches. That's too primitive. Stand aside and let me do it."

Russell pushed Aragorn aside, mumbled a few incantations that no one could understand, and waved his hand forward to cast Illumination Spell.

Bite!

In an instant, Russell's entire body began to glow, so brightly that Aragorn and the other two could not open their eyes.

"Russell, it's too bright. Could you turn the light source down a bit?"

Gimli complained, tears welling up in his eyes.

Russell remained silent, focusing his Magic Power. The light around him dissipated, leaving only the Adamantium Blade glowing, its light spreading evenly in front of him.

Okay, actually this is a magic version of a flashlight; it's a human battery.

"Gimli, is this okay?" Russell asked.

"Much better, your Illumination Spell is amazing." Gimli exclaimed sincerely, "Just now the cold penetrated to my bones, making my teeth chatter, but now it's much better, not only am I not cold anymore, but I'm even..."

I almost wanted to laugh!

Gimli looked at Russell's Illumination Spell, then compared it to Gandalf's, and wanted to laugh but dared not. If he offended Russell, he would have to eat tree bark for every meal.

Russell led the way, and the four of them entered the winding cave. It was a passage that ran through the Dimholt Mountains, built in the last era. It was very spacious, a bit cold, but very well preserved.

The passage was very dry, covered with a thick layer of dust. Perhaps because of the spirits of the dead, there were few signs of life. Insects, ants, poisonous snakes, bats, and Beasts, which are common in caves, were nowhere to be seen.

Click! Click! Click—

As the group ventured deeper, they encountered decaying skeletons on both sides of the passage. The stone walls had been hollowed out, and the skeletons were neatly stacked within. Beneath their feet, countless skulls covered the ground, each step producing a crisp, resounding crack.

Gimli was a brave and skilled warrior, but he became a coward when facing the undead. Even though he was already a ball, he trembled and followed Russell around, trying to get as close to the light source as possible.

The group continued forward, emerging from the cave passage to a vast, hollowed-out area. A hemispherical plaza had been carved out of the mountain, with a structure resembling an altar or cemetery in the center. Upon seeing this, Gimli grasped Russell's hand, his breathing becoming cautious.

"Mmm mmm————"

A dull wail echoed from all directions, and a faint, eerie green light flickered in the darkness, the light and shadows converging into Skeleton Soldier clad in heavy armor.

A semi-transparent body floated in mid-air. More and more of these undead, existing between reality and illusion, approached, surrounding the four of them completely.

These undead held long spears and short swords, and some even rode on warhorses. Pale banners fluttered in the wind. They surrounded the undead without saying a word, their figures indistinct, like bushes under a winter fog.

Russell's Adamantium Blade shone brightly, but it was useless; his Illumination Spell could only provide light, not dispel the undead.

Feeling the sudden drop in temperature, he took out his Desert Eagle and held it in his hand. Regardless of whether these undead could harm people, he didn't want them to get too close.

The number of undead gathering increased, yet eerily, they made not a sound. The only sound in the entire square was Gimli's teeth, which were clapping rhythmically.

"Who has trespassed on my territory?"

Whispers came from the direction of the altar, the not-so-loud sound echoing in the hollow of the mountain, slowly amplifying into a roar like a hurricane.

Russell and his companions looked in the direction of the sound and saw a gaunt, green undead. Unlike the other undead, he wore a crown and a red cloak over his semi-transparent, decaying body.

[Bite]

[The host has come into contact with the undead character of Denhalor Undead, triggering Lottery Draw. Would you like to draw now?]

Upon hearing the system notification, Russell was somewhat conflicted. The chances of drawing Character Card were high, but whether the undead was worth drawing remained to be considered.

What if it turns out to be a useless, good-looking but incompetent idiot? Wouldn't that be a loss?

Russell was daydreaming, while Aragorn confronted the Undead Leader: "I am Aragorn, the master you are about to serve!"

The Undead Leader seemed to be on a different wavelength from Aragorn, and in response to his provocation, he said to himself, "The undead have laid a trap; this will be your burial ground."

Join us and become one of us!

The Undead Leader let out a hollow roar, like a horn of attack, and countless undead drew their swords and rushed towards the four.

"This thing really can't hurt anyone?"

Russell hesitated. He swept the Desert Eagle around and fired rapidly, unleashing a barrage of Mana Bullet that scattered the approaching undead into smoke.

The bullets had extremely high penetrating power; each one pierced through a dozen or so undead before disappearing when their Magic Power was exhausted.

"Hiss hiss hiss!!!"

A collective gasp filled the square. The Undead Leader raised a trembling arm and pointed at Russell. His eerie, glowing eyes reminded Russell of his Fellowship of the Fellowship of the Ring, who always had that same look in their eyes when they were all cooked together.

"Kill him! Avenge our people! Line up, I'll go first!"

The Undead Leader roared, drew his longsword, and charged at Russell, but the next second, he was pushed down by the charging soldiers.

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

"Damn it, don't push! Whoever steps on me, I'm your king..."

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

Amidst the sounds of carnage, something strange seemed to be mixed in. Russell ignored it and, facing the swarming undead, raised his Desert Eagle and fired a barrage of Mana Bullet.

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud—

As the fighting continued, the Desert Eagle's barrel overheated, forcing Russell to stop firing.

At this moment, he realized something was wrong. The Army of the Dead was all charging at him, ignoring Aragorn and his companions. Moreover, after he stopped attacking, the undead also stopped their charge, surrounding him and roaring angrily, but refusing to make a move.

"Get out of the way! Get out of the way, you bunch of idiots!"

There was some commotion in the horde of undead. Soon, the Undead Leader pushed aside the soldiers blocking his way, strode out, held his longsword to his chest, and roared, "Wizard, I challenge you to a duel!"

Russell, Aragorn, and the other two exchanged glances, all four of them having the same thought: Is this guy an idiot?

Russell pondered for a moment, then, as if he had thought of something, a smirk appeared on his lips. "I can't duel with you. My Magic Power is all used up. Do whatever you want with me."

The Undead Leader waved his hand and said, "No problem, I'll wait for you to recover your Magic Power and then we'll have a fair duel!"

"Forget it, it's not a fair victory. Out of respect for your chivalry, the four of us will leave now."

With that, Russell turned and left.

Snap!

The Undead Leader passed through Russell's body and knelt before him. "Wizard, have mercy and kill me!"