Hard-Skin Ghoul (2)

After striking the enemy, the spikes rapidly faded, turning back into Psychic Energy and returning to the Graveyard.

The Ghoul hit the ground with a thud. Large amounts of black pus and blood gushed from its wounds. Its limbs twitched twice, then it stopped moving forever.

Green let out a breath. His nerves had been stretched taut during that battle; strictly speaking, this had been his first life-and-death fight. Green discovered that he seemed to possess a real talent for combat. Faced with the Ghoul's attacks, he had remained extremely calm. When casting magic, not only had he not panicked, he had cast even faster than during his usual practice.

At the same time, another notification from the Graveyard appeared in Green's mind:

"Battle victory. A Hard-Skin Ghoul in a near-death state has been discovered. Capture it...?"

Green gave a surprised "Huh." He had not expected the Ghoul to still be clinging to life after suffering such severe injuries. Secretly delighted, he hurriedly chose to capture it.

At once, there was a ding. A rotating magic array appeared beneath the Ghoul sprawled on the ground, releasing a mass of milky-white light that enveloped it. With a sudden flash, it vanished outright. Immediately afterward, the fully healed Ghoul appeared amid a stretch of ruined buildings in the Graveyard. Before this place had been destroyed, it had been a crypt that produced zombies. Once captured, the Ghoul had come directly here. Green also discovered that when he captured the Ghoul, the Graveyard had automatically deducted [20] Psychic Energy as the price of healing its near-death condition.

After confirming that the Ghoul had been taken into the Graveyard, Green withdrew his consciousness. Looking perfectly at ease, he raised a hand and called over the driver, whose face had gone pale with fright.

This driver had been assigned to him by the Wilson family. He knew he would be serving a necromancer and had long prepared himself mentally, but the low growls, horrifying monster, and bloody battle had all been tearing at his nerves. Fortunately, the battle had ended quickly. He had not been frightened out of his wits and still stood trembling beside the carriage. Otherwise, Green would have had to drive himself home.

Sitting inside the carriage, Green was in no hurry to return. He ordered the driver to circle around the city while his consciousness entered the Graveyard alone, arriving directly at the ruins of the crypt where the Ghoul was.

A lone Ghoul stood in the ruins, looking lost. Green could sense that its thoughts were a complete mess, and its appearance had undergone some changes as well.

The [20] Psychic Energy Green had spent had not all gone toward repairing the Ghoul's injuries. Most of it had been used to evolve the Ghoul so that it met the Graveyard's standards.

The Ghoul had grown larger, standing a full two meters tall when upright. Its skin was darker, but its muscles had swelled, making it look even more powerful. Black bone spikes protruded from its shoulders, elbows, and knees. The three bone claws on the backs of its hands had also turned black, becoming thicker, longer, and sharper. The human rationality that had once remained in its eyes had vanished completely, replaced by a green ghostly glow, sinister and venomous enough to send chills down one's spine.

After examining it carefully, Green was extremely satisfied. The Ghoul modified by the Graveyard had become far stronger. According to the data provided by the Graveyard, Skeleton Soldiers were ordinary Level 1 units with an overall combat power of roughly [4.5], while Hard-Skin Ghouls were elite Level 2 units with an overall combat power of [9.5]!

The numbers might only differ by a factor of two, but actual combat was no numbers game.

In a face-to-face fight, one Hard-Skin Ghoul could easily crush a combat squad made up of four or five Skeleton Soldiers. Such combat strength would count as outstanding even among Advanced Apprentice Knights.

An hour later~~~

The carriage returned to Wilson Castle. When Green stepped down, he found another carriage parked before the castle gates.

The carriage was exceedingly luxurious, though its family crest was unfamiliar. The horses pulling it were even more magnificent, snow-white all over, with long slender hooves and full, powerful muscles. The value of a single horse alone surpassed that of the entire carriage Green had been riding in.

It was Green's first time seeing such an extravagant carriage. Even Viscount Paul's personal carriage was nowhere near its equal.

Green could not help taking a few more looks. As he walked into the castle, he wondered who could be visiting Viscount Paul. Just then, he ran into Steward Laurence respectfully escorting someone out. It was none other than the mysterious Miss Elizabeth Franton whom he had previously encountered in One-Eyed Kerry's gold shop.

At the same time, the two across from him saw Green as well.

A meaningful glint flashed through Elizabeth's eyes.

"Mr. Green Wilson, we were in too much of a hurry to become acquainted last time. My name is Elizabeth Franton, and I come from Faerun City. I am very pleased to see you again."

The pleasant voice coming from this exceptionally charming woman was refreshing to the ears and wonderfully soothing, enough to make one unconsciously want to lose oneself in it.

Green pulled himself together and cast aside the wild thoughts in his mind. He did not know what this woman had come to Wilson Castle for, but he did not neglect proper manners. Not wishing to offend her for no reason, he copied the nobles' long-winded and sickeningly sweet manner of speaking. "Beautiful Miss Franton, making your acquaintance is my honor."

Green's attitude was sincere, but his words were perfunctory. With Lola's and Old One-Eye's warnings, along with his own instincts, he had no desire to become too deeply entangled with this mysterious woman. However, she did not seem willing to let him go. After exchanging pleasantries, she continued on her own, "I came specifically to visit Viscount Paul this time, but unfortunately, His Lordship happened to be away. I was quite disappointed at first, but now things are fine. Meeting a young necromancer means this trip was not in vain after all."

Green frowned slightly. Elizabeth had specifically pointed out his identity as a necromancer, clearly with some hidden meaning, making him even more wary. "May I ask what guidance Miss Franton has for me?"

Elizabeth replied unhurriedly, "I would not dare call it guidance. I merely wish to discuss some matters of magic with you. Would that be an imposition?"

"Matters of magic?" Green's heart stirred. The other woman's identity was mysterious, yet her strength was formidable. He had no standing to refuse her, and besides, he truly was interested in magic. So he simply agreed, brought her back inside, and led her to his private area on the top floor of the castle. He had some exquisite pastries served. After chatting idly for a while, they finally came to the main subject.

Elizabeth said with a smile, "I heard from Old One-Eye that you are collecting fragments of ancient magical items?"

Green did not deny it. "It is merely a personal hobby. Besides, complete ancient magical items are prohibitively expensive. I can only collect a few fragments to console myself. What is it? Does Miss Franton have something similar?"

"Just call me Elizabeth." Elizabeth reclined against the soft leather sofa. Seeing the servants leave and the room empty except for the two of them, she kicked off her high heels without a shred of decorum, revealing two delicate, rosy little feet. She tucked them onto the sofa, looking like a lazy cat. Then she curled her lips disdainfully. "I do not have that kind of junk. But I have something else. I wonder if you might be interested."

"What is it? Let me hear it. Perhaps I will be interested." Green was somewhat curious, but he immediately made his financial situation clear as well, mocking himself. "However, I am rather short on funds. I cannot afford anything too expensive."

"A meditation method!" Elizabeth smiled as though victory were already in her grasp, gazing at Green as if she had him in the palm of her hand.

Green's brows drew tightly together. It was impossible for him not to want a meditation method, but from the look of her, she clearly had not come to offer charity. Since she knew perfectly well that he desperately needed a meditation method, she would likely open her mouth like a lion. Green steadied himself and tried to keep his face expressionless. "I do indeed need a meditation method. May I ask what meditation method it is, and what I would have to give in return?"

Elizabeth smiled like a little fox. "The third edition of the Gelfis Meditation Method, the latest revision made thirty years ago by His Excellency High Archmage Gelfis! As for what you must give... I do not lack gold pounds. However, I am very interested in how someone with your strength escaped. Even the hem of your clothes was clean! A Novice Necromancer Apprentice capable of defeating a Hard-Skin Ghoul."

Green was not surprised. Since Old One-Eye had been able to see through the Ghoul's disguise, how could Elizabeth, whose strength surpassed Old One-Eye's, fail to notice any clues?

Green looked deeply at her and waited for her to make her demand—whether to accept it, reject it, or... whether he had no right to refuse at all.