Subcontracting!

Necromancer Online is an intricate guide on mastering the art of turning formidable foes into strategic allies.

Being a nemesis to Lance proved to be a grievous plight. In life, he was invincible against Lance. In death, his soul was at risk of being plucked from the abyss and bound by Lance as a combat companion.

It was evidently imprudent to antagonize a novice Shinigami bound by a contract with the netherworld.

Solomon, the deity overseeing death, paused solemnly for Lance's vanquished adversary.

Lance was more than just a partner to Solomon; they were allies, bound by an unspoken pact to protect one another through the eons.

"We've fought side by side for nearly a millennium. How could we possibly forsake Lance? Yet, should Lance's adversary manage to defeat him, I would find myself compelled to endorse such power," Solomon mused quietly.

"Take heed, do not overstep. The souls in hell are not yours to exploit indiscriminately. Should your foe perish, mark it as 'slain in battle' on your report. Leave the rest to me. It falls within my purview to tend to the lineage of the departed souls."

"I am not the malevolent force you perceive."

"That's precisely my point. I'm not sinister. Beyond renewing our pact, there's another matter I need to prepare you for."

"What might that be?"

"Hell has recently broadened its endeavors to include the demonic realms. As you know, these demons are formidable, and our novice enforcers are suffering high attrition rates. In fact, just yesterday, during discussions with fellow deities of death, it was revealed that several have fallen to chieftain-class specters. The higher echelons may deploy more seasoned Death Gods to stabilize these regions. My capabilities are substantial, and the novices I mentor are competent, yet we might be reassigned. Should that happen, I'll require your assistance."

"If I am to venture into the demonic lands, I could simply vanquish a few potent demons and recruit them as trainee Death Gods. Summoning me across continents is no trivial request; the cost alone to traverse to the demon realm is exorbitant."

The Shinigami maintain their jurisdiction rigorously. While trainee Shinigami can engage in cross-regional conflicts or bounty hunts within the human realm, the demonic territories operate under different paradigms.

Demons dwell on a separate continent, their allegiance lies with the demon god, and they believe in an afterlife within the sanctified Demon God Paradise.

The concept of [Demon Paradise] bears striking similarities to [Hell], serving as an afterlife realm for demonic entities.

He wasn't entirely sure about the fate of demons post-mortem, but he was certain of one thing [Demon Paradise] was indeed a reality. Naturally, Hell's expansion into the Demon Realm made strategic sense.

However, he was reluctant to venture into the Demon Clan's territory just yet. With the Young Dragon still lacking maturity and proving to be somewhat of a nuisance, the trip seemed less appealing. Besides, the cost of transmission was prohibitively high, almost astronomical for him.

"I'll transfer all the accumulated bounty tasks over the years to you, so you can earn a hefty sum," Solomon proposed generously.

"Just send over the bounties, and I'll review them later. Once I complete them, I'll reach out to you," Lance responded briskly, showing little regard for formalities.

"You really don't show any respect for me as your superior, do you?" Solomon chided, a hint of vexation in his tone.

After expressing his dissatisfaction, the Death God Solomon terminated the projection call and promptly instructed Lance to seek vengeance for the two fallen trainee Death Gods he had once sponsored.

With Lance's unparalleled skill, there was a good chance that these trainees, despite their brief tenure, would posthumously become his most trusted aides. They were known for their swift, precise, and ruthless executions, excelling in nearly all other respects.

Solomon then sent the bounty missions to Lance via the Death Scythe.

The news that the evil dragon had once again assumed the mantle of a [trainee of death] stirred the air. Could this mean she might again ascend to the vaunted position of the evil dragon [trainee of death]?

And what exactly does it mean to inherit such a role akin to the God of Death? For the evil dragon, it seemed more like a succession to her own regal throne.

Suddenly, a thought struck him. The Death God from Hell had mentioned a bounty mission involving the evil dragon. Could this mean that she might soon make her way to the human world?

The opportunity was rapidly approaching!

If the evil dragon took her to the human world, it could be her chance to escape.

Lucia's heart raced with excitement, she liked the dragon well enough, but the prospect of staying close to such a formidable creature was unnerving.

She knew she must remain composed and not let any hint of her intentions slip. Escaping unnoticed was paramount.

"Lance, must you personally venture to the human world to fulfill the Hell Death's bounty mission?"

"No, I can subcontract it."

"Subcontract? What does that mean exactly? You mean, delegate a Hell bounty to someone else? Have others undertake the perilous task on your behalf?"

Indeed, the bounty mission from Hell wasn't just any trivial task, it was valued at merely 35 gold coins and categorized under the ominous [death] level.

Would anyone truly risk their lives for such a measly reward? To Lucia, 35 gold coins wouldn't even suffice for a new pair of shoes, let alone a full outfit and cloak. She was skeptical that anyone would find the offer enticing enough to accept.

"But really, the bounty's reward is only 35 gold coins. Who would be willing to risk their life for such a paltry sum?"

"Compensation isn't the issue here. Let me review the details of these bounties issued by the God of Death first."

The Young Dragon lacked the foresight to appreciate the true value of Hell's Gold Coins in the human realm, oblivious to their popularity among the extraordinary circles.

Solomon, the God of Death, indeed set the bounty's reward at 35 gold coins. What the Young Dragon failed to realize was that he only needed to offer a mere 5 gold coins upfront, and the human world's seekers of the supernatural would clamor to take on the mission.

In the human world, Hell gold coins are known as psychic gold coins.

Possessing a psychic gold coin grants one the ability to commune with the departed.

Furthermore, clutching a psychic gold coin in one's mouth when in peril ensures evasion from monstrous trackers and formidable foes.

With these unique properties, among others, Hell's gold coins are highly coveted in the realms where the ordinary meets the extraordinary.

Lance remained unphased by the prospect of subcontracting the infernal tasks assigned by Hell itself.

As he held the Death Scythe, a sinister black mist emanated from its blade, gradually transforming into a blood-red haze in the air. Eerily, a line of crimson text materialized before him:

Hell Bounty Mission, Serial Number: [388895610].

Difficulty: Death Level.

Objective: Eliminate a lich that consumes the souls of the undead near Lion City in Kree Province, Kingdom of Nord.

Execution Order: Annihilate him.

Reward: A substantial bounty and a mysterious gift from the God of Death in Hell.

The sight of the blood-red script sent chills down the spine of the young dragon watching beside him. Despite the daylight and her draconic companion's presence, the sheer ominousness of the mission could haunt her dreams.

Mission Clarification:

Liches are not mere wizards; they are abominations, far removed from humanity. More dreadful than any sorcerer, their quest for true undeath knows no bounds.

In the Faloran Empire, the law is explicit, any lich discovered must be executed immediately, their remains incinerated or cleansed with holy water and divine light.

"Lance," a voice broke through the tension, "this lich is an immortal, once a formidable presence among men. Do you truly dare to undertake this perilous bounty mission?"

Lance's eyes gleamed with a mix of determination and scorn as he replied, "You underestimate those of us deemed extraordinary in the human realm. Our creed is simple: for the right price, even dragons will heed our call. And for those among us in dire straits, the adage goes: if the payment is sufficient, even gods will open their coffers."