Chapter 19: The Art Of Leadership

A cave was the home of the hermit, a land of the primitive, the lair of the wise. Caves could lead to anywhere in the known world should one dig deep enough. An empty shelter yet so convenient and fortified. The perfect place for many Heteromorphic creatures to roam and call home. The caves of the New World contained many malicious entities, the strongest of which could even be a dragon.

For many years, people would venture forth into caves that were labeled dungeons, hunting monsters and the like. These people would either encounter fortune, or death. Death was the most likely outcome, as the caves were unknown territory.

As a den for thieves, a home for monsters, and a base for the cults; the caves and caverns of the New World were always an exciting and mysterious place. The perfect place to look for death, but perhaps to become death.

————————————

[Lord Ainz has given me a test to prove my ability once more. This time I will not fail Him.]

Atlas walked through a thick forest, traversing the wilds easily in his skeletal form. This was nature, it belonged to no one, no one could observe him, so Atlas place the rain on his left middle finger. Until he finds people, or a settlement, he will not take on flesh.

[Lady Narberal instructed me to wait for a battle near by this small clearing...]

Atlas took out a small map, marking off his apparent position and hid in a large bush. It had been a long time since the skeleton had been alone, company had always seemed to flock to his position since he awakened. The silence of the forest was somewhat comforting, yet disturbing in the fact that there were no signs of a battle.

[Lord Ainz will not regret giving me this task, I will make sure to be back before the end of this week.]

Atlas finally heard some noise coming from the clearing ahead of him.

***

New skills:

- Ability damage iii

- Fire immunity

- Ice immunity

- Turn resistance iv

- Slashing damage resistance iv

- piercing damage resistance iv

- High tier magic immunity I

- High tier physical immunity ii

- undead blessing

- Brotherhood v

- Raise low tier undead (25/day) variant

***

Atlas bobbed his head out of the bush to see a small caravan being attacked by a group of humans.

[I have been instructed to wait until the fighting stops.]

Atlas readied what seemed to be a crossbow and aimed at the largest figure of the human attackers. It seems like they are attacking a group of knights that are protecting someone inside the caravan. Should any side be completely destroyed, Atlas will finish off the the opposing side.

"HAND OVER THE DUKE!" The large figure shouted.

"Over my dead body, scum!"

The combatants continued their combat at a complete standstill as they were evenly matched. Eventually a volley of arrow came from the rear of the bandits, shredding through the knights. With only a few remaining knights, the bandits rushed through, killing all of the defenders.

"HAHAH! DRAG OUT THAT NOBLE SO I CAN GUT EM!" The large man shouted to his subordinates.

Immediately the bandits dragged an injured old man out of the caravan that was already nearing his death bed.

The figure grasped a large cleaver and walked up to the man as he was being pulled by 2 men.

SLASH

The man executed the noble, decapitating him on the spot.

"NICE! WE CAN FINALLY LOOT HIS STUFF!" One of the bandits yelled.

FLOP

The bandit leader fell to the floor. The group of about 10 bandits all surrounded him to figure out what was going on.

"WHAT THE FUCK! BIG BOSS IS DEAD??!"

FLOP FLOP FLOP

Another three bodies fell to the floor. It was like a nightmare, people were falling left and right, without a single warning.

"ARROW-"

FLOP

the man fell to the floor dead.

A figure emerged from the bushes, a figure in full dark green plate armour. The figure wielded a crimson sword and brandished a unique crossbow. The figure walked forwards, silently walking toward the bandits.

"STOP THERE!"

FLOP

The figure shot the man straight in the forehead, dropping him to the ground.

The next scene could only be described as a depressing slaughter.

Atlas finished executing all of the remaining humans, and looked through the contents of the caravan. In there, he found weapons and plate armor, not belonging to a particular faction. He gathered all of the items and equipped them to corpses that weren't properly armed.

After equipping the corpses with gear, Atlas raised his right arm to the sky.

"Create low-tier undead."

The corpses started to rise as black energy surrounded them and seeped inside of them. They started to almost melt as their flesh burnt off of them, leaving only skeletons in plate armour. The skeletons all stood up and went into a box formation in front of Atlas.

"Greetings, Brothers. I am eldest brother. You have been freed of your flesh, and given the gift of serving under Nazarick. Your first orders are to march with me to a cave to the north, and slaughter all the creatures that inhabit it." Atlas announced.

"Yes eldest brother, we will follow you." They all spoke.

"Tonight we become an army."

The cohort of 25 skeletons of 25th level followed their eldest brother north. Onwards for the glory of Nazarick.