Chapter 90: Skill-Class Conflict, Acquiring New Magic

Tang Zheng looked at the information identified from the item, and while surprised, his gaze flickered slightly: "If this magic item was man-made, then so be it."

"If it was born naturally, then that would be truly miraculous."

In this other world, naturally born magic items exist, such as "Frost of Pain," one of the four great treasures of the Lizardmen.

It was made using ice from the center of a lake that never freezes, on the only occasion it ever did.

What a pity!

There is no "High-Level Item Appraisal," otherwise, the answer could be obtained directly; that is a magic capable of identifying even the creator.

"An energy slot value of 300, I wonder how this is calculated."

Tang Zheng looked at the item appraisal information, a flash of doubt in his eyes, "Summoning a Bone Dragon requires 100 energy; does that mean it can summon at most three Bone Dragons?"

How did he remember it? Khajiit spent five years just to gather enough energy to summon two Bone Dragons.

Tang Zheng narrowed his eyes, staring at the Orb of Death, which appeared completely unremarkable on the surface, and those remaining 100 energy points.

It wouldn't be swallowed by the "Orb of Death" itself, would it?

Thump!

The "Orb of Death" suddenly vibrated in the hands of the Flame Archangel, emitting a faint black-iron glow.

Staring at this "Orb of Death," Tang Zheng suddenly wanted to pick it up with his own hands and examine it properly.

The moment this thought appeared.

Tang Zheng immediately became vigilant; if he didn't know, he might have been tricked, but since he knew in advance, he naturally wouldn't be caught off guard.

"Undead Spirit!"

Tang Zheng chanted.

Following the appearance of this magic, which was specifically designed to counter "Charm" and other influences on the will, that urge to pick up the Orb of Death immediately dissipated.

But Tang Zheng remained vigilant in his heart.

Khajiit also possessed this magic, yet he was still influenced by the "Orb of Death," which shows it cannot provide complete resistance.

Ignoring the Orb of Death, which continued to emit a faint black-iron glow.

Tang Zheng looked at the large amount of skill information on the panel.

This was all the magic the opponent used during the battle with Khajiit.

"Negative Burst"

"Third Tier: Summon Undead"

"Third Tier: Create Undead"

"……"

"Death Flame"

"Armor Enhancement"

"Lower Tier: Strength Boost"

Aside from "Undead Spirit," Tang Zheng did not choose to learn these spells immediately.

"Summon Undead."

Tang Zheng's eyes lit up when he saw this spell; right now, he was very interested in this type of summoning magic.

With a thought in his mind, he flipped through the information on the panel.

『Magic "Third Tier: Summon Undead" discovered, required level (15–21), current conditions met.』

『Consume 1 skill point to learn? This skill conflicts with "Summon Angel." Learning it... may cause unknown risks?』

Tang Zheng looked at the displayed information and couldn't help but be stunned.

Skill conflict?

What kind of situation is this?

Tang Zheng frowned slightly and soon discovered.

It wasn't just "Summon Undead" that had a skill conflict; even "Create Undead" triggered a skill conflict warning.

Among the three signature skills of a Necromancer-class caster, only the spell "Control Undead" had no skill conflict warning.

Skill conflict is not hard to understand.

The problem is, such a situation shouldn't exist in the game "Yggdrasil," right?

Tang Zheng looked astonished.

Suddenly, he remembered that the light novel version once mentioned the theory that summoned creatures come from other worlds.

For example, when Albedo saw the Elf King naming a summoned Primal Earth Elemental, she specifically quipped, "How can he be sure that the summoned Primal Earth Elemental is the same one?"

Does this indicate that some of the background settings in "Yggdrasil" have truly become reality in this world?

Tang Zheng shook his head.

Since "Summon Undead" and "Create Undead" have skill conflicts, he naturally wouldn't attempt them.

These two spells would at most increase his extra means, and in the future, they would be far less useful than "Summon Angel."

Who told him his opponent is the Bone King, who is specialized to the extreme in the Necromancy school? Playing with undead in front of him might just result in the summoned undead turning against him in an instant.

Then, among Khajiit's spells, there was no need to learn spells like "Death Flame" or "Negative Burst" that could be used in combination.

After studying it carefully.

Tang Zheng felt there were only three he could learn: "Lower Tier: Strength Boost," "Armor Enhancement," and "Control Undead." After reconsidering, he excluded "Lower Tier: Strength Boost" and "Armor Enhancement."

Among enhancement spells, only one of the same type can be used; for example, "Lower Tier: Strength Boost" and "Higher Tier: Strength Boost" cannot be stacked when performing magic enhancement.

Tang Zheng did not intend to waste skill points on such low-level enhancement spells.

"Control Undead"!

This spell made Tang Zheng feel tempted; he hadn't forgotten the thousands of corpses in his item box.

The goblin corpses were one thing, but there were also 50 Ogre corpses inside.

Even in the future, if he slays some powerful magical beasts, there would be an extra use for their corpses instead of wasting them.

"How very frugal."

Tang Zheng whispered a self-deprecating remark; since he had no resources, he naturally had to put in some effort to be frugal.

Just as Tang Zheng silently recited in his heart to master this spell.

『Hum——』

=9+Shu_ba

The attribute panel vibrated.

『Learn magic "Control Undead"? Requires base class "Necromancer".』

『Note: This class conflicts with the living. Successfully taking this class will result in continuous exposure to negative energy, forming a persistent negative status.』

The suddenly appearing information.

Made Tang Zheng realize abruptly that he had just overlooked a problem.

Since "skill conflicts" exist, the problem of "class conflicts" must also exist!

Undead-type classes were originally prepared for "Heteromorphic Races." Just like Khajiit, who mastered this class as a living human, he had long since become "neither human nor ghost" under the erosion of negative energy.

In the future, the opponent lurked in "E-Rantel" for 5 years just to absorb enough negative energy to perform a magic ritual and completely transform himself into an undead.

In short—giving up humanity!

Before Tang Zheng could recover, the information on the attribute panel changed again.

『"Genius" trait activated, successfully converted to "Genius → Necromancer".』

『Skill acquired successfully!』

【Skill points: 40 → 39】

Skill: Control Undead (Third Tier)

Cost: 15 MP

Description: Manipulate the corpses of the dead. The higher the manipulator's level, the greater the number of corpses that can be manipulated, determined by the level difference between the two parties.

……

Huh?

Tang Zheng blinked.

He had previously felt it was a pity that the base class converted by "Genius" lacked the disadvantages of that class's traits and abilities.

Now it seems, it might not be a true disadvantage.

Under the dark, quiet night.

Numerous tombstones and withered trees made the entire environment look terrifying, forming a starkly fragmented scene with Tang Zheng, who was surrounded by six angels in a bright environment.

Under the illumination of the light emitted by the Flame Angel.

Tang Zheng withdrew his gaze from the attribute panel and looked at the "Orb of Death" held in the angel's hands.

With its irregular surface and gray, dull appearance, if it weren't for the black-iron glow it was emitting at this moment, it would be easy to suspect that this was just a stone picked up randomly from the riverbank.

Tang Zheng expressionlessly raised a finger and tapped the irregular surface of the "Orb of Death."

Almost at the same moment!

"Human, death is the destination of all things, the eternity of all things. I represent the will of 'Death'."

"If you desire eternal life and power, I can grant them all..."

A noisy voice filled with temptation appeared in Tang Zheng's mind.

But the next moment!

This voice came to an abrupt halt.

Tang Zheng had already stored the Orb of Death into his item box.

"As expected, even using 'Undying Spirit,' I still cannot block the intrusion of this voice."

Tang Zheng reached out and rubbed his ears.

Before resolving the consciousness inside the Orb of Death, he did not intend to study this magic item for the time being.

As for the method of resolution, he had naturally thought of it long ago.

That was the ability of the "Cursed Knight"!

The curse trait possessed by this class has the ability to destroy items below level 40, and the Orb of Death happens to be level 40.

Of course, this trait is both an ability and a curse; players holding this class cannot use equipment below level 40 because their own equipment will also be affected by the curse.

This is also the reason why he has always bought ordinary weapons unless necessary, because buying them is just a waste.

Tang Zheng's original plan was to first obtain the "Cursed Knight" class, and then get his hands on the Orb of Death.

By borrowing the power of the curse, he wanted to see if he could wear down the consciousness inside the Orb of Death.

It was just that he had suddenly acquired the technique for scroll manufacturing, so the plan had changed slightly.

(End of chapter)