The gate finally opened.A wave of chilling gray mist flooded out, covering the entire cavern like crawling shadows. Arin staggered back, barely able to breathe—the aura was so overwhelming it felt like his soul was being squeezed.
Thump…Thump…Thump…
A giant heartbeat echoed inside the darkness.
And then…
STEP.
A massive figure stepped out.
Tall as a giant.Wrapped in tattered black robes.A golden crown bent and cracked.A skull-like face covered with ancient runes.
Its empty eye sockets burned with faint silver flames.
The First Necromancer.
The very origin of Arin's class.
Arin froze.His body refused to move.
"S-System…" he whispered.
[Warning: Host is in presence of an Ancient S-Tier Being][Survival Chance: 0.0%][Advice: Do NOT anger the entity]
Arin gulped.
The giant skeletal king lowered his head slightly, studying Arin like a child examining a weak animal.
Then…His deep voice echoed like thunder.
"So… after ages, another one is born."
Arin blinked.
"W-What are you talking about…?"
The skeletal king raised one bony finger toward Arin's chest.
"You. Child of Death. Holder of the Lost Soul Flame."
A small gray flame glowed inside Arin's chest for a moment.
Arin stepped back, shocked."I don't know what you mean… I don't even understand this power!"
The King's eyes dimmed.
"You are incomplete."
The chains from the broken gate suddenly floated, swirling around Arin like metal snakes.
He panicked."W-Wait! Stop!"
The king continued, uncaring.
"You opened my sanctum…You carry the seed of Necromancy…But you lack strength.You lack memory.You lack… death."
Arin's heart pounded.
"What does that even mean!?"
The King raised his hand.
The goblins behind Arin suddenly froze—Their bodies trembling—Then collapsing like puppets whose strings were cut.
They died… instantly.
Arin gasped.
"You killed them… all of them!?"
The First Necromancer tilted his head.
"They were alive. They were loud. I dislike both."
He then pointed at Arin.
"Kneel."
Arin felt the pressure crash over him like a mountain.His legs gave out.He fell to one knee, unable to resist.
"W-Why… are you doing this!?"
The silver flames in the king's eyes flickered.
"Because the world chose you.Because death answers you.And because… you are the only one who can reshape this broken world."
Arin's breath trembled.
"What… what do you want from me?"
The king touched Arin's forehead.
A cold wave shot through his body.
"A contract."
[System Warning: Unknown power attempting to link with host!][Do you accept the Necromancer King's Contract?][Yes / No]
Arin looked up.
If he refused—he would die.If he accepted—he might become something inhuman.
His voice shook.
"…What happens if I accept?"
The King's answer was simple:
"You will gain my power.But in return… you must carry my will."
Arin's hand trembled.His heartbeat echoed like thunder.The system waited.
He exhaled slowly.
"…I accept."
BOOOOM!
Gray fire exploded around him.The cavern shook.The contract sealed.
Arin screamed as power surged into him—dark, ancient, overwhelming.
When it finally stopped…
He opened his eyes.
His irises glowed faint silver.
A new notification appeared:
[You have formed a Pact with the First Necromancer][New Skill Unlocked: Soulbound Resurrection][Warning: Using this power may affect your humanity.]
Arin breathed heavily.
"What… what have I become?"
The King stepped back into the darkness.
"My successor."
The giant gate slammed shut—
Leaving Arin alone in the cave, hands shaking, power humming beneath his skin.