The empty stalls of the mausoleum were filled with skeletons cheering on for a fight. Had it not been for the innumerablenterns hanging around, it would have been impossible to see in the pitch-ck darkness, let alone fight in it.


    [I assume you are not getting paid for this performance.]


    Ashton didn''t bother replying. At the moment, he was solely concerned about Anna''s well-being.


    "Fret not, mortal," The Lich eximed as he noticed Ashton''s lingering gaze, "Yourpanion is safe and sound within the shell of ice. I have, but only immobilised her. She remains conscious; however, her life is in your hands."


    He continued, "Defeat my loyal subjects toplete the trial, and she shall live, fail, and she shall perish. The oue is in your hands, not mine. I urge you to tread carefully, or else be prepared to taste pain that no resistance can protect you from."


    "You better keep your word," Ashton replied before turning to face the generals.


    In a surprising turn of events, two generals stepped back, leaving Ashton to face their leader. Whether it was for the sake of fairness or out of foolishness was up for debate. But one thing was as clear as the skies above, Ashton did not care about their righteous behaviour.


    __


    You have begun a new chain quest!


    [Objective]: Complete the second phase of the trial.


    [Task]: Take down Arch Lich''s summoned undead soldiers.


    [Progress]: 1/11 Lich''s soldiers killed.


    [Reward]: None.


    [Punishment For Failure]: User Anna''s death


    [Mission Commissioned by]: System


    [Priority Level]: 1 (The host cannot ignore the mission, nor dyed)


    __


    Variables were one thing Ashton hade to hate with all his being. Earlier, he only had to take care of the generals and the Lich, that''s all. But thanks to the moronic system, he would not have to kill not four but ten more soldiers.


    ''Getting upset over it isn''t gonna save Anna,'' Ashton thought while curling up his fingers to fight.


    The general, wanting to match his opponent, also gave up on his weapon. However, it was a fatal mistake on the General''s part. Just because Ashton was using his fists, it didn''t mean he won''t use his sword.


    Being the owner of the soul de, Ashton wasn''t required to physically hold Balmond in order to use it. His thoughts were more than enough to control the de.


    Massive ws popped out as Ashton rushed towards his undead opponent. The General''s fist met him halfway, but a moment before they could collide, Balmond jumped out of Ashton''s inventory and shed the General''s hand in half.


    Ashton immediately changed his stance and buried his ws deep within the General''s helm. Rotten blood gushed out of the dark helm, covering Ashton''s hand.


    However, the soldier was unaffected by the cheapshot and struck Ashton with his remaining arm. Balmond once again tried to interfere but was knocked away.


    Ashton was flung away, leaving a trail of dust behind him. Although he had managed to block the strike, he wasn''t unscathed, as his left forearm was cracked.


    The General charged again, and Ashton barely dodged his massive fist. Or so he made it seem. The moment the undead thought he had the match in his bag, Ashton kicked his knee, shattering it.


    As soon as that was done, he leapt onto the bastard''s back and slid his arm around the undead''s neck. The undead iled his arm''s around but couldn''t get Ashton off his back.<novelnext>  </novelnext>


    The vice grip slowly got tighter and tighter around the General''s neck. Until the moment Ashton ripped his head off with his brute strength.


    An instantter, the undead fell to his knees and momentarily stared at Ashton before turning to dust.


    The skeletal spectators loudly booed. The General wanted a fair fight, but Ashton used a weapon instead. In their eyes, Ashton had cheated in a fair fight.


    [Progress]: 2/11 Lich''s soldiers killed.


    On the other hand, Ashton paid no attention to them and prepared for the next challenger. However, none of the remaining two generals stepped forward. At the same time, the crowd stopped booing.


    Surprised by the sudden change in the environment, Ashton turned his attention towards the Lich, who had raised a hand, signalling everyone to stop. Once everyone was quiet, the Lich turned his focus toward Ashton.


    "Exin."


    "What?" Ashton replied.


    "The involvement of your weapon against an unarmed opponent was immoral," The Lich rified his question, "Exin your stance and based on that, I will decide your punishment."


    "This is a war. Everything is a fair game-"


    "This is a trial, not a war, for you to show off your deplorable underhanded tactics." The Lich interrupted, "Were you in control of your de, yes or no?"


    "I wasn''t." Ashton replied, thinking if he said so, the Lich wouldn''t be able to ''punish'' him as the de had a mind of its own.


    "Very well then, hand it over." The Lich smiled, "I''ll keep the de with me since you can''t control it."


    Checkmate.


    Neither Ashton nor Astaroth had not expected the Lich''s next move. Having said that Balmond had a will of his own, Ashton could no longermand him to leave his side.


    If he did, it would show that Balmond was under hismand all along, hence prompting the punishment. However, before Ashton could do anything, the Lich began giggling.


    "How a fool like you became a necromancer is a mystery worth solving," The Lich smiled, "I already know what a soul de is, mortal. Hence, i''m well aware you were controlling the de all along.


    "Had you been honest with me, I would have let you off easily, but now your punishment would be considerably severe."


    The Lich snapped his fingers, and a part of Anna''s Icy coffin melted instantly.


    "What do you think you''re doing!?" Ashton yelled at the top of his lungs.


    "Executing justice," Lich replied, "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth and an arm for an arm."


    The Lich summoned a skeleton to hold Anna''s arm as he prepared to sever it. However, at thest moment, someone kicked the skeleton away while, at the same time, a dagger was lodged into his chest.


    "What sorcery is this?" Lich yelled, baffled by what he saw in front of him.


    Surrounding Anna''s coffin were Ashton''s undead. Raven was the one who had struck the Lich, while Dolos, Celeste and Sven were protecting Anna.


    But that wasn''t all. As and Gokung had taken care of the undead generals.


    "Sorcery? It''s the art of necromancy. You should know it, right?" Ashton smiled.