The Boundless Necromancer

m in the top 10 again.”

Though 4th place was a little lower than last time, it wasn’t too bad.

And all I need to do to get pioneer status is to be in the top 50.

I tapped into my details again, but there wasn’t anything special.

‘Almost the 8th floor…’

It was about time I’d learned what this pioneer thing was.

It would probably bring about a lot of changes.

‘Just one more floor.
No need to rush.’

As long as I could stay calm, I should be able to deal with anything unanticipated like that intruder.

And I even unlocked a new effect with necromancy, so it shouldn’t be that hard.

As long as I didn’t let my guard down…

‘As for items, I don’t think I need anything new.’

My current set should serve me fine for now.

The thunder blade and the covert shield should be enough for the 7th trial.

‘I guess I’ll get some potions just in case.’

「 You have bought a Potion of Life (D-).
」

「 1,500 points deducted.
」

「 You have bought a Poison Eater (E+).
」

「 1,200 points deducted.
」 

For healing and poison, respectively.

I knew I already had accelerated regeneration, but just in case.

‘Well, no use in staying here any longer.’

「 Do you accept the 7th floor trial? 」 

After agreeing to the message, I stepped into the newly-formed portal.

Voom…!

「 Entering Tower of Trials Floor 7.
」 

「 Difficulty – Hard 」 

「 The objective of the following trial is ‘proof.’ 」 

「 We wish the challenger a satisfactory ending to their choice.
」 

…Something was off.

「 The 7th floor trial is starting soon.
」 

「 Remaining time – 40 minutes 」 

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「 Trial success condition – Clear the three trials in the remaining time.
」 

「 Trial fail condition – Challenger’s death or time out 」 

「 Trial success reward – Skill ‘Wind’s Grace (A-)’ 」 

「 Trial fail penalty – Death 」 

This was different from all the other trials that I’ve faced.

I didn’t hear any monsters nearby, and the clear condition didn’t seem that clear either.

Clearing three trials?

‘I don’t really understand what that’s supposed to mean.’

There weren’t supposed to be more trials within this trial, so how could there be three?

What was I supposed to do if an intruder came in?

It’s not like I can compete with them for the trial objective, since I have no idea what it is.

“…”

First of all, my surroundings were just a normal hallway made of stone.

I didn’t see or feel anything at the end of the hallway though.

‘It doesn’t feel especially dangerous or anything.’

But I didn’t have that much time to begin with, so…

At that moment, a message popped up. 

「 Entering the first trial area.
」 

「 Prove that you have overcome your fear.
」 

I was about to react to the message as I was walking through the hallway, but my surroundings started to shift.

Shaaaaaa…!

“This is…”

Somewhere that I definitely remembered.

The sand and the cactuses—it was a scenery that I’ve definitely seen before.

“The tutorial trial?”

Yeah, this was definitely the first trial I faced when I came to the tower.

The only question is why…

“Is this a hallucination?”

It could be, since they were talking about overcoming fear and whatnot.

Maybe it was making me face a traumatic memory.

But that theory soon fell apart like the sand I gripped in my hands.

‘It doesn’t feel like a hallucination.’

At the very least, this environment felt real.

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Overcoming fear, and the changing surroundings…

Maybe…

“Is it going to recreate my tutorial trial?”

That didn’t seem out of the question.

The tower did just recreate everything else.

And then… 

Kkkrrrooon!

The floor suddenly started to quake, and all the sand started to gather itself.

Also something that I’ve seen before.

“…As I thought, I guess they’re going to recreate the golem too.”

Hm, but the E-rank monsters wouldn’t pose much of a threat to me now.

‘Honestly, I could beat these guys blindfolded at this point.”

I’ve been going through a rapid growth period during the trials.

Why were they even giving me a whole 40 minutes for this?

‘Is it a freebie before I get to the 8th floor?’

Contrary to my thoughts, I gripped my sword and stared down at the lump of sand that was starting to pile up.

Well, I guess there were still two more trials left… 

Kraaaaaaaang!

Then the sand erupted into a desert storm, and my ears began to ring.

At the same time, it started to form into a humanoid being as it grew slowly but steadily.

“…Huh?”

Sand golems were supposed to be E-rank monsters that even orcs could kill…

‘What the-’

Even at a glance, it was way taller than the original height of six meters.

Ten meters—no—it was so tall that I could barely even look at it.

An oppressive aura enveloped me.

“…”

If the original sand golem was an E-rank monster…

The monstrosity that stood in front of me was at least a B.

“Grrrrr…!”

When its glowing red eyes met mine, I could instantly tell.

Killing three of these in 40 minutes is…

“Fuck.”

—