Deus Necros-Chapter 229: Undead Transformation

Ludwig moved the system screen closer, his glowing eyes scanning the class choices before him. The options were clear, but the decision wasn't.

"Which are you picking?" Thomas asked, his voice echoing from the lantern.

"I'm not too sure," Ludwig admitted, his skeletal fingers tapping against the hilt of his weapon. "Feels like grabbing either the Swordsman or the Mage class is a waste of my effort."

"Then grab the Battle Mage," Thomas suggested.

"I want to," Ludwig said, his tone hesitant. "But I don't know what it can grow into." He inspected the class description again.

***

[Battle Mage]

Increases proficiency in all physical and magical prowess of the user at the expense of more arduous effort needed to grow to the next stage.

To achieve mastery as a Battle Mage, one must pour equal effort into both the study of magic and the art of battle.

***

"Sounds simple," Ludwig said, his voice tinged with curiosity.

"Yeah, I mean, it's not uncommon," Thomas replied. "There are a few Magic Swordsmen I know of—or heard of, back when I was alive. None of them made it to the peak of either class, but they were powerful. Yet there's one thing about them that made them stand out."

"What is it?" Ludwig asked, his interest piqued.

"Basically, they were able to fight above their weight class," Thomas explained. "A Magic Swordsman who's level four in both magic and swordsmanship can easily defeat a level five swordsman or a fifth-circle mage."

"I can see why that's a thing," Ludwig said, nodding. "They have access to the benefits of magic and the might of steel. Alright then, let's go for it."

With a decisive motion, Ludwig accepted the class change.

***

[You have accepted the class change to [Battle Mage]]

[Your current physical build is incompatible with [Battle Mage]!]

[Necros's Blessing is interfering!]

[Your body is undergoing morphosis!]

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***

Ludwig's entire body shuddered violently. The slime that coated his skeletal frame leaped off, landing in front of him as he began to spasm uncontrollably.

"Are you okay, man?!" Thomas asked, his voice filled with concern.

"No!" Ludwig howled, his voice strained. "Something's happening to me!"

His skeletal frame wobbled as tendrils of rotten flesh began to grow from his joints, wrapping around his bones and covering them. Old, decayed muscles sprouted across his body, filling out his once-bare frame. His organs, long since removed, began to regrow—dried up and rotten, but functional. Hair sprouted from his scalp, and milky white eyes without pupils formed in his sockets.

When the transformation finally ended, Ludwig stood as a decaying corpse rather than a skeleton. He flexed his fingers, the dried flesh creaking with the movement.

"This is… a bit better than before," Ludwig said, his voice raspy but steady.

"I was more of a fan of your older appearance," Thomas quipped. "You're pretty scary to look at right now."

Ludwig smirked, his new face twisting into a grotesque grin. The slime suddenly leaped back onto his arm, coating his body once more and restoring his human-like appearance.

More notifications appeared in front of Ludwig, and he began to read through them.

***

[Your Wisdom Stat has been updated!]

Wisdom is now 20% more effective! You can cast stronger spells, and your mana regeneration has increased by 20%.

[Your Strength Stat has been updated!]

You can now exert more power thanks to your undead muscles.

[Your Dexterity Stat has been updated!]

You're more dexterous thanks to your undead muscles.

[Your Agility Stat has been updated!]

You're more agile thanks to your undead muscles.

***

[Your Class [Battle Mage] is more appropriate to your training method [Tyrant Blade Technique]!]

You have unlocked more of the Tyrant Blade Technique's basic abilities!

[Limit Breaker] has been unlocked.

Temporarily increases one's strength by 20% for 60 seconds.

Can be used 5 times a day, stacking.

After the timer of [Limit Breaker] concludes, the user will suffer a reduction of 50% in their overall physical stats for up to 1 hour.

***

"That looks interesting too," Ludwig said, his voice filled with curiosity. He activated [Limit Breaker] to test it out.

Almost instantly, Ludwig's thin body swelled up. His muscles were charged with a profane reddish energy, increasing their size to match that of a healthy human. The surge of power was intoxicating, and Ludwig flexed his arms, feeling the raw strength coursing through him.

[The Codex Necros is reacting!]

"Wait, that's new," Ludwig said, his eyes narrowing. He waved his hand, and the Codex Necros materialized in front of him. The ancient book flipped through its pages rapidly before settling on the page of the Knight King.

Ludwig frowned. He didn't have the knowledge or experience to revive something like the Knight King, so why was the Codex reacting?

Just as he was about to close the book, a deep, ominous voice echoed through the room.

"To think… after centuries, a wretched, fragile and malevolent thing like you would wield my technique.."

Ludwig turned sharply, his eyes widening as he saw a towering shadow standing before him. The figure was twice his height, its silhouette dark and imposing. It was unmistakably the Knight King.

Ludwig glanced back at the Codex Necros, only to find the image of the Knight King gone from the page.

"Ah… well, this is a bit awkward…" Ludwig said.

Ludwig immediately drew his weapon, prepared for the battle to come.

"Lay that foolish ambition of yours to rest," The Knight King spoke, "You know well that you are not strong enough to beat me..."

"So you expect me to roll over and die? I'm sorry to disappoint, not happening." Ludwig said as he was preparing to fight back.

"I am not here to fight you," The Knight King said, "I'm but an apparition, nothing tangible, my body is still inside that book, not that it's usable to battle anyway."

"Then why did you come out?" Ludwig asked.

"How did you use that style, the [Limit Breaker]? you're no disciple of mine. Nor were you alive during my kingdom's period. How did you learn the Tyrant Blade?" the Knight king asked, and his tone didn't suggest it was a request.