The morning sun bathed the Mana Crystal Valley in golden light.
Towering crystal pillars stretched toward the heavens, scattering brilliant colors across the battlefield.
Only moments ago...
This place had been consumed by chaos.
Now...
Silence reigned.
The surviving monsters had long since retreated into the mountains, fleeing after the death of their king.
The countless corpses scattered across the valley slowly dissolved into streams of mana, returning to the land.
Humanity...
Had won.
At the center of the battlefield stood Sam.
His black cloak fluttered gently in the breeze as he stared at the shattered remains of the Mana Crystal Golem.
Although defeated, the colossal guardian still radiated immense mana.
Cracks of glowing blue light pulsed beneath its crystal shell, as if the giant refused to accept death.
Behind Sam stood the only people who had witnessed humanity's greatest victory.
Leon.
The Goblin Warlord King.
The Goblin Mage.
And the eight members of the Shadow Scout Corps.
No one spoke.
Everyone understood...
Something unprecedented was about to happen.
---
Inside his mind, Rex's calm voice echoed.
Commander...
Necromantic compatibility confirmed.
Regional Boss remains stable.
Probability of successful resurrection... One hundred percent.
Sam's lips curled into a faint smile.
"So..."
"It really is possible."
Affirmative.
No historical records indicate a Necromancer has ever successfully resurrected a Regional Boss.
You are about to become the first.
---
Sam slowly walked toward the fallen giant.
Each step echoed across the silent valley.
The closer he came...
The more violently the surrounding mana crystals began to resonate.
A low humming sound spread through the valley.
The Goblin Mage instinctively tightened its grip on its crystal staff.
Its violet soul flames flickered uneasily.
Even as an undead...
It could feel the overwhelming power gathering around its Commander.
---
Leon's sharp instincts immediately sensed the change.
He scanned the surrounding cliffs before giving a silent hand signal.
The Shadow Scouts vanished without hesitation.
Like ghosts, they melted into the crystal forest surrounding the battlefield.
Within seconds...
A perfect defensive perimeter had been established.
No enemy...
No matter how well hidden...
Would reach their Commander.
Leon himself activated Shadow Step.
His body dissolved into darkness before reappearing atop a towering crystal pillar overlooking the entire valley.
From there...
He watched.
---
Sam stopped before the shattered remains.
Dark necromantic mana began gathering around his right hand.
At first...
It was only a faint mist.
Then it became a swirling vortex.
The air grew heavy.
The temperature plummeted.
Even the sunlight seemed to dim beneath the overwhelming aura of death.
BOOM...
The ground trembled.
The surrounding mana crystals pulsed violently.
Cracks spread across the earth.
High above...
Dark clouds gathered from every direction.
Blue mana surged upward from every crystal in the valley.
Black necromantic energy descended from the heavens.
The two forces collided.
The entire valley shook.
---
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke one final time.
Commander...
You may now cast...
Arise.
---
Sam slowly raised his hand.
His crimson eyes shone with unwavering resolve.
"Arise."
---
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!
A pillar of black and violet energy exploded into the sky.
The heavens trembled.
An enormous wave of necromantic mana erupted from Sam's body, sweeping across the Mana Crystal Valley like a tidal wave.
The Goblin Warlord King slammed its massive weapon into the ground to steady itself.
The Goblin Mage raised both hands.
"Crystal Barrier."
Towering crystal walls formed around the expedition, shielding them from the violent mana storm.
Even Leon, standing atop the distant crystal spire, narrowed his eyes.
"...Incredible."
Never before had he witnessed mana on this scale.
---
Then...
The impossible happened.
The shattered crystal fragments scattered across the battlefield began to move.
One fragment rose into the air.
Then another.
Then hundreds.
Thousands.
The enormous remains floated upward as if pulled together by an invisible force.
CRACK!
CRACK!!
CRACK!!!
The broken limbs reassembled.
The massive torso fused together.
Crystal plates locked into place.
The giant's legs anchored themselves firmly into the valley floor.
Blue mana intertwined with black necromantic energy.
Life...
And death...
Merged into one.
The brilliant blue core embedded within the giant's chest slowly darkened.
Its color shifted.
Blue...
To violet.
Violet...
To deep obsidian.
Then—
WHOOM!
Twin violet soul flames ignited within the giant's eyes.
The colossal undead slowly opened them.
The pressure released by its awakening caused the surrounding crystal pillars to tremble.
Every member of the expedition instinctively looked up.
The giant slowly rose to its full height.
Towering above the valley...
It seemed capable of holding the sky itself upon its shoulders.
Yet despite its terrifying presence...
Its gaze never left Sam.
---
The colossal undead slowly lowered itself onto one knee.
The impact shook the valley.
Its voice echoed like mountains grinding together.
"My King..."
"I await your command."
---
A brilliant blue screen appeared before Sam.
---
Regional Boss Successfully Resurrected
New Undead Acquired
Name: Mana Crystal Golem
Classification: Regional Boss Undead
Status: Bound
Loyalty: Absolute
---
Inside his mind, Rex spoke.
Congratulations, Commander.
You have accomplished what no Necromancer in recorded history has achieved.
You now command Humanity's first Undead Regional Boss.
---
Sam looked upon the kneeling giant.
A smile slowly spread across his face.
"Welcome..."
"...to Base 101."
The Mana Crystal Golem lowered its massive head.
"It is my honor, Commander."
---
High above, Leon exhaled slowly.
Even after everything he had experienced since joining Sam...
Even after witnessing countless miracles...
This surpassed them all.
A faint smile appeared beneath his hood.
"Our Commander..."
"...never stops accomplishing the impossible."
Around him, the eight Shadow Scouts stared at the towering undead with unconcealed awe.
The Goblin Warlord King struck its fist against its chest in salute.
The Goblin Mage's violet soul flames burned brighter, silently welcoming their newest companion.
As sunlight pierced through the dark clouds once more...
Its golden rays illuminated the resurrected guardian standing behind Sam.
The expedition had entered the Mana Crystal Valley seeking victory.
They would return to Base 101 carrying something far greater.
A legend.