Aurelius stood silently in the clearing, the wind howling as his undead soldiers knelt before him. The undead warriors, in various states of decay, stood at attention, their hollow eyes fixed on him. It was eerie, yet powerful—he had summoned an army. These weren't just mindless shells; they had purpose.

  The air crackled with power as he felt the surge of energy flowing through him. His necromantic abilities had grown, but so too had the weight of responsibility. His thoughts wandered to his new abilities, the Soul Drain, which allowed him to consume the life force of the fallen to enhance his power. It was tempting. The temptation to take the easy path—to simply drain every enemy he encountered and grow ever stronger—was great. But something inside him hesitated. There was a darkness stirring in the pit of his stomach, an unease he couldn’t shake. Every time he used his powers, it felt like he was becoming less human, more... something else. More detached.

  He looked down at his undead soldiers. These beings—these creatures—were nothing more than instruments of his will. They were tools to him, yet every time he controlled them, he felt a growing connection to them, a strange link he couldn’t explain. Were they becoming more than just lifeless husks? Could they somehow feel his emotions? Or was it merely his own mind projecting onto them?

  He shook off the thought. There was no time for doubt. The world was not going to wait for him to wrestle with his conscience. If he wanted power, he needed to keep pushing forward.

  Aurelius raised his hand, the signal for his undead soldiers to rise. The Grave Guardians, skeletal warriors clad in tattered armor, stood tall, their bony hands gripping rusted swords.

  "Prepare to fight." His voice rang out, sharp and commanding.

  Aurelius felt the surge of power flow through him. It was subtle, but he could feel the difference. His control over the undead was improving, his bond with them stronger than ever. He had unlocked more of his potential, but it wasn’t enough. Not yet. He needed more.

  He felt the urge to test his powers, to see just how far he could push them. The challenge ahead was not just about fighting—it was about testing his limits, understanding how his powers worked.

  Aurelius summoned the first wave of his undead. Ten skeleton warriors, six zombies, and two ghouls. Their forms slowly emerged from the ground, the soil parting as they rose from the grave. His control was growing. But so was his unease. As he formed the bond with these creatures, the more they seemed... alive.

  "Attack!" he shouted, watching as his undead charged forward, their movements mechanical but efficient. The skeleton warriors led the charge, their swords raised high as they barreled toward the target.

  In the distance, a massive hellhound emerged, its fur matted and dripping with blood. Its eyes burned with an unnatural red glow as it charged toward his army.

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  The undead were fast, but the hellhound was faster. It dove into the front lines, its massive claws slashing through the first wave of skeletons, reducing them to a pile of shattered bones. Aurelius gritted his teeth, commanding his undead to surround the beast. His heart raced—not out of fear, but excitement. He felt the surge of power course through him.

  But it wasn’t enough. Despite his undead soldiers’ enhanced strength, the hellhound was a beast of great power, tearing through them with ease.

  "Focus your attacks on its flanks!" Aurelius shouted, his voice sharp.

  But his undead were faltering, their coordination slipping under the pressure of the hellhound’s relentless assault. He felt the strain on his mind as he desperately tried to direct their movements.

  His undead control was limited. He could only keep up with so many commands at once before their effectiveness began to wane. It was a harsh reminder that his power, although potent, had limitations. At least for now.

  The Grave Guardian, his most powerful undead soldier, stepped forward, its massive sword raised high. It engaged the hellhound in a one-on-one battle, clashing with the beast’s claws. The fight was brutal, the earth trembling with every strike. But Aurelius watched closely, his undead control ability keeping the other undead in line, ensuring they didn’t falter.

  The hellhound roared, its fangs bared, but the Grave Guardian pressed forward. After a lengthy battle, it delivered a final strike to the beast’s chest, cleaving its heart in half. The hellhound collapsed into the earth, disintegrating into ash.

  ---

  EXP Breakdown:

  Hellhound (Level 5):

  Base EXP: 50 EXP (Level * 10)

  Bonus EXP for Effort: 13 EXP (Bonus for strategic play, flanking maneuvers)

  Total EXP Gained from Hellhound: 63 EXP

  Additional EXP via Soul Drain: 19 EXP (30% of enemy’s total EXP absorbed into his soul)

  Total EXP After Battle: 63 EXP (killed) + 19 EXP (Soul Drain) = 82 EXP

  ---

  Aurelius stood victorious but unsatisfied. His undead had won the battle, but the cost had been high. His undead warriors had fallen, and he felt the toll that the battle had taken on him. The more he used his powers, the more detached he felt, as if he were losing a part of himself each time.

  The Soul Drain ability pulsed within him, tempting him to consume the life force of the fallen hellhound, to grow stronger. But he hesitated. There was a price to be paid. Every time he used the Soul Drain, he felt more hollow inside. He could feel the essence of the creature being consumed, corrupting his very soul.

  He could take the power. He could grow stronger, but was it worth it? Would it make him like one of those he was raising from the dead—empty, driven only by his need for more power?

  His thoughts were interrupted as he surveyed the battlefield. His undead soldiers had been reduced to nothing but ashes. He had lost control at some points, and it showed. The Grave Guardian had barely held its own against the hellhound. It was clear—his undead were growing stronger, but they weren’t invincible.

  It was time to reassess. Aurelius knew that he couldn’t continue relying on brute force alone. He needed to refine his control, strengthen his undead, and perhaps most importantly, understand the true nature of his powers. What if the Soul Drain wasn’t just a tool for growth? What if it was a path to corruption?

  The task before him was clear. He needed to master his abilities but at a pace that would allow him to retain his humanity. To learn how to balance his power and keep the darkness at bay.

  He closed his eyes, focusing inward. He felt the undead army behind him, their hollow gazes awaiting his next command.

  It was time to move forward. The true test had only just begun.

  ---

  Personal Attributes Update:

  Level: 5

  Health: 140/140

  Mana: 120/150

  Strength: 24 (+2 from previous level)

  Intelligence: 30 (+4 from previous level)

  Charisma: 12 (+2 from previous level)

  Necromancy Proficiency: 60% (+10 from previous level)

  Undead Control: 70% (+10 from previous level)

  Undead Enhancement: 25% (+10 from previous level)

  EXP Gained: 82 EXP (Hellhound + Soul Drain)

  EXP to Next Level: 37 EXP

  Undead Command Limit: 10 undead

  Undead Tier Available: Tier 1 (Skeletons, Zombies, Ghouls, Grave Guardians)