Chapter 22: The B-Rank Evolution (The Death Knights)
[The Spectral Core Integration]
Rudraunsh and Sera returned to The Immortal Sepulchre after a swift journey, the crystalline essence of the Spectral Lich radiating cold, pure spiritual energy. Rudraunsh was severely depleted, his core at 40%, but the energy of the captured essence was an irresistible call to the Undying Authority. Delay was impossible; the system demanded ascension.
He placed the fist-sized, sorrowful crystal onto a reinforced pedestal in the core chamber. Unlike the earthy stability of the Ossuary Fragment or the venous violence of the Soul Chain Core, this essence was volatile, purely spiritual.
"This is the riskiest integration yet, Rudraunsh," Sera cautioned, standing guard. "Spiritual energy is fluid. If you lose control, the Lich's chaotic resentment could shatter your core—or worse, impose its spiritual identity onto your own."
"Chaos is merely order misunderstood," Rudraunsh replied, his eyes closed in fierce concentration. "My core is at 175% D-Rank Capacity. It is stable, refined, and ready to hold the concept of Soul Dominance."
He extended his will, channeling the full, demanding force of his Undying Authority. He targeted his four C-Rank Shadow Legionnaires, who were standing ready.
"Ascend. Become the Order of the Soul."
Rudraunsh didn't shatter the catalyst; he unwound it. The spiritual crystal dissolved slowly, not into threads, but into a swirling, black-and-silver mist—the condensed essence of a million tormented souls. This mist surged toward the four Legionnaires, not piercing their armor, but infiltrating their very existence.
[The Agony of the Soul Leap]
The Legionnaires instantly became consumed by a violent spiritual maelstrom. Their smoky black armor began to crackle with blue-white energy—the residual spiritual pain of the Lich. The constructs were being forced to accept and command the pure spiritual chaos.
The energy drain on Rudraunsh's core was immediate and immense. His core plunged past the crisis point: 40% \rightarrow 25% \rightarrow 10%. He felt the searing backlash of spiritual resentment as the Lich's essence fought the imposition of his Immortal Dao.
Rudraunsh slammed his mental will down, ignoring the physical pain of core depletion. He focused on the foundational law of his power: What is dead serves the Sovereign.
He channeled the last vestiges of his core strength, enforcing his personal law of order upon the chaotic soul essence. The indigo light of the Sepulchre flared wildly, battling the blue-white chaos.
If he faltered for a second, the Lich essence would consume him, turning him into a U-Rank Chaos Mage.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of spiritual warfare, the chaotic energy subsided. The blue-white spiritual flashes vanished, replaced by a cold, steady steel-blue aura that pulsed around the four transforming figures.
[The Birth of the Death Knights and the New Ability]
When the transformation settled, the figures standing before Rudraunsh were entirely new. They were taller, broader, and clad in armor that was no longer smoky obsidian, but a deep, polished black steel, trimmed with the haunting steel-blue light of commanded souls. They held great swords that did not reflect light.
Rudraunsh checked their status, his breath catching at the massive leap in power.
> [Summon Status: Death Knight (x4)]
> Rank: B-Rank (Elite Sentinel)
> Core Material: Necrotic Earth + Soul Chain + Spectral Lich Essence
> Primary Ability: Undying Authority (Grade 3) - Physical damage immediately repaired. Spiritual damage repairable over time. Soul Dominance ability: Can generate pure Soul Mana Strikes.
> Secondary Trait: Aura of Dread - Passively imposes spiritual fear and instability on any non-S-Rank entity within a 10-meter radius.
> Sustained Mana Consumption: 15% per Death Knight (Total 60%)
>
The cost was significantly higher, but the power leap was staggering. Rudraunsh now commanded four B-Rank Death Knights, entities capable of overwhelming any standard A-Rank Hunter, and, crucially, capable of fighting non-physical threats.
Rudraunsh felt a surge of cold, focused energy in his own core. The successful integration of the Grade 5 Catalyst had triggered a massive secondary refinement.
Personal Mana Core Capacity: 175% \rightarrow 200% of E-Rank Base. (Functional Low C-Rank)
The Immortal Dao requires a proportionate core increase to sustain Grade 3 Summons.
His functional capacity was now solidly Low C-Rank, allowing him to comfortably manage the four Death Knights at a sustained 60% load, leaving a critical reserve for emergencies.
[Rudraunsh's Spiritual Ascent]
The most profound change, however, was in Rudraunsh himself. The successful commanding of the Spectral Lich essence had unlocked a new, core ability tied directly to his Undying Authority.
Rudraunsh felt the spiritual plane with terrifying clarity. He extended his will, not through his constructs, but through his own two hands.
A focused, internal surge of Necrotic Mana was instantly converted into a burst of pure, steel-blue Soul Mana—the same spiritual energy used by his new Death Knights. The Soul Mana was non-physical, capable of ignoring conventional armor and striking directly at an enemy's spiritual core.
> [New Skill Unlocked]
> Sovereign's Soul Strike (C-Rank Active): Rudraunsh can weaponize his core mana into pure spiritual energy, ignoring physical defense and inflicting Soul-Corruption Status on targets of A-Rank and below.
>
Rudraunsh opened his eyes, a faint steel-blue glow lingering around his fingers. He had gained a direct, offensive spiritual weapon, bridging the gap between his role as the master and his role as a fighter. This ability was essential for the inevitable confrontation with an S-Rank Hunter.
[The Arrival of the Contagion]
Rudraunsh was completely spent, his body trembling from the spiritual exertion. Sera rushed to his side, her S-Rank scanner confirming the B-Rank power jump.
"Four B-Rank Death Knights, and a direct spiritual attack," Sera breathed, equal parts admiration and concern. "You are functionally an A-Rank defense now, Rudraunsh. But you are depleted."
Before Rudraunsh could answer, the external warning systems screamed—not the subtle warning of a surveillance breach, but the blaring, chaotic signal of a Major Gate Incursion.
Sera checked the monitor. The Grand Marshall's worst fears had come true.
> [Global Threat Assessment: CATACLYSM LEVEL]
> Location: Busan Metropolitan Area (The coastal zone where the deception took place).
> Event: A-Rank Dimensional Gate opened prematurely.
> Threat: The Continental Contagion has initiated. Chaos Spore Entities confirmed to be spreading rapidly. S-Rank Hunters are mobilizing globally.
>
"The A-Rank Gate opened early!" Sera exclaimed, her voice tight with panic. "The power vacuum left by the defeated Paladin Lee and the focus on the Sepulchre gave the Contagion the opportunity it needed. We caused this, Rudraunsh, and the city is not prepared."
Rudraunsh slowly rose, drawing on the absolute order of his Immortal Dao to stabilize his depleted core. He looked at his four new, B-Rank Death Knights, their steel-blue aura a promise of unmatched power.
"No, Sera. The Gate was always coming. We simply ensured we had the power to face it," Rudraunsh corrected, his voice regaining its cold strength. "The pact is active. We are the Sentinels of Necessity. The time for hiding is over. We will face the Continental Contagion in the city, in public, and show the Stellar Halo the terror of what they rely upon."
He had his B-Rank army and his new Sovereign's Soul Strike. It was time for the Necrotic Sovereign to claim his public identity as the Black Sentinel and dominate the war-torn continent.