Necromancer, summoning 055? What the heck?

Chapter 24 Hedgehog Tavern
Whitestone City is the largest city on the northern slope of the Creek Moon Federation and was once a renowned military stronghold.

With the arrival of the era of the five races in harmony, humans and elves each established their own territories and boundaries. The outer perimeter of the Dark Forest became a demilitarized zone, and Whitestone City has not experienced war for over 170 years.

The towering city walls testify to the city's former grandeur, but the walls covered with withered vines and the broken, cracked bricks seem to silently tell travelers that this is a shield that has gradually rusted away.

Chen Mo was engrossed in watching when the coachman's respectful voice came: "Sir, we have arrived at White Stone City. We will trouble you to get out of the carriage and walk a few steps."

We need to go through security to enter the city.

At this point, the temporary travel permits that were purchased at great expense came in handy.

The guards, clad in light black armor, scrutinized the prospective apprentice and his skeleton several times. They frowned a few times at the enormous bundle on Xiaobai's back, but ultimately said nothing. After collecting the entrance fee at ten copper coins per head and one copper coin per skeleton, they let him pass.

Once they reached the city's control area, the driver's mental state improved significantly. He must have realized that he had escaped the shadow of death that had been hovering over him. His voice gradually regained some strength and even carried a slight hint of flattery.

"Sir, your travel permit is of a very high quality. Usually, these scoundrels charge exorbitant fees, they'll take a hundred if they can, they'll never take ninety-nine!"

"You received this summoned creature from me today at the lowest pet level. You really have a lot of face!"

"Huh?" Chen Mo didn't understand.

The coachman quickly explained that the entrance fee for human heads was officially mandated and could not be changed, but the fees for summoned creatures varied greatly depending on their size.

"Those with connections can make even a several-meter-tall orc a pet; those without connections can make a fish a fighting partner. The black-skinned dog at the city gate makes money with these little tricks."

Chen Mo suddenly became curious and asked, "How much would it cost if I brought a Black Warrior or a Bone Dragon?"

"Oh my sir, you must be kidding me! All professionals of level three or above get free entry into the city! This is a rule that applies throughout the entire continent, no matter which city you're in!"

"Okay, would you believe me if I said this is my first time in the city?"

"Sir, I believe whatever you say!" The coachman pointed ahead. "The tavern you want to go to is just ahead. I have to hurry back to return the carriage and horses, what do you think...?"

Chen Mo nodded slightly, casually tossed a stack of copper coins onto the carriage frame, and amidst the coachman's profuse thanks, turned around and pushed open the wooden door of the Hedgehog Tavern.

An intense, overwhelming aura crashed towards Chen Mo as if it were a tangible force, violently engulfing him.

The sour smell of fermented cheap liquor, the greasy smell of cheap stewed meat, the pungent odor of spices like onions and star anise soaking in the broth, the rancid smell of sweat and leather accumulating over the years, the choking smoke from burning cheap tobacco, and the sour smell of something suspicious in the corner that resembled vomit or expired food scraps, all mixed together with a low but incredibly noisy cacophony that almost drove Chen Mo out of the house.

The air was so thick it felt like liquid, almost sticking to his skin. Chen Mo felt his eyes stinging and were about to tear up. He had to turn around and take a few deep breaths of fresh air before slowly walking into the tavern.

The wooden door behind me creaked and closed automatically, blocking out the last rays of the setting sun. Inside and outside the door, it was as if they were two different worlds.

The lighting was dim, and it took Chen Mo some time for his eyes to adjust.

The tavern's interior was much larger than expected. Rough wooden tables and chairs were filled with burly men sitting, leaning, squatting, and lying around. Judging from their worn-out leather half-armor, wrinkled and torn coarse cloth clothing, and their loud, boisterous conversations, if it weren't for the weapons lying on the floor beside the tables—axes, maces, and greatswords—Chen Mo would have thought he had stumbled upon a miners' camp.

Welcome to the Old Hedgehog Tavern!

A waiter wearing a faded apron suddenly appeared out of nowhere, carrying a rough wooden tray piled with several earthenware bowls and wooden cups emitting suspicious steam. He wore a formulaic smile and asked, "Are you here for drinks or a meal, or perhaps you'd like to chat with a girl?"

"Is Old John here? A friend recommended me to come see him."

“Oh dear, John? That’s such a common name!” the waiter drawled, his eyes darting around. “We have more than ten Johns who come and go at our Old Hedgehog Tavern! This is a bit of a problem… Why don’t you sit down and have a drink to soothe your throat? I’ll go and ask around for you?”

Five copper coins landed crisply on the greasy tray with a "clink".

"Oh dear! Look at my ears!" The waiter's smile instantly turned sincere and warm, and with a flick of his finger, the copper coins on the tray vanished.

“You mean ‘Old’ John? I misheard you, I thought it was Little John! I was just wondering why that little mouse hasn’t been here in ages… Look!” He pointed briskly into the depths of the tavern, “That guy over there, humming and hawing on the stage with his violin, that’s most likely the Old John you’re looking for!”

Chen Mo looked in the direction indicated. Under the flickering lights, there was a wooden platform about ten centimeters high in the center of the bar. An old man with sparse, graying hair and bleary eyes was holding a guitar of some kind. His fingers were idly plucking the strings, and he was making sounds like singing or the groans of a drunkard.

Without further hesitation, Chen Mo strode toward the wooden platform.

The patrons along the way subconsciously stopped their noise, their wary or scrutinizing gazes sweeping over the uninvited guest. When they saw the skeleton Xiaobai following closely behind Chen Mo, they showed more or less contempt and impatience.

It's like seeing a rabbit burrow into a doghouse.

The necromancer is a very common profession. Young cultivators who want to look cool will learn swordsmanship, those who want to be dashing will learn archery, those who want elegance will learn magic, and those who want to save money will learn to summon the undead.

If it weren't for the rather complex learning curve of summoning spells, I'm sure everyone would be happy to have an undead character doing odd jobs and carrying goods.

With a large number of adventurers, necromancers are bound to be encountered by any adventurer venturing out into the world. However, someone who dares to venture out alone with only the lowest-ranking skeleton spearman is truly a rare find.

Which apprentice-to-be starts out just by going through the motions? They all have to serve their master for three to five years. With that time, they can eventually become a full-fledged apprentice.

In the Mercenary Guild's magic-based class system, advanced apprentices graduate as first-tier Stardust Mages. Only after advancing to second-tier Moon Wheel, third-tier Sun Corona, and fourth-tier job advancement will they develop into complex and extensive professional magic branches such as Elemental Mastery, Summoning of All Spirits, Life Shepherd, and Creation Alchemy.

Most necromancers active in the low-level mercenary world are primarily Stardust and Moon Wheel ranks, or at least high-level apprentices. Their standard summoned creatures are often a combination of Dark Gargoyles and Hardened Zombies, serving as both aerial reconnaissance and ground tanks, making them highly popular with mercenary teams.

How long has it been since the Old Hedgehog Tavern encountered a necromancer with skeleton spearmen?

I doubt we've ever seen such a reckless little guy since the company was founded.

(End of this chapter)