Global Survival: I Have Endless Skeletons-Chapter 34: Minerva Plan

Earlier.

Minerva, clad in fitted leather armor, strode through the dusty, narrow path with her jaw clenched and her expression carved with simmering indignation.

Each step she took stirred fine clouds of dirt beneath her boots, yet none of it slowed her pace.

Her grip on the hilt of her sword was tight, too tight, knuckles pale beneath the leather gloves.

’No matter what it takes... I’ll make you regret your actions.’

The vow echoed relentlessly in her mind.

When her thoughts drifted to her loss, Thoren’s expressionless face surfaced unbidden.

Calm.

Detached.

Untouched by consequence.

The image ignited something fierce and painful in her chest.

She had sworn an oath to bring every criminal and evil individual to justice.

It was not merely a duty; it was her belief, her reason for standing where she did.

And yet, despite all of that, she had lost so many good comrades while that damned bastard continued to walk freely through the Abyss.

The captain had ordered her to wait a day.

A day.

How could she?

Every time she closed her eyes, the miserable screams of her juniors echoed in her ears.

Their final cries clung to her like a curse, replaying endlessly, as though the Abyss itself wished to remind her of her failure.

Of how she had been too slow.

Too late.

The guilt gnawed at her from the inside, relentless and corrosive.

The guilt ate her alive.

Without apprehending Thoren, she knew she would never know peace. Her mind would never rest, and her heart would never quiet.

"You just wait..." she muttered darkly as she entered the mouth of a narrow valley.

The wind shifted.

Howl! Howl!

A Level 7 beast burst from the tall grass behind her, its fangs bared and eyes glowing with feral hunger. Its claws scraped against stone as it lunged.

Minerva did not even break her stride.

Her blade flashed from its sheath in a single, fluid motion.

Slash!

The beast collapsed mid-air, its head severed cleanly from its body. Blood sprayed across the dirt, the corpse hitting the ground with a heavy thud.

She did not spare it a glance.

Without slowing, she continued deeper into the valley.

This place was known as Gravewind Valley.

A dangerous region where beasts above Level 10 were not uncommon. Many parties had perished here, their bones left to whiten beneath the sun and wind.

Even experienced awakeners treated this place with caution.

However, Minerva had not come to hunt beasts.

She had come for something far more important.

As she walked deeper into the valley, the temperature steadily dropped.

The wind grew sharper, howling through the narrow ravines like the wails of the dead.

Towering trees filled the valley; their thick trunks twisted with age. Low-hanging branches and broad leaves blocked out much of the light, casting deep, uneven shadows across the ground.

The air felt heavy.

Oppressive.

Suddenly, movement stirred within the shadows.

From beneath the canopy, a party of ten emerged, their steps coordinated and calm.

Each of them carried themselves with quiet confidence, weapons worn but well-maintained, a clear sign of experienced awakeners.

"Minerva? What are you doing here?"

The voice was sweet and familiar.

Minerva looked up, momentarily stunned.

Rowena.

Her best friend stood at the front of the group, golden hair tied neatly behind her head, her holy emblem gleaming faintly at her chest.

Shock flashed across Rowena’s face before it melted into disbelief.

"Is that how you greet your best friend?" Minerva scoffed, a rare bright smile breaking through her grim expression.

The tension evaporated in an instant as the two women closed the distance between them and embraced tightly.

Behind them, the party members exchanged glances, surprise flickering across their faces.

Their vice-captain rarely displayed such open emotion.

Yet no one spoke.

When the two finally pulled apart, Rowena studied Minerva closely, her brows knitting together.

"Why are you here?" she asked softly. "The last time we spoke, you said you would not be leaving town for at least two months."

Rowena knew Minerva well—perhaps better than anyone.

She knew how fiercely driven she was by justice, how deeply loyal she remained to the Federation’s mission within the Abyss.

At the question, Minerva’s expression darkened.

She did not answer immediately.

Instead, she told them everything.

From the incident in town... to the necromancer... to the battle that claimed so many lives.

When she finished, the forest fell silent.

"So you’re saying..." someone murmured, disbelief heavy in their voice, "there’s a Necromancer capable of controlling more than twenty undead servants?"

Before Rowena could respond, a tall young man stepped forward.

He had neatly kept brown hair and sharp eyes that seemed to assess everything at a glance.

His presence alone radiated authority and confidence.

Sebastian.

Captain of the Glorious Path Party.

"Yes," Minerva nodded. She was slightly surprised to see him present. "That’s exactly what I’m saying."

"Interesting," Sebastian said, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "And you came here seeking Rowena’s help?"

Minerva nodded again.

Rowena was a powerful Paladin, her holy abilities especially effective against necromantic forces.

With her help, Minerva was confident they could suppress Thoren’s undead army.

No matter how many skeletons he controlled, holy light was their natural counter.

Rowena understood this immediately.

She turned toward Sebastian. "Captain, I want to help her. It may take some time."

Their party had entered Gravewind Valley to hunt powerful beasts and strengthen themselves.

Without Rowena, that task would be considerably harder.

The entire party turned their attention to Sebastian.

Only him can make the decision.

"No problem," Sebastian replied calmly. "I’d like to see for myself what kind of individual can control so many undead simultaneously."

Relief washed over Rowena’s face.

"Thank you, Captain," she said with a bright smile.

Minerva bowed slightly. "Captain Sebastian, thank you."

"It’s nothing," he replied, waving a hand dismissively.

His gaze lingered on Minerva for just a fraction longer than necessary. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Rowena noticed.

A knowing smirk crept onto her lips.

’Hmph. I knew it.’

While Minerva sought reinforcements, bounty hunters across the Abyss had already begun moving.

Some were driven by curiosity, others by the staggering reward placed upon Thoren’s head.

The Federation was not idle either.

Forces were deployed.

Traces were tracked.

Orders were issued.

The hunt spread like wildfire among awakeners.

Many shook their heads in pity.

To them, there was no possible way Thoren Starfall could escape such a relentless pursuit.

They had forgotten something important.

Thoren Starfall was not like other Necromancers.

He never had been.

*****

AN: Please support this book with your golden ticket and power stones. Thoren needs motivation. The journey ahead won’t be easy.

Please motivate him.

He wouldn’t mind One Dragon gift.