They only had one room to accommodate the three of them. It wasn’t ideal for comfort—but when it came to safety, it was the best choice.

Staying close meant they could watch over each other. That region was dangerous. All three agreed—sacrificing comfort for security was more than worth it.

Geneva stood by the window, staring out. She could see very little—thanks to the night and the thick fog. The streets barely had any lighting.

“This place gives me the creeps,” she said.

While Geneva seemed on edge, Kali looked more relaxed. She was already lying down, resting on the bed.

“It’s alright, we’re safe in here,” Kali said. “No one knows us, so no one’s coming after us. And after what William did? I’m even more sure of that.”

William had done the right thing at the tavern. The only real concern was whether the man he beat down had connections—hidden allies in the city.

But considering how weak he looked—and how no one had stepped in to help—that didn’t seem likely.

With only one bed for three people, William volunteered to sleep on the floor. He laid down some blankets to soften the surface.

“Are you sure?” Geneva asked. “I feel bad letting you sleep down there.”

“Someone’s gotta take the floor. Relax—it’s just for one night.”

It didn’t bother him.

In the end, Geneva and Kali shared the bed while William rested nearby.

He lay down—but sleep didn’t come easily. It wasn’t about comfort. It was about everything circling in his mind.

“Will this really work? Will I get into the cult? And once I’m in… what the hell am I even gonna do?”

His goals were still split. Part of him wanted to understand the demonic energy behind Geneva’s book. But the bigger part—wanted to destroy the cult.

How? Could he really pull that off? Did he have the strength?

All those thoughts—and the uncertainty around the recruitment—kept him awake. Sleep was difficult.

By morning, they were up early.

In daylight, the city felt less terrifying. The fog had lifted, streets were brighter, and a few “normal” people could be seen walking about.

Even though the region was known to harbor criminals, they weren’t the only ones living there.

Long before the influx of outlaws, decent people had settled here.

They were just few in number. This wasn’t the kind of place people moved to for beauty or safety—it was the complete opposite.

Most came because it was cheap. Or for work no one else wanted.

Whatever the reasons, the group had a far easier time moving through the city during the day.

“And where exactly is this recruitment site?” William asked.

Even Geneva didn’t know for sure. Apparently, she’d heard of one location, while Kali had intel on another.

In the end, they chose to follow Kali’s lead—her entry into the cult was more urgent.

“It’s outside the city,” Kali said. “There’s an old cemetery nearby, kind of abandoned. That’s where we’re going.”

“Abandoned?”

“Yeah. There are people buried there, but no one’s been laid to rest in ages. Even visiting it’s hard. Well, that’s what the necromancers told me.”

Not wanting to waste time, they headed straight out of the city toward the cemetery.

There were no city guards—or anyone at all—to ask where they were going or try to stop them. That part went quietly.

The cemetery was deeper inside the dead forest. They followed a narrow stone path.

It was tight—no way to bring a carriage through.

They walked. And walked. And walked. It took thirty full minutes before they reached the cemetery.

“Now I get why no one’s buried here anymore,” William said, glancing around. “This place is remote… and creepy.”

The dead trees and eerie silence gave the whole place a sinister tone. Wandering near a forest and hearing no birds, no rustling leaves?

It wasn’t normal. Everything was just… still.

“Yeah, but we’re almost there,” Kali said. “Look.”

She pointed to a small, weathered sign at the cemetery’s entrance. The thing looked ancient. William wondered how long it had been standing.

Five more minutes and they arrived.

No one was there. Nothing moved. The place was completely deserted.

No groundskeeper. No mourners. Not even the necromancers who were supposedly meant to meet them.

“You’re sure this is the right place?” William asked.

Kali rolled her eyes.

“Of course I’m sure. I’m not an idiot, alright? I may look like one, but I’m not.”

They walked among the graves, weaving between headstones. The scent reminded William of damp soil.

And he couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched—but nothing was ever there.

His thoughts drifted toward the bizarre.

“I’m in a magical world. Having ghosts keep tabs on me isn’t that far-fetched… right?”

Kali led the way. William noticed she was searching for something specific. He didn’t ask. Didn’t want to slow her down—or piss her off.

Eventually, she found it.

A tombstone with a tiny number etched into its side. To spot it, you had to get close and peer into the corner.

“We’re here,” she said.

“Here… where, exactly?” William asked. “What’s special about this grave?”

“Right below it is one of the cult’s bases. This is where we summon the recruiters.”

Kali stepped up to the tombstone and knocked.

The knocks followed a specific rhythm—ten in total, each spaced with exact timing.

“Took me a while to memorize the code,” she said. “The poor necromancers had to walk me through it so many times.”

William admired her attitude. Even in a situation like this—anything but easy—she kept her spirits up. That wasn’t something many people could do.

They waited.

For a while, nothing happened, and William started wondering if they were wasting time… until the tombstone shifted.

Yes—shifted.

It slid sideways, revealing a hidden stone staircase descending into the cemetery’s underground.

Standing in the entrance was a figure in a long black robe, wearing a mask.

“You’ve come to take the test to join the cult?” the masked figure asked.

“Yes, exactly,” Kali replied.

“Then follow me. I’ll be keeping the mask on for now, but if you’re accepted, you’ll see my face. Security measure. Not everyone who comes here makes it in.”

William wasn’t surprised. He’d expected something like this. None of them complained.

They followed the masked figure down the staircase. It was long but surprisingly well-lit—torches lined the walls, brighter than expected.

At the bottom, they reached a large stone door.

“Beyond this door are the cult’s core members,” the masked figure explained. “Which is why we’re heading to the side room. Your evaluation will be held there.”

To the right stood a smaller door leading into another chamber. This was where recruits were tested.

It made sense. They didn’t want strangers wandering into the cult’s base and seeing everyone’s faces.

Only one person entered at a time.

Kali went first.

William and Geneva waited outside.

“What do you think’s happening in there?” William asked.

“She’s probably demonstrating her spells,” Geneva replied. “Like we said—five necromancy spells is the minimum.”

Kali didn’t take long.

She returned smiling.

“I passed! Now it’s your turn.”

Geneva headed in next.

“Wish me luck,” she said, vanishing behind the door.

She took about the same time as Kali—and came out smiling. William didn’t need to ask. He could tell she’d passed.

Then it was his turn.

By now, he was calm. Confident. Ready.

But once the door closed, the recruiter said something unexpected.

“Unfortunately, I may not be able to accept you. You only have one arm. You might need to leave and say goodbye to your friends.”

The recruiter was serious. He wasn’t planning to recruit William—just because he was missing an arm. The one that still refused to regenerate.

A mage with one arm… it was a disadvantage.

But William wasn’t walking out without a fight.

“I heard the minimum is five spells, right?” he asked.

“Correct. Those two know eight—that earned them a slightly higher entry rank.”

William knew he had to prove himself.

Sure, he only had one arm. But talent? Talent he had in abundance.

“I know quite a few spells,” he said. “Twenty-five, to be exact. Can I show you all of them?”

The recruiter blinked, stunned.

“Twenty-five spells? Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

“Show me. Now.”

And so, William demonstrated the spells he knew—ranging from summoning spells to bone manipulation and even blood-based techniques.

Necromancy covered a wide variety of magical schools, and William had mastered spells across them all.

In truth, he knew even more than he revealed… but he chose not to show everything. No need to unveil the full extent of his potential.

The recruiter watched silently as William executed each spell, growing more astonished with every technique. By the end of the demonstration, he removed his mask.

He was younger than William expected—black hair, pale face. William had imagined someone older.

The man extended his hand.

“You’re recruited. And from what I’ve seen, you’ll start with a pretty good position. Possibly as another recruiter. Congratulations.”

William didn’t know whether to be pleased. It’s not like the cult had a glowing reputation. Still, he reached out and shook the man’s hand.

And with that, they left the chamber and followed him through the large stone door—the one they’d seen earlier—finally stepping into the heart of the cult.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep