The Extra's Rise
Chapter 585 - 585: Ebony Tower (5)

The return journey to Jin's family estate was conducted in thoughtful silence. The Ashbluff private aircraft cut through the evening sky while I stared out the window, my mind churning through possibilities that seemed to multiply with each passing minute. The Ebony Tower's material archives had fundamentally changed my understanding of what was achievable, and now I faced the daunting task of choosing what to create.

This would be my final necromantic summon. The weight of that decision pressed against my consciousness like a physical thing.

'You're overthinking this,' Luna observed, her mental voice carrying that familiar tone of patient exasperation. 'You always do your best work when you follow your instincts rather than getting lost in theoretical possibilities.'

"Easy for you to say," I muttered under my breath. "You're not the one who has to live with the consequences."

Jin glanced over from his seat across the aisle. "Talking to yourself? That's either a sign of genius or madness. With you, it could go either way."

"Just processing options," I replied. "The archive opened up possibilities I hadn't considered before."

"The nine-star materials particularly caught your attention," Jin noted with characteristic perceptiveness.

I nodded. I needed to focus on the decision at hand.

I pulled out a notebook and began sketching ideas, letting my thoughts flow onto paper without trying to filter or organize them initially. Sometimes the best insights came from allowing concepts to develop organically rather than forcing them into predetermined frameworks.

Concept One: Spectral Artillery

A ranged specialist to complement my close-combat focus. Something that could provide covering fire while I engaged enemies directly, or handle threats that were too dangerous to approach. I sketched a wraith-like figure surrounded by floating weapons—ethereal bows, spectral crossbows, conjured projectile launchers.

The advantages were obvious. Erebus provided magical support and battlefield control, but neither he nor I excelled at long-range combat. A dedicated artillery specialist would fill that tactical gap perfectly.

But as I developed the concept further, I began to see limitations. Creating a summon purely for ranged support felt like a waste of the extraordinary materials Paul was offering. Nine-star components deserved to be used for something more innovative than a supernatural archer.

Concept Two: Battlefield Controller

Something focused on area denial and environmental manipulation. I sketched a massive construct that could reshape terrain, create barriers, control weather patterns within a limited area. A summon that turned every battlefield into favorable ground for my fighting style.

The tactical advantages were compelling. Most of my opponents would expect to fight me in conditions of their choosing. A summon that could fundamentally alter the combat environment would provide enormous strategic benefits.

Yet this concept felt too passive for my preferences. I wanted a summon that could actively participate in combat, not just set the stage for it. Environmental control was useful, but I needed something more dynamic.

Concept Three: Adaptive Predator

A hunter-killer specialist that could track, stalk, and eliminate specific targets. Something with enhanced senses, stealth capabilities, and the ability to adapt its approach based on prey characteristics. I sketched a sleek, predatory form that seemed to shift and flow as I drew it.

This concept appealed to the part of me that appreciated efficiency and precision. A summon that could handle assassination missions, eliminate specific threats, or hunt down fleeing enemies would be incredibly valuable.

But again, it felt too narrow in scope. Creating my final necromantic summon purely for specialized killing seemed like it missed opportunities for broader capability development.

Concept Four: Soul Manipulator

Something that worked directly with spiritual energy—extracting information from defeated enemies, manipulating enemy souls during combat, providing enhanced soul-based defenses. I sketched a robed figure surrounded by swirling spiritual energy.

The concept had merit, especially given my integrated approach to development. Soul manipulation was an advanced necromantic discipline that could provide capabilities neither Erebus nor I currently possessed.

However, the more I considered it, the more it seemed like an extension of Erebus's role rather than a complement to it. Both would be primarily magical in focus, which didn't align with my preference for balanced capabilities.

Concept Five: Enhancement Symbiote

This was where my thinking began to shift in a different direction entirely. Instead of creating another independent entity, what if I designed something that could work in perfect integration with my own capabilities? A symbiotic construct that could merge with me during combat, providing enhancements while remaining capable of independent action when needed.

I sketched several variations—armor-like constructs, weapon-spirits, entities that could phase in and out of my physical form. The more I developed this concept, the more it appealed to my integrated approach to magical and martial development.

A symbiotic summon would complement both my close-combat preferences and my philosophy of unified advancement. Instead of having three separate entities (myself, Erebus, and a third summon), I could have two that were capable of becoming one when circumstances required it.

The tactical possibilities were fascinating. In merged form, I would gain enhanced physical capabilities, additional defensive options, and expanded offensive potential. In separated form, I would have two entities working in perfect coordination—one focused on magical support, one on physical combat enhancement.

'Now that's more like the Arthur I know,' Luna said with obvious approval. 'Always looking for ways to push boundaries and create something unprecedented.'

Jin noticed my increased focus on the symbiotic sketches. "That looks more complex than your other concepts."

"It's also more ambitious," I admitted. "Most necromancers create summons as separate entities. What I'm considering would be something that could function both independently and as an integrated enhancement to my own capabilities."

"Integrated enhancement," Jin repeated thoughtfully. "That fits your general approach to development. You've never been one to accept traditional limitations."

"The question is whether it's actually feasible," I said, studying my sketches with a critical eye. "Creating something that can exist both as a separate entity and as a symbiotic enhancement would require incredibly sophisticated design work."

"But you have access to nine-star materials and the expertise of the Ebony Tower's best researchers," Jin pointed out. "If anyone could make such a concept work, it would be that combination."

I nodded slowly, feeling pieces of the puzzle beginning to fall into place. The symbiotic approach aligned perfectly with my integrated philosophy, provided tactical flexibility that none of my other concepts could match, and would represent something genuinely innovative in necromantic summoning.

But it would also be the most challenging concept to implement. The design complexity alone would be staggering, requiring solutions to problems that most necromancers had never even considered. Material requirements would be extensive, and the margin for error would be minimal.

'High risk, high reward,' Luna observed. 'Though given your track record, those tend to be the projects where you do your best work.'

The aircraft began its descent toward the Ashbluff estate, the lights of the Western Continent's capital city spreading out below us like a constellation of earthbound stars. I had perhaps an hour before we landed, and then I would need to make my decision.

I reviewed my sketches one final time, weighing each concept against my tactical needs, available resources, and long-term development goals. The choice would define not just my combat capabilities, but potentially influence the entire trajectory of my future advancement.

Four concepts that represented safe, proven approaches to necromantic summoning.

One concept that represented something entirely new.

I closed the notebook and leaned back in my seat, feeling the weight of decision settling around me like a familiar cloak. This wasn't just about choosing a summon—it was about choosing what kind of necromancer I wanted to become.

The safe path would guarantee success but limit potential.

The innovative path would risk everything for the possibility of achieving something unprecedented.

As the aircraft continued its descent, I felt a familiar sensation—the same certainty that had guided me through every major decision since arriving in this world. My instincts were telling me which choice to make, even if my rational mind was still cataloging risks and complications.

I knew what I was going to do.

The question now was whether I had the courage to follow through with it.