The Genesis Of A Necromancer

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Jack eyed Alisha warily as her curt offer to pay for his meal lingered in the air. Her sudden generosity felt out of character, especially considering her usual aloof demeanor. Still, he shrugged it off. She had already agreed to his plan, and there was no point in questioning her motives—at least not yet.

Their walk to the restaurant was brisk, the dusty streets of the demon village bustling with activity. Blackened wooden structures, adorned with eerie carvings, loomed on either side. The air was thick with a pungent mix of sulfur and roasted meat, making Jack's stomach growl involuntarily.

They approached the entrance of a shabby establishment with a weathered sign swinging above it, written in a language Jack couldn't read. As they stepped inside, the dimly lit room smelled of charred spices and something faintly metallic.

A cheerful voice broke through the murmur of the patrons. "Ahoi! What do we have here?" A demon waitress greeted them, her voice lilting with exaggerated hospitality. She was short and stocky, her crimson skin gleaming under the flickering light of a hanging lantern. Her golden eyes scanned Jack and Alisha with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. "Please, travelers, take a seat. We'll serve you our best meal."

The waitress led them to a table near the corner, where a short demon with a pig-like snout was slumped over, his head resting on the rough wooden surface.

"Gurat!" the waitress barked, slapping the demon on the back of his head. He jolted awake with a startled grunt, blinking drowsily at her. "I hope you've got money today! No free meals this time."

The demon rubbed his snout, yawning. "Don't worry, don't worry. I've got it. I'll pay."

The waitress rolled her eyes and turned back to Jack and Alisha, motioning for them to sit near the still-groggy Gurat. "Please, take a seat. Your food will be here right away." She clapped her hands together, smiling widely.

Jack hesitated, glancing at Alisha. 'Something's definitely off,' he thought as he sat down. Alisha followed, her expression unreadable.

"What'll it be, dear travelers?" the waitress asked, her gaze flitting between the two. Her crimson skin gleamed under the light, and her voice held a strange charm—like she was both welcoming and scrutinizing them at once.

Jack opened his mouth but quickly closed it. He had no idea what kind of food they served here, and the strange scents wafting from the kitchen didn't help. "Uh… I'll have the normal," he finally said, hoping it was a safe choice.

The waitress nodded and turned to Alisha. "And you, miss? What can I get you?"

Alisha's lips curled into a polite smile. "Nothing for me, thank you."

Jack shot her a glance, his brow furrowing. 'What is she hiding?' Her behavior was becoming increasingly suspicious. She seemed unbothered by the lack of food, even as the enticing aroma filled the room.

The waitress hesitated, her eyes narrowing slightly before she nodded and disappeared into the back.

As soon as she was gone, Gurat sprang to life. His small frame quivered with energy as he slid out of his chair and clung to Jack's leg, his teary, pitch-black eyes staring up pleadingly.

"Please, stranger, help me!" he wailed, his voice high-pitched and grating. "I'll tell you anything you need to know—anything! Just help me pay off that wretch!"

Jack's expression darkened as a flicker of annoyance crossed his face. His instincts screamed to shove the sniveling demon away, but Alisha's sharp gaze stopped him. Her warning glare was a silent reminder of his earlier antics at the gates.

'She hasn't forgotten,' Jack thought grimly, forcing a tight-lipped smile. He sighed, weighing his options. Gurat's desperate offer to share information caught his attention. "Fine," he said at last. "We'll help."

"Thank you, thank you!" Gurat's voice was practically a shriek as he released Jack's leg and stumbled back into his seat. "You're in Nyxoria," he began eagerly, his words tumbling over each other. "Home to us hornless demons! No one's gonna bully you here, not while you're with me." He puffed out his chest and flexed his thin arms, black mucus dripping from his snout onto his forearms.

Alisha's face twisted in revulsion, but she remained silent. Jack, too, was taken aback by the absurd display. 'This is nothing like the warriors back on Earth,' he thought, suppressing a grimace.

Before Gurat could ramble further, the waitress returned, balancing a tray of steaming food. She placed it in front of Jack with a flourish, revealing a bowl of soup filled with glistening meatballs. The aroma was surprisingly pleasant—spicy and rich, with a hint of sweetness.

"This is the best we've got! Your taste buds will thank you," the waitress said proudly. "And since you're first-timers, you get a discount—only two moonlight stones."

Alisha reached into a pouch at her side and handed over two glowing stones. "Here," she said curtly.

"Much obliged!" The waitress bowed slightly and left them to their meal.

Jack stared at the food, his stomach growling in anticipation. "What's the deal, Alisha?" he asked, his voice low. "You've been acting strange ever since we got here."

She waved him off. "I'm just not hungry. That's all." Her tone was dismissive, but the look in her eyes suggested there was more to the story.

'She's a divine incarnate,' Jack realized. 'She probably can't stomach demon food.' The thought reassured him somewhat, but the unease lingered.

Hungry and tired, Jack picked up the spoon and took a cautious sip of the soup. For a brief moment, his taste buds lit up with an explosion of sweetness—then came the aftertaste. A bitter, metallic tang coated his tongue, and his stomach churned violently.

His face turned pale as he forced himself to swallow. 'What the hell is this?' he thought, his hand trembling slightly.

Beside him, Gurat stared at the food with unbridled enthusiasm, drool dripping from the corner of his mouth. "You gonna finish that?" he asked, his voice eager.

Jack pushed the bowl toward the small demon, who dug in greedily. As Gurat slurped down the soup, Jack glanced at Alisha, who was watching him with a faint smirk.

"You knew, didn't you?" he muttered.

She shrugged. "You seemed eager to try it."

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[A/N: Chapter dedication: Ideosyncratic & Lautrim. Thanks for your support I really appreciate. I'm down at the moment, update might be a bit slow.]