The Genesis Of A Necromancer

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The demon warrior's piercing gaze swept over the trembling crowd, his eyes glowing faintly with an infernal light. His voice boomed, sharp and unwavering. "Are you wasting our time? Bring them out this instant. They must have passed through here—someone has seen them."

Lith, the unfortunate guard lying crumpled on the ground, whimpered in pain. Blood trickled from his lips as he tried to sit up, his eyes wide with panic. "I swear, mighty one," he pleaded, "we don't know of any intruders! There were no strangers—only... only lost travelers."

The warrior's hulking figure turned, his shadow stretching ominously across the cobblestones. It seemed he might retreat, his muscles tense as if preparing to spring away. But Lith, ever the fool, just had to keep talking.

"They—they were nothing! Just a boy and a woman, probably harmless. I swear!"

The warrior froze mid-step. Slowly, an unsettling grin spread across his face, revealing rows of jagged teeth that gleamed under the faint moonlight. The crowd shrank back as an ominous chill swept through the square.

Jack watched the unfolding scene from the shadows, his teeth grinding together in frustration. 'What's wrong with these demons? They can't even lie properly to save their skins.'

He shot a glance at Alisha, who stood poised and silent, her expression unreadable. A narrow alleyway between two crooked buildings caught his eye. Without wasting a second, he tugged Alisha's sleeve. "Come on, let's move," he whispered, gripping Gurat's neck with enough force to stifle any potential outburst from the squirming demon.

Dragging the pathetic creature along, Jack darted into the alley. The narrow space was dark and damp, with the smell of mildew clinging to its walls. As they slipped into the shadows, the clamor of the crowd behind them faded into muffled echoes.

Jack finally released his grip on Gurat, who collapsed to the ground, coughing and gasping for air. Before the demon could recover enough to shout, Jack crouched down to his level, his gaze sharp as daggers.

"Don't even think about making a sound," Jack hissed, his voice low and menacing. His eyes gleamed with a cold, predatory light. "I'll make this simple. If you alert those warriors to where we are, I promise you'll regret it more than death itself."

The sheer intensity of Jack's tone sent shivers down Alisha's spine, though she masked it well. Gurat, on the other hand, was visibly trembling. His bulbous eyes were wide with terror, his tunic already damp with fear.

"W-what do you want from me?" Gurat stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Your silence. And your cooperation," Jack said, leaning closer. "Do that, and you might live. But if you so much as squeak..." His voice dropped, turning even darker. "I'll ensure your soul suffers so much torment that even the realm of the dead won't recognize you."

Alisha's sharp intake of breath was almost imperceptible, but she felt the weight of Jack's words. 'He means every word,' she thought, a sliver of unease creeping into her chest.

Gurat nodded frantically, his small frame trembling like a leaf in a storm. "I-I'll help you! Anything you want, just don't kill me!"

Satisfied, Jack straightened, brushing off his hands as if Gurat's fear was a tangible substance clinging to him. "Good. Now, lead us out of this place. Quietly."

Gurat hesitated for only a moment before scrambling to his feet. "There's a hidden passage," he mumbled. "It's... it's just ahead, past this alley. It'll take us outside the town."

Jack shot Alisha a glance, his expression firm. "We'll follow his lead for now, but stay alert. If he tries anything—"

"I'll handle it," Alisha interrupted, her voice steady. There was a glint of something dangerous in her eyes, and for a fleeting moment, Jack felt an odd sense of reassurance.

As Gurat shuffled ahead, Jack took a moment to glance at the flickering screen that appeared before him.

[Lord's Aura has reached max level! Congratulations!]

[Skill can now be used on a larger scale.]

[Range of skill will be heavily reliant on Soul Essence.]

[Your hunger for souls grows! Consume more and reclaim the throne of the Lord!]

The messages faded, leaving Jack with a single thought. 'Soul essence... If this town's full of demons, it's the perfect place to farm.' He clenched his fists, feeling the faint hum of power within him. 'We'll lay low for now, but soon, I'll have what I need.'

Gurat led them through the twisting alley, the faint sound of distant voices growing fainter. The cramped path eventually opened up into a hidden courtyard, shrouded in shadow and overgrown with vines. A small wooden hatch lay at its center, partially concealed by debris.

"There," Gurat said, pointing with a shaking hand. "This will lead you to the forest outside the town. No one uses it anymore."

Jack knelt by the hatch, inspecting it briefly before pulling it open. The faint smell of earth wafted up from the tunnel below. He glanced back at Gurat, who stood frozen, as if awaiting judgment.

"You're coming with us," Jack said flatly.

Gurat's jaw dropped. "W-what? Why? I showed you the way!"

"And I don't trust you to stay quiet after we're gone," Jack replied, his tone leaving no room for argument. "If we're caught, you're coming down with us."

Gurat whimpered but didn't protest further. With a firm shove from Jack, the little demon climbed into the tunnel, followed by Alisha and Jack. The narrow passage was damp and cold, the air heavy with the scent of moss and decay.

As they moved deeper into the darkness, Alisha broke the silence. "What's the plan once we're out?"

Jack's voice was calm but resolute. "We'll regroup. Find somewhere to rest and stock up on supplies. I need to get stronger before we face anything like those warriors again. And I'm not eating anything like that stew ever again."

Alisha smirked faintly. "You're assuming I'll stick around."

"You will," Jack said confidently. "We both need the Chapters of Time. After that, you can decide whether you want to kill me or not."

Alisha's smirk faded, replaced by a thoughtful expression. "And if I do decide to kill you?"

Jack chuckled. "Then you'd better hope I don't get to you first."

The tension lingered between them for a moment before Gurat's nervous voice broke the silence. "W-we're almost there. The tunnel opens up just ahead."

Jack's gaze sharpened as he peered into the darkness. 'Good. Let's see what this forest has to offer.'

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Chapter dedication- Agawin! Thanks for your support!