The Genesis Of A Necromancer

The dim tunnel stretched before them, a shadowy vein winding through the earth. Wet weeds clung to its walls, their long, sinewy forms slick with moisture that dripped steadily onto the uneven floor. The sound of water droplets falling echoed faintly, an eerie patter that danced between them and the darkness ahead.

"At the end of this tunnel, you'll be free," Gurat said, his voice quivering. He shuffled nervously, his small frame hunched as if trying to make himself invisible. "No one will find you if you just keep going."

Jack narrowed his eyes, his skepticism evident. Gurat's hurried tone reeked of desperation, and the demon's sidelong glances only added to his growing suspicion. 'He's hiding something,' Jack thought.

Gurat's gaze darted to Jack, then quickly away, as if the man's presence alone was enough to ignite his deepest fears. The aura Jack exuded was suffocating, its weight palpable in the enclosed space. Gurat's mind raced, his trembling hands betraying his mounting dread.

'I don't know if he can really torment my soul for eternity, but... I can't risk it,' Gurat thought, his imagination conjuring all manner of horrific outcomes. 'I love my life. I'm still a young demon!'

"Not so fast," Jack said coldly, stepping forward. His voice cut through the stillness like a blade. "You're coming with us."

"What?!" Gurat's voice cracked as he spun to face Jack, his beady eyes wide. "But I showed you the way out! Please, spare me! I'm barely a newborn demon—I don't stand a chance outside these tunnels. The beasts will tear me to shreds!"

He fell to his knees, prostrating himself before Jack, tears streaming freely down his face. His sobs filled the tunnel, the sound bouncing off the walls in a cacophony of despair. Snot bubbled from his snout, mixing with the dirt as he groveled. "I'm not strong! I can't fight! Please don't make me go!"

Jack's lips curled into a grim smile. His cold stare lingered on Gurat, who continued to wail pitifully. 'If I let him go, it'll be a matter of time before he spills everything to save his own hide. The villagers will interrogate him. And if they find out we escaped through this tunnel... no, leaving him behind isn't an option.'

Alisha crossed her arms, her sharp gaze landing on the sniveling demon. "You had quite the mouth on you earlier, flexing your muscles and all that. What happened to that confidence?" she asked mockingly.

Gurat froze mid-sob, his body stiffening. But her taunt only pushed him into louder wails. His cries rose in intensity, his chest heaving as if competing for the title of the most pathetic creature alive.

Then—*pitter-patter*—a new sound emerged. A soft rustling above.

Jack and Alisha's attention snapped to the ceiling. From the darkness, dozens of glowing red eyes blinked open, their gleam sinister in the dim light. The faint movement of leathery wings filled the tunnel with an ominous flutter.

[Sonic Bats!]

[Level: 5]

[Description: Demonic bats whose cries pierce the night sky.]

The system's familiar text scrolled before Jack's eyes. He gritted his teeth, recognizing the threat instantly. These creatures weren't particularly strong, but their piercing cries could attract more dangerous predators—or worse, the demon warriors hunting them.

"You idiot!" Jack snarled, kicking Gurat aside. The demon tumbled against the wall with a sickening *thud*. "Look what you've done!"

The bats spread their wings in unison, their small, shriveled bodies quivering as they prepared to release their deadly cries.

"I've got this," Alisha said, her voice calm yet resolute. She stepped forward, her body radiating an intense light.

"*Divine Light of Purity!*" she shouted, thrusting her hands outward. A brilliant wave of energy erupted from her, surging through the tunnel like a tidal wave. The light engulfed the bats, their shrieks cut short as they disintegrated into nothingness.

Gurat, who had been lying in a heap on the ground, perked up at the sight. A sly grin crept across his face as he scrambled to his feet. 'Yes! An opportunity!' he thought, his mind racing. 'While they're busy with those bats, I'll slip away. So much for these so-called intruders!' Explore hidden tales at My Virtual Library Empire

Dusting off his tunic, Gurat crept toward the tunnel's exit. He moved with exaggerated care, each step slow and deliberate. His grin widened as he imagined his freedom. 'No more threats. No more terror. I'll—'

"Take one more step," Jack's voice rang out, venomous and sharp, "and you'll be looking for more than just your head."

Gurat froze mid-step, his entire body trembling. His mind screamed at him to run, to flee and not look back, but his legs refused to move. 'Why won't my stupid body listen?' he thought, panic flooding his senses.

Behind him, Alisha's light flared one final time, and the last of the bats were incinerated. The tunnel fell silent once more, save for the faint dripping of water.

Jack stalked toward Gurat, his expression a mixture of annoyance and curiosity. 'Something's not right,' he thought, his gaze narrowing. 'A hornless demon shouldn't have caused this much trouble. There's more to him than he's letting on.'

"Show me your horns," Jack commanded, his tone cold and unyielding.

Gurat's head snapped up, his eyes wide with panic. "M-my horns? I don't have any!" he stammered. "I'm just a lowly hornless demon! That's all I am, I swear!"

Jack raised a hand, conjuring a flickering orb of flame in his palm. Its heat illuminated the tunnel, casting sinister shadows across his face. "I won't ask again."

Gurat shrieked, throwing himself to the ground. "Okay, okay! I don't have full horns! I've only got... two incomplete ones!" He pointed desperately to the tiny stubs protruding from his head, barely visible in the dim light.

Jack crouched, inspecting the bony protrusions with a calculating eye. A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth as the system chimed in.

[Zhurak Demon]

[Type: Two Incomplete Horns]

[Soul Essence: 1,000]

'Interesting,' Jack thought, the grin fading as he stood. 'He's weak, but not as weak as he pretends to be. This little runt might actually be useful.'

"Consider this your final warning," Jack said, his voice low and menacing. "Step out of line again, and you'll find out exactly what I can do."

Gurat nodded frantically, his face pale with fear. "Y-yes, sir! Right away, sir!" He scurried ahead, leading them deeper into the tunnel. His small frame was drenched in sweat, his movements jerky and frantic.

Alisha walked beside Jack, her expression unreadable. "You really know how to keep people in line," she said, glancing at him.

Jack smirked. "You do your part; I'll do mine."

Ahead, the tunnel began to widen, the faint glimmer of moonlight visible in the distance. Gurat quickened his pace, eager to put as much distance as possible between himself and the terrifying duo behind him.

Jack's eyes remained fixed on the demon's back, his thoughts churning. 'He's hiding something. But for now, I'll let him lead. Once we're out of this place, we'll see what secrets he's keeping.'

The faint *pitter-patter* of water echoed in the tunnel once more, growing softer as they neared the exit. For now, escape was within reach—but Jack couldn't shake the feeling that their troubles were far from over.

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