Chapter 118
Chapter 118
Rudra scratched the back of his head. He looked at the skeletal Lich, and the Lich looked back at him.
"So," Rudra started. "Braham is gone. The mind control is broken. What do you want to do now?"
Mumud didn't have vocal cords. He just stood there for a second. Then, he raised his bony finger. A faint string of blue magic traced glowing words in the dark air.
I am free. But I am a monster. Please, destroy me. I do not wish to exist like this.
Rudra stopped. With his new [Insight] stat, he didn't just read the words; he could actually feel the heavy, suffocating weight of the Lich's aura. It was pure despair. Mumud had lived a tragic, short life, only to be enslaved in death.
Rudra leaned his staff against his shoulder. "What if I can fix it? If I can help you become human again someday, will you stick around?"
Mumud’s skull tilted. The blue letters shifted rapidly, reflecting his bitter memories.
I wish to live. But my flesh decayed centuries ago. There is no magic in this world that can reverse the death of a body.
"Good thing I don't use magic, then," Rudra said.
He opened his inventory and pulled out his heavy iron cauldron. He set it down right in the middle of the treasure vault.
Mumud took a step back, completely confused.
"Kratos, come here," Rudra called out.
The cub trotted over. "Are we cooking the skeleton?"
"No, we're making a point," Rudra said. "I need a drop of your blood."
Kratos frowned. "Will it hurt?"
"I'll make you a double-bacon boar sandwich when we get back to town."
"Deal." Kratos held out his paw. Rudra carefully pricked the cub's pad with a small dagger, letting a single drop of golden-black blood fall into the cauldron.
Next, Rudra pulled out the loot he got from beating the great magician: [Braham's Soul Essence]. It looked like a glowing blue marble. He tossed it into the pot.
Then, he pulled out the strange, dark red metal fragment he looted from Elfin Stone: the [4th Piece of ???]. It was practically vibrating with heavy demonic energy.
"Can't just throw this in raw," Rudra muttered.
He pulled out his mortar and pestle. He slammed the heavy grinder down on the metal, crushing the fragment into a fine, dark powder. He activated his [Intermediate Alchemy] and [Intermediate Medicine Making] skills at the same time. He carefully filtered the demonic powder, stripping away the toxic curses and leaving only the pure, raw vitality of the demon realm.
He dumped the refined powder into the cauldron. He added some fresh spring water and high-tier monster bones for the base broth.
The liquid instantly turned pitch black and started bubbling violently. The dark magic was too chaotic. It was going to explode.
Rudra didn't panic. He just held his left hand over the boiling pot.
"[Divine Infusion]."
He pumped a massive wave of pure divine energy directly into the broth. The holy power clashed with the dark magic, forcing the ingredients to stabilize. The black water rapidly turned a brilliant, swirling silver. A rich, savory smell filled the damp cave.
[You have created a masterpiece that crosses the boundaries of life and death!]
[Your 'Intermediate Alchemy' skill has reached Level 7!]
[Your 'Intermediate Medicine Making' skill has reached Level 7!]
[Your 'Advanced Cooking' skill has reached Level 5!]
[You have acquired the title [Chef of Miracles]!]
[Chef of Miracles]
[You cook food that defies logic.
- The taste of all created food improves by 100%.
- Cooking skill experience acquisition rate +20%.
- All sentient beings can now consume and benefit from your food.]
Rudra scooped a portion of the silver broth into a wooden bowl. He checked the stats.
[Miracle Soul Stew] [Rating: Unique A dish made from the essence of a Legend, the blood of a Divine Beast, and the refined vitality of a demonic fragment. It was cooked with extreme holy power. It only has a Unique rating due to the rough cooking environment, but the internal effects are Legendary.
Restores the physical form of the dead.
Grants immense magical stability.
Cannot be consumed by the living.]
Rudra walked over to the dumbfounded Lich. He held out the bowl.
"Eat up," Rudra said.
Mumud slowly took the bowl with trembling bony hands. He lifted it to his skull and tilted it back.
The silver liquid didn't spill through his ribs. The moment the broth touched his jawbone, it glowed.
Crack. Squelch.
Mumud dropped the bowl. He fell to his knees, gripping his face. Thick red muscle fibers suddenly sprouted from his skull, weaving together rapidly. Blood vessels shot down his spine. Pale human skin stretched tightly over his chest, arms, and legs.
In less than ten seconds, the horrifying skeleton was gone.
Kneeling on the floor was a young man with pale skin, silver hair, and completely overwhelmed, wide eyes.
Mumud looked down at his own hands. He touched his face. He felt the soft skin of his cheeks. He opened his mouth, trying to take a breath, but his chest didn't move.
"I have flesh," Mumud whispered, his voice hoarse from centuries of disuse. He pressed a hand to his chest. "But... my heart does not beat. My lungs do not draw air automatically. My blood does not flow."
He looked up at Rudra in awe. "I have the organs, but they do not function on their own. I will need to design a constant mana circuit to pump my blood and simulate breathing... but I have a body. It is a miracle. This is more than enough."
Rudra frowned. He crossed his arms, clearly annoyed. "No, it's not. That's annoying. It's only half-done."
Mumud blinked, confused.
"Listen," Rudra said seriously. "Once my cooking and alchemy hit higher levels, and I find better ingredients, I'll make you a real dish. Something that jumpstarts the organs and makes you completely human again. I promise."
Mumud stared at him. The young magician was completely stunned. He had been used and betrayed his entire life, treated only as a tool for his talent. Now, a stranger was bending over backward just to give him his life back.
"Why?" Mumud asked softly. "Why are you going this far for a monster?"
Rudra felt a wave of intense, raw gratitude radiating from the man. It felt a little suffocating. He looked away, clearing his throat awkwardly.
"Because I want to," Rudra muttered, avoiding eye contact. "Don't overthink it."
[Mumud is deeply touched by your unprovoked kindness.]
[Affinity with Mumud has increased by 50!]
[Divine Power has increased by 100!]
A golden quest window suddenly popped up in front of Rudra.
[Hidden Quest: The Tragic Genius's Dream]
[Difficulty: SSS]
[Mumud was the greatest magical talent in history, but his life was cut tragically short. He has regained his flesh, but he is still an undead Lich trapped between life and death. Fulfill your promise and find a way to completely restore his humanity.
Clear Conditions: Cook a Legendary-rated dish capable of true resurrection.
Clear Reward: Mumud will swear absolute, eternal allegiance to you. He will impart the 'Ultimate Magic' to you or a person of your choosing.
Failure Penalty: Mumud's temporary flesh will eventually rot away. Affinity will plummet.]
Rudra casually accepted the quest and dismissed the window. He picked up his cauldron and tossed it back into his inventory.
"Alright," Rudra said, turning toward the cave exit. "We cleared the city. Let's go home. I owe the cat a sandwich."
Mumud slowly stood up. He used his magic to pump the blood through his new, pale veins. A small, genuine smile appeared on his face.
"Yes," Mumud said quietly, following behind them. "Let us go."