Chapter 24: Stage 1 Monstrosity
No more than thirty minutes had passed since the student’s soul signed the contract and was bound to Merek. Now, before Merek stood a newly forged Vulture—an armoured undead clad in blackened plate, gripping a double-bladed sword wrapped with dark, dragging chains. Its presence exuded menace, and the soulfire burning in its eyes flickered with fresh purpose.
Merek rose from the chair, a wry smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
"I’m owing Veyra again," he muttered under his breath.
He sighed. Veyra’s shop was never cheap, but something had begun to shift lately. The more he visited her domain, the warmer her demeanor grew.
Was this what counted as customer benefits?
Even so, her cold policy remained: certain death for any who failed to pay.
Still, Merek couldn’t help but wish—for the hundredth time—that he could create an undead solely designed for harvesting and storing essence cores.
With another long sigh, he turned and walked toward the door. Behind him, the four wraiths fell into formation, the flickering white flames of their eyes glowing softly.
The moment Merek stepped into the hallway, he caught sight of six zombies shambling toward the classroom he had just exited.
Yuki stood by his side, blade poised.
The Vultures—armoured wraiths classified as medium-weight undead—lurched forward. Though slower than Yuki, their dense shells and brute strength more than made up for the lack of speed.