The Genesis Of A Necromancer - Chapter 46

Chapter 46: Karma
Jack saw the smug grin on Alisha’s face, and a flicker of shock crossed his own. She’d dodged his move effortlessly, barely breaking a sweat.

“She’s really something,” he muttered, narrowing his gaze at her innocent smile, a stark contrast to the fierce energy she wielded.

Many would never notice, but the technique he had used not only made him fast but also came with a powerful momentum, an attack that could cover a large distance in mere seconds and end it all with one powerful strike.

But she had dodged, and that she did simply as well.

But Jack had learned from Alogra the importance of following an attack with an immediate second strike. ‘A surprise follow-up,’ he reminded himself, ‘Alogra was too sharp to fall for it—but she’s a mage. Mages are blind to the instincts of a true swordsman.’ A grin crept onto his face, and with a sharp twist, he spun around, bringing his blade down in a fierce downward arc.

The air shimmered as his sword cut through, streaking with deadly white light. It was a perfectly timed strike, aimed to kill.

Alisha’s expression shifted instantly, her smile giving way to wide-eyed shock. The blade sliced cleanly, grazing her neck and leaving a thin line of blood. A few strands of her long black hair fluttered to the ground, severed by the blade’s sharp edge.

“My La…” James started, but the oppressive aura radiating from the inspectors beside him froze the words in his throat. ‘Saint Ivan,’ he realized, clenching his jaw as he held back his urge to shout in protest.

‘This is it,’ Jack thought, his eyes flashing with determination. He followed his attack, swinging with everything he had to close the distance between them. This time, he was closer, and he couldn’t afford to miss.

But in the blink of an eye, one of Alisha’s chains shot out, wrapping around her waist and yanking her back, saving her from his strike at the last possible second.

“Damn it!” Jack cursed under his breath as he twisted mid-air, reorienting himself with practiced control. He hit the ground on one knee, hands bracing him as he stared at Alisha.

Her momentary shock was gone, replaced with a serene, almost amused look. “You know, I was right,” she said, her voice calm yet commanding. “You carry blessings beyond measure, but you have no idea how to wield them.”

‘Blessings, huh?’ Jack thought with bitterness. ‘If only she knew the real reason I’m keeping away from them—I’m constantly living at the edge of the blade.’ He shot her a look that silently asked, ‘Are you serious?’

Her voice grew steadier, almost pitying. “You have so much potential, but until you accept the church, those blessings will remain wasted. Unlike you, I can’t run out of mana—I could fight for days without tiring. That’s the strength the church grants me.”

He had suspected something like this from watching James and now her; their powers were unlike anything he’d seen in anyone outside the church. It was raw, unlimited, something more profound than simple spells.

“So, what exactly is this power?” Jack asked, masking his curiosity behind a calm gaze. If she was so eager to reveal her secrets, he was more than willing to listen.

“Karma. This is why you can’t defeat me. Until you learn to harness it, all your strength—however vast—will be meaningless.” As she spoke, a bright, intense glow radiated from her.

The ground beneath her began to tremble, small fragments rising as though drawn by an unseen force. The air vibrated, and then a massive portal tore open, dwarfing the others that had come before.

Even before he could see what lay inside, Jack could feel the immense power emanating from it. It was overwhelming, a force that seemed to press against him.

[Divinity has been sensed!] The system alert appeared, obstructing his vision just as his instincts screamed of danger.

In that instant, he glimpsed an image—a shadowy altar, one he’d seen before whenever he used his dark abilities. On the altar, a black orb pulsed, its core burning with a fierce green flame. His connection to it felt stronger than ever.

[Inside the temple resides a god, once betrayed and now seeking vengeance! The divine light shall fade before him, for he is darkness!]

A strange chant filled his mind, but he had no time to focus on the cryptic words. His eyes were fixed on the enormous spear of light emerging from Alisha’s portal, its surface crackling with divine energy.

‘How am I supposed to dodge that?’ Jack’s eyes widened as the spear began to descend toward him.

Just then, the system cut out, leaving him unable to access his skills. “Stop giving me chants and let me use my abilities!” he hissed, frustration boiling over.

He could use his techniques without the system, but doing so required intense concentration—something he couldn’t afford with the spear looming overhead.

[You have unlocked the true legacy of the lord.]

[The lord is enraged and grants you strength!]

A deep, otherworldly voice echoed in his mind, detached and inhuman but filled with promise.

[All stats +100.]

[Defeat the divine incarnate. Show them that darkness rules all! Reclaim the lost pride of the Dark Lord!]

The surge of energy that filled him was like nothing he had ever felt before. It was electrifying, intoxicating—a high unlike any other, as though he’d breathed in pure power. He felt invincible.

“Ah, what is this” Jack muttered with slight surprise as he felt the energy rampaging through him.

Gripping his blade tighter, he shot forward, the ground splintering under the force of his leap. His speed was unmatched, his vision clearer, every detail vivid in his mind.

“Where did he suddenly disappear to?” Alisha had a confused look on her face as she looked at the spot where he stood only a second ago.

Even the inspectors watching from the sidelines lost track of him.

“Don’t worry, I’m right here” Jack’s voice was a low whisper, cold, hinting at the very last thing that ever crossed her mind.

Death!