The Genesis Of A Necromancer - Chapter 61

Chapter 61: Being sly
Jack’s crazed smile gradually faded, his expression darkening into a frown as his eyes locked onto the figure standing before him.

“Tch… One day, I decide to stretch my wings a little, and trouble just crawls out of the woodwork,” he muttered, annoyance thick in his voice. His hands twitched at his sides, his fingers itching to summon the darkness that churned within him.

However, Ivan’s focus wasn’t on Jack. His piercing blue eyes were trained on the stunned Alisha, who stood frozen, her face pale as disbelief radiated from her. The shattered remains of her barrier still flickered faintly in the air, as if mocking her failure.

Jack’s spear had torn through her defenses like they were made of paper.

“You may have a great deal of karma,” Ivan finally spoke, his voice calm and measured. “But your understanding of power is limited. It’s not that I doubt your capacity, but I suggest you step aside. Let me deal with this.”

Ivan’s closed eyes opened slowly as he reached for his blade, its white scabbard gleaming like the morning sun. When he unsheathed it, the blade seemed to hum with restrained energy, a light that whispered of divine judgment. His silver hair caught the dawn’s rays, giving him an otherworldly glow.

Jack cocked his head and sneered. “It’d be unfair for two of you to gang up on me, wouldn’t it? I thought the Church prided itself on its honor. Or is that just for show?”

His words were mockery, but there was an edge of truth in them. Jack knew he couldn’t back down now. His hand was already played; the darkness within him had been exposed. Hiding would be useless. Retreat, impossible.

Alisha’s trembling hand clutched her staff tighter, her lips pressed into a thin line. For a moment, she hesitated. Then, she stepped back, her voice laced with venom. “Why waste our combined efforts on someone like you? Don’t worry. Saint Ivan will send your wretched soul back to the void where it belongs.”

Jack smirked. “Dying again doesn’t sound all that bad. Who knows? Maybe I’ll even enjoy it this time.” His words hung in the air, a taunt, but his eyes betrayed the turmoil beneath his calm façade.

Before he could say more, Ivan shot forward. He moved like lightning, the ground beneath him exploding into shards as his speed shattered the earth. His blade came down in a thunderous arc, and Jack barely managed to block. The impact of their clash unleashed a shockwave, tearing through the ground and sending a powerful gust outward.

Jack’s arms trembled under the force. The difference in their strength was glaringly clear. This wasn’t a fight he could win outright—at least not yet.

‘The others might come too. If the inspectors catch up, it’s over. I need to figure this out now,’ he thought, his mind racing even as his face remained a mask of defiance.

“You,” Ivan’s voice broke through the storm of Jack’s thoughts, his blade pressing down like an unrelenting tide. “Who are you really? And what is your motive?”

Jack’s grin returned, though it was tinged with strain. “Who am I? I thought you were the experts on knowing everything. Didn’t the Church brief you?”

Ivan’s blade inched closer, the weight behind it unyielding. His eyes betrayed no emotion, like the depths of an unfathomable sea.

With a quick pivot, Ivan drew his sword back, raising it high before bringing it down with devastating force. Jack braced himself, his feet digging into the ground as the strike sent him skidding backward. He barely managed to stay upright, dust rising in a cloud around him.

[Flame Blast!]

Jack’s voice rang out, and orbs of fiery energy ignited in the air around him. He thrust his hand forward, launching the blazing projectiles at Ivan while dashing in close behind them.

[MP: -50]

“Magic too? Impressive,” Ivan said, his voice calm but his movements swift. With fluid precision, he wove through the onslaught, his sword slashing through the flames like a knife through water. Each swing of his blade carried an elegance that belied its deadly intent.

Jack’s mind raced. ‘He’s faster than anyone I’ve faced… even Alogra. This guy’s in a league of his own.’

Ivan was unrelenting, closing the gap between them in an instant. His strikes came faster and harder, each one sending Jack scrambling to dodge or block. The arcs of light emanating from his blade cut through the air like divine projectiles.

Jack could barely keep up. The gap in their skill and power was like an abyss, but his mind remained sharp. He had to use everything at his disposal.

“Judging by that title of yours,” Jack began, dodging a particularly close strike, “you must be on par with the Lady of the Church. A saint, right? And that weapon—definitely a sacred relic. Am I wrong?”

Ivan didn’t respond, but the slight furrow of his brow was enough to tell Jack he’d struck a nerve.

‘I can’t keep this up much longer,’ Jack thought. His gaze darted to Alisha, who was watching the battle intently, anger still burning in her eyes. Then his focus snapped back to Ivan, whose attacks were becoming sharper, more precise.

“This knowledge you have…” Ivan’s voice was low, his strikes steady. “How do you know so much about the Church’s secrets?”

Jack grinned despite the sweat beading on his brow. “Oh, Ivan. If I told you, it’d ruin all the fun.”

Ivan’s expression darkened, and his movements became even faster, if that were possible. Jack’s breathing grew heavier as he dodged the onslaught. His mana reserves were dipping dangerously low, and his options were running out.

[Dark Flames!]

The black fire surged around Jack’s blade, crackling with raw, malevolent energy. He swung it downward, sending a streak of darkness toward Ivan’s incoming attack. The two forces collided in a burst of light and shadow, the clash creating a momentary reprieve.

Jack took a step back, his eyes narrowing. “I’m here to help your precious High Priest complete his mission,” he said, his tone laced with mockery. “Really, you should be thanking me.”

“What mission?” Ivan demanded, his attacks pausing for the briefest of moments.

Jack’s smile widened. “Don’t play dumb, Saint. You know exactly what I’m talking about. I’m here to kill your dear Lady of Light.”

The air grew heavy with tension. Ivan’s grip on his sword tightened, his calm façade cracking just slightly. Alisha gasped, her face a mixture of fury and disbelief.

“You…” she began, but her voice faltered.

Jack’s smile turned wicked.

The battle wasn’t over—not by a long shot. And Jack had the best plan that could possibly be his saving grace.