The Genesis Of A Necromancer - Chapter 81

Chapter 81: corruption!
The First Order Angels were the crown jewels of Lord Olion’s creation—the first and mightiest beings to be imbued with divine essence. Their purpose was clear: to rule, to protect, and to enforce Olion’s will across the planes. Among these paragons, Haraus was the unrivaled leader.

Blessed with power that transcended comprehension, he reigned over the angels for centuries. His strength was not just legendary—it was absolute. Every decade, the leadership of the First Order was tested through a grand tournament, a ritual designed to ensure the strongest ruled. But it soon became clear that no angel could challenge Haraus. His dominance was unshakable, rendering the tournament meaningless among the First Order. In response, the contests were shifted to the Second Order Angels, a subordinate class created by Olion to serve their First Order counterparts. Even so, Haraus occasionally joined, and each time, he emerged victorious.

The power of the First Order Angels was unparalleled—they were the only beings capable of standing toe-to-toe with the Council of Five, the rulers of the planes themselves. Their strength was the stuff of myth.

And now, Jack—no, Asriel—had made his decision. A reckless, audacious decision that would alter everything.

“Corruption!” Jack’s voice thundered through the cavern, his eyes alight with a feral gleam of excitement.

The words hung in the air like a command from a tyrant king. From his outstretched hands, a torrent of black energy burst forth, tendrils of dark, twisting power coiling and writhing like a living storm. The shadows surged toward Gale, encasing him in a pulsating cocoon of malice.

‘Taking his soul essence would’ve been the safer move,’ Jack mused as a sharp smile curved his lips. ‘But safety is for the weak. I don’t just need power—I need loyalty. A servant like Gale… That’s worth any risk.’

The cavern trembled under the weight of Jack’s unleashed power. The surge of energy radiated outward, a wave of pressure that forced Alisha and Nephris to stumble backward. The walls seemed to shudder as if in protest, dust and small stones cascading from the ceiling. Alisha shielded her face, her hair whipping around her like a fiery halo. Nephris, though smaller and lighter, was hurled back even farther, her diminutive form colliding with the rocky ground.

“What are you doing?!” Alisha’s voice rang out, sharp and tinged with panic. She could sense it—this wasn’t death magic. This wasn’t even a simple soul-binding ritual. No, Jack was doing something far more dangerous, far more… corrupt.

A bloodcurdling scream erupted from the cocoon, a sound so raw and agonized it seemed to claw at their very souls.

“Lord Gale!” Nephris cried, her tiny voice trembling as her golden glow dimmed with fear. She darted forward but stopped short, the oppressive energy radiating from the cocoon forcing her to hesitate. “Asriel, stop this! He didn’t agree to this! You’re torturing him—this isn’t what we planned!”

Jack didn’t respond. His azure eyes remained fixed on the cocoon, his expression calm but shadowed with intensity. Inside, he could feel the chaotic swirl of power, the raw clash of divinity and corruption. It was exhilarating—and terrifying.

‘The Bone Army is impressive, sure,’ Jack thought, his gaze unyielding. ‘But they’re expendable. Immortal fodder with no individuality. My bonded servants, though? They’re unique. They retain their minds, their skills, their essence. The only downside… they can die. Permanently. But Gale—Gale is different. His soul is indomitable. It can’t be destroyed so easily. So, what will he become?’

Jack’s thoughts raced as he observed the energy. Experimenting with his necromancy had always been risky, but this? This was the most ambitious test yet. He couldn’t help the wicked grin that spread across his face.

‘It’s like a game,’ he mused. ‘A game where each undead has its place in the hierarchy. The Bone Army, my bonded servants, and now… whatever Gale is about to become.’

The cocoon pulsed, growing larger, darker, its energy more volatile. The cave shook violently, cracks spiderwebbing across the walls. Jack’s grin faltered as a flicker of unease crept in.

‘This much power… It’s going to attract attention,’ he realized grimly. ‘The demons retreated after the Elemental Fog Crystal’s explosion, but if they sense this, they’ll send a search team. I need to finish this quickly.’

Alisha and Nephris stood on the periphery, their expressions a mix of horror and uncertainty. Gale’s screams continued, each one more desperate, more harrowing than the last. It was unbearable.

“We can’t just stand here!” Alisha hissed, her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white. She took a step forward but hesitated, her confidence wavering. “We have to stop him.”

“You have to trust Lord Gale,” Nephris whispered, though her voice quivered with doubt. “He… he made his choice. We can’t intervene now.”

Alisha’s teeth ground together, but she relented. They could only watch as the energy reached its zenith. And then, all at once, it stopped.

A deafening silence fell over the cavern. The cocoon began to crack, shards of dark energy flaking off and dissolving into the air. A cool breeze swept through the space, carrying away the last remnants of the corruption as if it had never been there.

[Bonding completed!]

[Divine soul has been attained.]

[Exp: +110,000]

[Congratulations! You have leveled up.]

[Congratulations! You have created a new undead race.]

As the notifications flashed before Jack’s eyes, his gaze remained locked on the figure emerging from the cocoon. A pair of massive wings unfurled, their dark, raven-black feathers glinting with streaks of deep purple. The figure stepped forward, his movements fluid, almost ethereal.

Gale stood before them, transformed. His long silver hair was untouched, flowing down his back like a river of moonlight. But his skin—once warm and radiant—was now pale as snow, almost translucent. His lips were a vivid crimson, and his eyes… His emerald eyes glowed with an unnatural allure, sharp and piercing, like twin shards of enchanted jade.

“Nephris,” Gale’s voice broke the silence, melodic and smooth, carrying an almost hypnotic quality. It was a voice that could bend wills, shatter resolve.

Nephris shuddered, her golden glow flickering. Alisha took a step back, heat rising to her cheeks as an unbidden flush colored her skin. She clenched her fists, forcing herself to look away.

‘A seductive aura?’ Jack thought, his brows furrowing. ‘That’s… unexpected. Did my magic grant him this? Or is this a byproduct of his divine nature mixing with the corruption?’

Gale stretched his wings, testing their strength. “It seems,” he began, his tone calm but laced with bitterness, “that I owe my life to you. Though in saving me, you’ve stripped me of my divinity.”

Jack smirked. “Think of it as a trade. Your life for your loyalty.”

Gale’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he tilted his head, studying Jack with a mix of curiosity and disdain. “And what would you have me do, young necromancer?”

Jack’s smile widened, a dangerous glint in his eyes. He raised a hand and uttered a single word.

“Kneel.”

For a moment, Gale stood firm, his emerald gaze locking with Jack’s. But then, with a visible shudder, his knees buckled, and he sank to the ground.

Alisha gasped, her anger igniting. “You bastard!” she spat, energy crackling around her. “How dare you—”

“Enough.” Gale’s voice cut through her fury like a blade. He glanced at her, his expression unreadable. “This is the path I chose. Be grateful he did not take my life entirely.”

Jack turned to Alisha, his smirk turning cold. “Now, tell me,” he said, his voice a low growl, “who do you think decides your fate?”