The Genesis Of A Necromancer

Chapter 93 encountering danger

The plane was not merely feared for the soul-draining demons that commanded unholy power. It was also a land where creatures of unimaginable terror prowled its endless expanse. These were not mere beasts, like those found on Earth. They were mythic entities infused with supernatural might, their powers incomprehensible to mortal minds.

Jack and his team had been navigating the uncharted sands, guided by the enigmatic Never Map. Its trails seemed endless, and the distance stretched far beyond their expectations. Each step through the dunes carried the threat of lurking danger.

The group had already faced numerous adversaries—creatures of all shapes and sizes, some attacking alone, others in terrifying swarms. But this was no ordinary team. Each member wielded abilities that set them apart, hardened by battles that would have broken lesser warriors.

Now, they stood amidst a field of freshly slain monsters. The sand beneath them was slick with black, tar-like blood, steaming under the plane's perpetual moonlight. Gale grappled with a massive sand beast, a creature that resembled a grotesque centipede. Its armored body writhed furiously, glistening with scales as sharp as blades. Two obsidian pincers jutted from its rear, snapping with murderous intent. Its monstrous maw gaped wide, rows of serrated teeth chomping in vain as Gale held it at bay.

The beast's crimson eyes gleamed with a primal rage, its sheer size dwarfing the demon holding it captive. Gale, his hands slick with gore, looked unfazed. With a guttural roar, he gripped the beast's segmented body and tore it in half. Viscous blood sprayed across his face and armor, pooling at his feet.

"These creatures are stubborn," Gale muttered, his voice low but steady. He tossed the lifeless halves aside with a casual disdain, black ichor dripping from his hands. "Cannibalistic, too. They'll turn on their own if we let them."

Jack stood a few paces away, watching the carnage in silence. His expression was unreadable, but a faint chime in his mind broke the stillness.

[EXP Gained: 100!]

The system notification was expected. Gale, being bonded to Jack, shared his experience gains. But something was amiss. Jack's brows furrowed as he scanned the field.

'Where's the soul essence?' he thought, his unease growing. Every kill in this plane should have yielded a fragment of the creatures' souls—power he could harness. Yet, with each battle, the essence had been absent.

His thoughts were interrupted by a sharp hiss. The sand shifted behind him, erupting as another beast emerged. Its maw opened wide, a black void lined with jagged teeth, rushing toward Jack's skull.

He spun with reflexes honed by countless battles, his blade flashing in the moonlight. The steel met the beast's gaping mouth with a sickening crunch, slicing cleanly through its snapping jaws. Before he could deliver the killing blow, a spear of pure light pierced the creature's eye, driving it back with a shriek of agony.

"You should focus on the fight instead of daydreaming," Alisha snapped, lowering her glowing hand as her conjured spear dissipated.

Jack didn't turn to face her. His blade moved in a blur, severing the beast's head in a single, fluid motion. Black ichor sprayed across the sand, and the massive body collapsed, twitching in its death throes.

"I didn't ask for your help," he replied coolly, stepping over the corpse.

"Tch." Alisha scoffed, brushing a lock of hair from her face. "You're welcome."

Gale surveyed the battlefield, his crimson eyes scanning for movement. "I think that's all of them," he said, flexing his bloodied hands. The viscous fluid dripped to the sand, forming dark pools.

The sight of him, covered head to toe in the beasts' gore, was unnerving, even to his comrades. Alisha wrinkled her nose, her distaste evident.

"We'll need to camp," she said, her voice tinged with annoyance. "And you"—she pointed at Gale—"You'll need to wash all that off before I lose my appetite."

Jack sighed, knowing she was right. They were far from their destination, and the relentless battles had taken a toll, even on him.

"Fine," he conceded. "We'll rest here for now. But none of you have camped before, have you?"

Gale and Nephris exchanged a glance, their expressions blank. "Never had a reason to," Gale said with a shrug.

Jack frowned. 'Of course they haven't. Divine beings like them wouldn't need rest, let alone survival skills.' He turned to Alisha. "What about you?"

Alisha crossed her arms, rolling her eyes. "Do I look like someone who spends time outside the church?"

Jack couldn't suppress a wry smile. 'Why did I expect anything else?'

He sighed, rubbing his temples. "Alright. First, we need shelter. Then fire. Spread out and find a safe spot for the night."

The group dispersed, their footsteps crunching against the shifting sands. The plane's perpetual blue moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the desert.

Jack moved toward the dunes, his gaze sweeping the horizon. The endless expanse offered little in the way of cover. He glanced at Alisha, noting the faint tremor in her hands.

'She's the weakest here,' he thought, his eyes narrowing. 'If I wanted to kill her, now would be the perfect time. But there's no sport in that. And I still need her alive—for now.'

The system's persistent reminder echoed in his mind:

[Mission: Defeat the Divine Incarnate. Reclaim the Lord's Pride.]

Jack shook the thought away. He'd deal with that mission when the time was right. For now, they needed rest.

A voice called out from the dunes. "I've found something!" Nephris's small figure appeared in the distance, waving enthusiastically.

Jack and Alisha followed her voice, arriving at the base of a sandy hill. A natural cave had formed in the side, offering a small but serviceable shelter.

"This will do," Jack said, stepping inside. The darkness enveloped him, but his enhanced vision cut through it effortlessly. The others followed, though Nephris solved the lighting problem by emitting a soft, golden glow. The cave lit up like a lantern, revealing smooth walls and a sandy floor.

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Alisha slumped against the wall with a relieved sigh. "Finally. Some peace."

Jack ignored her, settling into a corner. "Time to check my stats," he muttered.

[Character Stats]

The familiar interface unfolded before him, the glowing text filling his vision. But as he scanned the numbers, something nagged at the back of his mind, and he stared off at Alisha who was fast asleep.

'What's her story? Why does she hate demons too much?'