The Genesis Of A Necromancer

Chapter 96 Forgotten memory

Jack leaned against the jagged wall of the cave, watching Alisha slump down, her back pressed against the rough surface. Within seconds, exhaustion overcame her, and she fell into a deep, restless sleep. Her chest rose and fell steadily, though her brow furrowed slightly, as if her dreams were anything but peaceful.

"She's never really been this close to a demon before," Gale remarked, his tone carrying a subtle curiosity. He sat cross-legged on the cave floor, his piercing gaze fixed on Jack. "Makes me wonder why she hasn't killed you already."

Jack didn't flinch at the comment. He followed Gale's gaze to Alisha's sleeping form, then shrugged lightly. "She's got something she needs to figure out. That's all it is. Nothing more ties her to me."

Gale's expression hardened, his voice quieter but no less deliberate. "That's hard to believe. You don't know much about her, but there's something you should understand—she despises demons. Every ounce of her being is fueled by that hatred. She would burn an entire city to the ground if it meant eradicating them all."

Jack's lips tightened into a thin line. "Yeah, I'm aware."

"Then why let you live?" Gale mused, his words hanging heavy in the air. "It's not just restraint. There's another reason, one she might not even know herself."

Jack frowned, the weight of Gale's words sinking in. For a brief moment, the thought lingered in his mind, but he shook it off just as quickly. "Doesn't matter," he said grimly. His tone carried a finality that left no room for argument.

Pushing the distraction aside, Jack summoned the system screen with a thought. A soft, luminous glow appeared before him, illuminating the dim cave.

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[Character Stats]

Level: 17

Strength: 190

Stamina: 170

Agility: 180

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A small smile crept across his face. 'Ten points to each stat per level. That's not bad,' he thought, analyzing his growth. The improvements felt incremental, but they were enough to keep him alive.

'It's not much,' he admitted to himself, 'but at least I'm making progress.'

His gaze drifted back to the group. Gale remained motionless, his eyes closed as though meditating. Beside him, Nephris hovered, the faint glow of her form casting an ethereal light across the cavern. Meanwhile, Alisha shifted slightly in her sleep, her expression softening.

Jack scoffed under his breath. 'Three celestial beings at my side. Who would've thought?'

The bitter irony wasn't lost on him. Between Gale's prowess, Alisha's determination, and Nephris's divine presence, Jack felt like an intruder in a world that was no longer his own. He rubbed his temples, fighting the frustration bubbling within him. The system had granted him power, yes, but it paled compared to the sheer talent radiating from Gale.

With a flick of his wrist, Gale conjured dark flames from the air, and they roared to life in the center of the cave. Though black as midnight, the flames radiated a comforting warmth, chasing away the biting cold that seeped through the stone walls.

Jack raised an eyebrow. "Tier 10 magic?" he muttered. "Of course."

He studied Gale for a moment longer, the angel's serene expression betraying nothing of the immense power he wielded. 'Physique of a warrior, magic of a battlemage... and here I am, grinding for scraps.'

Jack exhaled sharply, his annoyance simmering. He shifted closer to the fire, letting its warmth seep into his skin. His eyes closed briefly, and he took a steadying breath, trying to push aside the nagging feeling of inadequacy.

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A voice cut through the silence like a knife. "Gin, there's a lot of sand beasts in the area. Do you think the demon soldiers came through here recently?"

Jack's eyes snapped open. The unfamiliar voice sent a ripple of tension through the cave. Gale's eyes opened simultaneously, his body immediately on alert.

Standing at the mouth of the cave was a girl, her silhouette framed by the dim moonlight. Her black hair spilled down her back, blending into the shadows. Her ruby-green eyes glowed faintly, reflecting both shock and a flicker of fear. Her long, feline ears twitched, betraying her unease.

Jack reacted instinctively, his blade already in his hand. In one fluid motion, he lunged toward her, the steel aimed for her heart. But the girl moved with startling speed, leaping backward just as his blade sliced through the air where she'd stood.

'Fast,' Jack thought, his eyes narrowing. 'But no horns... not a demon. So what is she?'

The girl landed lightly on her feet, her expression shifting from fear to curiosity. "You're not demons," she said, sniffing the air delicately. Her voice was soft, almost childlike. "Big brother, what are you doing in my home?"

Jack's grip on his blade tightened. "Who are you?" he demanded, his tone sharp. "And how do you know we're not human?"

The girl tilted her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "Your scent," she said simply. "Silly big brother."

Jack scowled, unimpressed by her playful demeanor. Before he could press further, Gale's calm voice interrupted.

"She doesn't have the aura of a demon," Gale observed, stepping forward. "And I can't sense any malice coming from her."

Jack shot him a skeptical glance. "Then what is she?"

Gale hesitated, his expression thoughtful. "I don't know."

The girl crossed her arms, puffing her cheeks in mock frustration. "Rude big brother! Missy was born this way!"

Her words caught both Jack and Gale off guard. Alisha stirred at the commotion, her eyes groggy but quickly sharpening as she took in the scene. She tensed when her gaze landed on the stranger.

"Who is she?" Alisha asked, her tone laced with suspicion.

Jack kept his eyes on the girl. "Your guess is as good as mine."

The girl's expression softened, her voice taking on a wistful tone. "Big brother, don't you remember? You saved me from the bad men in the streets."

Jack froze. The words struck a chord deep within him, unearthing a memory he had buried long ago. He had saved someone once—an act of kindness that stood in stark contrast to his usual indifference. But the memory was hazy, the details lost in the haze of time and survival.

"Saved?" he echoed, his voice barely above a whisper. The idea felt foreign, almost absurd. Yet, as he studied the girl's earnest expression, a faint flicker of recognition stirred within him.

Alisha's brow furrowed. "Ciriaus?" she repeated, the unfamiliar word hanging in the air.

Jack's mind raced, piecing together fragments of the past. 'Could she really be...?'

The girl stepped closer, her eyes shimmering with something akin to hope. "Big brother," she said softly, "you promised you'd always protect me."

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