The Genesis Of A Necromancer

The air inside the hall crackled with tension as the demon's voice rang out, laced with indignation.

"Am I lying? Why are we still being compared to this ridiculous race of demons? It's quite clear they're weaker."

A heavy silence followed his words, only broken by the sound of his chair scraping against the floor as he pushed it back and rose to his full height. His towering frame loomed over Jack's group as he approached, his eyes glowing with a cruel glint.

"We don't even need a weak race like them around. We should completely exterminate these weaklings."

With a swift motion, the demon shrugged off his heavy cloak and let it fall to the ground, revealing the sheer mass of his physique. He was built like a war machine—his muscles sculpted with raw power, veins snaking over his arms like thick roots. A scar ran down from his shoulder, a stark reminder of past battles, visible thanks to his sleeveless black leather jacket.

Everything about him screamed intimidation. The sheer presence he exuded would make most demons shiver, let alone humans.

But Jack wasn't most people.

Jack held his gaze, completely unfazed. His expression remained impassive, his golden eyes devoid of any hint of fear.

"I believe you aren't an idiot," Jack said smoothly, his voice carrying a sharp edge. "If you eradicate my race, what makes your race any better? You'd only be serving as cannon fodder. Can't you be any smarter than that?" He tilted his head slightly, watching the demon's face contort in anger. "If the Zhurak race disappears, which race do you think will be erased next?"

A sharp chuckle broke the silence. Alisha, standing beside Jack, couldn't suppress her amusement, her lips curling into a smirk. Beside her, Missy covered her mouth, but her eyes gleamed with mirth.

The demon's face darkened as veins bulged at his temples. His fists clenched, his nails digging into his palms. Jack had struck a nerve.

"You—!"

With a roar, the demon lunged, his massive fist arcing through the air like a hammer. The force behind it could shatter bones on impact.

But just as the blow was about to land—

"Erek, hold your hand."

A smooth, commanding voice cut through the rising hostility like a blade.

The moment those words were spoken, Erek halted mid-motion. His entire body tensed, frustration flickering across his face. Slowly, he turned his head toward the source of the voice.

A figure had appeared out of seemingly nowhere, leaning lazily against the wall.

He was draped in a pitch-black cloak, its hood pulled back to reveal sleek black hair that gleamed under the dim lighting. His emerald-green eyes held a playful, almost mischievous glint as he gazed at Jack with an expression of mild interest.

"If you want a fight, at least wait until the tournament," the newcomer said, amusement lacing his voice. "No need to cause a scene."

Erek's lips curled into a snarl. "That weak brat just insulted us! I want him to taste his own blood so next time he'll think twice before speaking however he pleases!"

The newcomer tilted his head, feigning curiosity. "An insult?"

Erek, still seething, gritted his teeth. "You heard him."

"Oh, I heard him." The black-haired demon's lips twitched into an amused smirk. "But it wasn't an insult. It was the truth."

A stunned silence fell over the room.

Erek's eyes widened slightly. He knew Jack wasn't lying, but to hear another demon acknowledge it so bluntly? That stung more than any insult ever could.

The demon continued, his smirk widening as he addressed the crowd. "Let's not sugarcoat it. We Muagrins are relying on the Zhurak race's weaknesses to survive. If we take them off the map, the others won't hesitate to do the same to us." He shrugged as if the very notion of their destruction was nothing more than a simple inconvenience. "And let's be honest, we'd suffer heavy losses if a war broke out."

Jack felt a hand casually drape over his shoulder.

"Our friend here was simply stating the truth." The demon's voice was smooth, but there was an unmistakable glint in his eye, something sharp lurking beneath his carefree tone. "What amazes me, though, is his courage."

Jack didn't flinch. He simply raised a hand and shoved the demon's arm off his shoulder with an air of detached irritation.

"Don't touch me." His voice was cold, devoid of warmth, like ice cracking over a frozen lake.

The demon pulled back, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Harsh, little friend. That's no way to treat someone who wants to help you."

Jack ignored him entirely.

Alisha, watching the interaction, lowered her gaze slightly. A shadow passed over her face as she sank into her thoughts.

'He doesn't just hate humans… he hates demons too. So why does he still choose to stay with me, knowing full well that I can kill him?'

Her fingers tightened at her sides.

'Does he… No, that's impossible. He's a demon.'

She exhaled sharply, shaking off her doubts. When she raised her head again, her resolve had hardened.

"Erek, I don't think these little demons should be a bother to you," the black-haired demon said nonchalantly. "Go back to what you were doing. I'll figure out why our new friends are here, since it's clearly not for the tournament."

Erek hesitated, his massive frame taut with barely contained rage. If it had been anyone else speaking, he would have ignored them outright.

But the triple horns on the speaker's head marked him as noble blood.

'Tch. Fine. I'll wait till after the tournament,' Erek fumed silently. 'Let's see if anyone in this town can stop me then.'

With a final glare at Jack, he turned on his heel and stormed off, his heavy footsteps leaving an eerie silence in his wake.

The black-haired demon watched him go before shifting his gaze back to Jack. His smirk returned, playful yet calculating. "Now, little friend, can you tell me why you came to our town?"

Jack's golden eyes flickered, unreadable. "Can you tell me why you've been following us since we entered the city?"

The demon's smirk faltered—only for a fraction of a second. Then he let out a chuckle. "You're sharp. Just what are you?"

He placed a hand on Jack's shoulder again.

And instantly regretted it.

A chill shot down his spine.

His body stiffened. Beads of sweat formed at his temples as an invisible force pressed against him. His instincts screamed at him to back away.

Jack's aura had sharpened. It was subtle, but the edge of it was as deadly as a blade held against the throat.

'This feeling…'

For the first time in a long while, the demon felt something unusual—fear.

Slowly, he withdrew his hand.

"Ahh, no need for hostility," he said with an awkward laugh, masking his unease. "I come in peace."

Jack didn't respond.

The demon glanced at the others. Their expressions ranged from indifferent to outright annoyed. It was clear he was no longer welcome in their presence.

A wry smile crossed his face.

'I can't afford to offend them. If they're from the Abyss… even my mother might not be able to save me.'

But he wasn't one to give up easily.

"Before I go, I have something you might be interested in," he said casually.

He wasn't meant to reveal such information, but he wanted to see the power of those in the abyss…. He suspected that Jack and his group weren't actually from the Zhurak race like they said.

'The energy coming from them isn't the type from a normal Zhurak demon, they are definitely stronger…. No sane no horned demon would shout back at a two horn, no matter the consequences'

He was certain that Jack and ghis team weren't normal, even if they weren't from the abyss like he had thought. Experience exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire

He took a deep breath.

'Let's see if they won't be interested after this' His eyes shine with resolve.

"This year's Bloodline Capsule—it was formed directly from royal blood." He paused, letting that information sink in. "The blood of the Demon Monarch."

Jack's brows lifted slightly.

Even without much knowledge of demons, he knew one thing: the Demon Monarch was a name that evoked terror across the realms.

And now, the prize of the tournament was the blood of that very being.

'The Demon Monarch…'