My Demons

Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Phew.

Phoenix, are you okay? You look pale.

Huh? Oh, Im fine. I was just lost in thought for a moment.

Walking beside Daria, I carried a sack of ground grain. Luke had decided to join us at the Inn the next morning after finishing some remaining business as a mortician. I offered to help, but he assured me it wasnt necessary.

Well, its probably nothing. Luke is a seasoned elder, a pioneer of the Spirit Gold sect, and an accomplished necromancer.

After bidding farewell to Luke, Daria and I ran some errands, visiting the workshop and the market. We picked up my repaired equipment, bought special bullet materials for Ellen, and stocked up on various supplies, including oil.

Despite earning a decent amount of money from hunting the alligator, our expenses quickly added up, leaving us with only seven silver coins.

Well, seven silver coins isnt a fortune, but its not insignificant either. We should be fine for a few days without any income, right?

As I contemplated this, doubts about Luke resurfaced.

If Luke truly was the Corpse-Eater character I created, he would have been at least a level 15 necromancer. Additionally, he would have possessed the unique items Kurunugias Staff and the Crown of the Forgotten Ruler.

These items were graduation-level equipment for a necromancer, and I distinctly remember their impressive attributes. They were not ordinary, run-of-the-mill items, but rather quality pieces that were often discussed in the community. They brought me joy just thinking about them.

Unlike those two items, the hat and cloak Luke currently wore were easily obtainable even at lower levels.

This naturally raised suspicion.

Could it be that Luke isnt a necromancer at all, but simply a regular mortician passing through?

That doesnt make any sense.

Consider this: I coincidentally encounter an NPC who perfectly resembles the unique appearance of a male necromancer. Moreover, he possesses knowledge of basic necromancer spells, and his name, Luke, reminds me of Popalluke, the default name of the necromancer character.

What are the chances that Luke is an entirely different character from Necromancer Popalluke?

They would be extremely slim.

Hmm.

In the end, there were only two possibilities.

The first possibility: Luke is Necromancer Popalluke, but not the Corpse-Eater.

The second possibility: Luke is hiding something from me.

My pondering came to an end when Darias alarmed voice broke the silence.

Phoei, Phoenix! Look over there!

Huh?

Daria pointed with a horrified expression to a plume of black smoke rising into the sky.

Wait, thats?

It seems to be coming from the direction of our inn.

Black smoke billowed in the east. Fear tingled in my instincts, causing a surge of panic within me.

I clenched my teeth and addressed Daria.

Daria, go. Find the guards.

The the guards?

I handed the sack of grain and our luggage to Daria, whose face had turned pale.

Yes, the guards. Hurry and find them. They should be patrolling nearby, so youll likely locate them quickly. Understand?

What? But what will you do?

Just go!

Without waiting for a response, I sprinted along the stone path. I hadnt run much, yet I could feel my heart pounding against my chest.

Damn it, I shouldnt have left Ellen alone!

Was it the overwhelming sense of anxiety? I felt a chill creep up my spine, heat flushing my forehead, and my vision turning red.

At some point, I realized I was clutching my falchion even tighter.

Hey, watch out!

Whats wrong with that guy?

People on the street scattered in all directions, startled by my heavily armed figure brandishing a drawn sword.

Eventually, I rushed through the inns streets, finally arriving at the Bells & Whistles Inn.

It appeared that the fire had engulfed the first floor of the inn, casting a flickering glow through the doors and windows, while thick black smoke billowed like cumulus clouds.

A group of about ten ruffians, resembling beggars or thieves, huddled near the entrance, snarling at each other.

Move in quickly!

Dont shove me, you wretched lot!

You cowardly brutes! Go in!

You go first! We cant see a thing!

My sword plunged into his stomach.

Cough, you bastard-

Swoosh!

Once more, I swung my arm, the sword cleaving through the bandits side, blood splattering in all directions.

Simultaneously, I stepped back and spun around, locking eyes with a bandit aiming for my back.

Damn it

Targeting the retreating bandit, I swung my falchion with a long arc, and the hand holding a short sword dropped with a sickening slicing sound.

Aargh!

Oh, that piercing scream.

My ears ached, perhaps due to heightened senses.

Approaching the fallen bandit, clutching his wrist in agony, I lifted my heavy leather boots, studded with steel, and stomped down forcefully.

Crunch.

The sensation of crushing a watermelon under combat boots.

Hmm.

I gritted my teeth, barely suppressing a groan. An intense satisfaction surged from my feet up my spine.

Madness. Am I truly alright?

Could it be the effect of the buff skill Thirst? It feels as though Im becoming addicted to this dreadful sensation

A fleeting thought crossed my mind, but my body continued moving without pause.

Somehow, my instincts compelled me to seek further gratification.

So, I puffed out my chest, facing the staggering bandit, and released another fierce roar.

Come at me! Yet, the bandits didnt respond as I had intended. Their morale had been utterly shattered.

Sh*t. This is wrong! Why is there someone like him!

Run, run!

The panicked bandits began fleeing.

A primal instinct urged me to give chase and mercilessly tear them apart.

Just as I was about to succumb to that impulse, my rationality screamed.

Ellen!

I immediately halted my pursuit and rushed into the inn, consumed by black smoke.

Corpses littered the floor.

Roughly half of them were bandits, while the others appeared to be guests of the inn.

A lifeless young boy lay among thema familiar face. He was a servant, a boy who assisted at the inn.

I clenched my teeth and charged toward the bandits frantically moving amidst the smoke.

Amidst the chaos, three of them fell to the ground with severed necks before they even realized my presence.

Plage, what the hell! Watch your back!

Kill him!

Amidst the voices of anger and surprise, a womans voice reached my ears.

Phoenix!

Turning towards the voice, I saw a mercenary with a shield, withdrawing her sword from a bandits neck.

Grania?

What in the world is she doing here?

Grania was holding off the bandits from behind the bar.

Beside her, an ax-wielding mercenary caught his breath, his arm hanging limply, while behind him, a woman drew a bow. Both were Granias subordinates.

Numerous questions flooded my mind, but there was something more urgent at hand.

Grania, wheres Ellen!

She should still be upstairs!

Above? Damn.

The staircase was engulfed in flames, spreading the fire to the second floor.

Judging by the burning table near the stairs, it seemed like the fire originated there.

I cleaved the face of an approaching bandit with my falchion and propelled myself forward.

Towards the stairs consumed by the inferno.