Chapter 7: Into the Unknown
The morning broke cold and gray, the forest cloaked in an ominous mist that coiled through the trees. Alex stirred from his restless sleep by the fire, every muscle aching from the skirmish with the Corrupted Watchers. Despite the soreness, he felt a small sense of pride. He had survived another day and fortified the shrine further, but the attack made one thing clear—staying here too long might put him in even greater danger.
As he stared into the dying embers, his thoughts turned to the corpses left behind from the previous night's fight. He hadn't even attempted to reanimate the Watchers or haul their remains to the shrine. It felt wasteful now, especially as his mana bar sat full and unused.
He looked over at the Horned Stalker, the undead beast standing silently at the shrine's edge, guarding the perimeter. Its presence was a reminder of the power he wielded—and how much potential he had squandered.
"This can't happen again," Alex muttered, standing.
From now on, every corpse was a resource. Every fight was an opportunity.
---
Leaving the Shrine
Before leaving, Alex prepared to make the most of his next outing. He fashioned a crude sled from fallen Blackbark branches and vines, lashing them together into a frame he could drag behind him. It wasn't elegant, but it would allow him to transport smaller corpses back to the shrine.
With the sled ready, he checked his supplies. The Moonberries and Bloodcap Mushrooms were dwindling, and his tin cup of water was half-empty. These would last for maybe a day, but not much longer. Tightening the straps of his makeshift satchel, he gathered the spear and turned to the Horned Stalker.
"You're coming with me," he said, gesturing for it to follow.
The undead beast obeyed, its glowing eyes fixed on him as it rose to its feet. Alex felt the subtle pull on his mana—just a whisper of energy to maintain the summon.
---
The Path and the Cart
After an hour of cautious walking, Alex discovered a narrow, overgrown path cutting through the forest. It stretched in both directions, disappearing into the mist, but what caught his attention was an abandoned cart tipped on its side near the road's edge.
The cart was in ruins, its wheels shattered, but among the debris, Alex found a sealed jar of dried meat and an iron pot. The discovery brought a flicker of hope—he now had a way to cook food and boil water, solving two pressing problems.
Satisfied with his find, Alex turned to leave—only to freeze as a low, guttural growl filled the air.
---
Ambushed by the Bloodfang
The growl came from the underbrush. A massive, wolf-like creature emerged, its red eyes glowing with malevolence.
---
Bloodfang Alpha
Type: Undead Beast (Corrupted)
Threat Level: High
Description: A rare and deadly predator enhanced by dark magic. Aggressive and relentless.
---
Alex gripped his spear tightly as fear gripped him. The Bloodfang charged, but Alex was ready.
"Stalker, intercept!" he commanded.
The Horned Stalker barreled into the Bloodfang, locking horns with claws. The two undead creatures thrashed violently, their growls echoing through the forest.
Alex circled the fight, searching for an opening. Seeing the Bloodfang focused on the Stalker, he extended his hand toward the creature's twitching, severed tail, activating Summon Lesser Undead.
Mana surged through him, and the tail transformed into a writhing, snake-like minion. It slithered toward the Bloodfang, wrapping around its legs and tripping it. The wolf fell, giving Alex a chance to strike.
With a quick lunge, he drove his spear into the Bloodfang's exposed flank. The creature howled, ichor spraying from the wound, but Alex didn't stop. He thrust again and again until the Bloodfang collapsed, lifeless.
---
Harvesting the Fallen
Panting, Alex surveyed the aftermath. The Bloodfang's body was large and heavy, but he wasn't about to leave it behind.
He crouched, using Inspect on the corpse.
---
Bloodfang Alpha
Loot: Corrupted Bloodstone (Crafting Material), Wolfhide (Damaged), Fangs (Weapon Component).
---
He pocketed the Bloodstone and fangs, then turned to the Horned Stalker, which was limping from the battle.
"Good job," Alex muttered, dismissing the beast with a wave of his hand. The glowing green light in its eyes faded as it collapsed into a heap of rotting flesh and shattered bone.
He activated Summon Lesser Undead again, targeting the Bloodfang's corpse. Mana surged, and the wolf's body twitched, its glowing red eyes reigniting with an eerie green hue.
The Bloodfang Alpha rose, unsteady but obedient.
"Perfect," Alex said, a grim smile crossing his face.
The reanimated wolf would haul the other remains back to the shrine. Alex lashed the smaller corpses onto the sled, directing the Bloodfang to drag it behind them.
---
The Road Ahead
By the time Alex returned to the shrine, his haul was impressive: the Bloodfang Alpha, the Horned Stalker's remnants, and a few smaller corpses he'd found along the way.
He spent the rest of the day stripping useful materials—bones for weapons, sinew for bindings, and hides for makeshift clothing. The shrine now resembled a crude workshop, with scattered tools and piles of resources.
The Bloodfang Alpha stood at the perimeter, its presence a warning to any would-be intruders.
As night fell, Alex sat by the fire, reflecting on the day. He had made real progress—not just in survival, but in understanding the value of his necromancer abilities.
Corpses were no longer just remnants of the dead. They were weapons, tools, and shields.
And if he played his cards right, they would become the foundation of his power