The Roaming Corpse was a physical-type Entity, its body incredibly resilient—impervious to blades and small firearms. Its razor-sharp claws could rend steel and tear a man in half with ease. With heightened olfactory senses, it could detect the scent of blood from kilometers away, and its speed allowed it to outpace even trained sprinters.
Yet, despite these traits, it was considered one of the weakest Entities. Devoid of intelligence, it operated purely on instinct, lacking any truly supernatural abilities. Even a well-equipped special forces unit could eliminate it with heavy weaponry.
These creatures typically formed when corpses, steeped in lingering resentment, underwent transformation under specific conditions. This was why the Yan Kingdom strictly enforced cremation over burial—preventing the dead from rising as such abominations.
The Roaming Corpse finished devouring the stray dog's remains and slowly rose, its hollow gaze scanning for its next prey.
Then—
A figure clad in a black cloak and a demonic mask materialized behind it, silent as a shadow. A pale, powerful hand shot forward like an eagle's talon, piercing through the Entity's back with the ease of a hot knife through butter.
Fingers clamped around its spine—and yanked.
Black blood sprayed outward, only to be deflected by an invisible barrier before it could stain Ethan's cloak. With a flick of his wrist, he whipped the severed spine like a spear, impaling the creature to the ground.
Deprived of its structural support, the Roaming Corpse writhed helplessly, a boneless worm driven only by its insatiable bloodlust. Pain meant nothing to it—even as it struggled uselessly against the bone-spear pinning it down, its jaws snapped mindlessly at the air, desperate to sink its teeth into Ethan.
"Pathetic."
His foot came down in a crushing stomp.
CRUNCH!
The skull collapsed like a rotten melon. The body twitched once before dissolving into black mist, which coiled into Ethan's waiting palm.
[Ding! Host has slain: D-Class Entity - Roaming Corpse]
[Reward: 1.5 Supernatural Points]
Ethan's brow furrowed. This time, he hadn't acquired a new ability—only points. Still, they could be used to strengthen his existing powers.
A quick assessment revealed the costs:
Strawskin Manifestation (D → D+): 5 Points
Bloodprice Curse (D → D+): 8 Points
Gluttony (D → D+): 10 Points
So, each ability has a different value. Rarity? Potential?
His lips curled. "Looks like I'm hunting all night."
Commercial District – The Hunt Continues
A hulking monstrosity lumbered through the streets, its grotesque, bloated body standing at nearly eight feet tall. In its meaty fist, it wielded a twisted streetlamp like a club, smashing through obstacles with mindless fury.
Drool dripped from its distended lips, sizzling where it struck the pavement.
D+-Class Entity: Giant Roaming Corpse
An evolved variant of its weaker kin, this behemoth had grown stronger by gorging on flesh. Thickened muscle, heightened durability, and even a crude intelligence allowed it to wield tools—and spit corrosive venom.
Then—
A blur shot toward its exposed nape. Twin blade-arms flashed—
SCHLICK!
Flesh parted. The creature's head nearly detached, hanging by threads of sinew.
It barely had time to roar before its lamp-post swung backward in a devastating arc—enough force to crumple a car.
But its attacker was already gone.
Ethan reappeared in front of it, his body coiled like a spring.
"Ground-Shattering Rising Fist!"
His punch landed with the force of a cannon shot.
BOOM!
The Giant Roaming Corpse's skull caved inward before its entire bulk launched backward, crashing through a storefront.
[Ding! Host has slain: D+-Class Entity - Giant Roaming Corpse]
[Reward: 3 Supernatural Points]
Ethan didn't linger. The noise would draw attention—whether from other Entities or the Bureau.