The Resurrected Immortal - Chapter 112: Subjugation of the New Species Beast (5)
Necromancy, or spirit summoning, was literally a forbidden art among black magics that called forth the 'souls of the dead' and bent them to the caster's will as servants.
The souls of the deceased were disembodied spirits severed from their flesh, and the death spirits summoned into this world through necromancy could not defy the commands of their master, the necromancer.
The fate of these death spirits—enslaved and tormented eternally by black mages even after death, denied any chance of eternal rest—was utterly merciless.
And what made this necromancer even more vile was...
"Playing around with corpses like toys."
One could only imagine the anguish of a death spirit, forced to watch helplessly as its own decayed body was patched together with beast parts into a grotesque chimera.
Not only was the corpse of the deceased desecrated right before its owner's eyes, but the soul was then forcibly bound to this inhuman monster's form, compelled to slaughter humans at the necromancer's whim.
"That's horrifying..."
Cecilia muttered with a deeply furrowed brow after hearing Eunhyeon's explanation.
Riod wore a similarly grim expression, nodding in understanding as if the pieces had fallen into place for him too.
"So that's why all the beasts froze when Lady Armitas performed her 'purification'."
"Her purification sent every death spirit bound to those chimera bodies straight to the afterlife."
It had been a gamble based on clues Eunhyeon pieced together while slicing through the beasts, but it paid off spectacularly.
"Controlling the souls of the dead..."
Riod voiced the question that surfaced in his mind as he pondered the dangers of this 'necromancy' Eunhyeon had mentioned.
"You didn't notice it at first either."
"Yeah, it caught me off guard too. If I'd realized the moment I saw the chimeras, I wouldn't have asked the lady for a 'blessing prayer.' A 'purification prayer' right away could've neutralized them without a fight. This was... purely my mistake."
"Mistake?"
"I assumed necromancy, that black magic, was gone from this world for good."
"Why?"
"Because I killed her. The last necromancer in this world."
"......"
"I burned every trace of her legacy. So I thought... it'd never resurface. But..."
Eunhyeon's fists clenched naturally, and a surge of wild mana erupted around him, mirroring his rising fury.
"Hup...!"
Cecilia gasped, choking under the oppressive aura filling the tent, her eyes wide as she stared at Eunhyeon. Riod looked equally stunned.
Eunhyeon's face twisted in raw disgust, hatred and rage pouring from his expression.
Child. Calm yourself.
...Goddess.
I know how you feel right now. But isn't solving this the priority? It's good that you can vent your emotions, but you know you can't let them cloud your judgment.
Verdandi's soothing embrace around his neck and gentle strokes through his hair drew a soft sigh from Eunhyeon. He suppressed his boiling disgust and offered an apology.
Whew, you're right. Sorry.
Hehe, it's fine. Let's get back to it.
Yes.
He reined in the mana flowing from his body and offered Riod and Cecilia an awkward apology.
"Sorry, got a bit emotional there."
"No, this seems tied to your personal history."
"I-It's okay..."
Cecilia's hands were clasped tightly, still trembling slightly as she forced it down. Sensing the bad blood between Eunhyeon and necromancy from his expression, Riod smoothly continued without pressing.
"So, to sum up your theory: bandits raid villages for corpses, an alchemist grafts beast parts onto them to create humanoid chimeras, and then a necromancer binds souls to control them?"
"Exactly. I checked the less damaged bodies after the lady's purification—they were all villagers. Men, elders, kids... even women bore signs of rape. No bandits among the chimeras, though. That's why I figured the necromancer, alchemist, and bandits are in cahoots."
In exchange for preserving the bandits' lives, the necromancer and alchemist used them as corpse procurers. Plunder and rape were likely bonuses, with clear carrots and sticks keeping the bandits loyal out of fear.
"We'll form search parties with mobile troops tomorrow and hunt bandit trails."
"I'll lead one."
"You sure?"
"We need to end this fast. Can't let more beasts spawn, and their production method's too dangerous. They'll start massacring other villages soon."
"What do you need?"
"Two fast knights for relays. They'll report straight to you if trouble hits. If we don't return by sundown, use your judgment."
"I'll go too."
A woman's voice announced her intent as she entered the tent. Eunhyeon and Riod turned toward the entrance.
"...No need for you in the search party, my lady."
"By that logic, you had no reason to volunteer first."
"I've got the skills for scouting and judgment. You don't. Besides, your role is staying here with the wounded. Why join a search?"
"Emergency treatments are done—I was heading to report to the captain when I overheard. 'Necromancy,' right? Toying with the dead isn't enough; they desecrate corpses by fusing them with beasts."
Elenoa clenched her fists, grinding her teeth in fury.
"That kid's face keeps haunting me—the one so twisted I couldn't even read her expression. 'Thank you for saving us,' she said, even after I looked away in disgust, her sad eyes hurt but still grateful. Every time I think of it, I hate myself for turning away."
How much agony had they endured?
How desperately had they craved release?
Thinking of those souls trapped in chimera hell, tormented by necromantic tricks, only piled frustration in her chest.
"I need to see those bastards' faces myself."
"If we catch them, I'll drag the first one here for you."
"No. I can't wait."
"Your guards won't allow it."
"Just ditch them and take me. That's your specialty."
It was rich coming from Eunhyeon, who'd slung her over his shoulder like luggage to force-expand her holy power without interference—practically kidnapping her.
"Getting casual lately. Keep it up, and I'll drop formalities too?"
"Fine! You already do with brother!"
"Anyway, no."
"Argh, seriously!"
"Um... mister..."
"Call me captain or marquis in official settings."
"C-Captain."
"What?"
"Why are these two fighting exactly?"
Cecilia watched the deadlock—'absolutely not' versus 'I'm coming anyway'—with bewilderment, turning to Riod.
He paused before answering, arms crossed, eyes closed.
"Same reason I kept you off the expedition."
"Uh, um..."
At his analogy, Cecilia fidgeted with her glasses, averting her gaze awkwardly.
The next day, Eunhyeon finished prepping early and waited for his search party.
"Hey. Still sulking?"
"I'm not sulking."
"Then what's with the dissatisfied scowl?"
"Don't wanna talk about it."
The party ended up elite: Eunhyeon, Riod, Elenoa, her guards—20 top fighters total.
Blame Riod, who'd dragged Cecilia along under Eunhyeon's pressure, then argued there was no issue. Eunhyeon shot him a disbelieving glare, but with necromancy confirmed, Elenoa's priestess powers were a trump card. As Riod led and Eunhyeon only advised, he grudgingly accepted.
"...Mad I forced my way in?"
"No, not you."
Noticing Eunhyeon's foul mood, Elenoa probed carefully, but he offered no details. Unaware of his necromancer history, his uncharacteristic gloom worried her more.
"Feeling unwell? I could pray for vitality..."
"No, it's not that."
His shake of the head felt off—lacking his usual teasing lightness. Elenoa fell silent.
"The necromancer likely noticed when the chimera souls were purified."
"Might've fled already."
Riod's strikes, Elenoa's purification, and the party's efforts wiped out around 200 humanoid chimeras.
The necromancer would've sensed it and acted. Spotting a force that crushed 200? They'd assume an unbeatable army and bolt.
Riod's swift search parties were spot-on.
"Let's move."
"Yeah."
"Ah..."
Eunhyeon nodded grimly from the vanguard, stepping into line. Elenoa reached out as if to speak, but watched him go with a complicated look.
"Worried about something?"
"W-Why would I worry about him?"
Startled by Riod's sudden question, Elenoa replied. She feigned calm, but her shaken gaze gave her away. Riod turned to the marching party.
"First time I've seen him wear disgust so openly."
"Even you've never seen it?"
Elenoa's surprise prompted Riod's nod.
"We've spent ages together, but he's never opened up—not to me or Iliana. That necromancer must tie into some deep history, predating us. Bad blood from before."
Eunhyeon's visceral loathing at the word was genuine.
"How old... is that man exactly?"
The bond between a era's hero and this veiled youth shone true in Riod's demeanor.
"Far older than me, probably."
As one who'd witnessed Eunhyeon's prowess up close, Riod knew his swordplay, martial arts, spearmanship, magic—none mere talent, but peaks forged in blood, sweat, and endless time.
Experiences no single lifetime could hold scarred his body. That's why Riod respected him—a true world-saving hero known only to a few, like him and Iliana.
"Time to prep. We catch them before they flee."
"Understood."
Elenoa nodded firmly, but Eunhyeon's low mood lingered in her chest like unease.>