Chapter 9:
"And you're seriously telling me… you're the skeleton?" Ethan asked, pointing at the now-human man standing before him.
The man bowed on one knee. His long crimson hair fell gently over his shoulder, and his bright blue eyes shone with resolve. His elegant robes shimmered with traces of silver and purple magic. He looked nothing like the skeletal mage they'd faced moments ago.
"Yes, my lord," he said humbly. "Though rare, it seems the pact you formed has… rewritten my being."
Ethan narrowed his eyes. "Right… but seriously, where's the skeleton? This guy looks like he walked off the cover of a noble romance book."
A bolt of lightning cracked through the man's chest,not with pain, but as if his spirit had been deeply wounded by words.
"I assure you… I was the skeleton," he muttered. "Though if it pleases you, you may call me Leach."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Leach? Huh. I've heard worse."
He crossed his arms. "So… how much energy does this transformation ritual use, exactly?"
Leach didn't raise his gaze. "The pact consumes approximately 50,000 units of energy, my lord. Repeating it too often… may leave you drained."
Ethan tapped his chin, doing mental calculations. He activated his Qi to double-check his current stats.
♧ Power: Grand 2 ♧
♧ Energy: Grand 2 ♧
♧ Abilities: Grand 2 ♧
[Grand 2 = 2,000,000 Units]
"Fifty thousand…" he muttered. "And I've already used that on you." He turned to glance at his wolves.
If each one costs 50,000… times nine wolves… that's 450,000.
Add you… that's 500,000 total.
He frowned. That would leave him at 1.5 million units, still technically Grand 1.5. Better than expected. But…
If I had used that spell the way I first planned… I would've been wiped clean. No power. No regeneration. No strength left to rebuild. I'd be forced to start again… from zero.
He exhaled slowly, clenching his jaw. Too close.
"Alright," Ethan said, spinning on his heel. "Let's head home."
Leach nodded and stood, following close behind, his robes trailing like shadows in the wind. The wolves walked in sync with their young leader,eight proud beasts returning from battle.
Back at the Cave
As they approached the familiar cavern, a dark, suffocating aura met them at the entrance. It was primal. Dominant. Unforgiving.
"…She's mad," the first-born muttered.
They stepped inside cautiously.
There, waiting with glowing red eyes, stood the mother wolf. Her fur bristled with violet aura. Her fangs bared. She was furious.
"Mind explaining," she growled, "why you're late?"
Her eyes narrowed toward the former skeleton. "And who is that?"
Ethan stepped forward calmly, his grin unfazed. "That, dear mother, is our ticket to humanity."
The mother wolf's eyes widened in horror. "You kidnapped a human!?"
"What? No no no." Ethan leaned close, lowering his voice but the whole room still heard. "That guy says he's a skeleton we beat. Honestly, I think he's lying. He's way too handsome to be a pile of bones. He's a fraud."
Another thunderbolt surged through Leach's chest.
"Why does he keep doing this to me…" he whispered internally, visibly crushed.
The mother wolf growled but relaxed slightly. "Fine… I'll take your word. For now."
She turned away. "I hunted and prepared food. Go wash. Eat. We'll talk later."
Ethan gave a mock salute and turned toward the hot spring tucked into the cave walls. Steam floated gently across the glowing pool, surrounded by mossy stones. The wolves padded in behind him but just as Leach tried to follow...
"No outsiders," the wolves said in eerie unison, their eyes glowing coldly as they blocked the path.
Leach stopped, lips slightly parted. "…But I'm one of you now."
The wolves walked away. Leach stood alone in silence.
Inside the Hot Spring
Steam rose into the air, and the water's warmth soothed their muscles and calmed their spirits. Ethan leaned back against the stone edge, arms spread, golden light faintly flickering from his skin.
"…Not bad," he muttered.
He glanced at his hand. Power pulsed softly beneath his skin. His energy was slowly recovering.
"So it doesn't take long… that's good," he thought. "Not full recovery yet, but fast enough."
He stood suddenly, water rippling around him.
"Let's go eat," he said. "We've got work to do."
The wolves rose with him.
Then came a calm voice,the first time it had ever spoken in six years.
"Then let's go, brother," said the fourth-born.
Ethan and the others froze.
Eyes turned to the quiet wolf, who stood there tall, silent as ever except now, his voice lingered like wind through a mountain pass. It was deep, calm, and ancient.
Ethan's face softened. A proud smile stretched across his face.
"…That's more like it."
To be continued...