Chapter 3: A Grim Reward

Dawn broke over the village, casting pale light on the dirt paths and wooden houses. Ishar approached the village square with his skeletons trailing behind him, their glowing eyes casting an eerie light in the early morning gloom. In his hand, he carried the Bloodfang Core, its faint pulsating glow concealed beneath his tattered robe.

The villagers, already gathered near the well, turned as he arrived. Murmurs rippled through the crowd as they spotted the skeletons, their fear evident in their wide eyes and hesitant movements. At the forefront stood Elder Huan, leaning heavily on his carved staff. His face was lined with exhaustion, but his eyes held a spark of hope.

Ishar tossed the severed head of the Bloodfang Wolf onto the ground before the elder. The beast's lifeless crimson eyes stared upward, its blood staining the dirt. Gasps of shock and relief swept through the villagers.

"It is done," Ishar said coldly, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "The wolf will trouble you no longer."

Elder Huan stepped forward, his hands trembling as he stared at the severed head. "You have done what none of us could," he said, his tone reverent. "We are in your debt, traveler."

"I don't care for your gratitude," Ishar replied. "The price was agreed upon. Where are the spirit herbs?"

The elder nodded hastily and motioned to a younger villager, who disappeared into one of the houses. Moments later, the man returned carrying a small wooden box. Elder Huan took the box and offered it to Ishar.

"These are the finest herbs we could gather," the elder said. "I hope they will aid you in your travels."

Ishar opened the box, inspecting its contents. The faint glow of the spirit herbs confirmed their quality. Though they were modest in power, they would suffice for now. He closed the box and nodded.

"This will do."

He turned to leave, but a voice stopped him. "Wait!"

Ishar turned his gaze to the speaker, a young man who had been glaring at him since his arrival. It was the same villager who had doubted him the night before. The man's hands were clenched into fists, and his expression was a mixture of fear and defiance.

"You're not human," the young man said, his voice trembling. "Those… things that follow you. They're not natural. What are you?"

The villagers froze, their gazes darting between Ishar and the skeletons. The air grew tense as whispers spread through the crowd.

Ishar's cold eyes locked onto the young man. "I am what this world made me. If you have a problem with that, you're welcome to try your luck."

The young man flinched but didn't back down. "You… you're a monster."

Elder Huan raised a hand, his voice firm. "Enough, Feng. This man has saved us. Whatever he is, we owe him our lives."

The young man, Feng, glared at Ishar but said nothing more. Ishar turned without another word and walked toward the forest, his skeletons trailing behind. The villagers parted to let him pass, their fear and awe palpable.

Back at the edge of the forest, Ishar sat beneath a towering tree, the wooden box of spirit herbs resting beside him. He retrieved the Bloodfang Core, its faint glow pulsing steadily. The system's interface appeared in his mind, offering a new prompt.

"Bloodfang Core detected. Would you like to absorb its energy?"

Ishar's lips curled into a faint smirk. "Yes."

The core disintegrated into a stream of light that flowed into his chest. A surge of energy coursed through him, dark and powerful, filling every corner of his being.

"Absorption Complete. Cultivation Energy Increased. Progress to next level: 20%."

He clenched his fists, relishing the strength flowing through him. The system was a gift, a weapon that would allow him to dominate this world.

Turning his attention to the box of herbs, Ishar issued another command. "Process the herbs."

The herbs glowed briefly before dissolving into motes of light that flowed into him. Another surge of energy followed, less potent than the core but still valuable.

"Processing Complete. Cultivation Energy Increased. Progress to next level: 30%."

Satisfied, Ishar stood and looked toward the horizon. The village had been a small step, a mere beginning. The Mortal Realm was vast, filled with countless dangers and opportunities. He would claim them all.

Far away, in the depths of a shadowed hall, a man clad in crimson robes knelt before a towering figure obscured by darkness. The air crackled with energy, and the scent of blood hung heavy.

"My lord," the man said, his voice trembling. "The Bloodfang Wolf has been slain. The energy we sensed has vanished."

The figure leaned forward, glowing red eyes piercing through the gloom. "And what of the one responsible?"

"We… we do not know," the man stammered. "But his power… it was unnatural."

The figure's voice rumbled like distant thunder. "Find him. If he poses a threat to our plans, eliminate him."

The man bowed deeply. "Yes, my lord."

As the figure receded into the shadows, the man rose and turned, his crimson robes billowing as he left the hall. In the distance, storm clouds gathered, and the faint sound of thunder echoed across the land.