The Genesis Of A Necromancer

"We'll see?" Jack could instantly tell that Zamazo's words carried a hidden meaning, far more ominous than they appeared. Before he could dwell on it, the pressure from the formation tripled.

A sickening crunch echoed from his back, the sound reverberating through the chamber like a breaking bone. It felt as though an entire mountain had been dropped onto him. His body groaned under the strain, every muscle screaming as if it might tear apart at any moment.

The air grew heavier, thick and oppressive, making each breath a battle. His vision swam, shadows curling at the edges as his knees trembled violently. Time seemed to stretch, the seconds dragging on into an agonizing eternity. Jack had long since lost track of how long he'd been standing, his sense of time slipping away, consumed by the effort to stay upright.

'I won't fall. I can't be this weak,' he thought, his mind clinging to the words like a lifeline. It was this defiance, this refusal to break, that kept him going.

Though the pressure threatened to crush him, Jack forced himself to endure. To his surprise, a small but significant change began to take place. His system interface flickered to life, notifications glowing faintly before his eyes.

[STR +1]

[STA +1]

[STR +1]

[STA +1]

The pressure was breaking him down, but at the same time, it was building him back up, his body growing stronger with each agonizing second. His strength and stamina steadily climbed as the formation's relentless force reshaped him.

But just when he thought he might have reached the limit of what he could endure, the pressure intensified again. This time, it felt as though the world itself had turned against him, crushing him with the weight of a hundred suns.

Jack's lungs burned as the air was forced from his chest. His blood felt like it was flowing in reverse, and a strangled cry escaped his lips before erupting into a full-throated scream.

"Arrgh!" His voice echoed through the chamber, raw and filled with pain.

Missy stepped forward instinctively, her small frame shaking as she called out to him. "Jack!"

But Zamazo's hand shot out, blocking her path. His silver eyes glinted coldly as he spoke. "Don't even think about it. That formation will kill anyone who isn't prepared. Stay back."

"But—"

"He'll survive. If he endured the first wave, he'll make it through this too." Though his tone was detached, a faint smile tugged at Zamazo's lips as he watched Jack writhe. He didn't try to hide his satisfaction.

Turning his attention to Missy, he added, "And you… you won't be left out of this. If the Demon King values you, then you'll have enemies of your own. You'll need to be strong enough to handle them."

Missy stiffened under his gaze, her fists clenching. "What are you going to do?"

Zamazo tilted his head, his sharp features thoughtful. Without warning, his shadow began to shift, detaching from his feet and pooling on the floor like living ink. It slithered to the side and rose, taking on a humanoid shape.

Missy's eyes widened as the shadow solidified, gaining color and form until it became an exact replica of Zamazo. The clone's silver hair and pale skin mirrored his perfectly, down to the cold glint in its eyes.

"It's like there are two of you!" Missy exclaimed, her amazement breaking through the tension.

"This is my shadow clone," Zamazo said, his voice as calm as ever. "It will train you. I sense spiritual energy within you, but it's raw and undisciplined. If you master it, you'll be capable of much more."
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"Cool! Does that mean Missy can do what Uncle did?" she asked, her face lighting up with excitement.

Zamazo blinked, momentarily thrown off by her casual use of "Uncle." No one had ever addressed him with such familiarity before. For a moment, he wasn't sure whether to laugh or be offended. Finally, he shook his head and muttered, "You're… unusual."

Missy's grin only grew wider, and Zamazo found himself suppressing a faint smile. Despite her innocence—or perhaps because of it—she was utterly fearless in the face of his power.

At the center of the chamber, Jack remained locked in his struggle. His clothes were soaked through with sweat, his legs trembling so violently that it seemed impossible he was still standing. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to collapse, to let go and end the torment.

'I can't fall,' he thought desperately, forcing his knees to stay locked. 'If I can't withstand this, how will I ever stand against the gods?'

Memories of Erebus's power flashed through his mind—an overwhelming force that could crush entire worlds with a mere flick of its will. Compared to that, the pressure from the formation was a mere shadow. But even a shadow of a god's power was enough to bring him to the brink.

The system notifications continued to flicker.

[STR +2]

[STA +2]

[STR +2]

[STA +2]

The growth was undeniable, but so was the pain. The formation was unrelenting, and Jack's body was nearing its breaking point. His vision darkened, and he swayed, his knees threatening to buckle under the relentless weight.

And then, just as he was about to collapse, a voice echoed in his mind—a voice that wasn't his own.

'Even I can't allow that to happen.'

Jack's eyes snapped open, his pupils dilating as a surge of energy flooded through him. It was foreign yet familiar, wrapping around his mind like a protective barrier. The suffocating pressure seemed to ease, if only slightly, and he sucked in a ragged breath.

Zamazo, who had been watching with a mixture of curiosity and disdain, narrowed his eyes. He felt the shift too—a ripple of energy that spread through the room like a shockwave.

Jack's fists clenched, his resolve hardening. "I won't fall," he growled through gritted teeth. His voice grew louder, filled with a raw, defiant power. "I won't fall!"

The formation pulsed violently, reacting to his resistance. The chamber trembled, dust falling from the high ceilings as Jack pushed himself to his limits. Every muscle in his body screamed, but he refused to give in.

Zamazo's satisfied smile faded, replaced by a look of grudging respect. Jack's growth was undeniable, his determination unshakable.

Far away, in the unseen corners of the universe, a faint ripple spread—a warning to the gods that something was stirring.