Chapter 137 - 136: Stunning Curves

Chapter 137: Chapter 136: Stunning Curves

Based on the previous encounter by the carriage and this ambush, this man was undoubtedly the leader of the Shadowless Team—a rather troublesome Stalker.

The others weren’t high-level, but if a real fight broke out, Hesia figured that with them running interference, he likely wouldn’t be able to stop Wilson from escaping.

That was why he paid them no mind as they scattered and fled. After all, killing everyone here would only bring him unnecessary trouble.

But Wilson hadn’t run, which meant Hesia could find out what he was up to.

Especially just a moment ago. When Wilson had appeared from Stealth, his stance suggested he intended to press a blade to Hesia’s neck as a threat, not stab him outright.

Before Hesia could even ask,

"Undead Mage... My Lord..." Wilson stammered, his voice trembling. "Please, spare me! My soul is foul and tough, not the least bit tasty!"

’Well, would you look at that,’ Hesia thought. ’So I really do come across as an Undead Mage to him.’

Hesia glanced down at the sinister-looking Magic Wand in his hand. ’...Hmm, on second thought, it makes sense that he’d get the wrong idea.’

’Since the script has been handed to me, I might as well play the part.’

He called out in an icy tone, "Bruce, drag that corpse over here."

Bruce, who had been wagging his tail while sniffing around the pile of Money Bags and weapons, immediately trotted over. He clamped his jaws around the ankle of the brandy-nosed man who had been burned to death and, HUFFING and PUFFING, dragged the body before Hesia.

Hesia aimed his Magic Wand at the charred corpse.

As he channeled his Magic Power, beams of eerie green energy began to shoot from the mouth of "Peggy" at the Wand Tip.

As the energy flowed into the body, it began to convulse violently. A sharp CRACK-CRACK-CRACK echoed from its bones as a thick stench of decay filled the air.

Finally, under Wilson’s terrified gaze, the corpse pushed itself up from the ground joint by joint, moving in a bizarre, unnatural manner.

Two points of eerie green light, like will-o’-the-wisps, ignited in its burned-out eye sockets. The new Undead turned its hollow gaze toward Hesia, as if awaiting its master’s command.

Wilson felt a chill shoot from the base of his spine to the top of his skull. His eyes rolled back into his head, a strangled whimper escaped his throat, and he almost fainted on the spot.

He had just watched his own subordinate—a man who was alive and kicking moments ago—turn into a skeleton reeking of death!

Hesia didn’t check the skeleton’s Attributes right away, turning his gaze to Wilson instead.

"Don’t you wish to cast off this fragile, perishable flesh and embrace eternity, just as it has?"

"I had assumed you recognized me—the Undying Sage. I thought your earlier display of skill was an attempt to trade your talents for the honor of crossing the threshold into eternity."

"No! No, no!" Wilson pleaded, terrified. "Undead Mage... er, Great Undying Sage! I was blind! I failed to recognize a true god!"

Then, perhaps sensing the sudden spike in temperature from the corpse beside him, he quickly corrected himself. "I mean, I was a *swine* who failed to recognize a true god!"

Hesia fought back a laugh. "Tell me, why did you approach me?"

"It’s... it’s because..." Like spilling beans from a jar, Wilson poured out the whole story. He hid nothing, from being thrown in the dungeon and Rupert’s misjudgment, to wanting to use Hesia to make an example.

Hesia found the situation strangely comical.

The reason for the attack was about what Hesia had expected, but he never would have guessed the man’s backstory was so... "distinctive."

Still, the Shadowless Team, a grassroots organization spread throughout the town, seemed like it could be very useful.

"Your honesty is surprising. But it is not reason enough for me to spare you."

His gaze swept meaningfully over Wilson’s naked body.

"This well-trained vessel of yours... it’s excellent raw material. It would make a fine zombie servant."

"Your eye is truly sharp, Lord Sage!" Wilson was on the verge of tears. "My... my body is indeed agile, prime material... but... but I can also navigate the sewers! I know every sewer in Rose Town like the back of my hand! Keeping me alive... is far more useful to you than turning me into a brainless skeleton, my lord!"

"And why would I need a good-for-nothing who knows the sewers?"

That one sentence seemed to drain all of Wilson’s strength and hope.

He despaired completely, collapsing to the ground like a heap of mud, barely having the energy left to tremble.

But the next second, he heard Hesia say, "Get up."

He didn’t seem to process it, remaining kneeling on the ground, too scared to move.

"Get up and put on your clothes." Hesia’s voice grew colder. "If I look at you for another moment, I’ll find it hard to resist the urge to turn that body of yours into a part of my collection."

"Yes! Yes!" Wilson scrambled to his feet, but his legs were so weak that he staggered and nearly fell again.

As he hastily pulled on his clothes, his heart sank. He suddenly recalled the tavern tales about Undead Mages—they were powerful, reclusive, and unpredictable. And they especially loved to... play with the flesh of the living in all sorts of ways.

’Could it be... he’s still interested in my body after all! Just... interested in a different way!’

Wilson’s mind was in turmoil.

’Gena... my dear Gena... you’ll understand my predicament, won’t you?’

’To see you again, I... I have to do this...’

At this thought, tears welled in his eyes. While tearfully pulling on his pants, he made an effort to stick his rear out higher. He even copied what Dimi had done earlier, giving a shy little wiggle in an attempt to show off the proud curve of his Stalker’s posterior.

Now, it was Hesia’s turn to be stunned.

Shaking his rear at Bruce earlier was understandable.

But what was the meaning of shaking it at him, a grown man?

’Is he trying to take me down with him through sheer psychological trauma?’

He suppressed the urge to make a snarky comment and decided to stop beating around the bush with this weirdo.

"You said your operations are spread throughout this town." Hesia’s voice was calm again. "Very well. I shall grant you a chance to live."

"My collection is missing a satisfactory maid."

"I happened to see Lady Rose the other day." Hesia’s tone was laced with deliberate appreciation. "She still has her charm. That fragrance, matured by the years... that is the kind of art I appreciate."

"Go and gather all information about her for me—her habits, her influence, her weaknesses, her daily whereabouts. I want to know everything, no matter how trivial."

"If you displease me, or if you try to run..." Hesia gently shook the Magic Wand. Peggy cooperatively opened its mouth wide, its long tongue darting out to lick Wilson’s cheek. "Go on, try it. Peggy has memorized your scent. For a betrayer, even becoming one of my servants would be a luxury. I will let it... slowly ’savor’ you... until your very soul is consumed."

Wilson stopped wiggling at once. Understanding dawned on him.

’So his Lordship’s target is Lady Rose!’

A wave of complex emotions washed over him. There was the relief of having his life spared, but also a sense of pity for the noble lady’s fate. After all, she was now in the sights of an Undead Mage.

’Still, better her than me,’ he thought. He had to prove his worth, and fast!

"I obey your command, Great Undying Sage!" Wilson nearly buried his face in the dirt, his voice shrill with excitement. "I swear on my soul, I will see this done for you! I can’t make promises about other things, but gathering intelligence is what I do best!"

He looked up, forcing a sycophantic smile. "Rest assured, my lord! I guarantee I’ll find out everything, right down to the style of underwear she prefers!"

As if just showing determination wasn’t enough, he quickly added, as if presenting a treasure, trying to show off his insight, "To be honest, my lord, I also think that lady... er, does have a certain charm. Your taste is truly... exceptional! I’d have thought you’d be more interested in Miss Annis from the Tide Merchants Association, though. After all, you seemed to be... with her..." He carefully watched Hesia’s face and lowered his voice. "But from what I hear, she’s gone missing recently. Strange, isn’t it?"

Hesia’s interest was piqued. He had never actually seen Lady Rose; his image of her was based entirely on Belte’s description. But Wilson’s words did remind him of the disappearance connected to the fifty Golden Shields.

He played along, his tone tinged with the wistful air of a missed opportunity. "That’s right. That little slip of a girl, Annis, whom I originally had my eye on..."

"She was too green for my tastes, of course, but a change of pace now and then is harmless. Yet just as I was planning to spend some time ’cultivating a connection,’ she vanished."

"While you’re at it, find out any clues related to her as well. I’d like to see just who dared to spoil my amusement."

Hesia’s gaze swept over the weapons on the ground, which his [Identification Skill] had confirmed were junk.

"Take this junk with you. And keep your mouth shut, and the mouths of those worthless subordinates of yours. If a single word of tonight’s events leaks out, you won’t just be throwing away this chance, but the lives of every last one of you."

"But if you serve me well... I wouldn’t be opposed to showing you the path to true Power."

At these words, the awe and fear in Wilson’s eyes instantly erupted into incredulous ecstasy.

’A blessing in disguise! This is a total blessing in disguise!’ he thought. ’Not only is my life no longer in danger, but if I just do my job, I can even get the Power I’ve always dreamed of! How is that not a better career path than being captain of the sewers?’

"Praise be to you! Thank you for your grace, my lord! Your mercy is like the moonlight, illuminating the dark path before me!"

Hesia was taken aback. ’What a strange metaphor,’ he thought. But on second thought, for an Undead Mage and his new servant, it was strangely fitting.

He couldn’t help but think, ’Say what you will about Wilson, but the man can certainly talk.’

Seeing Wilson’s sycophantic expression as he prepared to pledge more loyalty, Hesia cut him off with an impatient wave of his hand, as if shooing a fly.

"Leave the address and get out of my sight."

Wilson took the hint and shut his mouth. After giving the address for the "Thorny Nettle and Night Fragrance Cat Grass Herb Shop," he scrambled to pick up the weapons and plunged into the night, vanishing without a trace.