CHAPTER 181: CHAPTER 181: NASARI

Chapter 181 – Nasari

Kaden looked at the corpse of Nasari with an inquisitive gaze. The man was the same he had fought back in the dungeon with his striking black hair and familiar facial features.

He examined the body and saw that this time, it was not some cracked, gray skeletal remains. He nodded in relief. He wasn’t a fan of that look.

Putting his hand under his chin, Kaden wondered if he could shoulder the weight of this being—but normally, he should. After all, he had already done it with two exceptional peak Masters. So why not one Grandmaster?

Feeling confident, he decided to begin the process.

After a couple of seconds of preparation, Kaden placed his hand on the body and whispered softly,

"Awaken."

The air grew still, and a sudden heavy pressure permeated the space around him. The already dark forest grew even darker as an intense, condensed black light enveloped Nasari’s body like a second skin.

At that moment, Kaden felt a connection begin to form inside him, one he recognized all too well by now.

And indeed, soon after, Nasari’s eyes snapped open, revealing a pair of sky-blue irises filled with confusion—just for a moment—before sudden understanding dawned on his face.

Kaden took a step back to get a better look.

Nasari was tall—around six feet—with a bulky, muscular frame that looked like it would burst apart the simple white clothes he wore. He was fairly handsome, with an air of confidence and nobility that clung to him like a mantle.

He rose slowly, his body making cracking sounds that echoed sharply through the forest, his limbs shifting as though his muscles were snapping back into place after centuries of sleep.

Then, he turned his head and looked straight at Kaden, his eyes still like the surface of calm water and unreadable. The two of them locked eyes in a brief, silent contest before, slowly and respectfully, Nasari lowered himself to one knee, his head bowed and his right hand pressed solemnly against his left chest.

"I greet my Lord, the Child of Death." His voice was deep and resonant, heavy with reverence, and it made the very air tremble slightly with its weight.

Kaden tilted his head in surprise. He hadn’t expected him to speak—after all, the last two he had couldn’t.

’I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, considering his mysterious origin,’ he thought, nodding slightly as he responded,

"At ease. Do you remember who you are? Anything about your past?" he asked, hoping with every fiber of his being that this man could answer at least some of the questions clawing at his mind.

Still kneeling, Nasari made an expression of shame, his voice low, "May you forgive me, my Lord. All I remember is my name... Nasari Ai D’Kadavre. Everything else is covered in a thick fog that my meager blade cannot pierce."

Kaden’s lips curled softly in amusement at the way he spoke.

’I wonder if this is how he was naturally, before being corrupted...’ he mused briefly, then pushed the thought aside and focused on Nasari’s words.

Honestly, he wasn’t surprised. It would’ve been too good to be true if all his questions were answered just like that.

Life, as we all know, isn’t that generous.

So, brushing off his slight frustration, Kaden looked at the still-kneeling Nasari more closely and noticed something that almost — really, almost — made him snap in indignation.

"Nasari... what... what is your rank?" Kaden asked with a strained smile, his finger twitching ever so slightly.

Nasari’s expression remained composed, still radiating that same dignified, noble air.

"My Lord, my rank is but Master. My blade remains unrefined... but I swear to drive your foes into submission with all the strength that dwells within me." His voice was filled with solemn pride, his face utterly sincere.

Kaden would’ve laughed at Nasari’s dramatic tone, but he was too busy holding himself back from cursing the heavens.

’Death... why?’

He couldn’t help but ask this time. He expected to obtain a Grandmaster he could order around but he got a Master?

And the worst part was he knew he couldn’t take in any more undead until his soul grew stronger...

How come?

[Nasari is special. He is a Named Undead, as you can see he can speak and possesses emotions and will. Your intermediate soul would shatter if he were revived at Grandmaster rank. And since it was meant to be a reward, not a death sentence, The Will lowered his rank to something you could bear,] Death explained patiently.

But Kaden was having none of it.

’What’s the difference between a Named Undead and a normal one, besides talking weirdly?’ he grumbled, more annoyed than angry.

[They can evolve, unlike the others who are fixed and can never go beyond the peak of the realm they were revived with.]

[But the only way for them to evolve is to eat.]

’Eat... eat what?’ he asked, perplexed.

Death showed him directly.

[Name: Nasari Ai D’Kadavre]

[Rank: Master]

[Title: Squire of Death]

[Skills: Knight’s Honor, Death’s Squire sword, Death’s Embrace]

[Required material for upgrade: Swords]

Kaden stared blankly at the panel, unable to process it fully before Nasari’s voice broke the silence.

"My Lord..." he spoke meekly, as if ashamed of what he was about to say, yet still with a strained voice.

"My Lord, I am deeply ashamed to utter such ungraceful words from my lips but... I am hungry. Have mercy on this lacking squire."

Kaden stared at him, deadpan. "And... what do you like to eat?" he asked, dreading the answer.

Nasari’s face relaxed, hearing his Lord wasn’t angry. Then, slowly, with a grateful voice, "Swords, my Lord."

Kaden’s lips twitched. He raised his head mechanically toward the bleak, dark sky, wondering why life was so unfair to such an honest and merciful soul like himself.

He sighed quietly.

He looked into his space ring and saw a handful of rusted, barely intact swords he had looted inside the dungeon, and just as he was about to hand them to Nasari for a quick snack—

[The swords he eats can determine the different traits he can obtain, so choose wisely,] Death offered calmly, before falling silent once more.

Kaden glanced at Nasari, whose face held a faint glimmer of eagerness. He almost felt bad for disappointing such a sincere-looking face but...

"I’m sorry. I don’t have any swords right now. Wait until we’re back home. For now... return to my soul and rest." he ordered, and unable to resist, Nasari turned into a ball of black light and sank into Kaden’s body with a forlorn expression.

’Great... just great. Instead of a powerful Grandmaster subordinate, I get someone I have to feed and raise myself. What am I? A goddamn caretaker?’ he thought bitterly.

Fortunately, Nasari was still a Master with a decent set of skills. And if it’s just swords, that’s not a problem, his family was made of blacksmiths. Once back, he’d choose the most optimal weapon for Nasari to devour and grow stronger.

Now that he thought about it... it wasn’t that bad. With enough resources, he could make Nasari something harrowing.

He could feed him specific types of swords with unique properties—elemental swords, swords of death, or even rarer ones like the Sword of Inevitability.

The more he thought about it, the more he realized it wasn’t that bad. At least now he had the opportunity to choose the direction he wanted Nasari to specialize in, to make him truly monstrous.

Finding solace in those thoughts, Kaden decided to do the last thing he needed before heading back home.

"Synthesis..."

He smiled eagerly.

"Fuse my two Legendary Origins."

Instantly, an intense, blinding light burst through the dark forest, sending all the nearby beasts fleeing in terror but...but a certain beast with a death affinity was drawn to it.

A beast...we all know to well.

....Or maybe not?

—End of Chapter 181—