Debauchery of a Soul-Eating Wraith

The screams had called attention but nothing sent the Arkadae war Camp into an uproar like the death of a Lieutenant, especially when his death was so gruesome with his head looking like it had been partly cleaved open.

News spread around the camp quickly and every human or Monster was rallying to do battle. The Lithe Monster races pulled their ranks together and took the reins in commanding the simple-minded trolls and Orgres as they set out to succeed where many of their fellows had failed.

While that was underway, two Lieutenants met at the front of the largest tent in the Camp, also known as the War Room, and knowing they were both here for the same thing, they pushed aside the flap and walked in together.

"Commander, we have news!"

Dressed in a noble garment that spoke of an incredible level of prestige, the Commander looked like a man in his early thirties, in the prime of his life. With long black hair that reached down his back, and a smooth face devoid of blemishes or wrinkles, the Commander could certainly be considered handsome.

He had his eyes closed and his legs crossed while floating one foot above the ground. He raised one of his nicely textured hands calmly,

"I know. We have guests."

The Leuietenants shared a look

"We have no idea how they got so close…"

"Vernon, are you perhaps suggesting that there is something wrong with the perimeter sensors I put around the camp?"

"I-I wouldn't dare," Lieutenant Vernon said with a bow, "I just meant to say that the enemy, whoever they are, are avoiding getting caught and have successfully taken down Keron."

"Hmm, concerning," the Commander said but by the calm tone, you wouldn't know.

"I'm sure they've only been lucky," said the second Leuitenant present through her gritted teeth, "Their luck is bound to run out. Those they have managed to take down have been weaklings and it's only so long they can run around before they bite off more than they can chew."

"That might be true Anetta, but there is danger in having even fodders die so soon," The Commander said after which he took a deep breath,

"Find the Intruders. I will join you shortly, I must prepare."

Getting told to find the enemy sneaking around their camp made enough sense to Vernon and Anetta, however, the idea that their powerful commander needed to prepare sounded so ludicrous that they could not help to share looks.

"I saw that," the Commander said gently but by the look on their faces, it was as though Vernon and Anetta had been slapped across the face.

"No matter how powerful I am or how you perceive me to be, I would be a fool not to prepare to face an enemy. Am I a fool?"

"No, Commander," Vernon said earnestly.

"No one would dare suggest such," added Anetta.

The Commander continued,

"If they were able to bypass my sensor spell, then they either possess certain interesting skills or a massive arsenal that could pose a threat even to me.

When I come to put an end to this, I'd rather not lose face by losing a battle just because I underestimated my opponent."

"Of course, Commander. We'll leave now."

With deep bows, Vernon and Anetta backed out, leaving their superior to continue to ponder issues, and only after their presence was many feet away from his tent did a break appear in the Commander's perfectly composed appearance.

He winced and showcased a small bit of worry.

He did not believe the enemy was so foolish as to toss themselves into the jaws of the beast without an exit strategy or an end goal that went beyond the killing of a few lookouts and some Leuitenants. Also, what level of strength would make someone so bold?

If a Leuitenant was this ballsy (he assumed the intruder was or were Leuitenants), then just what could he expect from the Commander of the enemy forces who he knew very little about— The So-called 'Golden Child'.

"So much to know," he mumbled, "I wonder if there will be enough time to know it."

•••

Elsewhere in the Camp,

Evian and Astrid had left even more corpses in their wake and his balance had swelled to 760,000 Soul Points but now their plans were hardly coming easy in regards to success since the entire Camp was now on high alert.

Captains were now leading their Squads and Leuitenants were marshaling the Squads below them to form battalions.

Because anyone who had ever had the grace of seeing Evian and Astrid in action had met their ends, no one knew just how many the intruders were and the fact that many locations of the camp were getting hit at strangely close intervals to each other was making that even harder to pinpoint.

For a quick break, Evian and Astrid were now a good miles away from the Camp while Evian came to terms with his gains,

"Really, there is no better way to live as a Wraith than on a battlefield with an overpowered partner by your side."

"Putting aside your insolence in grabbing my hand at every opportunity—"

"Don't act like you didn't like it," Evian said.

"Putting it aside, why are we here? Are you tired already? At risk of constipation."

"No. I can never have my fill but there is a matter I must tend to before we continue."

"We have now alerted the entire Camp. So much for quietly finding the Commander and getting what I want before our forces are rallied in less than an hour," Astrid said, disgruntled.

"'Quietly' is boring and it might not have worked. This way, we've created some spur-of-the-moment legend that has to have gotten the Commander's attention. If we keep at it, they will show and you will have the information you need probably right before I get us the hell out of there."

"Again, your words have merit," Astrid said while eyeing him but Evian was already preoccupied.

[Update of the Decadent Store is complete.]

'Open it.'

The store opened in its massive rectangular roll-out fashion and immediately, Evian found his way to the Reaper Chains he had previously purchased and used well.

-

Reaper Chains (Defensive, Offensive, and Crowd Control) {Upgrade}

Currently at the peak level of the Wraith Noble level of Decadence.

Would you like to spend 50,000 Soul Points to change that?

-

Evian clicked 'Yes' and confirmed his choice while his head became flooded with improved information that put the Reaper Chains spell at the very peak of the Wraith Lord Level of Decadence with enough power and proficiency to stab and weaken stronger opponents (i.e those at the Sixth Order or the Sixth Circle).

Evian continued and purchased four more spells, all of whom could be upgraded which also made sure their prices were high and brought his balance down to 510,000 Soul Points but he was not yet done.

[Wraithic Phasing (Upgrade);

Use your Eldritch energy to make yourself intangible to physical and mystical barriers.

Currently at the level of a Wraith Noble.

Would you like to spend 50,000 Soul Points to upgrade it to the level of a Wraith Lord?]

Again, he confirmed the purchase and held on for the inflow of information that filled him with satisfaction once it was over.

Next was the upgrade of his weapon so that it would become capable of withstanding the power of his Wraith Lord level of Eldritch energy.

---

-Wraithic Weapon Modification Manuscript: Learn how to give your chosen mortal weapon the aura and identity of a soul reaper that it clearly needs to match your Decadence.

Current Level Of Decadence- Wraith Noble

Cost: 100,000 Soul Points.

---

As a Weapon originally crafted as Six Stars, Evian only had one more upgrade left in store for his Spear, and judging by the trend of an added zero after every Decadent level advance, he was going to require One million Soul Points by then. It was a daunting number but Evian was not all that worried.

He had plans that, should they all fall into place nicely, would make Trans-level battles easier and get him what he needed.

For now, he forked over the payment and endured a piercing pain as he was again subjected to a mental trial aimed at determining whether he was capable enough to know what he wished to know.

Pulling his Spear from his Spatial ring, Evian upgraded it under the studious eyes of Astrid Renan who waited patiently while he conducted his business.

When Evian was done with the Weapon upgrade, he pulled up his Balance to behold its expected slump;

[Decadence: Cursed Wraith Lord {360,000/50,000 Soul Points}]

'Still a nice sum,' he thought, 'Upgrade my Decadence.'

[Upgrading your Decadence…]

[Congratulations, you are now a Corrupted Wraith Lord.]

[Decadence: Corrupted Wraith Lord {310,000/60,000 Soul Points}]

'Another Upgrade.'

[…]

[Congratulations, you are now a Denounced Wraith Lord.]

'One more for insurance.'

[…]

[Congratulations, you are now a Fallen Wraith Lord.]

'Alright, let's leave it at that for now.'

[As you wish…]

Astrid watched and felt the increase in Eldritch energy in close following and when Evian turned it her, she met his gaze with interest.

"You look cocky," Astrid said.

"I do?" Evian asked while still keeping his cocky look.

"The prospect of catching up to me excites you, doesn't it?" Astrid asked.

"It has crossed my mind, I won't lie," Evian said.

Astrid chuckled while shaking her head,

"So naive," she said under her breath and then more loudly, she asked, "Are you done?"

Evian's brows furrowed at her first two words but decided to focus instead on her question,

"Yes. Yes, for now, I am."

"Good, I hope you've completed your preparations because this will be the last stretch.

My target is riled and ready… I can feel it and I can't wait to meet them."

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