The Dark Warlock's Game

Vardy experienced a peculiar sensation as he gazed down at Sly in this manner. 

The act of looking down was entirely novel to him, yet it felt undeniably fitting. In fact, it felt just. 

Yes, it resonated with justice. Justice backed by tangible actions, not mere idealism. This was the justice Vardy intended to enact, a justice sorely lacking in this world.

As his eyes met Sly's, a screen materialized before him, presenting a new quest: "VENGEANCE obtained". The interface differed slightly, with the quest details displayed in bold, bloody red font, giving it a sinister appearance.

"VENGEANCE "ACTIVE"

Difficulty: 5

Details:

Hunt down Dean and his crew. Enact vengeance. Enact judgement.

Rewards:

-Death of Sly: 200 EXP, 200 Coin

-Death of Evan Harker: 50 EXP, 50 Coin

-Death of Simon Wells: 100 EXP, 100 Coin

-Death of Zayn Soldata: 250 EXP, 200 Coin

-Death of Dean: 1000 EXP, 800 Coin

-Bonus EXP gained from absorbing Negative Energy from each individual\"

Vardy adjusted his neck, uncertain of how this quest had materialized, yet he welcomed it without complaint. After all, he intended to eliminate Dean and his gang regardless. If he could receive rewards for doing so, all the better.

The bonus EXP from absorbing negative energy intrigued Vardy, although it made logical sense. Undead creatures thrived on negative energy, which sustained and healed them. 

Vardy recalled from game lore that while positive energy was associated with emotions like love and happiness, negative energy stemmed from emotions such as hate and fear.

It was evident how Vardy would obtain negative energy from Sly.

"You still have a hole in your chest. I can see right through you. How in the world are you alive!?" queried Sly.

"That's irrelevant, isn't it? Your concern, as a selfish individual, lies in your own survival, correct?" countered Vardy. He thrust the butt end of his staff into Sly's chest.

As anticipated, Sly employed Phase, causing the staff to pass through him effortlessly.

Sly, still able to move his head, continued to exert his power. 

"You foolish, foolish person. You must have undergone a Blooming and acquired some ability that enables you to survive like this. How you endured Moss Beast pollen - I cannot comprehend. 

Yet, it was foolish of you to employ Moss Beast poison. It induces paralysis from the head down, and as long as I retain my consciousness, I can employ my power. 

You will never, ever lay a hand on me. And when I regain mobility, you had better prepare yourself, because I will finish what Dean commenced. I will tear your head from your shoulders and adorn my dwelling with it."

"A Blooming, you say? I suppose that is what everyone will assume happened to me," mused Vardy. A Blooming referred to the awakening of one's powers, typically occurring post-puberty. 

However, it generally applied to individuals with dormant Altana Cores who Bloomed past puberty. Duds like Vardy, lacking such Cores, had no prospects for such an eventuality.

However, this information piqued Vardy's interest. If news of his abilities spread, individuals would likely categorize him into specific power classifications, thus underestimating him. 

Nonetheless, that suited Vardy just fine. Let them underestimate him – he would exceed their expectations and vanquish any opposition that crossed his path.

"Fortunate are you to have Bloomed with a life-preserving power. Nevertheless, deep down inside you remain a worthless Dud. 

At some point in time, someone will locate me and when they do I shall ensure your pursuit to the very ends of the earth,"declared Sly.

"Fear not, Sly,"replied Vardy confidently. "No one shall find you; no one except for them."

With a snap of his fingers, low groans reverberated through the air, accompanied by bestial growls reminiscent of distant engines.

"W-what on earth is that!?" exclaimed Sly, attempting to survey his surroundings. However, his mobility was restricted, leaving him to gaze up at Vardy.

"You shall see," replied Vardy.

Luthor, Tracy, and the three Essentrias emerged from the forest's edge. 

Vardy had concealed Luthor and Tracy while deploying the Essentrias to patrol the vicinity, thus enabling him to track Sly as soon as he approached within two hundred meters of the dumping site.

Luthor and Tracy positioned themselves beside Vardy, fixating hungrily on Sly. Drool seeped from their mouths as they quivered in anticipation of flesh.

"Look who it is. Our old acquaintance, Sly," remarked Vardy.

Luthor and Tracy snarled, with Tracy even attempting to swipe at Sly's face. However, Sly phased through the attack, evading contact.

Meanwhile, the Essentrias circled Sly like voracious predators, occasionally lunging towards him, their noxious breath and saliva splattering across his visage.

"Z-zombies!?" exclaimed Sly. "Is this also your doing? Conjuring zombies?"

Vardy placed his staff over Sly's mouth. "Shh. That is inconsequential. What matters is that you provide a satisfying meal for my associates. At least you can accomplish one benevolent act."

Withdrawing his staff, Vardy permitted Luthor, Tracy, and the Essentrias to commence their onslaught. 

Sly, predictably, phased through their attacks, yet they persisted in their relentless assault.

"I'm invincible, you fool!" asserted Sly, though panic was evident in his demeanor. "This is futile! Release me!"

"Let us not hasten," retorted Vardy. He gestured for his undead allies to pause, affording Sly a brief respite.

Taking a seat on a nearby rock, Vardy observed as Sly lay helpless beneath the onslaught of the undead. 

Fear gradually etched itself onto Sly's countenance, signaling his realization that his powers were not infallible.

Vardy shut his eyes and let out a breath, gazing up at the pale moon above. Green energy pulsed around him, a sign of his leveling up, enveloping him in a powerful aura fueled by Sly's suffering.

The sounds of Luthor and Tracy feasting on Sly's remains reached Vardy's ears. It was a gruesome scene, but they deserved this retribution. He allowed them to consume Sly's corpse as a reward for their anguish and because Sly left behind a Soul.

"Good job, everyone," Vardy said, nodding to Luthor and Tracy while patting the Essentrias as they curled around him like giant dogs. "Now, it's time to add more friends to our party."

Vardy approached Sly's remnants, contemplating the options for summoning a Chosen Undead from the Netherealm. He had preferences based on his gaming experience, but he considered other options for their utility in the real world.

"Options, options. So many options," Vardy muttered to himself, weighing the possibilities.

However, instead of receiving a list of options, a crackling portal appeared, indicating that a Chosen Undead had been selected. Vardy braced himself as an imposing figure emerged - Ferah of the Immortal Knight.

"Vardy, my master, is that really you?" Ferah's voice, surprisingly feminine, echoed through her full-face helmet.

Vardy cautiously addressed Ferah, unsure of her intentions. "Yes, it's me. Do you potentially...remember me?"

"Of course!" Ferah exclaimed, dropping her giant cross-shield with a heavy clang. "We went through so many adventures together! So many trials! So many lives and deaths!"

Vardy listened as Ferah recalled their past adventures, noting her pain at his disappearance. He realized that Ferah retained memories from the game to a degree.

"But now I see you are here, starting a new life in a new body. Oh, my master, how my heart races to see you again!" Ferah rushed forward using the warrior skill "Dash", turning into a blur as she slammed into Vardy and hugged him. "My dear, dear master whom I had devoted my entire soul to!"

"G-good to see you too, Ferah," Vardy managed to say, feeling the pressure of her embrace. He was relieved that Ferah seemed friendly, but he remained cautious, unsure if her memories from the game would affect her behavior now.