I Died and Became a Chapter 247 247: Yes, Soul Warden

{Okay, that was... genuine. He didn't even hesitate. Either he's the world's best actor or he actually ans this. I'm leaning toward him aning it because WHO cuts themselves that deep just to fake loyalty?}

Jack studied the kneeling general for a mont longer, then gestured for him to stand. "How did you know?"

Loryn rose smoothly, his wounded hand still dripping blood but apparently forgotten.

A smile crossed his stitched features, his eyes lighting up with sothing that looked almost like pride.

"The papers," he replied. "At the generals' eting. The docunts that burned away after being signed. I recognized blood contracts imdiately. I've studied soul magic extensively in my work. The way the parchnt consud itself, leaving no trace... only blood contracts bound with essence behave that way."

He gestured at himself with his bleeding hand, leaving dark droplets in the air.

"I realized then that soone with soul magic had infiltrated Master Pho's fortress. Soone capable of disguising binding contracts as administrative docunts. Soone clever enough to trick two of the three generals into accepting terms they never read."

{Wait, so he figured it out from seeing the papers burn? That's actually... kind of smart. If he's studied soul magic, he'd recognize the signature. But does that an he signed one? Or did he avoid it?}

Jack's red eyes remained fixed on Loryn, giving nothing away. "And you chose to surrender instead of warning Pho."

"I chose survival," Loryn corrected, his smile widening. "Master Pho is powerful, yes. Feared throughout Floor 24, the demon who controls his territory through overwhelming force. But you, Soul Warden... you infiltrated his fortress, subverted his generals, and announced your presence with thunder that killed dozens of his soldiers."

Loryn's eyes glead with genuine enthusiasm.

"That kind of power, that kind of audacity, doesn't belong to soone who can be stopped by a simple demon. You're going to win. And when you do, I want to be on the winning side."

{He's not wrong about that assessnt. Though I'm surprised he's being so open about his opportunism. Most demons would at least pretend it's about loyalty or honor or sothing.}

Jack considered the general's words, his mind working through the implications.

His surrender seed genuine, driven by calculated self-preservation rather than coercion.

Jack couldn't read demon language, so when he looked at the contracts he asked S for clarification. S denied him that information, thought it would be more fun and challenging that way.

Which made him potentially useful, but also unpredictable.

"The experint," Jack said, his flat voice cutting through Loryn's obvious excitent. "I want it ready."

Loryn's entire deanor shifted, his enthusiasm becoming almost manic.

His skeletal hands clasped together, eyes widening with delight.

"The experint! Yes! Oh, Soul Warden, you have no idea how perfect your timing is! I've just completed the final control chanisms. The binding runes are stable and the power output exceeds even my most optimistic projections!"

He began pacing, his movents jerky with barely contained energy.

"It's specifically designed to counter demons. Anti-regeneration properties and essence disruption. It's designed to learn from each fight growing stronger and stronger. Against Pho's ice manipulation and overwhelming physical power, it will be devastatingly effective!"

{Okay, he's REALLY excited about this experint thing. Like, concerning levels of excitent. What exactly did he create? And should we be worried that he's this happy about unleashing it?}

Jack let Loryn's enthusiasm run its course for a mont, then spoke again. "Get it ready. It's ti to kill Pho."

His pacing stopped imdiately, his eyes fixing on Jack with an intensity that bordered on religious fervor.

"You're moving against him now?" Loryn's voice shuddered. "Already? The generals are barely bound, the fortress is still organizing its defenses, and you're going to strike at the heart imdiately?"

"Yes."

That single word carried absolute certainty, no room for doubt or hesitation. Jack's red eyes glowed brighter, the Blood Frenzy state making his presence feel more dangerous despite his calm deanor.

Loryn's smile returned, wider than before, showing teeth that shouldn't fit in his stitched-together face.

"Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. Strike while they're disorganized, before Pho can consolidate his power and mount a proper defense. Use the chaos you've created to your advantage."

He bowed again, deeper this ti. "It will be done, Soul Warden. The experint will be ready within the hour."

Jack placed his hand on Loryn's shoulder, the gesture almost paternal despite the skeletal general being centuries older.

"When this is over, when Pho is dead and his fortress is mine, you can sit on his throne."

Loryn went completely still.

His eyes widened impossibly far, his stitched mouth hanging open as he processed what Jack had just offered.

For a mont, he looked like he might collapse from shock, his skeletal fra actually trembling.

Then he started sweating.

Dark blue droplets ford on his pale skin, running down his stitched features as his breathing beca rapid and shallow.

But underneath the shock, underneath the apparent terror of such an offer, a grin spread across his face.

Pure, unbridled excitent.

"The... the throne?" Loryn's voices ca out strangled, barely coherent. "You would grant ... Master Pho's seat of power? Control over his territory? His resources? His…."

He cut himself off, seeming unable to finish the sentence. His skeletal hands ca up to his face, his eyes darting between Jack and so distant point as if already imagining himself seated on that throne.

"Yes, Soul Warden," Loryn finally managed, his voice steadier but still carrying that manic edge. "Yes. I will prepare the experint. I will serve you with everything I have. And when Pho falls..."

He trailed off again, that grin widening further, sweat continuing to pour down his face despite the freezing temperature.

Loryn's hand ca up to grip Jack's shoulder in return, his skeletal fingers pressing against the armor with surprising strength.

The gesture was ant to be heart felt, perhaps, or maybe just an unconscious response to the overwhelming emotions running through him.

"I won't fail you," Loryn said with absolute conviction. "The experint will be ready. Pho will fall. And you, Soul Warden, will reshape Floor 24 entirely."

{He's really buying into this. Like, REALLY buying into it. I guess the promise of a throne is pretty compelling when you've been serving under soone else for centuries. Though sothing about how eager he is feels... I don't know. Off?}

Jack released Loryn's shoulder and stepped back, his red eyes still glowing with that crimson light. "Go. Ti is critical."

Loryn nodded rapidly, multiple tis, his enthusiasm making the gesture almost comical.

He turned and practically ran toward the flesh factory, his skeletal form moving with surprising speed despite his appearance.

Jack watched him go, his expression unchanged, his mind already moving to the next objective.

{Well, that was intense. We got ourselves a mad scientist general who's apparently willing to betray his master for a shot at power.}

'Well, the contract makes it so he has to listen to . And I can tell he wants the seat, so why not motivate him.'

The reinforced structure lood in the dim light, its surface covered in runes and enchantnts.

He approached the first door and opened it. Jack stepped through into a smaller antechamber.

And found Kaedor waiting.