First Servants

The scrawny young man curled up into a ball, his sobs reverberating through the darkness like a mournful lament.

Unperturbed by the absence of light, Liam fixed his gaze on the crossbowman, who trembled uncontrollably in the pitch-black abyss, his fear palpable in the quivering of his limbs.

Step by deliberate step, Liam advanced towards the trembling man, an aura of power radiating from him as he drew closer. The man, now on his knees, pleaded with a trembling voice, "Please spare me. I'll do anything you ask."

Echoing the sentiment, the frail youth, still curled up, offered, "I'll serve you too!"

A sardonic smile tugged at Liam's lips as he laid a comforting hand on the supplicant's shoulder, already contemplating the notion of creating servants.

"I accept your offer," he declared solemnly.

With practiced ease, he lifted the man to eye level, instinctively invoking the power of Low Bloodbonding.

His canines elongated into sharp, thin points and pierced deep into the man's neck. Liam drank his blood greedily, then spat his own blood back into the man's wounds. At that moment, a system message appeared.

[Low Bloodbonding Ritual detected. Please choose the servant's race:

- Lesser Vampire

- Obscure Devourer

- Bloodsucking Minion]

The man was physically strong, making him a good match for the enhanced physical strength of an Obscure Devourer.

Focusing his thoughts on this, dark vapor emanated from Liam's pores, entering the man's body through his mouth, nose, and all other orifices, even seeping into his skin.

The man's body convulsed and he screamed as his skin split, muscles expanded, and bodily fluids splattered onto the floor.

Out of the corner of his eye, Liam noticed the young man had stood up and backed away, terrified by the man's screams.

With a swift movement, Liam appeared in front of the young man, seized him, and slammed him against the cave wall before biting him to start the Low Bloodbonding ritual.

[Low Bloodbonding Ritual detected. Please choose the servant's race:

- Lesser Vampire

- Obscure Devourer

- Bloodsucking Minion]

The young man was already frail, and Liam needed a creature that, unlike himself, could withstand daylight. He chose to transform him into a Bloodsucking Minion.

The same dark energy invaded the young man's body, making him scream in agony as his bones cracked.

A few minutes later, the two creatures stood up before dropping to one knee.

The Obscure Devourer had become more imposing, with pitch-black eyes and pale skin.

While the Bloodsucking Minion was even more emaciated than before the transformation, his eye sockets sunken deeper, his cheeks hollow, his arms longer, and his bony hands broader.

"Do you have any memories of your past life?" Liam asked.

The creatures responded in unison, "Yes, master."

Liam nodded and pointed to the Obscure Devourer, his first creation. "From now on, you are called Primus."

Then he pointed to the Bloodsucking Minion, who could withstand sunlight. "And you, Solarius."

The two creatures bowed their heads, accepting their new names.

"What were you searching for here?" Liam asked.

Primus responded quickly, "Peasants found the lifeless bodies of two hunters. They had been murdered, which is rare around here, so the baron sent us to find the killer."

Liam nodded. "How many men were sent?"

"About twenty men," Primus answered.

Liam asked, "Does anyone else know you came to check this cave?"

Primus replied, "Not to my knowledge."

Solarius added, "No, the other men just know we're patrolling the area."

Liam nodded. "When were you supposed to meet them?"

Primus answered, "At nightfall. We're to meet where the bodies were found."

"That should give us some time," Liam remarked.

Liam walked over to the corpse of the man with the long knife he had killed. He lifted the body upside down and bit into the neck, draining as much blood as possible.

The blood was colder and more viscous, but he savored it nonetheless. After several long gulps, he dropped the body and turned to his servants. "You may help yourselves."

Primus and Solarius pounced on the corpse. Primus bit into the flesh voraciously, while Solarius licked the blood greedily and gnawed at the skin, savoring the nectar. At one point, Solarius bit into the right wrist and moved too close to Primus, who was devouring the right hand. Primus delivered a violent blow to Solarius, whose bones cracked audibly.

Before the situation could escalate, Liam growled, "I will not tolerate aggression in my ranks. Eat peacefully, or I'll take the carcass away."

"Forgive me, master," Primus pleaded.

Primus and Solarius quickly finished off the carcass. Primus even consumed the bones, leaving only the clothes and the long knife.

Liam commanded, "Primus, keep the knife. Solarius, search the clothes and keep any money you find. I'm tired and will resume my rest. Guard me. Primus, stay close to me in the shadows."

Primus bowed humbly. "Yes, master."

Liam continued, "Solarius, stay at the entrance of the cave and watch discreetly for anyone approaching. We'll leave the cave once night falls."

Liam returned to the tiny alcove of the cave and closed his eyes, he was no longer alone.