The ritual was quite complex, and a bit macabre. I had to remove the clothes from the person I killed - keeping the underwear, of course - and used my dagger to create symbols directly on the skin!
It was quite disgusting to do that. The sound of the skin being torn and the blood flowing was somewhat disturbing, but I stayed strong and continued.
My mind could only think about the idea of increasing my power even more. I wanted to become someone strong and relevant, and Hades was giving me the chance to do that.
According to the memories that were implanted in my mind, the symbols were common in what was known as the underworld. Hades had created these glyphs and passed them on to his most faithful followers.
I still didn't understand why he gave me that powerful skill. He wanted my help to escape, but why me? Couldn't he choose someone stronger and more capable?
Despite having this doubt in mind, I knew that the answer was something I wouldn't have anytime soon.
It took me about 30 minutes to make the symbols on the body of the man I killed, and also around the stone on which he was lying.
After that, I was prepared to perform the ritual, and use the skill I had acquired.
The system helped in the use of skills. I thought about the skill, and it was activated.
I felt a kind of energy around me. At first, I thought it was mana, but upon closer analysis, it was the divine energy that was still a mystery to me.
But that divine energy was a little different. The one I felt from Aphrodite that time was pure, but this one was evil. A black energy was around my body.
For a moment, I felt an incredible sensation of power. It was as if that divine energy was consuming my body.
I knew that was dangerous. It was a power that I should be careful when using. It seemed easy to lose myself in that feeling of superiority.
Well, that's when something impressive happened. I touched my hand to one of the symbols that were drawn on the corpse, and then it was as if I had sucked all the energy from the body!
The body shriveled up, becoming a kind of mummy in a matter of seconds, and with that, I could feel an energy entering my body. It was something simply wonderful.
[+1 Strength]
[+1 Agility]
[+1 Vigor]
[You must wait 2 days to perform the ritual again.]
I could hardly believe it when I read the notifications that appeared from the System for me. One attribute point in 3 different attributes was something extraordinary!
There I could understand why that skill was considered rank SSS. It was simply incredible.
But of course, it had some conditions. I would have to wait a bit until I could absorb another body again.
Not to mention that I had no idea if the number of attributes would remain the same or if it would change according to the number of times I used the skill.
Well, anyway, it was a great advance. That made me a little calmer. With 2 weeks until Lucius' troops arrived, and more time until the actual fight against the tribe, I was sure I could become much more powerful.
I left the body in the cave. It didn't seem worthwhile to waste time trying to conceal it.
There was no evidence linking me to the deed, and considering the abundance of nocturnal beasts roaming the forest, the corpse would soon be devoured - assuming those creatures had any appetite for a 'mummy.'
Upon returning to the village, Luna sought me out, curious about my whereabouts.
"I thought you'd be assisting with the plan or the village's defense," she remarked.
"I'll help however I can, but I'm leaving the experienced folks in charge. You know, I'm weak compared to most of the warriors here," I replied.
Luna seemed to understand and didn't press the matter further. She simply invited me to her house for a meal.
"I baked a cake for you," she said.
I was famished. Whether it was due to the recent journey or perhaps Hades' skill, the hunger was undeniable, so I accepted her invitation.
We went to her house - Steward, Yula, and Julie were in the meeting room strategizing - and Luna and I shared the cake, later settling on the sofa near the fireplace.
"I'm worried about this whole situation. Do you really think we'll make it through? I have nightmares about the invasion every night..." she confessed.
She had lived in this village since childhood and knew everyone there. It was as if they were all part of one big family.
I couldn't fathom the extent of her terror. The only thing I could do was offer comfort.
I moved closer and pulled her into an embrace. "Everything will be fine, don't worry," I assured her.
It was at that moment things got a little… intimate. I felt Luna grabbing my penis and smiling at me seductively.
"I need this," she said, "I want this."
The last time I had sex had been a while ago, and just like her, I wanted to be with someone. Getting her pregnant was the only thing that scared me, and I had yet to find a way to prevent that.
But that didn't mean we couldn't do something else.
"They are busy with the plan, so we can go to my room," I said.
We went upstairs. The place we chose was the room I had been staying in since the day I arrived in that village.
As soon as we entered, I locked the door, and Luna began to undress. Her silky hair flowed down her body, and her perfect, round breasts swayed as she took off her top. She was simply breathtaking.
Luna whispered as she came towards me. "I'm going to give you all my affection," she said tenderly.
Hearing her say that made my heart race. I also took off my clothes and prepared to be embraced by that wonderful, primitive woman.