Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Tora was truly tough, enduring the excruciating pain as he pulled his shirt back to cover the wound.

In the crowd, Magnus suddenly shrieked in a high-pitched voice, "You're done for, absolutely finished. Once you're injured by a Blood Ghoul, there's only one way out-death."

He added, "No, it's not just as simple as dying. Your body will rot by necrotic venom, and you'll eventually suffer a fate worse than death until you become a mindless walking corpse that only knows bloodthirst and killing..."

As he spoke, he backed away, his eyes bulging with terror as he put distance between himself and Tora.

Ralph called out, "Mr. Veyne, are you serious?"

Magnus cursed, "Of course, I'm serious! It's 100% real! Have you forgotten what my profession is? I'm a geomancy specialist. Dragon-seeking, gold-parting, tomb- tracking, crypt-delving-omens, astronomy, terrain-there's nothing I don't know."

He continued, "Blood Ghouls are rare, sure. But they're real. They've been born out of ancient, cursed tombs sealed for centuries. If one bites you, it doesn't matter who you are. Even an immortal would rot from the inside and turn into one of them."

By the end of his rant, Magnus' voice was shaking uncontrollably, and he stumbled back even farther from Tora.

After some rustling among the group, musket after musket was pointed at Tora. Kevin exploded. "You damn Patoajo. What the hell do you think you're doing?!"

This sudden move also stunned Andrew and the others.

Buzz looked at Tora and said grimly, "Sorry, but that old man's right. You're indeed beyond saving. There's no way out once you're infected by necrotic venom."

Tora's face darkened. "Put the guns down. I'll leave. I'll go back to the city and get treated."

Buzz shook his head. "Like I said, it's useless. In less than an hour, you'll turn. The necrotic venom will spread through you until you're neither alive nor dead, just another rotting monster. So I'm sorry. But we have to put you down now before it's too late."

Kevin exploded with rage, "He's one of my people. I dare any of you to touch him!"

Chantelle shouted, "Captain Buzz, you can't just kill someone! That's against the law!"

The torchlight flickered across Buzz's grim face as he chuckled. Then, he replied with a chilling calmness, "Against the law? Ma'am, your laws don't reach out here. If we don't stop him now, once he turns... he'll tear through every last one of us." śwnovel

Kevin spat, his voice full of rage. "Bullshit! That's just superstition-quit trying to scare people here. Could this venom really be more frightening than rabies or infectious diseases?"noveldrama

In this tense standoff between both sides, Andrew spoke up. "That's right, necrotic venom is indeed more frightening than rabies or infectious diseases. To a certain extent, it is incurable."

Everyone suddenly turned their heads and stared at Andrew in shock.

Kevin growled, "Andrew, when did you become a lapdog for these Patoajo?"

Chantelle gritted her teeth. "Mr. Lloyd-are you really siding with them? Are you seriously okay with Buzz executing someone in cold blood?"

Andrew replied coldly, "I'm not picking sides. I'm just telling you the truth-necrotic venom doesn't give second chances. Sometimes, ignorance clouds your judgment. That's all."

Chantelle snapped, "I don't believe it. And I wont allow this kind of barbarism to happen in front of me. Mr. Wright Senior, your people have already died for this treasure. Take your team and leave now!"

Kevin's face twisted with indecision. However, before he could say a word, Tora let out a guttural moan.

His whole body seized violently, convulsing as a grotesque cracking sound echoed from within. Then, his eyes began to cloud over before turning blood-red and glowing like a feral beast.

"Oh no! He's turning! Everyone, get back!" Magnus roared, his voice shrill with panic.

Chaos broke loose, and everyone scattered in every direction.