I Became A Zompirewolf

Grim Reaper might have sounded like an overpowered class, and people would die to obtain such power. After all, the ability to rule over death wasn't to be taken lightly.

Ashton thought the same while he was the Grim Reaper. The surge of power he felt was nothing like he had ever felt before. With power like it, forget about Xyrans; even ruling the Precursors wasn't an unrealistic dream.

However, as soon as that power dissipated, Ashton knew he would never want to turn into a Grim Reaper if he could evade it. Being a Grim Reaper came at a cost, an unimaginable cost.

There was no guarantee Ashton would be able to turn back into being his usual self if he ever transformed into Grim Reaper again. The words he heard before accepting the scythe were eerily accurate.

"I could become one with death..." He mumbled.

The phrase was confusing at first, but not anymore. Becoming one with death meant Ashton would forever be trapped in the body of the Grim Reaper.

Moreover, he never knew when the transformation would end up being permanent. The conversion itself was like a ticking time bomb, and that was a risk Ashton wasn't willing to take.

That said, Ashton did not willingly turn into Grim Reaper. In a way, the scythe had coerced him into doing so, and there was no guarantee it won't happen again.

In his desperation, Ashton could again end up giving in to his desire for power, and everything he had worked for would be in vain.

"Astaroth, do me a favour." He requested, "Seal the scythe away inside the inventory. No matter how much I beg, cry, or yell, do not give it to me."

[Are you sure-]

"Please, do this one thing for me. You're the only one I can trust."

[It's done. Don't worry; I got you.]

Ashton sighed in relief. Despite the powers given to him, he never wanted to go through it ever again. However, he needed to get stronger to ensure a scenario like now never arose again.

"Let's focus on the evolution tasks for now."

[Well, there's a lot to do. Let me show you.]

As Astaroth said that, a list of tasks appeared in front of Ashton. One look was enough for Ashton to realise the road ahead wasn't going to be easy.

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Werewolf evolution task(s):

>> Fight and defeat 10 B-grade beings

>> Turn 2 creatures into Werewolves.

>> Add new members to your pack of werewolves. (Currently have: 2/7 werewolves in the pack.)

Vampire evolution task(s):

>> Consume fresh blood of 2 B-grade beings.

>> Consume fresh blood of a legendary creature.

>> Add a new member to your family. (Turn another creature into your slave)

Grim Reaper evolution task(s):

>> Raise a Lich.

>> Create and Tame 10 summons. (Currently have: 6/10 summons)

>> Consume the flesh of a mythical creature.

__

"Completing these tasks would take a while." Ashton frowned.

Despite having cumulative levels on par with an A-grade being, completing a few of the tasks was a bit problematic.

Fighting and consuming the blood of B-grade beings was pretty easy. But finding suitable candidates and convincing them to turn into werewolves was an annoying task.

As if that wasn't enough, forming a pack was easier said than done. While serving the Mistress, Ashton had seen first-hand how troublesome managing a pack can be.

"I should be able to manage them somehow." Ashton mumbled while going through the list, "How the hell am I supposed to consume the fresh blood of a legendary creature?"

If the task were: Consume the blood of a legendary creature, all Ashton would have to do was buy some blood. Money was an issue, but it wasn't like Ashton didn't know how to make more money.

However, the word 'fresh' turned things troublesome. The system indirectly told him to hunt down a legendary creature. Hydra was one such creature, but Ashton highly doubted he would ever get to face her again.

The third vampire evolution task was problematic as well. Converting someone into a vampire wasn't difficult, but training them to control their thirst and to behave around the werewolves Ashton would enlist, was an entirely different story.

"I had wanted to raise a Lich already, so despite being a lengthy process, I don't have to go out of my way to achieve it. The same goes for increasing my summons." Ashton scratched his chin, "It'll take time, but I'll get there soon enough. The final task, though..."

[Consume the flesh of a mythical creature.]

"It's easier to find a legendary creature than a mythical creature." He sighed, "Just my rotten luck."

[You know, you already have a mythical creature with you, just saying.]

Ashton was perplexed. Since when did he have a mythical creature-

"You monster! How dare you suggest such a thing!?"

[Oi, oi, oi, no need to get all angry! I was simply pointing towards the obvious route-]

"Take your route and shove it up your ass!" Ashton yelled as his parental instincts kicked in, "If you so much as dared to look at Aegis with ill intent, I'll mentally kick your ass!"

[Alright, point noted. No eating the doggo. Also, good luck finding a mythical creature!]

"Otiga might be able to help us. Now that I think about it, I have to collect my share of earnings from her."

Since Ashton was the owner of Otiga's intelligence network, according to their deal, he was entitled to get 20% of their collective income. That, too, without doing any work. Passive income had never felt so good.

"But first," Ashton stared at the staff.

Touching the artefact was out of the question, and after what he had seen, he wasn't going to let Anna touch it either. Not till he was sure the staff would cause no harm to her.

"Sven, take that staff and secure it in [Valhalla]," Ashton instructed, "Make sure no one plays with it, especially Celeste."

"Yes, master." Sven bowed and left with the staff, followed by the rest.

"Now then, let's deliver the good news to Occunians, shall we?"

[Since you're alive and kicking, I'm sure it won't be good news for them.]