The sky was already leaning toward dusk when I finally returned to the city, walking calmly yet carrying something no one would have ever expected a werewolf zombie that used to be a guild receptionist. It walked faithfully behind me, its body now pale and covered in scars, yet its aura had clearly changed not alive, but not entirely dead either.
As I approached the gates of Velthya's estate, the guards initially moved to stop me, but they quickly recognized me and stepped aside. Just as I passed through the main gate, Velthya herself appeared from within the house, breathless. Her gaze went straight to me or more precisely, to the creature following behind me.
"SYLVIA!" she shouted, running toward me. "Where have you been? I was about to send out a search party! And that…" Her eyes widened at the werewolf zombie standing calmly behind me. "Don't tell me that…?"
I raised a hand to calm her. "Calm down. Let's talk inside. This isn't something to discuss out here."
