I reincarnated as one of the Three Stooges in a fantasy world.

Chapter 18

Evolved Zombies – Part 4

"System, accept the pact." A strike passed right by Enrico's head.

(Analyzing... it will take effect in 5 minutes)

"Damn it, I still have to wait three more minutes?" Another attack came, and Kai stepped in front, blocking the blow with his sword and getting thrown back. Behind him, Valença summoned a fire cyclone, and Enrico added part of his own magic to increase the power, pushing the zombie back.

"We have to find the core!" Enrico shouted to everyone.

Serenya deflected the strike aimed at Enrico with her control magic. "Shouldn't the Zaras have visible cores?"

Enrico landed a flaming punch on the zombie's face, staggering it slightly. Tolen, with his hands on the ground, shouted, "Jump!"

The ground lit up, and several small explosions erupted, forcing the zombie to its knees. Sílvia launched a vine magic to restrain the creature, and then Vanessa appeared above, raising her hand with a brown sphere and struck its head, blowing half of it apart.

"It's not in the head." She placed her hand on the ground and turned it into mud, causing the zombie to sink.

"Feather Light Magic." Liam appeared from behind and used the spear skill along with a spell that surrounded his legs, making him faster. He slashed the zombie's body repeatedly.

Enrico and Kai launched a combined attack. "Flaming Crescent Slash!"

The slash landed deep. The three zombies were still fighting the others, who managed to take one down, their expressions grim—those had been their friends, and now they had to kill them.

The larger zombie, now sinking, used brute force to escape and charged at the students.

"Stop it!" Serenya used her control magic to slow it down but was dragged by its sheer strength.

Her foot was caught by Enrico. Kai stepped forward, but the zombie leapt over him and crushed those students upon landing.

There was no time to grieve. They formed a defensive formation, but instead of attacking, the zombie began devouring its fallen ally.

Enrico quickly threw a fireball, but it was too late. The larger zombie turned reddish, and a hole opened on its shoulder, revealing a red core, though it didn't seem to be fire-type.

Name: Crimson Devourer – Zara Level 1

Magic Type: Strength

Ability: Transforms after devouring allies, gaining extra strength and magic enhancement.

'Finally, I can see its stats—it's like they were hidden before,' Enrico thought, pulling something from his bag.

"Time to use it." Enrico stood up holding a container of oil.

Valença seemed to understand instantly and began casting a powerful fire spell.

"Let's do everything we can to coat the core with oil." Enrico began firing fireballs that split apart mid-air.

Serenya looked at the oil. "This is good for our level, but this kind of technique won't work against a first-circle opponent, so be careful in the future."

Smiling, Enrico replied, "Of course."

Everyone attacked together from the side, but were flung back by a single clap from the monster.

"That's insane." Tolen could barely stay standing. He was sure that if it weren't for the training Enrico suggested, he'd already be down.

He saw Crimson stepping on a spot and triggered an explosion at its feet, unbalancing it. Once again, everyone launched an attack.

As it fell, it spun both arms and its whole body, striking everyone and sending them flying with serious injuries. Enrico dropped the oil for a moment—it splashed on the ground and was thrown to the wall behind Valença. Desperate as everyone else was defeated, she cast her most powerful attack yet.

Crimson placed its fingers on the ground and lifted the concrete, blocking most of the damage and resisting the rest. Valença collapsed to her knees as it approached.

"I… I couldn't do anything. I wasn't useful. Why did I want to be a mage?" Valença began to cry as he drew closer.

"Finally… it's ready." The person behind her stood up—but he didn't look like the same thin, golden-haired boy as before.

Pact: For every kilo, you can trade for 0.5 magic or 0.5% soul. Max exchange: 60 kilos.

The system appeared briefly: [And just so you know, this will be the only kind deal.]

'Even now, she pulls something like this,' Enrico thought, smiling with his golden hair covering his eyes. 'If it's by weight, and I asked to split it evenly, then I got +15 in both.'

Enrico aimed the arrow at Crimson. The bow and arrow began to burn as he whispered, "Let's begin. To create an Ego weapon, I need to understand how the weapon I want works."

The bow and arrow completely burned up, but a bow made of fire formed in its place.

Crimson prepared to defend, but from behind, Kai and Tolen appeared. Crimson launched an attack, and Kai threw himself in front of Tolen, grabbing the red zombie's hand with determination.

Tolen, holding oil, threw it toward the core. The oil stopped mid-air, in front of the core, thanks to Serenya's control magic.

The monster tried to flee, but it was held in place by Kai and two others—Liam and Vanessa had rejoined the fight.

"Thanks," Enrico said as his golden eyes locked onto the target. He released the arrow, and due to its speed, it didn't explode immediately—it pierced straight through Crimson's core, creating a hole that split the zombie in two. The explosion came right after.

Crimson began to vanish, and everyone collapsed to the ground. Valença, eyes empty, looked at Enrico. 'Is he really Enrico? Can I ever catch up to him? Should I just give up?'

Enrico sat down, breathing heavily, and checked his stats.

Name: Enrico Solcren Ferreira

Magic: Fire – Circle 0 – 55%

Mana Capacity: 91

Unique Ability: None

Soul: 58

He lifted his head in relief, then saw the bodies of the fallen students. He stood up. "Let's hide the bodies, so we can bury them when we get out. We don't want them turning into enemies like the others. Oh, and I'll explain later why I got skinny."

Kai, Valença, and Tolen, still conscious, nodded silently, knowing now wasn't the time.

Meanwhile, everything was being transmitted to Rirus in his throne room.

"Interesting."

He stood up and began fiddling with various vials. He picked up a blue one and, using a magic circle, summoned the blue-blooded zombie. "This is the last vial for your evolution."

He poured it into the zombie's mouth, which began to thrash and change—growing two horns, and its legs transformed into a more powerful form. It stood up.

Name: Azure Wraith

Magic: Speed

Ability: Spectral Speed – Can become intangible with a cooldown of three seconds

Rirus sat down again. "Take Terroclast and Gravispecter with you. Just those two, since the newest one is still playing."

Azure gave a bow and vanished, while Rirus placed his hand on his chin. "Well, well, let's see if they can handle three at once now."