Rise Of The Undead King

Chapter 2

His world crumbled right before his eyes.

"E ranked Mortician Class."

The crowd burst into laughter, vibrating under the weight of the terrible news. People doubled over on their seats, slapping their knees, pointing fingers at him like he was some kind of joke put there for their entertainment.

"He really thought he was going to awaken something useful!" Someone yelled from the crowd, not bothering if he heard them or not.

"Trash is always going to be trash, even if you place it right before gold." Another member of the crowd added, their voice cutting through the air like a blade.

The words stabbed a claw into his heart. Marcus stood there, his hand still pressed against the awakening orb, his body refusing to move even though every part of him wanted to run.

Henry walked up to him with that same smirk still on his face, like he was enjoying every second of this.

"I know it must really hurt right now, brother," Henry said, placing a gentle hand on Marcus's shoulder. His voice was soft, caring, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Maybe you could work under me, carry my things, handle the basics. That way you will at least live a decent life."

He acted like he really cared while in truth, he was just soaking himself in the attention. Marcus could see it in his eyes, the way Henry's face lit up when the crowd started murmuring their approval.

"Henry is so kind!"

"Even after this disgrace, he still wants to help!"

"What a good heart he has!"

Henry squeezed Marcus's shoulder, bathing in every word, every admiring look, using Marcus's failure to make himself shine even brighter.

"Henry, step away from him!" Mrs. Cave rushed forward, her face twisted with a thick sense of irritation. She grabbed Henry's arm and pulled him back slightly. "We don't want him affecting the star of our family."

Her eyes passed over Marcus like he was something dirty she didn't want to touch. Even the servants got better treatment than the look she was giving him right now.

Mr. Cave stepped forward next, his face cold and beyond stale. His jaw was tight, his breath rising and falling with irritation as he stared at Marcus like he was looking at a stranger.

"You've disgraced our family once again," Mr. Cave muttered, his voice low but clear enough for everyone to hear. "I don't have a second son. Don't dare to use the Cave name anymore.”

The words hit harder than any slap could have. Marcus felt something break inside his chest, something that had been holding on for years finally giving up.

Jessica shifted away from him slightly, not wanting to be associated with him. She looked at him with something that might have been pity, but her eyes were already moving toward Henry's side of the crowd.

"I can't do this anymore, Marcus," she said, her voice quiet but final.

“You're the laughing stock of the city now and I can't be caught close to you, it will be a disgrace to me and my family. It's over.”

Marcus was broken. The deep sense of disdain arched deeply into his bones as he watched them all - Henry with his fake concern, his parents with their disgust, Jessica already walking away.

He didn't wait around to be mocked further. He turned and walked out of that hall, his legs moving on their own, carrying him away from the laughter that followed him from behind. 

By the time Marcus reached the Cave family home, his chest felt empty and heavy at the same time. He moved through the servant corridors like always.

He grabbed an old bag and started packing his scraps. It didn't take long - a few clothes, some worn boots, his training notes that suddenly felt like jokes written in his own hand. Last was his late mother's heirloom, a simple pendant hidden in a small box at the back of his shelf. It wasn't worth much by Cave family standards, but it was hers, and that made it the most valuable thing he owned.

His fingers had just closed around the box when the door opened behind him.

Henry stood in the doorway, and right there wrapped tightly in his arms was Jessica. Her hand rested flat against his chest, comfortable, like she had been there a long time.

Marcus scoffed, anger filtering through his veins as he stared at them.

"Going somewhere?" Henry asked, that smirk still playing on his lips.

Marcus said nothing. His grip tightened on his mother's pendant.

"You know," Henry said, his voice light and easy like they were having a casual conversation. "That silver grade serum you worked so hard for? You didn't actually drink it."

Marcus went still and something cold moved down his spine.

"I had the vial changed to a low class one," Henry revealed, pulling Jessica closer to his side. "Days ago. The cheapest of the cheap, barely worth the bottle it came in."

Henry's eyes flicked to Jessica, who met Marcus's gaze for exactly one second before looking away.

"And I couldn't have done it without Jessica here," Henry continued. "She helped me with stealing it. Getting into your room, making the switch. You gave her the key, remember? You trusted her with everything."

Jessica didn't even look sorry. She had that same cold and distant edge around her, a deep contrast to everything they had shared together.

Marcus's heart crashed heavily. The thick sense of bitterness and rage arched deeply into his bones when he heard this.