Chapter 721

Chapter 721: Complex Ingredients

Four days had passed since Jesse arranged to meet Mor’zul. During that time, he sat in the back alley studying *The First Burning*, a book given to him by Archmage Malin. He’d reached the section on the Fire Protection Barrier spell, though he wasn’t sure he fully understood what he’d read.

The Fire Protection Barrier’s incantation was in Elvish. Jesse still couldn’t pronounce Elvish characters correctly, and he hadn’t asked Malin about the chant’s specific pronunciation. Mastering it quickly seemed impossible.

For him, any Arcane chant felt like climbing a sheer cliff without guidance. Using the Azuresong Mageblade might help recite it, but he feared turning the spell into an instant fire explosion or uncontrolled self-immolation. Better not to risk it.

That evening, as he prepared to leave, the sky looked overcast. Rain seemed likely. Scanning the roads leading to the alley, he saw no suspicious figures.

Who would Mor’zul send? Or perhaps a demon?

He scanned the area with demon detection but found no lurking shadows. Just as he relaxed the spell and gathered his food pack, a voice echoed: "Jesse Seso… Do you hear me?"

The voice emerged from nowhere, resonant as if from an abyss, making him tense. Void energy enveloped his head—the source of the sound.

"Answer me, Jesse Seso. Mor’zul Bloodcaller stands beside me."

Though unfamiliar, the voice reminded Jesse of Saenor’s call. Was this Mor’zul’s envoy locating him?

"I hear you, stranger," Jesse replied, eyeing nearby passersby.

"Come to me, Jesse Seso…"

The words were Demonic. "I’ll come, but where—"

Mid-sentence, void energy yanked him into a dark vortex. Thick, murky blackness swirled around him, twisting his form as if absorbing him whole. Struggling free, he wrenched his limbs from the tar-like darkness and stumbled onto solid ground.

Endless black terrain and jagged cliffs stretched before him. Tattered red banners crusted with soot hung nearby. The stench of charred matter hung heavy—especially jarring after leaving the canal’s freshness.

Jesse knew this place. This wasn’t his first time in the Burning Steppes.

He turned. A motley crew stared back at him—summoners of varying species and stranger attire.

Humans, Orcs, goblins, dwarves, and gnomes stood among them. Notably, no elves were present. After his Quel’Thalas trip, Jesse understood: those Quel’dorai would scorn such "monster-worshippers." Even demon summoning required Kirin Tor or Violet Prison standards, not this ragtag band.

"Ragtag" fit perfectly. Though likely demon researchers, not all mastered Shadow Magic. One Dark Iron Dwarf carried a rifle instead of a staff. Another dwarf’s pole resembled blacksmith tongs, radiating no magic. Swordsmen seemed normal by comparison. The most baffling was a human "warlock" bearing a sword, bow, and quiver.

Jesse blended in, having brought no staff. Only three humans, one Orc, one gnome, and Mor’zul carried staves or wands among the fifteen.

This looked less like researchers and more like a demon cult—thugs and casters each playing roles. Jesse guessed they prioritized summoning and controlling demons over curses or Shadow Magic, possibly weaker in those than The Slaughtered Lamb or Moonbrook warlocks.

Behind them clustered demons: imps, succubi, Felhounds, even a Mo’arg warrior—helmetless and armorless, wielding a long blade but no less imposing.

So many demons almost convinced Jesse a Burning Legion squad had trapped him. Yet none bore Mageweave patterns or Legion armor—just summoned wild demons.

"First time summoned by a magic circle, Jesse Seso?" Mor’zul handed back his bead necklace, pride in his voice. "I promised a week. We kept that promise. Hope this eases your doubts."

A robed Orc warlock spoke fluent Common: "For a first-timer, you handled it well. Truly, your Shadow talent matches the rumors."

Jesse hid his surprise at their summoning skill. The magic circle at his feet, drawn in purple demon blood, still glowed faintly. A female summoner warned, "Watch your step when leaving, Jesse Seso. Don’t ruin our day’s work."

Jesse nodded and stepped aside.

Earlier, he’d questioned the rewards for aiding such risky magic. Now, seeing the circle, he realized the potential gains exceeded expectations. Beyond demon summoning, he might learn to summon others—though the ritual required three casters and complex preparations. Could The Slaughtered Lamb even muster three such casters?

He might even acquire "sweets"—those healing stones warlocks conjured for allies. Extra healing potions, essentially. Technically, demon-taught magic fell under demonology.

Then it hit him: he’d forgotten Ursula’s potions. Molofeel and Saenor hadn’t arrived either!