As a relatively common undead species, corpse ghouls varied greatly in individual strength, ranging from Little Mia-level to Shade-level. Strictly speaking, the giant evil Amputated Undead that had appeared at the end of the Battle of Middlesburg could also be classified as a "corpse ghoul."
But the Gardener before him was clearly different from ordinary corpse ghouls. He certainly possessed the usual rotting body, yet he also seemed to retain human reason. After climbing out of the snow, he first gave Haila Osenfott a slight bow, then pressed down his hat, gripped his Iron Shovel, and looked at Shade.
Drifting black particles seeped from his skin and floated toward the sky against the falling snow. Black runes clung to his skin, but those twisted patterns failed to form any words.
The power of Blasphemy gave color to his originally withered skin. Even the once-unremarkable Iron Shovel became terrifying after being stained by the black patterns spreading from his hands.
"Getting someone to help, and I still have to fight first."
Shade muttered, but did not object. Frowning, he observed the corpse ghoul. As his eyes blinked, the Thaumaturgy Vision Demon activated once more. In his altered vision, the only anomaly around the corpse ghoul was that the twisted patterns on its body could be interpreted. Their meanings were "Demonized," "Obedience," and "desire."
That did not reveal what the Demon actually was.
"Come to think of it, does this count as a summon?"
Shade wondered inwardly. If it did, his Yellow Moon Thaumaturgy, Confusion, would be quite effective.
Probably not.
As "she" gave Shade her answer inwardly, the Demonized corpse ghoul had already charged at him.
Black particles streamed from its body as it moved with astonishing speed. Just as Shade prepared to defend himself, the corpse ghoul turned into motes