Welcomed death

What was first seen as a curse
Is now presenting itself
As a generous source of power
The power to rip a soul from the flesh
One day, I entered a small village town
Most of the residents
Left me to my business

An old woman who welcomed death
Jeered at my presence
I bypassed her mockery
Only to be pursued

How dare this old fool ridicule me.
What better way to set an example
Than to reap the life force
From her shriveling corpse?
Heckling holds no weight
As a writhing shell