32
Chapter 32
The nerve-wracking descent from the mountain ended more smoothly than expected.
Aside from the zombie Raccoon Demon I encountered earlier, not a single living soul was in sight.
- Everyone, stay alert. This is where it really begins.
I said this to everyone, but I was also speaking to myself.
A sudden thought crossed my mind: perhaps we could travel in peace while the demons were busy warring with the zombie army.
Scanning in every direction and moving with caution, the Sky Tree Tribe soon discovered the first village.
From the ruined state of the fences, it was obvious that a war had taken place here.
"This is Distin Village. It's the closest village to the mountain."
Nyx said, wiping away her cold sweat.
"I'll go ahead and check it out first."
- Understood.
Nyx, the most agile among us, approached the village alone.
After observing the area for a while, she carefully made her way back to us.
"There's no one there. Not even a corpse remains."
This meant that the demons and worshippers of Distin Village had all turned into zombies and moved elsewhere.
- We must go through the village. It's the shortcut.
"I understand."
We entered Distin Village.
All that remained were splatters of blood and scattered debris.
I didn't know if it was the work of the low-tier demon who once ruled this place or Karon's zombies, but some buildings were completely demolished, as if hit by cannons.
- Pick up the pace.
If no one was around, we had to move quickly. We hurried our way out of the village.
I returned to Totem No. 1 and checked the map once more.
If the map was accurate, we would have to walk straight for several hours. This time, we wouldn't need to bypass any villages, so it should be safe.
There was a city nearby where a mid-tier demon was presumed to live, but "nearby" only referred to the map; it was actually far enough away that we could pass safely if we stayed hidden.
After walking a bit further along the path where the city was visible (though not close), we would reach Latria.
Once we crossed the mountain from Latria, we would finally reach Bolvano.
I had heard that Bolvano was like the savannas of the African continent, so there were fewer demons.
Once we crossed the mountains in Latria, we would have passed all the dangerous areas.
After walking along the desolate road for about twenty minutes, I spotted a dead worshipper, blood trailing across the ground.
Generally, worshippers tend to panic and die shortly after their master demon perishes, but this one had unusually managed to flee quite a distance.
Perhaps they were a worshipper with an especially strong survival instinct from when they were human.
The corpse is in pretty good condition. Eyes, nose, and mouth are all intact.
Alright. I'll use Zombie Control on this body.
To prepare for any potential combat, I needed at least one meat shield.
I controlled the worshipper's corpse and forced it to rise.
I'm lucky there was a body that hadn't been turned into a zombie since it escaped Karon's sight.
- From now on, I'll take the lead.
I had a slight hope that since it's just another corpse, other zombies might ignore it even if they see me.
Surely Karon isn't controlling dozens, or perhaps hundreds, of zombies simultaneously while monitoring multiple viewpoints.
At most, he probably gives simple orders like 'kill,' 'scout the area,' or 'report anything suspicious,' while only directly controlling a few powerful zombies.
Being the greatest High Priest of all time, he might be slightly better than I expect, but it's still impossible to finely control a multitude of zombies individually.
To do that, he would need to be a super AI like Skynet.
[Not a Netkama: What's up?]
A private message arrived, but I ignored it and scanned the surroundings. I need to stay focused right now.
[Not a Netkama: I want some ramen]
[Not a Netkama: With aged kimchi]
Same here. And if I could just crack open a beer...
Ah, stop looking, you convenience store worker brat!
I completely brushed the private message window out of my sight and walked while carefully checking the path.
It felt like enough time had passed to watch a whole movie.
"We'll be at the shortcut soon."
Nyx looked back and forth between the zombie and Totem No. 2. Her gaze was uneasy.
- It's fine.
I reassured Nyx and the Sky Tree Tribe and kept moving forward.
Though the city is visible, this is the shortcut. If we went any other way, we wouldn't arrive even in two days.
Two days is just enough time to die from exhaustion or starvation. Since there are children with us, we must take the shortcut.
Since the Devil's Sight isn't active, this is the perfect chance.
- Hmm.
I can see a castle in the distance. That must be the city. Since this region is called Duvenheim, maybe it's Duvenheim Castle.
I need to pass by quickly... Ah, damn it.
There are holes in the castle walls. I couldn't see them before, but as I get closer, the signs of destruction become clear.
Karon, that lunatic, has he already hit all the nearby villages and is attacking the city now?
That's why there weren't any worshippers or zombies on the way.
Because today was the final day of the demon vs. zombie war in Duvenheim!
Kwoaaaah—!
Just then, a loud, guttural roar echoed through the air. It was so piercing that everyone in the tribe could hear it.
"M-Mallak."
Even Nyx, who had been struggling to keep her composure, looked toward the city, her face pale with terror.
"Ah..."
"Oh..."
A wave of despair washed over the entire Sky Tree Tribe.
- Do not panic.
We still have some breathing room.
Whether it was a demon or a zombie that roared, the sound itself was proof that they were still fighting.
In fact, it's better if they are in the heat of war. They won't have the luxury of paying attention to us.
- Nothing has changed. We simply continue our journey.
I encouraged them, my voice as steady as possible.
- We're almost there. They are far off, and we only have a short distance left. Get a grip. I am with you.
Bolstered by my words, the people of the Sky Tree Tribe began to move again.
"We're almost there...!"
Nyx pointed toward a crumbling sign. 'Latria' was written on it.
Latria was just a little further.
- ...
Along with the relief of nearly arriving, a flicker of curiosity stirred within me.
According to the community, cities or military installations—like a knight's headquarters—were managed by mid-tier demons.
Karon is likely locked in battle with the mid-tier demon currently ruling the city.
When mid-tier demons are pushed into a corner, they summon dark clouds.
...If I'm lucky, Karon and a Dark Cloud Demon might actually end up clashing.
The Dark Cloud Demon I saw in Tivera was certainly a transcendental being, but Karon is no pushover either.
Like me, Karon was a figure who only existed in the game's lore. In a sense, he's closer to a hidden boss.
Since he's already on the verge of conquering Duvenheim this quickly, he must have some sort of trump card.
I need to see that for myself.
I am an Immortal. I can afford to be a bit bold.
- Keep moving with the totems. I'm going to survey the situation.
Since I've come this far, I might as well try to gain something from this.
I had already explained the route to Nyx, so they could manage for a while without me.
I headed toward the city, operating through the body of the worshipper zombie.
Once control is established, I can keep the zombie moving even if the totem is far away. I'd already verified this.
Thud! Thud!
As I approached the city, a thunderous roar echoed through the air. They were still fighting.
I carefully entered through a hole in the castle walls.
Ugh...
Groan...
I locked eyes with zombies crawling on the ground, their legs or lower bodies severed, but they didn't pay me any mind.
They probably see me as an ally since I'm a zombie too.
I picked up a dagger lying on the ground and stepped over the piles of corpses to move forward.
It was truly a blessing that I couldn't feel any physical sensation.
Wooooaaaaah—!
I heard a scream similar to the one from earlier.
Turning toward the sound, the battlefield finally came into view.
A surging army of zombies and a few remaining demons cornered and resisting.
Everywhere was filled with zombies, as if every worshipper and demon in Duvenheim had been killed and dragged here.
Thanks to that, it was easy to blend into the zombie army's ranks.
- Uuugh...
I made a rough zombie-like sound and squeezed in between them, and nobody cared.
Wow, even I have to admit my guts are pretty impressive.
It's amazing what a person can do when their life isn't actually on the line.
I moved slowly among the worshipper zombies, surveying the situation.
The one leading the small group of demons was a bipedal Ox-headed Demon; judging by his size, which was larger than a private house, he seemed to be a mid-tier.
The Ox-headed Demon was fighting hard, swinging a long tail made of flames like a whip, but the numerical difference was too great.
Gurgle!
Screech!
The demons fell one by one and turned into zombies, until finally, only the Ox-headed Demon remained.
More than nine zombie demons surrounded him and slowly closed in.
Snap!
The Ox-headed Demon leaped back and snapped his fingers. A translucent barrier enveloped his body.
As expected, once they reach mid-tier, they can all cast magic.
While the zombie demons were blocked by the barrier, the Ox-headed Demon, now secure, twitched his mouth.
He was probably sending coordinates to the Dark Cloud Demon.
It was then.
"Enough with the tricks."
Crack!
Along with a sinister voice echoing from somewhere, the barrier surrounding the Ox-headed Demon shattered.