45
Chapter 45
While waiting for Rake, I checked my status window for the first time in a while.
[Name: Mallak]
- Available Blessings: Totem of Healing (High), Divine Descent, Binding Totem, Zombie Control (Mid)
- Used Blessings: Berserker's Aura (Kanto), Path of the Elementalist (Paya)
- Available Points: 3500
- Vassals: Paya, Rake, Muri, Nyx, Bojak, Sola
- Enter Community
I've grown a lot compared to when I first started.
Including the single-use blessings I've already spent, I've learned six skills in total.
Even if Zombie Control was learned as a skill rather than a blessing, I'm effectively level 5 by Holy Knight standards.
I have plenty of points left. If I save a bit more, I can upgrade the Totem of Healing to the highest rank.
It's possible to upgrade Zombie Control to High rank, but I don't think that's very meaningful.
Controlling five is already hard enough. Even if I increase the number, I won't be able to use them efficiently.
It was a trash skill in the original game to begin with.
Karon is a natural genius who spent a long time honing the skill, which is why he can control hundreds; I'm not like that.
It won't be too late to raise the rank once I can perfectly control five of them first.
...I've really been through a lot to get here.
I saved Hanna, went to the Necromancer's Tomb, encountered the Dark Cloud Demon, and evacuated the Sky Tree Tribe.
I haven't personally been in any real danger. Well, thanks to the totems, I guess that's natural.
With nothing else to do, I opened my private messages to relax a bit.
[Hanna]
[Not a Netkama: Why?]
[What level 5 skill did you learn?]
I've been curious for a while. I could see up to level 4 because a member of George's Raid Party summarized it, but there's no info from level 5 onwards.
I wonder what skills Holy Knights learn at level 5.
[Not a Netkama: Me? I went with Divine Protection of Strength]
[What's that?]
[Not a Netkama: A buff that doubles physical abilities for a certain period]
[Not a Netkama: It seemed like the best option]
Oh. Just hearing about it, it sounds great.
[Not a Netkama: I've been wondering for a while, what level are you, Sanz?]
Sigh. Do I have to lie again?
No choice. Since I've already started, I might as well keep it up until the end.
[Level 3. I'm not suited for combat, so I'm playing it safe]
[Not a Netkama: haha what a total noob]
[Not a Netkama: Want Noona to protect you?]
Hanna. Don't make me want to flick your forehead.
[Not a Netkama: Are you still staying with the Barbarians?]
[yep]
[Not a Netkama: I told you to come to Matva]
[Not a Netkama: You can just live here and eat grilled fish]
Easy for her to say.
I'm a totem, so I can't even walk or eat.
[Do you remember what the level 5 skills are?]
[Not a Netkama: yup, I wrote them all down]
[Can you tell me?]
[Not a Netkama: Hold on]
Nice. I'm using my spare time to gather info once again.
[Not a Netkama: Divine Protection of Strength, Shock Reflection, Lasso of Light]
[Can you explain the ones other than Divine Protection of Strength?]
[Not a Netkama: Shock Reflection redirects the damage you receive back to your opponent, and Lasso of Light is a binding skill]
[ty]
Both sound pretty good.
Holy Knights are seen as punching bags because demons are so numerous and powerful, but they're still practically superhumans.
I saw William, an Imperial Knight, fighting, and he couldn't use sword aura or magic like in fantasy novels.
I asked Harry if an Archmage could destroy a country on their own.
He said if someone had the power to destroy a nation alone, they'd be a Transcendent or a God, not a mage.
In terms of pure combat ability, Holy Knights are the strongest. Or rather, the strongest among mortals.
Anyway, they get exponentially stronger as their level increases, so their potential is quite high.
The problem is that the Dark Cloud arrives before they can fully realize that potential.
[Aren't the other skills good too?]
[Not a Netkama: Simpler is usually stronger. Divine Protection of Strength is the best]
[ty for the info. I'm off to eat some bugs]
[Not a Netkama: What bugs?]
[Today's a stag beetle]
[Not a Netkama: haha]
After waiting for several hours, Rake arrived.
Her complexion was calm, as if she hadn't been exhausted by traveling such a distance.
Now this is a real superhuman.
"Nothing unusual to report. There are currently two demons in the city, one mid-rank and one low-rank. Now is the chance to attack."
Good.
Now it's time to execute the plan we all worked out together.
Alright, bring in the players!
This is exciting. Let's roll!
It's not my fault these lines pop into my head.
I blame K-content for all of it.
- Rake. Hand the totem over to Paya.
First phase of the operation: diverting their forces.
I'll spread zombies where the Worshippers are scouting to lure them away.
Since four low-rank demons just joined them over there, I should make a bigger scene to draw their attention.
If there are four demons, I'll be torn apart in no time, but whatever.
This blessing doesn't consume much mental power.
I just need to control other zombies to keep drawing their aggro.
"...Understood."
Rake looked at Paya expressionlessly and held out Totem No. 3.
Very slowly, and leisurely.
"Great! Tuntun-i and I will go..."
Paya grabbed Totem No. 3, but she couldn't pull it away.
Because Rake was gripping Totem No. 3 tightly.
Rake, why are you doing this all of a sudden? The totem is going to break.
"W-What are you doing! Chief Rake!"
Paya struggled, tugging at Totem No. 3.
Unlike Rake's warm hands, no tactile sensation reached me.
"What are you doing? I told you to take it."
Rake answered calmly, her expression not changing one bit.
Is she doing this because she doesn't want to give it up? Does she like Totem No. 3 that much?
Maybe she grew attached since she moved around with it so often.
Still, we can't waste time on a power struggle.
- Rake.
"...My apologies."
Only then did Rake let go.
Paya snatched Totem No. 3 away, gave Rake a glare, and climbed onto Tuntun-i's back.
Rake sat on the edge of the chair with a grumpy look, like a child whose favorite toy had been stolen.
She's usually so mature, but she acts like this sometimes.
Rake's age... was it nineteen or twenty?
At that age, it's true that she's still immature.
Screech-!
They set off with a powerful cry from Tuntun-i.
Since they were heading down the mountain this time, they used Stealth Mode.
"Tuntun-i, go invisible!"
Tuntun-i nodded at Paya's words, and its body became transparent.
Consequently, Paya and Totem No. 3 became transparent as well. An overpowered ability that makes the passengers invisible too.
Having a spirit is so awesome.
"What do you think? I'm more skilled than before, right?"
- Indeed.
Before I knew it, they had left the mountain. Their speed was faster than Rake's. As expected, no matter how good you are at running, it's nothing compared to flying.
I can see the Worshippers in the distance.
"Where should we go?"
- Let's head that way.
"Yes!"
Paya answered energetically and steered Tuntun-i in the direction I indicated.
One person. I just need to kill one person.
"Tuntun-i, you heard me, right?"
Tuntun-i nodded and grabbed a male Worshipper's head with its claws.
He was slightly separated from the scout party.
"Aaaagh!"
And then, applying pressure like crushing a tomato... well, that's too gruesome, so I'll stop here.
Regardless, I now had one corpse.
- Stay hidden.
As long as Totem No. 3 remains intact, I can enjoy Zombie Control infinitely until my mental power is depleted.
Paya nodded and hid nearby with Tuntun-i.
I immediately used Zombie Control. This man is now Zombie No. 1.
Zombie No. 1 was a warrior class armed with a sword and shield; unlike when I used low-rank zombies, there were no issues controlling him.
The only problem is the blurred vision, which is because Tuntun-i crushed one of Zombie No. 1's eyes.
I covered the ruined face with a helmet and headed toward the nearest scout party.
The first team I encountered was a group of about twenty people.
"Did you find an enemy?"
A woman with vacant eyes approached me.
With slurred speech and bizarre movements, she was the average Worshipper.
Worshippers only start screaming and panicking after the demon they worship dies; they seem more human then.
I stood still without a word and acted once the woman entered my range.
Calling it an "action" is a stretch—I just swung my sword.
She blocked it easily.
I guess even Worshippers are warriors. An uncoordinated civilian like me wouldn't stand a chance.
"What are you do..."
But I'm a zombie. My entire body is a weapon.
I lunged at the woman. I got stabbed in the stomach, but since there's no pain, it didn't matter.
"Kuh..."
As I tore her throat out, she sprayed a fountain of green blood. I made sure to kill her completely and turn her into a zombie.
Now I have Zombie No. 2.
Since Totem No. 3 is nearby, I can use the blessing multiple times.
The Main Force of the Tribe Alliance has already departed. They're probably tearing a village apart by now.
I need to draw aggro.
I'll keep increasing the number of corpses and switch to better bodies to lure them in.
"What is this?"
"Kill him!"
The Worshippers approached with weapons. I only moved Zombie No. 1 and left Zombie No. 2 lying still.
A classic ambush strategy: lure their attention to No. 1 and target them from behind with No. 2.
"Apostate!"
They swung their swords. It was a quite fierce strike.
Yep~ I'm a zombie, so it doesn't hurt!
I'll show them what a mindless zombie drop looks like.