Chapter 603.5: Corpses Like Tides
Behind the goblin exoskeleton units was a large group of strong, burly ogres.
Unlike other ogres with round eyes, a foul stench, ferocious faces, and bloated bellies,
these ogres were robust, covered in firm muscles, and a slightly rounded layer of bronze-like fat resembling armor.
Unlike typical ragged and shabby ogres with crude weapons,
every ogre warrior here wore shiny, brightly colored armor, carried a war hammer on their back, had two small axes strapped to their waist, and played with two round metal balls.
Their fully armed and intimidating appearance made every adventurer's scalp tingle.
A lone wild ogre was scary enough—these professionally trained giants were walking muscle monsters.
Behind the ogre ranks, a large group of kobolds in gray-black mining coats looked around cautiously.
They didn't shout; they shuffled along, muttering to themselves:
"Work hard, then we get tasty food!"
On either side of the kobolds, one to two thousand tall gnolls scanned their surroundings sharply.
Their fierce eyes, uniform dark red armor, and fierce aura made them stand out; less fur and faint scale patterns showed through.
They escorted one golem truck after another, preventing anyone from approaching easily.
Mounted atop the trucks were grim crossbows, making many uneasy.
Several cloaked figures crouched quietly atop the trucks, appearing motionless but secretly monitoring any potential attack directions.
Many secret observers felt a subtle sting, became alarmed, and quickly averted their gaze.
The gray elf modified warriors silently recorded all hostile glances.
Soon, extraordinary-level infiltrators would sneak toward those locations.
They wouldn't attack—just record everything they saw and heard.
If the enemies acted first, they would be the first to die.
Behind them, dozens of massive Dragoon-1 golems displayed their imposing forms and overwhelming presence.
"Is this Bay Territory's army? Why are there so few humans?"
"They have no soldier insignias—probably adventurer teams..."
"Are you kidding? Where would you find such powerful adventurer teams?"
"How did Bay Territory manage to tame these non-human beings?"
"Taming them isn't the amazing part—changing their very nature is!"
"Those following at the back are the high-tier adventurers who registered—they're setting out already..."
"Bay Territory never delays action. They're probably starting excavation soon."
"We'd better prepare early—there'll be spoils following the main force..."
"..."
News of Bay Territory troops beginning ruin excavation spread rapidly.
It quickly reached every corner of the underground ruins.
The cultists lurking deep within the underground ruins had already received the news.
Ignoring the hellish scene behind him, Lark turned to Bloodhand Karn and said:
"Let them act. We must delay them even longer."
"No excuses. Otherwise, I'll gladly turn them into sacrifices."
A red gleam flashed in Lark's eyes; his ferocious expression softened slightly as he exhaled and strode deeper into the dark ruins.
Hundreds of gray-cloaked figures, controlling various monsters, spread through the ruins' dark passages.
Some deadly, terrifying monsters awakened from their slumber, sniffing the air for prey.
In towns near Bloodmoon City,
faint magical fluctuations transmitted through the air.
Hidden cultists in secret bases revealed twisted smiles, raising blades over their whimpering captives.
Thick blood scent spread.
Cultists in blood-skeleton cloaks raised severed bloody heads, stacking them atop altars.
Dark, eerie chants filled the air.
Soon, the once-dead corpses struggled to stand.
They picked up their twisted, bloodied heads and placed them back atop their bodies.
Under the crazed eyes of countless cultists, the dead revived grotesquely.
Their newly opened eyes burned with crimson light and bestial madness.
Their gaping mouths lost their original teeth, replaced by sharp fangs.
Under the eerie influence, their bodies twisted and transformed.
On a scarlet corpse-built altar, a writhing mass of blood let out horrifying roars.
The transformed zombie monsters surged out from dark gates into unsuspecting pedestrian streets.
They ran swiftly, biting at any human they saw, leaping over low barriers and crashing into houses.
Those bitten quickly underwent transformations.
Amid twisted howls and screams, shattered corpses regrew distorted limbs, becoming even more terrifying zombies.
Zombie monsters appeared across every town corner, spreading exponentially.
Soon, terrified screams and mindless roars engulfed entire towns.
"Ah...!"
"Roar...!"
Alerted guards and soldiers rushed to investigate.
They found the zombie monsters horrifying.
Severed limbs and pierced hearts didn't kill them.
Instead, their sharp fangs shredded armor easily.
Their attacks spread terrifying plagues.
The few unprepared guards were quickly infected and turned.
The new zombies were larger, faster, and more destructive.
"Massive monster outbreak?"
"Quick—notify the military camp!"
"Request aid from Bloodmoon City!"
"Communication failure—use teleportation arrays!"
"Too late—gather everyone and break out!"
"Head for the military camp—now!"
Realizing the danger, nobles and ruling classes raced to organize military defense.
But cultists hidden among them launched decisive strikes, crippling them instantly.
Simultaneously, assassins hidden nearby attacked city gates, killing the unprepared guards.
They then sealed the gates, trapping everyone inside.
Entire towns fell into bloody chaos within minutes.
Similar scenes unfolded in over a dozen towns around Bloodmoon City.
Unprepared residents were slaughtered and turned into horrific zombies.
It all happened too quickly.
Precise planning, synchronized execution, terrifying infection, patient lurking—
Nobles of knightly and baronial ranks were powerless.
Only a few survivors, guided by extraordinary Professionals or elite family warriors, escaped.
But even their escape routes were rigged with death traps.
Crimson, twisted monsters surrounded the fleeing Professionals.
They had no skin, strong muscles, scythe-like claws, and tongues covered in spikes.
They moved swiftly, attacking from all directions.
Professionals had to avoid their claws and tongues carefully, shielding themselves with battle aura.
Or else they had to cut off heads swiftly and carve out a bloody path.
Sadly, by then, it was often too late.
Extraordinary cultist Professionals, leading zombie hordes, awaited the exhausted escapees.
Thus, the cultists' prime hunting targets—extraordinary Professionals—were overwhelmed and infected, turning into even more horrifying monsters.
Bloodmoon City.
Central Mage Tower.
"Beep! Beep! Beep!"
Sharp alarms immediately drew 343's attention.
Before she could investigate, the Lord appeared, radiating vast magical power.
Lord Annie frowned, glancing at the control area's numerous blank signal markers, and decisively commanded:
"Issue a Level One alert to all cities, towns, and villages. Order all nobles and armies to full battle readiness."
As Annie prepared to mobilize the army, the control room suddenly bathed in blood-red light.
A cold voice issued from 343:
"Maximum alert. Underground seals loosening. Immediate reinforcement required!"
Annie's gaze sharpened as she tossed the Lord's Token to 343 and swiftly gathered several spatial items, instructing urgently:
"You are now in charge of all territorial affairs."
"Inform the Knight of Harley—reject all orders from our family."
"Request assistance from Lord Matthew for defense..."
Taking a deep breath, Annie looked at the bewildered 343 and said her final words:
"Such a pity—the experiment remains unfinished!"
Before she finished speaking, she vanished.
"Annie..."
Before 343 could react, a fierce tremor shook the underground of Bloodmoon City.
The piercing alarms inside the Mage Tower continued to replay mechanically:
"Seal loosening. Immediate reinforcement required!"
"Seal loosening. Immediate reinforcement required!"
Matthew instinctively raised his head, waved at the curious Yaya and Orianna, and met 343's projected figure, decisively ordering:
"Stabilize Bloodmoon City's surface. I'll handle the underground ruins. Issue alerts to all lords and nobles."
Following the emergency plan that surfaced in her mind, 343 began deployments.
Hundreds of communication spells were sent—about 20% received no response.
343 immediately realized those areas were under attack.
But Bloodmoon City had no resources to spare for aid...
Carlisle City.
Battle cries drowned out the beasts' roars.
Dense volleys of crossbow bolts shot down charging zombies.
"Don't retreat—retreat means death!"
Knight Hawk roared hysterically, signaling to the gatehouse's small catapults:
"Release the burning oil!"
Crack!
Splash!
Whoosh!
Flames spread, engulfing struggling zombie monsters.
Even amidst the fire, the horrifying monsters continued charging.
Only when their flesh charred into blackened bones did they finally fall.
Arriving at the walls, Bronn Carlisle's face darkened at the sight.
Recalling the eerie monsters seen underground with Bay Territory, he immediately shouted:
"Prepare purification potions and summon the priests of the Goddess Church!"
The raging fire slowly subsided.
And soon after, waves of twisted zombie monsters surged up like tides.