Chapter 194 – (Un)Dead
Chapter 194
(Un)Dead
Date : Day 3 of Frostfall 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
Hyoren quickly barked out his orders.
"Holley! Full speed ahead!"
The ferryman immediately nodded.
"Understood!"
His hands moved across the ship's controls.
The magic propulsion beneath The Sailer responded almost instantly. The vessel surged forward, gliding swiftly through the Akela River toward Riverville Town. The distance slowly became closer.
Behind them—the refugee ships remained gathered before the invisible barrier.
At first, confusion still dominated their movements. But gradually, Hyoren's words began taking effect. The panic slowly subsided. The refugees started organizing themselves.
One by one, the evacuation ships turned around.
Instead of throwing themselves against the barrier again, they began heading back toward Riverville Town's northern side.
Hyoren watched only briefly. Then turned away.
Good… now they had something more important to accomplish…
He and Ina climbed back down onto the main deck.
As the town rapidly drew nearer, Hyoren lowered his gaze toward the Étendard Sacré du Lys in his hand. The white banner bearing Aetovacus fluttered proudly on the mithril spear.
His left hand gripped his Steel Kite Shield tighter. And his Dawn Breaker still sheathed on his hips.
His thoughts quietly settled.
I'll use the banner for this battle… Unless I absolutely need to cast magic.
From what the refugees had said… The town militia and guards were still resisting… If many people were already fighting...
The effect of the Étendard Sacré du Lys would likely benefit them far more than fighting with my sword alone...
His fingers tightened around the smooth mithril shaft.
I just hope… My spear skills are still good enough…
He still possessed Spear Mastery Level 3.
The moment he held the weapon, his body naturally remembered familiar movements.
The stance. The balance. The grip. Everything felt comfortable.
Yet, a status wasn't reality. Real combat would decide whether his skill truly remained.
Hyoren raised his head. He looked toward his companions.
"Everyone. From what we've seen… We'll most likely be fighting undead. I've already spotted several Wraiths. And the refugees said there are hundreds of enemies."
He looked toward Arianna.
"What should we expect?"
Arianna nodded.
"If this truly is Necromancy performed by the Voided Covenant..."
She paused briefly.
"Then the majority of their forces should consist of Living Dead and Wraiths."
Hyoren nodded slowly.
He already understood what Wraiths were. But, he wanted information about the other type. He couldn't rely on memories from novels and games in his previous world.
"Arianna. Wraiths are incorporeal ghost-type monsters, correct? They can't physically injure us directly… But they'll drain our Aethell until we're unable to fight?"
Arianna nodded.
"Correct, Leader. And because they lack physical bodies… They can only be harmed by magic… Or weapons coated with Aethell."
Jackey grimaced.
"So… I can't whack them? Does that make me useless?"
Arianna smiled reassuringly.
"Not at all, Sir Jackey. There will be plenty of enemies for you to..."
She paused, seemingly amused by her own wording.
"...whack."
She continued.
"The Living Dead."
Everyone focused on her explanation.
"A Living Dead is simply a corpse animated through Dark Aethell."
She counted on her fingers.
"A recently deceased body. A decomposing corpse. From monsters, or humans. Even skeletons long buried beneath a cemetery. As long as a suitable body remains… A necromancer can force it to move."
She shook her head.
"They possess no soul. No consciousness. No emotions. They merely obey the will of the necromancer controlling them. They'll continue advancing until their orders are fulfilled. Even if they lose an arm. A leg. Or… Even their head."
Hyoren frowned. He tried to remember classic rules about similar things from Earth stories, Zombies.
"Even decapitation or destroying their brain won't stop them?"
Arianna nodded.
"Yes. Their movements are sustained by the Dark Aethell within them. They will keep moving no matter how damaged their body is.”
She gripped her Quadraflux Weaver.
"The only reliable methods are… Purifying them with Light Magic… Or destroying the Aethell Core inside their body."
Jackey immediately nodded.
"Okay! So don't chop the head! Whack the chest!"
Arianna smiled.
"Exactly, Sir Jackey."
Hyoren nodded. His grip around the flag bearer tightened.
"Everyone. You heard Arianna."
He looked toward Elise and Jackey.
"Target the Aethell Core. Aim for the heart whenever possible. And prioritize the more dangerous Living Dead."
Both immediately nodded.
"Understood, Hyoren."
"Yes, Big Bro!"
Hyoren then turned toward Arianna.
"Arianna. Prioritize the Wraiths."
The crimson-haired mage adjusted the brim of her wide hat before nodding.
"Understood, Leader."
Finally, he looked toward Ina.
"Ina. You're not primarily a combatant. Prioritize helping the civilians."
The Cat-clan Beastkin immediately pouted.
"I can fight too."
Her ears twitched. Then she laughed.
"Nyahaha. But you're right. I'll focus on helping the evacuation."
Hyoren smiled.
"Good."
Almost at the same moment, The Sailer reached the nearest dock inside the central canal. The hull gently bumped against the wooden platform. The ship came to a stop.
Hyoren looked back toward Holley.
"Holley. We're heading to the front lines. You should stay hidden."
The ferryman silently shook his head.
Drawing a curved sword from his waist, he held it firmly.
"I can fight too. I'll assist Mistress Ina. And help protect the civilians."
Hyoren studied him for a moment. Then nodded.
"Alright. I'll leave Ina to you."
Holley gave a firm nod.
"You have my word."
Hyoren took one final look at Freedom Party.
His companions were ready. No one hesitated. No one showed fear.
He stepped off The Sailer.
The banner of Aetovacus fluttered proudly in his right hand as his boots landed upon Riverville Town's wooden dock. He raised the mithril spear slightly.
"Alright, everyone. We can do this."
A determined smile appeared on his face.
"Let's root out the Voided Covenant from Riverville Town."
One by one, Freedom Party followed their leader and disembarked from The Sailer, stepping into the town that had been swallowed by darkness.
***
As they stood upon the wooden dock, preparing to depart—Ina suddenly called out from beside Hyoren.
"Right. Before I forget."
Everyone turned toward the Cat-clan Beastkin Vice Guild Master.
Ina scratched her cheek with an embarrassed smile.
"The guild already suspected this might be caused by the Voided Covenant. So… We prepared a few countermeasures beforehand."
She reached into her storage bag.
One after another, several small glass bottles filled with crystal-clear liquid appeared in her hands.
The liquid looked completely ordinary. Yet the moment Hyoren received one, He could faintly feel gentle Aethell emanating from within.
Ina distributed the bottles evenly to everyone.
"These are Holy Water. They were procured from the Church by the Adventurer Guild."
She raised the bottle slightly.
"If any of you are struck by curse-type magic from the Voided Covenant… Use this immediately. No matter what kind of curse it is… As long as it isn't something too severe… It should cleanse the curse."
Everyone nodded.
Hyoren smiled softly.
"The Adventurer Guild… As meticulous as ever."
Ina's cat ears twitched proudly.
"Nyahaha. We're professionals, Hyoren."
Hyoren chuckled.
"I can tell."
He carefully placed his share of Holy Waters into the pouch on his belt, making sure he could reach them immediately if needed.
He looked around at everyone once more.
"Good. Now we're truly ready."
He tightened his grip on the Étendard Sacré du Lys.
"Let's go, everyone."
Without wasting another moment, Freedom Party, together with Ina and Holley, climbed the broad wooden stairs leading from the dock toward Riverville Town.
Each step echoed beneath their boots.
Upon reaching the top, Hyoren finally stepped onto the streets of Riverville.
Unlike Akela City's stone roads. Every street here consisted of orderly placed thick wooden planks. Each plank had been fitted so precisely that there were almost no visible gaps between them. Walking across it felt no different from walking upon solid ground.
Had he not already known the town's unique structure, Hyoren would never have guessed an entire river flowed beneath his feet.
Rows of two-story wooden buildings lined both sides of the street. Shops. Restaurants. Warehouses. Private homes. Everything had been built atop the immense wooden platform supporting Riverville.
Yet, despite the intact buildings, the streets felt abandoned.
Storefronts stood wide open. Their owners had clearly fled in great haste.
Several restaurants still had meals sitting untouched upon their tables.
Market stalls remained where merchants had abandoned them. Some carts had even toppled over, spilling fruits, vegetables, and baskets across the wooden street.
The windows of nearby houses remained open. Curtains gently swayed despite the unnatural stillness blanketing the town.
Everything spoke of ordinary lives–interrupted without warning.
Hyoren quietly scanned his surroundings.
"It looks like the townsfolk have already evacuated to the northern district…"
His grip around the shield tightened.
From farther south, the sounds of battle still echoed faintly through the gloomy town. Metal clashing against metal. Shouts. Above the rooftops, dark smoke continued billowing into the unnatural black sky.
Hyoren didn't hesitate.
"We're running out of time."
He looked toward the south.
"Let's hurry."
He didn't wait for anyone to answer. He didn't need to. He trusted every member of his party.
Without another word, Freedom Party, together with Ina and Holley, broke into a run toward Riverville Town's southern district, where the battle still raged.
***
As Freedom Party ran through the deserted streets, a figure suddenly appeared ahead. A man wearing simple leather armor hurried toward them.
His breathing was ragged. In his hand was an ordinary iron spear. Judging from his equipment, he was likely one of Riverville's town guards or perhaps a member of the town militia.
Across his back, he carried an unconscious man.
Blood continuously dripped from the wounded man's right flank, soaking both his clothes and the back of the guard carrying him. Each hurried step left crimson droplets scattered across the wooden street.
Hyoren's expression hardened. His mind instantly weighed the situation.
Should I stop...? Or continue straight to the front line…?
Every second they delayed, more people in the southern district might die.
But… If I ignored this man...
He would almost certainly die before reaching a medic. The decision took only an instant.
"Stop!"
Freedom Party immediately halted with him.
Hyoren stepped forward.
"Hey! We're Freedom Party! I'm the leader! I can use Healing Magic!"
He looked directly at the exhausted guard.
"May I examine your friend? Judging from his condition… He may not survive the journey to the medics."
The guard's eyes widened. His grip around the wounded man's arms tightened instinctively. For a brief moment, he hesitated. Trusting strangers in the middle of such chaos wasn't easy.
Then, he slowly nodded.
"Please..."
He carefully lowered his companion onto the wooden platform.
"Please save Tony! I beg you! He was stabbed in the stomach while protecting the townsfolk during the evacuation!"
His voice trembled.
"We've already used all of our healing potions..."
Hyoren nodded once.
"I'll do what I can."
He immediately crouched beside the unconscious guard. He switched his mithril spear into his left hand.
Around him, the rest of Freedom Party naturally formed a defensive circle.
Jackey stood at the front with both axes ready. Elise slowly drew an arrow. Arianna quietly observed the surroundings with Quadraflux Weaver in hand. Ina and Holley also watched every nearby street.
Ensuring Hyoren could concentrate without interruption.
Hyoren activated his skill.
"Aethell Sense."
The flow of Aethell within Tony's body immediately became visible.
He silently examined the injuries.
Only one wound… A stab wound to the abdomen…
His eyes narrowed.
Above the liver...
His medical knowledge immediately surfaced.
Possible liver rupture… That would explain the severe blood loss…
His Aethell Sense confirmed it.
The Aethell flow surrounding the liver had become distorted and fragmented. The injury was concentrated there.
Hyoren slowly placed his right hand just above the wound.
Then closed his eyes. His mind reconstructed the human anatomy he had studied for years. The liver. Its position. Its structure. Its four lobes. Right lobe. Left lobe. Caudate lobe. Quadrate lobe.
The major blood vessels supplying it. The hepatic artery. The portal vein. A ruptured liver would bleed heavily because of its rich blood supply.
He carefully pictured healthy tissue.
Healthy blood vessels. Healthy surrounding organs. Only after completing that mental image—did he activate his spell.
"Healing Light!"
Light Aethell flowed from his core.
It gathered in his palm before gently pouring into Tony's body. The wound slowly began knitting itself together. Torn flesh reconnected. Damaged blood vessels sealed. The bleeding gradually stopped.
Several moments later, Tony's previously strained breathing slowly became steady. His pale complexion regained a slight trace of color.
Hyoren quietly released a breath. Then stood.
"He'll survive."
The relieved guard looked up hopefully.
Hyoren continued.
"But he lost a tremendous amount of blood. My spell only provided emergency treatment. It stabilized the wound. But he'll still need proper medical care as soon as possible. Though, at least he isn't in immediate danger anymore."
Relief flooded the guard's face.
He repeatedly bowed.
"Thank you! Thank you so much! We'll never forget this!"
Hyoren simply nodded.
"There isn't time to waste. Take Tony to the medics immediately."
The guard firmly nodded.
"I will!"
Without another word, he lifted Tony back onto his shoulders before hurrying toward the northern district.
Hyoren watched them leave for only a brief moment. Then turned toward his companions.
"Let's go."
Without another delay, Freedom Party resumed their sprint toward Riverville Town's southern district, where the sounds of battle continued echoing beneath the unnatural black sky.
***
As Hyoren resumed running, another familiar voice echoed inside his mind—the Voice of Aethell.
"Anatomical Knowledge - Skill Acquired."
His eyes widened slightly.
In an instant—a torrent of knowledge poured into his mind. Not new memories, but refined understanding.
His previous four years of studying medicine on Earth were reorganized, completed, and expanded. Human anatomy. Elven anatomy. Beastkin anatomy. Dwarven anatomy. Even though the four races shared remarkably similar body structures, there were subtle differences.
Beastkin generally possessed significantly larger and stronger heart and lung, allowing them to sustain explosive physical movements.
Dwarves had unusually robust digestive systems. Their livers and kidneys were also far more resilient, granting them greater resistance against toxins and poisons.
Meanwhile—humans and elves were almost identical. The only noticeable differences were that elves naturally possessed slightly lower muscle mass and lighter skeletal structures.
Another important piece of knowledge settled into his mind. The location of each race's Aethell Core. Although every race's core rested near the heart, its exact position differed slightly from race to race. The knowledge felt natural. As though he had spent decades studying anatomy instead of only four years.
I see... This was quite useful skill...
He was excited. He got another useful skill. Yet, The Voice of Aethell wasn't finished.
"Clinical Insight - Skill Acquired."
What…?
Hyoren nearly stopped.
He forced himself to continue moving. Another flood of understanding entered his mind.
This time, it wasn't anatomy. It was diagnosis. How to identify fractured bones. How to distinguish ruptured blood vessels from damaged organs. How to determine whether an illness originated from poison, disease, trauma, or something entirely different.
It wasn't treatment, it was an accurate assessment.
His mind immediately understood.
These two skills...
They're the culmination of my four years studying medicine… but expanded…
Everything he had learned. Everything he had experienced.
Everything had now been acknowledged by the Aethell itself. Quantified into proper skills. Skills that would greatly improve his use of Healing Light.
Hyoren wanted nothing more than to stop.
To examine every detail. To understand exactly how much those skills had changed him.
No… Emergency first. I can inspect them later…
He suppressed his curiosity and continued running.
Then—the Voice of Aethell spoke again. Its next words made him instinctively stop.
"Prerequisites Met."
"Skill Evolved."
"Evolving..."
Hyoren froze.
A brief silence followed. Then, the voice spoke again.
"Aethell Sense, Simple Appraisal, Anatomical Knowledge, and Clinical Insight have merged."
Another heartbeat passed—then the final notification arrived.
"Magic Eyes: Diagnostic Sight - Skill Acquired."
"..."
Hyoren stopped in his tracks.
His heart skipped a beat.
The four separate skills had suddenly become one. A single skill. And judging from its name, it sounded far more powerful than any of its components.
The sudden stop caused everyone else to halt as well.
They immediately turned toward him. Confusion spread across their faces. Concern quickly followed.
Elise stepped closer first. She tilted her head slightly. Her emerald eyes searched Hyoren's face.
"What's wrong, Hyoren?”
Hyoren shook his head.
There was no time to stop. No time to analyze. No time to inspect the absurd new Skill he had just obtained.
"Nothing… I just acquired a new skill."
He tightened his grip around the mithril spear.
"But… We'll deal with the emergency first. There isn't time to waste."
He forcefully suppressed every urge to inspect the Skill.
Later… I can analyze it later.
He nodded once.
"Let's go."
Without another word, he broke into a run again.
Elise still looked unconvinced. Her emerald eyes lingered on him for another moment. Then she simply smiled.
"If you say so, Hyoren."
One by one, Freedom Party resumed running.
Although slight confusion still remained, everyone understood their priority. The battle was still raging. People were still dying. That came first. The wooden streets echoed beneath their hurried footsteps.
Only a short distance later—another town guard came into view.
His appearance resembled the guard they had helped only moments ago. Simple armor. An iron spear.
Except this time, he wasn't carrying the wounded. He was kneeling beside them.
The guard hugged the unmoving body tightly. His shoulders trembled. Tears streamed down his face.
The man's companion had already lost too much blood. The vacant eyes. The lifeless expression. There was nothing Hyoren could do anymore.
Hyoren slowed his pace.
Only slightly. He quietly lowered his head. Closing his eyes for a brief moment, he offered a silent prayer.
May Luminara guide your weary soul...
Behind him, the rest of Freedom Party also instinctively slowed.
Each silently paid their respects before continuing onward. None of them interrupted the grieving guard. None of them spoke. The town had already suffered enough.
They had barely taken several more steps. Then—something happened.
"HUH?!"
The guard's startled voice echoed behind them.
"What happened?! Eric...! You're alive?!"
Freedom Party instinctively slowed their run.
Another heartbeat passed.
"NO! No, Eric! I'm Aldrin! STOP! ARGHHHHHH!!"
The desperate scream tore through the silent street.
Hyoren immediately spun around. Followed by his companions. What greeted them, made every member of Freedom Party freeze.
The dead guard, Eric, was standing. Or perhaps, "standing" wasn't the right word. His body moved unnaturally. His chest still contained the massive open wound that had killed him. Blood no longer flowed. There was none left to lose.
His skin had become deathly pale. His movements were stiff. His unfocused eyes stared into nothingness. Like an empty puppet.
Eric lunged forward. His hands clamped onto Aldrin's neck.
"ARGHHH!!"
Aldrin desperately struggled. He pushed. He punched. He tried forcing Eric away. It accomplished nothing.
Eric continued clawing into his neck. His nail tore deeply into Aldrin's throat. Blood sprayed across the wooden street.
Aldrin's desperate cries gradually weakened. His arms slowly fell. His body collapsed. Silence.
Several seconds later.
Aldrin twitched. One finger moved. Then another. Slowly, his entire body rose again. His neck bent at an unnatural angle where flesh had been torn apart. Blood still stained his armor. His complexion had become as pale as Eric's.
His eyes had likewise lost all focus. He quietly stood beside Eric. Motionless. Waiting.
Freedom Party could only stare. No one spoke. No one breathed.
Elise's emerald eyes had widened until they almost resembled saucers.
Ina's cat ears stood completely upright. Her tail had frozen.
Jackey instinctively tightened both hands around his axes. His tabby cat ears remained rigid. Even his usually energetic tail had stopped moving entirely.
Arianna gripped Quadraflux Weaver so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Her expression remained composed—yet her eyes revealed unmistakable shock.
Holley silently stared at the two figures. His curved sword remained ready. But, he seemed unable to process what he had just witnessed.
The two former guards. No, the two undead slowly turned toward Freedom Party. Their empty eyes locked onto the group.
Hyoren instinctively raised his Steel Kite Shield. His grip tightened until his knuckles whitened.
His mind raced.
The scene. The dead rise again moments after death. It felt painfully familiar.
This is… Just like… A zombie apocalypse…
***
Arianna was the first to recover from the horrifying sight.
"Leader!"
She tightened her grip around Quadraflux Weaver.
"They've turned into Living Dead! Be careful!"
Hyoren nodded sharply.
"Right, Arianna."
His grip tightened around the mithril spear.
"Everyone! Be on your guard! We still don't know how strong they are!"
Everyone immediately nodded. Weapons were raised.
Freedom Party instinctively spread out slightly, ensuring they wouldn't obstruct one another.
Hyoren fixed his gaze upon the two Living Dead.
A perfect opportunity to test his newly evolved Skill.
From the instant he had acquired it, he instinctively understood its function.
Magic Eyes : Diagnostic Sight.
The evolved skill had replaced both Aethell Sense and Simple Appraisal. At the same time—it incorporated the knowledge gained through Anatomical Knowledge and Clinical Insight, while significantly enhancing every one of their functions.
He could still perceive the flow of Aethell like Aethell Sense. He could still identify a creature's race and approximate strength like Simple Appraisal. But now, there was much more.
He quietly activated it.
"Magic Eyes."
A faint glow appeared within his dark eyes. The world before him subtly changed. He now could see Aethell flow just like when he used Aethell Sense. But it was richer.
His gaze settled upon the first Living Dead—Eric.
Immediately, information naturally appeared within his vision.
Living Dead - Level 6
Weak Point: Aethell Core (Chest)
State: Undead under Necromancy Ritual. Massive chest wound. Aethell Core partially exposed.
Hyoren's pupils contracted.
Not only could he still see the flow of Aethell coursing throughout Eric's body. He could also clearly distinguish the glowing Aethell Core through the enormous hole in his chest. It pulsed faintly.
His eyes immediately shifted toward the second undead—Aldrin.
Living Dead - Level 5
Weak Point: Aethell Core (Chest)
State: Undead under Necromancy Ritual. Neck severely damaged. Spinal cord completely severed. Reduced reaction speed.
The information flowed naturally into Hyoren's mind. Without conscious effort. Without needing to analyze.
The skill simply told him.
This was absurd…
Far beyond merely identifying a monster's name and level. He could immediately determine weaknesses. Current condition. Existing injuries. Even abnormalities caused by disease or wounds.
The skill was also told that the injuries the Living Dead had suffered before death had now become weaknesses even after becoming undead.
Hyoren raised his shield.
His observation had lasted only a few heartbeats. Then he activated another Skill. His Aethell surged outward.
"Provoke."
A wave of Aethell washed over both Living Dead.
But it did nothing. Neither Eric nor Aldrin reacted. Their eyes remained empty. Neither charged toward him. Neither even acknowledged the provocation. It was as though the skill had never existed.
Arianna immediately shouted from behind him.
"Leader! Living Dead cannot be provoked! They attack indiscriminately! Or according to whatever orders their creator has given them!"
Hyoren grimaced.
Unlike ordinary monsters, these creatures possessed neither instinct nor emotion. Only commands.
Which meant, he couldn't redirect their hostility toward himself to protect everyone else.
He nodded.
"Thanks for the warning, Arianna!"
Even so, he didn't lose confidence. Long before acquiring Provoke. He had already fought countless monsters relying only on positioning and teamwork.
"They were only level 5 and 6! A weak Living Dead! But still, be careful!”
He took another step forward. His shield slightly raised.
The banner of Aetovacus fluttered above the mithril spear.
He barked commands.
"Then… Elise. Arianna. Do it!"
His gaze never left the two Living Dead which slowly creeped closer.
"Everyone else… Don't approach them yet. We still don't know how Aldrin became another Living Dead."
He narrowed his eyes.
"If the transformation can spread… We need to confirm how it happens before engaging recklessly.”
With Hyoren standing slightly ahead of everyone else, his shield raised and the banner held firmly in his right hand, Freedom Party's two ranged attackers moved almost simultaneously.
Elise calmly stepped half a pace to Hyoren's right.
Her silver ponytail swayed gently as she raised Moonveil Bow. In one smooth motion, she nocked an arrow. The bowstring was drawn until it reached its fullest tension.
Her emerald eyes never wavered. They locked onto the exposed Aethell Core visible through the massive hole in Eric's chest.
She quietly spoke.
"Charge Arrow."
SWOOSH!
The arrow shot forward. Leaving behind a brilliant streak light. The blessing of Sylvana's Lavalier wrapped it in a faint emerald glow.
It crossed the short distance in an instant. Its trajectory never deviated.
THUD!
The arrow struck directly into the center of the partially exposed Aethell Core. A sharp cracking sound echoed. The glowing core fractured. Then shattered into countless fragments of Aethell.
The Dark Aethell sustaining Eric's body instantly dispersed.
The Living Dead stiffened. Its empty eyes lost even the faint unnatural glow within them. Then, its entire body collapsed lifelessly onto the wooden street.
Never moving again.
At almost the exact same moment—to Hyoren's left—Arianna had already begun casting.
She calmly raised Quadraflux Weaver. Inside the crystal orb atop the elegant staff, four colors continuously swirled. Brown. Red. Green. Blue.
The colors rotated faster and faster. Until only white remained.
The orb flashed brightly.
"Water Needle."
A long, needle-like spear of compressed water instantly materialized before her.
Its sharp tip glistened beneath the unnatural black sky.
SWOOSH!
The Water Needle shot forward faster than an arrow. It pierced straight through Aldrin's chest.
SQUELCH!
The compressed water penetrated flesh with terrifying precision. Then, the Aethell Core hidden inside the Living Dead shattered from the impact.
Just like Eric. The Dark Aethell animating Aldrin's corpse instantly disappeared. The undead froze where it stood. Slowly, its body slowly slumped forward.
Silence returned.
The two Living Dead lay motionless upon the wooden street. This time—they did not rise again.
***
Hyoren slowly approached the two fallen bodies.
His Steel Kite Shield remained raised. Even though both Living Dead had collapsed. He refused to lower his guard. Carefully, he used the butt end of his mithril spear to turn Eric's body over.
Nothing. No twitch. No jerking limbs. No unnatural movement. Only a lifeless corpse.
Hyoren immediately activated Magic Eyes once more. His glowing eyes quietly examined both bodies. The information before him had changed.
The words Living Dead had disappeared. Now—both were simply identified as corpses.
No Dark Aethell flowed through them anymore. No Aethell Core remained active. Only death.
After several more heartbeats, Hyoren finally lowered his shield. His tense shoulders relaxed slightly.
"They're..."
He quietly exhaled.
"Dead again..."
He turned toward Jackey.
"Jackey. Help me. We should move them."
He then looked at everyone else.
"The rest of you… Please keep watch."
Everyone nodded.
Without another word, Hyoren gently lifted Eric beneath the shoulders before dragging him toward the roadside.
Jackey silently did the same with Aldrin. Neither of them spoke.
After placing Eric beside on the sidewalk, Hyoren knelt. He gently closed the guard's vacant eyes with one hand. Then silently offered another prayer.
May Luminara guide your soul...
Beside him, Jackey awkwardly copied Hyoren's actions. Despite his normally cheerful personality. His expression had become unusually solemn. He quietly closed Aldrin's eyes before standing.
The two friends. Who had fought together until the very end. Now rested peacefully beside one another.
Hyoren and Jackey returned to the group.
Only then, did Hyoren ask the question that had been troubling him since witnessing the horrifying transformation.
He looked toward Arianna.
"Arianna. What exactly happened? How did they become Living Dead? There wasn't any necromancer nearby casting a spell. They became undead almost immediately after dying. There was barely any delay."
Elise. Ina. Jackey. Even Holley. Everyone turned toward the crimson-haired scholar. They all needed an explanation.
Hyoren continued.
"I need to understand the mechanism. So I can prepare countermeasures."
He frowned.
"Can the undead infect people? Or… Is there another reason they instantly appearing?"
Arianna silently looked toward the two resting guards. Then, she slowly raised her gaze toward the unnatural black sky above Riverville Town. After several moments, she finally spoke.
"Leader… I believe… Everything we've witnessed… Is the result of a single Ritual Magic."
She carefully organized her thoughts.
"Again, I can't be completely certain without seeing the actual Runic Array. But… The abnormal flow of Aethell. The false sky. The prison barrier. And how the corpses immediately became Living Dead..."
She adjusted the brim of her wide hat.
"I am not an expert in Heretical Dark Magic. Especially the twisted magic practiced by the Voided Covenant. But… I believe this Ritual Magic is called… Domain of the Undead."
Hyoren furrowed his brow.
"Domain of the Undead… What exactly does it do?"
Arianna nodded.
"At the Academy….We studied both the orthodox teachings of Dark Magic… And the forbidden techniques created by the heretics. This Ritual Magic was one of the infamous."
She slowly explained.
"Simply put… It creates a domain inside a barrier. And within that domain… Every corpse can become a Living Dead."
She counted on her fingers.
"Humans. Monsters. Fresh corpses. Long-dead skeletons buried beneath cemeteries. As long as a corpse exists… It can be reanimated."
Her expression darkened.
"But… This Ritual Magic is infamous for another reason."
She clenched her staff slightly tighter.
"It requires an enormous number of sacrifices..And an extremely long period of preparation."
She slowly shook her head.
"I don't believe the Voided Covenant only began preparing this a month ago. They've most likely… been preparing this ritual for months."
Hyoren unconsciously tightened his grip around his shield.
"So..."
He glanced toward the distant sounds of battle.
"Anyone who dies… Will become another Living Dead?"
He looked back at Arianna.
"Even if they died only moments ago?"
His voice became heavier.
"Then… Every guard… Every militia member… Every civilian killed by the undead… They'll rise again?"
He paused.
"Our own casualties… Will become reinforcements for the enemy?"
Arianna slowly nodded. The pointed tip of her hat gently swayed.
"I believe so… Leader. This is the most terrifying aspect of Domain of Undead."
Elise suddenly stiffened. Realization appeared across her face.
"Then..."
She slowly turned toward Hyoren.
"The severely wounded guard… The one you healed earlier… If he hadn't survived… He would've become a Living Dead… inside the medical camp."
Everyone's eyes widened.
Hyoren's breathing caught.
"Wait… Really!?”
Arianna slowly nodded.
"Yes."
She looked directly at him.
"Mentor. Leader. If that guard named Tony had died after reaching the rear… He would've risen there."
She lowered her voice.
"Among the wounded. Among the medics. And… He likely would've caused complete chaos before anyone realized what was happening."
Silence fell.
Hyoren remembered the decision he had made only minutes earlier.
He had healed Tony simply because he couldn't abandon someone he still had the power to save. He hadn't been thinking about strategy. Or tactics. He had simply acted as an aspiring doctor.
Yet—that single decision—may have prevented the entire evacuation site from collapsing into another outbreak of Living Dead.
The realization struck every member of Freedom Party like a physical blow.