The emergence of this undead marked a sinister evolution in the nightmarish battle. It was another stage of the undead creature, one created by the death players, in this case, Robs and four of his militia friends. The sight of their transformation brought a chilling realization to the surviving players, especially those who had known these fallen comrades well.
The air was filled with an eerie tension, and dread settled over the group like a shroud.
Alan, however, remained resolute in the face of the escalating threat. He understood the gravity of the situation and was ready to face this new, more formidable adversary head-on.
This particular undead, possessed the same formidable strength as the SS soldiers, with a lower defense rating but higher health points. They screeched loudly, their inhuman cries a prelude to the impending charge that would surely test the mettle of the survivors.
With the shield wall in a fragile state, surrounded by hundreds of ravenous zombies, Alan was ready to take on these five creatures himself.
Sensing the gravity of the situation and the need to bolster his strength, Alan drove his sword deep into the ground. He cast one of his newly acquired spells, [Minor Blessing], focusing the enchantment on himself. As he channeled the spirit energy, a faint, glowing aura enveloped him, and he felt a surge of power course through his body.
A notification flashed in his mind, detailing the effects of the spell:
[Strength Increase 15%]
[Defense Rating Increase 15 Points]
[Bonus Attack Against Darkness 15%]
The light affinity of the spell imbued his weapons with an extra edge against dark creatures, a boost that was invaluable in their battle against the relentless undead. It was one of the main reasons why Alan had invested in enhancing his magic skills. Though categorized as a minor spell, the added percentage from his [Sage of Knowledge] title brought it to a significant 15% boost. The increased stats would make all the difference in their desperate struggle for survival.
As he prepared to face the formidable adversaries that lay ahead, the Thailand player jumped to his side, and spoke with a determined tone, "Let's do this together."
Acknowledging the need for an ally, Alan cast the same spell on the Thailand player. The man's surprise was evident.
Channeling the spell to two players simultaneously was an energy-draining feat, and Alan realized it had significantly depleted his mana points. He estimated that he would have the enhanced abilities for around 6 to 8 minutes, which he knew would be more than enough to turn the tide in their favor.
"Here they come!" Alan's declaration was a rallying cry.
Alan and the Thailand player acted swiftly, each engaging with two of the ghouls. As the third creature lunged towards Alan, he had his shotgun ready, held firmly in his other arm. With a precise aim and a pull of the trigger, he unleashed a lethal attack, and the blast inflicted significant damage.
[Shooting: Lethal Attack Inflicts 121 Damage]
While the blast wasn't enough to kill the creature, it pushed it back several meters, granting them a momentary reprieve. Surprisingly, the Thailand player proved to be a formidable warrior in his own right, employing advanced martial techniques, acrobatic jumps, and powerful kicks to hold his own against his opponent.
Alan, on the other hand, demonstrated his mastery and the additional bonuses he possessed. With calculated precision, he dispatched the ghouls within three to four strikes, the light-infused strikes leaving no room for their cursed existence.
[Stabbing: Inflicts 122 Damage]
Minutes later, only one adversary remained. It was the transformed Robs, now a ghoul. Alan, with a heavy heart, took a deep breath and dispatched the creature, whispering a remorseful apology as he did so.
"I am sorry I can't save you."
The act of mercy brought its own grim reward:
[You received 150 Survival Points, 300 XP]
The village's grim ordeal continued as a few dozen more undead creatures poured into the area, joining the relentless battle. The struggle dragged on for nearly two grueling hours, with the survivors battling wave after wave of the undead menace.
By the time the last undead abomination had been put down, the cost had been high. Five players and half of the Saxon warriors had fallen in the desperate struggle, leaving a mere sixty survivors still standing. As for the villagers, not a single one had survived, a devastating outcome that was underscored by a cold notification:
[You have failed the F Level Quest: Save the Villagers]
With the battle finally over, Bill, the CEO, stepped forward, a grave expression on his face. "Should we burn these corpses?" he asked, a note of concern in his voice, worried that these lifeless bodies might rise again.
"Dont worry, they won't," Alan responded with certainty, "the fire, however, could bring more trouble."
The Thailand player, approached Alan, gratitude and respect evident in his demeanor. The bond forged through the crucible of battle required no elaborate courtesies. He introduced himself, saying, "I am Singdal."
Having faced the horrors of the night together, there was no need for extensive pleasantries. Alan, acknowledging the need for cooperation, replied, "Singdal, I need your help."
With the Thailand player, Singdal, wielding authority over the Saxon warriors, Alan was granted the opportunity to pose his questions. His most pressing inquiry was to ascertain their current location. Alan needed this information to determine where he had been teleported into this perilous world.
The response was precise. They were situated approximately 50 miles from the eastern coast, and their location was approximately 10 miles north of the Roman-built walls. Alan's mind began to form a mental map of his surroundings. He had spawned in one of the villages near the Roman border.
Alan wasn't done yet. He needed to pinpoint the nearest tall mountain, an essential component of his plan. It was still late at night, but Singdal and a group of Saxon warriors volunteered to guide him to such a location. Alan's determination to reach out to his fellow unit members could not wait until morning.
Under the cloak of night, a party of ten individuals, led by Alan, Singdal, and the Saxon warriors, embarked on a hike toward the nearest mountain. The journey was a taxing one, with their path illuminated only by the pale moonlight. Each step taken was a testament to their resilience and determination.
As they reached the summit of the mountain, Alan activated the radio and spoke into the device, his voice carrying through the night air.
"Wolverine, this is Alan." The message was transmitted, and the link to his fellow unit members was established.
It took a tense minute before a response came through the radio, and the familiar voice of Lieutenant Marsh echoed in Alan's earpiece.
"Alan, come in."
"Marsh! How many have checked in?" Alan inquired, eager to know the status of their scattered unit.
"Alan, 5 units! I'm looking for more, but I think we've separated too far."
Alan processed the information quickly. The situation had shifted dramatically, and their original plan, Plan A, was no longer viable. He relayed the change to Lieutenant Marsh.
"Yes, Marsh, listen... Plan A is no longer feasible. Go with Plan B."
"Confirm, Plan B it is," Marsh acknowledged, and the course of action was set.
With the message sent, it was time for Alan and his group to follow the new plan. He turned to his companions and issued the order, "Alright, let's go back to the village."
However, as they descended the hill, a surprising sight met their eyes. In the distance, a flickering fire was moving toward another party's village. Alan's concern grew, and he urged Singdal to hasten their pace.
"What is this now!" Alan said, a sense of urgency in his voice as he worried about the group they had left behind in the village.
As they closed in on the village, the ground began to tremble, and Alan's experience told him what was approaching. It was a group of heavy cavalry.
"It's the Romans!" Alan exclaimed as the approaching force became unmistakable.
The thought briefly crossed Alan's mind that he might be able to use his spells or employ his stealth abilities to escape the impending confrontation. However, the plight of Singdal and the others weighed heavily on his conscience. Leaving them vulnerable was not an option he could accept. With a heavy sigh, he made a fateful decision, to remain and face the Roman cavalry head-on.
"Heus te!"
