n

n

n

"We need to move to a safer place,

" Klautz whispered as if to remind himself.

nWhat Klautz was worried about was an ambush. Klautz had faced quite a lot of ambushes on the way but he had easily countered them off. But alas, in the darkness of the night ambushes would be much more effective.

nDoes that mean Klautz couldn't handle them? Of course he can but it would exhaust him a lot. Even a lion when weakened enough can be killed by its prey. Klautz doesn't dare be overconfident.

nThis bonus stage wasn't something that would end in a day, so it was best to conserve strength.

n

"If my memory serves me right, there should be one in this island.

" Klautz thought as he held onto his chin.

nEvery island had an abandoned ruin to them. While from the outside the ruins might seem completely destroyed and unable to hide anyone inside them. But, there was the presence of hidden underground chambers inside it where they could rest for the night.

nKlautz had gone nowhere near this ruin before. Hell! He hadn't even participated in the bonus stage before. But in his past life he had heard from many of its existence. Even for them it was a fortuitous encounter that led them to it. But alas there was nothing important that was kept in store within its walls. It was for all intent and purposes an empty shell.

nThat is why Klautz decided to take a detour instead of going straight to the golem.

nKlautz sighed as he took a glance at the dead body fallen beside him.

n'Because of these cretins coming in my way, I am running out of time!'

n

"Conjure!

" Klautz said, placing his hands over the man's body.

nInventory

nNo Name Spirit x10

n***

n*Splash* *Splash*

nKlautz and Selena had walked quite the distance to their destination. It was then…

nKlautz raised his arm and beckoned Selena to stop. Her body jerked as she stopped, her eyes blinking rapidly looking left and right for any sort of danger.

n*splash*

nKlautz's ears twitched. Now that both of them made no noise, Klautz could hear faint splashing sounds as if someone was approaching them, kicking the water with every step.

n

"There are too many of them,

" Klautz whispered as his eyes narrowed. There were more of them than he count from the sound alone.

n'Should I take a different route and avoid facing such a huge swarm of people?' Klautz wondered. Against such a huge group even he had to be careful.

nBigger is not always better. The bigger the group the more the chances of internal rift and the more their chances of destroying each other without a competent leader. But Klautz had little to no knowledge of this group. It was a completely unknown variable on his side.

n

"Wait here,

" he beckoned to Selena.

nKlautz's eyes fell on a mangrove to the side. He ran towards it. Gaining a lot of momentum he leapt towards the tree. His feet landed on the bark of the mangrove. But he didn't stop, the momentum was enough to counter gravity. Taking a second step he leaped high and grasped on a branch as he dangled in the air.

nBut not for long, swinging his body he pulled himself up on the branch.

n

"Let's see

"

nKlautz placed his hand on his forehead to prevent the sun's rays from falling on his eyes. He narrowed his eyes as he tried to figure out what lay in the distance.

nHe saw some small figures coming in their direction. The distance had made them appear small.

nKlautz furrowed his brows.

n

"Verona?

"

nThe one at the very front seemed to be Verona who he had met back at the Trial of Control.

nVerona seemed to be running away from the lot while they chased after her. Focusing on the group a bit longer Klautz realized that they were moping in a strange way.

n

"Hmm… strange.

"

nKlautz was intrigued. He decided to take a look at the situation. The ruins weren't much farther away and Klautz could easily get there before sunset.

nSometimes it is in the unknown that the greatest fortune lies.

nKlautz jumped off the tree branch as the water splashed around him in all directions. The daring fall had left his clothes to be dyed in swamp waters.

nBut Klautz didn't stop as he strode towards the lot without any notice.

n

"Wait for me!

" Selena squeaked as she ran after Klautz. She wanted to scold Klautz for leaving her behind but Klautz was simply too cold towards her. She didn't want to get on his bad side.

nAs Klautz walked closer, he was able to make out what they were.

n

"Undead? Here? How can that be?

"

nThose folks had the appearance of undead. With rotten flesh dangling from the side and their bodies riddled with major injuries that won't allow any man to live. It was clear that they were that they had no life in them, it was something else that kept them moving.

nIn Hell, undead were considered a type of monster. It included intelligent monsters like spectors, skeletons and alphas but mostly they are brainless zombies like these. And all of them had a common weakness; hit where their brains are supposed to be and they are as good as done.

nSince these beasts have come on his way, he couldn't help but fight them. Zombies are not that strong of a beast… not without the lead of an alpha. If things go south he could always escape and take a different route. These zombies are no faster than Verona herself.

nBut that was not what Klautz was worried about.

n'There should be no beasts in this bonus stage so from where did these undead appear?' But the answer to these questions Klautz had yet to find.

n

"Please help me!

" Verona cried as she noticed Klautz in the distance..

n***

nAuthor:

nCreation is hard for authors, cheer me up with your power stones!

nLet me know your thoughts about the chapter in the comments sections!

n