Chapter 23: Party Hunt VI

Their walk to the nearest level two zombie on the map was surprisingly uneventful. Despite the cluster of red dots indicating zombie presence, not one roamed the halls. As if they just up and left.

“Strange,” Gloria mumbled, panning the halls with scrutinizing eyes.

“Do you think our maps are malfunctioning?” Teo wondered.

“That’s why I find it strange. These maps shouldn’t malfunction.” Gloria whispered.

“I never trusted Marcy. I won’t be surprised if she happens to sell me a faulty product.” Teo shrugged, narrowing his eyes at a corner. He thought something displaced places there, but it was only his imagination.

“You can at least trust the items from the mystery shop. The akashic records never lie.” She assured.

“Hmmm,” Teo hummed but kept his silence over the matter. The aura of her mana had no fluctuation, an indication that she was not lying. But, even with her assurance, he would still not put all his trust in that strange woman. She gave him stranger vibes during his second visit.

They crossed the hallway with steeled nerves, and before long, a junction connecting many tunnels welcomed them. The soul lamp hanging from the ceiling glowed brighter than the rest they had witnessed thus far, casting faint blue light over the yellowed walls.

He threw an inquisitive glance at the apparatus, then activated [Observe].

[Tormented virgin Soul Lamp]

What could be better than an unlucky victim’s soul? Of course, a tormented virgin’s soul. Their hatred provides a better illumination when put inside an enchanted glass.

Damn. Teo gave the trapped soul his silent prayers and looked away. He couldn’t help it even if he wanted to.

“Hey, I think I found our meatshield.” Gloria elbowed Teo. “Look there.”

Teo squinted his eyes to where she was pointing, but except for inky darkness, there was nothing. “I can’t see.” He shook his head.

“Oh yeah, your [Observe] has only reached level three. Of course, you couldn’t see. Your night vision’s range is limited now.” Gloria nodded her head in realization. “Well, it’s a level one zombie lying by the wall… probably sleeping? Do zombies even sleep?”

Teo shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know,” he said. “I’ve never caught one sleeping in my life.” And he couldn’t care less.

“…neither do I.” Gloria shook her head. “Anyway, let’s go catch it.”

They carefully stalked the unsuspecting zombie, mindful of any sound they might produce. A zombie’s sensitivity to sound was no joke. They could detect even the slightest whispers across a hall.

The monster Gloria was talking about finally entered Teo’s sight. It looked like a sleeping man with how accurately the pose was mimicked. He raised a hand, then wiggled his index finger.

Gloria raised her thumbs and backtracked several steps. The rifle was pulled out from her back and held firmly in her arms. She squinted her left eye as the zombie’s head entered her range.

Teo inched closer behind the unsuspecting monster, then activated [Dominator].

[You made zombie level 1 your subordinate.]

[-10 Leadership]

[Duration: 06:49:47]

The system message flashed following the completion of their established connection. A mental command compelled the moving corpse to rise on its feet. Teo exhaled a long breath and gave Gloria behind him a thumbs up.

The formation was back again, with a zombie at the front and Teo taking up the middle. The sniper girl maintained her pace way behind them, ready to assist when needed. She quietly settled into the role of the team’s DPS.

“Which one?” Teo furrowed his brows at the three tunnel entrances on the other side of the junction hall.

“If the map is still functioning, I’d say, the last one—” Gloria trailed off. “—but I am not sure anymore.”

According to the map, the third tunnel leads to a dead end. Inside, only one zombie cluster occupied the far end of the tunnel. They would feel much safer hunting a single level two.

In comparison, the first and second tunnels had several zombie clusters on the map. It’d be suicide if they dared to go through those two tunnels. Especially Gloria, who didn’t have the antidote.

“I hate mazes,” Teo grunted. “They are nasty.”

“Have you ever come across mazes before?” Gloria asked, throwing curious glances at him.

“Mhmm.” He bobbed his head while scratching his chin. “There’s this ruin close to our base camp. The absence of human activity for years allowed the foliage to grow around the broken structures and form a natural maze. It is annoying because, no matter how much we prepare, the damn place still manages to get us in the end.”

“Hah! Why are you talking like it’s alive?” Gloria raised an eyebrow, catching onto the strangest detail among everything Teo had said.

Teo shuddered as a distant memory flashed in his head. “That blasted thing is alive, I’m telling you.”

“…okay? Now I am scared of asking for the details.”

“It’s better that way. Trust me.”

“Weird.” Gloria shook her head and dropped this matter there.

With the destination decided, two humans and one zombie resumed their formation before setting off on their chosen path. After a few minutes of walking, they already found the level two zombie and its cronies gathered by the wall marking the end of the tunnel.

Teo curled his fingers into a fist. Nails dug into his palm, almost drawing blood. He took a deep breath to calm his palpitating heart. As his mind went into turmoil, Teo noticed his wavering control over his minion.

The pain in his palm kept him sober. He reached for his pocket and traced a finger along the length of the tube carrying ashening powder. Confidence filled him.

The only soul lamp in the tunnel wasn’t enough to cover the entire place. But, this inky darkness worked in favor of Teo and Gloria. It also helped that night vision worked better due to a lack of proper lighting.

[Observe] was used meticulously to find the level two zombie hidden among the crowd. It didn’t take them long to single out the monster.

Teo looked over his shoulders at Gloria. A thumbs up concluded that she was ready for the action. Teo returned the gesture, then made the zombie stumble towards them.

Growling and hissing of the minion got the attention of all the zombies, including the level two who sat in the encirclement of fifteen level ones.

Out of nowhere, Teo felt his head throb; as if a pike was being hammered into the back of his scalp. Gah! He stumbled on his feet, cold sweat drenching his back.

Warning!

A being with a similar ability attempted to override your control. You resisted successfully.

[Dominator] Proficiency: +1%

The uncomfortable pain faded gradually following the system’s message. Not long after that, Teo felt his spirit returning.

You bastard! Anger burned in Teo’s heart.

His minion dragged a zombie by its neck, then shoved its fingers into the hollow eye sockets. Its victim flailed a little, then went limp.

Despite their slow movement speed, zombies had extraordinary physical strength. They could easily drag a human or keep them pinned while biting.

Teo dismissed the system’s notice and focussed on the next target. Just then, the head of a zombie next to the level two exploded in a shower of pus and goop.

Ugh. This girl! Teo blanched at the disgusting sight.