Seeker 187

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Chapter 187. Zombie Extermination

After leaving the village, we walked westward through the forest along a narrow path for about thirty minutes. 

At one point, Kazane-san suddenly reacted and stopped us in our tracks.

She whispered to the hunter from the village who had been guiding us so far.

"Maurice-san, is this the way, right?"

"Yeah, yeah, you got it."

"There are multiple presences ahead, probably monsters— Zombies, I think. Hey, Daichi-kun, it's okay for Maurice-san to go back from here, right?"

"Yeah, Maurice-san, you can head back from here. We'll take it from here. Please return to the village."

"Got it. I'll leave it to you."

The village hunter said that and returned to the village. 

After confirming this, Kazane-san and I activated our [Stealth] skill and quietly moved through the gaps in the forest trees. 

After just a few steps, our obstructed view opened up somewhat, allowing us to see the area.

In a clearing within the forest, there stood an ancient stone temple. Surrounding it, a group of moving corpses—Zombies—were wandering about. 

Like skeletons, Zombies could be created through dark magic as long as there were materials, but they were not particularly strong. 

They had lower agility and defense compared to skeletons. 

But  Zombies had higher HP and attack power. 

However, with our current abilities, they were nothing more than a minor threat.

So, the real issue wasn't the group of Zombies in front of us but what lay beyond.

For now, let's take care of what we can see.

"Kazane-san."

"Yeah, Daichi-kun."

Kazane-san deactivated her [Stealth] skill and immediately focused on preparing her magic. 

Magic couldn't be used while the [Stealth] skill was active. 

The zombies seemed to notice Kazane-san's presence due to this action.

In a manner reminiscent of a horror movie, over 10 Zombies who had been in front of the temple began moving towards us in unison. 

However, even the closest Zombie was still several dozen steps away from us.

Kazane-san's magic preparation was ready quickly, and we needed to attract the group closer before she could cast it.

During this time, I called Yuzuki, who had been following a bit behind, and had her approach us closely.

"Are those Zombies? They're all over the place again."

Yuzuki, who had come up to me and leaned in, expressed her thoughts. 

There wasn't much tension, but I they weren't the opponents we should be particularly concerned about for now.

"I think there are about fifteen in the visible range."

"I believe that's all the zombies there are. Unless there are some very far away. Daichi-kun, can I start shooting soon?"

Kazane-san asked, so I gave her the go-ahead. 

At the same time, I lowered the griffin that had been perched on Yuzuki's shoulder to the ground and used [Tame] to return it to its original size, just in case. 

I couldn't predict how things would develop from here.

"All right, then... [Wind Storm]!"

Kazane-san waited until a sufficient number of zombies had been drawn into the effective range before casting her area-of-effect attack spell. 

She unleashed a magical storm filled with slashing wind blades into the densely packed space in front of the temple.

As the storm subsided, all Zombies within the magical attack range turned into black mist and transformed into magic stones. 

We missed capturing about 3 of them in the area, but we finished them with individual attacks from Yuzuki, Kazane-san, and me.

"Phew. We've dealt with them for now."

"Yeah."

"Now the real issue begins."

"Kupii Kupii."

A notification sound chimed, and a message board appeared. 

As usual, it was an announcement of mission completion.

───────────────────────

Mission: Defeat 10 zombies has been completed!

All party members gain 2000 experience points!

Special Mission: Defeat the horde of zombies at the Western Temple Ruins has been completed!

All party members gain 3000 experience points!

New Mission: Defeat 3 Ghouls (Earn 5000 experience points) has been unlocked!

Current Experience Points:

Musou Daichi... 309934/344368 (Next level: 34434)

Kodachi Kazane... 302426/303707 (Next level: 1281)

Yuzuki Hotaru... 310051/344368 (Next level: 34317)

───────────────────────

We gathered magic stones in the square in front of the temple while remaining vigilant of our surroundings. 

Soon, Kazane-san relayed the following message.

"They're still here. I sense one presence inside the temple. It's coming this way."

We heightened our guard towards the temple, and eventually, a figure emerged from within the supposedly unused temple.

"What's all the commotion? Ah, I see Zombies I worked so hard to create have been defeated."

The figure revealed at the temple entrance was a Dark Elf girl dressed in a revealing outfit. 

She had a slim sword hanging from her waist.