Seeker 368

Test

Chapter 368. Zombie Extermination(?)

Aira arrived at Midna Village alongside the villager who had hired her, in the late afternoon.

Upon reaching the village, Aira began gathering information about the incident from the villagers.

After confirming that there were no major discrepancies with the original story provided by the villager, she decided to wait until nightfall.

Eventually, night descended, and as the darkness engulfed everything, the monsters appeared.

Two humanoid creatures that looked unmistakably like the undead.

Even in the dim light, their pale blue skin was evident as they staggered into the village from the outskirts, wandering as if searching for prey.

But no villagers were in sight along the roads.

Everyone had barricaded themselves inside their homes before nightfall, staying safely indoors.

This was because the undead had only ever appeared after sunset.

They had never attacked villagers inside their homes, only scratching at doors with their claws.

And just before sunrise, they would vanish without a trace.

Hearing this, Aira wondered if zombies had always behaved this way, but she quickly brushed it off.

In any case, defeating them would solve the problem.

Thus, the only thing these undead encountered was the lone female adventurer from the Wolf Fang Tribe, waiting for them.

“Well now. I’m glad you showed up as planned—thanks to you, I can finish this job quickly and head home.”

With her trusty axe slung over her shoulder, Aira stepped forward.

Confidence radiated from her expression.

However, as she observed the undead under the glow of a lantern, her brows furrowed slightly.

(A zombie... huh? It’s fine if the flesh isn’t rotting off, but do zombie eyes normally shine that red?)

Truthfully, Aira didn’t have much experience fighting zombies.

The few encounters she’d had were from years ago, and she’d killed them instantly without giving their appearance much thought.

(Well, even if it's some kind of variant, it doesn’t seem strong. No big deal.)

Sensing that the creatures lacked any real presence, Aira was confident they were weaklings.

When the two lunged to bite her, she struck back with a counterattack.

“──Hraaah!”

The battle was over in an instant.

With a swift slash of her axe, the first monster was split clean in two.

Aira dodged the second one’s attack with ease and responded with another heavy strike.

The second monster, too, was cut down and promptly turned to magic stones.

“All right. It’s done.”

When Aira announced the victory, the villagers cautiously emerged from their homes.

Cheering broke out.

One by one, the villagers approached Aira, expressing their gratitude.

“I’m glad I could help,” she said, smiling warmly.

“Well then, now that the job’s done, I’d better get going, or Roa will be mad.”

Though the villagers invited her to stay for a meal as a token of thanks, Aira politely declined and prepared to leave in haste.

But that’s when it happened.

“──!?”

A chill ran down Aira’s spine.

The adventurer from the Wolf Fang Tribe turned around, her expression tense with urgency.

The villagers, sensing something was wrong, followed Aira’s gaze.

Some distance away, a figure wrapped in a black cloak stood silently.

A tall, slender man.

Like the undead she had just slain, his eyes glowed a deep red.

Two sharp fangs, reminiscent of a wolf’s, protruded from his mouth.

“Get inside! Now!” 

Aira shouted to the villagers. 

“Hurry──”

The red glow in the man’s eyes intensified just as she finished speaking.

Aira’s weapon slipped from her hand.

With a clatter, the axe hit the ground.

As if in a trance, Aira staggered toward the man in the black cloak.

The villagers stood frozen, as if paralyzed.

Aira reached the man, stopping just before him.

She stood still, unguarded, as though offering herself to him.

The man in the black cloak embraced Aira with both arms and sank his sharp fangs into her neck.

“Ah... ahh... aahh...”

Her neck began to glow with a faint, dark hue, pulsing as if something was being drained from within.

Aira's body trembled violently.

She did not attempt to resist, instead appearing entranced, accepting it all without struggle.

Several seconds—maybe more than ten—passed before her body crumpled to the ground.

She continued to convulse for a while, but eventually, the spasms ceased, and she lay completely still.

Her skin was unnaturally pale, as if drained of all life.

The villagers were paralyzed with fear and confusion, unable to comprehend what they had just witnessed.

Instinct told them to run, but their bodies wouldn’t respond.

A few moments later, Aira stirred.

As the villagers watched with bated breath, she slowly rose to her feet.

The female adventurer from the Wolf Fang Tribe turned to face them.

Her eyes now gleamed a vivid red.

With her fangs bared, the newly transformed Aira charged at one of the villagers.

At that moment, the paralysis that gripped the others broke.

“Waaaahhhh!”

“Th-the adventurer’s become a zombie too!”

“R-run for it!”

Panic and terror overtook the village, and chaos ensued──

Until morning finally arrived.