To be honest, at first, I didn’t know which side to support. Only when screams sounded from behind the female monsters could we identify the "good" side. Bea and I looked at each other and launched red fireballs at the dark red zombies. After a white ball, they died. The other three started throwing pale red zombies at us, which we narrowly dodged. When we defeated the next two, the last one let out a roar and its eyes began to glow. It threw a zombie at Bea, hitting her and crashing her into a nearby building. Angrily, I fired white fireballs at it without stopping while circling it at high speed.

When it died, I went over to where Bea was. She was inside a building fighting five red-horned zombies, but together we quickly defeated them.

Concerned, I asked, “How much energy do you have left?”

“Plenty still, but from now on, I have to ration it.”

“Yes, let's go talk to those monsters.”

“They’re not monsters, remember they used to be humans and they can probably transform too.”

“About that, I don't think so.” After quickly telling her the names of their abilities (just in case they attacked us later), we went to where the fight was still going on.

There were about 40 arachnids and 30 nymphs. While the arachnids were monsters with the upper body of a beautiful woman and the lower body of a spider, the nymphs were beautiful women with green skin and hair. However, 5 of those nymphs were brown. In addition, we could see 15 people armed with staffs and knives and more people inside the building. One of the dryads approached us.

“Thank you for saving us. What race are you?”

One of the arachnids said, “Driun, first we should kill the infected.”

“Wait, we’re phoenixes. We can summon white balls that destroy the infection. That’s very effective against the undead and allows us to save those who haven’t fully zombified.”

“Please! Help us! My mother has been bitten.”

As we headed in the direction of the mother, Bea suggested excitedly, “Sure. Moreover, we can guide you to our base.”

“Bea, it would be better if we bring the others with them. That way we can provide protection and replenish their stamina. But in return, you will give us the meteorites you have.”

“I think I speak for all arachnids when I say we agree.”

“The nymphs too. Those who are still human, I don't know what they will do. For now, we have coexisted well out of necessity, but many times they insult us.”

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After healing the mother and a couple of nymphs, we went to talk to the humans inside the building. A burly man with a scar on his face blocked our way.

“A new monster. We are grateful for saving us, but understand that we cannot let you in, we don’t know your intentions.”

“We just want to talk. We can provide protection and food in exchange for the meteorites you have.”

“Do you think I’m stupid? The meteorites give us classes that allow us to survive, we’ve already obtained more than the common ones.”

“We don’t want to take away your abilities, just manage them. We will grant everyone the abilities they provide and once everyone has one, we will use them for ourselves.”

“I still say no. I don’t trust a human, much less a disgusting monster. I am the leader of this community and we follow my rules. If you want to take the other monsters, you are welcome to do so.”

I tried to smile (although I later realized it wasn’t very effective, I was still in my phoenix form).

“Agreed. Then we’ll leave you in peace. Although we are not the same group, we must not forget that our real enemies are the zombies.”

“And the goblins.”

“Goblins?”

“Yes, those disgusting bastards. The despicable creatures made an alliance with us at night but betrayed us this morning when not many people were awake. They are on the upper floors, and they have our women held captive.”

The nymph said disgusted, “Including many nymphs of all species.”

Bea asked curiously, “What types of nymphs are there?”

“Dryads (green, associated with trees), naiads (light blue, from springs, fountains, rivers, and lakes), oceanids (dark blue, from the oceans), nereids (blue, from the seas), and oreads (brown, from mountains and hills). Most of us are oreads or dryads, but there used to be all types in the settlement. And whenever one transforms, she changes her name to the first syllable of her nymph type and her number as a nymph.”

The man grew impatient. “That’s not important. The goblins are still upstairs and have the entrances well covered and fortified. They throw things at the arachnids who try to get close. But you guys can fly.”

“Yes, we must rescue them.”

“If we rescue them, would you consider an alliance?”

“No. Moreover, we will not accept the women back. We don’t know if the goblins can infect them too.”

“You are despicable.”

“I am pragmatic, bird. The goblins have most of our food and this building has plenty of space and can be easily defended. I have to consider my survival and the rest.

After all, after the fall, most people from the surrounding area entered this building, so there are still a lot of people inside. Foolishly, we allowed the monsters to enter too, thinking that our only enemies were the zombies. We will not trust the monsters again.”

“Well, let’s not fight among ourselves. Let’s try to rescue them. You will see how strong our red balls are.”

Almost without resting, we headed upstairs. The goblins had already seen us while we were fighting, so they knew we were allied with the humans and female monsters. But the things they threw at us were very easy to dodge. The red balls were very effective, each shot killing a goblin. One of the goblins, larger than the rest, approached the window holding a blue nymph hostage.

“Birds, if you don’t leave, I will kill the nymph.”

But to everyone’s surprise, the nymph grabbed the goblin and threw herself out of the window with him.