The ghoul that used to be Nick lay in wait among the trees and rocks of the forest, hidden from the approaching party. His former companions, consisting of an archer, a mage, a healer, and a swordsman, were entirely oblivious to the lurking danger that awaited them.
The archer led the way, her keen eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of the Terrafaun they were hunting. The mage remained prepared, ready to unleash his magical prowess at any unexpected encounter. The healer followed closely behind the mage, her holy magic at the ready for any injuries that might occur. The swordsman brought up the rear, maintaining a watchful eye on the environment. They grew increasingly concerned as Nick's absence became conspicuous.
"Where is Nick?" the archer asked, her bow poised for action. "He should have arrived by now."
"Yeah, this isn't like him to be late," the mage remarked while casting a spell to detect hidden threats. "I don't sense any danger, though."
"Perhaps he ran into trouble," the healer suggested, her hand emitting a soft, healing glow. "We should go look for him."
"Agreed," the swordsman concurred, drawing his weapon. "Let's spread out and search for any signs of him."
As the party members dispersed to comb the area, the ghoul, once known as Nick, lurked in the shadows. It patiently waited for the perfect moment to strike, its lifeless eyes fixed on the party members as they searched for their missing comrade. Its insatiable hunger gnawed at its being.
Finally, an opportunity presented itself. The archer found herself alone, surveying the area with her bow at the ready. The ghoul emerged from the shadows, stealthily advancing toward its unsuspecting prey. Before she could react, it was upon her, its claws slashing through the air with lethal intent.
The rest of the party heard her cry out and rushed to her aid, but they arrived too late. The ghoul had already taken her down, its teeth sinking into her neck as it drained the life from her.
The mage called upon his magic, sending a surge of energy toward the ghoul. The healer followed suit, using her magic to mend the wounds of the swordsman as he charged forward, his sword gleaming in the moonlight.
The battle raged intensely, with the swordsman and mage exchanging blows with the ghoul. The healer struggled to keep them all alive, but the archer's lifeless body lay forgotten at the feet of the ghoul.
In the end, it was the ghoul that emerged victorious. The swordsman and mage lay defeated, their lifeless bodies bearing the marks of a brutal battle. The healer, with her magic depleted, was the last to succumb to the ghoul's relentless onslaught. As she fell, the ghoul stood triumphant.
The ghoul let out a guttural growl, its once-lifeless eyes now gleaming with cruelty as it surveyed the scene of carnage it had created. It had executed Zero's command and emerged victorious, ready to satiate its insatiable hunger. The ghoul then approached the mage's lifeless body, extended a claw, and plunged it into the mage's neck, injecting him with its own blood. The mage convulsed as the transformation took hold, turning him into a ghoul akin to Nick. They then proceeded to devour the other fallen party members before vanishing into the shadows, hunting for their next meal.
Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.
Zero had been intrigued by the battle and had observed from the shadows. He was taken aback by the outcome. Nick was supposedly a high-ranking adventurer, yet he had proven to be feeble compared to the creatures of the last world. A single ghoul had defeated these high-ranking adventurers, and now there were two of them.
'Maybe an A-rank adventurer could have defeated him?' Zero pondered. 'Regardless, if most people in this world possess such strength, amassing an army of ghouls would suffice to conquer any opposition. Should I eliminate them now? I doubt many would be capable of defeating them. No, that's a waste. I know what I'll do instead.'
Zero used the shadows to transport himself to stand in front of the two ghouls. At first, the transformed mage attempted to attack him, but Nick growled and apparently ordered it to stop.
“That's cool. Anyways, I order you to stop turning more ghouls. Just do your best to survive,” Zero said before vanishing back into the shadows.
Zero disappeared into the darkness and reappeared silently near the sleeping party. He glanced over them, ensuring they hadn't been disturbed by the sounds of the recent battle. Satisfied that they remained undisturbed, he vanished once more, reappearing back in his own resting spot, as if nothing unusual had transpired.
The next morning, the group woke up, oblivious to the gruesome events that had unfolded nearby the previous night. They gathered their belongings and continued on their journey, heading north as planned. Engaging in conversation and planning their future, they were blissfully unaware of the lurking ghouls hidden in the nearby forest.
Zero chose to keep the events of the previous night to himself, finding no need to explain the situation to the group. He was also curious about how they would react if they ever discovered the existence of the ghouls. He continued traveling with the group, attentively observing them and listening to their conversations.
After about an hour of walking, they took a break for the women to rest and address a few matters. Following their short interlude, they resumed their journey north. Two days passed, and they finally arrived in a bustling village. The village was teeming with activity, as villagers went about their daily routines, conducting trade, and conversing with one another. As the group entered the village, the villagers took notice, some displaying curiosity about the newcomers, while others simply went about their business as usual.
The village displayed sturdily constructed buildings with wooden planks, thatched roofs, and stone foundations. The streets were a blend of dirt and cobblestone, and the heart of the village was occupied by a large marketplace. It was evident that this village was far more advanced compared to the previous two they had visited. The group made their way to the marketplace, eager to rest and procure supplies, given their diminishing resources.
While strolling through the village, they could see the villagers were far friendlier than in the prior village. The women they had rescued appeared much more at ease and content, and even Pia displayed a better mood. Zero suggested they take a break for rest and resupply the following day, so he led them to an inn and used the money he had obtained from Nick to secure their accommodations.
Oddly, the innkeepers displayed exceptional friendliness and offered the group a complimentary meal and drinks. The girls immediately began to eat when they observed Zero taking a bite.
"So, what's the plan for tomorrow?" Pia inquired as she sipped her drink.
“Not much. You guys will purchase supplies, and then we'll continue our journey,” Zero replied.
"I've been meaning to ask, where will you go, and what will you do with these women?" Pia questioned.
“I plan to travel to Torin's territory. There, I will provide these girls with a house so they can live independently. As for you, you can return to your ultimate mission of overthrowing the kingdom,” Zero whispered.
“Hey, why are you saying that out loud? Do you want to get me killed?” Pia said with a hushed tone.
Zero did not respond and simply smirked. Once the girls had finished their meal, they felt tired and exhausted, and as a result, they went up to their rooms to rest. Overcome by the effects of whatever had been added to their food, they fell into a deep slumber. Zero waited for them to fall asleep before using his barrier lingua to secure the doors.
‘System, what was mixed into the food?’
[The food contained a mild sedative made from the petals of a flower that induces sleepiness.]