The corpse of the monster laid still on the ground battered by the traces of combat. The heavy carcass dissolved into a shadowy mist and vanished into the night breeze. Rana wondered if the same would happen to her once she died now that she was a monster. Would she also vanish without a trace and scattered into the wind?

If only death was this peaceful.

The battle with the Fenris was over and Rana was still stunned at the prospect of surviving. The giant wolf was a difficult monster for even a team of seasoned marked ones. It had a massive health pool and has ridiculously high damage and speed for how difficult it was to take down. It was a war of attrition and there weren’t many chances to daze it and hit its weak point.

Rana liked to think it was due to her command but it was a stroke of luck the conditions in her favor managed to work out. Her zombie body prevented her injury from burdening her speed and the patrol that came to aid her had the correct means of assistance. She looked to the group in front of her tending to their wounds and resting from the aftermath of such a fierce fight.

Patrols usually didn’t need to engage in such dangerous monsters. Rana was embarrassed that she allowed herself to wander this close to the Forest Boundary.

Gerald and Lexington sprawled on their backs. The slow rise and fall of their chests indicated their fatigue. Still, the young man and woman duo still had the energy to bicker with the other, arguing who had the bigger achievement. The two were relatively unscathed for being part of the frontline but it was fortunate both of them had Skills that were useful in this situation. ‘Twisting Snake’ was a high damaging projectile Skill that could hit inside the Fenris’ open mouth and ‘Spinning Drag’ stunned enemies if it was a critical strike and slammed them to the ground.

Henry began a prayer of thanks to the One Deity away from his companions and Rana recognized it being a Hymn of the Sword. It was a rather uncommon ritual and she suspected he was related to Church Paladins. It could explain his methodical approach to his shots and it was thanks to his ‘Pinning Shot’ that prevented her from being overwhelmed by the Fenris' speed.

Molina was the one who did most of the work. If not for her speedy incantation of ‘Rock Slide’, an earth arcane spell the Fenris was weak against, the outcome of the battle might’ve gone differently. She took off her white cloak with blue trimmings, the uniform of a graduate mage-class of the School of the Round, and began to heal their captain with ‘Healing Touch’ and medicinal herbs. It was not surprising she only had a tier-one healing spell. Students of the Round were not known to value anything that did not kill their opponents faster.

The captain was the most battered despite not contributing to the battle. In a way, he made it more difficult for his team and Rana. He revealed himself and went down too fast, almost contributed to the collapse of his frontline. However, what he did was save Rana’s life and that alone was enough to earn her gratitude. Still, somewhere deep down she wished he hadn’t.

The captain held her and at the moment Rana felt her heart race, if it could. There was a chance he would’ve realized her identity.

The captain stood up, healed by Molina, and broke Rana’s silent pondering.

Rana took a step back. Her mind racing through the possible options she could take. Before she could settle on the fleeing option, the captain took off his jacket and held it towards her.

“Thanks for saving my squad from the Fenris. I am Kai, a captain of the wilderness patrol in Shield City,” Kai said with a small smile and gestured with the clothes he took off. “I promise I didn’t take a look but I assume your robe is quite tattered. Here, take this. We can’t have a lady suffer in the cold.”

Rana eyed the captain suspiciously but nonetheless accepted his offer. Thanks to the darkness and the deflated alertness of her temporary allies, the condition of her undead was yet to be exposed. However, it was still true that she needed to cover up in order to not oust her unique condition.

“Do you need some of our herbs to help you heal?”

Rana didn’t know what use would herbs have towards an undead body but having some in handy either to sell or experiment was not a bad idea.

“I already healed myself,” Rana lied. “Still I accept your kindness.”

Rana held out her hand and took the small batch of herbs from Kai. The captain seemed to want to ask something else but he was interrupted by Gerald jeering from behind.

“Hey, captain Kai! Think of your wife and daughter back home! At least wait until you finish writing the report on our achievements before trying to woo the woman. I want to visit the Altar as soon as possible!”

“You did nothing, Gerald,” replied Lexington. “Kai, make sure you emphasize I was the one that delivered the killing blow.”

“Shut up, you two,” Molina growled and instantly silenced the two frontline members. “Captain, let’s head back to the city. Our team is in no condition to continue our patrol.”

Kai looked towards Henry who simply nodded and he ordered the return to base and offered Rana his team to escort her to Shield City. Rana initially wanted to decline but decided that the risk of exposure was worth the information and safety.

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Rana refused to believe the implications until she saw it with her own eyes.

The trek towards Shield City was a silent one. Gerald and Lexington bickered for some time but Molina made short work of that. The axe wielder tried to make small talk with Rana but her silence dissuaded the attempt swiftly. It was not that she had nothing to ask. She was simply bracing herself for the worst. It was worse than she imagined.

Shield City stood in the distance but instead of pristine walls and unending traffic of caravans on its roads, they were battered and empty. It was a city that lived for war. Many parts of the wall were torn and equally as many were hastily restored. The roads were lined up with spike traps and ditches, most of them concentrated towards the north, and stains of blood could be seen from the flickering torches.

Rana realized the reality before her. The monster forces have pushed past the Red River and fell the High Tower. Shield City, the next stronghold, was now the frontline and it seemed like it barely managed to fend off its invaders. It was only a matter of time before humanity lost another key location.

The truth was undeniable. Humanity was losing the war.

Rana wanted to help and the pain in her heart only increased as she walked further into the city. She expected lively taverns and a thriving night district. However, many homes were already abandoned and the only light illuminating the streets were the few small pubs that did not have their doors and windows plastered with wooden boards. It was not unlike the settlement she woke up from. It was ironically also the reason why she had an easier time hiding her nature.

Rana trailed behind the group of soldiers, dodging the light of the few torches still burning.

“It is always so depressing coming back to the city after a patrol. I wanted to be welcomed by babes and beer but all I see are smoke and broken windows. What's the point of hunting rogue monsters?” said Gerald as he hoisted his axe on his shoulders. “There is no end to them! We could be making a difference in the frontlines! It’s all the Church’s fault! If only they hadn’t lost High Tower!”

“Do not blaspheme the Church,” said Henry. His voice was soft but the edge was not hidden. Gerald gulped. “Many Paladins sacrificed their lives to hold onto Shield City. The reason the fiends still have not spilled into our kingdom and pillaged it was due to the efforts of the Church. The one at fault was the traitor Paladin.”

Rana frowned. Paladins were only anointed before the Altar after declaring their undying loyalty to the One Deity and the Church. It was an oath bound to their souls. It was unbreakable. She wanted to inquiry more but hesitated to show her interest. It might’ve raised suspicion. Her chance was lost and the group moved on with their conversation.

“Quit complaining, Gerald,” Lexington said dispassionately but the grip on her spear spoke otherwise. A chill ran down Rana’s spine. “It is our duty to slay monsters no matter where they are.”

“Alright, quit your yapping. The good folk of Shield City sleeps in constant fear of monsters attacking. We don’t need you buffoons to wake them up with talk of monsters. You hear me, Gerald?” Kai said and earned a complaint from the axe wielder. “Molina, take the squad back to base, I’ll help our friend here get a room at the inn.”

“Understood, captain,” replied Molina before quickly ushering her squadmates away.

“The inns usually don’t accept strangers at night,” Kai turned to Rana and explained. “You’ll need someone to recommend you.”

“Thanks.”

Kai brought Rana to an inn at the edge of the city. He went up to the plump owner and threw down a couple bronze coins. The amount was pitiful. It used to be very expensive to get a room in Shield City.

When Rana and Kai entered the room, the captain shut the door and solemnly looked at her. He then pulled a knife out but before Rana could reach he turned the handle towards her.

“Stab me,” he commanded to a confused Rana. “I have no time to explain but Henry most likely already realized who, or what, you are.”

Rana was at first surprised but her eyes quickly narrowed.

“Why?”

“I would gladly lay down my life for my team and you saved them. This is my way of repaying you. My squad believes that I am stalling you and they are already headed to the chapel. The most I am willing to do is lie you to them. Stab me and pretend you got away.”

Rana hesitated for only a second. She took the knife and pierced the captain’s side. Blood oozed out and it was inviting.

“You didn’t even check if I would be okay. Thank the deities I have Guardian,” Kai chuckled but the pain interrupted him and he winced. “Too bad its only level one. Go, the alley behind is a dead-end maze but there is one exit. Turn to the right when you reach the second crossroad. Afterward, go straight and don’t turn back.”

“Thank you,” Rana whispered and headed towards the window.

“Don’t. If we meet next time we will be enemies.”

Rana turned towards the captain and smiled. As she fought alongside them earlier, she had forgotten the reality before her. She was a monster and humanity was her enemy even if she did not treat them as such. She closed her eyes. There was a choice. She could stay and hope that humanity would accept her. She could seek help from the church.

Rana made her choice. She jumped.