allendalepharm Chapter 84 Ghouls
Chapter 84 Ghouls
The silver moon hangs high, its light like water, yet it cannot wash away the filth of the world.
Because of the existence of the Rift Ruins and the Demon Tide period, the territories of civilized forces cannot cover the entire continent. In addition to the major city-states, there are countless scattered villages and towns of all sizes.
In the remote borderlands beyond the mountains of the Holy Kingdom, in a wilderness covered by ancient forests.
The night was deep, and a thin layer of miasma permeated the forest. This was the product of the chaotic aura that dissipated after the normal end of the Demon Tide period in the nearby Rift Ruins.
Even ordinary wild beasts, under the long-term influence of this faint chaotic aura, will become frenzied and bloodthirsty.
"Oli, walk quietly!"
A rough, deep voice broke the deathly silence of the forest.
The boy named Oli was clearly not used to the heavy atmosphere. He shrank back after being scolded and awkwardly gripped a short sword in his hand, his palms covered in cold sweat.
"I'm so sorry, Master Rom! I... I was just a little nervous. I heard there are signs of a demonic surge in the western mine ruins recently..."
In the vicinity of this small village called "Gray Rock Village", Rom is recognized as the strongest warrior.
He was a burly man, wearing a somewhat worn but well-maintained leather armor, with a heavy iron sword slung over his back, and his calloused hands resting on the shoulders of the boy beside him.
"As long as it's not during a demonic tide, this forest is relatively safe. But since you want to take over my job and protect the village, you can't always act like this!"
Rom glared at the boy, but his tone carried a hint of elder's concern:
"Nighttime is when many monsters roam, so we need dedicated personnel to ensure that the monsters around the village are regularly eliminated, otherwise it will affect our lives and businesses... Therefore, our mission is extremely important! Hold your weapons firmly, the forest at night is not like the daytime; monsters attracted by the chaotic aura may rush out at any time!"
Ollie took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down:
"Yes, Master Rom!"
The two walked one after the other, stepping on the soft ground covered with decaying leaves, weaving through the intricate shadows of the trees.
The mournful hooting of owls and the rustling of unknown insects echoed from time to time, making the forest seem even more eerie and terrifying.
"Hiss... Uh—"
Suddenly, an unusual noise reached Rom's keen ears.
It sounded like a wounded wild beast panting, or like something rubbing against a blade of grass.
Rom's muscles tensed instantly. He gestured for Olli to be quiet, then slowly drew the iron sword from his back, crouched down, and crept towards the sound like a cheetah.
Ollie swallowed hard, nervously following behind his master, his heart pounding in his chest.
Pushing aside a thicket of thorny bushes, a clearing suddenly opened up in front of me.
Moonlight streamed through the gaps in the tree canopy, casting a straight beam onto a grassy clearing that illuminated everything in its entirety.
The scene that came into view instantly put the two men, one old and one young, on high alert.
In this dark forest clearing, there dwells a terrifying monster, and more than one!
They have humanoid outlines, but are hunched and thin, with joints bent at unnatural angles, shriveled muscles, and dead gray skin that clings tightly to the bones.
His clothes were tattered, his hair was unkempt, his eyes were sunken, he had a mouthful of rotten teeth that oozed pus, and his ten fingers had filthy black claws.
"A horde of ghouls! Ugh..."
Ollie couldn't help but let out a small gasp, but Rom next to him covered his mouth:
"Shh... kid, don't alert them. Hurry up and grip your sword tightly! Stay with me later, I'll show you some real combat experience..."
Ghouls are natural monsters that do not rely on chaotic energy to survive.
However, not relying on someone doesn't mean you don't like them.
After the nearby Rift Ruins Demon Tide period ended, the sparse chaotic energy that had dissipated caused them to gather here.
Rom and Ollie, cats behind the bushes.
Rom gave Oli detailed instructions on basic pre-battle preparations.
"Yes, Master, everything's ready..."
Ollie checked his armor buckles one last time and whispered to Rom.
Rom nodded without replying, but gestured for Ollie to follow him.
But just as he picked up his iron sword and was about to step out of the bushes, he stopped in his tracks.
Rom reached out to stop Ollie:
"Wait a minute, kid..."
As soon as Rom finished speaking, the ghoul horde stirred—they smelled the presence of living people!
But it wasn't Rom and his apprentice hiding in the distance.
At the other end of the forest clearing, a heavily armored figure emerged, covered in dried blood, clearly a ruthless character.
But surprisingly, a cute white kitten was slowly following beside this metallic-smelling figure.
The figure walked slowly, seemingly unaware of the ghouls rushing towards him.
Or rather, he doesn't care at all?
"Uh... Ah!!"
The ghouls roared as they charged toward the heavily armored figure, instinctively surrounding him.
A dozen or so ghouls, as if by prior arrangement, simultaneously ignited phosphorescent flames in their sunken eye sockets and lunged at the figure with bared fangs and claws.
Ten meters, five meters, two meters...
The ghouls were almost upon them, their long black claws practically touching their shadows.
The figure moved!
He raised his head slightly, staring directly at the ghoul in front of him, a red light flashing beneath his helmet and visor.
An invisible mental fluctuation swept across all the ghouls present, following the figure's gaze.
The ghouls that were restless just a second ago suddenly stood frozen in place, as if they had been struck by a "frozen spell".
"Clang!"
The sound of a broadsword being drawn was crisp and clear.
The figure, wielding a broadsword, moved with incredible agility among the stunned ghouls despite being clad in heavy armor.
"Pfft... Sizzle!"
The sounds of ghouls being sliced in two echoed one after another.
In a short while, the clearing in the forest was littered with the remains of ghouls.
The figure sheathed his sword and continued walking slowly.
It was as if what we had just encountered was not a vicious horde of ghouls, but merely a brief interlude during a walk in the woods.
The white ragdoll kitten stayed close to the human figure the whole time, never once glancing at the ghouls.
This scene, illuminated by the cool moonlight, greatly shocked Ollie, who was watching from afar.
But as he looked and looked, Ollie realized something was wrong.
The figure kept walking, as if it were walking straight towards him!
Oli was at a loss and hurriedly looked to his master Rom beside him, wanting to ask him for help on what to do.
But he discovered that his master, the strongest warrior in the surrounding area, a seasoned adventurer, and a gold-ranked expert—"Veteran" Rom.
At this moment, beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, his expression was serious and focused, his muscles were tense, and he gripped his iron sword tightly. He didn't even bother to pay attention to his apprentice, Ollie.
Oli had never seen his master before, hence the expression on his face.
They instinctively felt that the figure walking towards them was definitely not ordinary.
A somber atmosphere spread through the woods at night.
Fifty meters, thirty meters, ten meters...
The figure was getting closer and closer!
Rom was already in a lunge position, ready to draw his sword and charge at any moment!
But then the figure that had been walking forward suddenly stopped.
The figure removed its helmet, revealing the face of a middle-aged man with white hair and blue eyes.
This seemingly composed middle-aged man with white hair revealed a hearty smile that surprised Ollie, and called out to the master and apprentice across the distance:
"Hey! Friends behind the tree, how are you? By the way, are there any places nearby where I can wash up and stay overnight?"