28 Undead & Bane of all life

The warmth of the sun stirred Cristian awake, his eyes widening as he surveyed the sight before him.

Standing amidst towering skyscrapers flanking an asphalt road, he felt a desolate air pervading the surroundings. As he took in the scene, furrows formed on his forehead, sensing an eerie abandonment that belied the familiarity of the place.

He recognized this part of the city, near the central park and close to his favorite restaurant. But now, the area was eerily quiet and carried a pervasive scent of decay, almost akin to a graveyard.

"What has happened here?" Cristian pondered inwardly, scanning the vicinity without spotting the others who had come with him. He contemplated waiting for Lia but realized a hidden timer had started upon his acceptance.

"Damn! Did I leave them there... with Medusa?" he vocalized his thoughts, unconcerned about being overheard in the deserted location.

The cityscape bore a blend of lush greenery with vegetation entwining the skyscrapers and encroaching upon the streets. Cristian's worry shifted toward Lia, finding slight relief in the knowledge that she was still in the other location.

"I'm here, my Lord," Lia's voice echoed in his mind, prompting Cristian to draw Burning Fury swiftly and turn around, only to find no one behind him. He scanned the empty space around, sensing no presence even meters away.

"Is that you, Lia?" he questioned, surprised by a faint giggle in his mind. Lia's reassurance followed, explaining her presence within his shadow due to the end of her allotted time for materialization. She also confirmed the teleportation of both girls with him, assuring him they were not far away.

Cristian composed himself, feeling a tad uncomfortable for exposing his anxiety before Lia, despite her being his maid. Gazing up at the radiant skies, he inquired, "Do you have any idea what happened here?"

Lia responded, "A large portion of these newcomers can't harness mana. Consequently, a fraction turned into undead and preyed on others. I can't sense any life aura here; it seems a significant part of this city is now under the control of the undead."

"Not much of a surprise," Cristian sighed, tightening his grip on the sword hilt. He pondered the severe disdain Lia harbored for zombies, prompting him to ask, "Are zombies that despised?"

Lia explained, "Zombies, though considered the lowest form of undead by some, retain the capacity to regain their memories and resume their past lives. THE MOTHER grants them an opportunity to fight for a second chance in life.

However, true undead are entities of death and ruin. They've razed entire empires and claimed millions of lives, growing stronger with each death. Understandably, they are reviled."

Cristian nodded, his mind not set on despising any race or creature at that moment. Lia sensed the depth of his connection to this issue, reminiscent of the hatred surrounding the Bane of All Life. The undead's origins traced back to Cristian's affinity, making them inferior in the eyes of the paragon of undead, intensifying its loathing for him.

While conversing, Cristian navigated past ruined vehicles, shattered roads, and finally halted at a coffee shop he hadn't managed to visit before the catastrophe. The establishment lay in disarray, covered in dried blood, cobwebs, and a thick layer of dust.

"How's this possible? We've been here only two days. How could so much dust accumulate?" Cristian inquired, suspecting Lia might hold some information but opting not to disclose it. His deep tone conveyed his concern, prompting Lia to sigh.

"I believe it's been over a month, judging by the city's state," Lia revealed, startling Cristian. 

"Month!?"He grappled with the inexplicable time distortion, realizing the inconsistencies in his experiences, which outweighed this recent oddity.

"Unfortunately, it's true. You should locate the girls. It's unsafe to wander alone here," Lia cautioned, prompting Cristian to swiftly exit the shop, following Lia's guidance.

As Cristian approached Anna's presumed location, the intensifying growls and moans became more audible, causing him to pause abruptly.

Initially assuming it was a figment of his imagination, the reality of the echoing sounds and shuffling of feet against the rough road became undeniable.

"Zombies!" he alarmed himself internally, realizing their numbers wouldn't be insignificant. However, he was determined not to retreat or flee as he had done previously. Anna's potential presence in that vicinity fueled his resolve to press forward, even if it meant confronting a horde of undead.

"This will be useful," Lia's reassuring voice echoed in his mind, though Cristian struggled to maintain composure with such an alluring voice resonating within his head. He made a concerted effort to conceal the awkwardness, thankful that his pants were sturdy enough to mask any embarrassment.

Simultaneously, a necklace emitting a captivating sky blue glow, a pair of intricately designed boots, and two fangs materialized on the ground.

"You forgot to access the fire wolf's treasure box, and you've even acquired an item from the Mortal Tier!" Lia informed him.

"A first-tier item?! Is it the necklace?" Cristian inquired eagerly, bending over to grasp the alluring necklace shimmering with an enticing allure that stirred a sense of greed within him.