The Dark King

by Steffen Schmidt

  However, in case he encountered more than three undeads at the same time he could do nothing but escape. After all, if he was surrounded and caught, then he would be injured one way or the other.

  This is horror of the undeads, even hunter's would avoit to venture close to the group of undeads.

  Two days later, Dudian finally found Mason's smell in a hidden ruin of a building. Actually, he tracked him down because of the smell of Mason's excrement. It also made Dudian to understand that in the wilderness should avoid going to toilet. In case he couldn't resist, he should bury it under soil and leave as soon as possible not to leave traces.

  Dudian brought Mason back to area no 9 and was about to return to 8th area to search for Sharm. But suddenly he smelled Sham's odor in area no 9. He was stunned.

  Following the smell, Dudian found Sham. He was alone, roaming in area no 9. Dudian didn't think that Sham would be able to go as far as getting himself back here.

  As he saw that all three of them were safe, a big boulder was taken from Dudian's heart. He returned to area no8 to begin his undead hunting plan!

  In the blind of an eye, four days had gone by.

  Everyone came to the wall as the ten-day period had arrived.

  ...

  Chapter 72: Pastor's blessing

  "Two hundred and thirteen, two hundred and fourteen ..."

  In a remote office at area no 9, Dudian was counting the number of dark blue balls that he acquired. He had killed a total of 227 undeads in the last few days.

  Dudian wanted to apply the method hunter tried to hunt the beast. In short he had tried to use that approach to ambush the prey from the high ground. Although the undead's were attracted by the sound but his archery skills sucked. Out of 10 shots none would be successful. Ocassional arrow that pierced the undead's head was a pure luck.

  As a result, Dudian decided to exercise his shooting skills for the next few nights.

  In 50 meters distance shoots of partial objects, after three days of series training, he was able to hit once in two shots. However, he used to practice on fixed objects and their size was too large. The initial rapid progress was normal but further improvement needed a lot of practice. If he wanted to reach the apex of archery, he didn't know how much time it would take.

  After all, the undeads are moving. They don't just stay fixed on a place and wait for Dudian to hit them.

  Moreover, shooting the undead was not enough. He must accurately hit their heads!

  Although his physique was much stronger and adaptive than the average person's but after a few days of continuous practice he could reluctantly show only slowly wandering undeads. Even in this case, on average one of three arrows would pierce undead's body. To hit their heads, he had to rely on nothing but luck.

  This made him painful. If he was able to master archery, then he was confident enough to kill at least three times more undeads!

  Dudian looked at the dark blue balls in his possession. He felt good because of his accomplishment but they were a burden at the same time. After all, if he brought all these back to consortium, there will be no small fluctuations.

  "It should be alright if I brought only seven of the dark blue balls. I can get to know their monetary value from consortium's perspective too. " Dudian hid the rest of the dark blue balls along with bow and arrows in the rubble.

  In order to decrease the chance of them to be found in the future, he hid them in area no 9. It has been scavenged throughly so nobody would look for something valueable there. However, area no 8 was consortium's target as the next major area to be scavenged. If he hid them in area no 8 there would be a possibility that they would be found.

  After taking lots of valuable things with him, Dudian began to walk towards the edge of the area no 9 along the direction of the map.

  The giant wall of Silva was faintly visible as Dudian was getting closer. He felt the charm of the giant wall. Actually, even if the previous beast came in front of this wall it would look like a mayfly in comparison to it. If it tried to attack it, then it would be like mayfly trying to shake a giant tree.

  He could just make out the shape of the giant wall in the twilight.

  Scott looked at the sunset. He knew that the tunnel will be opened soon. He could not help but look at Mason, Zach and Sham: "You said Dead is still alive. How come he is not here yet? The door will open in about ten minutes. If he can't reach, he will have to wait until the next time it opens."

  Mason eagerly looked at the distance as he replied anxiously: "He knows about the time. He should not delay his arrival."

  Mason looked at Sham: "You said you saw him. It was four days ago, yeah?"

  "I am sure!" Sham solemnly answered. He had heard from Zach about Dudian but he didn't believe that Dudian will turn into an undead.

  Mason looked at him and said, "I hope you are not lieing. It want be good for anyone! "

  Omm! The iron gate propped up as if it was a steel mouth. A figure came out of the underground passage. It was Peter.

  "Well?" Peter had just come out. He saw Scott and others: "How come... Isn't there anyone else?"

  Scott was relieved after he saw Peter: "The area no 8 had large number of undeads which had migrated from the other regions." He knew that so many undeads couldn't be overlooked by the hunters. Even if they wanted they couldn't ignore them.

  Peter was startled a moment as he suddenly thought of something: "I heard the boss say that there was a monster riot in one of the regions. I did not think that it would be near the area no 8. You guys sure are unlucky..." His eyes swept over them and his face slightly changed: "Where is Dean?"

  "He ... could have been infected by an undead," Scott hesitated, still telling his thoughts. Though Zach and others said that they had seen Dudian, but he did not believe it.

  Peter's face changed, sighed: "I was very optimistic about him, did not think ... ... Bale, you go ahead, the guards are waiting for you inside it."

  Scott nodded slightly. Along with Mia he went inside the passage.

  The other three scavengers and newly recruited scavenger followed.

  Mason and the other two stood still and didn't move. They anxiously looked at the distance.

  Peter knew that the four of them had graduated together and lived in the same dormitory. He stared quietly at the broad and desolate plains in front of him.

  Life is so fragile.

  He sighed slightly, looked a bit sad.

  A very pleasant voice echoed in surprise: "It's him! Dean!"

  Peter squinted his eyes and saw a black ball coming from afar. After it closed up the distance, he saw that Dudian was under the ball carrying it.

  Peter froze for a moment, he could not help but smile.

  Dudian saw that Mason, Peter, Zach and Sham were waiting for him in front of the entrance so he accelerated the pace.

  "I knew it! Damn it! I know you would overcome everything!" Mason left his backpack and was the first to rush over at Dudian.

  Dudian smiled: "Mason, have I ever told you that you look like a girl when you run?"

  "Me? You little prick! Your skin color was sooo white that even the girl were jelaous when you join the training came! " Mason laughed out loud.

  Dudian's face changed to a supercilious look as he came close to Peter.

  Peter smiled: "It seems you had a great harvest. Go in, the door will be closed in six minutes. "

  Dudian nodded slightly and went into the passage. Mason, Zach and Sham also brought their backpacks and kept up with Dudian.

  It didn't take long when they saw Scott and the others stopped in the middle of the passage. Moreover there were dozen or so people with Holy Church's badges.

  "Dean?" Scott and others were shocked as they saw Dudian.

  Dudian looked at the guards and said, "Who are they?"

  Scott recovered, thought of Mason for a moment. Then he understood that Dudian was not infected. Because in the last six days even if there was a slight blood rubbed on his skin he
would have turned into an undead.

  "They are guards from the Holy Church. It's a routine check. Each time when we return, they are here to 'light' our armor and things that we have collected. Everything has to be transported to the Holy Church in light by the blessing of the priests. It's for the purification of virus and plague."Scott explained.

  ...

  ...

  Chapter 73: Detention center

  Dudian nodded in understanding. He was not surprised as the concentration of radiation is too high outside the wall. The items that were recovered were full of bacteria and thick radiation. Naturally had go through a clean-up. But what he cared about was the institution responsible for this work turned out to be the Holy Church.

  "Your items!" Church's guard in his early twenties said to Dudian: "And your name!"

  "Name is Dean. These are my goods." Dudian gave them the large fabric that had covered everything he had collected.

  The young guard beckoned to the companion who was next to him to pick up Dudian's huge collection. There was a white mask on his face. He continued: "Good enough but you shouldn't scrap all the rotten copper and iron."

  It was put onto a carriage. There was a woman guard which tore off a note that had Dudian's name on it, and posted it above his luggage.

  "Next," the young guard waved.

  Dudian thought for a moment and took out dark blue balls from his pocket.: "I have picked up these too. Do I have to give them?"

  Young guard was stunned at sight. He looked up and down at Dudian: "Little guy, where did you pick up these?"

  "From the head of the undead," replied Dudian.

  The young guard stared at him and asked, "Why would you think about fumbling in undead's head? "

  "Out of curiousity," answered Dudian.

  The young guard stared into Dudian's eyes. The latter looked back without a blink. "I shall take it. No value though, your consortium will naturally inform you" Then, meaningfully looked at Dudian and took the seven dark blue balls.

  Dudian saw pity and indifference in guards eyes.

  Peter had come out from from the passage. Everyone had given the materials that they had collected. So he waved and said: "Everyone on to the carriages!"

  "Dean!" Scott opened the curtain of a black carriage and waved to Dudian, "Come here."

  Dudian to saw his invitation but didn't refuse. He set foot onto the carriage where they were.

  He was sitting in the spacious carriage with Mia and another new boy, the three consortium scavengers rode in another carriage.

  "We have wronged you." Scott apologised as the carriage ride away.

  Dudian shook his head slightly: "I don't blame you. It's in human's nature to take a preservative and cautious stand when facing the unknown."

  Scott was relieved at Dudian's words: "Well, this time you are our savior. After the "Cleaning" days are over, I'm going to take you out for a meal." Scott stopped for a moment: "You age is too small so I can't take you to those colorful places... You know what I mean?!" Scott blinked: "Well if you are in trouble or don't understand anything if its within my powers I will help you out!" There was a solemn expression on his face as he spoke. Obviously everything he said came from his heart.

  Dudian smiled. In the beginning, Scott and Mia had tried to help the scavengers when they were attacked by the undead. They could have left easily, but they didn't. Just this, was enough for Dudian to feel admiration for them.

  After all, Dudian had experienced the life and death situation. He was very clear how people would despair while facing the death. They would do evil things just for another breath.

  Suppressing those evil thoughts could be done by people who had good nature.

  Dudian admired them.

  "What are these 'Cleaning' days? "Dudian was curious.

  Scott patted his head, smiled and said: "Oh, I have forgot to tell you guys. Fortunately, that guy Peter does not know or will nag me to death... "He sighed. shaking his head slightly Scott continued:" 'Cleaning' days refer to the three day period where our bodies are carefully examined before we can enter the living area of the giant wall. "

  " If the person is infected, it would take three days for the virus to turn them into an undead at the longest time. If in these three days you don't turn onto an undead, then it proves that you body doesn't carry the virus and you can return to the living area"

  Dudian realized.

  Indeed.

  It's alright for the undeads and the beast to roam outside the giant wall.

  But once the virus infiltrates inside the wall the results would be much more terrible. There would be no time to identify one by one who is bitten by the undead. The whole area may get infected!

  Suddenly, Dudian thought of the "walls of the boundary" between the commercial and residential areas, the slums, the towering walls and gates. Perhaps its more than just the distinction between the rich and the poor. Originally it was meant to divide the living area into many regions so in case of a virus spreads inside it woldn't penetrate the whole population. But it could infect the region.

  At this time, Scott asked curiously: "Dean, why your strength became so strong? You only get two blessing, but your strength is stronger than me. By the way, I had 19 blessings."

  Sitting next him, Mia and the new boy were also curious.

  Dudian saw that they have not forgotten about his super-strength. There was a bit of frustration in his heart. Sure enough, people's curiosity couldn't be satisfied, it would never fade.

  "The air is still in the wall," said Dudian.

  "I didn't get it," Scott said.

  Mia can not help smile.

  Dudian was embarrassed: "I really do not know. I was unconscious. When I woke up I was like this."

  "Well ... ..." Scott saw that he couldn't get anything out of him so he gave up.

  Their carriages reached somewhere in the outskirts of the commercial district. This place was at the edge of the living area. But the radiation in the air was a lot thinner. Actually, radiation levels were almost same with the residential area but it was sparsely populated. The reason was that it was forbidden area!

  There were old trees on both sides of the street. There were few castles on several hillsides. Dudian's carriage stopped in front of one of those castle. They gradually got off.

  The guards opened the castle doors as they got off the carriage. Nearly three meter high dark red horse came out of the castle. It had an aggressive aura.

  A young Knight of Light was sitting on the horse. He didn't wear a helmet. He had long green hair which was loose on his shoulders. In short he was handsome. He glanced at Dudian, Scott and rest: "Come with me!"

  Scott respectfully nodded. While he was the first to follow after the horse with Mia.

  Dudian and rest followed behind them.

  Knights of Light belonged to Holy Church. They were much more nobler than the average knight. If a Knight of Light emerged from an aristocratic family, it would honor them in front of the other noble families.

  It would dignify the family and give them face.

  In addition to the glory of the identity, the Knights of Lights were very powerful beyond doubt. Their main aim was to destroy alchemists, potion masters and puppet masters who indulged in evil experiments. Ordinary knight would need to dismount and salute if they were to see a Knight of Light.

  The crowd followed the Knight of Light into the basement of the castle.

  "Everyone should get into room. There is everything that you need for three days. Moreover, there is "Book of Light" provided to each of you. Its best to see more. Even if the body is not contaminated you can purify your hearts!" Green haired youth indifferently said.

  "Yes, Knight." Scott respectful nodded as he was already familiar with the rules in here.

  The small room in the basement seemed somewhat like a cell. It was made of rough iron pillars. There was a bed, wooden toilet and a clean little table. On teach table there was silver colored book with gol
den color.

  ...

  Chapter 74: News

  "You! Come with me," Young Knigh of Light pointed to Mia who was in the crowd.

  Mia seemed to be knowledgable about where to go so she nodded respectfully.

  Mason's curiosity was inflated as Mia followed the Knight of Light and left.: "Where is she going? How come she is not staying with us?"

  Scott laughed: "How to join us? She is a woman and has to stay on the other side in ladies room. She would be taking shower and changing clothes, so women has different quarters."

  Mason's face turned red as he heard Scott talk.

  "Okay. We should take shower and clean our bodies. It won't take long before they come over to check our bodies!" Scott said as he took of his black uniform stained with blood. He went towards the shower besides the toilet to wash his body.

  It was a communal shower.

  People avoided in this era to have showers but as they had come back from the outside of the giant wall so they had to go through the process.

  Mason and the other two also took of their uniform and began to clean their bodies.

  As a result of ten days of activities the body sweat had become sticky and unconfortable. There were bursts of smell coming out.

  Dudian's character was more introverted which was contradictory to his social skills. He had rolled up bad sheets as curtains and hang as a shelter. Afterwards he began to take of his uniform and began to bath.

  Dudian would secretly sigh each time he took bath. There were no shower gels which he was used to.

  "Look at Dean! "

  "He covered everywhere again! We are all men? What's the point of covering? "

  "At times, I wonder if Dean is not a girl."

  Mason and the other two were booing and laughing as they showered.

  Dudian put his head out of the curtain and fiercely said: "Mason, you talk a lot of nonsense. I will tell Beiwei that you secret painted her portrait! Zach, do you remember the time when you took the money? Sham, if you continue with this bullshit, I'm going to ruin your tavern! "

  All three of them stopped instantly.