The Dark King

by Steffen Schmidt

  "Animal! ... ..." Her arm's skin slowly shed as two blood-red machete-like weapons were exposed. She attacked the beast's neck and cut it off. Dead beast's body was already rotten and its muscle tissues were extremely fluffy. As she easily cut it off, the rotten blood sputtered onto her face.

  Blood splashed over bloodthirsty insects which were already eating up the monster's carcass.

  "Herd of beasts ..." She was not worried about the insects or bacteria which could infect her body.

  Gale and the other youth had complex expressions on their faces. They didn't stop her because they thought it was useless.

  The woman's face was ferocious as she cleaned the stone rubble from the beasts body. The ripped of the beast's body and tore out the stomach. There was extremely thick rotten smell in the air because of her actions. She took out few digested bone remnants and metal pieces from the beast's body.

  "Beasts, beasts ... ..." Scarlet woman repeated the same word. She was in grief so she couldn't think about words to express her feelings.

  Gale couldn't bear anymore as she pulled her back: "Be sensible. It is possible that Brian had run away from its claws and he is alive somwhere."

  "Get the fuck away!" Woman spoke in a cold tone.

  Gale sighed and released her.

  She tightly clenched her palms into fists. Her beautiful face was full of hideous expressions as she said: "I want to find the one who killed the beast. A damn rookie hunter. Most probably my brother had fought with it and wounded it. The bastard had killed the beast afterwards... I want to see that bastard dead! Do you understand me? I want to kill him!"

  Gale nodded: "We will help you and certainly find that guy. The one who dared to violate the rules and get into our area... He shall not be forgiven!"

  The other youth said: "It is impossible that person hasn't left any clues in the vicinity. We should look for them. Perhapds we can find a lead!"

  Gale slightly nodded and pointed back to the entrance of the elevator: "The blood above... It should be left by that man. I remember the smell, we could look around if there are no other clues in here."

  Woman noticed the place where Gale was pointing to. She jumped up and saw the stone where blood had been spilled. The next moment, horrifying scene happened. Black blood vessels looking like the roots of tree began to emerge from her white tender hand. They moved in circles and twists as they reached the stone and touched the top of the dry blood. It was as if they were licking the blood.

  Soon, the dried blood gradually disappeared from the top of the stones.

  Gale face slightly changed, but did not say anything. He knew that this was her magic mark ability.

  "Both of you should go around and carefully search for clues! " Woman ordered in cold tone.

  ...

  Chapter 77: Letter

  Basement of the castle.

  Dudian and rest took their time to rest after the doctors left. After all, last ten days were full of tension and they didn't have time to sleep properly. At the moment, all of them were completely relaxed within the cage and soon sounds of snores echoed out.

  Dudian did not immediately fall asleep but gently stroked the magic marks on his chest. He could feel his touchs clearly. He just didn't know the feeling spread from his fingertips to his brain or from the magic marks. As he touched the magic marks which looked like frozen blood veins, he felt a cool feeling enveloping his body.

  His heart began to beat faster.

  "This magic marks ... ... if they are destroyed, my life also should be under a great threat. I might even die." Dudian quietly thought. He would have never ever thought that his life will be linked to a magic mark. "Damnit! I share my life with worms..."

  He lay in bed, turned around but did not fall asleep. Suddenly he caught a glimpse of "Book of Light" which was on the small table. He took and gently opened it. He squinted his eyes: "Light is the truth?"

  "Because of the light plants can grow. "

  "Because of the light we can 'see.' "

  "Light gives life to people. The creator of light and life, God of Light, The Father will shelter all those who devoted... ..."

  The few axioms in the beginning were the core of the code. Moreover there were few 'light' stories in each passage. They were related to the phenomenons that everybody knew. As everybody took them at face value, noone tried to even refute them! Role of light was too big on life but Dudian felt that the book wasn't enough to explain everything about life.

  The role of light ...

  If there is no light, there won't be any life on earth!

  They wrote tons of examples such as this.

  However, Dudian had a better understanding about science, life and creation so he wasn't going to believe in the "God of life". Of course, the role of light couldn't be ignored...but... What does Holy Church aims to do?

  Dudian scribbled and flipped through the book. By the end he generally understood how they recruited believers.

  All what they did was to put some natural phenomena known to all and form their "teachings" around it. The people were ignorant about many things so they would take their words at face value and be convinced.

  If the person who read it didn't have a sound and strong personality then they would be lost in confusion. They would just blindly follow what the "Holy Church" would say.

  Once a blind and a devout believer, then their reality will be dictated by the Holy Church.

  "There is no scientific basis to any of their explanations. Its all formed on the appearance. Just like the father had told me before. The ancients had intelligence but lacked the tools. They knew the results but didn't know the reasons. Same is happening in here now." Dudian secretly said: " If they had the right tools they could see the origins of many things..."

  "Father often said ignorant claims by faithful were made because of backwardness of science and technology. As science wasn't able to explain the faithful began to speculate."

  Dudian was convinced by his father's words. Moreover he increasingly determined to choose the alchemist path.

  ...

  ...

  Three days period of 'cleaning' passed.

  Both doctors came up everyday to observe and check the physical condition of Dudian and the others. In fact, an infected person would have some symptoms but there were few tenacious people who would carefully hide their scars and tolerate until the last moment. However, still on the third day the outbreak would occur. But there were few examples like that.

  Dudian's new clothing was according to his size and was very fit. Basement's door opened as they were taken out.

  "Please, please." A guard from church guided everyone.

  Dudian and the rest didn't see the Knight of Light who had received them at arrival. When they were about to exit the gate Dudian heard a voice calling out: "Mr Dean. Who is Mr Dean?"

  Dudian looked surprised. A middle-aged gentleman with a black cap and walking cane was calling out his name.

  Scott, who was walking down the side, smiled and said, "That's him."

  The middle-aged gentleman was surprised as he didn't expect that he would be sent here as a messenger specifically for a boy. But he didn't neglect his job and quietly stepped forward. He took out an envelope from the chest side of his shirt.: "Mr. Dean, This letter is for you"

  Dudian looked at stamp and address engraved on the envelope. Mellon Foundation, Scavenger Headquarters. He understood that doctors had informed them about the magic marks.

  He nodded and said thank you. He opened it. The content was very simple: " Come to the top office in the headquarters and find me...the top?"

  Dudian naturally understood what it meant to be top-level. They had to deal with the highest secrecy of scavengers.

  "It's about nominating you as a hunter, and the headquarters is really swift." Scott smiled, "Congratulations! Maybe the next time I'll meet you in the wilderness"

  Mia who was next to him was stunned as she heard him talk: "What, what? Hunter? Dean?
"

  Scott laughed: "You do not know it yet but there are magic marks on Dean. He is going to be a hunter."

  Mia stared at Dudian in daze.

  Dudian smile and said to Scott: "I have to thank you all for your guidance."

  "Scott." Scott replied and smiled. He was happy in his heart as he know that Dudian had a positive impression of him.: "I will go with Mia. After a few days, the price of the materials will be assessed by the headquarters. You should go and gather then. "

  Dudian was surprised. The prices of materials have not been assessed yet? But to think of those things, the materials that they have gathered are modern goods. Uses of many things are not known to people inside the wall. It should take time to assess their prices.

  Watching Scott and Mia leave, Mason and the other two also bid farewell with Dudian. They together went into the carriage provided by the consortium.

  The other three consortium scavengers and the new boy also spoke with Dudian before leaving.

  Dudian put away the envelope as he was sent to headquarters in an exclusive carriage only for him.

  Chapter 78: Meeting

  Mellon Foundation, Scavenger headquarters.

  The carriage stopped before the door of the headquarters. Dudian went down from the carriage and looked up at this huge building. Step by step he went along the stairs and came to the front of the entrance hall. It was extremely spacious inside. There were several consortium scavengers who were in front of a billboard inside the hall, looking out for the latest information.

  This bulletin was dedicated to the latest information picked up about the outside world. It was required for scavengers to check them out before going onto missions. There were details about the changes within the areas under the control of Mellon consortium or the other regions in the vicinity. Dudian randomly glanced at the bulletin. There was an information that caught his eyes. "Area no 8 is infested with undeads. Temporary blockade. Scavengers should not enter."

  Dudian knew that in addition to ocassional tasks specified by the consortium, scavengers were free to go and search any area under the control of Mellon Foundation. In short, the choice of areas was unrestricted. Therefore most of the scavengers before each trip would come over here to get the latest information about the changes in various areas. It was for them to avoid danger.

  Even though these areas have been cleaned, but undeads and beasts don't follow the rules set by consortiums. Often they break and barge in to areas which have cleaned before. Dudian had survived one occasion such as that.

  Dudian didn't stay for long and went down the hall through the corridor towards the stairs.

  "Hey, Dean?" Suddenly a voice came.

  Dudian looked sideways. It was Peter who was holding a cup of hot coffee. It seemed he just got out of his office: "Mr Peter."

  "The materials that you have picked up haven't been estimated. How come you are here?" Peter was perplexed.

  Dudian was also stunned. Haven't they heard about him yet? All of sudden he understood that he shouldn't tell them about his newly acquired identity as the top management haven't revealed it yet. As he saw that Peter was not aware of the situation so he euphemistically avoided the topic: "I've been ordered to come over. I'm not sure about the details so..."

  Peter froze a moment as he suddenly thought of something. He wrinkled his brows and said to himself: "Should not be...ah... Even as a suspect... They are just recruited...." He was puzzled... He spoke in a hesitant tone "I reckon I was looking for you". "I've heard about the area no 8. Few days ago news of hunter's death came from the hunter headquarters. They are going to thoroughly investigate your group who was in the area no 8. But there is no reason to suspect the new graduates so do not be worried too much."

  Dudian hesitated for a moment as all the hair on his body was erect. As if he had encountered danger and it was kind of an instinctive alert. Soon he found himself reacting way to much to Peter's words so he quickly restored himself: "I wondered why?! Thanks Mr Peter."

  Peter smiled and said: "I have my hopes on you and expect great results! So don't slack and make great efforts!" Then, carrying hot coffee he left away.

  Dudian slowly turned after Peter departed. The smile on his face has disappeared and was replaces with coldness. He slightly narrowed his eyes as he thought: "Hunter headquarters should investigate the area no 8 to find traces and clues. I didn't expect them to expand the scope of investigation to include the scavengers who had been in the area." Although he was not afraid but such a big reaction from Hunter headquarters meant that they dealth with this matter very seriously!

  He quickly remember the traces of his treatment and thought of an issue. With a magic mark all the hunters get an ability. So are there any other hunters with keen sense of smell as himself?

  Thinking of this his fingers clenched into a fist. He made up his mind. Even all the hands pointed at him after the investigation, he would deny his involvement at all times.

  He looked at stairs as his calm expression was restored. Step by step he walked up.

  Scavenger headquarters had four layers. Each was protected by the guards provided by the noble families belonging to Mellon consortium. Only nobility had the right to recruit private armed forces, but the quota was limited. That's why different families belonging to consortium divided resources accordingly to their sizes and came up with basic requirements to protect consortium's assets.

  The fourth floor was designed as a cloister. There were too many rooms on the corrider so Dudian was a bit lost. He thought of the attendants by the staircase so he went back to them and asked the direction towards 'Mr Dayton's' office. Under their guidance he come to the front of a large red colored door. He gently knocked on the door.

  The door opened. A middle-aged man looked up and down at Dudian. He smiled: "You should be Dean. The newly recruited scavenger who joined the consortium. Please enter."

  Dudian nodded and entered the room.

  The room had splendid lightening system. A sweet aroma floated on every corner of the room. As he stepped inside, he felt extremely soft carpet under his feet. He quickly and accurately glanced at the room. All the tables, chairs, sofa, desk and oil paintings gave a pressing aura and atmoshpere of elegance and wealth.

  His sighed at the luxury of the room. What caught his eyes were the painting at the top of the room. It was of a huge painting of a woman and a man with strong physique. The most eye-catching thing was that on man's chin side close to his neck there was finger long deep scar.

  The scar's location was shocking. If it deviated half a centimeters more, perhaps the carotid artery would be cut.

  "Little guy, come to sit." Middle-aged man looked at Dudian.

  Dudian saw his mild attitude so he knew that he wasn't going to be questioned about the hunter's death. He was relieved as he sat down in a couch opposite to Mr Dayton.

  "I read your resume. Before the task your radiation value was only 0.8, less than one! " Dayton gently open the book on his desktop: "However, this time as you had come from the outside, normally your body's radiation value had to go up. But in your case it radiation value was reduced to 0.1. Little guy, do you know that only hunter's have that kind of a radiation value?"

  Dudian nodded slightly, not unexpected.

  "So, you have magic marks. That's why its not surprising to have such a low value. Now, I'd like to know where is your... magic marks? " Dayton smiled slightly, but slowly narrowed his eyes, as if examining every minor change in Dudian's face.

  Chapter 79: Crystalization of the soul

  **********

  ��Ⱦ�� - this phrase is mentioned a lot in the series. The actualy meaning of the translation of the phrase is "fear of those who have been contaminated after death".The closest meaning in English should be the word ZOMBIE. But zombie refers to a fictional undead created through the reanimation of the human corpse. So I went with the first best choice that came to my mind which is using pinyin... Da.da.da... we have juranzhi which inc
ludes undeads and zombies of all kinds.

  **********

  Dudian had prepared standard answers for this case so he followed the previous rhetoric question: "I'm not aware of it myself. I was in coma. I woke up and it was here."

  "Coma?" Dayton was interested: "how come?"

  Dudian was calm on the surface. But ideas rapidly rotated in his mind. To detailed question he was going to answer with a simple sentence: "I don't know". But he heard from Peter that hunter have investigated the area no 8. He knew that all the hunters has some kind of strange ability. Although he had burned hunter's corpse, he wasn't sure that he hasn't left any traces that would lead back and expose him.

  Moreover, a hunter died and another popped out. Both of it were big things and it was easy to associate with each other.

  Dudian changed his mind as he though of these issues:: "I saw a hunter fight with a beast. I was scared. I could understand the power of hunter. But that beast. It was huuge and ferocious.", He clenched his teeth and his body slight shivered. He acted as if he was still scared of the beast.

  Dayton looked at Dudian's trembling legs under the tea table, his eyes showing a bit pondering. The process only lasted for a few seconds as Dayton quickly withdrew his eyes and looked at the book: "That beast was a level 9 juranzhi. It was born out of a parasitic soul worm. In fact your magic marks should be result of the infection by the parasitic worm."

  "juranzhi?"Dudian muttered the name of the beast who he had killed. He was a bit surprised and about to ask directly when suddenly was alerted by the mistake that he going to make: "You said that a parasitic soul worm...it...it...it entered my body? Then I...I will..."