I Became A Zombie Chapter 23
Chapter 23: Ingenuity
I had Ars, Irs, Kinu, and Barbaru gather in the Plainevelt Core Room to share information.
Barbaru introduced himself to Ars and Irs while being surprised by the sight of the cores and the surroundings.
「Well then, let’s get started. I want to share information and strategies. If you have any questions, please save it till the end.
To start with, I’m thinking of having the adventurers resolve the stampede. There are two reasons for this.
First, we must make it easier for the humans to understand why the beastfolk abandoned Nyahar Village and decided to build a new village.
If we solve the stampede, the humans might misunderstand the reason behind the destruction of the village.
The second reason is to keep us from standing out too much.
Sooner or later, the fact that a stampede occurred will be known to humans.
If they found out that we were the ones who solved it, it could cause unnecessary problems.
Our plan is to register as adventurers and start up a clan while recruiting more companions.
I want to eliminate anything that could be an obstacle to this plan. Any questions so far?」
Barbaru raised his hand.
「Are you sure about this? Will you really be able to stop the stampede alone, Aun-san? Also, the adventurers will find out about the core room and the core, is that okay?」
「While this may be an extreme logic, I think Kinu and I might be able to stop the stampede alone.
However, it comes with a certain amount of danger and there will most likely be an oversight.
If I want to capture the dungeon, then I can’t even use my great magic. Unlike normal dungeon captures, the entire dungeon might be overflowing with monsters to the brim. We have to assume the worst-case scenario.
Next, let’s talk about the core room.
This is just my prediction but the ones who will reach the core room will be the fairly high ranking adventurers. And I think that this information will be kept secret from the lower rank adventurers.
The reason is that dungeons have become a profitable resource to countries around the world.
Just like how rare items come out of dungeons, people tend to gravitate towards dungeons.
Which means, money will also come naturally. This can be seen by looking at Wislo Dungeon City.
Countries will usually try not to destroy such places.
Unless it causes a stampede like this current one.」
「So that’s how it is. Then what will be our next course of action?」
「Barbaru, you will head to Recuria and report to the Adventurer’s Guild that a stampede is “likely to occur”.
In addition to the fact that the beastfolk have already abandoned the village and are evacuating.
Also, if possible, please let them know that you predict that the stampede will head towards the commercial city Miralda.
Miralda is the commercial center of this country. If they think that this stampede will pose a huge risk to the country, the guild and the country’s upper management will act quickly.」
「Understood. I will head there soon. What about you, Aun-san?」
「Kinu and I will go ahead and try to hold back the stampede.
It’s also a chance for us to show the adventurers that we’re allies.
We will return to the dungeon when the time is right.」
「Understood. Then I’ll head to Recuria right away. Take care everyone.」
「Yeah. If something happens, please contact me via telepathy.」
After I gave out the instructions, Barbaru immediately teleported out of the dungeon and headed towards Recuria.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
Two days later, Kinu and I were at the halfway point between Nyahar Village and Miralda. After that, Barbaru informed that the report had been submitted to the adventurer’s guild and that a subjugation force had been organized.
The report was also passed on to Miralda, and adventurers have been gathered in the form of an emergency quest from the country.
As expected, one S-rank party and two A-rank parties were included among them, making it a subjugation force with a total of 100 people.
The adventurers from Recuria and Miralda are expected to reach our location in about 10 minutes.
My goal is to make the adventurers notice our presence by using this stampede, and also to evolve Kinu to her next stage.
Kinu’s level has also increased significantly from the monster subjugation the other day, and she will reach level 40 in two more levels. When the evolution starts, I plan to return to the dungeon at a suitable time.
「Now then, the monsters are here. In order to not stand out too much, let’s just maintain the frontline instead of going all out.」
「Nn. Can I start now?」
「Yeah! Let’s get started!」
We started the battle ahead of the adventurers. That way, it makes it obvious that we’re an ally.
After fighting the monsters for about 10 minutes, adventurers rushed in from behind.
「Are you guys adventurers? I’m Skold from the Silver Sand Wind party! I’ll help you guys out!」
「Thank you. We were suddenly attacked by a group of monsters while traveling. Please help us out!」
I came up with a believable lie and handed over the lead to Silver Sand Wind.
After that, many more adventurers arrived and gradually pushed the front line forward. With this, the adventurers will be able to reach the dungeon as long as a formidable monster doesn’t appear.
After we fought around the battlefield for about 20 minutes, Kinu contacted me via telepathy.
≪Aun, it looks like evolution is about to begin… I will return to the labyrinth.≫
≪Okay. With this many people around, no one should notice you teleporting. I will return too. Let’s meet at Foret Noir.≫
Kinu had already returned to the labyrinth by the time I teleported there.
She had returned to her fox form and her body was glowing; the evolution had begun.
Kinu’s body steadily grew larger, and the light subsided.
「You’ve grown quite a bit this time. Are you okay, Kinu?」
『Kyuon.』
With a cry, she transformed back to her humanoid form.
Her fox form size easily exceeded my height even when she was sitting. She was about 4 meters tall.
In her human form, she was still the same cute girl.
…She is cute in both forms… truly an angel. And her status is…
Status
【Name】Kinu
【Race】Sage Fox
【Condition】
【Level】40
【Attribute】Fire/Light
【HP】3500/4200
【MP】930/1180
【STR】20
【VIT】52
【DEX】20
【INT】118
【AGI】44
【LUK】13
【Title】Subordinate
【Skill】
・Healing
・Wisdom → Sagacity (change): INT increases by 120% for 5 minutes (MP consumption 60)
・ Fire Arrow → Flame Lance (change): Fire attribute attack magic (MP consumption 40)
・Firewall
・Firestorm
・Flame Burst: Able to explode the flames produced by the user
・Fox Fire
・Humanization
・Cure: Recover from some status ailments (MP consumption 60)
・Danger Detection: Sense danger to oneself and allies in advance.
Wow! It’s not as brutal as mine, but a well-balanced stat that increases the potency of magic and is able to recover from abnormal statuses.
Kinu’s presence and absence would greatly affect the stability of our future party.
「We will leave the rest to the adventurers, and work on Plainevelt Labyrinth’s maintenance while waiting for Barbaru’s information.」
Afterwards, while gathering information from Barbaru, I worked on the maintenance and expansion of Plainevelt from the second floor onwards.
Approximately three days later, Barbaru reported that the stampede had been stopped and the dungeon core had been destroyed by the S-rank party, Silver Sand Wind.
NEXT CHAPTER
RELEASE RATE
I Became A Zombie After Being Deceived And Killed
Speed up schedule by 10 hours
Current schedule: Every 70 hours
I figured he’d eat it at the last minute.