Path To Godhood Begins With Marrying Wife And Gaining SSS Rank Skill - Chapter 354:The Source Of Undead
Chapter 354:The Source Of Undead
It was humanoid in shape, but its head was that of an ox. Two enormous curved horns jutted outward, stained black and cracked. Empty eye sockets burned with sickly blue flames that flickered like dying embers.
Its ribcage was split open, and inside it swirled dense black mist. The mist pulsed slowly, like a living heart breathing in darkness.
As the creature fully rose from the crater, a massive shadow spread across the battlefield.
The air became heavy and suffocating. Breathing felt difficult, as if invisible hands were pressing down on everyone’s chest.
Knights swallowed hard.
Even the surrounding undead froze in place. Their bodies trembled, and many of them lowered their heads, as if bowing before their master.
Randall lifted his sword slowly. His grip tightened, and his expression turned grim.
“So that’s what’s behind this mess,” he said in a low voice.
The ox-headed skeleton answered him.
A deep, hollow roar burst from its throat.
CREAKKK!
The sound tore through the forest. The ground shook violently, drowning out every other noise. Trees rattled, stones jumped, and cracks spread across the road like veins.
Everyone’s eyes shifted toward Randall. Some looked tense, others nervous, as if silently asking whether he could really handle this thing.
Randall turned his head and shouted without hesitation.
“Step back. I will handle it.”
The knights immediately obeyed, retreating and forming a defensive line.
Randall stepped forward, sword in hand.
The ox monster slowly turned its massive head toward him. The blue flames in its eyes flared brighter, filled with malicious intent that sent chills down everyone’s spine.
It took a single step forward.
CRACK!
The ground beneath its foot shattered, sinking slightly under its weight.
Randall raised his sword and gathered his strength. He was about to strike when—
CRIINCC!
A sharp sound rang out, like the air itself being torn apart.
Before anyone could react—
BOOOOOOM!
Something slammed into the ox monster’s head with terrifying force. A faint shockwave rippled outward, kicking up dust and debris.
The creature’s skull cracked loudly.
Dust exploded into the air as the ox head was smashed sideways. Bone fragments flew, and the massive body staggered backward.
With a heavy crash, it lost balance and tumbled straight back into the crater.
RATTLE! CRASH!
Its bones slammed against the walls of the hole, breaking apart as it fell. The black mist inside its ribcage scattered and faded.
A deep silence followed.
“…..”
“???”
Everyone blinked in confusion, trying to understand what had just happened.
Then they saw it.
A heavy greatsword was embedded deep into the remains of the ox monster’s head, pinning it down.
SWOOSH!
A figure dropped from above and landed beside Randall with a solid thud.
Randall’s eyes widened as he turned.
“YOU!”
The man straightened up, resting his hand on the greatsword’s hilt.
“That was my prey, Joel!” Randall shouted.
Joel shrugged lightly and gave a crooked smile. “You were taking too long. See? It was already wiped out by my strike.”
Randall huffed loudly, his face darkening.
“Damn it…” he muttered under his breath.
Inside his head, he cursed. That was supposed to be his moment.
“Enough,” Joel said calmly. “Let’s stop quarreling and check the gains.”
Randall clicked his tongue but said nothing more.
The two of them moved together and jumped down into the crater.
Inside, the space opened up into a small underground chamber. The walls were cracked and uneven, and black mist was still leaking out slowly.
At the center of the chamber stood a small elevated platform.
On it, a dark staff was embedded into the ground. Strange runes faintly glowed along its surface. Beside it rested a small chest, half-covered in dust.
Randall raised his hand but Joel grabbed it.
“Be careful. Let’s not touch anything carelessly.”
Randall nodded, his eyes fixed on the staff.
“I think that staff is converting the beasts in this dungeon into undead,” Joel said slowly. “I don’t know if it came from the dungeon itself or if someone left it here.”
Randall’s expression turned serious.
“Either way, this isn’t normal.”
He turned slightly and said, “Let’s report this to the Lord.”
Both of them understood.
This was not just an accident. Something far more dangerous was moving in the shadows.
……
Ethan held the report in his hands and carefully assessed everything written inside.
Before him lay a variety of objects placed neatly on the table.
Swords, daggers, rings, and several other strange artifacts, all taken from recent operations.
“If we count this undead incident,” Ethan muttered with a deep frown, “this is already the fifth dungeon breakout this week.”
His fingers tightened slightly around the parchment.
In his entire life in this world, he had only encountered two dungeons before. That was over many years. Yet now, in just a single week, five had appeared.
Thankfully, his subordinates had grown strong enough to handle most situations. Otherwise, the damage would have been far worse.
Ethan lifted his head and looked at Hall.
“Why are wild things happening all of a sudden when we are extending our territory?” he asked.
Hall paused for a moment, thinking carefully before replying.
“My Lord, it might be because these things were already hidden. They are being uncovered only now because we are expanding and disturbing the land.”
“Is there a connection between dungeon appearances and the influx of humans?” Ethan asked.
Hall shook his head slowly.
“I am not completely sure, but I have heard that dungeons mostly occur when an influx of mana tears open the fabric of space, connecting to small worlds.”
“When a dungeon breakout happens, part of that world is assimilated into our own.”
“Wait…” Ethan stopped him with a raised hand.
He leaned back slightly and fell into deep thought.
Mana levels.
He had not focused much on it before, but now that he thought about it, the mana in the region had indeed increased drastically.
The first time he felt it was when the Wyvern nest appeared. At that time, he thought it was just a natural phenomenon.
But now, thinking back, that explanation felt lacking.
“But how did the mana increase all of a sudden?” Ethan asked.
Hall lowered his head.
“I am not sure about that either, My Lord.”
Ethan let out a quiet sigh.
“Alright. For now, we will monitor it closely.”
He then straightened up.
“By the way, we need to expand faster now. With the Empire in motion, our borders will loosen. We need to move in and permeate those areas.”
Hall nodded.
“My Lord, I am only waiting for our businesses to expand further. Once that happens, I can send people in disguise.”
Ethan nodded in approval.
Because of regional differences, while they could transport and buy goods from the Empire, selling their own products was difficult.
The taxes were outrageous.
Eighty percent.
It was nothing short of daylight robbery.
And yet, Ethan still sold goods to them.
Why?
Because connections mattered more than profit.
Even if it meant losses, maintaining ties was worth it. And now, those connections would finally come in handy.
But now,no border taxes would be given allowing him to relax.
Ethan placed the report down.
“Anything else?” he asked.
Hall hesitated briefly before speaking.
“Yes, My Lord. Sir Oliver wishes to meet you.”
“Uncle Oliver…” Ethan repeated.
His expression darkened slightly, and he let out a long sigh.
“Haa… So it is finally time.”
…
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