Chapter 37

 Intelligence

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We arrived at the cave where Zombies were present.
We were about to begin zombie hunting, enduring the stench.
To keep our spirits up, we decided to think of something fun.

 

“Yuta, this cave seems to have been here for a long time.
It’s not very long, but it’s expanded enough.
The Zombie general in here might be a little different,” said Slyphy.

 

“Different? What do you mean?” Yuta asked.

 

“Do you think normal zombies would expand a cave? The Zombie general here probably has intelligence.
Normal zombies can’t gain intelligence unless  a king emerges, but there are rare cases where a General-class zombie has intelligence,” Slyphy explained.

 

Yuta thought that special zombies sounded strong and didn’t like it.
Also, it was the first time he heard that Kings had intelligence.

 

“Um, should we go to another Zombie’s location?” Yuta asked.

 

“That’s fine, but we don’t have any problems with our skills.
It’s just a zombie general.
Besides, if Kings have intelligence, it’s better to get used to it here,” Slyphy replied.

 

“Isn’t a special zombie supposed to be stronger than a Zombie general?” Yuta asked.

 

Yuta thought that he had played too many games.
Usually, special zombies were stronger than regular bosses.
Sometimes, They could even be stronger than Kings.

 

“If they were strong, they would have become Kings already.
If they get stronger, they evolve naturally,” Slyphy explained.

 

Yuta thought that the Zombie general might have intelligence, but it was still a Zombie general.
If Kings and Liches had intelligence, we would start with the weaker ones and try to get used to it.

 

“Okay, then let’s hunt the Zombie general here.
Bell, Rain, and Turu, enter first as usual and wait for further instructions.
Call for backup if it’s dangerous,” I instructed.

 

“Roger that!”

 

“Got it.”

 

“We’ll do our best.”

 

The spirits jumped into the cave with excitement.
It’s always a relief to see them happy.

 

“Well then, see you later,” Yuta said.

 

“Take care,” Slyphy replied.

 

Unlike Bell and her group, Yuta never quite got used to going into undead nests.
However, he had improved over time.
For example, he had gained night vision during his explorations.
He also thought about learning stealth skills, but Sylphy told him that skeletons and zombies aren’t sensitive to their surroundings.
So, he couldn’t learn it here.

 

Another thing he learned was to get Bell and the team’s help.
When we surprised the undead head-on, we tended to overkill and attract other undead with the noise and presence.
So, I came up with an idea: Bell and her group could float above the undead, and that way, We wouldn’t be surprised by them.
This eliminated the need to fight in tight spaces.

 

Yuta couldn’t defeat ghosts and wraiths, so he relied on his teammates to help him.
As We progressed in the cave, Turu pointed downwards.
Yuta quietly approached and cut off the zombie’s head with a handsaw.
He preferred to use a survival knife, but he used it to process food, so he didn’t want to use it to cut zombies, even after cleaning.

 

Yuta waved at Turu, and he flew ahead.
Once we continued, we found Rain floating above a skeleton.
It was difficult to kill skeletons without making a sound, but attacking the magic stone from behind was quick and efficient.
Although it caused the bones to crumble and make a bit of noise, it didn’t attract any other undead.

 

After cutting off the magic stone, Yuta waved at Rain and moved forward.
However, there was no mistaking it – the Zombie general here had intelligence.

 

The undead were evenly spaced and didn’t wander aimlessly like other nests We’ve encountered.
It felt like they were under control.

 

Oh, there’s Bell.
…she´s doing a zombie imitation.
Lately, Bell has been doing imitations of zombies and skeletons to let us know the enemy’s species.
This time, she’s walking around with a dull look, so she must be imitating a zombie.

 

Well, since spirits can’t be heard by anyone but me, and there’s no point in making gestures, she’s probably just doing it because it’s fun.
I quickly cut off the zombie’s head.

 

Moving forward, Bell, Rain, and Turu are floating in front of the passage.
This pattern signals the end of the passage and the location of the enemy’s main force.
They are waving their hands happily, so I wave back.
I can’t let my guard down.
This time, I have to be more careful than usual.

 

If I had just told the lower-level spirits to use their magic to defeat the enemy, I wouldn’t have gained any battle experience, apart from the experience points.
So, except in dangerous situations, I decided to fight on my own.

 

Honestly, even Bell and the other lower-level spirits can overpower enemies, so if I could make a contract with a Sylph, I wouldn’t have any reason to fight on my own.
But this is a fantasy world, and I want to become stronger too.

 

I peek inside quietly, and zombies and skeletons are standing around without feeling suffocated.
Normally, nests are as crowded as rush hour trains, but since there is space, it is confirmed that they have intelligence.

 

I also see zombie mages and zombie archers in the back.
It’s a hassle to have long-range attacks from the enemy.
But I can’t just kick and scatter everything around me and call it a day, so I need to remember the existence of long-range attacks during battles.

 

The Zombie general has a sword.
Did it evolve from the Zombie Knight? Well, if it’s a close-range fighter, it’s easier for us.
It’s time to go.

 

(Okay, I’m going to charge in.
If I’m in danger, please help me.)

 

(Understood.)

 

(Kyu.)

 

(Okay.)

 

I can’t hear everyone’s voice, so there’s no problem speaking normally.
But it’s nice that they reply in a low voice that matches mine, giving a sense of immersion.

 

Well, it’s time to charge in.
Usually, I would take out enemies with long-range attacks first, but this Zombie general has intelligence.
I don’t know what it might do with that, so I should take out the Zombie general first.

 

I charge in, swinging my hammer at maximum size.
I approach the Zombie general and try to flatten it.

 

“Enemy, defend yourselves.”

 

Yeah, it’s probably an order from the Zombie general, but the zombies with professions surrounding the Zombie general have gathered and hidden themselves.

 

Damn it.
Normally, they just rush at me, but with intelligence, they can respond quickly.
Magic and arrows are flying at me, so I dodge and keep my distance.
It’s my first ambush failure, and I’m a little shocked.

 

I watch the situation while deflecting the approaching zombies and skeletons with my hammer.
Oh, this is troublesome.
The zombie soldiers and zombie knights are a wall of flesh and densely packed.
Moreover, there are a lot of them, so there is a considerable thickness.
A literal wall of flesh… I’ve never seen anything like it.
Magic and arrows are flying from behind it.

 

I have no choice but to blow up the flesh wall steadily while dodging attacks.
My reflexes improved to some extent as my level went up.
This should be okay.

 

Well, the attacks that I couldn’t dodge are blocked by Bell and the others, but it’s not guaranteed that everything will be blocked, so I’m seriously dodging.

 

I dodge attacks and swing my hammer wildly as I approach.
If magic and arrows come flying, I dodge and retreat.
I wait for an opening and approach again, swinging my hammer.
The flesh wall has become considerably thinner.
If I approach a few more times, I should be able to blow everything away.

 

“Wait, wait.
Wait a minute, adventurer.
Why are you doing this?”

 

It’s a little hard to hear, but I can understand the words thrown at me.
Is it the Zombie general? I’m cautious and think about what to do.
Should I reply?

 

“I’ll ask again.
Why are you doing this? It’s insane for someone to charge into an undead lair alone.
Why are there even humans in this devastated land?”

 

It’s none of our business.
I’m not alone because Bell and the others are here.
That’s why I’m sane.
And I’m not here because I like to be in this land of death.

 

“We are living in peace here without causing trouble to anyone.
What reason do you have to commit such a heinous slaughter? Answer me.”

 

Huh? I’m starting to feel like I’m doing something really bad.
But wait, you´re a zombie, right? Undead creatures that attack humans, right?

 

“Answer me, adventurer.”

 

“Well, I’m not really an adventurer.
But, if I had to say, maybe I’m leveling up?”

 

“…So you trampled this peaceful paradise just for that?”

 

I’m starting to feel really guilty.
Is this some kind of mental attack?

 

“But, you guys are monsters, right? Even if you say you’re living peacefully, you’re the only ones with consciousness.”

 

“…These creatures might eventually develop consciousness too.
Are you saying you want to crush that possibility?”

 

The other person seems really angry.
He might be making a valid point, but I’m still not convinced.
Oh, wait.

 

“You guys spread miasma, right? Miasma isn’t good for the world.
So, it should be okay to defeat you.”

 

Is a zombie paradise really a good thing? As someone living in the land of the dead, I’d be in trouble if these creatures evolved too much.
Miasma is no joke.
What will happen to the crops in the fields?

 

“There are plenty of other monsters spreading miasma around here.
Why are you targeting us? If you want to defeat monsters that attack humans, go for those who do.
We’re just living in this cave.”

 

“But I live around here…just a little ways from here, and the ones who attack me are zombies and skeletons.”

 

“Don’t live in a place like this then.
Even I, who stopped being human a long time ago, can tell you that this land is a nest of undead.
It’s natural to be attacked by them if you settle in a place like this.
Besides, the reason why miasma is bad for the world is because it invades the surroundings and upsets the balance of the world.
This land has been dead for a long time already.”

 

…I feel like I’m losing the argument.
But I can’t admit that.
If I let a rotting zombie defeat me, I won’t be able to live with pride from now on.
I have to win this argument no matter what.