It's been 3 weeks since my last encounter with the hannis and during that time I had found and build myself a new place to lie low for a while. It was a relatively small place that is hidden underneath the forest. The roofs are covered in vines and so does the walls. Big rocks surrounded our makeshift shelter and a few pile of dead trees to truly cover the house. The place might be small but it's enough for Whity and I to fit in.
Undearneath the house is a laboratory I made and right now, I'm currently in the process of finishing up my armor. It was not easy. I had to scavenge a lot at the abandoned villages and city's to get the equipment I needed to finish it. Not because of the occasional undead trying to kill me on sight. I'm already used to that. But because for some reason, every horde of undead I found, I noticed that some of them had a sentient walking among them. A few brief encounters with them took me a bit of surprise and one of them almost killed me. Fortunately for me, I pulled through and every victory I get, I often had a sentient meal to power up. Right now, I finally finished it. I let out a smile at my success. This armor is quite special if you ask me. Despite my newly gained high speed regeneration, it still causes me to hunger and being hungry during a battle is not a really great plan. With this, I can go on without distractions. Now back to the matter at hand, this armor is not the only thing I finished. The enhancement serum for Whity is also done. I've given it to him a few hours ago and results are tremendous. Whity gained a regenerative ability, enhanced strength and agility, and the ability to coat himself with high amount of electricity. He will no longer be helpless when faced with those sentients again. This serum will make him stand on equal footing to most of the Sentient Lord's powerhouses. But now, let's not get to carried away. There are still a lot I don't know about the Sentient Lord's generals. I know that they are strong but with my newly gained power up, I know I can fight some of them without difficulty but I can never know if a few of them is a real monster in strength. So I have to be extra cautious.
I put my equipment down and put my armor inside the case and hid it inside a small vault. I went outside to get a chance to relax. On the way, I saw Whity sleeping at the corner. I didn't mind it one bit and just continued on my way.
Once I'm outside, I sat at the chair nearby. My thoughts slowly drifted towards the time I was still alive. I couldn't help but let out a smile. To think that everything was so simple back then. I had no worries, I was just Jerome. A simple man that got dumped by his girlfriend before dying at that cursed monster truck. Now that I think about it, it's been years since I got here. And on that time, my life had turned to hell. That thought caused a small frown to appear on my face. The first few days are horrible as I had to fight a zombie the first time I got here. Then, it got worse and worse as new ones appeared to try to kill me. Not all of it is bad though as I met Whity on the way. That little turned out to be quite a companion during my journey. Then I made a nest to make myself a home and a place I can feel safe. Lastly there's Juha Bara.
I clinched my fists at her memory. She was my mentor and guide despite her flirty behavior. She had helped me to become stronger and trained my fighting style. Now my nest is gone and so is her. Maybe in time, I could have fall for her however, that will now only be a thought because of that damn Sentient Lord. I could feel my anger rising and quickly calm myself down.
He will pay.
He. Will. Pay.
Haa. A sigh escaped me as I recall the memory again. I really need to control myself.
The day ended with me resting for a few hours before returning to my lab for more work.
...
At the top of the castle, a lone figure was sitting there with his head resting on his right hand. His eyes traveled to the large number of people being brought to the castle. They are accompanied by the crawlers and bulkers from all sides. Their faces are stricken by fear. People of all ages can be seen at the crowd. The elderly, adult, teens, and even children. All of them had no choice but to follow their undead guides. Some are even seen crying but their captors had paid them no mind.
Right at the back of the tower, a general had shown up and kneeled at the sitting Sentient Lord.
"My lord, we are able to capture a total of 4000 hannis. The other 2000 are on their way as we speak."
"Good, have there been any disturbances?"
"A few hannis had came in and were able to rescue a few but it bears no consequence as the amount we've got is still high enough."
The general finished his report and awaited for his dismissal however, he did not expect a pure adulterated killing intent to rain down upon him. The intent was so strong that he almost dropped down to the floor but he willed himself to remain kneeling before his master. His form shocked and fear had displayed right in his face as the eyes of the Sentient Lord is now fully focused on him.
"General Yebe, are you telling me that YOU had FAILED to capture the total amount of those vermins just because of those another pesky hannis?"
"My-my lo-ord, I-I don't u-nderstand?" The general is left a quivering mess as he tried to form coherent words to his master.
"You don't understand? Are you that dumb to expect a praise from me when you clearly failed on your mission?
General Yebe, I appointed you to carry this mission out considering your strength and rank. I EXPECTED you to carry this mission without fail but here you are, lacking on your delivery and expected to get a praise from me"
The Sentient Lord is now standing and looking at him is frightening intensity.
"General Yebe"
The said general is now intensely shaking in his position. A few tears are running down his face as the Sentient Lord addressed his name.
"Answer me GENERAL YEBE!!"
"My lord-d please f-forgive me. I tried-d my be-est. Ple-ase don't k-kill me!" He begged with his head solely faced to the ground. He did not dare to raise his head or move in his position but deep down inside is a fear so high that he is barely controlling himself. Voices are telling him to run. To flee from this monster in front of him but he willed to remain in his position.
For fleeing at the front of the Sentient Lord is the same as courting death.
"Are YOU ordering me now, General?"
That question instantly paralyzed him. He felt himself going numb and could not form any words of rebuttal.
"Well? Answer me General Yebe. Are you feelinh so high and mighty that you had the AUDACITY to order me?"
Every word that left the Sentient Lord's mouth had pierced the general's heart with fear. Despair is now fully visible on his face.
'This is it. I'm going to die' the general thought grimly as tears are now flowing rapidly in his eyes. He slowly closed his eyes. Embracing his inevitable end however the killing intent slowly dissapeared. The general could feel himself slowly relaxing as the frightening atmosphere is now gone.
"General Yebe. Your life will not end here today."
The said general felt a huge amount of relief as his master has uttered those words.
"I will give you a chance. ONE chance to correct this mistake you made, General Yebe."
"A-anything, my Lord."
"Good. The sentient that Juha mentored. He's still alive. I want you to find him and kill him."
"Yes, m-my Lord" the general answered with pure focus.
"With your strength, you alone can kill him so this is no difficult job for you. However..."
The general felt the killing intent again but this time, the energy is low. The effect is still the same though as panic is now visible to the general's face.
"Fail me again and you can consider your guts being scattered to the floor and your pathetic body being feed to the other generals."
The general almost vomits at the imagery but he calmed himself down.
"Are we clear?"
"Y-yes, my Lord."
"Good. You are dismissed."
General Yebe shakingly stood and slowly exited the room. His heart now filled with pure desperation and fear.
'I must succeed. I must succeed. I must succeed!'