Eamon gestured to Malakai, "Instruct the rat to stay back with the other zombies. We need to approach discreetly."
With a gaze, Malakai relayed the order to the zombie rat.
With Malakai's less offensive odor compared to the zombies, they stealthily approached the direction in which the zombie rat had ventured.
As they moved forward, their senses heightened, they soon caught sight of a massive rat's nest in the distance, nestled within the depths of the forest. Eamon's eyes narrowed as he surveyed the scene before them.
In the shadow of the forest, the rat's nest loomed like a dark, twisted mass, woven from twigs, leaves, and debris. Labyrinthine tunnels extended in all directions, revealing the extent of the rodent colony that occupied it. Fresh scratches marked the entrance to the nest.
Eamon and Malakai retreated swiftly, heading back towards the group of zombies.
Eamon realized they needed a vantage point to observe the nest of rats before making any decisive moves.
After joining the rest of the troop, Eamon guided them to the base of a towering tree, its formidable trunk promising stability and concealment. Positioned about a hundred meters from the nest, it offered an ideal spot for observation. Eamon glanced up at the towering branches. "This tree will do nicely," he murmured to Malakai. "Let's climb up and get a better view of what we're dealing with."
Malakai nodded. "Yes, Master," he replied. "Will we attack the nest?"
Eamon shook his head. "Not yet," he replied. "For now, we observe. We gather information and look for any smaller groups of rats, preferably fewer than three, that stray from the nest. Those will be our targets."
Malakai nodded in understanding.
As they ascended the tree, Eamon couldn't help but notice the surprising strength in the zombies' fingers as they effortlessly gripped the trunk.
The zombie rat positioned itself beneath Eamon, providing a stable platform for him to climb. With each step, Eamon relied on the creature's body for support, pushing off with his legs to ascend further. The undead companions followed suit, their movements eerily synchronized as they scaled the tree with uncanny agility. Together, they all reached high branches, perching high above the forest floor.
From their vantage point, they had an unparalleled view of the nest below.
Groups of five to six rats came and went, their actions deliberate and coordinated. Some carried food in their mouths, while others dragged animal carcasses, plants, and fruits back to the nest. This bustling activity indicated a thriving and organized community.
Eamon couldn't help but admire their seamless synchronization and efficiency as he observed the rats' actions.
After a few moments, a lone rat emerged from the nest.
Eamon signaled to his undead to descend from the tree.
Preceded by the rat zombie, which positioned itself strategically below him to protect in case of a fall, Eamon descended to the forest floor. The rest of the undead followed suit.
They proceeded cautiously, trailing the rat as it scampered through the dense undergrowth of the forest. They traversed the woodland, the rat leading them deeper into the heart of the wilderness.
After a journey spanning more than ten kilometers (6.2 miles), they finally emerged into a tranquil clearing bathed in dappled sunlight. At its center, a small spring emerged from the earth, its crystal-clear waters trickling gently downstream, nourishing the lush vegetation that surrounded it.
The rat approached the water cautiously, its thirst driving it forward. But before it could take another sip, Eamon decided they were sufficiently far from the nest. With a swift motion, they launched their attack.
The rat, initially frozen with fear at the sight of the zombie rat and the other undead, emitted a series of piercing squeals that echoed through the forest. But the onslaught was relentless.
In a blur, the zombie rat lunged forward, its jaws snapping shut around the rat's neck.
The other undead creatures closed in, their movements jerky and relentless.
Malakai, seized the rat in his grasp. His fingers tightened around its body.
Meanwhile, the two human zombies, searched the floor. Their bony fingers scraped against the ground, seeking out a suitable stone—imperfect, jagged, and heavy. Finally they clutched their stones, their grip unyielding.
And then, with a synchronized motion, they raised their arms. The stones, became their weapons. With each strike, the rat's body shuddered under the impact. Its squeals grew more desperate.
Within moments, the rat lay motionless, its neck crushed between the jaws of the zombie rat. As the life drained from the creature, the undead ceased their assault.
Eamon's concern grew slightly upon hearing the rat's death cries echoed through the forest, but he doubted there would be any immediate repercussions. The dense forest was quiet after the chaos of the skirmish, there were likely no other groups of rats or creatures posing a potential danger in the vicinity.
"Malakai," Eamon's voice broke the silence, "keep watch and be ready to retreat if needed."
Malakai nodded, his gaze unwavering.
"And well done," Eamon added.
Without further ado, he activated his absorption power, consuming the rat's lifeless body.
As he absorbed the rat, the familiar sensation of ecstatic pleasure washed over him, accompanied by less physical discomfort than before.
There were no drastic changes to his appearance this time, but he could feel his muscles hardening slightly, and his shoulders seemed to broaden ever so slightly.
However, he felt a profound shift within himself. It was as if his mind had been sharpened to a keen edge, his thoughts flowing with newfound clarity and precision, like a well-oiled machine operating at optimal efficiency.
Eamon observed his attribute panel closely.
[Eamon's – Lord (Novice)]
- Strength: 5 (Average)
- Stamina: 4 (Below Average)
- Agility: 5 (Average)
- Intelligence: 6 (Above Average)
- Charisma: 4 (Below Average)
- Special Power: Necromancy
Eamon couldn't help but exclaim with joy upon seeing that he had gained an additional attribute point in intelligence. It explained the sensation of clarity he was experiencing.
He was confident that with the mental energy he now possessed, he could summon another zombie rat alongside Malakai. Moreover, even though his other physical attributes hadn't evolved, he was almost certain that would be the case once he absorbed one or two more rats.
Before seeking out more corpses, Eamon knew he needed to improve the capabilities of his troops. Despite their success, he knew they could achieve even greater efficiency.
"Malakai," Eamon began, "our methods are effective, but they lack finesse. We need to improve our combat techniques and equip ourselves with better tools."
Malakai nodded in agreement. "What do you propose, Master?" he inquired.
Eamon paused, considering their options. He knew that crafting complex weapons like bows would be challenging without proper tools, and he didn't think the zombies could use them with their limited intellect. Instead, he focused on a simpler yet effective solution. "I believe our best course of action is to create rudimentary spears," he declared.
Eamon considered that spears were simple to craft, requiring minimal resources. Yet, their utility in providing reach and safety from a distance was undeniable.
Eamon set out to gather suitable materials for crafting the first spear.
As he began his work, Eamon turned to Malakai and commanded, "Observe closely, and learn from the process." He carefully sought out a sturdy branch, just under two meters long, that could serve as the foundation for his weapon. After finding a suitable branch, he approached and, with force, snapped it, ensuring it was straight and robust enough to be used as a spear. Then, he cleaned the branch of small twigs and bark that could hinder its maneuverability, until the branch was smooth to the touch.
For the tip of his spear, Eamon chose a triangular-shaped stone. He then retrieved a rough stone and, with concentration, rubbed the triangular stone against the rough surface in circular and back-and-forth movements with constant pressure, until the tip was perfectly sharpened, ready to pierce through resistance with precision.
Removing a piece of fabric from Fred's shirt, Eamon tore it into a strip. He then wrapped the fabric around the stone and the stick, before tightly securing them with knots to ensure their fixation.
Once the tip was secured, Eamon carefully examined his work. He felt satisfied.
Turning to Malakai, he showed him the spear. "Do you think you can make three spears like this?" he inquired.
Malakai nodded confidently. "Absolutely, Master."
Eamon nodded with satisfaction, overseeing Malakai's work with the assistance of Fred and Cassandra. Together, they toiled away, crafting three additional spears with precision and efficiency.
As the morning wore on and transitioned into afternoon, Eamon, Malakai, Fred, and Cassandra were all equipped with sturdy spears in hand.
"What do we do now?" Malakai asked as he observed Eamon.
Eamon's grip on his spear tightened as he turned to Malakai. "We go back to hunting!" he declared.