Human beings are, in truth, remarkably fragile creatures.
No matter how strong one may appear in their daily facade, when confronted with disasters beyond their control, understanding, or defense, that already tenuous self-masquerade will be stripped away, leaving nothing behind.
In the chaotic hall, countless former living beings, now transformed into malevolent spirits, surged in from the gaping doorway.
Their desiccated limbs and bodies resembled mummified corpses parched by the desert sun, while a foul stench permeated the air, accompanying their approach and filling the hall.
Dozens of unsuspecting travelers were swiftly engulfed by this tide of the deceased, their forms reduced to mere fragments of flesh and blood that danced amidst the grasping, skeletal arms, sending everyone else scrambling backward in sheer terror.
"Do not panic! Everyone, do not panic!" a middle-aged mercenary shouted amidst the tumultuous crowd.
The towering figure wielding a massive axe instilled a glimmer of safety among the lost sheep.
"These beings are likely ghouls summoned by a wicked sorcerer. Despite their terrifying appearance, they are not as fearsome as they seem; any individual with even a modicum of martial training could easily vanquish them!"
"Now, I need all first-tier and above practitioners to step forward. I will lead the charge, and together we shall carve a path to escape!" the mercenary declared, drawing the attention of all present.
Amidst the crowd, glances exchanged, and soon over a dozen mages and warriors of varied attire gathered around the middle-aged mercenary.
Tianxin City, a desolate border town, had recently gained a semblance of prosperity due to the Songstress of Water, Freya. However, within this waiting hall, those possessing any real strength were but a minority.
"Good! Everyone, gather together. These ghouls are not particularly formidable. I will lead the way; let us charge forward and clear a route!" the mercenary bellowed, raising his axe as he plunged into the throng of corpses.
The remaining thirteen followed closely behind, their sharp blades flashing in the cold wind as the group of fourteen collided with the surging tide of the dead.
"Ugh!!!"
Amidst the screams, like droplets merging into the ocean, the fourteen overconfident practitioners were instantly torn apart by countless grasping, skeletal hands, reduced to a mass of shredded flesh and bone, devoured by the roaring "humans."
Their once razor-sharp blades struck the so-called "frail ghouls," yet failed to inflict even a single ordinary wound!
The horrific scene shattered the flicker of hope that had briefly ignited within the crowd, plunging everyone into overwhelming fear as they retreated desperately, believing that only by doing so could they find a semblance of safety.
However, the hall was already small, and soon the retreating travelers discovered they had nowhere left to go, while before them, pairs of ravenous, skeletal hands inched ever closer.
As if descending into a hopeless hell, those cornered souls let out desperate wails, seemingly pleading for divine mercy.
Yet, the heavens have never responded to humanity's pleas.
Amidst this chaotic throng, a figure of indifference rose silently, a tattered gray cloak billowing slightly in the cold wind, obscuring his expression beneath a tangle of gray and white hair.
The man stepped forward coldly, revealing a weathered sword from beneath his cloak, yet the terrified crowd remained oblivious to his actions.
Until...
The man's impassive figure departed from the chaotic mass, moving steadily towards the oncoming "tide of corpses." At that moment, everyone finally noticed this indifferent man, his tattered gray cloak instantly capturing their attention.
He walked coldly toward the surging "tide of corpses," his gaze icy as he regarded the outstretched, ravenous skeletal hands. Xiao Mu Yu's steps remained unbroken, his eyes reflecting a pool of despair.
"Swish!!!"
The sound of countless severed limbs and broken arms flying through the air echoed like blades grinding flesh in a meat grinder, as the indifferent man continued forward.
It seemed an invisible barrier of razor-sharp blades surrounded him, instantly shredding any "humans" that approached.
Wherever Xiao Mu Yu passed, a gruesome carpet of blood and bone formed beneath him, paving a path that resembled a crimson rug.
With each cold step upon this path of flesh, he carved a route through the surging tide of corpses, his silhouette gradually vanishing from the sight of all in the hall.
(Haha... Human boy, are you not going to help save those pitiful, innocent, and tragically fated lambs? Is it truly acceptable to abandon them in such a dire situation? After all, you are a partner of justice... Hahaha...)
Within the confines of his consciousness, the demon's raucous laughter echoed incessantly, yet Xiao Mu Yu remained unfazed, his gaze coldly surveying the scene before him.
At that moment, the once-bustling street was still filled with "life."
The aimless, swaying footsteps and the emaciated, lifeless forms drifted along the street, clearly conveying to the living that they had lost all semblance of their former humanity.
(Tsk tsk tsk... Such audacity, such methods! Transforming so many humans into ghoul-like beings in such a short time, stripping away so many lives at once. Ah, this mastermind behind the curtain is truly formidable! Hahaha... So, human boy, what are your thoughts? Come now, let us converse... Hahaha...)
Gazing coldly at the corpses that had lunged at the scent of the living, only to be instantly reduced to shredded meat by an invisible blade, Xiao Mu Yu replied coolly, "In my world, we have a term for such creatures—zombies."
(Oh? Zombies? Corpses stripped of their dignity as living beings? Hehehe, what an apt description, human boy! I find myself increasingly intrigued by the culture of your world. Hahaha... Has your world ever encountered such occurrences?)
"We have not encountered them, but," Xiao Mu Yu coldly stated, "there have been similar concepts in films and dramas."
(Haha... It seems your world is rather dull, if such events are a source of inspiration! Hehehe... So, human boy, what would you do in the face of such a situation? Defeat the mastermind behind it and save the living in this city?)
"..." Turning indifferently toward the direction of the magical train station, Xiao Mu Yu replied coldly, "Leaving this city is what I must do now."
(Oh? Human boy, are you headed to the magical train station? But if the airship station has been attacked, can the train station be any different? Hehehe... Why not return and unleash a massacre? After all, those beings are already dead; you need not feel any remorse in slaying them. Come now! Hahaha...)
Ignoring the demon's incitements, Xiao Mu Yu's gaze remained chillingly resolute.
"These zombies carry a profound aura of death. With careful sensing, one can ascertain that the northern district of this city has yet to be tainted by this aura, indicating that the assault of these zombies has not reached there. If I move swiftly, I can board the magical train and escape this city before the tide of zombies arrives."
(Ohhhhh!!! No wonder you are a ninth-tier powerhouse, with such keen perception. But... Hehehe... Human boy, what about the humans in this city? Will you not intervene? If this continues unchecked, it will become a hell on earth, leading to countless families torn apart and lovers forever separated!)
(Oh, just imagining such a tragic scenario makes one unable to resist... unable to resist... Oh, unable to hold back tears... Hahaha...)
Still disregarding the demon's wicked laughter, Xiao Mu Yu walked coldly down the street, his tone frigid as he stated, "The lives and deaths of those humans are of no concern to me."
As his cloak billowed slightly, the man's indifferent silhouette gradually faded into the depths of the street.