The first-tier zombies, though not particularly powerful, employed an exceptionally brutal combat style. The unsuspecting Emerald Venom Spider, lost in its slumber, had no inkling of the nightmare that was about to descend upon it. For a creature that had lived a carefree life in the Spider Forest, the bizarre dream it seemed to experience was nothing short of tragic.
It dreamt of being pulled apart by two strange figures while a third approached menacingly. Before it could make sense of anything, the dream—and its life—ended abruptly.
Unlike their hapless comrade, the other Emerald Venom Spiders were far more vigilant. Sensing the encroaching danger, they promptly sent warning signals to their nearby kin.
No one could quite decipher how they communicated, but soon, spiders began converging on Terry Ayr's position in ever-increasing numbers.
The ominous scuttling of countless legs reverberated through the forest floor, sending a chill down Terry's spine. Judging by the sound alone, he could tell that their numbers far exceeded a mere hundred.
"Yingzi, divide the group! Form teams of three zombies each and engage at will!" Terry commanded.
At his order, another thousand zombies emerged from the Summoning Gate, forming a protective circle around him. Feeling somewhat reassured with this undead battalion by his side, Terry allowed himself a brief exhale of relief.
Collecting the Emerald Venom Spider hearts turned out to be far more challenging than expected. While the spiders' venom proved useless against the undead, their sticky webs were an entirely different story, ensnaring zombies and significantly hindering their movements.
Seeing the difficulty of the task, Terry summoned another two thousand zombies to join the fray. He had little choice; wealth wasn't something he had in abundance, but manpower? He could summon it in spades. With an army of forty thousand zombies at his disposal, he hadn't even tapped into a fraction of his resources.
With the reinforcements in place, the tide quickly turned. The requisite hundred spider hearts were soon collected, and Terry issued the retreat order.
There was no need to obliterate the spider population entirely—this mission was solely to fulfill the old man's task. Had Terry unleashed the full might of his undead legion from the start, the Emerald Venom Spiders would have likely been wiped from existence.
With the bag of spider hearts in hand, Terry set off toward the Leisa Empire, home to the nearest mercenary guild.
The guild's administrator, Riley, was known for his diligence. Over decades, he had tirelessly managed the guild's tasks, earning him the affectionate nickname "Old Riley" from those who knew him well.
When Terry entered the guild hall, a faint but pungent scent of blood wafted through the air. Riley frowned. The guild primarily dealt in magical crystals, widely used across the continent for crafting weapons, powering spells, and fortifying equipment. While other valuable materials were occasionally traded, anything reeking of blood was usually a beast's body part. However, it was unusual for such a thing to be carried in by a child.
"Hello, sir. I'd like to submit a completed task," Terry said politely.
Without bothering to rise, Riley glanced up lazily from his seat. "Place your goods on the table, kid. But I'll warn you—this guild doesn't accept stray cats or random junk."
Terry merely smiled, saying nothing, and emptied the bag onto the table. A cascade of emerald hearts tumbled out.
Riley shot to his feet, his chair clattering backward with a loud thud. "What in the world?! These are Emerald Venom Spider hearts! Kid, don't tell me you hunted these yourself?"
"Sir, I'm in a hurry. Could you please process the mission stamp for me?" Terry's tone was calm but insistent. He had already spent a significant amount of time queuing at the guild, and with the clock ticking, every second counted.
"Fine," Riley grumbled, dissatisfied with Terry's curt response but bound by guild rules. Administrators were forbidden from prying into the methods mercenaries used to complete their tasks.
After stamping Terry's mercenary badge and explaining its usage, Riley watched as the boy pricked his finger, letting a drop of blood seep into the badge. A divine glow enveloped it briefly, signifying that the badge now belonged to Terry.
With the earned contribution points tallied, Terry's badge glimmered once more, transforming from a basic iron rank to a silver-tier emblem.
Terry pocketed the badge and collected his reward, quickly leaving the guild.
Back in Kodo City, it was the fifth and final day of the agreed timeline. Terry headed straight to the tavern the old man had specified. Entering the room, he found the elder waiting, a pleased smile lighting up his face.
"Well done, young man. I'm impressed you managed it," the old man said, tossing a ring toward Terry. "It's yours now. Take it."
Terry's hands trembled slightly as he caught the ring. Placing it on his finger, he admired the intricate patterns on its surface. However, his awe turned to alarm when a sharp pain pricked his finger. The ring was absorbing his blood!
The old man chuckled. "Don't worry, boy. It's a special kind of spatial ring. You'll understand its benefits in time. Now go—our deal is complete, and I've matters to attend to."
Bowing deeply in gratitude, Terry left the room. As he reached the door, the old man called after him, "Remember, kid—this little town isn't where you belong. Deliver more tasks to the mercenary guild, and you'll see what I mean."
Terry paused briefly, then continued walking without a word.
On his way home, the old man's words lingered in his mind, stirring memories of his arrival in this world. Perhaps it was time to start planning for something greater.
---
"Snap!" The sharp crack of a cane interrupted Terry's thoughts as it struck his back.
"Where have you been for five days?!" Chris's voice was laced with fury, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. She had searched every corner of Kodo City, her worry consuming her.
"Chris, come with me. There's something I need to tell you," Terry said, his tone unusually firm.
Chris froze. It had been thirteen years since he had last called her by name.
For hours, Terry recounted everything—from his arrival in Kodo City to the events of the past days.
"Get out," Chris said coldly.
"Wait, Chris. I didn't mean to deceive you—"
"I said, get out!"
"Please, listen. Your face is flushed; are you—"
"OUT!" Chris shoved Terry out of her room, slamming the door shut.
"From now on, you're not allowed in my room!" she shouted.
"But, Chris, we only have one room!" Terry protested weakly.
"Figure it out!" came the muffled reply.