His mother clearly knew Xu Nuo's prowess in killing zombies. She didn't understand why Park Su was so intent on bringing such a formidable killer here. She was worried that her son, even as a zombie, would be killed by Xu Nuo. Despite his current state, as long as he retained his son's mind, she didn't want him to die. For her, his survival, even as a zombie, was a comfort, but his death would leave her with no hope.
Therefore, she had been urging Park Su to hide for the past few days. Park Su did hide, but he was observing the zombies attacking ability users from a different location.
He watched from a distance, not intervening, knowing that as a zombie, any ability user would only be more eager to kill him rather than thank him.
Perched high in the tree branches, he used the dense foliage and his wood-type ability for camouflage to search for Xu Nuo. Unfortunately, despite knowing Xu Nuo had arrived at Base B, he hadn't caught a glimpse of him over several days, which left him slightly disheartened. However, this was his only chance to see Xu Nuo, and he was not willing to give up.
On this day, nestled in the tree, he watched the battle between zombies and ability users, seeing half the ability users fall while all the zombies were cleared. Sighing at another day without seeing Xu Nuo, Park Su was about to leave when he sensed a slight movement on the opposite tree branch. His heart rate quickened.
Using his mental power to investigate, he indeed saw Xu Nuo, who seemed to be observing the situation below as well. But as soon as Park Su probed, Xu Nuo retaliated with his mental force, causing Park Su a slight headache.
Realizing he had been detected, Park Su was puzzled. He had used his mental power to probe Xu Nuo many times before, and Xu Nuo had always seemed unaware, allowing him to observe freely. Now, it appeared Xu Nuo had always known but chose to act oblivious.
So, what was Xu Nuo thinking, allowing him to scrutinize him like that? Had he also seen through Park Su's feelings for him?
Park Su gave a bitter laugh, feeling a pang of pain in his heart. Even if Xu Nuo had noticed his affection, what difference would it make now?
The Xu Nuo from that world felt very distant to him now, after over two months of living as a zombie. His past life seemed like a dream, a sweet one he often reminisced about, wishing he could return to it. If he had the chance, he would ask Xu Nuo if he had known about his feelings all along and if his actions towards him indicated mutual interest.
Although this thought stirred his heart, he knew if he could return to that dream, he would confess his feelings to Xu Nuo immediately and ask if he would accept him as a lover.
But now, feeling Xu Nuo's intent to attack, Park Su didn't want to disturb the injured ability users below. He wasn't sure if Xu Nuo would follow, but he left the branch swiftly.
Xu Nuo, sensing that the figure he saw was not human and was certainly not a low-tier zombie he had seen before, understood that if it was a zombie with intelligence, it must be a high-tier one. Thus, eliminating this threat was necessary, regardless of any past connection.
He had no intention of involving the ability users below; Xu Nuo was always a lone wolf, confident in his abilities. He followed the zombie, noticing its speed and the familiar steps, which puzzled him. His master had only taught him these techniques, and he hadn't taken on any other disciples. The only possibility was that this zombie had some other connection to his master, but that didn't change the fact that zombies were enemies of humanity.
High-tier zombies could control lower ones, potentially leading to a horde that could easily destroy a base. Knowing this, Xu Nuo couldn't ignore it, as it would affect his Taoist heart, possibly leading to inner demons.
Park Su hadn't expected Xu Nuo to catch up so quickly, but at the same time, he felt it was fitting. Xu Nuo was someone who seemed cold but was deeply responsible. Once, Park Su was someone Xu Nuo wanted to protect; now, he was someone Xu Nuo must eliminate. The thought made his heart, which no longer beat, ache with a spasmodic pain.
He led Xu Nuo to a somewhat remote forest. After ensuring there was no one around, he stopped and sat on a tree branch, awaiting Xu Nuo's arrival.
In his view, he had long prepared himself for this. Dying at Xu Nuo's hand was the best end for him now. Although he hadn't anticipated this outcome upon meeting, he wouldn't regret it if it had to happen.
Xu Nuo hadn't expected the zombie to stop and wait for him. He slowed his pace, suspecting a trap nearby.
He stopped about three meters in front of Park Su and pulled out several lightning talismans from his spatial ring, ready for battle.
Seeing his stance, Park Su understood his thoughts, feeling a bitterness rise from within. He swallowed and finally spoke, "You don't need to be so guarded against me. There are only you and my mother whom I would never harm. In fact, it was I who sent the message for you to come to B Base.
The task to help exterminate high-level zombies was also assigned by me. The nuclei and rewards you received for completing this task were given by me, so..." you have no reason to be so wary of me.
Unfortunately, he hadn't finished his sentence when Xu Nuo interjected, "So you knew about me from the old man, knowing I was your greatest enemy, and led me here to kill me?"
Park Su hadn't expected Xu Nuo to think this way, especially as he felt the intense killing intent from Xu Nuo.
This made him feel even worse. Zombies didn't have tears, so he could only look at Xu Nuo, noting how different Xu Nuo was from his memory.
The Xu Nuo in his memory was also distant but not so filled with killing intent and coldness. There seemed to be no emotions or attachments left in his eyes.
He used to show him occasional tenderness, and his eyes held many emotions, not always this cold. Maybe that's why his heart always raced when Xu Nuo looked at him with those slanted eyes.
Such coldness was usually reserved for his enemies. Clearly, in Xu Nuo's eyes, he was now a complete enemy.
This realization made Park Su bitterly smile. What hope could he hold? The Xu Nuo from his dreams wasn't here. How could he be?
He understood clearly that to Xu Nuo, he was someone to be killed. Yet, he had to explain to the current Xu Nuo, even though he himself found it hard to believe, "It's not like that. I'm not here to kill you, but to die by your hand."
Xu Nuo, predictably, frowned with disbelief, then coldly sneered, "Really? If that's the case, let's see what the old man taught you."
Park Su knew Xu Nuo wouldn't believe him. Even he found his own words absurd. How could Xu Nuo believe them?
He thought for a moment and removed his spatial ring, which he had obtained from an ability user.
This ability user had also died at the hands of another group of fifth-level zombies. Xu Nuo had found him already dead. Although he hadn't intended to intervene, seeing the ring, he drove away those people and claimed the ring.
It looked exactly like the one he used in his dream. Over time, he had stored many things for his mother in this ring.
Inside, there are two letters—one for Xu Nuo and one for my mother. He removed the ring and placed it in front of him, making sure Xu Nuo could see it before speaking. "I know you have many formations that can kill zombies instantly.
I've only seen two such formations, but neither can kill me easily. Since I wish to die by your hand, I hope you can make it swift. I trust you can do that.
As for this ring, it contains a letter for you and another for my mother. The supplies inside are divided into two parts: one as payment for killing me, and the other as my mother's living expenses.
However, aside from the letter, I hope you can give these nuclei to my mother later, at least when she is in need.
I know this request is a bit cumbersome, but considering I know this spatial ring was made by you, and I share your footwork and mental abilities, please do me this favor."
Using his wood ability, he extended a branch to securely hold the ring, then leaped down from the tree. Facing Xu Nuo's wary eyes, he tried to make his cold zombie face look friendlier. He spread his arms and said, "Go ahead. I promise I won't fight back."