Chapter 13: Remembered Memories
Chapter 13: Remembered Memories
"Stop."
Before Gu Xi's combat squad could advance, Luna stopped them.
"Only the master and I need to go in."
Seeing Luna's determined expression, Gu Xi waved his hand.
"Combat squad, surround the area. If anyone approaches, stop them with full force."
Gu Xi didn't specify how to stop them because, for skeletons, there was only one way to prevent enemies from approaching: kill them all.
After arranging the skeletons, Gu Xi followed Luna into the small building.
As soon as he opened the door, Gu Xi believed the legends told by Jack and the others. King James I had indeed created an exact replica of a new city to deceive the high lord.
Not only was the city's exterior identical, but even the interior of each room was replicated perfectly.
Upon opening the door, Gu Xi saw a modestly sized living room covered in a thick layer of dust. Yet, the arrangement of the dining table, the wear marks under the chairs, and the firewood by the fireplace were all in place.
However, with a single glance, Gu Xi realized that this arrangement was artificial. The living room appeared to be in order, but it lacked any trace of human presence.
After entering the living room, Luna stopped at the dining table, seemingly deep in thought.
Gu Xi walked to the table, wiped off some dust with his hand, and noticed that the table, aside from the thick layer of dust, bore no signs of time.
There were no cobwebs, and the table hadn't rotted. This was clearly abnormal.
As Gu Xi pondered this anomaly, Luna suddenly looked up and began to float upwards.
Seeing Luna pass through the ceiling startled Gu Xi. He glanced around and quickly found the stairs to the second floor, racing up them.
At this moment, the two-story building began to tremble slightly, and black figures appeared on the nearby streets.
They seemed drawn by some force, moving towards the small building.
The skeletons surrounding the building noticed the black figures immediately.
Without Gu Xi or his contracted undead to command them, the undead would act according to Gu Xi's last orders.
Gu Xi had ordered them to guard the vicinity and prevent anyone from approaching. Naturally, the skeletons obeyed.
Upon seeing the black figures emerging from the alleys, the skeletons quickly mobilized.
Each combat squad, led by their respective leaders, eagerly prepared for battle.
Although these black figures looked different from the shadow creatures they had previously fought, the undead sensed them by their aura, not their appearance.
The black figures exuded a similar eerie aura to the shadow creatures and would likely produce eerie beads.
These beads were excellent for enhancing the undead. The skeleton leaders, eager for more beads, were ready to attack quickly.
However, they didn't forget Gu Xi's order. After a few probing attempts, the skeletons swiftly positioned themselves. Scattered skeletons surrounded the building, preventing enemies from getting close, while the combat squads blocked both ends of the street.
At that moment, the black figures had approached within about twenty meters of the building.
Skeletons didn't believe in warnings. As soon as the black figures got close, they charged with their weapons drawn.
These black figures were actually shadow creatures that had replaced humans.
Before replacing humans, shadow creatures were shapeless, aiming to take human form.
But after replacing humans, they had no goals. They didn't need food or drink, as their existence was sustained by the space itself, and nothing in the city could attract their attention.
Normally, they wandered the city's mist.
Over time, some shadow creatures would forget human memories and revert to their original forms. However, some, having gained benefits in the mist, retained human abilities and grew stronger.
These shadow creatures were highly sensitive to changes in the city. Anything that attracted them would draw them in immediately.
The shadow creatures in the alleys had sensed the change in the small building and were drawn to it. To them, whatever was inside the building was material for their growth.
But Gu Xi's skeletons had no intention of letting the black figures pass.
As the figures approached, the skeletons charged, slashing at the black figures.
[Skeleton (Summon) killed Shadow Creature (Level 2). You gained 1 experience point, the combat squad gained 1 experience point, and the summon gained 8 experience points.]
[Skeleton (Summon) killed Shadow Creature (Level 1). You gained 1 experience point, the combat squad gained 1 experience point, and the summon gained 9 experience points. Skeleton leveled up to Level 1.]
[...]
Upon reaching the second floor, a string of notifications popped up before Gu Xi's eyes.
Gu Xi quickly understood that someone had attacked. While he believed in the quantity of his undead, he couldn't be sure about their strength.
Most of these skeletons were Level 0, not even proper skeleton soldiers.
Against normal humans, they could rely on numbers and their fearless fighting style to suppress the enemy.
But against equally fearless and numerous enemies, the situation could be different.
He needed to handle Luna's matter quickly.
Thinking this, Gu Xi sped up and reached the room directly above the living room.
Inside, he found Luna standing by a bed, the round mirror she always held now placed on the bed, and she was holding a doll dressed identically to her.
This sight stunned Gu Xi. Then he noticed something else: directly opposite the bed by the window was a simple dressing table, its round mirror missing.
Seeing the size of the mirror Luna placed on the bed, a thought flashed through Gu Xi's mind.
Could this be where Luna was born?
As Gu Xi was still pondering, Luna looked up and, in her sharp yet hollow voice, said,
"I remember now. This is my home. I have my own name. I am Luna, Luna Aridove."