Chapter 132: Plague Suits Collected!
It had been ten days since the apocalypse began.
In the days that followed, as the strength of the evolutionaries increased—especially the pioneers from Group 001—this was more evident.
The appearance of mutants, amidst the massive numbers of zombies, no longer seemed too extraordinary.
Just as Novak had predicted earlier, people began discussing the trade of mutant parts.
However, the main items were the Claw of the Tyrant and the Core of Roshan.
Novak already had both of these.
This wasn't surprising; Roshan was nothing special, and zombies like the Tyrants, which mutated to gain strength and agility, were relatively common.
Among spiritual evolutionists, though, Heretics and Lords were exceedingly rare.
Especially the "Lords"!
These unimaginable mutants, capable of controlling other zombies with their immense mental power, almost always appeared surrounded by hordes of corpses.
Novak knew that gathering the materials and conditions for the "Biochemical Disaster" blueprint wouldn't be easy.
But this time, after returning to the gathering place and through the mission linked to the Golden City-Building Order—fueled by the Cosmic Will—he'd discovered some leads on the whereabouts of a "lord."
For Novak, this was an unexpected and incredible surprise!
At the same time, for the evolutionaries standing atop the city walls, seeing countless zombies coming down the mountain road, their nerves were on edge, and many swallowed anxiously.
In the past few days, they had entered De M-anila, clearing zombies house by house.
Killing them one by one had been satisfying. But now, seeing these zombies condensed into a wave, they no longer looked like the ones they had been easily slicing through. The sight of the humming, surging corpses heading their way made it impossible to remain indifferent.
"This must be the first corpse tide since the apocalypse started, right?" Daphne asked as she joined them on the city wall.
As the leader of the gathering place, it was only natural for her to be present at such a crucial moment.
Novak didn't answer immediately.
If the noise of the corpse tide within the city drew in more zombies from the surrounding area, it would also form a larger tide.
But now, the dense group of zombies blocking the road ahead was already a real corpse wave!
Novak finally spoke.
"Is everything ready?"
Daphne nodded. Along the city walls, beside the evolutionaries, large boulders had been prepared.
These ancient siege defenses could cause devastating damage, even now.
Without hot weapons, this was undoubtedly their best option.
"And Meimei? Is her residence arranged? Has she left?" Novak asked.
Daphne gave him a sidelong glance.
"Yes, yes. You've just found that little girl in the hotel, and now you've picked up another one somewhere!"
Novak turned his head, his gaze resting on the fleshy mass on the wall of Roshan.
"That's beside the point. Meimei is different. I don't want her to suffer any mistreatment here. If that happens—no matter the reason—I won't hesitate to forget past loyalties."
Seeing the coldness in his eyes, Daphne felt a slight pang of resentment but quickly responded seriously.
"Don't worry, I know what to do."
"It's in your best interest to befriend her. Meimei isn't like Dane. She'll be easier to get along with."
Novak exhaled slowly, his tension easing as he prepared to descend from the city wall.
Just then, Daphne spoke again.
"Wait, this is for you!"
Novak turned, raising his eyebrows in surprise.
Before him were two pieces of equipment—precisely what he needed.
Earlier, he had already acquired three pieces of the Plague Suit: the plague boots, plague robes, and plague gloves.
And now, the items presented to him were the remaining crucial pieces.
[Plague Emblem (Level E)]
- Armor: Heart Mirror
- Spirit +5
- Toxic Blessing: Enhances the effect of all plague-related skills.
- Plague Suit (4/5): All attributes +10; attack with plague effects.
- Requirements: Evolutionary level ≥ 5.
('Note: Worn by the plague messengers, this emblem symbolizes the spread of plague and death.')
But that wasn't all. What truly surprised Novak was the next item.
It was the core component of the Plague Suit that he had longed for:
[Beak Mask (Grade D)]
- Armor: Headpiece
- All attributes +10
- Death Messenger: 1% chance of instant death for enemies whose level is not higher than 5 levels below the wearer.
- Plague Suit (5/5): All attributes +15; plague effect attack; Set Skill: Disease Cloud.
- Disease Cloud: Surrounds the area with a poisonous cloud that inflicts the 'highly toxic' debuff on all nearby enemies.
- Requirements: Evolutionary level ≥ 5.
('Note: The beak mask worn by plague doctors in the Middle Ages not only protected them from disease, but symbolized the arrival of death and despair.')
Novak couldn't help but gasp at the sight.
The effect of the complete Plague Suit was outstanding!
The Beak Mask was undoubtedly the core piece of the Plague Suit, and now that he had the full set, his attributes had increased by 30 points across the board.
With his newly boosted stats, Novak's power was now approaching a whole new level. The "Disease Cloud" skill alone was a devastating group ability.
Looking at Daphne, Novak asked, "You're giving me this?"
Daphne smiled.
"Isn't this exactly what you need?"
This woman… was intriguing.
Novak nodded, saying no more, and lightly kissed her forehead for the first time.
Zombie masks were now a thing of the past. Dressed in the green and black Plague Suit and wearing the Beak Mask, Novak truly resembled a messenger of death from the Middle Ages—a plague doctor.
He then jumped down from the towering Roshan wall, eager to test the Plague Suit's capabilities.
As he did, Daphne gave the order:
"Start the live broadcast—the establishment of White Emperor City! Let evolutionaries around the world witness it, and let all of Faeloria Country know that White Emperor City will be the most trusted gathering place in the future!"