Chapter 24: Two Evils

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Subject: Merged Crawler (Subject Code: LK#009)

Race: Constructed Undead

Status: Tamed

Class: Crawler

[Attributes:]

— Strength: Moderate

— Agility: High

— Durability: Low

— Intelligence: Low (Driven by instincts or following basic instructions)

[Evolution Potential: Detected (22%)]

[Hunger Level: 27%]

[Regeneration Rate:] Negligible

[Decay Rate:] Halted

[Special Traits:]

— Clinger: Sharp claws allow it to stick to most vertical or inverted surfaces. Can be used to set up ambushes and hunting in confined terrain.

— Reinforced Tendons: Can leap or lunge up to 6 meters in a single bound, even from walls or ceilings.

— Shredder Limbs: Limbs stitched from various undead types grant enhanced grip strength and tearing power. Attacks deal bleed damage of 2% of HP per second for 5 seconds. Can be stacked twice.

[Other Information:]

The Merged Crawler is a fast, ambush-focused undead. It excels at disruption, hit-and-run tactics, and silent kills, but due to being made from low-quality undead, it can't take much damage before unraveling.

The creature isn't suitable for extensive combat, but is highly effective against unarmored or enemies confined in a small space.

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Blaze had hoped it would be similar to the crawler he faced, but was disappointed. Assemble undead were weaker than their natural counterparts.

But it's alright, considering they are basically free.

As long as Blaze used [Auto Assembly], creating undead would be effortless. Sure, they'd be weak, but till he mastered [Manual Assembly], it was better to overwhelm enemies with numbers, instead of quality.

A sudden thought appeared in his head. For strong, chosen humans, he would try to keep their corpses intact to use Necroseed on them. While the weaker undead and humans would be turned into merged zombies with [Auto Assembly].

And I'll keep perfecting manual assembly in the free time.

But that led to another problem.

The lack of a base.

If they keep walking around like nomads, their hunger levels would go up significantly, making them hunt more. It, in turn, would expose them to unnecessary danger.

Besides, if he formed a base of operations, he could stay and focus on creating undead instead of fighting on the front lines.

No, scratch that. I love to fight, but a base is still important.

For now, he only had three horde members. Fester was too important to be left behind. It was the same with Breaker, as Blaze needed someone to tank for him.

As for the merged crawler, he didn't have much use for it in a party. It had long limbs, took too much space, and would get noticed first because of its sheer size. However, he was perfect for one role.

The role of a protector would suit it more.

Blaze's thoughts went back to the crawler he encountered. Creatures like them worked best in confined spaces as the system suggested. As such, Blaze could leave it behind to guard his future lair.

With four horde slots remaining, he could even put multiple crawlers to defend the base. Before all that, he needed to find a suitable place for a lair.

A place with plenty of food.

Schools, hospitals, malls, there were multiple places that should be teeming with humans. However, Blaze wanted to avoid humans. Although he had a decent horde, it wasn't enough to confront humans. Especially since the Chosen would probably be leading them.

Other than humans, the undead could also feed on animals. Although it would slow down their evolution rate, it was the safer choice. Besides, they could go on hunts as usual to procure high-quality food, a.k.a. humans.

For now, stability and safety were more important.

Besides, mutant beasts were easier to handle than humans. They'll be easier to assemble, too.

While he was lost in his thoughts, Breaker tapped Blaze's shoulder.

What is it?

Blaze asked, and Breaker responded by pointing at the sun above.

Ah, I almost forgot about this.

Just like the moon granted buffs to the undead, the sun made the humans stronger. That's why more zombies perished during the day than the night.

It's strange, considering the moon merely reflects the sunlight.

He shrugged, focusing on the task at hand. The lair would have to be somewhere dark, so even if the humans ventured inside, they wouldn't be empowered by the sunlight.

In short, they needed a place that was dark, damp, and teeming with animals.

A smile appeared on Blaze's face. He had the perfect place in mind.

***

Meanwhile, back in the college…

"Alright, that should be the last door!"

Alaric announced, and the place erupted in silent cheers. Out of the roughly hundred people, they only lost fifteen. Most of them didn't have any special powers, so it wasn't considered much of a loss.

With the help of the chosen, they had cleaned out the entire building of any undead. Fortunately, or unfortunately, they didn't find those headless creatures.

With the building turned into a safe zone for the moment, they quickly barricaded all the doors and windows, turning the pantry into their new home.

But now they faced a different problem.

They had too many mouths to feed.

While the pantry had plenty of food, a crowd of about eighty people would run it dry in no time. Alaric said he would come up with a plan, but the actual leader of the group, Neha, wasn't pleased with it.

As everyone got comfortable, she looked at them and clicked her tongue in disgust. The entire reason she suggested they move to the pantry was to eliminate useless people.

To be precise, the people she deemed useless. The ones with no powers or knowledge. In her eyes, every unawakened other than Alaric was on the list.

She had hoped they would perish during the fights. After all, the undead were the apex predators, born to kill humans.

What was the point of venturing outside in the night when this many idiots survived?

Frustrated, she walked off, and Min quickly followed her. Alaric noticed the two as well. He wasn't a fool.

The two had been acting suspiciously ever since the night Blaze died. It made him think his son's death wasn't so simple. However, he neither had any proof nor the power to confront them.

So he remained silent, waiting for the moment the truth revealed itself.

It was the only thing maintaining his sanity and keeping him alive.

Blaze… I'll expose the truth. Even if it's the last thing I do!