The team had just exited the gap, and just like most members had predicted. The "exit" in fact was not leading them to outside the mountain, but instead, after passing it through, the team found themselves entering a huge valley that was carved right in the middle of the mountain.

The valley was surrounded by the steep cliffs with over 100 meters of heights. Its landscape is the same as the typical landscape of this surrounding area of the Deadlands, which is exactly, barren.

What surprised them most was the sight of hundreds of buildings that dotted the entire valley. But they had no time to think about all of that currently.

Because there are hundreds of hostile creatures presents in front of them right now.

"Are those things, Zombies?" Alfred asked a question after he clearly saw the creature's appearances.

Those creatures were exactly similar to the infamous Zombies. A creature which was created from the body of any former living being.

They may look alike. But several team member who had fought against Zombies in the past, especially members from the Church could tell there is something not quite right and weird about these creatures.

"No... They're different, normal Zombies cannot project bloodlust." Rionne replied while shaking her head.

"Lady Rionne is right... Only living things can have it." Steven also supports Rionne's word with his own.

One of the Church main creeds is to protect people from all races from the tyranny of evil. In order to uphold this particular creed, the Church implement several standardized strategies for its members to follow, including the research and study of any kind Demon Beasts or foul creatures profile that was deemed as a threat to the common people. That is why the Church and its members have extensive knowledge about them.

According to the Church's knowledge, certainly, only a creature that is still alive can possess bloodlust or killing intents. And Zombies are not living being.

"Yeah... But those things really look like a corpse, just look at their appearances. That means they were already dead right?" Dina uttered her opinion.

Just like Dina said, these creatures were basically reanimated corpse. Their appearance is varied and different from one another, but most of them had a rotten and foul body with incomplete parts.

Truly a disgusting sight to see.

"Oh, they were dead alright... But I think they weren't made using the same mechanism as creating Zombies, though." Rionne explained her conjecture to Dina.

"Lord Victor, is this the first time you've encounter these things?" it's Melissa's turn to ask now, and she asked Victor.

"I'm afraid so, Milady. I've encountered ordinary Zombies in the wild before and fought a powerful Necromancer with my comrades once, that nasty mage keeps raising and throwing wave after wave of Zombies at us. But those Zombies is clearly weren't as domineering as that in front of us now." Victor replied.

"Huh? Do you think a Necromancer controlling these flocks of Zombies?" Melissa asked again.

Victor shakes his head lightly "No... Not necessarily. You don't need Necromancer to raise a Zombies, you know. They can exist naturally in places with a high density of mana and miasma."

Several unknown words came out from the member's conversation before has aroused Arno's curiosity.

'Zombies? Necromancer? They called those bunches of Draugr. Zombies now aren't they... Miasma?' Arno thought to himself.

Even now, he keeps encountering something new. He didn't know what Necromancer and Miasma are, but he's familiar with the other one. Draugr was a creature from Arno's time that was very similar to Zombies, but they may have something a bit different between them.

He decides to add both Necromancer and Miasma to his investigation list.

"Like the cemetery or the location of an ancient battleground." Aurel joined the conversation while bringing another fact.

Hearing that, Victor nod "That's right."

"Although you can find them in those places, it is still very rare to be able to meet one or two. They certainly wouldn't be marching uniformly like these guys." Rionne muttered yet another fact.

"They may be furious on us because we enter this place... You know, just like in adventure stories." Zohar still found the situation rather appropriate for a joke.

"Ehm... Perhaps, there's a possibility of that is exactly what's happening here." said Victor gravely.

Instead of reprimanding Zohar because of the joke, Victor is giving Zohar's word a serious thought.

As a Saint - rank warrior for more than 50 years. He already accumulates lots of battle experiences and from it, he learned a valuable lesson. Which is to always asses every possible scenario, especially in this kind of bad situation.

Based on his assessment, these Zombies are clearly stronger than ordinary Zombies that can be found commonly. Is not possible for them to have existed naturally, and not to mention, in huge quantity.

Something or perhaps someone is definitely behind these Zombies appearances. But he couldn't grasp the mastermind's motive.

If it's true that the enemy is angry because the team's intrusion, then why they're not attacking the team when they were just entering the mountain before? Why wait until now? Even those Zombies currently still hasn't done anything other than just coldly staring at them.

What do they want?

There is a bunch of scenarios played inside Victor's mind right now, and thinking about all of them really gave him a huge headache.

"Miss Rionne, do the Church's members holy power still able causing harm to this type of unknown Zombies?" Melissa asked Rionne.

Rionne hesitates for a bit.

"Hmmm... We may haven't encountered them before, but in the end, they are still Zombies. I think our holy power is still a threat to them." and she spoke confidently after pondering for a while.

Fortunately, the team has members from the Church, who specialized at dealing with foul creatures like Zombies.

"I see... Thank you."

"Milady... Do you actually plan to fight?" Luccio asked Melissa hesitantly. He actually rather disturbed by the prospect of having to fight against these overbearing Zombies.

"Heh... Do we actually have a choice now?" Arno interjected him.

Luccio didn't understand why Arno asking him that. The team could easily withdraw through the gap if they choose not to fight and just find another way to circle around the mountain.

The other member also did not quite get it too.

So Luccio decide to inquire Arno "What do you mean by that, sir?"

Hearing the question, Arno smiled mysteriously "Just look behind us. You'll get the idea."

All members quickly turn their heads towards the gap behind them.

It is still too dark to see it clearly. But they can see dozens of red and yellow orbs floating inside the darkness of the gap, faintly. They immediately recognized these orbs had the same colors as the Zombies eye color. Which means those orbs are actually the Zombies.

Unknowingly, the Zombies had invaded the gap, which effectively cut off the team's only escape route.

Not only that. Sasha, who already readying her spear, move her sight to the top of the cliff near the gap. She saw another group of Zombies standing there arrogantly and looking down at the team members below with their lifeless eyes.

"Warning! On top of us too!" then, she shouts to warn the rest of the members.

Hastily, all team members entered defensive stances while gathering near each other. They were completely surrounded from all sides.

"Goddamnit, we've been too careless earlier." Ryson speaks frustratedly.

"It is my fault. As the strongest one here, I should've sense them, but I was not." said Victor apologetically.

"No! This isn't anyone's fault. We don't know anything about this place, in the first place. If someone were to blamed, then that person has to be me. I'm the one who decided this route." Melissa rebukes Victor's word.

"Damnit... Arno! Why didn't you warn us earlier?" Dina is furiously questioning Arno.

Arno just shrugged his shoulders "Hey... I'm only just seeing them myself, you know." although he said it like that, the truth is, he already knew it since earlier before.

"Eihhh, enough of that... We should think about our next move." Rionne tried to put an end to these unconstructive self-blaming moments.

"We could try to break through the gap forcefully. But I guess fighting in narrow space is a no huh?" Alfred gives his opinion.

Other members also agreed with Alfred. Fighting inside the gap is a very risky move. Besides they don't know what awaits them if they return inside.

Aurel tries to give her opinion, but before she's able to, she was interrupted.

Roar!!!

Deafening roars sound of unknown origin echoed throughout the valley. Soon, the legion of Zombies, which numbers have increased again, began to move their legs and marching towards the team location.

Thousands of Zombies marching footsteps creates an incomparable terrifying sound. The army of death now ready to punish anyone that had disturbed their slumber.

At first, the Zombies only walking at a slow pace, but afterward, they start to quicken their pace and finally all of them, begin running.

"This!! Wh... How the hell? Zombies can run now?!" Rionne was surprised.

Zombies are greatly feared by common peoples, but it's mostly because of their disgustingly foul appearances, and also their association with death. In reality, Zombies were one of the weakest creatures in the realm. On average, most of them only had the strength of Level 1 - Fighter.

Not only that, the most known fact about Zombies is that they cannot run at all. The combination of their weak strength and their inability to run makes them an easy opponent for even ordinary people without cultivation.

Witnessing a type of Zombies that have greater strength and possessed an ability to run, successfully making Rionne fell into a shocked state.

"Miss! This is not a time to get flustered... Alright, everyone hears me out!" after properly reminding Rionne, Melissa ordered every member of her team to listen to her.

The time has come where her ability as a leader was finally put to the test.

"I've decided... Our best course of action now is to quickly break through deeper into the valley, and that is what we've gotta do." Melissa is explaining her decision.

"Very good milady. But can you tell us the specific destination? There are many buildings in the valley, and it is kinda mind-boggling." Victor asked further.

"All of you see that huge building over there?" Said Melissa while pointing at a building in the distance far into the valley, with her fingers.

"The one that kinda looked like a palace?" Steven, the one who asked now.

"Correct, that one. I didn't see a single Zombies there, so it looks like it is safe enough for us to take shelter inside." Melissa affirmed Steven's inquiry.

Although the other members listened attentively to Melissa's plan, she can judge from their expression that they were rather doubtful about it.

"I know it is not a good plan, but it was the best one I've had right now. I just hope every Zombies that existed in this valley, already gathered here. Thus, freeing us from a constant battle once we've reached into the deeper area." Melissa explained further of her reason.

"Well, I guess it makes sense. Besides we can't exactly outrun these guys either." Luccio already resigned to the situation, so he decides just to follow Melissa.

Other people also decide to stick with her plan.

"Good. Then, I want all of you to go all out, do not holding backs even for a bit. And Lord Victor?" after ordering the team, Melissa called for Victor.

"Yes?"

"Since you and Lord Ryson is the strongest amongst us. I need you both as the vanguard, and to use your powerful strength to clear a path for the rest of us. Can I count both of you on that?" Melissa asked both Victor and Ryson with full of expectation.

Victor and Ryson straighten their backs upon hearing Melissa's request.

"You can count on us, young lady. This old man has been itching for a fight, for a while now..." Victor assured Melissa with his hearty words.

"That's right lady... Don't you worry, we'll clear the path ahead." Ryson also spoke some assuring words.

Melissa nodded to both of them, satisfied with their determination. She's initially rather worried because of the enemy numbers and their average strength that was relatively high. Those Zombies had an average strength of Level 5 - Fighter rank.

But then she remembers that the team still has 3 Grandmaster - rank experts, and not to mention, a Saint - rank expert. That is why she's immediately begun to feel relieved. The team still had huge firepower.

"Alright. Did you guys ready too?" then Melissa asked the rest of the members.

They also steeled their hearts and nodded their heads.

After that, Melissa turns her sight at Arno.

Sensing Melissa's gazes, Arno ask her "What do you want me to do?" he already knows that Melissa wants to order him.

"We need someone on our back, guarding the rear. Can I trust you to do that?" Melissa requested him to guard the rear, to prevent the Zombies from attacking the team from behind as they make their way to the valley.

"Sure." Arno replied decisively and shortly.

His calm and leisure expression really confused Melissa. How can someone still able to maintain their composure in this kind of situation?

Even Victor himself who is a Saint expert still felt a bit restless because of all this.

But not long, she changed her mind. It may be good to have someone who still able to calm amidst this situation.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Next, Melissa turns her vision towards the valley once again. The hordes of Zombies are getting closer and closer to the team, each of those Zombies running sporadically as if they are trying to be the first on reaching the team position.

Melissa is taking a deep breath, before speaking "Let's do this."

Victor gave Rionne a nod.

Rionne nod back to him and start shouting in unknown language within her first sentence "OOOXXX {Light Fortitude}"

Then, a large sparkling white aura suddenly came out from her magic staff. The sparkling aura flies upward few meters above the ground before separated into several smaller aura and scattered towards each team members bodies.

The members bathed by the warm aura for a while. After that, the aura sticks and enveloped all part of their body before vanishing. Most of them immediately realized, the aura gave an immense boost to their physical strength and recharge their stamina. Not only that, it also soothed their restless heart and calmed their mind.

"Huh... as expected from the future Saintess. Your support magic is truly outstanding, my body feels really fresh, hehe." Zohar praised Rionne.

"Yeah, it's really warm too, and my head now is feeling lighter as well." Luccio is also giving his praise.

Sasha nods while commenting "Umm... We can fight more efficient with this."

"It all thanks to Mother Greysia, there is no need to praise me." Rionne humbly replied.

Other members also felt grateful towards Rionne. Except for Arno, who is now staring at her, stupefied.

Arno actually is extremely curious about all of the magic stuff he had heard since he descends to this realm. He really wants to know more and learned about it, but hearing about it and experience it directly is two different matters.

When Rionne starts doing her magic earlier, he greatly anticipates it. But he was extremely shocked once the aura blanket his body because he can feel and recognizing something unexpected within the aura itself.

What he felt hidden within the aura was a Power of Domain.

A type of ability that only cultivators with the strength of Martial Ancestor or above can have.

This particular unique Domain feels really familiar because it belongs to someone he knew in the past. That person is a powerful Divine Lord super expert, which should've been dead.

'That Greysia's name really is "her" huh... But both of them are already dead. What the hell is going on?' Arno's mind is in the middle of a chaotic moment, but not for long, soon his thought was being interrupted.

Bang!!!

-

Woosh!!!

Victor suddenly jumps into the skies. His Saint - rank "proto-core" circulating mana in light speed, resulting in giving him an ability to defy gravity and fly for a short distance.

His body radiating an immense fiery white aura, while he raises the [Radiant Star] in preparation to attack the advancing Zombies.

"Uoohhhh!!!... " He shouted the name of his martial skill with a loud voice.

The white aura that envelops his armor became brighter and the [Radiant Star] start letting out a raging fire that engulfs its whole body.

Bang!!!

-

Duar!!!

Thunderous impact sound was booming as Victor crashing down to the ground and slam his Warhammer right in the middle of the Zombies rank. Dozens of Zombies in the radius of 50 meters around Victor's crash position was immediately annihilated. His skill also formed a huge impact crater which was now full of Zombies mutilated body parts.

However, he did not stop, instead, he continues attacking the Zombies furiously while also exerting his whole Saint rank power that blasting winds and dust all over the place.

Duar!!!

-

Swing!!!

Another loud sound resound. It was Ryson turn this time, he attacked the Zombies that had positioned themselves just behind Victor. His incomparable body clad in blueish aura as he defeated lots of Zombies by the swing of his greatsword.

Both of them then start combining their strength and working together in order to fight against the rest of the enemies.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile.

Seeing the vanguard already commence their attack.

"Let's go. We should follow them." Melissa ordered the rest of the members who still in their original position to move forward.

Finally, all of them start running towards Ryson and Victor direction, including Arno whose thought was interrupted before, but he decides to let the matters to rest now.

Actually, just like it has mentioned earlier, ever since before the team entering the mountain, Arno already completely understood about the situation that happens within.

But of course, he couldn't exactly just inform other people about it. Because it will make him conspicuous and other members would question him on how did he knows that. Especially since there is Victor as a member as well, that Saint expert would definitely become suspicious of him.

No one in this entire realm had that kind of overpowered capability and situational awareness.

So, he kept his mouth shut while at the same time keep monitoring the mountain including the valley with his "Divine Sense"

As a result, he too knows what is or more precisely, who is the mastermind behind those Zombies.

At the middle of the valley, within the ruins of the palace that was being used as the team temporary objective by Melissa's orders.

There exist a secret chamber inside one of the main room of the palace, and the chamber hosted a well - hidden door that contained a secret passage.

The secret passage was formed by an endless stone stair that leads towards another secret room located several hundred meters below the palace, in the underground.

The underground secret room was huge enough to be packed with hundreds of people at the same time. Its interior is almost entirely empty and dark, only dimly lighted by several small candles which weren't enough to illuminate the entire room.

Also, there is a large dome of magical formation located right in the middle of the room. And this magic dome housed a single creature inside of it.

A creature that has big humanoid feature but grotesque appearances, while all of its six hands and his two legs were being chained to the floor.

Arno recognized the magic formation as some sort of a sealing formation. That means, that creature is, in fact, was being imprisoned in that room.

The creature did nothing but sitting there while shutting off his four eyes as if he's concentrating on something. It appears the creature itself did not know that he was being monitored by Arno.

Arno easily discovered everything about this creature. This creature is, in fact, a Demon Beast that possessed sentience and intelligence, but it's not surprising really, because some Demon Beast can gain both after reaching certain cultivation rank, while others were born with it.

And this creature is quite powerful too, his original strength is supposed to be at Martial Sovereign rank. Arno, however, doesn't know with what name did the people of Greysia called this rank, but he doubts they have knowledge about this cultivation rank. Judging from the lack of Martial Sovereign experts in this realm that wasn't being sealed or in a dormant state.

But since the sealing formation not only imprisoned the creature but also heavily suppressed his strength, he is now weaker than his potential peak strength. He can only exert a fraction of his total power which only equivalent of an initial - Martial King rank.

In this entire Greysia realm, there is only a single Martial King expert that was still active. That expert is just some Dragon located on the south coast of Dawn continent.

That is why, if this sealed creature were unleashed upon this realm, there will be no one who had the strength to hold him back.

The creature currently uses almost his entire depleted power in order to control the Zombies. But what for did the creature exactly wants to by controlling those Zombies, Arno did not know of it. He guesses the creature probably wants to break the seal, after all, it is a logical activity for someone who was being imprisoned.

But what method did the creature would use, Arno also clueless about it.

At first, because of its hideous evil nature, Arno wants to immediately destroy the creature, but he thought about it once again.

This bizarre situation is actually a good thing for him. He can make use of both the sealed creature and the Zombies to creating an opportunity for him to study the team's fighting style and power that he'd really curious of. Hence, he eventually changed his plan.

What Arno's going to do now is to let the creature continue it's shady business with the Zombies while he watches the team's fight and controlling the whole situation behind the scene.

If the situation later became highly dangerous to the team's members, then Arno could simply eliminate the creature, secretly. Nothing can harm those that were under his protection.

He smiled lightly as the plan was set in motion.

Thus, he followed the team from behind and at the same time he pretends to do his job on guarding the rear.