Chapter 99: What’s wrong with starting as an Undead with a puppy?
The dim and mysterious magic array on the ground slowly dissipated. As the concentrated deathly aura was completely absorbed by the Black Coffin, two humanoid creatures, half the size of a person and hunched over, appeared before Kazumi.
Their emaciated and deformed bodies still vaguely showed a hint of their human appearance from before. Their rotting and filthy skin exuded a foul stench. Their heads seemed to have been squeezed, appearing elongated and pointed, with protruding mouths revealing sharp teeth that gleamed with a faint light.
At the end of their unusually long arms were sharp claws, half the length of a forearm, covered in mud and blood, proving that these were their primary means of attack.
Looking at the two familiar creatures before her, compared to their models in the game, the ghouls appearing in reality were more filled with the death and chaos characteristic of undead creatures.
Reaching out and petting the head of the cute creature beside her, which barely reached her waist, Kazumi controlled the Black Coffin to absorb the smell from them and casually opened the attribute panel of her first acquired unit.
[Ghoul]
[F Rank, Living Corpse Type]
[A low-level undead creature transformed from corpses, extremely hostile to all living creatures, eager to tear apart their flesh and blood bodies. It possesses the ability to consume corpses to recover itself. At the same time, its sharp claws also grant it the ability to move underground.]
[Consume Corpse LV1, Dig LV1]
The unit’s attribute panel was simple, and ghouls, as one of the most basic undead units in the game, were even more straightforward. Their basic abilities were essentially just consuming corpses and digging.
The former was the origin of its name; it could restore health by consuming existing corpses, which was a relatively useful ability in the early stages, effectively increasing their survivability and recovery. However, the drawback was that it would damage precious corpse resources.
The latter was essentially a building-related ability. Compared to units like Corpse Grubs or Devourers, the ghoul’s digging efficiency was appallingly low. Except for specific circumstances where it could be used in the very early stages, it was generally used for infrastructure construction within the territory.
Whether it was a mass grave, a burial ground, or a dragon’s tomb, the environmental requirements were quite stringent. At that time, to build these structures, Kazumi had to commit all her available ghouls, and it still took several days of digging.
“But now, it seems there are actually places where they can be used…”
Kazumi’s eyes continuously observed the obedient ghouls before her, while her hands did not stop moving, as if she were petting her beloved cat. She affectionately stroked the undead creature that looked so sickening.
Reality was not a game world that relied solely on data. Compared to the rigid skills set by programs, the practical applications in the real world were far more numerous, and other aspects were also far more complex than what was shown in the game.
For example, abilities like [Disease Cloud] and [Undead Aura], which required the construction of specialized technological buildings and the ascent of the technology tree to research, would not grant attribute bonuses to the corresponding units in the game without expending resources to research them.
Now, the foul and filthy deathly aura emanating from the ghoul alone should be enough to make a normal person sick if they were nearby.
Not to mention the undead creatures’ immunity to various weaknesses, their inexhaustible stamina, and the inhibitory effect of the germs on their bodies on wounds. These more realistic aspects were either not fully reflected in the game or were represented by certain skills and technologies.
These were all areas that Kazumi needed to study carefully. The game was the game, and reality was reality. Kazumi was unwilling to be bound by the mindset of the game, or worse, to suffer an accident due to oversights caused by the differences between the two, which she absolutely did not want to see.
She reached out and took out the notebook that had been thrown into the Black Coffin, then controlled another ghoul to drag a corpse into the Black Coffin. She issued a command that no one should touch the corpse, and then, beckoning the ghoul she was petting to walk to the desk, she began her new round of documentation.
In the messy and dark room, the girl in a loose nightgown squatted on a chair, diligently writing something in her notebook, looking like a serious student.
However, the girl’s other hand was extended to the side of the desk, stroking the terrifying creature squatting beside her, which resembled a demon. It was as if a noblewoman were petting her beloved cat on a quiet afternoon. This harmonious yet bizarre scene evoked a sense of disordered terror.
The girl at the desk did not seem to possess this awareness, or rather, she herself did not realize that even if she treated this system as a game, a normal person should not react this way to undead creatures.
Instead, Kazumi felt very relaxed, as if she had encountered a kindred spirit that brought her comfort, and she couldn’t help but want to touch this somewhat cute guy.
“Hoo— It seems there are quite a lot of things that need experiments!”
After writing down all the points she had thought of in one go, Kazumi finally put down her pen. She had already thought of many aspects in an instant, and various other ideas were springing up like bamboo shoots after rain, filling Kazumi’s mind.
“But then again…”
As if she had thought of something new, Kazumi picked up her pen again, held it to her lips, and thought carefully.
“My current measured control range for the Black Coffin is five hundred meters, and the units in the territory can move within a certain range of the territory. This sufficiently long distance offers many possibilities.”
“Uncle Fukada might not always be able to obtain the things I want, so I still need to develop some safer sources of resources. The ghoul’s digging ability happens to be useful for some things.”
While making some incomprehensible mind maps in her notebook, Kazumi muttered to herself, quickly planning the ins and outs of her new plan in her mind.
“However, the most important thing is… an alibi!”
Having completed her plan, Kazumi picked up her mobile phone. The full screen of notifications on the phone brought a hint of anger to the girl’s previously calm expression. She patiently opened her phone, and indeed, it was filled with Sato Shinichi’s sincere apologies.
The displeased expression slowly faded. Kazumi picked up her phone and carefully read every message from the young man. It seemed he was asking about friends or something. The simple-minded guy had finally realized his mistake and was now diligently writing a self-criticism for her.
A slight smile appeared on her lips. After a moment of thought, Kazumi finally edited a short message and sent it.
[I’m still upset. As compensation, can you go shopping with me tomorrow?]
