Chapter 23: Socialists
Soon, they'd successfully crossed the swamp. Behind them was the swamp filled with pieces of people and crocodiles alike, and blood. Growls and roars shook the forest. The blood had attracted hungry monsters.
Yunxia once again moved to the back to observe. She noticed that some people didn't have weapons like her, while some did.
The people with weapons were confident and charged to their deaths, while the people without weapons ran back.
Yunxia stood in the middle, unmoving, eyes closed. Her heartbeat was normal, like people weren't getting k*lled from all sides.
People who noticed her began to copy her. They saw how she had successfully crossed the swamp and believed she knew what she was doing, only to be eaten alike.
Soon, the weeds were gone, leaving only saplings.
Yunxia and the rest who had used their brains survived, the beasts retreating.
The man in the crow mask smiled.
"Only those capable of being calm in the face of danger can be called gems."
After making sure the coast was clear, they began moving again—this time sprinting, not because of the whip, but because time was not on their side. The sun was close to setting; at best, they had an hour.
As for the people that remained, they were so few you could count them like eggs.
Soon, they reached the foot of the mountain before sunset, only to meet the shock of their lives.
The crow-masked man stood before them, a staff in hand.
"I'm glad to inform you that you've all failed, and sad to say that you still have time to fix it."
The people grumbled. They had struggled to get here only to be told their efforts were for naught.
"The goods lost have to be recovered, so you'll have to return and retrieve the goods left behind by your fallen colleagues."
And with that, he left like a speck of dust.
With the lessons learned, the people now moved with purpose.
Not too slow, not too fast, eyes scanning for danger. Some stuck as groups, others as lone wolves.
She glanced at the man in the air, peacefully drinking tea, and wondered how he could be so calm like that.
But a glare sent her focus back. Reaching the swamp, they finally looked at the damage—bodies everywhere, fallen comrades, beasts, and goods laid in the aftermath. Some couldn't handle it and puked on the spot.
Then someone came out. First one, then two…
The bodies began to rejoin, some fully, some partly missing, some with chunks of flesh gone.
The resurrected people began to move. Bones cracked, mindless groans escaped their lips.
Why…
Why did you leave me behind…
You could have saved us…
You could have helped…
You killed us…
Used us…
Made us scapegoats…
Cruel…
Wicked…
Demons…
Sinners…
Repent…
Come join us…
Repent…
Repent…
Make it up to us…
We are friends, aren't we…
Ride or die…
So let's die together…
The people in front, who had been ready to face monsters, were frozen.
Screams rang out.
People ran back. Others pushed. Yunxia was in the middle of it.
Someone—or something—grabbed her leg. Looking down, it was another human… if you could call them that.
You knew the way out, didn't you…
So why didn't you lead us…
You are selfish…
You killed us all…
So please die for your sin…
She stared at the human half-buried in the ground, her face going through a wave of emotions.
Anxiety.
Fear.
Guilt.
Resignation.
She was just about to give up when she realized her weapon was back with her.
Taking a quiver, she stabbed the creature over and over in a flush of adrenaline.
As if on cue, the man spoke up, "If you aren't at the mountain foot before I'm done with my second cup of tea… you'll die."
Panic spread, and the creatures that were barely standing began to attack, aiming for those who had any form of relationship with them.
Those who killed others to pass were dragged away by the victims.