Zombolution: Unleash the Undying Power

Chapter 178: The Result of Ascendant Gathering

In the grand hall of Alfred’s castle, the air was thick with tension as he recounted his encounter in the Death Land. Alfred spoke with calculated precision, purposely leaving out any mention of Ophelia and Drakina as Ascendants. His focus was on their extraordinary abilities and the significant threat they represented.

As Alfred spoke, the other Ascendants listened intently. Erik, leaning forward in his seat, his usual confident façade momentarily giving way to concern, asked for clarification. "So, what you’re saying is, they can heal their own injuries?" His voice conveyed a mix of skepticism and intrigue.

Alfred responded with a firm nod, his eyes locked onto Erik’s. "Exactly. I managed to injure one of them, but then her wounds started healing right before my eyes, almost instantly." His tone underscored the gravity of what he had witnessed.

Erik, his eyebrows knitting together, stroked his chin in contemplation. "That’s quite unsettling," he commented, his voice betraying a hint of unease beneath his usual bravado. "A foe that can recover from injuries that quickly is not to be taken lightly."

Alfred reclined in his chair, his posture relaxed but his mind alert. His eyes methodically scanned the faces of the other Ascendants displayed on the screens. The mix of surprise and contemplation on their faces indicated that his news about the Death Land had indeed struck a chord.

Lydia, always composed, spoke up. "The Death Land’s expanse is our true challenge," she stated, her voice steady yet tinged with a rare note of concern. "Its vastness borders all our territories. Have any of you noticed changes there recently?"

Vincent, shrouded in his usual air of mystery, responded with a slow nod. The subtle furrow of his brow indicated his contemplative state. "Yes, the aura there has been waning," he said, his voice smooth and thoughtful. "I’ve felt the shift from my domain."

Cassandra, always on the lookout for opportunities to enhance her power and wealth, quickly seized on Alfred’s words. "Wait a moment, Alfred," she interjected, her tone sharp with curiosity. "What sort of treasures are we talking about here?"

Alfred, sensing the growing curiosity among his peers, reached into his cloak with a dramatic flourish. He withdrew a bone roughly the size of a cat and held it up for them to see. "I didn’t come across any legendary artifacts," he admitted, his voice tinged with a hint of disappointment. "But I did find valuable materials like this."

Erik leaned forward, his brow furrowed in a blend of skepticism and curiosity. He peered closer at his screen, trying to get a better view of the bone Alfred held. "So, you’re telling us that’s all you managed to find?" he asked, his tone dripping with disbelief.

Alfred nodded, holding the bone up for them to see. "Yes, but don’t be so quick to dismiss its worth," he said firmly. "This is no ordinary bone."

The other Ascendants, now intrigued, leaned closer to their respective screens. The object of their discussion, while not the cache of treasures they might have expected, was beginning to draw their interest.

Alfred decided to show them rather than just tell. He summoned a small flame in his hand and directed it at the bone with controlled precision. Despite using the strength typical of a Tier 3 Ascendant, the bone remained unscathed – no cracks, no breaks.

A murmur of surprise rippled through the group. Alfred’s face lit up with a knowing smile. "This bone has soaked up mana for who knows how long in the Death Land. It’s not just hard; it’s filled with energy. Imagine the weapons we could craft from this."

Cassandra’s eyes sparkled with a keen interest, her previous skepticism fading. "Seems like the Death Land holds more secrets than we thought," she mused aloud.

Vincent, always enigmatic, nodded slowly, his face a mask of contemplation. "Intriguing," he said, his voice calm yet carrying an undercurrent of excitement. "The strategic value of such materials could be substantial."

Lydia, usually stoic, showed a rare flicker of eagerness. "If there are more of these...," she started, her voice trailing off as she considered the possibilities.

Alfred, sensing the shift in their attitudes, pressed on. "We should pool our resources and knowledge. Together, we can uncover the Death Land’s secrets and use them to our advantage."

The Ascendants exchanged glances, their faces reflecting a newfound sense of purpose and unity. They nodded in agreement, each contemplating the potential of this newfound resource and the challenges they faced.

"Then it’s settled," Cassandra said decisively. "We’ll work together to explore the Death Land and harness its power."

With a newfound sense of camaraderie and a common goal, the Ascendants began to discuss their next steps, their arrogance giving way to a collective determination to uncover the mysteries of the Death Land and face the unknown threat.

Lydia, usually stoic and reserved, voiced her concerns about the Tier 4 creatures. "These beings in the Death Land, they pose a significant challenge," she stated, her tone even but laced with a hint of unease.

Cassandra, ever proud and dismissive, waved off the concern. "They’re only Tier 4, just like us," she said confidently. "There are five of us here, and Alfred encountered only two. I can’t believe they have the ability to continuously heal themselves."

Vincent, with his typical enigmatic presence, interjected thoughtfully, "If Alfred encountered two, isn’t it possible there might be more? We shouldn’t underestimate the unknown."

Erik, brash and overconfident, immediately shot down Vincent’s suggestion. "Vincent, don’t be ridiculous," he barked. "Reaching Tier 4 is no easy feat. Even in the Beast Kingdom, there are only a couple of Tier 4 beasts."

He continued, gesturing emphatically, "In our Ascendant country, there are about nine Ascendants, including us five. It’s implausible that there are other unknown Tier 4 Ascendants lurking there."

Alfred, listening to the exchange, felt a surge of frustration. "We can’t afford to take chances," he said, his voice firm. "Whether they are Ascendants or something else, we need to be prepared."

The others, despite their initial skepticism, nodded in agreement. Cassandra’s expression softened slightly, a rare sign of her acknowledging the need for caution. Lydia’s gaze remained fixed, her mind clearly processing the strategic implications.

Vincent, leaning back, his eyes shadowed yet attentive, added, "We should gather more information. The Death Land is vast and full of secrets. We can’t rush in blindly."

The group fell into a contemplative silence, each lost in their thoughts about the potential dangers and the strategy needed to face them. The usual air of arrogance was replaced by a sober realization of the challenges ahead.

Alfred stood up, his posture commanding. "We’ll organize reconnaissance missions. Gather intel and report back. We’ll plan our next move based on solid information."

The Ascendants, now united in their mission, nodded in agreement. They understood the gravity of the situation and the need for a calculated approach. The meeting adjourned with a sense of urgency and a new-found respect for the challenges that lay ahead in the Death Land.