Chapter 59: Black Jade City Mutation (V)
The fireball in my hand started palm-sized, but as I hurled it, it swelled rapidly.
By the time it hit the blood zombies, it was as big as an adult, exploding like a bomb with a deafening roar, shredding over half the zombies into bloody pulp!
The blast’s core spanned about four meters, obliterating seven or eight zombies instantly, while flying debris and stones ravaged others within a ten-meter radius.
Less a fireball, more a Blast Flame spell.
The city guards, hearing my shout, instinctively formed a shield wall, shielding them from the explosion’s aftermath.
Heavy-armored guards were the city’s elite, well-trained, and my commanding tone made them obey without thinking.
But the civilians behind them panicked, screaming at the sudden blast, only calming when they realized it wasn’t aimed at them.
Most zombies were dead or disabled, the rest ignited, writhing and collapsing soon after.
The once-threatening horde was reduced to a few unscathed zombies on the outskirts, easily dispatched by the five remaining guards.
“…Which officer are you, ma’am?”
After finishing the stragglers, the lead soldier looked at me, asking respectfully.
Clearly, my tone made them think I was a city guard officer—
“I’m not with the city guard. Just an adventurer.”
I replied, glancing at them. Two soldiers moved to finish off the corpses, while the other two guided civilians to lock themselves in their homes.
“…Just an adventurer?”
The soldier paused, slightly surprised, but didn’t lose respect—I’d just saved them from dozens of zombies, and I was a caster.
“Can you tell me about the city’s situation? I want to leave.”
I blinked, asking.
“…We don’t know much. Our squad was assigned to hold this street during an attack, but we hadn’t linked up with other units when we got swarmed by over a hundred zombies… Many were civilians who turned on the spot. High-rank vampires must be hiding in the city.”
“As for leaving, I’m afraid you’re out of luck, miss. Black Obsidian’s likely sealed—no leaving without a special pass.”
The soldier spoke, looking like he’d narrowly escaped death.
Even heavy-armored, a ten-man squad couldn’t survive a hundred zombies. That five were left spoke to their training.
“…Got it. What’s your plan now?”
I nodded, glancing at the fleeing civilians.
Among them, the landlord’s wife caught my eye, recognizing me.
She looked confused but, with everyone scrambling, hurriedly took her daughter home.
…Consider my debt to her repaid.
I thought, knowing I’d likely never see her again.
“Our plan… We were supposed to hold this street, but with just five of us, it’s a death sentence…”
The soldier mused.
“Why not head to the south gate together? You need to regroup and reinforce, and I need to leave.”
I blinked, offering an invitation.
Going alone to the gate meant facing who-knows-what dangers. With five heavy-armored soldiers, I’d have more room to maneuver.