Kapitel 163: Chapter 157: Kutha

The city of Kutha was dead silent, enveloped in an eerie, deathly atmosphere that seemed to cling to the air like a shroud. A dense, unnatural fog rolled through the abandoned streets, so thick it obscured the sun entirely, casting the city in a perpetual twilight. Visibility was reduced to a mere few inches, as shadowy outlines of crumbling buildings loomed in the distance like the skeletal remains of a once-thriving metropolis.

Every breath felt heavier, weighed down by the oppressive stillness. The streets were empty, lined with abandoned buildings and structures that once thrived with life but now stood as hollow shells.

Zenkichi narrowed his eyes as he surveyed the surroundings, his senses sharp. "Ereshkigal, you didn't create any monstrous undead...did you?"

"What? No! I'm not like Mother," Ereshkigal rolled her eyes indignantly. "I'm a Goddess of the Underworld, the Ruler of the Land of the Dead! I'm not like those Necromancers who desecrates the dead in the name of 'research' and make unreasonable abominations for the sake of advancements."

Zenkichi blinked. "Don't you use the bones of some prehistoric animal to attack your enemies?"

"Totally different! These great ancient beings were noble creatures from the distant past, whose strength and majesty are remembered and respected even in death..."

Watching Ereshkigal go on, Gudako leaned towards Zenkichi and asked. "What? Did you sense something dangerous near us or something?"

"....No, but isn't this a usual trope of enemies hiding near us? Plus my sensory skill only targets those who are alive, so if anything is lurking, and it's already dead, I won't be able to sense it."

Gudako nodded and said, "I understand. Unfortunately, the radar that doctor Roman has couldn't scan the city of Kutha because of a strange distortion surrounding it."

Zenkichi sighed. "First my communicator, now even Chaldea's detection system? Initially, I would blame it all on the dense magical energy in this singularity, but it seems like the fault lies on the technician..."

"Aah! Zenkichi! Stop! Stop!" Mash exclaimed, crossing her arms before her face, looking extremely nervous and a little afraid?

"What?" Zenkichi looked at her with a raised eyebrow and he glanced towards Gudako to see her a bit pale. "What's wrong? What did I say wrong?"

"Oh?" A familiar calm voice sounded out from their communication device, hearing her voice made Zenkichi, Gudako and Mash feel a shiver run down their spines. "I step out of the command room for a few seconds, and someone's dissing on my stuff? Who is it, hmm?"

"Uh...." Zenkichi sweatdropped. He looked towards Gudako and Mash for help, but the two looked away from him. He could practically feel the piercing gaze from the other end of the communication device.

He looked down at the communication device in Gudako's shirt, which was a Mystic Code that Da Vinci created, and looked back up at Gudako with a determined expression.

He was going to do the most mature thing in this situation.

"Ah, ah! What...bzzt....did you....bzzt...say...? I....bzzt...can't...bzzt... You're breaking up...!" Zenkichi made a show of tapping the side of the communication device, imitating static interference like an amateur stage actor. "The...bzzt...!"

Gudako's eyes widened in disbelief at his terrible performance, and Mash covered her face, either trying not to laugh or out of secondhand embarrassment.

On the other end, Da Vinci's voice was as calm as ever, but Zenkichi could hear the amusement mixed with thinly veiled exasperation. "Zenkichi....are you really pretending there's interference? Seriously? Are you comparing my Mystic Code to a radio?"

"What? Bzzt....! I...!" Zenkichi quickly look for the power button or something on the mystic code.

".....We're going to have a long talk when you get back."

Zenkichi nervously chuckled and muttered under his breath, "Well the communicator you gave was shitty."

"What was that?"

"Nothing!"

"....It's a symbol of power, not desecration," Ereshkigal continued on explaining, her tone firm, clearly a bit annoyed. "I don't raise corpses mindlessly or tamper with souls the way necromancers do. I honor the dead by calling upon their remnants to fight for me."

Brunhilde sighed, regretting not joining Zenkichi's banter with Da Vinci, and said. "Alright, alright we get it. Now can you tell us where's the entrance to the underworld?"

Ereshkigal blankly stared at her companions, clearly annoyed by the interruption, and grumbled, "You were the ones who started it all, honestly....hmph!"

She turned and toward what was seemingly a plaza, the center of the city, and said. "We just have to head there. That's the entrance to the underworld. It's not visible to ordinary eyes, but since I control this domain, I can open the way for us."

Brunhilde frowned and looked towards the empty plaza. "is it just me, or isn't this too easy?"

Zenkichi and Gudako widened their eyes.

"Brunhilde no!"

"Huh?" Brunhilde, Mash and Ereshkigal looked at them confused.

At that moment, the ground around them trembled violently. Cracks formed in the ancient stone beneath their feet, and an eerie black mist began to seep from the fissures.

The oppressive atmosphere thickened as loud groans and clattering of metal was heard.

Gudako groaned, throwing her hands up in frustration. "See? This is what happens when you jinx things! Never say 'it's too easy' when you're in a spooky situation! You're just asking for it!"

Zenkichi sighed deeply. "This is basic horror troupe 101, don't you watch horror movies?"

Brunhilde rolled her eyes. "This superstition? You honestly believe that? Also, yes. I don't watch horror movies."

"And not because I'm scared!" She quickly added, shooting a glare at Zenkichi before he could make a remark. "I'm a Valkyrie, I've seen numerous horrific scenes throughout human history. Hell, I witnessed both World Wars."

Zenkichi raised an eyebrow, amused. "Oh, really? And yet horror movies are where you draw the line? A bit ironic, don't you think?"

Brunhilde crossed her arms, glaring at him. "I choose not to watch them because they're trivial and boring, Zenkichi. Watching actors scream and run away from imaginary monsters isn't exactly my idea of entertainment. I've seen real horror, and trust me, that's enough for one lifetime."

Zenkichi chuckled, clearly enjoying teasing her. "Right, so it's definitely not because they give you nightmares?"

Before she could snap back, the clattering of metal intensified as the undead advanced. Brunhilde brought out her daggers with an exasperated sigh, muttering under her breath, "I'll show you a nightmare..."

Zenkichi turned towards Ereshkigal, who looked clearly displeased and angry. "So I'm guessing you didn't add this kind of security feature."

Ereshkigal growled as she summoned her cage-spear. "No, I certainly did not?"

Zenkichi hummed. "You think she knows we're here?"

"I'll be surprised if she didn't."

Zenkichi nodded and turned towards Gudako as Mash brought out her shield. "So, what's the next move?"

Gudako blinked, surprised. "You're asking me?"

Zenkichi shrugged. "You're a better leader and strategist than I am."

It was true. Zenkichi knew his strengths and weaknesses, and leadership was never his strong suit from the beginning. Although he would jump in to help and make decisions when needed, Zenkichi always preferred being the muscle and leaving the larger strategic calls to those better suited for it—people like Gudako and Medaka, who have the natural charisma and wit to lead people to victory.

Gudako looked around at the group, taking in the situation quickly. "Alright," she said, her voice firm, "Mash, you guard our rear with Brunhilde. Zenkichi, you're on offense with Ereshkigal. We need to cut through these undead fast."

"Raaaaaa!"

"Kakakaka!"

Thousands of skeletons and undead emerged from the thick fog, their hollow eyes glowing with an eerie, unnatural light. Rusted weapons and armor clattered as they shuffled toward the group in an unrelenting tide, their groans filling the air with a chorus of deathly wails.

"This power signature! Everyone, be careful. Most of these enemies are as strong as medium tier servants, while some could even make Heracles lose a life!" Da Vinci warned.

"Great. Super skeletons and zombies," Zenkichi muttered under his breath as he readied his fists, glancing at Ereshkigal. "Is there any ghosts or evil spirits nearby?"

Ereshkigal shook her head. "No. Thankfully she hasn't took that part of my authority yet, or we would be in serious trouble." Her expression darkened, her grip tightening on her spear. "But don't get too comfortable. These undead are greatly empowered by Envy's influence. They're tougher than what we dealt with in my domain."

Gudako brought her hand up, the crimson command seals glowed intensely. "The longer we stay out here, the more likely we are to draw attention from Envy. Advance! And Mash....protect us with everything that you got!"

"Yes, Master!"

Zenkichi grinned, smashing his left fist against his palm. "Well then, let me go at this first. I wanna try out some new skills I got." Suddenly, his appearance and aura changed.

Dark strip-like marks of a tiger appeared all across his arms and face, his long blonde hair turned red with black stripes as a kanji for 'King'/王 appeared on his forehead. Eerie dark energy that was a mix of white and black surged from Zenkichi's body.

Ereshkigal's eyes widened in shock upon sensing the familiar energy emanating from Zenkichi.

'That's...! Why does he have a similar energy signature with the Monster of Greed we met a couple days ago?!'

Zenkichi looked down at his hands, his fingernails were now long, thick and deadly as a tiger's claws. He then glanced at his system for the skill he was about to use.

[Monster Authority: Covetous Grasp(Greed)[???] - A strange mystical power that allows the user to steal any object or power they desire from others. Whether it's a weapon, soul, or artifact—as long as you desire it, you could even tear through dimensions and instantly pull it toward you. However, prolonged and excessive use can fuel uncontrollable desires that may result in the user's death.]

"I desire..." Zenkichi grinned as he raised his hands and clasped them together. "a path!"

Almost instantly, there was a loud rumble followed with the earth trembling as a large three-story structure, which strangely resembled a ziggurat, propelled itself towards Zenkichi—mowing down every skeleton and undead on its path.

"Haaaa!"

Just as it was about to reach Zenkichi and his group—Zenkichi took a step forward, clenched his left hand, and punched the huge structure.

Boom*!

In the deep darkness of the underworld, a certain pale skinned witch opened her eyes.

"So you've come back...hehe..." A smile blossomed on Envy's lips, her blank purple eyes revealed an inhumane insanity.

.....

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