Chapter 790, Spirit Corpse
Wu Heng enlarged the monitor for the Corpse King's cell, filling the entire screen.
On screen, the Corpse King still curled up, squatting on the ground in the center, seemingly unchanged from before.
Wu Heng looked at the monitor and asked, "Has the Corpse King changed at all?"
Beni replied, "No, just reached level 20, nothing else changed."
Xiaoxiao asked, "Uncle, did it fail to evolve?"
"The level went up, so it can't be called a failure. It's just that its appearance hasn't changed much," Wu Heng said after a moment.
The specters' ability to check levels couldn't be wrong.
They could see Lilith's level back on Gold-Silver Island, so there was no way they'd misjudge this Corpse King.
It must be that the appearance hadn't changed much, and the improvement was mostly in its attributes.
"Oh, that makes sense," Xiaoxiao nodded in agreement.
"Where's Glenda?" Wu Heng asked.
"Madam Glenda stayed in the cell, watching over the Corpse King," said Beni.
Wu Heng continued, "Has the Corpse King always been like this? No movement?"
Normally, if a Corpse King sensed it had leveled up, it should've shown some signs of resistance.
It was always trying to break free.
This kind of quiet was suspicious.
"Maybe it doesn't know it leveled up," said Xiaoxiao.
Beni guessed too, "Or it got used to being raised, like a pet."
"Yah~! Then maybe Uncle doesn't need to convert it into a skeleton. He could just command it directly, like a beast tamer," said Xiaoxiao, rubbing her chin.
Wu Heng got up and said, "Forget it. If it slaps me one day, I can't take it."
After all, there was still no virus antidote developed.
Treating a zombie like a pet—if it slapped him or spread infection through blood, that'd be a problem.
His constitution had improved, but not enough to tempt fate.
After speaking, Wu Heng walked out and casually told the Big Head Skeleton beside him, "Have the army gather at the cell block, bring the heavy machine guns."
Clatter~!
Noise rang out from outside as the stationed skeleton troops mobilized.
They assembled toward the prison cell area.
......
Prison block.
The skeleton army had already gathered in formation, surrounding the entrance. Various firearms and mounted machine guns were all aimed at the door.
Wu Heng arrived at the cell door.
Glenda was floating near the entrance.
When she saw Wu Heng approaching, she said, "The Skeleton Alchemist came earlier, I sent it away. The Corpse King inside is waiting for the door to open."
Wu Heng frowned, instantly understanding what Glenda meant.
The Corpse King was behaving for the moment, not because it was docile, but because it was waiting for feeding time.
Once the door opened, it would likely act.
That much intelligence?
Zombies were supposed to be dumb, acting purely on instinct.
But now it knew how to be patient and wait for timing? That's a huge jump in intelligence.
Even if it broke out of the cell, the surrounding area was still within the prison block, sealed off by reinforced doors. Escape was impossible.
Unless it could bust through concrete.
"How'd you figure that out?" Wu Heng asked.
Glenda said, "It's prepared to break its chains and keeps staring at the door."
"Auntie's so smart. Even Uncle didn't notice."
"I wasn't on site," Wu Heng defended.
Glenda shot him a sidelong glance, "Next time you write your own propaganda."
"Wrong, wrong, you're the smartest—beauty and brains in one," Wu Heng quickly said.
Beni and Xiaoxiao giggled on the side.
Glenda continued, "The Corpse King looks ready. What's your plan?"
"Just kill it."
"Once the door opens, it'll charge out. Be ready."
Wu Heng nodded and ordered the skeletons, "Shoot as soon as you see the target."
Click click!
Every weapon had its safety turned off.
"Open the door!" Wu Heng stepped back.
A skeleton stepped forward and opened the cell door.
The sound of the door made the Corpse King inside stiffen. Its bloodthirsty eyes locked onto the entrance.
Bang~!
The iron door swung fully open.
Roar~!
The Corpse King let out a deafening roar, its body rapidly expanding as it struggled.
Muscles bulged like coiled serpents, writhing madly, snapping several chains which clattered across the floor.
Bang~!
Bang bang bang bang~!
But before it could take another step—
Gunfire erupted.
A hail of bullets poured into the room like a metal storm.
The Corpse King's body was hit repeatedly, forcing it to retreat. Blood and flesh splattered across the room's walls.
Roar~ roar!
Its bellows rang out.
Only to be drowned out again by gunfire.
......
[EXP +5.]
[Skeleton Guard EXP +95.]
[Skeleton Guard leveled up to 14. Strength +2, Agility +1, Perception +2.]
......
With the experience gained, the Corpse King was confirmed dead.
But Wu Heng couldn't be totally sure. The skeleton army outside was also killing zombies.
"Check if it's really dead," Wu Heng said.
Xiaoxiao flew in, then back out quickly. "Seems dead, lying there motionless."
Wu Heng nodded and ordered, "Cease fire."
The deafening gunfire stopped. The air was thick with smoke.
Kashu and Keramu were the first to enter the cell. After confirming no danger, Wu Heng followed.
The cell was a mess.
Walls were streaked with black blood and claw marks. Chunks of meat hung from the ceiling.
The axe-wielding skeletons guarding the Corpse King had survived, pressed tightly against the wall near the door, untouched.
Against the far wall sat a grotesque giant with insect traits. A huge black horned head, beetle wings spread out behind it.
Its chest was shredded by gunfire. Fortunately, it wasn't blown to pieces like a normal Professional.
"Didn't it look smaller earlier?" Wu Heng asked, puzzled.
On the monitor, it hadn't looked that big.
Now it appeared over three meters tall, with a burly build like an Orc.
"It was its regular size. It expanded when breaking free," said Glenda.
"Seems like a new evolution trait," Wu Heng said.
"Size-shifting might be handy. Too big can be inconvenient," Glenda raised an eyebrow.
"There are kids here, watch your words!" Wu Heng rolled his eyes.
Glenda chuckled, then asked, "Should we convert it now? See what abilities it has?"
Wu Heng looked at Xiaoxiao, "Xiaoxiao, where's that jade stone Lilith gave you?"
"On the desk."
"Let me borrow it."
"Sure, Uncle, use it however you like. Just don't break it," Xiaoxiao said generously.
Glenda and Beni exchanged puzzled looks.
Xiaoxiao explained to the other two souls what Lilith had said yesterday—that the jade stone could help prevent skeletons from downgrading. Glenda and Beni finally understood.
Normally, when Wu Heng converted a corpse above his level, the summoned creature would drop in level.
So converting a level 20 corpse might result in only a level 19 skeleton.
Wu Heng had remembered this and asked Lilith in advance.
Since Lilith handled the guild's intel, the method was likely reliable.
Wu Heng called the three specters back and walked out of the nearby cell to return to Gold-Silver Island for the jade stone.
......
Rentam City, Alliance Hall.
City Lord's lounge.
Wen Mansa, in a fiery red dress, opened the door and entered, just about to sit on the sofa.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh~!
Three sharp sounds of air being pierced rang out.
Bolts sliced through the air with a shrill whistle.
Wen Mansa's eyes widened, but before she could react, the bolts struck her chest. A shadowy figure then lunged out from the darkness, plunging a dagger through her chest.
He tackled Wen Mansa, sending her crashing backwards.
The assassin clamped a hand over Wen Mansa's mouth, grinning viciously. "City Lord, don't blame me. I just want to become a boss too, don't blame me."
Despite the words, his brow furrowed.
Looking down, he saw that Wen Mansa had transformed into a hunched skeletal crone.
Flames flickered in her hollow eye sockets, and the dagger was stuck fast in her chest.
"Grayson, huh? Not a low level."
A cold voice rang out. At the door stood another Wen Mansa, also in a red dress, flanked by skeletons.
The assassin's eyes narrowed. He turned and sprinted toward the window.
"Kill him. Don't damage the head," Wen Mansa commanded.
Bang bang bang~!
Gunfire erupted. Blood burst from the assassin's body as he staggered and collapsed.
"City Lord, don't kill me! I'll tell you who sent me!"
"I was wrong! Just give me another chance! I really was wrong!"
"Please, City Lord!"
The assassin begged loudly, crawling backwards in fear.
His eyes were filled with the terror of death.
Wen Mansa said softly, "We've all been in gangs. We know profit comes with risk. You failed, so accept the consequences."
"No, wait—I'll tell you who—"
Bang~!
A bullet pierced his forehead.
Wen Mansa glanced at the corpse, then said, "Search the room."
Skeletons began searching the room.
Soon, they dragged out a woman from behind a partition.
Wen Mansa's brow furrowed instantly. "Look up."
The woman raised her head slightly, her face full of fear—but her features and demeanor were strikingly similar to Wen Mansa's. She was even dressed identically.
Wen Mansa narrowed her eyes, instantly grasping the plan.
Kill her in the lounge, then replace her with this woman to take back the position of City Lord.
Such a cliché tactic.
"Who are you?" Wen Mansa asked.
But in the next second, the woman's eyes glazed over and she collapsed backwards.
Dead!
A slave contract—her soul had been wiped.
So ruthless.
Wen Mansa said quietly, "Wrap up the bodies."
The skeletons used a carpet to wrap the two corpses together.
Wen Mansa stored them in her space ring.
Once everything was dealt with, she adjusted her dress and walked out.
At the stairs, two commanders and guards stood watch.
"Sister-in-law, are you alright?"
Wen Mansa walked as she replied, "I'm fine. Have the Orc chieftains arrived?"
"They're all here, just waiting for you."
"Alright, let's go."
The group headed toward the conference room.
......
Zombie World, Prison.
Wu Heng held the goose-egg-sized [Companion Yin Jade], eyes fixed on the corpse.
"Uncle, what are you waiting for?" Xiaoxiao asked curiously, seeing his hesitation.
"Just preparing." Wu Heng replied.
Lilith's method used the Yin Jade to amplify magic, but he had claimed to be level 16 trying to convert a level 18 corpse.
This was a level 20 body—already at the Hero rank. He wasn't sure it would work.
He muttered a few incantations.
Then, using the jade, cast [Raise Skeleton].
A wave of necrotic energy surged from the jade into the corpse.
Flesh began to slough off slowly, revealing an enormous, horned beetle-like skeleton.
However, the bones weren't white—they were a dark, metallic black.
Reminiscent of the level 12 boxer 'Bagdong' he'd first converted.
Bagdong's bones were iron gray, but this skeleton's color was even darker—nearly like gunmetal black.
The towering skeleton slowly stood.
At over three meters tall, it bumped the ceiling and crouched slightly.
Bright flames blazed in its empty sockets.
[Spirit Remains (Level 20)]
Wu Heng's heart lit up.
It had reached level 20! Lilith's method really worked—no downgrade.
It was worth having someone to consult.
That's why so many people sought mentors.
He'd have to ask Lilith for advice more often—and strengthen ties.
His gaze returned to the skeleton.
The name had changed to 'Spirit Remains'—short and clean.
Usually they were called Skeleton Warrior or Skeleton Mage, but now, just two characters.
He checked the stats.
[Spirit Remains (Level 20)]
[Attributes: Constitution 57, Strength 62, Agility 60, Intelligence 38, Perception 37, Charisma 12.]
[Traits: Hollow Frame, Flight, Advanced Soul, Chitin Armor, Hive Domain, Dual Form.]
[Specialties: Biological Mutation, Physical Mutation.]
Such high stats!
Constitution nearly at 60.
Strength and Agility both over 60.
A walking tank.
Wu Heng's eyes fell on the newly appeared [Dual Form].
[Dual Form]: Has normal and giant forms. In giant form, all attributes are boosted.
No details on how much the boost was.
Hard to assess exactly.
......
Wu Heng was amazed by the stats.
This skeleton was like a tank—its Strength and Constitution were off the charts.
Even without skills, those stats alone could crush most Professionals.
"Uncle, is it strong?" Xiaoxiao asked, flying around the skeleton.
Benny and Glenda also looked on curiously.
At this point, his side was getting pretty powerful.
Two level 20 ghost souls, and now a level 20 skeleton.
Unless they crossed someone like the Guild with tons of Heroes, they basically had no opponents.
Wu Heng nodded. "Pretty strong. You could say it's a Warrior-type. A flying Warrior. Shrink down a bit."
The skeleton obeyed, shrinking to slightly taller than a human.
"Wow! A flying Warrior," Xiaoxiao said excitedly.
"Show her your wings."
Click~!
The carapace on the skeleton's back opened, revealing cicada-like wings.
Wu Heng smiled as the three ghost souls circled the skeleton. "Xiaoxiao, since this skeleton was transformed with your jade, you name it."
"Me? What if the name sounds bad?" Xiaoxiao asked shyly.
"Doesn't matter. As long as you like it," Wu Heng replied warmly.
If it weren't for Xiaoxiao's friendship with Lilith, they wouldn't have gotten the jade.
Lilith might not have given it to Wu Heng himself.
So Xiaoxiao was the real contributor here.
If they raised another level 20 zombie later, they'd still need the jade—so giving her a sense of involvement mattered.
"Alright then!" Xiaoxiao circled the towering skeleton and said, "Let's call it Shiny—like something that shines."
"Where'd you get the idea?"
"Its wings are so pretty—shiny and sparkly! Isn't it a good name?"
"Uh... yeah, it's a nice name," Wu Heng said, looking at the skeleton. "From now on, your name is Shiny."
The skeleton nodded.