Chapter 346, Three People
Previously, just over ten thousand experience points were needed. The past few days had been spent dealing with market affairs, leaving no time for leveling up.
Now, after dropping two waves of solid iron bombs, his level had directly increased to 14.
He was now one step closer to reaching level 15.
He opened the status panel and took a look at the current experience needed.
[Name: Wu Heng]
[Level: 14 (2724/165000)]
[Attributes: Strength 34, Agility 28, Constitution 37, Intelligence 37, Perception 24, Charisma 28.]
One hundred sixty-five thousand experience points—that was quite a shock.
But after thinking about it, it didn't seem like too much.
The entire zombie world was like an experience-farming dungeon.
One hundred sixty-five thousand seemed like a lot, but considering the current number of zombie hordes, reaching that number wasn't too difficult.
It wasn't just about level 15—if killing zombies continued to provide experience points, reaching levels 18 or even 20 was just a matter of time.
Level 18 represented the pinnacle of existence in the otherworld. Even those who had committed heinous crimes would receive pardons from various powers.
Level 20, however, was the endgame for a professional—a status known as "Hero."
Rumor had it that the leaders of the guild had reached level 20, becoming heroes themselves.
This was why the guild could become a force akin to the world's police.
In the otherworld, strength was the true measure of power.
These thoughts quickly flashed through Wu Heng's mind.
He closed the panel and looked at the horde charging at them once again.
He immediately ordered, "Archers, fire!"
Whoosh!
Arrows rained down from the sky, striking into the zombie horde with a series of thuds.
Many zombies were turned into pincushions, falling lifelessly to the ground.
At that point, only about a thousand zombies remained nearby, most of them missing limbs and stuck with arrows.
"Spearmen, advance!"
Whoosh!
The skeletal spearmen moved forward in an organized formation.
They killed any remaining zombies still standing.
Wu Heng walked behind them, beginning to cast [Battlefield of the Dead], converting the corpses scattered across the ground.
As they walked, Wu Heng converted most of the bodies into skeletons, then continued to order the advance.
They proceeded to the next section of road, continuing to clear out the zombies.
He aimed to accelerate the clearing of the entire route.
It wasn't until dusk that Wu Heng finally climbed back into the truck.
They returned to the old industrial area.
...
On the way back.
Qi Hancai said, "I think we can clear the entire road in two or three more days."
"Good, we'll finish clearing it in the next few days," Wu Heng replied.
Qi Hancai nodded, then found another topic to discuss, "In the last two days, we've recruited several skilled workers—a doctor, an electrician, a mechanic, and a few others. In total, we've recruited six people, and we've given them some food as agreed."
"Good. No one with supernatural abilities joined?"
"No, people with powers are scarce. I assume most of them have started their own small groups and become leaders themselves."
"Hmm, that makes sense."
In the current world, abilities didn't necessarily mean massive destructive power.
Instead, abilities were more like a symbol of luck—given their low success rates.
Once awakened, these people's ambitions were no longer just about survival and food. Many probably wanted to create their own factions.
Being the ruler of a small territory was definitely preferable to living under someone else's rule.
People like Qi Hancai, who had brought her entire shelter to join another group, were rare.
For now, Qi Hancai's was the only shelter that had joined Wu Heng. Other shelters were still trying to gather gold to trade for food and had no plans to join.
The two continued talking about the market and base issues.
The convoy made its way back to the old industrial area.
The skeletal army and the convoy entered the yard through the back gate.
Qi Hancai began directing others to complete various tasks.
Wu Heng also took some time to adjust the patrols assigned to the skeletons, before eventually returning to Gold-Silver Island as night fell.
...
He had a simple dinner.
Stepping out of the courtyard, the sky had already grown dark.
By habit, he looked over to the next building—Shanaila's study. A faint light still shone through the sheer curtain.
Still up late, as usual.
Wu Heng folded a piece of paper into a crane and cast [Animate Object]. The paper crane flapped its wings and flew to the window, slipping inside.
Before long, Shanaila, her hair disheveled, peeked out the window.
She glanced his way, then gestured toward the roof.
Wu Heng nodded and quickly climbed onto the roof.
He reached the rooftop.
Shanaila stepped back, took a short running start, and jumped over to his rooftop, staggering a bit before colliding into his arms.
Wu Heng spread his arms and hugged her tightly.
He had no intention of letting go.
Shanaila struggled free from his embrace, grabbed his hand, and slapped his wrist. She then pulled him to sit down on the roof.
...
"Up late painting again?" Wu Heng asked.
Shanaila leaned against his chest. "Just balancing the books."
Wu Heng continued, "You haven't come over for dinner in a few days. Minnie misses you."
"Only Minnie misses me?" Shanaila said. "Didn't we just see each other today? Besides, I can't keep coming over here—it wouldn't look good."
"What's wrong with it? It's perfectly normal for neighbors to visit each other often!"
Shanaila glanced at him, then at the hand wrapped around her waist. "You call this a normal neighborly visit?"
"No one knows."
Shanaila pointed at the house across the street. "People there got caught cheating by the husband. I don't want people spreading rumors about me."
"If we're caught, I'll just marry you," Wu Heng said, squeezing her waist tighter.
Shanaila's cheeks reddened slightly, and she rolled her eyes. "You're planning things well, aren't you?"
"What? You don't want to?"
Shanaila gave a doting smile and said softly, "Of course I want to. Hearing you say that makes my heart melt."
Wu Heng smiled, taking her chin in his hand and turning her face towards him.
He gazed down into her beautiful emerald eyes.
Shanaila's eyes shifted evasively. "W-what are you doing? Just talking is fine; don't..."
The next moment, Wu Heng leaned in.
Shanaila turned her head and said, "Alright, we agreed not to go too far."
"You just said you were willing."
Shanaila smiled and said, "I am, but my identity—the Wood Elves won't allow me to marry you. That's why I said I'd become your lover when you reach level 15."
Seemed about right.
Shanaila represented the official side of the Wood Elves to a large extent.
There was no way they'd let her divorce her current husband and be with a human.
Shanaila had thought about all this before and proposed being his lover instead.
Wu Heng thought about it, then nodded. "It's fine. As long as we have each other in our hearts."
"Good boy."
Shanaila praised him, then leaned up to peck his lips.
The two of them continued chatting while leaning against each other.
The stern-faced housekeeper climbed onto the roof.
She said nothing, just stared at the two of them.
Shanaila's face turned red. She straightened her nightgown and said, "It's late. Let's talk another time."
"Alright."
Shanaila jumped back to her own rooftop, and the housekeeper followed her down.
Wu Heng watched her leave.
He then climbed down to rest.
...
Elsewhere.
In a private room of a tavern on Lighthouse Street.
A manager from Stag Oversea Merchant Guild was on top of a woman, vigorously moving his hips.
Muttering to himself, he said, "I wonder where Star Flower found a sponsor to bring in so many supplies—damn them."
The woman beneath him moaned softly, her hands pressing against his chest. "Focus, sir. Don't think about anything else right now."
The man nodded. "Then scream louder. I love hearing you."
The woman's face flushed. "It's so late. If I'm too loud, I'll disturb people."
"Who cares? The other rooms are all filled with guild members. Scream, I love hearing you."
"Oh, you're awful!" The woman lightly slapped him, then, encouraged by his actions, began moaning loudly.
As they were at the height of their passion.
The voices grew louder and more feverish.
A voice suddenly came from the room outside.
"Having fun, are we?"
The man's excitement instantly vanished, and he reached for the weapon beside the bed.
Swish!
A cold light flashed—a dagger pierced through his wrist, blood gushing out.
"Ah~!" The woman shouted loudly.
Another dagger shot out, piercing through the woman's throat.
She fell into a pool of blood, her face filled with shock and terror.
The man looked at the woman's body, and fear started to appear in his own eyes.
At that moment, three figures stepped out of the darkness, standing in the silver moonlight streaming through the window.
"Gentlemen, whatever it is, we can discuss it calmly. If there's a problem, I can offer you plenty of money," the man said, his voice trembling.
A voice emerged from beneath one of the cloaks. "No need. The best outcome is your death."
As the voice finished, before the man could even shout,
The three figures rushed forward, killing him instantly.
They wiped their weapons with the bedsheet and jumped out the window without a sound.
...
The next morning.
Knock, knock, knock!
The knocking was followed by Minnie's voice, "Master, someone from the guild is here. They're asking you to go over right away."
Wu Heng sat up, glancing at the clock on the nightstand. It was just past 6 a.m.
Seems like something had happened at the guild.
"Alright, I understand!"
After washing up, he went downstairs to find Andviel already dressed, waiting by the door.
The two skipped breakfast and headed straight for the guild.
As soon as they arrived at the main hall, they saw Olin, the captain of the third squad, hurrying over.
"Deputy Steward, the Steward and others are waiting for you in the morgue!"
"Andviel, go to the study first."
Andviel nodded and went to the study while Wu Heng continued to question Olin, "What happened?"
As they walked, Olin explained, "A guild manager was killed at an inn on Lighthouse Street. The guild wants the guild to investigate."
"A guild manager? Someone like that staying on Lighthouse Street?"
Olin nodded. "Many guilds temporarily stay around here, so staying at nearby inns is the quickest way."
"I see." Wu Heng nodded.
They headed to the morgue.
The cold room was crowded with guild members: Steward Imiro, Deputy Steward Sheila Grey, the Inspecting Envoy, the coroner, investigators, and several squad captains.
There were more people here than there were bodies.
"Steward!" Wu Heng stepped inside.
Imiro nodded, "Two people died last night. It's quite serious. Can you perform a corpse interrogation to see what happened?"
Wu Heng nodded, gesturing for the coroner to step aside.
He faced the first corpse and cast [Speak with the Dead].
The corpse on the metal table slowly sat up, the white sheet covering it falling away.
Wu Heng glanced at Imiro, indicating he could begin questioning.
Imiro looked at the corpse and directly asked, "Who killed you?"
The corpse answered, "I didn't see. They had their faces covered."
Scratch, scratch, scratch~
The investigators present began taking notes.
Imiro continued, "What were the characteristics of those who killed you?"
"There were three of them in total. The leader was a man wearing a black cloak, of medium height, with dark hair visible beneath the cloak. There were two others—one of human stature wielding dual blades, and the other, taller, holding a long-handled warhammer."