A technomancer's journey in an apocalyptic world

Chapter 97: A new quest (part-4)

"Brother anytime you feel uncomfortable you should voice it out without hesitation."

As Michalina spoke those words an umpteenth time, Ryan's brow twitched as he spoke with a grunt, "I will big sis, I will."

"Ah, stop."

A sudden urgent shout from Xuelong stopped them on their steps as she spoke, "The Undead are drawn by the smell of blood, as such in your current state it will be like sending out an invitation to all you can eat buffet."

Ylerias palmed her face hard as she spoke, "I had a feeling that I forgot something, thank you, Xuelong for reminding Me.", she then proceeded to take out a couple of herbs from her inventory which she rolled into one before lighting them aflame, making the herbs let out a good amount greyish smoke.

"Ryan please close your eyes, it can be a bit pungent."

Ryan did not need to be told twice as he had shut his eyes as soon as the herbs were lit as they badly stung his eyes.

Ylerias then covering her face with her hand began to wave the bundle all around Ryan while using her mana to push as much smoke towards Ryan trying to coat every inch of his body.

A couple of minutes later Ylerias stood straight as she spoke, "Well now no one will be able to smell the blood on you."

Ryan coughed as he replied back, "The last time I bleed was some time ago not to mention I have a fresh set of bandages on me."

Xuelong snorted as she spoke while pointing at her nose, "Please Ryan, do not underestimate the power of a predator's nose, and you reek of blood."

Ryan sighed as he spoke, "I need a good bath."

"You need more than a good bath Ryan, the smell of blood does not wash away so easily, what Ylerias did to you is a very effective method of removal of masking one's scent especially in your case."

Michalina frowned as she spoke, "What about sweat or any other body fluids, will they not attract the undead?"

Xuelong shook her head as she spoke, "No only blood, the fresher it is the more enticing it is to them."

"This herb is still exuding smoke does anyone wants to use it."

Hearing Ylerias's words Michalina stepped towards her as she spoke, "I was near Ryan all the time and was helping him as such I believe I might have gotten myself covered by a good amount of blood."

Ylerias handed her the still smoking bundle which Michalina quickly waved all over her body though it lacked the finesse it managed to complete its job.

The group consisting of Michalina, Ryan, Xulong and Ylerias decided to walk towards the destination while the rest had surrounded them from different vantage points, seeing their agility Ryan could not help but feel a bit jealous.

"Ylerias there is something I want to ask you about?"

"What is it, Ryan?"

"I have been observing people of your race, are you all very agile, I mean if it were only your subordinates and you then I would have understood but the normal civilians that you had managed to rescue are more agile than others."

Ylerias gave a nod as she spoke, "Yes we compared to other races mine is a bit more agile than others, you can say it is one of our racial traits, just in case of Xuelong she is exceptionally strong with sharper senses and abnormal magical ability, even compared to others of her kind she is exceptional as you can say she was bred for war."

Xuelong simply stuck out her chest as she spoke with a proud smirk on her face, "Of course I am otherwise I would not be an apostle of war."

Ylerias nodded as she continued to speak, "Yes, so true her race is very strong yet at the same time they are very peaceful beings except for Xuelong otherwise they might have already conquered the other races as well."

Xuelong snorted as she spoke, "Please sister you are giving my race too much credit we may be strong but not by a lot not to mention our population is low, waging war on the entire planet would be pointless, and Ylerias please leave that topic I do not like it."

Ylerias simply gave a nod as the group began to move towards their destination when all of a sudden one of Ylerias's subordinate approached her as she spoke with a bow, "Your Holiness, we have finished scouting the area as well as have dealt with any undead within the vicinity."

Ylerias gave a nod as she spoke, "Good work I hope you have not entered any building."

"No, Your Holiness."

"Good now make sure to keep an eye out for any undead that approaches us especially those screaming types, kill them as fast as you can or they will summon a horde."

"By your will, Your Holiness.", with that her subordinate returned to her post with haste.

"Ryan what have you thought about forming a group."

Ryan looked towards Xuelong as he spoke with a frown, "What do you mean by a group? From what Ylerias told me some of us do not have one."

Xuelong nodded as she spoke, "Yes, some don't but our situation is different this time working solo is inadvisable in such conditions."

Ryan sighed as he spoke, "I know but for the time being, I have no such plan, maybe in the future but at present, I am fine with Michalina and her colleagues helping me out."

As Ryan walked towards his destination he could feel the general location slowly shrinking form the previous vast area it had shrunk to only a single two-storey building, the building was somehow standing erect but had massive cracks on it, looking as if it would fall any moment.

Ryan raised his finger as he pointed towards the building as he spoke, "The more I moved through the streets the more I became certain that our destination is that building over there."

Michalina grimaced as she spoke, "A single gust of wind will topple it, as it looks so unstable."

Ryan nodded as he spoke, "Yes that is why it would be difficult the last thing I would want is being under buried several tons of rubble not to mention the sound is bound to draw the attention of the residents."

"So how do we proceed?"

Ryan looked towards the building as he replied back to Xuelong, "I will go in alone."

"That is crazy brother you are in no shape and form to do so alone."

Ryan shook his head as he spoke, "The only entrance is through the door and if we try to force through it, then it might collapse this part of the building, the windows are closed shut ad forcing through them might be problematic, so the only way in is the balcony, I can enter easily and if in any way and form the building starts to collapse you know I can easily clear any debris."

Xuelong and Ylerias looked at each other before Xuelong spoke with a shrug, "Well then please be careful and if you face any problem shout out."

Ryan simply nodded as his crutch disappeared before he touched the side of the building as part of it hollowed out forming rungs that he used to climb up to the balcony, but as soon as he stepped on top of the balcony a loud crack was heard as a small part broke out of it and fell on the ground.

"Ryan!!!!", a frantic shout came from Michalina as the duo of female apostles shushed her, before Ylerias spoke in an urgent tone, "Michalina keep your voice down, or else you might attract the undead."

Ryan simply looked at her as he gave her a reassuring smile, but inwardly his heart was hammering he could feel the floor protesting against his weight as such he with great caution moved towards the door before entering inside posthaste only to stop in alarm.

'Damn it, a good portion of the floor is missing.'

He looked to the side as he touched the wall and just like the ladder, parts of the wall hollowed out letting him use them to move, while others looked at him with various states of emotions from intrigue to worry.

Ryan was only a few halfway across when he was suddenly hit by a bought of nausea and dizziness, with great effort he pushed down the bile rising up his throat while he pressed himself against the wall.

With a couple of deep breaths Ryan continued to move, 'This room, there is nothing to search for as the floor itself is missing and whatever should have been present in this room is now lying on the lower floor.'

He steeled himself as he began to move again, while his body protested against the strenuous exercise that he was doing, 'A bit more, just a bit.', after a rather small Ryan stood with a small on his face.

His gun appeared in his hand as he went to check a nearby room, just because the building looked unstable that did not mean he could relax and decide that no creature was occupying it.

As he opened the door which swung with a loud creek, he was greeted with a dust-covered room, he slowly stepped inside the room as the floor creaked underneath him, when all of a sudden a wailing sound came from his side, and without hesitation, he fired his gun towards the direction as fast as he could.

As Ryan got a proper look at his victim his eyes widen in alarm as his hand shook, 'I killed a child.'