Chapter 13: Reunion And A Pleasant Surprise (2)

"It's me, Shawn, you stupid boar. What the hell were you trying to do earlier?"

Troy's entire body froze, still trying to process the familiar voice he had just heard.

"Say something, will you? I'm talking to you, okay, " Shawn continued.

"You, you, how come you're here? Weren't you supposed to be somewhere else? " Troy asked, still trying to think about the reason why his friend suddenly appeared here.

"What do you mean I'm supposed to be somewhere else? My house is just a town and two villages away from here. Didn't I tell you that when we talked some time ago? " Shawn replied in a casual tone.

Hearing Shawn's casual tone as he said that, Troy's body became frozen again. This only lasted for a moment, however, before his face suddenly distorted and veins could be seen popping in his face. Blood rushed upward in his face, making him look like a bright red tomato on the verge of exploding.

Seeing that his friend was about to lose his temper, Shawn was still confused but still chose to cover his mouth again. Just in time when his hand covered his friend's mouth, some obscure, and vague words could be heard and he could feel his hand being touched by something sticky.

"Mmph! Mmmph rghht mmph, I'll mmphh mmphh yuu upp mmphh!"

Troy can't speak clearly, but he still wants Shawn to hear a piece of his mind.

Shawn can feel his friend struggling strongly, so he had no choice but to release him. He did warn him not to speak loudly.

"Don't shout, okay? Otherwise, you'll alert those hordes of zombies. Besides, why the fu*k would you lick my hand, you bastard," he said, wiping his hand on his friend's shirt.

Finally being released, Troy gasped for his breath heavily, glaring at Shawn amidst that. A few seconds passed, and he whispered to Shawn furiously.

"You didn't tell me anything at all, you jerk! I did tell you where I was, but you never revealed your location. Otherwise, if I know you're nearby, I'd definitely visit you! Every time we talked, you wouldn't even tell me your whereabouts, while I'd always share mine! "

Still not finished, he continued berating Shawn, "And if you know that I lived here, why wouldn't you visit me, huh!? You heartless bastard who never cares about your friend!"

Shawn responded, "Well, I was busy with work and all that, you know. Besides, I want to be alone after what happened a few years ago; give myself some solitude and forget about it."

Troy fell silent and nodded his head as if accepting his excuse.

"Well, that's a good reason."

Shawn just smiled and thought to himself, "That's the fifth time that excuse works. It's just like a magic word that can appease him."

Believing that it's finished, Shawn chose to change the subject. Troy decided to speak at that moment, however.

"But why didn't you tell me your location?" Troy asked.

"I did, maybe you just forgot that," Shawn replied.

"No, you didn't tell me anything," Troy retorted.

"Yes, I did."

"No, you didn't."

"Yes, I did."

"No, you didn't."

And thus, the two of them just went on and on about it, repeating the same lines all over again. Both parties kept denying each other while insisting on their own answers.

This childish bickering went on for about a full three minutes before Shawn surrendered, deciding to confess his mistakes.

"Okay, okay, you're right. I might have just forgotten to tell you that information, alright?" he admitted his defeat, knowing that he couldn't be as childish as his friend.

Troy felt pride in his victory, with his chest pumped up and his chin raised, looking like he just won a world championship in a sport.

With their "great battle" drawing to a conclusion, the two of them decided to be serious and discuss proper business.

"Anyway, let's focus on the task at hand. What were you trying to do, sneaking around like that?" Shawn inquired, eyeing Troy suspiciously.

Smiling hesitantly, Troy rubbed the back of his neck. "I spotted a golden treasure chest. It's glowing with a yellow light and is settled in at the rear side of this horde. I figured that if I could sneak past them, I'd be able to grab that without fighting."

Shawn raised an eyebrow. "You thought sneaking your way in was a good idea? With your height and... stealth skills?"

Troy shrugged his shoulders sheepishly. "Well, I can't just leave without getting that treasure chest. I mean, the treasures inside will definitely help me get stronger and find you guys earlier. Those zombies look tough, so I may not be able to win against them."

Shawn let out an exasperated sigh, shaking his head at his friend's recklessness. "Did you think for a second about how you'd get out if you even managed to get that treasure chest?"

"I can just...sneak away again, right?" Troy's voice carried a hint of uncertainty.

"You idiot, did you really think you could waltz in and out without those monsters noticing you? Much less grab the treasure and escape unscathed," Shawn admonished, his frustration evident. "You need to use your head, not just your instincts. Those zombies will tear you apart before you even get close."

This guy was always simple-minded and dense growing up, often being taken advantage of because of it. When it comes to picking up women, though, this guy is a natural charmer.

With his tall height and good looks, women couldn't help but be drawn to him. However, as the saying goes, you win some, you lose some. Troy habitually thinks only with his third leg, letting rashness and recklessness dictate his actions. This time is not any different.

Shawn sighed again, trying to calm down his nerves. "Let's come up with a real plan before you get yourself killed."

He reached into his pack and pulled out the two items that he had reserved for Troy: the Ironclad Shield and the Metal Clad skill scroll. He handed them over to his friend, noting the confusion on Troy's face.

"Here, these are for you," he said. "The shield can reduce the physical damage received by 15%, and that skill scroll has the skill, Metal Clad, in it. This skill temporarily reinforces your body with a layer of metal, significantly boosting your defense and resistance to physical attacks."

Troy's eyes widened in surprise. "Are you serious? These items are incredible!"

Shawn smirked and said, "Well, I'd like to have the idea of having someone tank the damage for me. You just happen to barely fulfill my requirements."

Ignoring Shawn's words, Troy simply equipped the shield and learned the skill.

He didn't utter a single expression of gratitude since, with their bond, they'd long treated each other as siblings.

With the Ironclad Shield in his left hand and holding a sharp blade on his right hand, Troy looks like a valiant warrior, ready to fight with his life on the line.

"Alright, alright, stop posturing yourself. No one besides me is looking at you. We still have to come up with a plan to take down that horde and get that treasure chest."

They huddled up together, devising a strategy. The plan was simple: Troy would create a diversion and lure some zombies toward him, that way, Shawn would be able to flank them from behind and easily take out the powerful figures within the zombies.

Without their leader, those mindless zombies would just be like farm animals waiting to be slaughtered.

The key to these strategies was to use their strengths: Shawn's powerful offensive ability and agility and Troy's resilience and sturdy defense.

"Alright, let's do this," Troy said, slapping Shawn on the back. "Remember to finished those zombies off quickly. I don't want my face to be disfigured by those monsters."

Shawn rolled his eyes at Troy and started to prepare himself. "Let's go get that treasure, I still have something to do after this."

Troy nodded and moved first, darting towards the zombies and making noise to attract their attention. The zombies, as a result, turned their heads towards him, their growls filling the air as they lumbered forward. Troy moved swiftly, leading them away from the treasure chest and giving Shawn the opening he needed.

One zombie stood out among those lured by Troy. That zombie wielded long, curved blades that could cleave through flesh and bone with ease.

[Level 21 Scythe Mutant Zombie]

"Watch out, Troy! You've attracted one tough opponent currently heading your way," Shawn shouted, pointing towards the Scythe Zombie.

Troy nodded and replied, "Don't worry! I should be able to hold out for a while facing these brainless zombies. But you better finish quickly on your side so that there won't be an accident."

Troy subsequently activated the Metal Clad skill, feeling his body being enclosed with a layer of metal. He charged towards the zombies, his Ironclad Shield raised. The first zombie that he encountered swung its clawed hand at him, but he blocked the blow effortlessly with his shield. Troy followed up with a powerful strike, his blade cleaving through the zombie's skull with ease.

As Troy fought valiantly, Shawn focused on the other leader of this horde.

[Level 23 Poison-Spitting Mutant Zombie]

Also noticing Shawn, the Poison-Spitting Mutant Zombie stormed his way through him, spitting globs of toxic acid towards his position in the process. Evading the toxic poison it spit out, Shawn killed his way to meet the zombie.

The zombies blocking his way fell continuously, their efforts to stall Shawn were futile. As he got closer, he swung his sword at the Poison Spitting Mutant Zombie, severing one of its arms without a hitch.

In retaliation, the zombie releases a huge amount of toxic poison at him. He wasn't able to dodge everything, getting hit by a few poisons. Although it landed on his body, Shawn ignored the pain and the corrosive effect of the poison. He launched an attack covered in white, silvery light, decapitating the Poison Spitting Mutant Zombie.

Troy, on the other hand, wasn't taking it easy while Shawn was fighting and massacring the zombies. He was also facing numerous zombies, including the Scythe Mutant Zombie. The difference is that Troy is in a disadvantageous position, being forced to be on the defensive.

He didn't back down, however, mainly concentrating on blocking the Scythe Mutant Zombie. Every slash of its scythe is lethal, so Troy chooses to ignore some of the zombies' attacks and defend against the incoming scythe. His shield was a blur, deflecting attacks and protecting him from harm.

He wasn't able to block every attack, though, causing some of them to land on him.

"Stop trying to hit my fu*king face, you fu*king brainless zombie!"