Chapter 17: The Master Part 1

"Welcome."

An undead man who's sitting on the couch greeted me. I stood still, prepared, and anxious as heck. This one is not like the other bulkier I fought or any other undead that I have killed. I observe him. He has no weapons beside him, no weapons nearby either. It's just him alone inside this massive room. He looked at me with nothing but a smile. I could see that his posture is relaxed...calm. Either he is a fool with a huge ego or someone who surely knows his capabilities and deemed me as anything but a threat. Probably the latter.

"You have made quite a ruckus inside my nest. Most of my slaves are dead and you as well as your companion are responsible for all of that. Now all that's left is little old me. It's impressive considering there is only three of you. A little hanni, a drakier, and a tin can. Haha. Very impressive indeed.

However, I'm confused. I don't know you. I don't even think that we've met before so I'm a bit surprised at this invasion. Tell me...why have you come here?"

"..."

"You won't even answer my question? Quite rude, hehe." He slowly stood up and pat his legs, small portions of dusts came off and was swayed by the wind.

"Tell me your name."

He demanded. His smile now gone on his face and is replaced with a cold look. His eyes had a look of pure dominance, arrogance, power, and a lot of malice. I could tell now that what's standing in front of me is a master, a leader of the pack, and someone who is very very deadly.

"...Jerome. My name is Jerome", I answered truthfully.

"Hmm...strange name. Alas the same courtesy must be done. I'm known as Labak. The master of this nest and you my little invader have made a grave mistake. Attacking my home, killing all my slaves, possibly ruining all the years I have worked for. Do you have any idea how hard it is to collect those mongrels? No, you don't. Now I have no subjects left except this rundown mansion. It would probably take me another few years to restart my kingdom. Haah. I'm getting off track."

He shook his head and stare at me without all of the hostility from before. I could see his plastic smile forming in his face again.

"I gotta ask. Why though? Is it vengeance? Did I do you wrong before? Did I kill your mother? Father? Friends? Take your pick. But please try to be specific...my memory is a little hazy considering I have killed a lot of those I mentioned. Just recently, I ate a child right in front its mother. Her scream of anguish still gives me pleasure right at this moment before I ate her as well. Ah...how I wish I could come back to experience it again."

This bastard.

"Well? Take your pick."

I could feel my anger starting to grow but I held my self back. Situations like this requires a mind of great focus.

"None."

"Oh? That's a first? Well tell me your reason then, little hanni."

I have to hold my anger from this waste of a being. Not yet Jerome, not yet.

"First off, I'm not a hanni. Second...I want your so called nest."

I saw his eye twitch and his smile seems strained now. His eyes now gained a dark look. Oh, did I just touch a nerve?

"So you are a fellow sentient. Of course, of course. I should have expected this."

A what?

"So you are trying to usurp me, is that it? Taking my kingdom once I'm dead. My years of hardwork, all ripe for your taking."

What is he talking about?

"If you think I'm just gonna let you take something what is rightfully mine, you are a bigger fool than I thought."

He took a fighting stance and stared at me with a look of malice.

"I will devour you to help my ascension."

Shit. Well that escalated quickly.

Bam.

My face was struck by a punch. My helmet was dented on the right side. The force of the punch launched me high up in the air. I pointed my KK 62 during mid-air and fired at him. Labak suddenly appeared right in front of me and delivered an uppercut to my jaw before kicking me at my abdomen. I dropped to the ground with a big thud. The battle drone immediately took out its guns and rained bullets at him.

Labak dodged every bullet like a ghost. His movement is fast. Too fast. It feels like I'm seeing a blur. The battle drone had tried to pin point Labak's location but it can't follow him due to his incredible speed. Each bullets of its minigun would only hit the tile floors every time rhe drone fired. Seeing this, the drone canceled its attack and let our two guiding missile launchers. It fired two missiles that are now trailing Labak's signature.

I stood up and pointed my gun at him and fired as well.

Click.

Dadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadada.....

The walls and the floor is littered with bullet holes. Every furniture and decorations nearby are immediately destroyed. Labak however is dodging our attack like it was nothing. He is just two fast. I have to study his capabilities. What more does he have?

"...Damn it."

Labak grinned at my visible struggle.

"No matter how many bullets you shot at me, it won't work. You are just too slow."

"...shut the hell up." I gritted my teeth as I continue my assault.

"What a pitiful display. Is this all you can do? I expected more from you knowing you are a sentient like me. Don't tell you're on that level of my lowly servant. If so, this is quite a let down."

"Would you shut your generic evil monologue? Do you love your voice that much?"

Dadadada...

"Well, I kinda do. My voice is majestic after all. Anyway, your drone is starting to annoy me."

Labak leaped high in the air towards my battle drone. He extended his hands to reach it but my drone successfully avoided being grabbed. Quite barely actually.

I aimed my gun and tried to shoot but no bullets came out. I look at my shells and noticed that I have ran out of bullets.

Crap.

Bam.

I heard the noise and stare just in time for Labak to kick my drone. The drone crashed to the ground with a concerning thud.

Shit.

I held my sword and charge at him. I slash at him but he avoided my attack.

"So slow. You can't beat me no matter how hard you tried, boy. I'm not even trying yet."

This narcissistic piece of you know what. He avoided every attack I made. It feels like he's reading my every move which is bullshit. This ain't a movie. This ain't one of those TV shows where a villain is overpowered as heck and can only be defeated by the power of friendship. Nope, this is real life and on that default, he must have a weakness. I just have to find it.

I slashed, I kicked, I punched, and any other type of attack. Labak moves like a wind. Swift as heck. Like one of those saying I learned on my previous world...what was it again? Move like a frog and hit like a truck? I think it was something else but I like to think that it was close enough.

Bam.

Oh, I got punched in the face again.

Boom.

I crashed through two pillars inside the room before rolling to the floor. I slowly stood up. My legs are shaking and I could barely held my ground.

All this fighting is taking a toll on me. I feel like a human again. I stare at him through the slowly dissapearing smoke. He is walking slowly towards me. Probably basking in his delusion of granduer.

"About what you said a few moments ago..."

He had a curious look at me.

"Oh", He sounds amuse. "Which part?"

"You mention me about bring a sentient. What do you mean by that?"

"Hmm? You don't know? Answer me this them. How long have you lived as an undead?"

What does he mean by that? Okay how do I answer this. He probably meant as a newly turned zombie. I gotta careful with my answer. If he catch on that I'm not of this world...heck if any others like him, this could spell trouble to my world. Considering the technological advancement of this planet despite the zombie outbreak, they may found away to go to my world.

"A few months back."

"Uh huh. Seeing as your about to die anyway, I'm gonna tell you a little history lesson. So listen closely, Jerome."

I looked at him with my guard up. I could use this little oppurtunity given to me. My helmet is still attached to my head so he won't notice my facial expression. I looked on to where my battle drone crashed and saw it starting to slowly float in the air. I gave it a command through a very low whisper and it beeped in confirmation. Now all I have to do is wait.

"Lay it on, Labak."

"Splended. Now where to begin..."