Chapter 14: Tacit Understanding

"Is what you said... true?"

"Of course. This is how I handled it before."

Noah turned his face slightly, revealing the scars on it to the Druid Master.

"All you need to do is pick up that potion, drink it, and you'll rid yourself of the zombie virus."

His tone was sincere, his eyes reflecting anticipation as he looked at the Druid Master.

However, the Druid Master's gaze was filled with hesitation. This was not an easy decision. He wasn't sure whether to believe Noah's words.

The pain of hunger was torment beyond words, but the euphoria of consuming flesh was equally intoxicating, making it difficult to let go.

Wanda stood silently on the side, observing everything without saying a word.

The bald zombie took a deep breath, his trembling hand gently picking up the potion. He gazed into the liquid, the blue glow reflecting in his pale, zombie-like eyes.

"If this is real… then I have no reason not to try," the Druid Master said weakly, his voice hoarse.

His full name was Anthony Ludgate Druid. Once, he trained in mental discipline with the lamas of the Himalayas. Perhaps this was why, in the original storyline, he could briefly resist the hunger in his zombie state.

Recalling the comic's plot, Noah nodded slightly and smiled encouragingly. "Trust me, Master Druid. This is your chance to regain freedom and hope. You still have the chance to be a hero."

"Strange would be proud of you."

Hearing this, the Druid Master gripped the potion tightly and resolved to raise it to his mouth.

At that moment, Wanda noticed Noah glancing at her. A faint smile appeared on his lips as he winked subtly, conveying an unspoken understanding.

She understood his intention immediately.

Focusing her mental energy, Wanda summoned a powerful psychic force, manipulating the air around her. It compressed and twisted, forming a spinning blade of wind. The blade glowed red, emanating a menacing aura.

Wanda fixed her gaze on the Druid Master, her eyes exuding resolve and calm. Without hesitation, she swung her arm, releasing the sharp wind blade.

The blade whistled through the air, cutting like lightning toward the Druid Master's neck.

A flicker of fear crossed his eyes as he hurriedly discarded the potion, attempting to form the hand seals needed for a spell.

But everything happened too quickly. His hand barely released the bottle when the wind blade reached him, its razor edge cutting through the air with an ear-piercing shriek.

The spinning wind blade struck his neck cleanly, severing his head from his body.

Blood sprayed in a crimson arc through the air, splattering in all directions.

At that moment, his hands had just begun to rise, poised to cast Hellfire.

Wanda deftly used her psychic powers to hold the severed head in a translucent energy field, avoiding the spray of blood entirely.

Her brow furrowed slightly as she concentrated on keeping the head under control. Carefully, she moved it away from her body, not wanting to stain her clothes.

"You lied to me!" the Druid Master roared, his voice filled with despair and rage. "You liar! I should've just eaten you when I had the chance!"

His mouth gaped and snapped wildly, attempting to break free from the psychic hold to bite anyone in reach. His bloodstained teeth gleamed ferociously.

"Oh, sure, go ahead and call the cops," Noah replied calmly, a warm smile on his face as he waved at Wanda.

It was a bit of a shameless ploy. Only a hesitant zombie like the Druid Master, still yearning to regain his humanity, would have believed in Noah's supposed cure.

If someone like a zombified Mister Fantastic had been in his place, a stretchy slap would've landed long ago, followed by a feral bite.

Wanda understood Noah's signal. Tightening her psychic grip on the Druid Master's head, she flung it with all her strength out the door.

A horrifying crunching sound came from outside. From the noise alone, one could imagine the head being squashed like a fragile tomato, its remains bursting messily.

Noah stepped over the headless corpse of the Druid Master and casually kicked the potion bottle aside. Wanda glanced at the flying bottle and curiously asked, "So, what was that, really?"

Hearing her question, Noah shrugged nonchalantly and replied, "Oh, that? Just some traditional herbal medicine I bought yesterday. I peeled the label off earlier."

Wanda's lips twitched slightly, but she followed Noah without further comment.

Crossing over the Druid Master's corpse, Noah warmly greeted Wong, who was nursing his severed arm.

"How are you holding up, Wong?"

Exhausted but alive, Wong raised his head with effort, stopping the bleeding on his arm as he thanked the two. "Thank you, Scarlet Witch, and this..."

He paused briefly, glancing at Noah.

Wanda smiled and introduced, "This is Noah White. We met along the way. He helped me save Pietro."

Wong nodded appreciatively. "I'm deeply grateful, Mr. White. Your timing couldn't have been better. A few seconds later, and I'd have been the Druid Master's next meal."

"Is your arm alright?" Noah asked with concern.

Wong glanced at his bleeding stump and managed a faint smile. "It's fine. I don't necessarily need both hands to cast spells."

Noah nodded, admiring Wong's resilience and optimism. After all, not everyone could remain so composed after losing their dominant hand.

Wong then inquired curiously, "What brings you to the Sanctum, Noah?"

Noah smiled faintly. "I've come to find the Necronomicon."

Wong's remaining eyebrows furrowed deeply upon hearing this. He seemed surprised by the answer. "The Darkhold? That book contains vast amounts of black magic and malevolent sorcery. Why would you seek it?"

Taking a deep breath, Noah met Wong's gaze without flinching. "The Necronomicon indeed holds dangerous power, but it's also a weapon we can use against the zombie virus. I believe that mastering it is the only way to stop the virus's spread. I'm willing to bear all the responsibility and promise to use its knowledge for good."

Wong was silent for a moment. He knew the Necronomicon's dark allure and the danger it posed to anyone who sought it. Many who had tried to wield its power were consumed by it, falling into darkness.

But then, he remembered how Noah had saved his life just moments ago. Wanda's trust in him was also evident.

Ultimately, Wong gazed at Noah and nodded. "Noah, I'll take you to the Necronomicon. But understand, this is a perilous path."

"We must remain vigilant against the temptations of dark magic. I don't want to see you lose yourself."

Noah smiled confidently. "Of course, Wong."

Wong nodded in acknowledgment.

"Let's go. The Necronomicon should be on the second floor. Follow me." He twisted his remaining hand with effort, and the heavy door of the Sanctum slowly creaked shut with a rumbling sound.