Living in another world as an Oni!

Chapter 37: A Shrine of the Undead

Chapter 37: Chapter 37: A Shrine of the Undead

A few hours after leaving the village, I arrived at the so-called shrine by mid-afternoon.

Just like Gorn described, it looked like a shrine but also not. If this were an MMORPG, it would probably be classified as a dungeon, with its theme centered around a mysterious, and abandoned shrine.

The area was eerily quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant calls of unseen creatures. The shrine itself was surrounded by crumbling gravestones, overgrown with moss and vines. The air smelled damp, with an underlying hint of decay.

This place is full of graves. If I didn't know better, I'd bet my claws that this dungeon is crawling with zombies and skeletons.

I I walk forward, wobbly. Why? Cuz I'm shit scared of Zombies!!

Those lifeless eyes, those rotting flesh, and the way they bite into flesh to turn others into zombies too-!!

Those zombie movies gave me trauma and paranoia, back on Earth, I used to always carry a foldable knife cuz I was scared a zombie outbreak might happen!!

Just thinking about the fact that this place might be crawling with that made my skin itch with unease!

And now here I am, standing in what could very well be a zombie nest. My worst nightmare made real, *sob*

(╥_╥)

"This is fine," I whispered to myself, taking another shaky step forward. "I've faced corrupted monsters, humans, and even that idiot Scarface. Zombies are just... mindless. Easy to handle. Right?" Right?!

A gust of wind blew through the shrine, causing the tall grass to sway and the loose branches to creak. I jumped at the sound, sword in hand, my eyes darting around the area.

Instead of retreating, the wolves let out a chilling howl. Moments later, the ground around me began to stir.

Please not a zombie, Please not a zombie, please not a zombieeeee!!

( ಥ_ಥ )

Bony hands emerged from the dirt, followed by rotting corpses dragging themselves out of their graves.

"Nope! Nope, nope, nope!" I yelped, backing toward the shrine's entrance.

The runes on the stone slab began to glow brighter as I got closer, reacting to my presence. Without thinking, I placed my hand on the surface. The runes flared, and the stone slab slid open with a deep rumble.

I didn't wait to see what horrors the undead outside would unleash. I bolted inside, the door sliding shut behind me just as the first zombie reached the steps.

Panting, I leaned against the cold stone wall, my heart pounding in my chest. The interior of the shrine was dark, illuminated only by faint, flickering torches lining the walls. The air was heavy with the smell of dust and mildew, but at least it was free of rotting flesh.

"For now," I muttered, trying to steady my breathing.

I glanced around the chamber, taking in the ancient architecture and the eerie silence. This was it. I had officially entered the dungeon.

And if the undead outside were just the welcoming party, I dreaded what awaited me deeper inside.

"Well," I said aloud, forcing a nervous laugh. "No turning back now."