Chapter 642 - 632: Zombie 27

"Got it!"

Moira waited until enough spiritual power had gathered, then instantly constricted it all.

By the time the zombie leader realized something was wrong, it was too late.

She looked at the Crystal Core struggling in her grasp. It was a fusion of two different colors.

Just then, a faint voice pulsed from the Crystal Core. "I want to make a deal with you."

Moira was surprised at first to hear the Crystal Core speak, but she quickly composed herself and asked, "What kind of deal?"

"If you let me go, I’ll order all the zombies here to retreat!"

Realizing it couldn’t escape, the zombie leader had been forced to propose this deal. If one listened closely, they could even detect a hint of indignation and grievance in its tone.

It didn’t seem to understand how such a powerful human could exist.

After all, he had only managed to reach his current level in such a short time because of his two talents.

First, he used Space Movement to constantly seek out high-level zombies, and then he used his second talent, Nascent Soul, to possess them.

Through continuous possessions, he had achieved his current power. He had launched this sudden zombie horde because he’d scented a power within the base that was attracting him.

Of course, he would have come eventually even without it, just not this soon.

"You should know that with our strength, eliminating these zombies is just a matter of time," Moira said nonchalantly.

Hearing this near-rejection, the zombie leader grew anxious. "There are so few humans with superpowers. Every one lost is a significant blow. Don’t you feel any pity?"

"Not really," Moira replied, unconcerned. "They’re not my people. Besides, do you think I’m stupid? Let you go, only for you to regroup and return? The death toll would probably be even higher then.

"So, it’s better to pull you out by the roots now."

After speaking, Moira gave the Crystal Core no further chance to talk and purified it directly.

As the voice vanished, the Crystal Core was completely purified. Without their leader’s command, the zombies below were no longer a threat.

However, because of the sheer number of people in the base, the zombies, drawn by instinct, didn’t leave immediately. They continued to shamble toward the base.

But these were just low-level zombies. Without their leader’s direction, they were nothing but a disorganized mob.

Moira looked at the purified Crystal Core in her hand. Just as she was about to put it away, a voice suddenly echoed in her ear.

Moira’s hand froze. She glanced at the Crystal Core with a look of resignation and reluctance, finally muttering to herself, "You’d better keep your word."

The voice Moira had just heard belonged to the Cosmic Consciousness.

Aside from the notifications before each game, this was the first time the Cosmic Consciousness had contacted her directly—and it was for someone else.

Just as Kai York had said before, this Crystal Core was meant for Mark Rhodes.

The Cosmic Consciousness had suddenly appeared, hoping she would return the Crystal Core to its rightful owner. As a reward, they would be able to end this round of the game and leave immediately.

Furthermore, because of their performance in this game, the Cosmic Consciousness had a slightly better opinion of them. As long as they could clear the next round, Caelus would be restored to its original state.

On one hand, she had a Crystal Core that was useless to her; on the other, a promise from the Cosmic Consciousness. Moira hesitated for three seconds before decisively choosing the latter.

The most troublesome part, the zombie leader, had been dealt with. Moira called to Kai York to head back.

"We’re not going to deal with the rest of the zombies?" Kai York asked.

"The rest are all low-level. If they can’t even handle them, that would be truly disappointing. Besides, I have a way to end the game early."

Hearing that they could end the game early, Kai York instantly forgot his previous question.

"Really?! What is it?"

Moira brandished the two-colored Crystal Core in her hand. "The Cosmic Consciousness said that as long as Mark Rhodes absorbs this Crystal Core, we can leave."

After hearing this, Kai York said, "The Cosmic Consciousness said so? Then this must not be an ordinary Crystal Core. We’re all saviors here, but the treatment..."

He swallowed the rest of his words under Moira’s sharp gaze.

"Let’s go. Time to head back."

「Back on the base’s city wall.」

Mark Rhodes saw the two of them returning from a distance, and a look of joy spread across his face.

"That’s great! You succeeded!"

Without another word, Moira took out the Crystal Core and held it out to Mark Rhodes. "This is for you."

"This is a Crystal Core... why is it two different colors?"

Seeing Mark Rhodes’s confused expression, Moira explained, "It’s the Crystal Core from the zombie leader. I’ve already purified it completely. You should absorb it quickly. It’ll be good for you."

To get home faster and prevent Mark Rhodes from asking a bunch of pointless questions, Moira directly used a mental suggestion on him.

"Oh, okay."

Mark Rhodes took the Crystal Core and began to absorb it without hesitation.

As he absorbed the Crystal Core, he felt two new energies emerge within him—superpowers.

A flash of joy appeared in his eyes. He was just about to share the good news with Moira and the others, but when he looked up, there was no one there.

’They’re... gone already?’

A flicker of disappointment crossed Mark Rhodes’s eyes, but then he remembered Hugh Finch saying they would meet again, and hope rekindled in his heart.

Gazing at the distant horizon, Mark Rhodes swore an oath in his heart. ’I will definitely make that day come sooner. And then, I will thank you all properly.’

Meanwhile, the group that had ended the game early had already been teleported back to Veridian Prime.

The very first thing Moira did upon her return was dash into the bathroom for a shower.

An hour later, she finally emerged from the bathroom and went downstairs.

Shane Rhodes, Kai York, and Hugh Finch were already there waiting for her.

While they waited, Kai York had already told the other two about the Crystal Core and the Cosmic Consciousness.

"Moira, besides letting us end the game early, what else did the Cosmic Consciousness promise you?" Shane Rhodes asked.

Knowing Moira, simply ending the game early clearly wasn’t enough to strike a deal. After all, they didn’t have much time left in the game anyway. Coming back a day earlier or later wouldn’t have made much of a difference.

Moira walked to the table, sat down, and recounted the conditions the Cosmic Consciousness had agreed to.

"The Cosmic Consciousness said that if we can successfully clear the next game, it will help us restore Caelus to its original state. Also, our items for the next game won’t be restricted, but they must be things we can carry on our person."

Moira had a feeling this particular rule was aimed at her.

"On top of that, the game’s duration has been shortened to ten days."