Ark Undead

The light in Pallas's eyes dimmed slightly.

Then she heard the Undead ask.

"What does this have to do with you being infected?"

"Huh?"

Pallas stared wide-eyed at the undead.

"You...you...when did you figure that out?"

"The first time we met."

The Undead looked at Pallas; he could smell a scent emanating from Pallas—the scent of Originium.

Originium is a mixture of unstable humanity and loose soul.

The Originium crystals that Pallas exhibited due to Originium Disease infection naturally could not escape the Undead's keen sense of smell.

"I have a way to tell the difference."

The Undead looked at the flustered Pallas, who seemed troubled by her identity as an Infected.

So the immortal reassured him.

"Only I can do it."

Upon hearing what the Undead said, Pallas finally gave up examining his exposed skin.

She thought that new Originium crystals had grown somewhere on her.

"If it's only you who can do it, then I'm relieved."

Relieved, Pallas composed himself and looked at the Undead.

"Rumors say that you are infected. I also think you are infected, otherwise why would you have such great power?"

Pallas spoke softly, his eyes looking somewhat lost.

"Your story is an inspiration to many of us."

Perhaps because he had started talking, Pallas began to tell the undead his story.

Pallas was born into a prominent family in Minos and from a young age he hoped to become a priest and studied medicine diligently.

She put in a lot of effort, and like other children, she also did things she enjoyed besides pursuing her goals.

She loved watching heroes fight, but wasn't content with just watching. So she learned martial arts herself and how to use a flail.

They even developed many other hobbies in their spare time.

As a priestess, she also worked diligently in the Temple of the Twelve Heroes of Yasenus.

But all of this changed during a vacation.

During her vacation trip, she encountered an accident. She stepped on the shell of an Originium Beast that she had hunted and accidentally cut herself.

Even though she didn't realize she was injured at the time, the Originium crystals left behind after healing told her a fact.

She became infected.

Unfortunately, due to the lack of timely treatment, the intervention could not be carried out in time.

By the time she returned to Minos, it was too late to reverse the situation.

The people of Minos are indeed very accepting of Originium Arts, and they do recognize its use in combat and daily life.

Many Minos even believe that Originium Arts and Originium Magic are an indispensable part of the battle.

But it's different if someone is infected.

People will not accept that their priestess is infected. Even if she is truly dedicated, it cannot change the fact that she is infected.

His relatives and parents were very sad, but Pallas insisted on becoming a priest, even if it wasn't the priest of Yasenus.

With the unanimous approval of the priests of the Temple of the Twelve Heroes, Pallas arrived in Akroti Village and began his career as an ordinary priest.

By the time she encountered the Undead, she had become the pillar of Akroti Village.

However, no matter how many achievements she made, it could not cover up the fact that she was infected.

Knowing that all her efforts would be greatly diminished by the exposure of her infected identity, and that continuing to be a priest would be a pipe dream.

In this state of confusion, the sudden appearance of the War Knight gave Pallas the strength to keep moving forward.

When business alliances spread various rumors, slandering the Undead as infected individuals.

Even the business alliance itself never imagined that this would open a window for those infected.

The most powerful knight is the infected.

The knight who rebels against tyranny is an infected person.

Even the Undead himself was unaware that the Business Alliance's conspiracy had made him a source of strength for many infected.

Not just in Kazimierz, but also in many other countries including Rhode Island and Victoria.

Many people who dared not reveal their infected identity and could only live cautiously saw hope in the story of the War Knight.

"To be honest, when I first became infected, I was really confused and didn't even know what the point of continuing to work hard was."

Pallas remarked with a sigh.

"But after learning the story of the 'War Knights,' I realized that infected people can also live by their own will."

This is why Pallas was somewhat disappointed when the Undead denied that he was an Infected.

This was not a pleasant feeling, but Pallas was happy for the undead.

Because he said he was not infected.

However, there was one thing Pallas didn't quite understand.

"Since you are not infected, why don't you make a public statement and tell everyone that you do not have Oripathy?"

It's important to understand that being an infected person in Terra is like a ticking time bomb.

Even after becoming infected, Pallas gradually realized that infected people are also human beings, and they are not as dangerous as rumored.

However, prejudice in people's hearts is a mountain. If we can get around this mountain, why bear its weight?

However, the Undead looked at Pallas with a puzzled expression.

Does it matter?

Pallas's steps slowly came to a stop. She stared blankly at the Undead, pondering the meaning behind his name.

Seeing that Pallas was confused, the Undead continued.

"Don't infected people have the right to live?"

Regarding this matter, the Undead have never quite understood the mindset of the people of Terra today.

"The future is something we must create ourselves, not something we must rely on the opinions of others."

Some might say that the power of the undead is incomparable to that of the infected; they lack the power to resist and forge their own path.

However, the fact that the Undead were able to kill the gods and collect the King's Soul as "Undead" was not because they were born special.

He was once weak, so weak that he would think about how to avoid even a dog.

But he found his own meaning on his journey and grew stronger, thanks to himself and the friends he made.

Regardless of whether he is infected or not, he is an immortal, a warrior knight.

A warrior's achievements will not change whether he is infected or not.

Because he never cares about other people's opinions, he only pursues his own ideals.

To be honest, he admired Frostnova in this respect, and in her description of the initial integration movement.

That's what a warrior who defies fate should look like.

If it weren't for the Black Serpents, perhaps they would still be active in Ursus today, becoming a symbol in the hearts of many, instead of falling apart because of their attempt to start a war.

Pallas remained silent for a long time, and the Undead simply stood still and waited for her.

After thinking for a while, Pallas looked at the Undead.

She bowed deeply to the undead and performed a solemn ceremony.

The immortal did not dodge; he deserved it.

"Thank you very much, Mr. War Knight."

Pallas seemed to have regained her energy, as her tone of voice began to rise and fall.

"Ah...this surging emotion is proof that I draw strength from you! So this is what it feels like to be full of confidence!"

No, it seems like they're overdoing it with energy.

The immortal ignored her and turned to continue walking forward.

When Pallas saw that the Undead was no longer talking to her, she didn't feel embarrassed at all. Instead, she chased after him with a cheerful smile.

"Mr. War Knight! You forgot to leave me your autograph after the Warriors Tournament. Remember to sign it after the Undying Arena ends!"

"Oh."

"And another thing! I'd like to take a photo with you. Let's go take a picture together when it opens in a couple of days!"

"Let's see."

"Oh right, you came with that pharmaceutical company Rhodes Island, right? Rhodes Island seems pretty mysterious. Is it fun being an employee there?"

"Don't come."

Pallas chuckled and ran two more steps forward, his steps light and quick, like a newborn calf frolicking in a field.

Perhaps Mr. War Knight really doesn't need his plans to become an idol.

He was already a shining idol.

However, the Undead have no idea what Pallas is thinking.

He just found it noisy.

"Watch where you're going. No, we're getting lost again."