Multiverse: Deathstroke

Chapter 369: Ch.368 Corpse Revival

Bobo also began at the same time as Albera. He approached another corpse, a deceased mage whose mouth had elongated into a crocodile-like snout. Bobo didn't even need to pull out a magnifying glass—the body had already expanded.

Albera's magic hit the corpse, causing it to react, with more intestines pouring out.

Previously, it looked like a bare red tree trunk, but now it resembled a giant cauliflower.

"Tsk, can I smoke here?" she asked Man-Bat, who politely replied that there was nothing flammable here, so she could go ahead.

Albera lit a cigarette, quietly observing the changes in the corpse—from a beginning stage, to a violent transformation, then stopping.

She nodded, flicking the ash casually.

"I think I understand a bit now. These corpses exhibit something similar to Hell rot, but there are differences." She kicked the intestines at her feet with her high heel. "It's a kind of extra-dimensional decay—a mutation of the flesh to adapt to external stimuli. You can think of it as a sign. These corpses are preparing for something in the future."

"Corpses? Future?" Su Ming shook his head. "Their only future is the crematorium."

"Ha, of course. But if someone or something intervenes before they reach the crematorium, it changes everything." Albera smiled at Su Ming, the corpses proving her point. "The magic in our world is changing—retaliating against its users. It started with extra-dimensional energy; soon enough, it'll be Hell or Heaven's energies."

Su Ming pondered, touching one of the corpses. Stranglehold quickly provided feedback: 'It can eat, but it's toxic to humans.'

"The more magic in their bodies, the more rampant their tissue growth. They're turning into magical fertilizer," Su Ming deduced.

"Agreed. Whatever wants to take root in our world must feed on magic," Albera said indifferently, taking out a bottle. She knew trouble was coming; might as well drink while she was still alive.

"Caw, caw, caw, caw, caw."

Detective Chimp tilted his head. He thought he heard something—like a distant noise coming from underground.

"Is the dragon skeleton in the main hall loosening?"

"No, the metal anchoring those bones is promethium," Diana denied, also drawing her weapon. She had heard the sound too.

As they looked around, the corpse in front of Detective Chimp suddenly opened its mouth, lunging at his furry face.

Fortunately, he was short, and by ducking down, he avoided the bite.

All the corpses in the morgue began to move. Whatever form they were in, they struggled to rise from the dissection tables, launching an attack on the group.

"This is unbelievable. They were completely dead on a cellular level," Man-Bat said in disbelief, shaking his head. Yet the monsters before him were undeniably moving.

"We're not in the realm of science right now, Doc." Detective Chimp pulled out the Sword of Night from his pocket. Being not as big as Grodd, the longsword was comically oversized in his hands.

Nightmaster's one-handed sword looked like a two-handed greatsword in Bobo's grasp.

Kirk lifted his lab coat, revealing a fur vest underneath. His belt had a row of test tubes lined up—his research serums. With an injection, he could transform into the powerful Man-Bat creature.

But for Su Ming, these strange things, while eerie, weren't particularly challenging. They were still fundamentally zombies.

Perhaps they contained some unknown magical energy transforming them into something else, but for now, they were just a pile of flesh.

Albera took a few steps back, adopting a spectator's stance. "I won't use magic—magic will only make them bigger."

"Don't need it. I can handle a bunch of zombies. These dead mages can't even cast a spell anymore."

Su Ming drew the Twilight Greatsword, avoiding using the divine power of Godkiller on these corpses. Pure metal would do just fine against them.

Diana also drew her weapon, ready to support Su Ming's actions. "Bobo, watch our backs."

"Are you kidding? I don't even know if I'm holding the sword right!"

Su Ming glanced at him. Despite the sweat on Bobo's head, the blade's tip was at least pointing outward, which was good enough. "If a monster gets close, just stab it."

Bobo gave a wry smile. "Alright, I'm now getting sword-wielding advice from an expert. Can I get a handgun too?"

There was no need for such panic. Even if Su Ming weren't there, the combination of Man-Bat and Diana was more than enough to handle the zombies. No matter how strong they were, what good was it if they couldn't fly?

That obvious weakness made them easy to deal with.

"Cloak."

Su Ming uttered the word, and the cloak carried him into the air, directly into the throng of enemies.

The height was just right—Su Ming only needed to extend the greatsword, and it would meet their necks.

A black line swept through the room, slicing across the upper bodies of the monsters. Before Man-Bat's serum could take effect, they all collapsed.

"The abomination is coming."

"The abomination is approaching."

"The abomination will consume you."

The severed heads on the ground kept repeating these phrases. Su Ming lost interest after a few repetitions.

He used his greatsword to crush each head, like smashing tomatoes on the ground.

"Tsk, tsk. No demon I know is as gory as you," Albera commented from the back, cigarette in mouth.

"At least I don't serve roasted infants at dinner," Su Ming retorted, sheathing the greatsword. "These should be burned sooner rather than later. Where's Kirk? Get him to clean up."

Diana quietly put away her weapon. The speed and precision Su Ming had just shown were frightening. When they sparred, he'd obviously held back.

Such speed didn't require intricate techniques—just sheer velocity was enough to make defense difficult, let alone his mastery of advanced swordsmanship.

She pointed at the ceiling. In the darkness, a pair of glowing eyes stared down—Man-Bat was hanging upside down.

"The serum made him lose his mind. The bat instinct has taken over. I'll call in the Blackhawks to clean up."

Su Ming neither agreed nor disagreed. There were enough close-combat fighters in the team now—he and Diana as front and rear guards were more than enough to protect the squad.

Man-Bat was optional.

Detective Chimp and Albera were the magical consultants. This team was enough to solve the current problems of the magical world.

"Albera, what's your take?"

Albera elegantly blew a smoke ring, tilting her head against the wall. "My take? Magic is starting to rot. If it's a tree, the roots are the issue. If it's a fruit, the seed's gone bad. If it's a person, it's a brain problem."

Bobo examined the bodies on the ground, relying on his experience and insight to judge. "I agree with Barbie's assessment. The magic in our world is decaying at its core. We need to talk to whoever is overseeing the world's magical order."

Albera scoffed, spitting to the side. "Magic is inherently chaotic. Trying to control it with order is a death wish."

Surprisingly, Bobo didn't argue with her. He nodded instead. "You're right. The rule of mages solving magical problems by themselves should've been done away with long ago."

Since Bobo wasn't arguing, Albera found it boring. "Alright, I'll take you to find Doctor Fate first. If he won't talk, Deathstroke, do you have a way?"

Su Ming squinted, pointing up at the Hall of Justice above them. "With a bit of preparation, I could even make a rock talk. His helmet is just a slightly tougher rock."