…… and into trouble.

As they emerged out of the cavern instance, the only thing they could do was stand and stare in amazement at the scene unfolding before them. The sun had set while they had been inside, and deep shadows danced about , created from the glowing orb that was grasped in the hand of a tall human, dressed in purple robes , his arm thrust aloft. His other hand held a long staff. He was using this to fend off the attack of a goblin, while another approached the man from behind.

“Aren’t those the goblins we killed first ?” queries Garal. “They shouldn’t have respawned this soon, we have only just completed the instance.”

Shan frowned. “Yes, those are definitely the same goblins, I recognize that one, it still has one of my arrows poking out of its back.” His frown deeped. “How is that possible ? We looted everything off its body before we left, and they disappeared ?”

The man, spying them standing next to the entrance, screamed for help, but his momentary break in concentration allowed the second goblin a chance to leap onto his back and sink its tusks into his neck, eliciting more screams from him.

Gordo drew out his short sword. “I don’t give a damn about the goblins, but I am not going to stand here, talking about it, and allow someone to get ripped to pieces in front of me.” He charged forward, speeding up as he approached the skirmish. He rammed his sword deep into a mottled back, the blade sliding through easily, then yanked it back out, and then stopped, in utter shock.

The wound he had given the goblin should have killed it outright, but it didn’t even react to the blow and continues tearing at the man with its claws, its blade, the twin of the one he had just punctured it with , strapped to its side, unused. A thick black substance leaked out of the would he had given it, oozing down like a thick syrup, But even worse was the smell, a sudden foul and rotting odor that swirled around him from the goblin, and from his weapon. It became that bad he had to step back, gagging, before he found air fresh enough to be able to breath.

Shan and Garal finally caught up with him, their charge to assist delayed by his sudden decision, only to recoil in disgust as they entered the areas affected by the smell. “My god, what is that reek,” demanded Garal, covering is nose and mouth with an open hand.

“Zombie goblins ?” exclaimed Shan, examining them. “How the hell did they become zombies. ?”

While they puzzled out this unexpected development, trying to come to terms with the pervading stench, the man uttered a foul invective of his own, and collapse to the grass. His body turning transparent before finally evaporating. The goblins, finding their original target now out of the way, turned their attention to the them.

A loud cackling laughter broke in on them, coming from beneath the trees to one side. “I told you, little piggy, I told you I would be back. Now you will suffer for the disrespect you showed me, you and your friends. You will all pay my price.” The voice was familiar, but sounded more insane than the last time he had heard it. “Kill them, my minions, attack and kill them all.”

The two zombies before them became more frenzied at these words, their attacks more ferocious than before., and it took all three to keep them away. “Damn,” grunted Garal, “these things are much harder to kill than before.” His axe connected with one of the small bodies, but like all his previous hits, produced no result, except adding another wound to the creature. They had been struck so many time that the flesh was hanging off them, displaying the bones beneath. “Why won’t they die.”

Gordo lashed out with one foot, forcing the zombie on front of him away. “They can’t die, they are already dead, any damage we give them is useless. The only way we are going to defeat them is by removing their heads, or damaging the brain.” The stench of death that came from the goblins intensified with each injury they suffered, and it had become so overwhelming that he was feeling nauseous.

“Oh, is that all, why didn’t you say that before.” remarked Garal in return before gripping his axe tightly in both hands and swinging it forward, decapitating one goblin, sending its head tumbling away, then reversed his swing and sank the blade of his axe deep into the skull of the second one. “There, easy as pie.” He then turned green himself and bent over, vomiting.

Shan stepped back to avoid getting splashed, but Gordo turned quickly to the trees, trying to locate the one who had controlled the zombies, only to find the area empty. “Damn.” He muttered, only to have his attention drawn back to the trees a s a distant voice floated to his ears.

“I will get you yet, little piggy. There are more of my little friends waiting these woods for you, so step carefully….” This was followed by insane laughter, which slowly became fainter as the speaker moved further away. Gordo couldn’t help himself, the goading becoming too much for him. “Fuck you, “ he screamed back into the dark forest, hoping his words would be heard., “Go and fuck off.”

Suddenly, without warning, the world jerked about them as the gong of another system wide announcement pealed out.

Attention, A zombie outbreak has been detected in the region of Angelwood. All players are warned that the zombie infection is highly contagious.

“Thanks for the warning.” Shan replied sarcastically before he turned to Gordo “That was that fucking Melbert idiot, wasn’t it, I thought I recognized his voice. I don’t know how he did it, but I know he is responsible for the zombies somehow. When I get hold of him, the pricks going to need to create a new fucking character.” He was trembling with anger by the time he had finished his fists clenched. “I hate fucking zombies.”

Gordo thought about the announcement. “I wonder if this is some kind of a regional quest or something. like that If not, then there's definitely something wierd happening.”

Suddenly in front of them, an unexpected event occurred. A bright spark appeared in mid air, rapidly growing until finally disappearing with a loud pop, leaving behind the respawned player who had just been killed a few moments ago, only this time he looked a little different than he did before becoming departed. His skin was a monochrome gray, along with the clothes he was wearing. From what was visible he was covered with bloodless wounds, and his expression was one that portrayed a really pissed off mood., He looked up at them, confusion crossing his face.

“What the fuck am I doing back here ? he demanded “I should have respawned back at the graveyard.” He then looked at himself, his anger clearly evident “And what the fuck happened to my character ?” His eyes unfocussed as he read some unseen text. It took him a minute to read, his expression changing from anger to confusion, then back to anger. “You have to be shitting me. “ was the only words he could utter when finished, shaking his head. “Did you know about this?” he demanded, this time speaking at the party.

“Did we know about what ?” Garal replied, totally oblivious to the meaning behind the question.

“I have a damn zombie virus debuff, and I will be stuck with it for the next twelve hours. I have to attack any other living being when I see it , and try to bite them or I will be penalized with a loss of experience. What the fuck… is that legal ?” He then brightened at something else he was reading. “But I will get double experience for every person I give the virus to.” He looked at the party appraisingly. “Seems I have no choice here, fellahs, I’m going to have to attack you. I want that experience. “

“What happens if we kill you ?” Shan interjected, preparing his weapons for the fight ahead.

“Ummm…… If you kill me I will respawn in the same place I was killed, but only after a delay of ten minutes..... God damn it, I will still be infected as well.” Then, without any warning, the man leapt forward in an attempt to catch them off guard, but was batted out of the way as Garal swatted at him with his shield. In a flash, he was back on his feet attacking again, trying to get in close enough to sink his teeth into any bare flesh that was available..

This time Shan thrust his sword into the man, slipping the blade though his ribcage and aiming for the heart. After the strike, they both just stood there in suprise, looking at each other, Shan with his arm raised, the man with a sword poking though his chest. he looked down at the blade “Holy shit. No damage received.” He said, then grinned, displaying a fine set of blackened and rotting teeth. “Time for lunch.”

They managed in the end to kill the player by pinning him to the ground with their swords, allowing Garal to take aim and remove his head with his axe. A quick attempt at looting the body followed this, but failed, a message popping up informing them that infected players bodies couldn’t be looted. Disappointed with this, they then attempted to loot the defeated goblins, and this time were rewarded with two vials full of a greenish goo. An examination of them showed that they contained zombie blood. Garal decided he would take one of those, but Shan refused, telling Gordo to take the last vial. Their properties hadn't provided any information other than the description.

“I think we should log off now, before he respawns. If what he said was true,, then in six hours real time he should return to normal, and we can log back in.” Shan looked at his brother. “What do you think ?”

“That’s seems like a wise move, next time he will be more prepared and I don’t fancy getting bitten.” He looked at Gordo, “Sorry, mate, but if you want to stay online, then that’s your choice. Now this dungeon is completed, the need for us to stay as a party is over. Good luck for the future, Gordo, and maybe another day we will party up again. If your in the Broken Sword tomorrow, we'll probably see you then. ” He shook hands with Gordo, who felt a pang of sadness, and the brothers faded out of view.

He stood there, alone, for the next minute, then realized he better make haste and leave, knowing he would be no match for the zombified player when he respawned. Starting off in the direction of the city, he quickly increased his pace, putting as much distance between him, and the dungeons location, as possible , finally settling into a fast jog.

He kept on jogging, only taking a walk break every five minutes to ensure he didn’t use up too much of his fatigue, as he travelled towards the city. So far the threat of other zombies waiting for him in the forest had not resulted in any attacks, nor even the sight of another zombie. He didn’t doubt that the threat made to him had been real, but felt it was probably greatly overstated. He didn’t know why this Melbert had it in for him, out of all the players in the game, but who could explain how a madman’s thoughts worked.

He then turned his thoughts to what his next action should be. Doing the dungeon with the brothers was exiting, but they all knew it had been a temporary alliance from the beginning,, and they seemed to be more interested in their own plans. It was a pity about the Settlement Stone, for he would really have liked to have see one of those, just for his own benefit, so he knew what to look for as he progressed. I’ll get back to the city and spend some time selling the stuff I have, he thought, to himself, then see about getting that mage class.

A sound in the trees to his right made his heart race in panic., a stutter appearing in his regular race. Without slowing he glanced in that direction, hoping he wouldn’t be detected by whatever was making it. The loud snap of a breaking dried branch very close to him brought a sudden increase in the speed of his jog, which quickly turned into a full out run. From the sound of it, whatever was behind him was following him, Again, he took another look over his shoulder, without seeing anything.

He returned his sight forward, just in time to see the hanging branch that he was rapidly approaching at top speed, but without the time to be able to avoid the collision. His head crashed into it, the branch meeting him square in the center of the forehead and snapping his head back, the momentum he had built up causing his body continue its forward movement and flipping him up into the air. After he had performed a full revers somersault, totally without any control, and his arms flapping about, he landed, face down, onto the forest floor.

This second blow to his head was too much for him, and as he lost unconsciousness, he could hear the sound of footsteps rapidly approaching his prone postion.