The Undead Settlement once bordered Lothric.
However, the High Wall's construction severed communication between the two.
From atop the Undead Settlement's walls, one could still glimpse the silhouette of Lothric's architecture.
But,
this place was comparatively more dilapidated. It was unknown how long they had been estranged.
After lighting a bonfire, Mò Zhī followed the city walls and discovered a large number of pilgrim corpses, as seen in the CG.
These peculiar creatures, carrying turtle shells on their backs, knelt in a unified direction.
It was precisely towards Lothric.
A cliff face had obstructed their progress.
Ahead lay a dead dragon; it was estimated to be the cause of the collapse that blocked the Undead Settlement's only path to Lothric.
This seemed to confirm a fact: these pilgrims had come to seek out Prince Lothric, the current Lord of Cinder, to link the fire.
Mò Zhī gazed at the magnificent scene before her.
She felt as if a void in history had been filled.
Authenticity,
as if it possessed a genuine history, unlike some works with flimsy logic and pretentious worldviews.
This sense of realism lent the player a weighty historical feel, involuntarily increasing immersion.
"Please, let me die, grant me release..."
As Mò Zhī marveled, a decaying voice from amongst the pilgrims interrupted her.
Someone was still alive?
She was somewhat surprised.
Following the sound, she saw a pilgrim supporting itself with a crutch, murmuring tremulously, "Please, let me die, grant me release..."
It occasionally let out strange laughter.
It was exceptionally eerie.
Mò Zhī almost felt compelled to strike it down.
"Oh... ah, you are... you are the Ashen One, aren't you."
You, Hero, Lordship.
The pilgrim's words saved its own life.
"Hey, I didn't expect the Ashen Ones to be quite so famous in the world of Dark Souls. Feels like everyone has heard of their great reputation." Mò Zhī couldn't help but sigh.
The pilgrim walked humbly before the Ashen One, saying respectfully, "It is an honor to behold your glory."
"I am Yoel of Londor, a pilgrim, as you can see."
Seeing the pilgrim's face clearly, Mò Zhī nodded with feigned seriousness.
"What a guy."
"Doesn't he look like a sea cucumber?"
"No wonder I found him somewhat familiar, like I'd seen a prototype somewhere."
The viewers couldn't help but laugh uncontrollably.
'You know, I didn't think so at first, but now that you mention it, he really does resemble one.'
'Am I the only one who thinks he looks like Bao Jing?'
'Truly a face!'
.....
"Ashen One, would you have any need for me as a retainer?"
The pilgrim Yoel said, "I was once a sorcerer, and I believe I can be of assistance."
[Allow him to be retainer / Refuse]
After a moment's hesitation, Mò Zhī chose to let him become her retainer. She didn't know what use he'd be, but she'd take the quest for now.
After all, forging ahead meant more quests wouldn't be a burden.
"Thank you for agreeing to my request. You have granted me the final duty of barely clinging to life..."
Yoel said respectfully, "I, Yoel of Londor, am resolved to become your retainer."
With that, he dissipated. Mò Zhī was familiar with this; like the thief and another NPC, he returned to her Firelink Shrine.
At the entrance to the Undead Settlement, many wandering spirits wished to enter, but what awaited them were the hounds released by the Undead Settlement residents.
The hounds didn't hinder the wandering spirits much but instead blocked Mò Zhī, the Ashen Hero, outside the gate.
"Please, I beg you, stop biting me!"
Mò Zhī fled in disarray, carrying her greatsword.
These hounds, more accurately called Corrupted Hounds, their "Three Hounds Slaughtering the Firewood Formation" was comparable to a major boss!
She was bitten until she was dizzy.
Well... her spirit flew in the sky, her soul shattered in the dogs' mouths.
'The Dog Lord of Cinder is too strong!'
'Three dogs are as strong as the Lord of Cinder, buddy!'
'Haha, this is hilarious!'
......
The viewers were in stitches, while Mò Zhī felt utterly defeated.
Her rage surged, and she charged headfirst, keyboard-smashing against the Dog Lord of Cinder in a desperate struggle!
The stubborn fear the fearless.
Mò Zhī, who was always bitten to death by simply fleeing, managed to break the Three Hounds Slaughtering the Firewood Formation through a bloody exchange, relying on her robust HP bar!
After lighting a bonfire and fully restoring her status, Mò Zhī pressed onward.
After killing the Hollowed residents of the Undead Settlement, she obtained a hat:
[Hat of a Resident of the Undead Settlement: They were responsible for dismembering and burying the Undead. This is the clothing used for that task, holding ritualistic significance. No one can live in fear forever.]
Looking at the fragmented information, Mò Zhī inferred from her own gaming experience: "The Undead Settlement once had a sacred tree, but from what I see now, there are many tree-like figures. They only appear in the Undead Settlement.
I suspect this is the state of peace after the undead received blessings from the sacred tree.
However, as the curse of fire intensified, it corrupted the sacred tree, turning it into a Corrupted Greatwood.
The residents of the Undead Settlement subsequently fell into panic.
They began to ostracize the Undead, even tormenting and killing them."
Soon,
Mò Zhī's words were confirmed.
She cut the rope of a hanging corpse and approached it. Crucial information appeared—[Bone of Loretta].
Loretta...
"Loretta, isn't she the person the thief asked me to deliver a ring to in the Undead Settlement?"
"Presumably, this poor woman also contracted the Undead Curse, was tormented by the panicked residents, and brutally murdered."
Mò Zhī looked at the charred skeleton of an unknown body part and exclaimed, "The Undead Settlement is so terrifying! Let me liberate this place!"
She could even imagine the cruel acts these ignorant residents inflicted upon Loretta in her life to break the curse!
The side quest was completed, yet she couldn't feel happy at all.
Everyone must die!
Mò Zhī furiously slaughtered every monster she encountered in the Undead Settlement.
Exchanging life for life, it was exhilarating!
Without the need to consider magic attacks that eroded the mind, it was the ultimate enjoyment of sensory torment.
It was truly satisfying!
Especially after being brutally beaten, when Mò Zhī, relying on her own strength, finally defeated the Corrupted Greatwood, the final boss of the Undead Settlement.
That ultimate thrill reached its peak in an instant!
It felt as if all the torment she had endured was worth it!
This was the core of Soulslike games, and the reason why, despite their torment, so many were drawn into them and couldn't break free—the fundamental selling point:
Conquering each powerful boss.
Although the process was filled with endless frustration, after defeating them, all the previous pain was instantly sublimated into something valuable.
These challenging games were like aged wine; no matter how much time passed, they were worth taking out and savoring again.
After all, good games never go out of style!
"So awesome!!"
Picking up the souls and equipment dropped by the Corrupted Greatwood, Mò Zhī's small face was flushed with excitement.
Coupled with her current attire, cosplaying as Toriel, many viewers were mesmerized.
'This, uh... I have something to say, but it might get me banned. It's not worth it, but...'
'Toriel! The eternal God!'
'If the real Toriel were like this, would I ever leave the Ruins?'
'No, I need to replay Undertale to calm down!'
'What's wrong? Can't handle it anymore?'
'I heard there are many high-quality fan-made works in the Undertale fandom. Thanks to the veteran developer for opening up fan-creation rights!'
......