Warhammer Fanfic: Starting with a Core Cabin

"Honestly, I don't think this is a good idea."

The Elf Scout's voice was filled with helplessness as their carriage traveled along a desolate, remote path. They were currently in a wilderness, and as far as the eye could see, there seemed to be no signs of life. The distant forests had long withered, and the once-fertile farmlands were now nothing but barren, gloomy stretches of land.

This was the Land of Silence.

Long ago, this area was the fiefdom of a nobleman. At the time, the Earl faced a succession crisis; he had only a daughter and no son, while his brothers coveted his title and lands. It was then that a handsome young man approached the Earl, claiming to be a noble from a distant land, seeking to marry the Earl's daughter.

Perhaps adhering to the principle of "better to give to an ally than a servant," the old Earl agreed to the young man's request. The man married the Earl's daughter and successfully inherited the earldom, and the old Earl passed away shortly thereafter.

However, the young man was not a noble but a vampire. Afterward, the other members of the Earl's family either died "accidentally," disappeared, or became his servants. The vampire quickly gained control of the land, becoming a powerful and terrifying entity.

At that time, the Empire was in turmoil—a historical rerun, so to speak. The Emperor had died, and everyone was vying for the throne. Three princes decided to declare themselves kings, proving that history truly repeats itself.

Seizing this opportunity, the vampire finally revealed his fangs. On a dark and stormy night, he slaughtered all the inhabitants of his territory, transforming them into undead under his control. He then assembled an army of the undead and launched an attack on the Empire.

Facing the vampire legion's assault, the warring factions of the Empire temporarily set aside their differences to unite against the common enemy. After all, they merely wished to be emperor, not slaves to a vampire. Thus, under the premise of a united front, the Empire began to resist the vampire's attacks.

However, the vampire was indeed formidable. With the power of a miraculous ring, he was impervious to all harm. Whether beheaded or impaled through the heart, he would revive and retaliate within moments—a true "locked health" cheat, as it were.

Thus, the vampire army advanced triumphantly, reaching the Imperial Capital.

However, fate is unpredictable. Just as the vampire was about to conquer the Imperial City, his miraculous ring "mysteriously" vanished. Enraged by the loss of his "locked health" trinket, the vampire launched another attack on the Imperial City. This time, however, he failed and was utterly defeated by the Empire, meeting his demise.

With their leader dead, the vampire army instantly disintegrated, suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of the pursuing Imperial forces. This war also marked the end of the Empire's internal strife, as the princes nominated the strongest among them, who had contributed the most to the vampire war, to be the next Emperor.

What a spirit of self-sacrifice, for a vampire to travel thousands of miles just to offer his head and end the Empire's internal strife!

After that, this territory became the cursed Land of Silence. Initially, some fearless nobles, stubborn as iron, tried to inherit this fiefdom, but after several of them met tragic ends here, everyone began to steer clear of the place.

Since then, it had become a realm of death. Rumor had it that those who were killed and turned into undead by the vampire still roamed this land, slaughtering anyone who dared to trespass.

Well… judging from the scene before them, this rumor was not unfounded.

It should be noted that necromancers and vampires are different races. Even in Soul Cards, necromancers and vampires are separated. For example, the Wraiths and Phantoms Duanmu Huai summoned earlier belonged to necromancers, while vampires belonged to undead creatures. Simply put, vampires are more like a species that "does not die naturally." After all, they still need to feed on blood to sustain themselves. Although vampires appear similar to the dead, the mere fact that they need to consume blood to maintain and enhance themselves is an act of survival.

Therefore, when facing the God of Decay, vampires are not "immune to all poisons" like necromancers; they only have a higher resistance.

Conversely, the followers of the God of Decay were somewhat helpless against necromancers—viruses and diseases cannot infect bones and ghosts.

Similarly, due to their hatred for life, the dead and necromancers would furiously attack any living being that dared to enter their territory.

Indeed, even though the followers of the God of Decay were bloated, covered in oozing pustules, reeking of putrid decay, and had parasites crawling happily within them like rats swimming in cheese, they were still considered "alive," "vibrant," and "living beings."

This was why Duanmu Huai chose this route.

If the Corrupted Cultists truly intended to continue their human wave tactics to pursue them, they would have to risk entering this territory and fighting the undead there. After all, they weren't skilled in stealth, and if their numbers weren't sufficient, they couldn't pose a threat to Duanmu Huai and his group.

In contrast, Duanmu Huai's group was small and inconspicuous. If they were lucky and cautious enough, they might even be able to sneak past. Under the satellite scan of the strategic command room, Duanmu Huai was like someone with a full map, clearly seeing where it was dangerous and where it was safe. Thus, under his leadership, the group proceeded smoothly.

However…

"I really can't get used to this place."

Sitting in the carriage, the Elf Scout complained, gazing at their surroundings. Everything here exuded a deathly silence; even the air they breathed seemed to carry bone-chilling ice crystals, making their entire bodies shiver with each inhale. Even the two horses pulling the carriage were listless, barely finding any good fodder and only able to nibble on withered weeds by the roadside.

"Alright, instead of complaining, let's think about how to leave this place as soon as possible."

Duanmu Huai didn't seem to mind much, as this was simply the nature of the place. He opened his map and glanced at it, and Knight Kado and the Elf Scout leaned in to look as well.

To be honest, things were already in chaos outside. The three princes had all declared themselves kings, initiating version 2.0 of the Imperial civil war. Unfortunately, this time there was no vampire to sacrifice himself and unite them again. Silver City had ultimately fallen, and the entire territory had become a playground for viruses, plagues, and Corrupted Cultists, spreading outwards. Large numbers of refugees poured into neighboring territories, most of which were already reeling from the civil war.

The route the Elf Scout suggested was to pass through Wissenland, which had become a deathly wasteland, and then find a way to cross the Grey Mountains in the south to reach Bretonnia—a country not large in area but relatively peaceful. At least there, people could live in peace.

Well, provided they weren't farmers.

Of course, no country in this world is perfect, and Bretonnia also had its problems. However, compared to the current Imperial civil war 2.0, where people were fighting each other like dogs, and the Tyranny and Corrupted Cultists running rampant across Imperial territory, Bretonnia was already a very good choice.

Or rather, there was no better choice. After all, if they didn't go to Bretonnia, they would either have to cross the Ogre Kingdoms to reach Cathay, or head south across the desert to Araby.

In comparison, going to Bretonnia only required crossing the Grey Mountains, and as long as they didn't conflict with the Dwarves, it wouldn't be a big problem.

At least it was better than traversing the Ogre Kingdoms or dying in the desert.

"Let's keep going. At least for now, it seems there's no one ahead."

In this Land of Silence, the most dangerous places were not the wilderness but the villages, towns, and even castles. Because of the tyrannical rule of the vampire lord, almost all the inhabitants of this territory—from peasants to nobles—were killed and transformed into undead. Therefore, there was a high probability that these places, where they once lived, were now infested with undead creatures.

Thus, along the way, everyone stayed in the wilderness, bypassing any human settlements. Otherwise, it might turn into a scene from Silent Hill, Resident Evil, or some other horror game.

Actually, Duanmu Huai didn't really care, as his previous quest, "Sleeping Beauty," required him to visit five necromancer fragment dungeons. However, considering he had a large group of elderly and weak people with him, Duanmu Huai decided not to take any risks. If something went wrong, it would only cause trouble. It was better to finish the main quest first and then come back to deal with these necromancer fragments.

The group grumbled a bit, then continued forward. The Elf Scout drove the carriage, while the old knight sat in front. Duanmu Huai, gripping his warhammer, followed behind. At first, the Elf Scout deliberately slowed down for Duanmu Huai to keep up, but then she realized that despite his heavy armor, the big man was surprisingly fast. Even on foot, he could match the carriage's speed.

The weather in the Land of Silence was always gloomy and dark. Heavy, black clouds covered the sky, almost completely obscuring the sunlight. A biting cold wind howled across the wilderness, bringing with it a low moan like the wailing of vengeful spirits.

The horses pulling the carriage didn't last long either, eventually neighing and dying. Duanmu Huai reluctantly volunteered to pull the carriage forward, while the two horses were butchered by the Elf Scout and the old knight and processed into dried rations. After all, there was no food in this land, and the provisions they had taken when escaping the castle were almost gone.

However, as night fell, a strange sight appeared before them.

"If my eyes aren't deceiving me, that looks like an inn?" Duanmu Huai muttered, looking at the building by the roadside. The Elf Scout nodded.

"And it's open."

Indeed, as the Elf Scout said, the inn was not only open but brightly lit, looking like a bustling roadside inn… well, it would be perfectly normal if it weren't appearing in this desolate Land of Silence, where few people ventured.

"Let's go."

Duanmu Huai was certainly not foolish enough to fall for such a trick; he had heard countless ghost stories like this. So, he pulled the carriage and continued forward. At the same time, Duanmu Huai glanced at the current quest.

[Triggered Quest: Midnight Inn]

[Quest Objective: Escape the predicament]

[Why does an unmanned inn appear in the wilderness at midnight?]

If Duanmu Huai had been alone, he would have definitely gone inside. However, considering the elderly and weak people behind him, he decided to temporarily ignore it.

Then, they walked and walked and walked…

"Honestly, I'm not surprised at all."

Duanmu Huai felt nothing as the inn reappeared before him.

"What do we do now?"

The Elf Scout was speechless. Even Alisa and the others were curiously looking out the window. It was no wonder they were so calm. After all, since entering the Land of Silence, they had experienced ghosts, spirits, screams, and cries… they had seen so much that they had become numb.

"We don't have a priest or bishop to exorcise evil," Knight Kado said with a wry smile, stroking his beard. Duanmu Huai waved his hand.

"Let me try."

As he spoke, Duanmu Huai faced the inn and took a deep breath.

Then…

"I CNZZNMSLFNMDCGP…!!!"

After a string of curses directed at the inn, Duanmu Huai pulled the carriage again and continued forward.

The others were all stunned by Duanmu Huai's vulgar language.

"What does that mean?" the Elf Scout asked, looking at Duanmu Huai in confusion.

"Oh, it's a custom from my hometown. When you encounter a ghost, you curse at it. Because ghosts are afraid of evil people, if you act fierce and terrifying, the ghost will run away on its own…"

"Is there such a saying?"

Everyone was speechless at Duanmu Huai's explanation. However… it turned out that superstition was just superstition.

"Looks like it's useless."

The same road, the same inn, appeared in the same spot.

"I don't believe this evil. Are you looking for death?"

Duanmu Huai was now furious, his anger rising to his guts. He ripped off his helmet and strode towards the inn.

"I'll see what kind of ghost this damn thing is playing!"

However, just as Duanmu Huai reached out to open the inn's door, a sudden change occurred. The inn began to twist and deform violently, followed by a heart-wrenching scream. The next moment, the inn transformed into countless white vengeful spirits, vanishing into the night.

"...…"

"..."

A cold wind rustled.

Everyone stared at the empty wilderness, completely bewildered by what had just happened.

Only Duanmu Huai looked at the system prompt before him, utterly speechless.

[You used Intimidation on the Ghost Inn]

[The Ghost Inn attempted to resist… Resistance failed]

[The Ghost Inn entered a state of panic]

[The Ghost Inn dissipated]

[Quest "Midnight Inn" completed]

[Quest Evaluation: Incredible]

[To subdue the enemy without fighting is the supreme excellence]

[Gained 1000 experience, an additional 700 experience, leveled up to 21, gained 2 additional Soul Cards]

[Intimidation increased to LV3]["Sleeping Beauty" progress +1]

[Inn Ghost Hound (Bronze)]

[Cost: 1]

[Attack: 1]

[Defense: 1]

[Lethal][(Entrance Song): If Funeral has been activated, draw a card]

[Poltergeist Phenomenon (Silver)]

[Cost: 3]

[Summon 2 Wraiths to the field][(Spirit Burst Enhancement: 4) Grant all your cards the effect: 'When this follower disappears, it is destroyed']

Damn, are you kidding me!

Duanmu Huai was speechless, then he turned around, put on his helmet, and returned to the carriage. At this moment, the Elf scout looked at him with a smile.

"I say, you should just not wear a helmet, so that no ghosts dare to approach us."

"..."

Hearing this, Duanmu Huai silently gave the elf scout a middle finger.

Except for a MMP, he didn't want to say anything now.

(End of this chapter)