Evolving My Undead Legion In A Game-Like World

Chapter 1060: In All My Lives, You’re The First

"Do you think Mic Nor and Michael are different people?"

Michael opened his mouth. Then paused. Because he didn't actually know.

Arianne continued before he could answer.

"When you spoke to me. Was it Michael speaking?"

"Yes."

"When you saved me?"

"Yes."

"When you carried me?"

Michael's ears immediately turned slightly red.

"Yes."

"When you crossed an empire for me?"

Michael sighed.

"Yes."

"When you brought me back to life?"

"Yes."

"Then where exactly is this different person?"

Michael froze.

Arianne watched his expression. Then shook her head.

"You keep talking as though there are two people." Her voice became gentler. "But every memory I have belongs to the same person."

Michael fell silent. Because for the first time since this entire conversation began, he realized she might have been looking at the situation very differently from him.

Arianne slowly took another bite of chocolate.

Crunch.

Then she swallowed. And asked another question. A much more dangerous one.

"S… Michael."

"Hm?"

"Do you like me?"

Michael choked violently and coughed several times.

"Where did that come from?"

"You didn't answer."

"Miss Arianne."

"You didn't answer."

Michael looked away.

Arianne immediately narrowed her eyes.

"…Michael."

"No."

"No?"

"I mean yes. Yes, I really like you. You're the first person I've ever liked in all my lives!"

The room froze.

Arianne stared at him as he closed his eyes after the words left him, then slowly smiled. It was a very beautiful smile.

Michael slowly opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was that smile.

The fear he had been carrying all day suddenly felt ridiculous. And perhaps because of that, for the first time that day, he stopped overthinking. Stopped worrying. Stopped doubting.

Instead, he took a step forward, until only a short distance remained between them.

The smile on Arianne's face gradually faded into confusion.

"Michael?"

This time, Michael didn't retreat. Instead, he looked directly into her emerald eyes. Then asked quietly.

"You asked me a question."

Arianne tilted her head.

"I did."

"Now it's my turn."

For some reason, Arianne suddenly became nervous.

"What is it?"

Michael inhaled slowly. Then asked the question that had been haunting him for months.

"Arianne."

"Hm?"

"Do you like me?"

The room fell silent.

Arianne's eyes widened slightly. The confidence she had displayed moments ago immediately weakened.

Michael almost laughed. So she could become nervous too. Interesting.

Several seconds passed. Arianne stared at him. Then sighed.

"You already know the answer."

Michael did. But hearing it and knowing it were different things.

Arianne seemed to realize that as well. Slowly, she met his eyes again. And this time she didn't look away.

"I like you." Her voice was soft. Yet firm. "I liked you before I knew about Aurora."

She took a small step forward.

"I liked you before I knew your real name."

Another step.

"And I still like you now."

Michael felt his heartbeat accelerate.

Arianne smiled softly.

"Whether you're Michael. Or Sir Mic. You're still you."

Silence followed. Neither moved. Neither looked away.

For a brief moment, the room seemed strangely quiet.

Then Michael made a decision. A simple one. Instead of thinking. Instead of doubting. Instead of worrying.

He stepped forward.

Arianne's breath caught. Michael slowly raised a hand and gently brushed a strand of golden hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered for a moment.

Neither spoke.

Then, before Arianne could understand what he intended to do, Michael leaned forward.

And kissed her.

Arianne froze. Completely froze. Her eyes widened. The chocolate in her hand nearly slipped from her fingers.

For a brief moment, her body instinctively stiffened, and she resisted. Not because she disliked it, or wanted him to stop. Though she had accepted the reality of things, it was still too much for her to immediately reconcile kissing Michael's other body.

The shock left her completely motionless.

Even Michael felt it. For a brief second, doubt surged through him. Had he moved too quickly? Had he made a mistake?

The thought flashed through his mind.

Then Arianne's fingers slowly tightened around his shirt. The tension in her body began to fade as the familiar sensation only Michael could cause coursed through her.

Arianne closed her eyes. And leaned into him.

The last traces of resistance vanished.

Relief flooded through Michael. One of his hands settled gently against her waist while the other moved to her cheek. Neither spoke, nor wanted to.

The distance that had existed between them for months finally disappeared. The kiss deepened naturally, as though both were trying to memorize the moment.

The room became silent. Arianne could feel her heart pounding inside her chest. Michael's wasn't much better.

The young man who commanded legendary creatures now felt nervous because of her. The realization made Arianne very happy. This wasn't Lord Mic Nor, or some untouchable genius. This was simply Michael. A young man who liked her.

Time seemed to lose meaning.

Eventually, a phone notification ringtone forced them apart.

A bit embarrassed, neither spoke as Michael checked his notification, a text from his aunt asking if he wanted her to bring anything for him. She seemed to be clocking out early today.

Thinking of something, Michael turned to look at Arianne and asked a question.

"Do you want to stay with me here for a few days, or should we go back?"

"Is that okay?"

"Yes."

Of course it was fine. Michael's household was already numb to him bringing things out of nowhere. First it had been undead creatures. Then it was Jester, who looked no different from the living and even attended school. Arianne would be novel, but hardly surprising.

After receiving Michael's confirmation, though still worried, she decided to trust him.

Just like that, the household gained an additional member.

Just like that, a week passed quickly.

Knowing he didn't have to wipe her memories, Michael, much more relaxed with Arianne now, took her around his dimension cracks while feeding her his evolution crystals and arming her to the teeth with precious treasures as well.

However, today Michael took a break.

Something important was happening today.

It was Lily's first awakening ceremony.