Evolving My Undead Legion In A Game-Like World

Chapter 1071: Earth

After the flash of darkness disappeared, Lily found herself standing inside a forest.

The first thing she noticed was the absence of sunlight. There was a sky above her, but no sun. No moon either. Only a dull gray canopy of clouds stretching endlessly overhead, casting the entire forest in dim, gloomy light.

The trees around her were tall and twisted, their bark dark and rough. Strange moss covered their roots, and faint mist drifted between the trunks.

Before Lily could properly examine her surroundings, a panel appeared before her eyes.

[You have entered the Origin Battlefield]

[Current Location: Zeroth Layer]

[Region: Level 1 Mistwood Forest]

That was all. No detailed explanation, no guide, not even a warning.

Lily frowned.

"That's it?"

She waited for another panel to appear, but nothing happened. After several seconds, she dismissed the panel and carefully looked around. The forest was quiet, and no sound could be heard.

Lily's grip tightened around the sword at her waist. Only when she felt two familiar presences beside her did the tension in her shoulders ease slightly.

A low growl sounded from her left. The Forest Wolf stood there, its light green fur blending into its surroundings, sharp eyes scanning the area.

On her right stood the bull-like creature she had tamed the previous day, its body bulky and covered in dark brown hide, two curved horns extending from its head.

Fortunately, they had followed her in. This was one of the things Michael had worried about before she entered. He hadn't been sure whether the Origin Battlefield would allow contracted creatures to follow their masters inside.

After all, this place seemed different from the Land of Origin. If the connection between her and her tamed beasts hadn't been recognized, she would have been forced to enter alone.

Thankfully, it worked. The two contract slots hadn't been wasted.

Lily slowly placed a hand on the wolf's head.

"Good. You're here."

The wolf gave a soft sound in response. The bull-like beast snorted and scraped one hoof against the ground.

Seeing them both made Lily's nervous heart calm down a little. She wasn't afraid, thanks in part to the mental training Jester had put her through over the past months, and her training and tests besides.

Of course, the virtual reality games she had played growing up had also played their part in her composure.

After calming down a bit more, Lily checked her storage space and saw that everything placed inside still remained there. Looking over the sheer quantity, though, her lips twisted slightly.

Aside from the familiar crystals meant to boost her stats, there were several items that, had the Federation caught her carrying them before her awakening, would have gotten her charged with arms trafficking.

After checking everything once more, Lily couldn't help but mutter under her breath.

"Cousin really is an overthinker…"

She looked around the quiet forest again. There were still many things she didn't understand about awakeners. In fact, she had only become one yesterday. She wasn't even officially registered yet.

Even so, she wasn't completely ignorant anymore. After everything Michael and Jester had taught her over the past day, she could already tell that her current strength simply didn't make sense for someone at her level.

Lily lowered her gaze to her own hand.

"…I think I'd still be fine with just a sword and armor."

Of course, she was still grateful for everything Michael had prepared. None of the items inside her storage space were ordinary. Take the Evolution Essence Crystals, for example.

Initially, she had assumed their greatest use was as treasures for increasing an awakener's attributes. Only after Michael explained them properly did she realize that wasn't even their primary purpose. Using them to raise stats was actually the wasteful application.

They were evolution resources meant for monsters. According to him, monsters could use them to evolve their race and increase their racial grade.

Naturally, the two beasts standing beside her had benefited from them as well. Lily couldn't help glancing toward the wolf and the bull. Before yesterday, both had only been Common Grade, Two-Star monsters.

At the time, Lily had honestly felt that was already pretty good. She had only just awakened. Being able to tame two Common Grade monsters had already felt like enough.

Then Michael had casually handed her two Evolution Essence Crystals.

Thanks to those, both monsters had successfully advanced from Two-Star Common Grade to the peak of the Common Grade. Three-Star Common Grade.

Thanks to the excess energy, they had also leveled up a few times. The Forest Wolf was now level 7, and the Horned Bull had reached level 8, matching Lily's combined level.

According to Michael, races, equipment, treasures, and even many natural resources all possessed grades. From lowest to highest, they were divided into seven major grades.

Common. Rare. Extraordinary. Epic. Legendary. Mythical. Demigod.

Within each major grade were three smaller quality tiers. One Star. Two Stars. Three Stars. Three Stars represented the peak of that grade. Only after reaching Three Stars could something evolve into the next major grade.

Of course, successfully crossing that boundary was an entirely different matter.

Lily reached over and rubbed the Forest Wolf's neck. Its fur was noticeably glossier than before, carrying a faint emerald sheen beneath the gray light of the forest. Its body had grown larger too.

She subconsciously used Detect.

Forest Wolf

Grade: Three-Star Common

Level: 7 Skills: Bite, Plant Control

Then she looked toward the horned bull.

Horned Bull

Grade: Three-Star Common

Level: 8 Skills: Fierce Charge

As for why she had extra crystals on hand, her cousin had given them to her in case she came across other tameable beasts of lower quality along the way.

According to him, rarity mattered, but she was free to tame whatever she liked, even if it was a rabbit. Though her cousin hadn't exactly agreed with the idea of her taming a rabbit, she knew it was possible, and allowed.

"Okay, that's enough waiting. Let's explore this place and see what it's for. You two, pay attention!"

Awwooo!

Moooo!!

"Be quiet!"

After wandering through the Mistwood Forest for several minutes, Lily suddenly came to an abrupt stop. The Forest Wolf and Horned Bull halted immediately as well.

Lily's eyes narrowed.

"…Come out."

Silence. Only the gentle rustling of leaves answered her.

Lily slowly shifted her stance, her right hand tightening around the hilt of her sword.

"I know you're there."

Her heartbeat sped up. For a while now she had sensed a presence following her without revealing itself.

"I'll count to three."

"One…"

"Two…"

Before she reached three, a soft laugh echoed through the forest.

"Hehe…"

A graceful figure stepped out from behind one of the enormous trees.

Lily froze.

The girl looked no older than her. She possessed long silver hair that reached her waist and skin the color of polished obsidian. Two long, pointed ears protruded through her hair, immediately identifying her race.

She wore clothing that exposed far more skin than Lily felt was practical for combat.

Dark leather wrapped around her slender body while several silver ornaments decorated her waist and thighs. Despite the revealing attire, not a single one of her movements seemed wasted.

The Forest Wolf immediately bared its fangs.

"Grrrr…"

The Horned Bull pawed at the ground.

Lily instinctively activated Detect, and a panel appeared.

[Assassin Level 10]

Realm: Umbra Grove

"A Dark Elf?"

Lily muttered unconsciously.

The moment Detect finished, the elf raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

A surprised smile appeared on her beautiful face.

"Interesting." She tilted her head slightly. "How did a level five human notice me while I was using Shadow Veil?"

Lily didn't answer. Michael had repeatedly warned her not to casually reveal information. Instead, she simply tightened her grip on her sword.

The Dark Elf smiled even wider.

"I suppose it doesn't matter."

She slowly drew two curved daggers. Silver light reflected off their blades.

Lily's expression immediately turned vigilant.

"You should leave."

The Dark Elf laughed softly.

"And why would I do that?"

"I don't want to fight."

"Neither do I." The elf's smile turned strangely charming. "I simply want everything you're carrying."

Her gaze swept casually over Lily. "The armor. The sword. They look very expensive. Are you from some noble family out there, perhaps?"

Lily's face turned cold.

"I suggest you don't get any ideas."

The Dark Elf giggled.

"What an adorable threat."

The next instant, she disappeared.

Lily didn't panic.

Yet before either side could collide, a calm voice echoed through the forest.

"Attacking someone on our first day." "…How low."

The Dark Elf's expression changed.

Someone else?

The shadows several meters away suddenly twisted. A tall figure calmly stepped out from within them.

Lily's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't sensed this person. Not even once. Unlike the Dark Elf, whose presence she had picked up on immediately, this newcomer had been standing nearby the entire time without her noticing in the slightest.

The newcomer wore rags and shared a similar complexion to the elf, though darker.

The two girls immediately activated Detect on the new arrival.

[Dark Knight Level 10]

Realm: Earth