Evolving My Undead Legion In A Game-Like World

Chapter 1072: Powerful Youth

Earth.

The name sounded unbelievably ordinary, yet for some reason it lingered in the minds of both girls. That brief distraction lasted only an instant before their attention returned to the young man standing between them.

He appeared to be around their age, perhaps a year older at most. His black hair was messy, reaching just past his ears as though it hadn't been cut in months.

His clothes were even worse. The dark tunic he wore had been patched together so many times that it was difficult to tell what its original color had been. Several tears remained unrepaired, exposing parts of his arms and shoulders.

His trousers weren't much better. One leg had been stitched together using coarse thread, while the other had a long tear running from the knee downward.

Even his boots looked ready to fall apart.

The only thing on his body that appeared properly maintained was the sword resting in his right hand, but even that wasn't an impressive weapon. It was simply an ordinary longsword.

Despite its plain appearance, the blade had been polished so carefully that one could almost see their reflection upon its surface. It was obvious someone took meticulous care of it.

If one ignored the fact that he had silently approached the two of them without either girl sensing him, no one would ever associate him with the word "danger." He looked more like a wandering refugee than an awakener.

If someone without any knowledge were asked who among the three looked strongest, almost everyone would point toward the Dark Elf or Lily first. The young man would undoubtedly be ranked last.

Yet neither girl dared underestimate him.

The Dark Elf slowly narrowed her crimson eyes.

"…Who are you?"

The young man looked at her quietly. After a brief pause, he answered.

"…A human."

The Dark Elf's eyebrow twitched.

"I can see that." She tightened her grip on her daggers. "I asked who you are."

The young man remained silent for another moment. Then he shrugged.

"…Just another survivor. But let me ask my own question now. Are your worlds, or based on the system's 'term' for it, also facing an apocalypse?"

The question caught both girls off guard.

"…Apocalypse?"

Lily unconsciously repeated the emphasis in his words. The Dark Elf also frowned. For a brief moment, neither of them answered.

The young man quietly observed their expressions before speaking again.

"…So your worlds weren't?"

The Dark Elf clicked her tongue.

"What kind of stupid question is that?"

The next instant, she vanished. A blur of darkness flashed across the forest. Her twin daggers aimed directly for the young man's throat and heart.

Clang!

Sparks erupted. The ordinary-looking longsword somehow appeared exactly where it needed to be, knocking both daggers away with frightening precision.

The Dark Elf's pupils shrank.

Fast.

Before she could retreat, the young man stepped forward. His left hand caught her wrist. His shoulder crashed into her center of gravity. His foot hooked behind her ankle.

In a single flowing motion, the Dark Elf found herself slammed against the trunk of a nearby tree.

Bang!

Before she could react further, the young man's sword rested against her neck while one arm pinned both of her wrists above her head.

The entire exchange had lasted barely two seconds.

Lily's eyes widened.

"So fast…"

The Forest Wolf lowered itself instinctively. Even the Horned Bull took several uneasy steps backward.

The Dark Elf struggled violently.

"You bastard!"

She tried twisting her body. Her knees. Her elbows. Even her head. Every movement was instantly neutralized before it could build any momentum.

"…Impossible." She grit her teeth. "We're both Level Ten."

The young man remained expressionless.

"…Yes."

His grip never tightened. Nor did it loosen. He wasn't even hurting her. He was merely preventing her from moving.

"You…" The Dark Elf glared at him. "…Who exactly are you?"

The young man ignored the question. Instead, he calmly spoke.

"If you move again…" For the first time since appearing, his voice became slightly colder. "…I'll assume you wish to die."

The forest suddenly went silent. The Dark Elf instinctively stopped struggling. For just a fraction of a second, she had felt it.

Killing intent.

The young man slowly continued.

"…The only reason you're still alive…" His eyes met hers. "…is because you're the first Dark Elf I've ever seen."

"…"

"So I'm curious."

"…"

"Don't mistake curiosity for kindness."

The Dark Elf's breathing unconsciously slowed. Every instinct she possessed screamed at her not to provoke this human any further.

Only after several long seconds did the young man slowly release her wrists and take two steps backward. He even lowered his sword, but the Dark Elf didn't dare attack again.

Lily quietly watched everything unfold. A solemn expression appeared on her face.

According to Cousin Michael, High Humans possessed physical foundations vastly superior to ordinary Humans.

Even if their stats were identical, a High Human should easily overpower a normal Human because of the difference in racial quality. That was one of the greatest advantages of possessing a superior race.

And yet, why did she feel threatened? It was as though the young man standing before her possessed something that made him extraordinarily dangerous. It wasn't his level, and it surely wasn't his equipment.

His clothes were practically rags, and his sword was completely ordinary. Even Detect hadn't shown any extraordinary title, race, or equipment.

Yet Lily couldn't shake the feeling.

Right now, every instinct she possessed was telling her the same thing.

This young man was not normal.

The young man seemed to notice the way both girls were looking at him. He sighed softly.

"…Now." His gaze swept over Lily before shifting toward where the Dark Elf had stood. "Can someone answer my question?" He paused. "Were your worlds already ending before you entered this battlefield?"

The Dark Elf remained where she stood for several more seconds. Her crimson eyes shifted between Lily and the ragged young man. She clicked her tongue in annoyance.

"Tch."

There was no fear left on her face. Only frustration. The beautiful human girl clearly wasn't easy prey. As for this strange young man, she had absolutely no confidence in defeating him.