Evolving My Undead Legion In A Game-Like World

Chapter 1148: Fake Dragon Might [3]

The moment the crushing pressure weighing down on the city finally lessened, countless people collapsed in relief. Many instinctively gasped for air. Others clutched their chests as though they had narrowly escaped drowning.

Children who had been crying moments earlier broke down completely, throwing themselves into the arms of their parents or the closest person they could find. Many simply sat or lay on the ground, their minds still unable to process what had just happened.

Relief swept across Brightgate City.

But almost as quickly, that relief gave way to sorrow.

Tears began appearing throughout the city. Some cried after realizing they were still alive. Others cried because the person standing beside them only moments ago no longer was.

Emergency sirens echoed continuously through the streets. Collapsed buildings had buried countless people beneath concrete and twisted steel. Smoke rose from several districts where the waves of scorching heat had ignited fires.

Throughout the city, rescue efforts began almost immediately as the Supers Association got to work.

Everywhere, voices filled the streets.

"Help!"

"There's someone trapped here!"

"My child! Someone save my child!"

"We're over here!"

The cries of grief mixed with desperate shouts for help. Many who had survived stood frozen before collapsed buildings, staring blankly at what had once been their homes.

The disaster had erased countless differences in an instant. No one cared whether the person beside them was an ordinary civilian or a supernatural. Whether they were rich or poor, known or unknown.

At that moment, everyone simply felt they were all the same miserable ants beneath the two battling above.

High above, the battle continued. Every collision between the undead dragon and the blood-robed Demigod sent another distant tremor through the heavens. Although the two combatants were rapidly moving farther away, each exchange still shook the horizon.

The crimson lights illuminated the darkening day like two miniature suns constantly colliding. Every time another explosion echoed across the sky, the people below instinctively looked upward. Fear lingered within every heart.

Michael silently watched everything unfold. His expression remained calm. Only the slight tightening of his fists betrayed the emotions hidden beneath.

This was the consequence of power. A single clash between beings standing near the pinnacle had nearly reduced one city to ruins through nothing more than the aftereffects of their battle.

The attacks themselves had never been directed at Brightgate. Yet merely standing nearby had almost become a death sentence.

If the dragon's breath had landed within the city instead…

Michael did not allow himself to finish the thought. If anything, the current situation only made his resolve sharpen further. Stronger. Stronger undead. His family stronger.

His gaze slowly swept across the devastated streets below before rising once more toward the distant battlefield.

Even now, every clash between the undead dragon and the blood-robed Demigod caused the sky to shudder.

Teacher Brian continued staring at the distant battle for several long seconds. Only after confirming that the battlefield had moved several dozen kilometers away did he slowly turn toward Michael.

"…So." His voice was quieter than usual. "What now?"

The question broke the silence inside the apartment. No one else spoke. They all looked toward Michael.

Their expressions were complicated. Shock. Disbelief. Confusion. Curiosity. Wariness. There were simply too many questions.

How had Michael hidden nearly a thousand Rank Four undead without anyone noticing? How had he created that dragon? How strong had Michael truly become?

Did he really possess an army capable of conquering an entire realm? Was this truly the power someone who had awakened just a year ago should have?

Were other awakeners playing an entirely different game?

Countless questions filled their minds. Unfortunately, Michael had absolutely no intention of answering any of them, even if they asked. Not now. Perhaps not ever.

His emotions were anything but calm. He actually wanted to lash out. The only reason he restrained himself was because the person who had spoken was Teacher Brian.

Among everyone standing inside the apartment, Brian was one of the few people Michael genuinely respected, followed by Director Lin and Instructor Yara. Because of that, Michael swallowed the words rising to his throat.

Had it been only General Caelum standing here, that old kidnapper, Michael doubted he would have remained this restrained.

Fortunately, Brian's presence prevented him from saying something he would undoubtedly regret later.

Even so, he had neither the time nor the patience to entertain anyone. The battle was still ongoing.

The Undead High Drake had successfully forced the blood-robed Demigod away from Brightgate City, but that did not mean everything was under control.

Worried about the connection between him and the Undead High Drake now, Michael did not want to test what would happen if it went out of communication range.

The connection between him and the transformed undead still existed. It remained as clear as ever. However, it no longer felt the same.

Previously, commanding his undead had been no different from moving his own limbs.

Every thought was executed with absolute precision. Every order carried unquestionable authority. There was no hesitation, delay, or resistance whatsoever.

Now, that certainty had loosened.

Though his commands still reached the Undead High Drake without issue and the dragon still obeyed, there was an unmistakable difference. It no longer felt like he was directly moving an extension of himself.

Instead, it felt as though he was directing an immensely intelligent creature that retained its own instincts. Those instincts did not oppose him. Nor did they seek freedom. They simply existed and subtly influenced how his commands were interpreted.

It reminded Michael of Beast Tamers. Their contracted beasts remained loyal to them, yet they were still living creatures capable of making independent judgments while carrying out their master's orders.

Depending on their strength, the contract between them and their owner could even shift toward something more equal.

The transformed Undead High Drake now gave him a remarkably similar feeling.

The difference was that it was an undead. Its loyalty toward him was unquestionable.

Its might had simply risen to a level where it instinctively optimized commands according to its own judgment.

With too many unknowns, Michael could not afford to waste even another second.

Without waiting for another question, he simply informed the four that he would be back. The next instant, space distorted. His figure disappeared from the apartment without another word.

Silence immediately descended. Only the distant explosions echoing across the heavens remained.

Teacher Brian slowly lowered the hand he had subconsciously raised. General Caelum's expression became increasingly complicated as he mentally cursed every generation of whoever had suggested it was a good idea to send him here.

Director Lin and Instructor Yara continued staring at the place where Michael had vanished.

None of them attempted to follow.

Space folded.

Michael reappeared several dozen kilometers away from Brightgate City. The instant his body emerged, a violent wave of force struck him head-on.

His clothes snapped against his skin as he was pushed several meters backward through the air.

The surrounding atmosphere had become so chaotic that even maintaining his position required effort.

Before him, the sky had completely transformed. There were no clouds or sunlight.

Only endless stretches of shattered space, crimson radiance, and emerald deathly light.