Evolving My Undead Legion In A Game-Like World

Chapter 1189: Very Resourceful Netherworld

Michael's spatial energy instantly gathered, and he was just about to run when the pressure disappeared completely, as if it had never existed.

"…"

Silence.

Michael remained frozen. His heartbeat had gone from relatively calm to insane in less than a second.

The ghost floated exactly where she had been before. Her expression hadn't changed. She didn't look angry, and there was still no killing intent.

Michael stared at her, cautiously.

His mouth slowly opened.

"…So that's a no?"

The ghost nodded, then shook her head violently.

Michael's eyelid twitched. He slowly released the spatial power gathered around him.

His heart, however, refused to calm down. That brief pressure had reminded him that though the ghost didn't seem like she wanted to harm him, what exactly did harm mean to her?

This was a problem. Michael had unconsciously been judging her intentions through his own standards.

No killing intent meant she didn't intend to kill him. No hostility meant she didn't consider him an enemy. But neither of those things meant she couldn't harm him.

A child might squeeze an insect without wanting to kill it. A giant might shove someone aside without considering the possibility that the person would break every bone in their body.

And this ghost.

Michael looked at her again. She had already shown that her understanding of ordinary boundaries was questionable at best. She entered other people's spiritual communication without permission. Appeared directly inches from his face. Touched him whenever she felt curious.

Michael swallowed.

This woman is dangerous. Not necessarily malicious, but definitely dangerous.

Isabella slowly stood behind him. Several cracks now ran across portions of her bones.

Michael glanced back.

"You alright?"

"Yes, Senior."

Michael looked at the damaged ribs.

"…Sure."

The ghost also looked toward Isabella. Then tilted her head.

She then floated toward the Nether Soul Tree and wrapped both arms around its trunk. Her body partially sank through the bark.

"Mine."

Michael stared.

"You said it wasn't your treasure."

"It isn't."

"Then why can't I take it?"

"Because it's mine."

Michael closed his eyes. Of course.

He had asked the wrong question. The tree wasn't her treasure. It was simply hers. There was apparently an important distinction in her mind.

Michael opened his eyes again.

"Fine."

He wasn't stupid enough to fight a Demigod over a Three-Star Epic tree. Valuable or not, his life was worth considerably more.

The ghost seemed satisfied.

Michael took one step away from the tree. Then stopped. His gaze sharpened slightly.

Actually, there was another possibility.

"If I can't take it…"

The ghost looked at him.

Michael carefully continued.

"Can I have part of it?"

Her silver eyes blinked.

"Part?"

"A branch."

The ghost looked at the tree. Then at Michael. Then back at the tree. For several seconds, she remained silent.

Michael kept his spatial escape ready.

Finally, she raised one pale hand. A thin black branch separated from the tree without any visible force. It floated toward Michael.

He caught it instinctively.

"…"

Michael stared at the branch. Then at the ghost.

She smiled.

"You can have that."

Michael's expression immediately softened.

"Thank you."

Maybe communicating with her wasn't impossible after all. He simply needed to be very, very specific.

Michael carefully stored the branch inside the Mausoleum.

"That should be enough."

He had already gathered more than enough materials for the resurrection ritual. There was no reason to tempt fate over one tree when a Demigod had made her position very clear.

Michael turned toward Isabella.

"Let's go."

"Yes, Senior."

Isabella moved closer immediately.

Michael was just about to open a spatial passage when he paused.

"…"

His eyes slowly shifted back toward the ghost. She was still floating beside the Nether Soul Tree, one arm wrapped loosely around the trunk while watching him.

Michael hesitated. He had already confirmed she was a Demigod. That should have been enough.

And yet, he was curious. Very curious.

He knew her rank. But what about her grade? What exactly was she? A ghost was merely the broadest possible description. The weaker spectral undead Michael had collected varied greatly despite appearing similar from the outside. Some were ordinary ghosts, while others possessed more specialized races.

This creature had naturally reached Demigod. Her race grade couldn't possibly be ordinary.

Michael's fingers twitched. Using Detect on something considerably stronger than himself wasn't always harmless. Most weaker beings wouldn't even notice. But powerful creatures could sometimes sense inspection. And with this ghost's absurd perception, there was almost no chance she wouldn't.

Michael glanced at Isabella.

"Come closer."

Isabella immediately stepped beside him. Michael subtly placed a hand on her shoulder.

Wisdom State, which he had allowed to weaken slightly, surged again. Mana gathered silently around both himself and Isabella. His thoughts accelerated. Michael prepared several escape routes simultaneously. If the ghost reacted badly, he wasn't staying around to explain himself.

The ghost tilted her head.

"What are you doing?"

Michael gave her a harmless smile.

"Nothing."

Her silver eyes narrowed. Michael ignored that.

Detect.

For the briefest moment, nothing happened. Then the familiar translucent panel appeared.

Michael's eyes widened.

[Netherborn Soul Saint]

[Grade: Epic ★★★]

Netherborn Soul Saint?

That race name sounded almost holy. Not something he would have associated with a ghost. More importantly, there was something about the word Netherborn that immediately caught his attention.

Born of the Netherworld itself?

Also she's three stars?!

Michael's gaze sharpened, his eyes lingering on the grade.

It was extremely high.

A Demigod with an Epic Three-Star race. Michael's excitement rose again. This wasn't simply some powerful ghost that had survived long enough to reach Rank Five. Her very existence was special.

Then the ghost's face suddenly appeared directly beside the panel.

"…"

Michael nearly jumped again. She was floating inches from him.

"When you look at me like that…"

Her silver eyes stared directly into his.

"It feels strange."

Michael immediately dismissed Detect.

"Sorry."

The ghost touched her chest.

"You looked deeper."

Michael's heartbeat sped up.