Chapter 87

Amon dead? Nah, not quite.

Right before the explosion, he managed to ditch that cursed bow just in time.

He had no clue what was going on or what Richardson had pulled off, but his survival instincts kicked in. Amon chucked the bow as far as he could and turned his back to take the brunt of the blast.

When he came to, buried under rubble, he pushed a massive rock off himself. His body felt like it was in pieces, and the pain was intense, but he grinned through it.

"Damn, that hurts! But pain means I'm still kicking!"

His raspy voice and laughter echoed, drawing the attention of nearby zombies. The earlier explosion had cleared out the immediate area, but it also attracted more zombies from afar.

Amon's laughter brought them running. Normally, he wouldn't sweat these zombies, but he was in bad shape. He cursed under his breath and quickly covered himself with the rock again, playing dead to fool the zombies.

A sixth-level Sorcerer, reduced to this? Embarrassing, but survival was all that mattered. He'd failed his mission thanks to Iris, but if she showed up again... Amon smirked coldly. No way she had another self-destructing bow.

Meanwhile, late at night, Helen visited Richardson's room. "Master, the Dragon's Lure is dealt with. Have you considered when you'll visit the Battlefield World? I can be your guide, and introduce you to our Demon Beast civilization,"

"Visit the Demon Beast civilization?" Cathy's prophecy had convinced Richardson that the Demon Beasts desired peace, or perhaps, with the looming threat of the Zerg, an alliance. But he wasn't ready to go just yet.

"I'm not sure when. Soon, I hope. I had an agreement with Iris, but things have changed at the water plant. I also want to reach fifth-tier evolution first."

After all the recent chaos, Richardson knew his current strength wasn't enough. In the Battlefield World, a fifth-level Sorcerer was a big deal. Most Demon Beasts and human soldiers were only first or second-level. But he'd be up against the Creator organization, and four evolutions just wouldn't cut it."Being at the fifth level doesn't really make a huge difference," Helen said, stretching lazily before hopping in front of Richardson. "Both civilizations have plenty of heavy hitters at the sixth and seventh levels. Take the king of the Nightmare Demon Clan, for instance—he's an eighth-level Sorcerer! And the Divine Tree Lord? He's at the peak of the ninth level! The leaders of those Creator organizations are generally above the seventh level. So whether you're at the fourth or fifth level, it doesn't make much of a difference."

Cats don't lie; they just tell it like it is. And sometimes, the truth stings the most.

Richardson scratched his head awkwardly. "So, Helen, you're saying I don't even have what it takes to join the big leagues, right?"

"Yep, master. Think about it. The Creator folks have made some serious changes in this world! You're just another player trying to make it."

Helen meant to comfort him, but she ended up being brutally honest again. Richardson was left speechless, and the room got a bit awkward.

Helen quickly shifted gears with a smile. "So, master, you should think about when to visit the Demon Beast civilization. Our world might be more primitive, but the scenery is way more beautiful than your human planet!"

Richardson knew that the Divine Tree was behind this invitation. To truly cooperate with humans, the Demon Beast civilization had to make some sacrifices. And the best way to minimize those costs was to invest in someone significant to the human race—like Richardson.

"Never thought I'd be so important to the Divine Tree Lord. I'll definitely visit. I'm guessing there are… benefits involved? This is getting interesting. The Divine Tree wants me as a bridge to humanity, and Struggle seems to see me as a… survival strategy. I've become quite the commodity without even trying!"

Richardson sighed. He couldn't turn down Helen's offer. Visiting the Demon Beast civilization would definitely be worth it. But the timing needed careful thought.

Cathy's prophecy had him on edge. He didn't know when the predicted crisis would hit. The girls were taken to the lab, and he was out there fighting, trying to save them. This looming threat hung over him like a sword, making it hard to relax.

"Worried, master? You think too much and carry too much responsibility. Like Cathy, you take everything on yourself. Life has challenges. You'll face them eventually. But until then, shouldn't you be happy? Life isn't all hardship. There's still some fun. Don't let worry steal it from you."

Helen, the cat, was giving Richardson a life lesson. Ironically, the little cat who didn't have to work seemed to get life better than Richardson did.

Listening to her happiness theory, Richardson realized he was too hung up on that looming crisis. He'd been missing out on the good stuff right in front of him.

"You're right, Helen. I can deal with the future later. I'll enjoy now."

With that, Richardson jumped out of bed and left the room, leaving Helen looking bewildered.

"Richardson? What's gotten into you?"

Late that night, Richardson knocked on Karen's door. She was a bit confused, but his actions quickly woke her up! When their lips met, Karen was thrilled!

The night flew by. Even though Karen had strong endurance, she couldn't help but make some noise.

So, early the next morning, the girls in the team sat around on the sofa, glaring at Karen and Richardson.

"Why not me?" Lily was the first to protest, wondering why Richardson didn't come to her.

"You promised me, right? It's been like a week," Anna chimed in, but then she shrugged it off.

"I'm fine, just here to make up the numbers," Jasmine said weakly, quickly lowering her head and avoiding eye contact with Richardson.

Iris looked between Karen and Richardson, a hint of envy in her eyes. "Was it good?"

Karen was taken aback. Richardson almost wanted to say, "Why don't you find out?"

Life was tough for survivors during the apocalypse. Outside Tower City, it was even worse. Tower City had a water supply thanks to its connection to the Battlefield World node at the water plant, but other cities weren't so lucky.

In a run-down town, a thin, malnourished little girl, probably in her teens, looked like she wouldn't survive the apocalypse. And indeed, that was the case. Just last night, the older girl who had been protecting her died.

A group of ruthless bad people, worse than zombies, broke into their place. The older girl stayed behind to fight them off so the little girl could escape. But she hadn't had enough food to keep her strength up and was no match for them. Before leaving, the little girl heard her protector's tragic screams.

"Little girl, are you alone?"

Just as the little girl was about to faint from hunger, a figure appeared in front of her. She could barely make out the figure wearing a thick cloak and a strange mask.

Weakly, she responded, not having the energy to tell if this person was good or bad, even though he looked strange.

"It seems you've had a rough time. So, do you want to survive? Do you want revenge?" The masked man in the black cloak asked, his devilish voice confusing the little girl. "So, are you a devil? Here to grant my wish and then take my soul?" the little girl asked weakly, lying on the ground.

"I'm not a devil, but close enough. Keep your soul. What I want is simple. Just kill someone after you get your revenge, and that's all I need. Deal?"

The little girl had no choice. She had to take this chance.

"Kill someone, get revenge, and let me live, right?"

The masked man nodded. "Yes, the great Serpent Lord won't deceive you! So, have you decided? Agree to my terms, and I'll give you the power for revenge and a chance to live."

She had no time to think. She had to agree to the Serpent Lord's conditions or starve to death.

"Very well. With your innate Magic potential and genetic evolution ability, I wonder what kind of power you'll unleash! A rare Magic genius, found like this? Fascinating! Lord Dragon, you brute, wait until I train this talented girl. Then, I'll send her to kill you, the traitor who treats the organization as a tool!"

The Serpent Lord laughed wickedly, not bothering to hide his intentions. Luckily, the girl was barely conscious and didn't catch his words.

He placed a Magic crystal on her forehead and chanted a spell. The crystal transformed into pure Magic energy, entering her body.

First level, second level, third level! The crystal's powerful energy boosted her to the third level of Magic.

Seeing this, the Serpent Lord laughed even more. "Indeed, you have an innate Magic constitution, absorbing so much energy without any rejection. You'll soon be a formidable force! Little girl, I don't know your name yet, but I feel we'll meet again. Maybe you'll be the next Lord Dragon."

He engraved the command to kill Lord Dragon on the ground with Magic before leaving, satisfied.

He was Iris's target, the Lord hidden in the Peaceful World. But with his peculiar temperament and lone-wolf nature, tracking him down would be tough.

"I... survived?"

Monroe Rivera woke up, staring at her delicate skin and powerful body in bewilderment. Was this still her? Was this the power of a demon?

"Kill... Lord Dragon?"

Monroe saw the command on the ground and realized that the masked person wasn't a dream. The changes in her body were his doing.

"I will help you get revenge."

Taking a deep breath, Monroe remembered the name Lord Dragon. Then she headed back to her previous residence.

As a third-level Sorcerer, she was now powerful enough to take on Karen single-handedly. Monroe was at the top of the combat effectiveness ladder in the town.

So, were the evil bastards ready to face judgment?