"Explode"


    The Ice Lotus exploded once more, freezing the entire region where the Tier 7 Zombies stood. The frost spread like wildfire, encasing everything in a sheet of glistening ice. us watched for a split second, taking in the devastation, but he couldn''t let his guard down.


    The Bell had already drained 20 percent of his Star Qi just to keep the Zombies at bay, and now, detonating the Ice Lotus had cost him another 10 percent. His Star Qi reserves were dwindling, and he knew he couldn''t afford to waste any more energy.


    "I need all the help I can get," us muttered under his breath. In an instant, the Dragon appeared in the sky above him. Its massive form coiled in the air before it shed its tail, sending sharp arcs of fire toward the frozen Zombies.


    The mes cut through them like a de through butter, turning many into nothing more than charred remains.


    us smirked as he looked up at the Lady Zombie, still perched on her pir, helpless. "You see this? This is how I decimate your precious army that you''re counting on to invade my human cities." His voice was cold and confident, mocking her as her forces crumbled before him.


    But there was no time to savor the moment. us moved swiftly, activating the Lotus Flower again, its icy petals blooming around him, and simultaneously activating the Absolute Ice Domain. The domain spread out in a sh, covering the battlefield in an aura of freezing energy.


    Inside the domain, us felt his body lighten. His movements became faster, his reflexes sharper. This was his advantage—speed. He needed it to keep the Zombies at bay while conserving what little Star Qi he had left.


    The Bell continued to toll, its deep chime echoing across the frozen battlefield. The sound waves,bined with the Dragon''s fiery attacks, were holding the Tier 7 Zombies back, but us knew he couldn''t rely on them forever. He had to take the offensive.


    With his sword in hand, us darted through the battlefield, his de cutting down any Zombie that crossed his path. Heads rolled, bodies copsed, and blood stained the ice below.


    All around him, us was surrounded by Zombies, each one aiming to take his life. Their eyes glowed with hunger, and their decayed hands reached out to tear him apart. But he wasn''t alone. His summoned Dragon was doing more than just holding them back.


    "It seems I really underestimated the Chaotic Nirvana me," us muttered, watching as the Dragon unleashed arcs of fire, reducing the Zombies to ash.


    The intense heat from its mes lit up the battlefield, sending smoke and embers swirling into the air. The Dragon moved swiftly, its fiery attacks obliterating any Zombie that got too close.


    Though the Dragon was helping, us wasn''t having an easy time. His heart raced, and his body ached from the constant swinging and shing. It was nerve-wracking to be surrounded by so many enemies, each several Tiers above him. A Tier 3 human against hundreds of Tier 7 Zombies, that was just ridiculous.


    He clenched his sword tightly, determined to keep going. His n was simple: hold on for as long as he could, no matter what.


    "At this rate, I''ll run out of Star Qi," us muttered again, his eyes darting to the Dragon, the Ice Lotus, and the Bell of Harrows. These powerful skills were draining his energy faster than he had anticipated. He could feel his Star Qi dwindling with every moment, like sand slipping through his fingers.


    He knew he had to act fast. If he could hold on just a little longer, he might be able to level up to level 8. That would restore his Star Qi and strengthen his other stats.


    But that was a big "if." Before that could happen, he first had to kill more Tier 7 Zombies to gain the experience points needed. Time was running out, and the pressure was mounting.


    Convincing himself he could kill all the Zombie Kings before the ritual ended was easier said than done. The Zombies kepting, relentless and fierce. He was surrounded, and the odds were stacked against him. But us had made up his mind. He wasn''t going to back down. Not now.


    He nced at the red sky above. The ritual had already begun, and he could feel the sinister energy swirling in the air, thick and oppressive.


    The Zombie Kings were gathering, and us knew he had to finish them before the ritual wasplete, or the consequences would be dire. That was the n—end them before it was toote.


    "The idiots are endless," us muttered as he continued killing, but there were just too many Zombiesing. Thankfully, inside his Absolute Ice Domain, his speed was boosted, and he became much stronger. Yet, the question lingered—how long could he hold on?


    ======


    It had already been ten minutes since the battle started between us and the Zombies in the Demon''s Abode Forbidden Zone. The Zombies kepting in waves, relentless and tireless. us knew he was strong, but even his strength had limits.


    Meanwhile, warriors and the military were mobilizing in Arcadian City and other nearby cities. Their destination? The Demon''s Abode.


    us''s distress signal had been sent out to all the warriors with tracking watches, something they received when they first entered a forbidden zone as part of a team. Now, they were all heading toward the forbidden zone to help him.


    The journey would take a little over forty minutes, but they were moving as fast as they could. Every second counted. They knew us was strong, but no one could fight forever, not even him.


    Dave Arcadian, the leader of Arcadian City, was at the front of the charge, as always. He understood the stakes. His city, still under defensive construction, couldn''t withstand another attack, especially if the battle spilled over from the forbidden zone. That''s why he was racing toward the danger, his mind focused on both saving us and protecting the city.


    Alongside Dave, other Sages and powerful warriors moved with him. They knew the weight of what was happening. This wasn''t just about us. The entire Eastern Region could be affected if they didn''t stop whatever was happening in the Demon''s Abode.


    Across the region, warriors from various cities were heading toward the Forbidden Zone. Some were moving in armored vehicles, while others flew inbat helicopters. Those in the air had a clear advantage and would reach the Zone faster.


    But not everyone needed a vehicle. Some individuals were faster than jets, and one such person was the War Goddess Miriam.


    Far from the Demon''s Abode, she soared through the sky, moving faster than the wind could carry her. Her long ck hair flowed behind her as she sped toward the Zone. She wasing from Ross City, which is very far from the Demon''s Abode Forbidden Zone. But as soon as she received us''s distress signal, she didn''t hesitate—she rushed out, determined to reach him.


    "us, hold on. Big Sister ising," she muttered as she flew. Her mind drifted back to a painful memory—the Arcadian Mine Invasion. Back then, us had died in front of her, and she couldn''t save him in time. That moment had shattered her, leaving her filled with guilt and regret.


    us had been out for seventy-two days, and like everyone else, she had cried for him. It was strange for someone like her, known for being cold, ruthless, and emotionless. Yet, when us died, tears had fallen from her eyes. It was a rare sight, one that left everyone in shock, but no one judged or dare teased her.


    Now, as she sped toward us, she was determined not to let history repeat itself. She couldn''t bear to lose him again. Her heart wouldn''t survive another moment of failure, no matter how hard she tried to remain unmoved by us''s grins and shameless remarks. Deep down, he had found a way into her guarded heart.


    us had entered the deepest part of her heart. So she knew she wouldn''t be able to shake off the feeling of seeing him dead again in her arms.


    "Just hold on, us," she muttered again, pushing herself to fly even faster. She had to reach him in time this time around.