Evolving My Undead Legion In A Game-Like World

Chapter 1136: Approaching Troubles

”My goodness…”

Without waiting for either of them to react, Aunt Mia grabbed both Michael and Lily by the shoulders and pulled them closer.

”Let me see.”

She first held Lilyʼs cheeks between both hands, turning her face from side to side.

”Are you hurt? Did anything happen? Does anything hurt?”

Before Lily could answer, Aunt Mia was already checking her arms. Then her shoulders. Then her forehead. Only after confirming there wasnʼt a visible wound anywhere did she hurriedly turn toward Michael.

”And you.”

She gently held his face as well.

”Are you injured anywhere?”

Michael felt the familiar warmth coming from her hands. For a brief moment, he simply enjoyed it.

Though he had only been a supernatural for barely more than a year and had grown so powerful, reality had shown him that this world of swords and magic wasnʼt a peaceful place.

This simple concern from his aunt felt strangely comforting.

”Iʼm fine, Aunt.” He smiled reassuringly. ”Not even a scratch.”

Only then did Aunt Mia let out a relieved sigh.

Lily, meanwhile, puffed out her cheeks.

”Mom… Iʼm not a child anymore. You donʼt have to keep checking my face like that.”

Aunt Mia immediately pinched one of her cheeks.

”Youʼll always be my child.”

Lily groaned.

”Moooom…”

Michael couldnʼt help smiling at the scene.

Aunt Mia finally released Lily before looking between the two once more, as though still trying to reassure herself they were truly safe.

Michael then asked,

”You came back earlier than usual.”

Normally, at this time Aunt Mia would still be at her restaurant.

Aunt Mia smiled awkwardly.

”I couldnʼt focus.” Her expression softened. ”After the two of you disappeared, I kept worrying. No matter what I tried to do, I couldnʼt stop thinking about it. So I decided to close early.”

She shook her head helplessly.

Before Michael could respond, Jester spoke in its calm, emotionless voice.

”I concluded that continuing to work would have been detrimental to Aunt Miaʼs health, so I suggested that we return home. I also recommended getting some ingredients so that food would be available upon your and Lilyʼs return.”

Aunt Mia laughed softly.

”I didnʼt actually think youʼd come back this soon.”

Michael glanced sideways at Jester. The undead stood motionless, its expression unchanged. However, Michaelʼs eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.

Did it… use its Law?

Jester possessed a very unique law. Thanks to its evolution a few months ago pushing it into Rank Four, its understanding of that law had grown considerably stronger.

Predicting an approximate time of arrival didnʼt seem entirely impossible.

Almost as though sensing Michaelʼs gaze, Jester calmly turned its head toward him. The two stared at each other for a brief second.

Jester remained perfectly expressionless. Michael likewise said nothing. Whether it truly had used its Law or had simply made a logical deduction, he couldnʼt tell. Nor did he ask.

Michael eventually looked away. As long as Jester continued protecting Aunt Mia while he was away, he had no complaints.

In truth, although his second body remained on standby in case of emergencies, Michael had deliberately kept it hidden from everyone. The current period was simply too sensitive.

For the first time in history, every awakener across the universe had simultaneously been transported into another world.

During such a period, if his clone were suddenly seen moving around Aurora while everyone knew Michael himself should have been gone, it would only create unnecessary complications from those looking to exploit the situation.

The fewer people who knew, the better.

At present, only Jester knew that his second body remained active outside the Origin Battlefield. Even Aunt Mia had been kept completely in the dark.

The same applied to those secretly watching over the apartment. Michael had sensed them the moment he returned.

There werenʼt many. A small number belonged to the academy. The rest were individuals specifically assigned by the Federation to watch over his family because of him. Though the public statement was protection, Michael knew the Federationʼs interest in him was far from purely selfless.

After everything Michael had accomplished over the past year, his importance had risen to a level where the academy and several influential figures, many he had yet to even meet, were unwilling to underestimate him.

With the recent matter of the Universal Cornerstone, he could already foresee a wave of visitors arriving soon. He needed to start making preparations.

But compared to what was coming immediately, Michael was more wary of what would follow once other people began claiming Cornerstones of their own.

Unless someone possessed means similar to his, Michael was almost certain a single individual couldnʼt claim a Universal Cornerstone alone. A strong force, or multiple forces working together, would likely be necessary.

Even so, it probably wouldnʼt take long. When enough awakeners began to understand what a Universal Cornerstone was truly capable of, that was when the real battle over ownership would begin.

”You two should sit down.”

Aunt Mia suddenly remembered the shopping bags still sitting on the floor. ”Youʼve only just come back. You must be starving.”

Without waiting for an answer, she bent to pick them up again.

”Iʼll make lunch.”

Lilyʼs eyes immediately lit up.

”Iʼm starving!” She rubbed her stomach dramatically.

Aunt Mia laughed as Michael chuckled quietly beside her.

Jester calmly stepped forward.

”Let me assist.”

Aunt Mia instinctively shook her head.

”Thereʼs no need. I can manage.”

However, Jester had already taken several of the heavier bags from her hands.

”It will be faster.”

Aunt Mia hesitated before smiling helplessly.

”…Alright.”

The two walked toward the kitchen together.

Watching the scene, Michael couldnʼt help but feel a sense of peace. The house hadnʼt changed. The familiar atmosphere remained exactly the same.

For just a brief moment, the bloody battles of the Origin Battlefield felt unimaginably distant.

But only for a moment.

Michaelʼs gaze unconsciously drifted toward the window. Beyond those peaceful streets, the world had already changed.

Millions, perhaps billions, of awakeners had returned today carrying experiences similar to his own.

Starting from today, the world would never be the same again.

This was only the beginning.