Chapter 299: Introduction

Less than a day after the battle at the cosmos had concluded, the breach of the asteroid belt had been sealed. While the aliens that still lingered on the surface of the inner planets remained, they weren’t going to be vastly increasing in numbers.

As such, it was safe to say that Michael and the crew had earned a well-deserved rest.

With Ava awakened from her slumber and displaying no side effects to speak of. She didn’t waste time sulking in bed, instantly getting up and beginning the day.

Ruby, who had been sleeping on Michael’s lap until recently, woke up as well and went after the petite woman.

“You really managed to revive Michael? How did you do that?” She asked, her tail swinging playfully from side to side.

Since Ruby’s saliva had healing properties, she began to express the desire to learn more about medical procedures.

As for Michael, with all weight lifted off his heart, he realized that he hadn’t checked the popularity status of their faction in a long time.

“Now is as good a time as any.” He mused. Upon exiting Ava’s room, his attention shifted to the comms device strapped to his wrist.

Instantly he was bombarded with several times more articles and videos than he expected.

[The Underdogs Strike Again!]

[The Surprising Rise Of The Indomitable Alliance And Their Mad Leader.]

[Breaking News: The Indomitable Alliance Is Now Considered Among The Top 10 Strongest Factions To Exist!]

[Ranking The Indomitable Alliance’s Members By Appearance (First Place Will Shock You!)]

Some of them were clearly made by Skylar and Luis in order to boost their popularity. However, like a snowball that was rolling down a mountain, once they gained momentum, it was virtually impossible to stop.

Not only was their faction trending above every other human force, but so were their individual names.

Out of sheer curiosity Michael searched up his name. Considering the nickname Demon which he had recently been branded with, he expected people to feel alarmed towards him.

Oh how wrong he was…

[Michael’s Relationship Status Exposed!]

[Shocking Conspiracy: Michael Is Seeing Multiple Women (So Yes, You’ve Got a Shot!)]

[Test if your horoscope is compatible with Michael!]

[Why I Am Not Denying Having Wet Dreams About Michael… And Why That Is Actually A Good Thing]

“…”

He shook his head with a sigh. It seemed that the more people feared something, the more they felt compelled to romanticize it.

Regardless, while he didn’t know if he should feel honored or concerned about the kind of attention he was receiving, at the very least it was safe to say that the majority of people had heard the name of his faction.

“Boss! Breakfast ready!”

Hearing Richard call out to him from the dining hall, Michael’s stomach suddenly growled in hunger.

Cultivators, like him, didn’t need to eat much, if any, food to sustain themselves. However, it was still advised to indulge in mundane activities such as this in order to remain connected to their humanity.

After all, if anyone understood the consequences of neglecting that connection, it was Michael… and it was not a mistake he intended to repeat in this lifetime.

He paced toward the pleasant aroma, finding everybody settled in their respective seats, waiting for him. Upon the table there were several exquisite dishes that, coupled with the appearance of the base, made them look like some kind of nobility.

’If one were to add classical music, we would like a royal family.’

A faint smile tugged at Michael’s face, the exhaustion that had been built up after waiting for Ava to wake up disappearing.

With a slight nod, he sat at the place reserved for him. Coincidentally, Victoria was on his right side while Claire was on his left one. Both were secretly smug that he sat next to them.

“You’d better be grateful!” Richard proclaimed with a grin. “No one else gets to enjoy a feast like this!”

Ava’s eyes swept across the beautifully woven cover of the table.

“Are you sure you didn’t go overboard? I doubt that we would be able to eat all of this.”

Instantly, Ruby shook her head, drooling at the sight.

“I assure you, there won’t be any leftovers!”

With the tension easing from the crew’s shoulders, they began to chat… About the recent battles, their newfound popularity, and briefly touched on that Ava was now fine.

In that moment Michael felt something tug his very soul.

’Finally…’ He thought, observing the people gathered.

He trusted them enough there was no need to hide.

Without hesitation, his lips moved.

“I did tell you about Malice, but I didn’t share how I was able to defeat such an opponent.”

The place turned silent upon Michael’s words.

Extending his hand forward, he summoned Devil in his sword form.

“You all know about my soul weapon, Devil’s Tongue… Well, it evolved into something more. Its new name is Devil.”

Upon the curious gazes of the crew, the sword shuddered.

In a second, its form turned into black liquid. Then faster than a beat, the liquid surged upwards, solidifying a second later.

The two-and-a-half-meter height of Devil loomed above everything except for Cyberfang.

Understandably, the view caused every breath to hitch. It wasn’t every day that they got to see a soul weapon turned into a monster out of a horror movie.

“Despite how he looks, thinks, talks, and acts, he can be helpful.” Michael spoke amidst the silence.

“He is still considered a soul weapon, now of the Mythic rank. While this information will inevitably spread, it would be best if we kept his existence under wraps for as long as possible.”

Wordlessly, Devil’s singular black pupil surveyed the crew, his gaze settling on the table.

A wide grin spread across his face as his long arm shot out, claws clamping around the leg of a whole roasted chicken.

’Not the chicken!’ Ruby cried internally, but it was already too late.

In one fluid motion, Devil lifted the food over his head, his jaw stretching to an impossible width.

Then, with terrifying precision, he dropped it into his maw. The rows of teeth snapped shut, crushing it in a single bite.

Satisfied, Devil’s gaze shifted to the crew once more.

“Nice to make acquaintances.”

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