Since they were already chatting, Shadow Nine decided to say a few more words.
“When the battle kicks off, I’ve got someone to cut down. You’re on your own, kid.”
Mike rolled his eyes and nodded dismissively. Using a secret technique, the irritable Shadow Nine spoke in a different style.”
“By the way, Shadow Nine,” Mike said, pulling out an envelope and handing it to Guardian Shadow, “Just in case, I mean just in case something happens to me. There are some things I want to be taken care of in here. It’s kind of weird to say, but consider it my will.”
Mike had thought it through. This battle was no small matter. Even though he would only face Battle Chief-level enemies, a slight misstep could lead to his demise. He even used the Eye of Truth to gauge his survival probability. It was less than 85%.
If the worst happened, Mike wanted to be prepared. His personality was always like this—cautious yet bold, knowing when to charge and when to retreat.
“Why the hell are you writing this morbid stuff?” Shadow Nine’s anger was evident. “You like writing wills? How about I make it effective right now?”
“Calm down, calm down. Life is unpredictable. It’s always good to be prepared,” Mike said, sitting in a chair, counting on his fingers. “My exclusive space probably won’t last. As for assets, I have just under 30,000 Battle Lord merits. You and Maxen Stoneheart can split it.
Cain, that guy, find a way to give him a copy of [Wind’s Reach]. He doesn’t need to pay back the $16 million he owes me. If you have time, look after him. Let him live a peaceful life…”
Mike looked like a miser tallying his inheritance, counting every penny. Finally, he cursed, “Damn Abyssal Plane, I just started saving up, and now there’s a 15% chance I’ll die!”
Shadow Nine coldly replied, “Don’t worry. As long as Apollo is still in the Tower of Truth, your life won’t be in danger.”
Strictly speaking, Shadow Nine had been the protector for two Supreme Beings, with a 100% success rate. With Mike, there was likely no exception.
The two fell silent, the atmosphere heavy.
“Knock, knock, knock—”
“Mike, there are free burgers and hot dogs this morning. I just got them from Wolf’s Den, still hot!”
Outside the door, Kaelum held a large bag of food, an apple in his mouth. The door opened to a relaxed Mike, who naturally took the bag of food. “Is this really okay?”
Mike seemed to feel that taking free food wasn’t quite right.
“This is nothing. Yesterday, someone ordered a meal for ten thousand people using Wolf’s Den’s free offer. Isn’t that more excessive?”
Mike: …
Kaelum eagerly shared last night’s news with Mike.
“Mike, I saw Thor last night!”
“Really?”
“Really, I challenged Thor five times. I was just a ‘bit’ short of breaking his shield!”
Kaelum quickly finished the apple, his face animated. “When you get to the Fourteenth Floor, you must try fighting Thor! He masters wind, fire, and lightning elements. He’s a true genius, at least 30% stronger than me!”
Mike pondered and said, “Are you sure he’s only 30% stronger than you? And with my abilities, I probably can’t beat Thor’s projection.”
“No worries, nobody can beat him, hahaha…”
After breakfast, what was supposed to be Professor Gregory’s class turned into a history lesson about the Blood War. During the break, Cain pulled Mike into a corner.
“Mike, something big happened.”
“What big thing?”
Cain lowered his voice, “I reached level 60 last night and entered the change class realm. Just as Thor conquered the Fourteenth Floor with an SSSS rating, everyone got the chance to summon a projection. When I was about to lose, I summoned one…”
Cain swallowed, still shaken. “Guess who I summoned?”
Mike guessed boldly, “Thor?”
“No, a guy named Maxen Stoneheart! He’s really fierce!”
Mike: Really? I don’t believe it.
He looked pathetic when struck by lightning. Even more so when he couldn’t pay the bill.
Cain mimicked Maxen Stoneheart’s attack moves with his hands. “He only swung his weapon twice and killed the Wind Elemental King. In no time, he helped me raise my change class Exploration Rate to 80%, so…”
“So you got an SS-grade change class?”
Mike hadn’t expected that. Cain’s luck was impressive! Using Maxen Stoneheart to boost his Exploration Rate to 80%, and with the [Explorer] buff, achieving 90% Exploration Rate, equivalent to an SS-grade rating!
“Yes, but I have a question.”
Cain hesitated, “After my SS-grade change class, my class template added an element, leaning towards the soul element.”
Cain shared this secret with Mike without reservation.
“Mike, I’m debating whether to report it.”
“Of course you should.”
Mike didn’t hesitate. “You need to show your potential to get more resources and grow stronger, right?”
“But…”
Cain scratched his head, troubled. “I heard from Senior Kaelum that you should always keep something hidden.”
“They are them, and you are you. Look at Jessica. Why does her grandfather always boast about her S-grade talent? To get her more resources.”
Mike patiently explained, “Kaelum and the others already have plenty of resources—family background, talent, class—all top-notch. They have the luxury to hide their trump cards for a surprise attack. What do you have to hide? A ticket home next week?”
Cain stood there, stunned. Mike made sense! If he kept hiding things, he might end up hiding himself back home, which would be worse.
“You’re right!”
Cain nodded, no longer hesitating, and ran to Anderson, whispering something.
-Enjoy!
Mike turned to look out the window.
The sky was clear, with only one white cloud hanging in the sky.
…
Teaching Area C.
Blaze, Bob, and Carson were chatting when someone knocked and entered. The visitor was a first-tier Battle Soldier in a black uniform, with a fire cloud embroidered on the shoulder patch. Standing before the three, he saluted and asked,
“Blaze Morrow from Florida, corps identifier nJ: 1986blaze0057, Battle Chief, is this correct?”
Blaze Morrow stood up straight and saluted back, “Yes!”
“By order of the corps command center, your leave is terminated immediately. You are recalled to [Magmafist Corps] and must report to the designated coordinates within the specified time without fail!”
“Understood!”
The visitor left as quickly as he came. Blaze Morrow didn’t even say goodbye to his old friends and left with him. The other two hadn’t even sat down when more people knocked and entered.
“Carson, you are recalled to [Leafblade Corps], effective immediately!”
“Understood!”
“Bob, you are appointed as the third reserve deputy corps leader of [Hurricane Corps], effective immediately. Report to the Abyssal Portal immediately!”
“Understood!”
Similar scenes played out across the summer camp training base, no, across the entire Earth. Orders from the corps command center were swiftly executed, all serving the ultimate strategic goal.
Humanity, like a beast that had been dormant for years, had been resting and recuperating, gathering strength.
For nearly a century, it hadn’t shown its fangs or fought desperately. Until this moment, when the wind rose, it was truly awakened!
Bob Emberclad stepped out of the building, feeling the breeze on his face. It was oppressive and stifling, as if an emotion was slowly brewing, compressing, and condensing, ready to explode at the peak moment.
Bob Emberclad whispered to himself, then raised his head high and walked briskly to the designated assembly point, leaving his words in the wind.
“The wind is rising. Can the storm be far behind?”