Mike landed among them like a descending blade.

The moment his boots touched the cracked street, several masked fanatics turned—too late.

Slash.

Slash.

Two heads fell before alarms could even be raised.

The awakened fighters stared for a split second, then recognition flashed across their faces.

"It's him—!"

"Don't stop! Push forward!"

Mike moved ahead of them, Emerald Heart humming as it cut through corrupted mana and flesh alike. Compared to what he had already faced, this was only a Rank 3 zone. There were no true elites here—just fanatics drunk on borrowed power.

They didn't stand a chance.

A fanatic lunged at him, veins glowing red.

Mike didn't even slow.

One clean strike split the man from shoulder to waist.

Another tried to regenerate—

Black flame flared.

The body collapsed into ash before it could scream.

Within minutes, the battlefield tilted completely. Wherever Mike passed, enemies dropped in seconds. Fear spread among the remaining fanatics faster than any command.

"Fall back—!"

"Run—!"

Mike raised his hand.

"Shadow Domain."

Darkness folded outward—not violently, but smoothly, like a curtain being drawn.

This wasn't a combat deployment.

It was sanctuary.

Shadows expanded across the streets, swallowing civilians and wounded fighters who couldn't continue. Those pulled inside didn't feel fear—only calm.

Inside the Shadow Domain, the space was vast, almost city-like.

Healers were already moving.

Support-type awakened knelt beside the injured, light and restorative magic flowing freely. Supplies appeared from storage skills. Orders were given. People worked together instinctively, as if this place itself encouraged cooperation.

Mike's Shadow Domain had evolved.

At Rank 2, its total area now exceeded 30 kilometers—a massive hidden city contained within darkness. When used fully in battle, it compressed into a lethal 30-meter combat domain, but when unfolded like this, it became a refuge.

A safe haven.

Outside, Mike finished the rest himself.

One fanatic tried to flee.

Mike appeared in front of him.

"Too late."

A single strike ended it.

Silence followed.

"Those who can't fight can enter my Shadow Domain," Mike said calmly. "It's a vast space—you can rest there safely."

Many nodded as they watched him do it again and again.

It wasn't always Mike himself—sometimes it was his shadows—but to them, the difference didn't matter. The enemies fell all the same.

Once everyone who couldn't fight had entered, Mike closed the Shadow Domain.

Only a few remained outside—mostly youths like him and a few middle-aged men who could still stand.

Mike looked at them and said, "You guys should stay here. I'll be heading to the next location."

They nodded, understanding.

Without waiting, Mike turned and left, moving toward the Rank 1 and Rank 0 zones—where help might be needed.

The Rank 1 zone was already burning.

Collapsed buildings littered the streets, smoke rising in thick pillars as sirens wailed somewhere in the distance.

Though this place wasn't in danger, contrary to what Mike had expected, there were many powerful awakened here—along with small children. Most likely, parents had brought them to see the far more beautiful and docile creatures that usually inhabited this rank zone, creatures that were considered safe and even educational.

"There are even Rank 5 and 6 awakened here…" Mike muttered, looking around in disbelief. Most of the masked fanatics were already dead, their bodies scattered across the ruined streets.

He raised his voice.

"Everyone—come here. You'll be safe."

He opened his Shadow Domain, darkness unfolding like a protective veil. People hesitated at first, staring at him in shock.

"That's a housing-type zone!" one man shouted, realization flashing across his face. "Everyone—get the children there!"

The order spread instantly.

Groups formed, guards tightening their formation as they escorted civilians. Children were lifted into arms, shields raised as the remaining masked fanatics tried desperately to stop them.

They failed.

Every fanatic who rushed forward was cut down by the awakened defenders, the protection of the group unbroken. One by one, children and civilians were guided into the Shadow Domain.

Unlike the lower-rank areas, this place was different.

Most of the fighters here were Rank 4 and above—experienced, disciplined, and powerful. They didn't panic. They fought back with grim focus, holding the line while the evacuation continued.

"If anyone else wants to enter, you can," Mike said after seeing that all the children had been safely escorted inside.

A few glanced at him, then nodded and stepped into the Shadow Domain. The rest stayed behind, choosing to fight alongside their comrades against the remaining fanatics.

Seeing this, Mike turned away.

They didn't need him here.

The same was true in the Rank 0 zone. He helped escort the children there as well, ensured the civilians were safe, and then left without lingering. Shadow and the others were already handling the higher-priority battles.

Mike emerged from the Origin Zone and looked around.

The city was engulfed in war.

Explosions echoed in the distance. Buildings burned. The sky itself seemed torn apart by clashing powers.

"Damn… why are these fanatics so hell-bent on this place?" Mike muttered.

He looked up.

High above, Rank 6 awakeners were fighting.

All he could see were blurs—golden light, black shadows, flashes of white and crimson colliding again and again. The air trembled with every exchange.

"I guess those are the top dogs on both sides," Mike said quietly, watching the battle unfold.

A chill swept through the air.

Dark mana coalesced beside him.

"Kekekeke~"

Jace, the Mythical Lich, emerged from the shadows, skeletal robes fluttering as necrotic energy pulsed around him.

"So much death," Jace laughed softly, eye lights burning brighter. "And such delightful totals… the fanatics are truly generous today."

Along with him, the others emerged as well—Lily, Shadow, Roselia, Cryace, Inferna, and the Doppelgänger, Slade.

"Is the Origin Zone cleared out?" Mike asked.

Lily nodded calmly. "Yes. My undead took care of everything."

Mike had no doubt about that. Who could possibly stand against tens of thousands of Death Lords and Liches? Those undead represented the pinnacle of physical and magical might. In sheer numbers alone, they were enough to overwhelm even Rank 7 or Rank 8 beings with ease.

Liches flooded the battlefield with layered debuffs—curse upon curse—while the Death Lords charged through it all, finishing whatever remained.

It was never a battle to begun with but a one sided massacre.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.