Undying Warlord

Dilan had no idea how to extract graphene from the graphite vein. That was why he cut out chunks of the graphite he found using [Mana Slash] with little Mana.

Afterward, the others had rested enough to grasp bags filled with forging materials. Merely an hour later they emerged from the Gate and returned to the Rian mountainside hospital.

None of the returning members expected anyone to be awake because they knew that it was early in the morning long before the sun would rise over the horizon.

But what they encountered were numerous survivors, who had gathered in large groups to console each other, with Williams and his people continuing to keep them in a calm state.

Not only Dilan was confused at this sight but also Kathrine, which was why she approached one of the Elite Combat unit's members.

"Why is everyone wide awake, and looking as if they barely survived a catastrophe?"

Her question was straightforward but the man, whom she had asked this could only flick his head toward her in annoyance, not noticing who he was speaking to.

"How the hell do you not know what happened?! Were you asleep unti–...." The young man realized only at the end that he was speaking to Kathrine, and that she and everyone behind her was soiled and dirty from head to toe.

They looked almost as if they had spent the last few hours rolling around in the dirt.

At first, he didn't understand why they were dirty but after he thought about it for a second, the young man's back straightened in an instant before he looked at Kathrine apologetically.

"I'm sorry for not recognizing Porter-Leader Kathrine! If I insulted Ma'am, I would like to apologize as well…it is just that everything is a little bit messy…."

The young man wanted to continue apologizing and say more about the tense atmosphere of the entire hospital.

However, that was something everyone could already feel, so it was not necessary to waste their time speaking about it.

"Get to the point." Dilan said as he stepped forward, and looked at him with his ice-cold eyes.

He was extremely tired right now but he could tell that there was no time to sleep…not yet, at least.

"L-Leader! Yes-s Sir, I will get to the point!" Trying to find the right words, the young man struggled to speak for a moment.

If the tense atmosphere was already burdensome to the young Ascender, Dilan's presence was manyfold worse.

However, after some time, he got a grip on his emotions, allowing him to explain what had happened.

"So something must have happened in the mountainside, otherwise there wouldn't be a hasty mass-relocation of all, or most monsters within the mountain…"

Even if this sounded like a problem, Dilan's calm demeanor prevented Kathrine and the others, who got to know about the incident for the first time, from getting anxious.

Dilan didn't think that the current situation was highly problematic. After all, a single Tier-2 existence might have caused the incident.

That would be quite annoying but Dilan would be able to handle it in the future.

'As long as I have enough time to become stronger, there shouldn't be a problem.'

Feeling desperate in the situation that unfolded right in front of him was not helpful; neither for him nor the people around him.

He forced his raging emotions to calm down and freed his mind to think about the situation at hand.

"How strong did you say were the strongest fleeing monsters?"

The young man didn't know an answer to Dilan's question but it was at this moment that Old Jeff and Williams approached them.

It was not difficult to see Dilan, let alone sense his imposing presence amongst the large group of frightened survivors.

Thus, Williams and Old Jeff approached them with fast steps.

Only when Williams reached next to Dilan did he stop before leaning closer to him as he mumbled,

"The strongest monster I perceived should have exceeded the natural limits of a Tier-1 existence!"

Williams had heard Dilan's question and he knew that a clear and precise answer was necessary for Dilan to assess the mountainside's danger.

As expected, Dilan frowned deeply the moment he heard his answer.

If monsters comparable to ordinary Tier-2 existences were fleeing from the mountainside, the dangers within the mountainside were even higher.

That was quite unexpected, which was why even Dilan had not been able to control his expressions.

However, there was nothing he could change about the given situation.

If they were to relocate right now as well, their entire group of more than 600 Survivors would be annihilated in an instant.

There were thousands of powerful monsters, who were currently relocating in the surrounding area of several kilometers as well, after all.

Dilan was confident of surviving by himself but if they were to relocate to a safer location with hundreds of people at once, the majority would die.

That was something Dilan was certain about. He could only knit his brows and scrunch his face even more as he imagined several scenarios that could occur the moment all of them would leave the hospital at once.

It would be a bloody feast, and not in favor of their group.

Dilan shook his head to rid his mind of all the bloody scenarios that were imprinted in his mind.

He turned to Old Jeff before smiling faintly.

"How many days do you need to create the strongest Serpentine Blade if I provide all resources, including Silver Tier-1 Essence crystals, and the Orb of Pyromancy?"

Dilan knew that the fastest way to increase his strength was to collect more equipment.

Some pieces of equipment possessed great enhancements in terms of additional status points while other extremely rare pieces of equipment even had abilities integrated in them.

As they had no idea how to procure more abilities, the ability-integrated pieces of equipment were of exceptional value.

But for Dilan, who had yet to learn more about the abilities he already possessed, this was not important.

Instead of focusing on ability-based equipment, having overwhelming stats and a weapon that could cut through everything was far more important.

Thus, he believed that he shouldn't be stingy in collecting Essence crystals. After all, the Serpentine Blade might as well become his last resort in the future!

Dilan looked deep into Old Jeff's eyes. The seriousness in Dilan's body language, followed by the pressure created by Dilan's question made him think about an answer.

If Old Jeff were to be honest, he was not confident in forging the Serpentine Blade on the first try. The said Serpentine Blade was merely an ordinary one and not the modified one Dilan wanted to obtain.

Thus, Old Jeff bit on his lower lip while his mind was running wild.

The memories about the flood of darkness, which, in fact, had been the huge mass of fleeing beasts, were still apparent in his mind.

Everyone felt the same about this flood of darkness that had emerged suddenly and without a warning.

They were afraid of the unknown but that was only obvious because the unknown was, almost every single time, extremely dangerous, and that was even more so the case after the Primordial Ascension.

Something dangerous was about to happen and Dilan chose to trust Old Jeff to create the strongest possible weapon they were currently able to produce with his knowledge and available raw materials.

Through that, it would be possible for Dilan to fight against all the dangers that may or may not reach the hospital and his group of Survivors!

Clenching his fist and gritting his teeth, Old Jeff grew determined to not fail Dilan as he knew that it was not possible for Dilan to carry all the responsibility by himself.

He needed others to help him as well, even if it was merely the support from the sidelines.

That was the reason Dilan had nurtured Old Jeff…to support him, to help him become stronger in order to protect and to fight.

'If such a greenhorn has been giving his all for so long, I cannot act like a coward!! What am I even scared of? It's just blacksmithing, and I love forging!

What is the problem with one more challenge?!? I will just overcome it!!'

Old Jeff's mind was running wild and slowly but steadily a confident smile emerged on the old man's face. He returned Dilan's gaze after some time before taking a deep breath.

"Four days…give me four days, and I will create the strongest weapon you've ever wielded!!"