"What? A Lord has invaded your territory, and you had to go all-out to defeat him?" Michael asked with a teasing undertone, "That was about time. How did you even manage to spend a whole year without getting attacked or invaded?!"nove(l)bi(n.)com
Kaleb's lips parted as if he was ready to respond to Michael, but he shut his mouth a moment later when he heard Hiraku mumble behind him.
"Ridiculous. A 7-Star Soultrait alongside an Inheritance Technique, Legacy Arts, near-infinite resources, and he doesn't even have to face any powerful monsters or Lords for a year."
"Two years if we use the Origin Expanse's timeline," Frederik added.
Kaleb stared at the trio, his eyes narrowed to slits.
"Why are you teaming up against me?" He grumbled.
[You seem like an easy target, just like my brother~] Danny said in Michael's mind.
For once, Michael was happy that his brother couldn't use much origin energy in his current form. Danny's Living Soul was entwined with origin energy, but it was not enough to use Whispering Energy for a prolonged period. He would fall into a weakened state when using Whispering Energy for too long. Therefore, Danny didn't even think of wasting his precious bits of energy to talk to the others. Talking to Michael was enough for him.
"We're not teaming up against you," Michael retorted lightly, "It's just surprising that you weren't attacked until now. But that might be better for you. You have your family backing your territory development with resources. It's not the same in the Untamed Jungle. I had no resources and had to use the Untamed Jungle's resources to expand my territory. Only by dealing with the Lords and Awakened, who'd threatened to invade my territory, was it possible to grow this powerful."
Michael wasn't complaining. It was just that he never had much time to focus on his progress. He had yet to create custom Legacy Arts, Martial Arts, etc. The only time off he has had was during the last few months. Michael had been very busy with his territory and the creation of Soul Techniques, but he hadn't been attacked. His enemies were all dead, after all.
Michael imagined what would have happened if nobody attacked him for two years - Origin Expanse time. He was not sure how much weaker he would have been in that case.
Footsteps resounded behind Michael. The clattering of heels reached his ears.
Michael and his friends turned to the noise source and noticed Maria. She entered the arena, followed by her followers, Lincoln and Zeke.
"So, you're seriously trying to tell me you were serious when you said you'll resurrect your brother?" She asked loud enough for the others to hear.
"You wanted to resurrect your brother? Didn't he die a year ago? Is it possible to resurrect someone after such a long time?" Frederik asked, earning him a flick against the forehead from Hiraku.
"Oi, that hurt! What was that for?" Frederik complained, only to receive two more flicks against the forehead.
Frederik was about to grumble, but the others glared at him. They hardly ever saw someone as inconsiderate as Frederik, who was also a menace.
"Where do I start?" Michael asked himself lightly. He thought about it briefly before explaining what happened to his brother. He told his friends that Danny died in the Sacred Desert after a betrayal and that the Undead Pharaoh dealt the finishing blow. Michael continued by telling them about Masked Saber and how he died in the Lord Rift, exposing his identity as his brother moments before he was burned alive.
Michael had much to say, but the words escaped his lips like a broken dam. He didn't know how much time passed, but Michael finished explaining everything about the Miniature Coffin Keychain, Danny's Living Soul problem, and everything that had happened in the last few days.
Michael was comfortable talking about Evalynn Fang, Hesta, the Nest, and their family's Curse. He activated one Cursed Seal, resulting in the expansion of the Spirit Eyes' Stigma. The intricate pattern of the Cursed Seals covered most of his upper head. The pressure in the room intensified, and the Extraction Aura engulfing Michael grew stronger.
His friends sensed the tremendous power within the aura shrouding Michael and the change in his presence caused by the Cursed Seal.
"That...explains a lot," Zeke said, "But I have never heard about Curses like that. I know Soultraits that can Curse someone, but these curses are...different from this Curse."
Zeke pointed at the Cursed Seal and frowned deeply.
"Your family is messed up," Frederik merely said, earning another barrage of glares from the others.
[Frederik is a nice one. Keep this guy close to you. He will make sure that you're never bored.] Danny announced suddenly in Michael's head. Michael said nothing.