"I want to ask of the Association current thoughts on these cracks," Michael said.
Since the other party preferred to get straight to the point, Michael, who also appreciated this direct style of conversation, immediately jumped to what was on his mind without any unnecessary detours.
Though part of his mind was distracted by the fact that he was floating mid-air without assistance, Michael forced himself to stay calm.
He could feel a strange mana signature all around him and could only assume it was Brian using one of his techniques to keep him afloat.
While he spoke, thoughts of just how strong Brian might truly be lingered in his mind as he waited patiently for an answer.
Fortunately, he didn't have to wait long.
"We'll handle the cracks; don't worry," Brian said slowly and deliberately, pausing before continuing.
"We've called for help from other Associations to send more King-rank experts since they're the only ones capable of dealing with this. The request has been confirmed, so there's no need for you to worry. You won't be called to fight—not that you're capable of contributing much anyway."
Michael's eyelid twitched.
For a moment, he wondered if Brian was simply trying to reassure him or if he was subtly insulting him.
Either way, he couldn't deny that the words brought some relief.
However, Michael wasn't done yet.
He still had a few doubts lingering in his mind.
Fortunately, since Brian had answered his first question, it seemed he was willing to entertain a few more.
And indeed, that turned out to be the case.
"So, let's say reinforcements do arrive. Even then, when the monsters come out of the cracks, it might not be the monsters that destroy the city—it could very well be the shockwaves caused by those King Rank experts fighting them," Michael said calmly.
Michael's mind flashed to the mysterious figure bathed in blue flames he'd seen earlier.
If the monsters in the crack were as strong as that figure—who he believed could level the city with ease—then the city's survival seemed grim.
The sky wasn't enough to protect those below, especially if the shockwaves from such clashes were as devastating as he imagined.
"You don't have to worry about that," Brian interjected, reading Michael's thoughts.
"If you could think of it, the Association has naturally accounted for it already."
Michael blinked, feeling the faint sting of what he suspected might be another subtle insult.
However, Brian's indifferent expression showed no malice, as though what he had just said was entirely neutral.
"Just because a crack is close to breaking doesn't mean it can't be stopped entirely, or at least delayed," Brian continued.
Michael felt like he'd stumbled upon something profound.
"Didn't you say before that nothing could stop a crack from appearing unless they were a god?"
"I did," Brian confirmed.
"And I stand by that. I've never heard of a King Rank or even an Emperor Rank cultivator preventing a crack from appearing. But no one said you couldn't close it after it appears."
"Oh, you might think this is common sense since crack clearing is something you're familiar with—you've even cleared a few yourself," Brian began, his tone calm but deliberate. He gestured toward one of the cracks around them.
"But what I'm talking about here isn't normal cracks. I'm talking about cracks —ones close to breaking."
Michael immediately caught on.
If he wasn't mistaken, Brian was implying there was a way to deal with the monsters in these cracks before they emerged.
A spark of realization flickered in Michael's mind.
"Cracks can still be entered even if they're close to breaking," Michael ventured.
"Yes," Brian confirmed. "The issue isn't entering. The problem is the monsters inside. They aren't just more numerous than those in regular crack clears—they're also near the strength limit of the crack itself. However, since these cracks are somewhat artificially created, the monsters' numbers aren't overwhelming, and their strength is at the lower end of what this crack can handle."
Hearing this explanation, the pieces finally fell into place for Michael.
Without Brian needing to say more, he understood the Association's plan—to deal with the cracks from the inside while minimizing the damage to the city below.
Feeling slightly more at ease, Michael turned his attention to another curiosity.
He hesitated, unsure if he should speak, but under Brian's gaze, he finally did.
"The scar on your face… it's gone. And not just that…"
Michael trailed off, glancing at Brian's hair, now jet black, and his youthful appearance.
He wanted to ask when Brian had dyed his hair or why he seemed so much younger.
Unfortunately, he didn't get the chance.
"Alright, it's time for you to leave," Brian said abruptly, cutting him off. "Some old fogies are already arriving."
"Old fogies? What do you mean—"
Before Michael could finish his sentence, he found himself standing in a dark alleyway.
There was no sign of Brian anywhere.
"He really does things at his own pace, doesn't he?" Michael muttered.
There was something else Michael had noticed about Brian.
The threatening aura Brian had always exuded seemed to have vanished.
Back in midair, a man and a woman appeared before Brian.
Both looked to be in their early thirties, but anyone familiar with them knew these two had centuries behind them.
Being over 200 years old in Aurora didn't necessarily mean someone had lived through the start of the Dark Age.
There were places in the universe where time moved faster.
Take the void between realms, for example.
In the worst cases, a day in Aurora could equate to 30 years for a powerful cultivator traveling through the void.
Good day, beautiful readers! It's almost the end of the month, and after checking the ranks, I've set a new goal for our book: finish the month in the Top 10 In Golden Tickets Ranking! If we can achieve it, I'll do a mass release of ten chapters! Please cast your votes for the book. Your support is what drives me forward!