Once their conversation wrapped up, Michael returned to his room.
He closed the door behind him and let out a quiet breath, his mind already shifting to his next course of action.
However, before summoning another undead to guard him while his consciousness was in the Land of Origin, he hesitated. A thought crossed his mind—he had planned to visit the Supers Association branch.
The cracks in the sky were still there, but they barely emitted any chaotic energy now, a stark contrast to before.
Something had changed.
Michael suspected the Federation had taken action, though he wasn't sure what exactly they had done.
He pondered for a moment, weighing his options.
In the end, he decided it was worth checking out—but only briefly.
He had no intention of wasting time. If he couldn't find Brian, he would head straight back home.
With his mind made up, Michael turned on his communicator and checked the time.
It was already late, but the Supers Association was always active.
He grabbed his jacket, adjusted his clothes, and, with one last glance at his room, stepped out into the night through his window.
The cool night air greeted him as he landed soundlessly on the deserted street.
Michael sharp gaze swept across the surroundings, taking in the eerie stillness.
The city, once teeming with life, now bore the scars of recent destruction.
Cracked roads, collapsed buildings, and scattered debris painted a grim picture of what had transpired.
Michael didn't linger.
With a slight flex of his legs, he vanished into a blur, dashing through the ruins at inhuman speed.
Streetlights flickered weakly, casting long shadows over the wreckage.
The wind howled between the skeletal remains of buildings.
As he moved, Michael's mind remained sharp, cataloging every detail.
Some buildings still stood but bore deep cracks, their foundations barely holding together.
The roads were uneven, marred by craters left behind by the battle.
However compared a few days ago, he saw no bodies, human or monster.
The Assiociaton must have cleaned up all the remains by now.
Despite his speed, Michael's steps remained silent, his senses stretched outward for any sign of movement.
He didn't stop. There was no reason to.
His destination was clear.
In just a few seconds.
Michael arrived at the Supers Association branch.
The building stood tall and imposing, its exterior still bearing the marks of the recent battle.
Michael slowed his pace as he approached, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding area.
The Association was still active, just as he had expected.
Even this late at night, people moved in and out of the building.
Michael didn't concern himself with the details and stepped through the entrance without hesitation.
The interior of the Association was brightly lit, a stark contrast to the city outside. The hum of conversation filled the air as personnel moved with purpose.
Ignoring the glances sent his way, Michael made his way toward the trade center. His pace was steady but deliberate. He had no intention of wasting time.
However, when he reached the counter where Brian usually stood, he was met with an unfamiliar face.
A woman, likely in her early thirties, looked up at him as he approached. She had sharp features, short dark hair, and an air of quiet authority about her.
Michael didn't recognize her.
"You're looking for someone?" she asked, her voice even.
"Teacher Brian," Michael said simply. "He's usually the one handling things here."
The woman's expression remained neutral. "King Brian is no longer in Woodstone City."
Michael frowned at the way she addressed him. King Brian? That was… unexpected.
He had never heard anyone refer to Brian in such a way.
The title itself was strange—he had only ever known the older man as "Teacher Brian".
Michael's sharp mind instantly caught onto something. King?
His thoughts came to a sudden halt as his eyes widened in realization.
He didn't dare assume. Instead, he asked, "What's his rank?"
The woman gave a small smile, as if amused by his surprise. "He's a King-rank expert now. All King-rank experts must be referred to as 'King,' just as Master-rank cultivators are called 'Master.' It's a matter of respect."
Michael processed the information, his thoughts running at high speed.
So Brian had advanced…
The strength he had seen in the older man—it was clear that Brian was no ordinary individual.
But to think he had reached King-rank?
That was a level far beyond what Michael had expected.
"So was that blue figure indeed Brian?"
A memory came to Michael head but he shook it a second later.
He kept his expression calm, though internally, he reevaluated what he knew about the man.
Still, none of this changed anything for him.
Brian wasn't here. That meant whatever business Michael had would have to wait.
He didn't feel free enough to ask anyone else around.
"I'll just search through the forum."
With a brief nod, he turned away from the counter. There was no point in lingering any longer.
However, just as he was about to leave, the woman spoke again.
"If you're looking for assistance with something, I can help," she offered.
Michael glanced back at her, considering.
For a moment, he debated whether to ask for information regarding Brian's whereabouts, but ultimately, he decided against it.
He had no reason to go searching for the man.
"It's nothing urgent," he said simply. "I'll handle it myself.
Without another word, he left the trade center.
Michael stepped back out into the night, his thoughts still lingering on what he had just learned.
The city remained quiet, the remnants of destruction serving as a silent reminder of the recent chaos.
He exhaled lightly, refocusing.
There was no point in dwelling on it.
Right now, there were other things to do.
It didn't take long for Michael to return to his room.
However after closing the windows he didn't immediately attempt to return to the Land of origin.
Instead he brought out his phone.