Chapter 109: Chapter109-Lee Chong San

That's why I was certain that if he were here, things would have turned out differently...

I again sighed...

As Annihilation drew closer, stopping just a few meters away, it fixed its gaze on me...

My vision blurred, and I felt an overwhelming drowsiness wash over me.

My eyes struggled to stay open.

No...

Why am I thinking about sleeping now, of all times?

Forget about it

I looked up and locked eyes with Annihilation, who was watching me intently.

What happened? Why did they suddenly stop like that?

I couldn't figure out why he wasn't attacking; he could have taken me out easily at any moment.

The situation around me was odd, too...

All the Abominations nearby, whether just a few meters away or on another floor, had stopped moving and were staring at me.

It was like I was prey being observed, similar to how I'd look at a chicken.

I managed to stand up with the help of the wall.

And, strange thing was that...

Neither the bear nor the other Abominations made a move; they just stood still like statues.

I didn't know what was up with them, but I didn't focus on that.

I slowly took out six silver rank potions and drank them one by one.

I slowly started to make my way down the stairs, ignoring the Abominations around me.

My injured left arm began to heal, and I could feel the pain easing as the potions took effect.

When I reached the bottom floor, all the monsters including the bear finally movedbut not in the way I had anticipated.

Instead of attacking, they simply shifted their gazes to follow me.

Their faces, which had previously shown a predatory focus, were now turned in my direction, but the expression was drastically different...

"What's with that look?"

All the Abominations around me had their faces twisted in fear, as if they'd just seen a ghost.

These creatures, usually consumed by rage and bloodlust, were now paralyzed with terror.

It was bizarrethese monsters, who seemed unstoppable just moments ago, were suddenly scared out of their wits.

For a moment, I wondered if somethingor someonewas standing behind me, something so terrifying that it made these beasts cower.

The thought sent a chill down my spine, and I turned to look over my shoulder, half-expecting to find some horror lurking there.

Nothing...

But there was nothing, just the empty space behind me.

So, what were they afraid of?

I turned my gaze back to the battlefield, focusing on the mutant bearAnnihilation.

Just a minute ago, it had been staring me down with cold, predatory eyes, full of the confidence of a top predator.

But now, its face was contorted in a ugly mask of fear.

What could have changed so quickly?

I couldn't figure it out, and after a few moments of fruitless speculation, I decided to let it go.

There were more important things to worry about.

I checked my watch, narrowing my eyes as I noted the time.

---

**Name:** Michael Frostburne

**Total Rules Broken:** 1

**Current Rules Broken:** 0

**Time:** 6:50 p.m.

---

Ten more minutes

Then, I'll finally be free from this world.

Oh man, I've been waiting for this moment forever.

But no time for celebrating yetwhatever had scared the Abominations, I needed to use it to my advantage.

I moved cautiously, each step deliberate, as I made my way toward the place where I felt most secure.

It wasn't just any spot; it was a place where I knew I could turn the tables on these monsters with a well-thought-out plan.

I stopped in front of a gasoline station.

Yeah this was the perfect spot.

One spark, and the fuel could ignite, turning this place into a deadly inferno.

It was the kind of trap that could take out even the toughest of these creatures.

But to pull this off, I'd have to lure them here, and that was a risky move.

With all of them standing still like statues, I didn't want to do anything that might break their strange, frozen posture and draw their attention.

The last thing I didn't wanted to do was to provoke them and bring the whole horde down on me...

I quickly made my way to the small house within the gas station, likely once a shelter for the workers.

Without hesitation, I opened the door and stepped inside.

The room was sparse, almost desolatejust a single bed in the corner and little else.

Despite the eerie emptiness, I was too drained to pay much attention.

I walked over to the bed and sat on the edge, the weight of the day's events pressing down on me.

Taking a deep breath, I checked my watch.

**Time:** 6:51 p.m.

When will it finish?

The seconds seemed to crawl by, each one stretching endlessly.

I can't wait much...

The anticipation was almost unbearable, gnawing at me as I waited.

I don't know much about artifacts, but in my world, I've never read or heard of an artifact that could move on its own like this...

This was the first time I'd ever seen an artifact that could move on its own.

"What kind of mess have I gotten myself into now?"

Then, I noticed a figure seated on the throne.

Hmm? Who is that?

Cloaked in a deep, obsidian black, the figure had no visible features beneath the hood.

Is that a monster or a human?

I couldn't quite tell.

It was like looking at a void in the shape of a personno face, no identity, just emptiness.

Before I could say anything, the figure on the throne leaned forward and spoke in a calm, almost familiar tone, "Hey, Michael!"

I froze, confused.

"What?"

I stammered, my voice revealing my surprise. "No, wait! How do you know my name? We've never even met before."

The figure chuckled softly, the sound echoing through the mist. "I know you because you've read my biography," he said, his voice laced with mystery.

Biography?

His?

When did I even read that?

And wait! How does that answer my question?

How can he know me just because I read his biography?

I don't even know his name to begin with

My mind started to race. "Wait, who are you?"

The figure sighed, sounding disappointed that I didn't recognize him. "Huh? You really don't get it who I am?"

"No, I don't," I replied, feeling a strange mix of curiosity and unease.

"Really?" he asked, as if testing me.

I nodded slowly, "Hmm."

He sighed again, this time with a hint of frustration. "Michael, I thought you'd at least recognize me." After a pause, he added, "Lee Chong San."

When I heard the name, a shiver ran down my spine.

Eh? Lee? No way...

It echoed in my mind like a distant, significant memory.

He can't actually be him, can he?

He must be joking or something...

Yeah... That must be the case...

I didn't even believe his story when I first heard itI thought it was fake.

But

What if it's actually true?

Does that mean?

My eyes widened and my heart began to race as I reached an unbelievable conclusion.

No, wait!

Why am I believing him so quickly?

What if he's lying or just pretending?

There might still be a chance, right?

As I wrestled with my thoughts, he asked, his tone sharp yet calm, "Now, do you understand who I am?"

Hufff...

I took a deep breath to steady myself. "Why should I believe you?"

He looked confused and asked, "Hmm?"

I continued, "You don't even have a face. And how could you live for another hundred years?"

The figure remained silent, allowing my words to hang in the air.

I pressed on, demanding answers. "Okay, let's say I do believe youprove it! On the radio, you mentioned you were 47 at that time. Given when the outbreak happened, no one was a ranker back then, so almost everyone was wiped out. How did you survive? And why"

He cut me off with a wave of his hand, the gesture somehow commanding silence. "You ask many questions, Michael, but you're missing the point. Survival isn't just about strength or luck. It's about adapting, evolving... And I've had plenty of time to do both."

Evolving? Time?

So, he expects me to believe that he evolved into a faceless being with strength comparable to a top-tier Ace ranker?

That's absurd.

But, considering he created the virus, it could be possible But still, how did he get enough time during the monster outbreaks when people were constantly turning into monsters?

And how did he even manage to evolve?

There's no historical record of humans evolving into something like this.

Even though humanity has its own theories about evolution, it's well-known that when any person advance to higher ranks, their strength increases within those specific rank ranges...

And, lastly, trust

I still don't entirely trust him or believe what he's saying.

I clenched my fists, trying to mask the unease creeping up on me. "But still, why should I trust you? For all I know, you could be lying."

The figure leaned back on the throne, a low chuckle escaping him. "Ah, Michael Trust is such a fragile thing, isn't it? But I'll prove it to you, in due time. For now, just remember: I know you better than you know yourself."

A heavy silence followed, his words sinking deep into my mind.

What?

He knows me better than I know myself?

What does that even mean?

This is getting really confusing.

He's just making things more and more confusing as time goes on.

The mist around us seemed to grow thicker, almost suffocating.

"Do you really want to know how I survived, Michael?" he asked, his voice dropping to a whisper that sent chills down my spine. "It's not a story for the faint of heart. But if you're ready, I'll tell you everything including how you fit into all of this."

I hesitated, my instincts screaming at me to run, but something held me backcuriosity, perhaps, or the strange pull of the figure's words. "I'm listening," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Good," he replied, the shadowy form of his face somehow conveying a twisted sense of satisfaction. "Then let's begin with the truth, Michael the truth about who I am, who you are, and the future that awaits us both."