Bro, I'm not an Undead!

"Many of you are as afraid as you are inspired by your new powers. You don't have to worry about the possible dangers. This Territory will remain active as long as I live, and as long as I live, you may come running into its embrace for safety when you are running out of strength. That is my third assurance for all of you."

Everyone had no choice but to believe it. After all, right after her declaration, the names of everyone here were branded onto the empty plaques on the houses within the Territory; the experts felt a connection to the house their name fell on. It was almost a tangible feeling – a reassurance that could be grasped by the soul.

Vali grinned. As did Maxim.

"Well, that's more than reassuring, isn't it?" the former said, relishing in her throbbing potential. Her body was so excited to let loose its new unseen gains that she could hardly contain herself.

Maxim merely gleamed like a gem. Her body had changed in all the right ways.

Pherdanta nodded.

"Glad to hear it. There's no more reason for us to stay clumped up. You know your formations and your objectives. We incapacitate the Cavern while watching for any changes. The bulk of that duty falls to me, of course. We might have just come here at the perfect time," she said. "Remember. No killing. Consider that extra layer of difficulty as a chance to sharpen yourselves. Effective non-lethal force is a far better teacher of finesse than lethal force."

Everyone acknowledged, and in a blink, they began escaping Pherdanta's Territory. Once they left its bounds, their colours were restored, and they split into organised, efficient groups.

Shura Desmonn, Illyinni Wolverik and Vali Kinn led a few dozen of the experts.

Agnees Kudobtu – who had brought along fifty of the experts from her own House – Maxim Flatbed and Braxten Shannazah led another group of experts in a different direction.

More of these common experts were led by ten of the Stark Troops Pherdanta had brought along, and rest of them followed after the remaining Stark Troops in addition to the ever-silent Rudus Morde.

Silrat was partnered with Ferex and no one else. Well, it just so happened that at the moment, they were one and the same. Silrat was wearing Ferex like armour. The Apostle had shrunk to fit the former Guilds Association Head.

It was as of yet not the most comfortable experience for Silrat, evidence by how he was…

"ARGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!"

…screaming loudly as they fell from the great height and onto the shore adjacent to the where the massive halberd could be seen.

At once, one of the Cavern standing guard lanced Silrat with a glare that could kill, and began slowly walking towards him.

"Uh, Ferex…" Silrat said, sweating.

"Don't worry. Imagine anything you wish – envision how you wish to fight the enemy – and I will bring that power into reality. Don't hold back. I won't either. There is no room for struggling even against an opponent as mighty as this," Ferex said to the man, the eyes on his helmet glowing bright. "Do not hesitate."

Silrat gulped a dozen times in a mere five seconds. That might have been just what he had needed because his composure swam to him at once.

"Alright then. I've seen a lot of talents over the years. I just have to emulate what made them powerful," he said to himself. "Right?"

"Exactly."

Meanwhile, as soon as Illyinni, Shura, Vali and their small army landed on the sullen ground, enemies rushed to receive them. They almost seemed to warp around them, already lined in a shrewd formation.

The intruders weren't the least bit intimidated though. They were all excited.

Maxim, Agnees and Braxten were also immediately swarmed, but Maxim was ready. She looked stunning now. Her face spotted glowing, high cheekbones, fuller lips, a perfect nose and a daring slant to her eyes. Her hair had gotten a brighter shade of pink, and grown longer.

But of course, the greatest change of her all (on the outside) was her plump chest and wider hips. Goodness knew how long she'd been waiting to upgrade herself like this. Well, before today, she hadn't even thought it possible.

The Flatbed Family genetics had been compromised to a detriment when Maxim's ancestor developed Planate High. All women in the Family failed to develop breasts, or at least optimal and functional ones. Besides attractiveness, this impacted their very nature as mothers since suckling their children became… yeah.

But Maxim had gotten rid of that curse. And on top of that…

'The results are great so far. I have altered all the existing plates I gave to everyone. They only need to think of using the slashes they have in stock and Planate High will sense their intent, release the slashes from stasis and direct them to the intended target. It will be like they are throwing the slashes themselves.' The pink-haired woman grinned.

A trickle of blood ran down her nose. She wiped it away.

'It's a strain on my body, but not my mana. I'm surprised by how cost-effective Planate High has become. That wolf was right. These changes are significant! I can't wait to use it myself!' she thought.

And indeed, the changes were significant, as Ferex said they would be. Everyone was tasting the veracity of his assurance in real time.

Even Pherdanta couldn't help but smile as she walked on the air, her Territory following around her.

"You don't seem all too pleased like the others," she said to the one person who remained in her Territory.

"Why would I be? This is not some extravagant opportunity for me to grow, as it is for you and the others. This is merely my extravagant penance," said Guissepo, his eyes lifeless.

"Why do you feel like those two things can't be one and the same?" Pherdanta asked him.

Guissepo turned to her with a frown, but before he could retort, the Unlimited Star turned sharply towards what was ahead, beyond Cogent Stark Order.

Something had appeared just outside the Territory boundary, floating in the sky.

It was a vile-looking creature, grinning, utter confidence glowing in its eye.

"What a formidable power," Ashema said, and he reached forward with a finger as though to touch the edge of the Territory. He stopped an inch short. "Who is it that graces me, Lord of the Under, with their intrusion?"

At once, the hard shell of the Territory turned translucent and Ashema was able to see Pherdanta looking back at him from many, many kilometers away with a brow raised.

"You? Lord of the Under?" she said condescendingly, not bothering to question why the Cavern could speak the Common Tongue.

Ashema laughed.

"Yes," he said. "I am Ashema, Seventh General of Boron. I'll offer you that courtesy at least, intruder. You have a look and feel like mine – a leader's air. Would you share your name? I doubt I will remember it though."

Pherdanta's expression didn't change.

"I see. Well met, Ashema. I am Pherdanta, Commander of the Stark-Soul Order, an anomalous brigade under a man whose name you are not fit to learn or speak. I too will likely have forgotten your name by dawn. Rest assured."