Overlord could barely hold it together anymore. He didn't need to think twice to predict the outcome—it was inevitable.
And as expected, the worst came to pass.
The Momentary Epiphyllum, with its devastating explosion, tore through everything. The residents of Overlord's tribe were powerless to withstand it.
Although the bomb was said to have a smaller blast radius compared to the Rose, it was still potent enough to annihilate everything within the enclosed space.
Overlord knew this all too well. Desperately, he scrambled through the debris in search of the bone spear—his last lifeline.
Nothing.
Nothing!
He was utterly alone.
The only thing that could bring him solace now was the weapon that had saved his life before. Using every ounce of strength he had left, Overlord sifted through the mountain of shattered bones and ash, frantically searching.
Finally, amidst the wreckage, his trembling fingers found it—the bone spear.
It was in shambles.
Shattered into several jagged pieces, its once-brilliant white jade sheen had faded entirely.
By all accounts, it was no longer a weapon. Damaged beyond repair, it should've been worthless.
But Overlord didn't care. He clutched the broken spear tightly to his chest, as if embracing a lost loved one.
For what felt like an eternity, he held it close before loosening his grip slightly. Taking a deep breath, his scattered thoughts began to coalesce.
"I thought the worst would be the human using a restriction and vow, but I never imagined…"
His fist slammed into the pile of bones beside him, sending fragments scattering everywhere.
"Damn it!"
Overlord's fury erupted. His emotions had shifted, transforming him into a more volatile, unrestrained version of himself. This disaster had scarred him deeply.
After exhausting his anger, his breathing slowed, and his rationality returned.
"Hmph. That human probably planned to die with me. But he underestimated the resilience of an Undead Bone Demon—and the power of this spear. It's a shame I couldn't kill him myself, but no matter. If he's still alive, I'll make sure his death is slow and painful."
Despite his bravado, his gaze lingered on the broken spear, his expression conflicted.
"But at least the explosion shattered the blockade. Reaching the human world—the so-called Six Continents—might actually work to my advantage."
The thought brought a twisted smirk to his face.
"The human world… full of strange and wondrous things. A mere flower nearly destroyed me. I'll need to tread carefully."
He looked back at the broken spear in his hands, a flicker of determination in his eyes.
"I'll find a way to repair this. Once my strength and injuries recover, I'll set off for the human world. There's much to learn and conquer there."
He emphasized the word "learn," his tone laced with anticipation.
Suddenly, a calm, unassuming voice cut through the silence.
"Where are you planning to go?"
"The human worl—"
Overlord froze mid-sentence, his blood running cold.
Who had spoken?
And why did the voice sound so familiar?
His head snapped around, and his eyes widened at the sight before him—a figure he thought he'd never see again.
"I didn't expect the Undead Bone Demon to survive the direct blast of an Epiphyllum," said Ronnel, his tone almost admiring.
As Ronnel's gaze shifted to the broken spear in Overlord's hands, his expression softened, though his words carried a playful edge.
"It's broken? Did it shield you from the blast? No matter—it's still salvageable. A fine trophy, don't you think?"
Overlord's jaw clenched as he processed Ronnel's words. His body trembled with disbelief.
Impossible!
"No… There's no way! That explosion should've obliterated you! There's no way you survived!" Overlord shouted, his voice cracking as if volume alone could drown out his fear.
"You're right," Ronnel replied with a casual shrug. "I didn't survive. I was killed."
The words struck like a thunderclap.
Killed?
Overlord scrutinized Ronnel more closely.
His vitality, the warmth radiating from his body, the unmistakable aura of life—it was all there. Not only that, but his injuries were gone. The cuts on his cheek and shoulder had healed, and his complexion was healthy. Even his bloodstained clothes looked pristine.
Under that kind of explosion, not only had he survived, but he looked completely unscathed!
How?
How could this be possible?!
Overlord's mind raced, searching for answers. Finally, he croaked out the only question that came to him:
"You… Are you even human?"
For a moment, he considered asking if Ronnel was a ghost but stopped himself when he saw the shadow cast by Ronnel's feet.
Ronnel grinned, his white teeth glinting in the dim light.
"I wasn't lying—I really did die. But now?" He chuckled softly.
"I'm alive again."
------------
+335 chapters on patreon.com/FanficsHub