Evolving My Undead Legion In A Game-Like World

Chapter 276 Gloomshade Ravine

Mage Lian leaned back, folding his arms. ”Thereʼs nothing to worry about. The competition will only feature youths around your age.”

He didnʼt elaborate further, but Michael understood what he meant.

Unless another monster like himself showed up, this competition was already his to win.

Michael hadnʼt explored much of the Land of Origin yet, but judging by Lianʼs age and status, young grand mages were likely rare—perhaps even nonexistent.

Mage Lian saw the flicker of understanding in Michaelʼs eyes and gave a soft hum, pleased. Still, he continued, ”That said… the format is a tournament. The kind where matchups arenʼt decided by luck or chaos. The strong wonʼt fall to the weak due to unfortunate pairings. Itʼs structured. Layered. Designed to test different aspects at each stage.”

Michael raised an eyebrow. ”Meaning?”

”Meaning, Sir Mic,” Lian said, leaning forward, ”the competition wonʼt be a simple brawl. Itʼs a series of challenges. Duels, yes—but also trials. Puzzles. Team dynamics. Tactical simulations. Some may be public. Others… judged in private. Every round strips away more of the unworthy. By the end, only the most adaptable remain.”

Michael leaned back slightly, processing. ”So not just brute strength.”

”Exactly. Itʼs not enough to have power. One must know how to use it. When to reveal it. And when to hold back.” Lianʼs gaze sharpened. ”Youʼll face the pride of noble families. Heirs to knight houses. Young monsters trained in isolation. Some with strange blessings, some with bloodlines older than this kingdom. None of them will be as easy to read as common street thugs.”

Michael didnʼt flinch. ”Good.”

He then asked, ”when will the competition start?”

Mage Lian tapped his fingers thoughtfully on the table. ”Roughly a month from now,” he said, ”though the opening ceremonies and preliminary gatherings will begin sooner. Iʼd recommend you arrive at the capital at least a week early.”

Michael nodded. ”Understood.”

Lianʼs tone turned a bit more casual as he stood up and paced to the window. ”Since the competition is in the capital, it wonʼt be hard to find. Even if you tried to avoid it, the whole city will buzz with talk about it.”

Michael nodded then without stopping asked a question he was very interested in..

”Can I reject the dukeʼs daughter?”

”Huh?”

At first, Mage Lian could not believe the audacity of the youth in front of him.

But after thinking of his strength and realising he himself had status, the matter shouldnʼt be impossible right...?

”Just donʼt do it in public and collect the prices first,” Mage Lian later stated.

”Okay.”

”....”

ʼWhatever. The youth might change his mind after seeing the princess. Also, itʼs possible the duke himself might not accept Mic since thatʼs probably outside of his plan…..ʼ

ʼWhatever! As long as I get that potion!ʼ

After exchanging a few words with Mage Lian, Michael didnʼt stay for long.

Master Yuan was called back to lead him out of the core area back to the inner city.

Soon, Michael was back in the outer city.

He didnʼt stop and wonder and instead made his way to the Hunterʼs Guild.

Today he was going to take his last task in the iron hunter level.

The guild hall bustled with energy when Michael arrived.

Iron-ranked hunters milled about the open space, most in small groups, laughing, arguing, or resting with tired eyes and bruised bodies. Despite the chatter, Michaelʼs entrance didnʼt go unnoticed. A few glanced his way. Some quickly looked away. Others whispered behind half-raised hands.

”Sir Mic,” the receptionist greeted. In the entire guild, she was the one Michael was most familiar with. Her nameplate read ”Elira,” and she was known for her sharp tongue with newbies. But now, she smiled lightly. ”Youʼre here to register a mission, I presume?”

”Yes,” Michael replied.

Elira nodded and reached beneath the counter, pulling out a stack of mission boards specifically tagged for Iron-level clearance. ”Any preferences?”

”Something outside the city,” he said. ”Preferably alone.”

A moment of silence passed between them before she handed him a single sheet.

Michaelʼs gaze scanned the details:

> [Mission Type: Extermination]

Location: Gloomshade Ravine

Objective: Eliminate the Stonetusk Boar terrorizing border outposts

Threat Level: High Iron (Approaching Bronze)

Reward: 38 silver pieces.

Ohh and yes, Michael could read now.

He was not the best but thanks to his learning the past few days, he could now recognise several dozen characters.

Unfortunately his suspicion that he might be able to generate a skill didnʼt happen.

Michael nodded. ”Iʼll take it.”

”Youʼll need to sign the waiver,” Elira said, sliding the mission ledger forward.

He scribbled his name and took the stamped parchment without another word. With that, he turned and left.

---

Michael stared at the map in his hand, memorizing the route out of the capital with a calm confidence he hadnʼt possessed a few days ago.

The sprawling paths, the wilderness trails—none of it intimidated him anymore. He had adapted. With the help of Ace and Liaʼs guidance, navigating this world had become second nature.

This time, he didnʼt need them.

Getting out of the capital was easy. No one stopped him.

Once clear of the city, Michael paused in a quiet grove, rolled up the map, and summoned his undead griffin.

The undead griffin stepped forward.

With practiced ease, Michael mounted it.

As it launched into the air, wind whipping past his face, Michael stared ahead at the distant hills

The wind was a sharp contrast to the warmth of the capital, its cool bite invigorating him.

The undead griffinʼs wings beat in a steady rhythm as they soared high above the land, cutting through the sky with effortless grace.

Below, the world unfurled in vast, untamed beauty—forests, rivers, and mountains stretching to the horizon.

After a few minutes of flight, Michael spotted the Gloomshade Ravine below.

The landscape shifted dramatically—a jagged, rocky gorge carved deep into the earth, surrounded by twisted, skeletal trees that seemed to writhe in the wind.

The air here was thick with tension, as if the ravine itself held a long-forgotten grudge against the world.