Chapter 484 - 224: The Hero Race

Li Ziyu emerged from the Undead Fortress and walked forward. Neat rows of Black Knights lined his path. Behind him followed the Leopard Woman Guli Geli, five Tattooed Skeletons, and several more Black Knights. Bringing up the rear were the towering, hammer-wielding, and quite intimidating Elite Heavy Hammer Skeleton Warriors.

He was thinking about the man who had been fighting the Void Beetles, but it was always wise to have an ace up your sleeve. Not knowing if the man was friend or foe, Li Ziyu didn’t dare rush over to meet him alone. He would assemble his forces first. That way, even if the other party intended to start something, they would have to think twice.

Fortunately, the man made no sudden moves. Instead, he planted the axe in his hands into the ground at his side, watching Li Ziyu’s approach with empty hands.

It had to be said that Li Ziyu was making quite an entrance. His identity as the Undead Ruler, in particular, had piqued the man’s curiosity immensely.

Passing through the path cleared by the Black Knights, Li Ziyu arrived before the man. He had to crane his neck to look up at the bear-like figure. He couldn’t help it. Compared to the brawny man who stood over six-foot-three, Li Ziyu was a good deal shorter. If he didn’t look up, all he could see were two rock-hard pectoral muscles.

"I am the ruler of this city, the Master of the Undead, Li Ziyu." Li Ziyu wasted no time and introduced himself directly.

The man sized up the Human before him. ’I just can’t figure it out. How did this Human become the Master of the Undead? He looks completely unremarkable, no different from any ordinary person. He doesn’t even exude an aura of power. But there’s no denying those Undead obey him.’

Since Li Ziyu had introduced himself first, the man couldn’t just stand there stone-faced. Puffing out his chest and holding his head high, he said to Li Ziyu with a smile, "I am Damenevsky of the Northern Hero Clan."

Li Ziyu: [?_??]

’Something weird just popped up.’

’What’s the Northern Hero Clan? Is that a Race from the Otherworld, or one from the Void Land?’

’This is completely out of my wheelhouse.’

’And what’s with that name? Damenevsky? Is that "-sky" for real? Is he Russian? Another Transmigrator?’

’With that build and face, he sure looks the part.’

While lost in his confusion, Li Ziyu heard suppressed gasps from behind him. He glanced back quizzically at Guli Geli and saw the girl’s beautiful leopard eyes were wide. Her pupils dilated and contracted, her tail shot up stiff as a rod before quickly going limp and wrapping around her leg. She looked utterly restless.

Before Li Ziyu could ask, Damenevsky spoke. "You don’t know about the Hero Race?"

His tone was laced with confusion and disbelief.

’Is it that strange that I don’t know?’ Li Ziyu shifted his gaze from Guli Geli back to Damenevsky. Frowning slightly, he asked tentatively, "Ura?"

Damenevsky started, then a wide grin spread across his face. He raised both hands and boomed with uninhibited gusto, "URA!"

’Holy shit! You *are* Russian! You’re a Transmigrator!’

"Katusha?" Li Ziyu probed further.

This time, Damenevsky just looked blank. He stared at Li Ziyu in confusion, seemingly having no idea what "Katusha" meant.

Li Ziyu quietly hummed a few bars of the melody. Damenevsky’s expression flickered with a hint of emotion, but that was all. He didn’t join in, nor did his expression soften toward Li Ziyu.

’He doesn’t know Katusha... Guess he’s not a Transmigrator after all. A Russian who doesn’t know Katusha? I don’t buy it.’

’So what’s the deal here? Who is this Damenevsky, and what is this Hero Race he’s from?’

’Ah, this is getting a little awkward.’

Damenevsky seemed to be mulling over the little tune Li Ziyu had just hummed, thinking it sounded quite nice. Li Ziyu, meanwhile, was completely in the dark about the man’s circumstances.

While Damenevsky was lost in thought, Li Ziyu turned his head slightly and whispered to Guli Geli, "Do you know anything about him? What is this Hero Race?"

Now it was Guli Geli’s turn to be surprised. She asked in a hushed voice, "Master, you don’t know about the Hero Race?"

Li Ziyu rolled his eyes. "What do you think?" he said, annoyed. "If I knew, I wouldn’t be asking you. Now hurry up and tell me."

Guli Geli glanced at Damenevsky before nodding. "The Hero Race is the stuff of legends. When I was little, my tribe’s elders told me stories about them. They said they are a true race of warriors. They look Human, but they are as powerful as Deities and completely fearless. They’re called the Hero Race because they once saved the world. But I don’t know any of the specifics. I always thought they were just a myth... I never imagined they were real, let alone that I’d see one alive."

With Damenevsky right there, Guli Geli couldn’t say much more, so she kept her introduction brief. Li Ziyu raised an eyebrow. ’Damn, so he’s got quite the pedigree. As powerful as Deities... that part’s debatable, but he’s definitely strong. Stronger than my Black Knights or Skeleton Knights, at least. This is a man who can take on Void Beetles by himself.’

’Right, taking on a whole swarm of them by himself.’

’Then again, it’s not like I’m any less impressive. Damenevsky’s Hero Race is a legend, but so is my Undead Race. We’re both figures of myth. Neither of us is more "noble" than the other.’

’So we’re equals. That checks out.’

’So, according to Guli Geli, this Damenevsky before me is also one of the Otherworldly People. He came to the Void Land from the Otherworld.’

Just then, Damenevsky seemed to snap out of his contemplation of the little "Katusha" tune. He looked at Li Ziyu with a puzzled expression and asked, "Why did you save me?"