"W-What just happened?" Nicholas was flabbergasted when he witnessed Eric crushing the skull of the Ravager Zombie with a downward hammering strike.
He saw how fast the Ravager Zombie was and terrifying they appeared. To think he killed one? The surprise did not end yet, as Eric blocked the claws of the other Ravager Zombie with an open palm.
Am I watching a martial arts movie or what?! How does this make any sense?
His thought process was broken when Eric shoved the Ravager Zombie flying towards him.
He held his breath and did not dare to produce any noise while sitting on all fours after Eric threw him. However, lady luck was not on him.
As soon as the Ravager Zombie realized Eric killed its fellow with what appeared to be at ease, it soon decided not to attack him anymore with only a single claw left.
Enraged, it turned to the other human for revenge.
Time froze when Nicholas' brown eyes and the Ravager Zombie's crimson eyes met. The Ravager Zombies leapt towards him and swung its right claw.
Nicholas could not produce any form of resistance as his left option was to stare at Eric, begging for help.
However, he was met with cold black eyes–hollow and indifferent. A chill ran down his spines.
I-I'm sorry…
Was what he wanted to scream so Eric would save him, but the Ravager Zombie already severed his head, leaving his thoughts drifting into nothingness…
…
Eric merely glanced at the remaining Ravager Zombie, killing Nicholas. The latter's fate was already sealed the moment he kept opposing him.
Afterward, the Ravager Zombie stared at him and actually quivered in fear. It soon escaped and ran away.
Eric did not bother going after it anymore. He was already exhausted after using three heaven rank fist techniques. He should already be thankful the Ravager Zombie was intelligent enough to stop bothering him.
Of course, if it insisted on continuing, he might not have a choice but to go berserk once again…
Eric opened his left palm and saw two dark-red crystals and was satisfied. On his right palm was the red crystal, leading to a smile on his face.
He turned around and noticed the flabbergasted expression of his subjects. He smiled at them and said, "Don't be like him, lest you'll end up like him."
Their hair stood on ends as they nodded frantically. Eric chuckled and walked towards them.
Jasper, who had been hesitating, finally made up his mind and walked in front of Eric and kneeled on one knee.
He bowed and said, "I am willing to follow you, Emperor. Please teach me martial arts."
What he saw with his own eyes was real. Although he has so many questions as to how Eric did even block the claws of the Ravager Zombie unharmed, he was certain Eric would explain the fundamentals and might be able to achieve the same thing.
However, Eric saw right through him and said, "You noticed, right? I blocked the claws and returned the force towards the enemy? That was a simple external technique–a technique that harnessed the vital energy of the earth. However, to attain such mystery, I am afraid it will take more than blood and tears. After all, the quality is scarce.
However, if you really are interested, I am willing to teach you."
Jasper seemed to have been used to Eric reading his mind and replied immediately, "It's not just simple as interested, Emperor. It's more than that. I feel like you have given me a reason to fight in this apocalypse."
"That's good I made you feel that way."
"I-I wanted to learn too!" Axel immediately butted in.
However, when he met Eric's eyes, he added and lowered his head, "Emperor…"
Eric nodded. "In fact, I already thought of teaching you all martial arts suited for you. The abilities you will obtain after eating the crystals might be useless."
"Eating crystals?!"
"Abilities?!"
Samantha and Michelle failed to restrain themselves from asking what Eric had just said.
Eric smiled at them and said, "I am about to mention all these things during our supper later. For now, let's return and eat. I'm sure everyone is hungry."
They nodded. However, they felt like what they saw just now was more impactful than their stomach growling…
…
Everyone followed his orders and returned to their house. Eric followed them behind, seemingly ensuring their safety.
At the same time, the system's voice echoed inside his head.
{Empire stats:
Subjects: 8 (Loyalty: 90%)
Remarks: You have only gathered subjects with ninety percent above loyalty. To expand the Empire stats, successfully establish a permanent 2–4 km² controlled area and acquire more manpower, paving a way for branches of minor Empire stats.
PS: You haven't even thought of a name for your Empire.}
Eric was utterly surprised by the single stats of his Empire. I guess, terror still works effectively. Of course, Eric knew it was also a double-edged sword. He gambled and won.
However, when he saw the requirements to expand his Empire stats, he smiled bitterly. It would take some time and he was not in a hurry. Not a single day has passed since he reincarnated yet.
The fact he made eight people to be loyal to him in an instant was already an achievement.
Naming my Empire, huh? Eric did not think about the name of his Empire yet. I guess I'll ask for their suggestions later.
Right now, Eric's main task was to disseminate the information regarding the Evolution, the Evolution Crystals, and abilities, as well as his future plans. The first supper would also be the first meeting they would commence.
As Eric was exercising, despite verbally counting, he was also considering his next plan. There were too many things he had to consider that caused him to have a headache when it came to managing them.
Hence, it was important for him to ask his subjects' opinions.
After all, it would always matter.
Now that there was a less person, the food and water was now being recalculated by Michelle, so everyone could have an equal distribution, except the Emperor as his needs would always be first.
Once they sat and distributed the food on the table, everyone enjoyed their first supper.
It was silent at first since everyone was hungry, but Eric broke the silence when he noticed his subjects' seemed to be itching to get an answer…