The floating timer above the courtyard continued falling lower while cracks spread slowly across the golden barrier overhead. Each pulse from the weakening dome caused faint golden fragments to drift through the air before disappearing.

Helen’s brows stayed furrowed while she glanced repeatedly between the fading barrier and Zich’s motionless body. Even now, he still sat against the cracked pillar with his eyes closed as though completely unaware of the danger returning outside.

Jayden saw her expression and a cold look crossed his face before he spoke flatly, "Maybe pain would wake him faster."

"You can focus on the barrier instead," Helen replied while stepping directly in front of Zich slightly. "I’ll handle this side."

Jayden clicked his tongue softly but said nothing else.

Not far away, Varok quietly observed the exchange while adjusting his grip around the bone spear. Unlike Jayden, his attention was more focused on Zich himself.

The Velhari leader clearly understood something strange was happening.

The giant Velhari rolled one shoulder before snorting loudly.

"If the summoner cannot wake up in time, leave him behind," he said bluntly. "Dragging dead weight deeper into a Gold Realm is stupidity."

Helen’s expression became colder.

"He helped keep you alive earlier. You should remember that before opening your mouth."

The giant Velhari looked irritated after hearing that, but before he could respond again, the barrier overhead cracked harder.

KRRRRRK!!!

Several long fractures spread across the golden dome while black mist outside surged violently toward the weakening protection. The timer above the courtyard finally dropped into its final seconds.

[5...]

[4...]

"Prepare yourselves," Varok raised his spear fully now. "Something is already waiting outside."

Jayden unsheathed his sword again while the shorter Velhari lowered both curved blades slightly. Even the giant Velhari stopped arguing completely as everyone shifted into combat stances around the fading barrier.

Only Zich still sat unmoving.

[3...]

[2...]

Helen glanced back toward him again.

Her fingers tightened slightly around the flames gathering near her palms while frustration mixed with worry across her face. She genuinely did not understand how someone could stay unconscious this long inside a Gold Realm.

[1...]

The barrier shattered.

BOOOOOOM!!!!

Golden fragments exploded outward across the ruined courtyard while black mist rushed inward violently through the collapsed dome. The moment the protection vanished, heavy armored footsteps echoed from outside the broken walls.

CLANG!!! CLANG!!! CLANG!!!

Several undead patrol knights charged into the courtyard almost immediately.

Their armor looked damaged compared to the earlier soldiers, but the speed behind their assault still felt dangerous. Rusted swords and long spears reflected faint red light while the undead rushed directly toward the nearest living targets.

One knight noticed Zich. Its glowing eyes locked onto the seated summoner before the undead accelerated aggressively through the chaos. A long spear thrust forward with enough force to pierce directly through his chest.

Helen moved at once. Flames exploded around her arm while she lunged sideways toward him, but the distance was slightly too large. She was half a step too late.

The spear descended.

At that exact moment, Zich’s eyes opened.

Cold red light flickered briefly within them before black energy erupted directly in front of his seated body.

BOOOOM!!!

A massive armored figure appeared between Zich and the incoming spear strike. The impact exploded against a giant black sword while sparks scattered across the courtyard nearly three meters outward.

The undead patrol knight got forced backward violently, turning into fragments immediately.

Silence filled the courtyard as everyone froze.

Standing before Zich was a tall armored knight covered in dark metal armor lined with deep crimson patterns. Unlike the rusted undead around them, this figure looked clean and disciplined.

Its massive black sword stayed raised protectively before Zich.

A faint system panel appeared briefly above it.

[Elite Undead Knight Lv1]

Jayden’s eyes narrowed instantly. The cold expression on his face finally cracked slightly after realizing what happened. During the resting period, while everyone recovered from the earlier battle, Zich had somehow created another summon entirely.

And not a weak one either.

Helen blinked once before exhaling softly in relief.

"You finally woke up," she muttered while lowering her flames slightly.

Varok’s eyes flashed as he looked at the over seven foot summon.

The aura surrounding the new summon felt disturbingly familiar.

His new Blood Knight Commander Cloak shifted lightly behind him while he calmly brushed dust from one sleeve as though none of this surprised him. Even the undead rushing through the courtyard failed to change his expression much.

The giant Velhari stared openly now.

"That thing..." he muttered. "Is it on our side?"

Zich ignored the comment completely.

Instead, his gaze moved briefly across the incoming patrol knights before settling on the Elite Undead Knight standing protectively ahead of him. The summon had not moved even slightly since blocking the spear strike earlier.

The shorter Velhari stayed silent nearby, but both curved blades lowered slightly while the figure studied the new summon carefully. Even without words, the caution in that gaze became obvious.

More undead figures rushed through the broken courtyard entrance.

CLANG!!! CLANG!!! CLANG!!!

Three patrol knights charged together while another pair climbed over shattered debris near the outer wall. Black mist followed behind them continuously as though even more undead waited deeper outside.

Varok tightened his grip around the spear again. "We move now. Getting trapped here again would be troublesome."

Zich nodded once.

Without wasting another second, he looked directly toward the Elite Undead Knight standing before him.

"Clear the way."

The summon moved instantly.

BOOOOOOM!!!!

The Elite Undead Knight exploded forward with terrifying force while dragging the massive black sword sideways across the stone floor. Sparks burst outward violently before the blade slammed directly into the front patrol knight.

CRAAAAACK!!!

The undead exploded apart on impact while broken armor scattered nearly six meters across the courtyard entrance. Before the remaining knights could recover, the Elite Undead Knight stepped through the debris and raised its sword again.

The following scene that ensued was something none of them would forget in a hurry!

****

Guys dont forgot to suggest a name for the new summon!!!!