Why did you have to do this?

When Gerard finally understood what Clark intended to do, a chill ran down his spine. Immersed in the political arena for many years, he knew the most effective way to govern and win people's hearts.

Knowing is one thing; executing is another. Behind such actions requires an extremely cold-blooded planner, providing hope while simultaneously giving despair. Only in this way can one completely destroy the minds.

At the moment when aspirations are shattered, appearing as a savior in a posture that crushes the last line of defense in people's hearts. Using the deaths and blood of awakened ones to highlight Clark's power!

"That's enough..."

Clark calmly watched the sandworm in the distance, chasing the fleeing crowd. After awakening the Black Dragon, [Podoi], devoid of a brain, instinctively avoided the area where Clark was located. As mythical creatures, the aura of an Emperor-level Black Dragon made it fearful. If it were an adult Black Dragon, it could intimidate [Podoi] to death just with its dragon aura.

"Arnold, go brush up on our presence."

Clark issued the task calmly in the team channel.

"Withstand a hit and pretend to be seriously injured, then withdraw."

"Dirk, you're responsible for rescuing some ordinary people, especially the weak."

"Lynn, constantly strengthen everyone's mental power, deepen the memories of what's about to happen."

"Understood!"

The three responded in unison with solemn expressions. Arnold transformed into a bear again and headed straight for the distant sandworm.

"Don't leave me behind! Please take me with you!"

A pale-faced ordinary guy, his hands on the ground, looked despairingly at the sandworm that had already targeted the next victim.

Several awakened ones ran desperately with weak legs, and the sandworm behind them seemed to be toying with its prey. Each attack only devoured one awakened one.

"We're friends! Aren't you awakened ones? Don't leave me behind!!"

No one turned back; the once cherished friendships now seemed like a joke.

The awakened ones enjoying the best treatment ignored the pleas of any ordinary people, fleeing like dogs.

"Don't... don't eat me!"

Helpless, desperate.

The sandworm shook off the severed limbs on its mouthparts and instantly launched an attack.

"Raging Charge!"

From afar, the guy only heard a roar as a black bear charged past him, emitting a red glow, violently colliding with the sandworm's side shoulder in a berserk manner.

"Heavy Fist Strike!"

"Beast! Take my punch!"

The fleeing crowd watched as Arnold, with a furious roar, leaped high into the air, his left fist rapidly enlarging, slamming into the sandworm's abdomen. After taking the potion again, the black bear's punch regained its previous might.

"Boom!"

[Podoi] winced in pain, emitting a sharp insect cry. The mouthparts that were originally extended violently contracted. Viscous blood sprayed from its abdomen, staining the black bear in a crimson hue.

"What are you waiting for?"

"Run!"

Arnold roared again, punching the sandworm once more, buying time for the fleeing students. With tears of gratitude, the fallen students felt that the ferocious black bear, which looked intimidating, now seemed like a savior. After wiping away their tears, they got up and ran.

The fleeing crowd, witnessing the black bear's desperate attempt to save them, felt an inexplicable surge of gratitude. The awakened ones from their own academy were only concerned with their own escape, while unfamiliar outsiders were sacrificing themselves to rescue them.

Three seconds later.

The sandworm, recovering from the hit to its weak point, twisted its body wildly in anger. With a furious motion, its massive body lashed out like a whip, striking the black bear's body violently.

"Pluff!"

The sound of the whip whistled, and the tremendous force, capable of shattering a house, erupted in an instant. Under the impact, Arnold spat out blood, and his entire body was sent flying like a cannonball, crashing into the hard cement ground, creating a deep crater. His chest caved in, and his leg bones shattered.

If it weren't for The Stitcher that Clark had previously given him, which weakened the damage, he seriously doubted he would have survived on the spot.

Clark told me to pretend to be seriously injured! This damn well didn't require any pretending!

Full of resentment, Arnold pretended to be unconscious.

Without Arnold's obstruction, the enraged sandworm no longer toyed with its prey. Its already fast body suddenly accelerated, rushing towards the thousands of fleeing students.

On the elevated platform, at Clark's signal, Gerard screamed hoarsely, his voice spreading rapidly with the boost of mental power.

"Classmates! Quickly, come to Clark's side!"

"It's safe here!"

Having said that, he abruptly turned his body to face Clark.

"Plunk!"

The entire leadership and awakened ones from all the academies knelt down together, voicing out in unison. Several fire-type awakened ones desperately activated their psychic abilities, illuminating the entire platform.

"Boss!"

Half coerced, half sincere, everyone shouted with all their might.

"Please, lend a hand and save the academy! Please forgive our despicable actions before!"

"Boss! Please, save us!"

Under the threat of death, all hope rested on Clark at this moment. With death looming, nobody cared about their dignity; they just wanted to survive.

The crowd from a distance had already reached the vicinity of the platform. Under the spreading aura of the Black Dragon, [Podoi] hesitated, remaining in place.

What's going on? The scattered students gathered together, trembling with fear as they watched the sandworm not far away.

Begging Boss Clark for help? As if rehearsed a hundred times, awakened ones belonging to the leadership, led by Gerard, berated them in unison.

"Classmates! Initially, Clark agreed to lend a hand to save the students. However, due to the greed of some awakened ones who followed Ira, wanting to harm the boss, it led to the failure in stopping the sandworm!"

"Though this incident happened, we are already too ashamed to ask the boss for help!"

"But, for the sake of the lives of thousands of students, we implore the boss to intervene!"

Like the best actor, under Gerard's remorseful expression, he slapped himself across the face without reservation. The awakened ones behind him, like nodding insects, bumped their heads together with resounding thuds.

"We are guilty of heinous crimes! But the students are innocent!"

On the elevated platform, Clark's gaze remained calm, seemingly unaffected.

Below the platform, although Gerard and others spoke very quickly, everyone understood the general idea.

It was like a bolt from the blue, leaving everyone stunned on the spot. So, Ira was responsible for the sandworm breaking the seal. Now, with so many people dead, was the near-collapse of the academy also the work of this group?

Returning kindness with enmity, causing harm without achieving their goal.

The current situation left the academy with no choice but to shamelessly beg this mysterious powerful figure? For a moment, everyone felt that their academy had become a laughingstock on a grand scale, utterly ludicrous.

Regret was genuine, and the pleas were sincere. Although they didn't know what method Clark had to stop the sandworm, just seeing [Podoi] halt not far away made Clark the only straw to grasp for survival.

In this world, there is no absolute truth, and there are no absolute lies. What they said, from a certain perspective, was indeed true. When a lie is mixed with 70% truth, the awakened ones who wanted to intervene before were now filled with regret.

The monster was too powerful, and their collective attack earlier didn't work. They had overestimated their own strength.

Most likely, [Podoi]'s feigned death earlier was Clark's covert intervention. After all, psychic awakened ones have unpredictable methods, and it was normal for them not to notice.

The crowd of ordinary students who had escaped was now exhilarated.

"Why did you have to do this?"

"Why did you have to harm so many of us?"