The First Dragon God-Chapter 60: More Schemes

Ryan led his group through the narrow alley, the morning air biting against their skin.

The remnants of a once-thriving city loomed around them with crumbling buildings, shattered windows, and rusting cars lining the deserted streets. Everything around them seemed to hold danger, and the tension in the air was palpable.

The group moved cautiously, their eyes darting to every corner. The ground beneath them was cracked and uneven, overgrown with weeds and littered with debris. They were halfway through their sweep when a sudden tremor shook the ground.

From the ruins of a nearby building, a hulking, spider-like creature emerged. Its eight black legs, long and jagged, clattered against the pavement as it crawled forward. Its many eyes gleamed with hunger, and venom dripped from its mandibles.

The group froze, panic gripping their hearts.

"What the hell is that?" someone whispered.

Ryan’s eyes narrowed as he assessed the creature. He could see the fear etched on every face around him, the trembling hands clutching weapons that suddenly felt inadequate.

"Stay together," Ryan said, his voice calm and steady. "I’ll distract it. You guys get to safety."

Before anyone could protest, he stepped forward, drawing the creature’s attention, with calculated and precise movements.

He waved his arms to keep the beast focused on him, moving forward with deliberate steps as he led it away from the group.

The spider lunged, its venomous fangs snapping just inches from Ryan’s face, but he dodged with ease, rolling to the side and coming up on his feet in one fluid motion.

The creature screeched, frustrated, but Ryan kept his composure, guiding it further down the alley.

If one looks at Ryan’s fave right now, they could see the confidence in it. Even though he was aware of his strength as a level 6 awakened, and the fact that the giant spider was stronger than him, he was still confident.

From where they hid, the group watched in awe but none of them moved to help. They were either too captivated by Ryan’s bravery or too terrified to act.

When the creature finally lost interest and skittered back into the ruins, a collective sigh of relief swept through the group.

One of the younger members, a boy barely out of his teens, stepped forward. His eyes shone with admiration. "That was incredible! You saved us!"

Ryan smiled modestly, though his eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

"Just doing what needed to be done," he said, speaking like the leader of the group he was.

The others murmured in agreement, their respect for Ryan growing with each passing moment. He had shown calmness under pressure, a quality that they craved in a leader.

Ryan was satisfied when he saw the group’s reaction. This was one of the reasons why he choose the people in it. Their gullibility and weakness was key to hi plan.

.....

As they continued their sweep, Ryan spoke up with a light and casual voice.

"Leo’s plan… it’s a good one," he said, glancing around to gauge their reactions.

"But it’s risky. Sending us out in different directions, splitting our forces… if something goes wrong, we’ll be too scattered to help each other. Also, he took most of the strongest in the base with him. Including himself and Ves, the lady that’s always beside him."

A few members of the group exchanged uncertain glances. They knew the dangers of the world outside, and Ryan’s words stirred a flicker of doubt.

"He’s still young," Ryan continued, his tone light, almost conversational. "He’s done well so far, but… leadership isn’t just about good intentions. It’s about making the hard decisions. Decisions that keep everyone alive."

One of the older survivors, a man named Kurt, frowned. "Grewishka said that Leo and the lady beside him were the reason whybwe were able to stay in the residential building complex. They gave us a better home. In a sense, they saved us."

Ryan nodded, his expression thoughtful. "True. But sometimes… saving people isn’t enough. We need someone who can think ahead. Someone who knows when to take risks and when to hold back."

The group fell silent, Ryan’s words sinking in. His tone was never accusatory. He never outright criticized Leo. But the seeds of doubt he wanted to plant had been planted, subtle and insidious.

Also, although most of them hadn’t spent more than a day in the base, they weren’t actually satisfied with the fact that it’s a little boy that’s leading them.

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As they walked, Ryan continued to speak, weaving his words carefully.

"Look at what just happened," he said, gesturing to the alley where the spider creature had emerged. "If I hadn’t acted, who knows what could’ve happened? We need to be ready for anything."

The younger members nodded, their admiration for Ryan growing. His actions had spoken louder than words, and his calm demeanor made them feel safe.

"Leo’s strong," Ryan said, his voice softening. "But strength isn’t everything. We need strategy. We need caution."

Of course, Ryan had no idea just how strong Leo is and how much stronger he has gotten recently. But one thing he knew was that Leo was strong but he felt that his strength should be just a little above that of his, Ves, Grewishka and Miguel.

He doesn’t feel like Leo isn’t someone that can’t be taken down easily. Besides, he’s just a kid who probably has no real world experience before things went to shit. All be would need when things are ready and in place is a little manipulation, and he would become his loyal dog.

....

By the time the group returned to the base that evening, the mood had shifted. The survivors were quieter, more contemplative. Ryan’s words lingered in their minds, feeding their doubts.

At the entrance, supplies were stacked neatly, and the fighters from each team exchanged stories of their encounters.

Ryan’s group spoke animatedly about his bravery, each retelling of the spider encounter more embellished than the last.

"He faced that thing head-on," one of them said, his voice filled with awe. "Didn’t even flinch."

"Leo’s good," another added. "But Ryan… he’s got the kind of calm that makes you feel safe."

From the sidelines, Ves watched the growing admiration for Ryan with narrowed eyes. Her gaze flicked to him as he stood among his group, a faint smile playing on his lips.

He said little, letting the others speak for him. But Ves could see it. The subtle shifts in his posture, the way he responded with a slight nod or a quiet word at just the right moment. It couldn’t be mistaken.

He was manipulating them, planting seeds of discord without ever raising his voice.

As the survivors settled in for the night, Ryan retreated to his room, his expression serene. But when he closed the door behind him, a satisfied smirk spread across his face.

The seeds of doubt were taking root.

He sat by the window, gazing out at the ruined city beyond. His thoughts churned with plans and possibilities. He knew it was only a matter of time before the group turned to him for leadership. And it won’t be long.