The next day, the first B rank gate subjugation has started, outside the gate in the imperial palace. A total of 21 players stood preparing outside the large green gate. 4 high levelled players from each of the top 5 guilds. Each with their distinctive colours.

But a single one stood out of the group, a man with a blood hood and coat, along with a red, black demon mask. Han Ling stared at the portal, silent as death. But he turned to greet the woman sneaking up on him. Kinuko flinched slightly at the man’s sudden turn, her face reddened at her reaction and she mumbled an apology.

She bowed before speaking in a soft, cute tone. “Thank you for saving me from the giant croc, Blood Mask.” Han Ling smiled under the mask, she was always such a gentle person. Then Han Ling’s face hardened, that’s why she risked her life for her people… violated by orcs, and then forced to watch her people die painfully before being tortured as well, it was a terrible death… I was one of the few who were tasked to find her, but the only thing we found was a cold corpse, completely—Han Ling stopped, and his eyes held a flame of determination, flaring like an inferno. Which is why, none of that will happen.

Han Ling nodded with those thoughts in his head and watched as the cute girl ran back to Atsushi and the others. Atsushi raised a hand as a salute and Han Ling returned it. He checked the time and clapped his hands to get the attention of the group. Sakura guards were the first to gather around, then Naga, followed by Kami Temple. Ashura and Hunting Dogs kept to themselves, obviously acting Han Ling doesn’t exist.

Han Ling shrugged at the remaining two guilds and explained his rules and conditions to the three other guilds. “I have only one rule when dungeon diving… You listen to my instructions. Those that disobey…” Han Ling released all the aura he had concealed, the air around him exploded, wind buffeted at the Ashura and Hunting Dog’s guild members, forcing them to gulp in fear at the enormous killing intent. “Don’t blame me for being fair.”

Blood Mask’s aura vanished, and everyone breathed, oblivious to the fact that they held their breaths. Without another word, Han Ling entered the portal.

The other guilds gulped down their nervousness and entered as well.

A terrible bitter cold assaulted everyone, forcing their teeth to chatter almost instantly. Those that dressed in thin clothes immediately saw their health dropping rapidly. But before panic can set in, warm fur clothes were thrown to the group. They quickly dressed themselves, feeling warmth ebb into their bones, their health stopped dropping as well.

The players were on a mountain, but one much smaller than the one Han Ling was on, with snow piling everywhere. But a path led down the mountain, down towards a forest of ice blue trees.

Those that nearly died looked at the person who threw the coats with gaze of gratefulness. Han Ling stood at the front, still wearing his black clock and hood, but he was completely unaffected by the freezing cold. Han Ling used his Mana body before he entered, so all environmental factors were useless against him. The group gave Han Ling incredulous looks, some even sneered, thinking their leader was acting tough and couldn’t wait for him to fall to the chill.

Han Ling ignored their stares and stood on a ledge, scanning the area like a hawk. Not even reacting to the sound of the quest.

Tri-ring.

Dungeon Quest: Frozen Trails

Objective: Hunt down the Ice Bear.

Then the ground shook, as a cloud of snow came barrelling towards the group. The archers all readied their bows, tanks took the front and damage dealers in the middle. But Han Ling just stood at the side, still staring down at the frozen forest.

The barrelling snow turns out to be a herd of ice goats, sensing the presence of other beings they came to assert their dominance. The tanks raised their shields and the archers fired first. Arrows after arrows hit the goats, yet the damage they did was negligible. Then the goats got close enough to see their levels. “Oh god… They’re all level 25!” Shook reverberated throughout the group as the tanks no longer felt confident against the charging group.

Then Han Ling spoke, “All tanks step back.” The tanks looked at the swordsman in disbelief, gaping as the teen walked in front of the tanks. A white sword appeared in Han Ling’s hands and the red ruby on handle hummed a cry of bloodlust. Nine sabres appeared around Han Ling, and entered the white blade, coating the blade in a red hue.

[Six Blood Forms: 5th form. Severing Blood]

Han Ling slashed, a red flash, and blood exploded.

[You have slain a LVL 25 Frost Goat.] x 12

Everyone in the party levelled up by two, gaping at the power a single man has shown. The remaining frost goats stopped in their tracks, staring at the lone swordsman with terrible fear. The goats took steps back before running in the opposite direction with their tails between their legs.

Han Ling’s sword then disappeared into light particles, indicating it of being unsummoned. He turned to the group, ignoring to stares of admiration and fear, “From now on, I shall tank. Is there an issue with that?”

The group was silent, in the face of such power, they could do nothing. Even Ashura and Hunting Dog’s who belittled the swordsman showed signs of respect and admiration. Mad Berserker who joined the Ashura was glad he didn’t do anything stupid such as insulting a monster like that.

Han Ling took the groups silence as an answer and treaded down the path into the frozen forest. The group followed and Han Ling checked for any footprints or signs of the Ice bear. Han Ling never took part in the dungeon dive but he knew a man who explained how the dungeon works. The Ice bear is actually a normal monster but it is extremely tricky to find as there is only one in the single field.

The ice bear’s fur is pure snow white, completely camouflaged with the frozen forest. So, the only method to kill the Ice bear was the use of traps and bait. Han Ling proceeds to hunt some Ice deer, skinning the fat parts of their meat.

Han Ling then instructed the five guilds to split up, placing meat in different areas before waiting for the ice bear. All give guild teams would travel in different directions and avoid all fights against monster, as they were way too weak against a herd of ice deer or any monsters. With everything going smoothly, Han Ling then moved towards a den of ice wolves, hiding behind a bush as he scouts the area.

The B rank gate in the emperor’s palace was borderline A rank, it took a total of 50 level 20 participants to clear it, and even then half of them didn’t make it out. With half that number now, Han Ling had to be careful, hence he sneakily sent blood sabres to each group so he could quickly teleport to their locations when danger arrives.

But the main reason he approached the Ice wolf den was to find a treasure. It was where the first Dark Wrath set piece could be found. A Rare set piece that would be found six weeks in the future by the Otherworld NPCs. But this time, Han Ling would take them for himself.

Han Ling stared at the den, two ice wolves yawning outside the hole, sleeping soundly at the entrance. He then reached to his side; a purple rift opened next to him, and a cold black handle protruded from the rift. Han Ling grasped the handle, feeling a cold, violent, energy sleeping in the handle. He pulled the handle, and an obsidian black single edged blade followed the handle.

It was a sword so beautiful a craftsman would cry on the spot. A pitch-black handle, obsidian black blade 3 feet long, gleaming against the white snow. A purplish hue flowed down the blade, strange markings glowing and fading as if it was breathing. It was similar to a Katana, a single edged curved blade.

[Obsidian Hollow (Ghostly Gold)]

Type: One-handed sword

Rarity: Forbidden

Attack Damage: +342

Remarks: A weapon born of an unknown metal in the void. Much is unknown of this blade, only myths and legends know of this sword. Yet they too are lost…

Passive skills:

Quick Sword: Attack speed increased by 100%.

Obsidian: Sword is unbreakable.

Void damage: Attacks with Obsidian Hollow has a 20% chance to silence opponents for 1 second.

Active skills:

Void Slash: Slashes forward and deals 120% damage to enemies. Enemies who survive will be inflicted with Void damage, silencing opponents for 1 second randomly for 5 seconds. CD 1 minute. Mana Cost: 20.

Three-Fold Strike: Sends three blade strikes towards the enemy, dealing 110% of attack. Able to travel a distance of 15 meters. CD 2 minutes.

Shimmering Flash: Teleports towards opponent, if opponent doesn’t block, deals damage 200% of attack. If opponent blocks, deals 20% true damage of attack and silences enemy for 2 seconds. CD 5 minutes. Mana Cost: 100

It was by far the best Ghostly Gold sword Han Ling has ever seen. It was also the one that felt perfect for him. As a swordsman, he has used countless weapons, be it from fallen comrades, demon corpses or Sovereign’s weapons. But the Obsidian Hollow was like regaining sight for a blind man.

Han Ling stepped out of the bush, the black blade gleaming against the white snow. With a simple command, purplish flames erupted around the blade, sizzling the snow on the ground, making a terrifying hiss as he approached the wolves.

[LVL 2 Sword Aura]

The wolves stood with their fangs bared, but they could do nothing as the approaching human vanished and appeared right in front of one of the wolves.

[Shimmering Flash]

SHING!

The sound of metal cutting through bone sounded across the cave entrance, the head of the wolf fell off, rolling to a stop, eyes still filled with hate. The other wolf widened its eyes before raising its head, attempting to warn the pack.

Han Ling stepped towards the wolf, and his sword flashed three times.

[Three-fold Strike]

BOOM!

Three deep red gashes appeared on the wolf’s body, it couldn’t even usher a whine or a yelp. The wolf fell to the ground with a thud, the light vanishing in its eyes.

With a quick swish, the sword disappeared into the void space. Han Ling then entered the cave, hearing the snores of wolves deep inside. But he paused and glanced back, staring at a certain bush for a while before smirking under the mask.

“Looks like some players need a beating…”