Han Ling returned on the fourth day, slightly tired but eyes burning with persistence. He finally got to level 55 after a full day’s of hunting. After reaching level 50 the experience required to level up drastically increases, hence Han Ling could barely get enough experience to level up.

Han Ling managed to sleep a few hours at night, bathing in a nearby stream before moving straight to Narukami’s house. When he was about to knock the door, it slid to the side and a poker-faced Narukami stood at the door.

“I have returned, my king.” Han Ling bowed deeply. Narukami stared at the young man for a while, his eyes scrutinizing him carefully. “You cleared the goblins?” “Every single one, sir.” Han Ling wasn’t surprised Narukami knew of the nest at the Peaks, after all, with Han Ling’s 20 years of experience he could sense the scout nearby.

Narukami’s face then beamed to a smile, “Good! Good! You’ve served the country well, and for that you shall get a reward after the meeting.” “The meeting sir?” Han Ling tilted his head slightly. “The members of your team are waiting for you.”

Han Ling nodded and entered the house, they moved towards a white sliding door and when he opened it, more than a dozen people stood up in attention. Han Ling’s eyes widened slightly as he caught sight of the Dragon’s Fall adventurer group, who they all returned his confused gaze with a bashful grin.

Han Ling quietly scanned the room and held his breath the moment his eyes landed on someone. A beautiful silver haired elf, pale slender body, sharp brown eyes, long pointy ears, and a cold gaze. Silent Death…

Han Ling held himself back, glad that the mask covered his face. Haera, also known as the Silent Death, one of the top assassins of Stormval… There were others that he recognized as well, one of the prominent figures of the Lightning Guard, Ash Blade Taren. A powerful berserker that has the unique power of Ash. Another was Sun Shooter, a flame bow user, famous for shooting down a berserk sun parrot.

“Everyone! Meet your leader, Blood Mask. Blood Mask, this is everyone, I told you I would form a team for you. Do you think this enough?”

Han Ling gazed at every single one, “I’m afraid this is not enough, Narukami.” “Hm?” Narukami was startled by that answer, these guys were the nations top players, and even they weren’t enough?

“Sir, with all due respect, the team you formed doesn’t even come close to enough, even if you include me.” Narukami frowned, “Then how much is enough?” An oily voice from the side sneered, “Come now, what makes you think you’re important, we’re some of the Lightning Emperor’s guard, we aren’t even afraid of the Holy Empire!” Han Ling glanced at the man who spoke, a decent-looking young man about 24 years old, with blonde hair and small eyes, his smile was one of pure mockery and arrogance.

Han Ling sighed softly, “There would be millions of monsters coming out that portal, if you think 14 people can handle millions of monsters then you must really be as dumb as you look.” The blonde man froze before his face reddened and he reached for the sword strapped on his waist when Narukami raised a single finger, “Enough.”

The blonde man flinched and lowered his head, but not before he glared a cold glare at Han Ling. Narukami held his chin, tapping it a couple of times before asking, “So, what do you propose, Blood Mask?”

Han Ling smiled under the mask, “We have an alliance with the nation of Japan.” Narukami widened his eyes before nodding to himself, “Yes, with such a large number of players, it would be possible to hold the monsters back…” “I’m not finished sir.” Narukami raised his head in confusion. “We’ll need to level up through the S-rank gate in the continent of Africa…”

>>>

“I never expected you to be the one to greet us when we arrive Blood Mask.” Atsushi said with a strange expression on his face. In front of him was a teen wearing a black, red mask resembling a demon, “I have now joined the Kingdom of Jiron and is tasked with greeting you all, since I have worked with you all before.”

Facing Han Ling was the top 16 players from Japan, all tasked with shutting down high ranking gates, but ever since the world change, all gates disappeared, and monsters randomly spawned in forests and dark places of the city. Its as if the system is forcing everyone to be able to protect themselves.

But with the disappearance of high ranked gates, the top 16 players arrived in Itone under the instruction of the President. Han Ling actually called the president and gave him a basic rundown of the situation. At first, Han Ling was expecting the president to be self-serving like nearly all politicians do, but to his surprise the president immediately acted.

Hence, half a day later, all 16 players arrived, along with a couple of high levelled players from other guilds. A total of 23 players, not a bad number. “I’ll introduce you all to the rest of the team, and you’ll introduce yourself, keep in mind to be humble.” Han Ling added that last line with a small release of his pressure, scaring nearly everyone there.

And they were glad they took Han Ling’s advice. They were all around level 28 or 29, with Atsushi at level 30 after some hunting. But they were nothing in front of the 14 other members from Itone, as they introduced themselves, the Japanese members all turned a shade whiter at their introductions.

“I’m Iron Heart, level 51 Earth Tank of the Quake Family.”

“I’m Silent Death, level 54 Dark Assassin.”

“Ash Blade Taren, level 57 Ash Berserker.”

Even the blonde guy introduced himself, but the smile he wore was once again filled with arrogance, “Lightning Prince, Level 55 Thunder Lancer.” His words were so laced with mockery Han Ling could only sigh.

Still, being a level 55 was an incredible feat for a man as young as him, but that respect went down the drain as he heard his name, who does this guy think he is? Calling himself a prince? Yikes…

When it was Han Ling’s turn he only said such, “Blood Mask, Level 55 swordsman.” When the Itonians heard that they widened their eyes in surprise, with Lightning Prince sneering as if he didn’t believe it. The Japanese players all gulped, Blood Mask’s level was almost twice as high as theirs, it was no wonder he was a monster.

“Today is just introductions, tomorrow, Japanese players will start hunting in the Jagged Peaks and Hundred Leaf Forest. While Itonians and I will move to Africa, where we’ll hunt the monsters there.” Atsushi blinked, “Africa? That place was where the S-rank gate broke out!”

Han Ling gave him a reassured smile, “Its actually been revaluated as a rank a dungeon, and that dungeon vanished, leaving the monsters to live there.” He turned to the rest, “Is there any questions?”

And just as he asked, he had an inkling of the Lightning Prince saying something embarrassing but seems like he was right. “You say you’re level 55, can you prove it?” The lightning prince spoke with an oily tone, the mocking smile still on his face. Han Ling sighed, “Fine, we’ll have a battle.”

The lightning prince sneered, “You’ll be begging to surrender when I’m done with you.” Atsushi only shook his head with a sigh, Kinuko stared at Han Ling with sparkling eyes, eager to see him fight…

>>>

They went outside and picked a patch of land outside of the city, and both sides wore their Shield Life. Iron Heart and the others wanted to watch Lightning Prince get beaten, they were sick and tired of his arrogance and were happy someone can finally teach the bastard a lesson.

Silent Death silently watched with them as well, staring at the swordsman with a strange gaze.

Han Ling summoned both swords, brandishing them in the light. He eyed his opponent, a long pole with a sharp tip at the end, a spearman with the lightning attribute, a very scary combination… but nothing compared to Narukami’s attacks.

The moment the battle started, Lightning prince sneered madly, dashing forward in one move, almost as if he teleported. “I got you, you fake!” The spear thrust forward, aiming straight for his neck.

CLANG!

Lightning Prince widened his eye, the spear aiming at Han Ling’s neck was now aiming at the sky. Before he could even ask what happened, two distinctive clangs sounded.

-2341 -1982

Two numbers appeared above the Lightning Prince’s head and everyone’s eyes widened. They couldn’t even see when the sword moved, and numbers appeared on top of the opponent’s head.

Lightning Prince finally reacted, leaping back quickly, checking his health only to see half of it left. All arrogance disappeared from his expression, slightly surprising Han Ling. It seems he isn’t stupid, just extremely arrogant. Lightning Prince trembled slightly, aware that his opponent is much faster than himself.

Lightning Prince glared carefully at his opponent, seeing him lifted his sword up slOwly before it blurred. Lightning Prince widened his eyes and dropped to the side, lifting his spear horizontally, feeling a powerful force hit the pole.

Even after blocking the strike, a number appeared above Lightning Prince. -234. Lightning Prince scOwled deeply and spun his spear, thrusting it forward faster than a bullet.

But to his despair, Han Ling’s head only tilted his head to the side, feeling the tip brush past his hair. With precise strike, two more hits reduced Lightning Prince’s shield life to zero before he even realized it.

Han Ling actually frowned when the battle ended, he never expected it to be this quick. They were both on the same level, but their abilities were levels apart. Lightning Prince stood frozen, completely stunned.

Han Ling sighed, sheathing both swords before checking his stats. Ever since he hunted the goblins, he hasn’t checked his stats once, but he flinched slightly at the sight of his speed and attack.

Han Ling (Void Prince)

Level: 55 (14,980/1 Million XP to level 56)

Forbidden Element: Void

Age: 15

Class: Swordsman (Lieutenant rank)

ATK: 423

DEF: 94

SPD: 487

ATK SPD: 321

Magic ATK: 90

Reflex: 59

Control: 34

Mana: 8495/9000

HP: 8000/8000

Han Ling gulped, an attack speed of 321… no wonder the battle ended so quickly. In my opinion, having a fast attack speed decides the battle, the enemy can’t kill you unless they hit you. Attack is the best defence, Han Ling mused inwardly.

He ignored the frozen Lightning Prince and straight up left, causing the watching crowd to start dispersing. The Japanese members all gaped openly, shivering slightly as they imagined Blood Mask as their opponent. On the Itonian side, Iron Heart shook his head with a sigh, despite being level 50, he couldn’t even see how Blood Mask attacked, he was just as confused as Lightning Prince when numbers appeared above him.

Silent Death on the other hand was wide eyed, her brown eyes shaking slightly. “Just who did the Lightning Emperor find?” Even if she was a level 54 for assassin that focuses on speed, she could barely see Blood Mask’s attacks, they were almost a complete blur, “Lightning Prince never stood a chance…”