2 weeks passed in a blink of an eye, Dragon’s Fall sat on a couple of rocks, combing the horizon for any other members. Soon enough, a man with a wide smile on his face strolled happily towards the group.

Iron Heart and the others bowed, “It’s good to see you again my lord.” Narukami’s smile widened, “You guys have gotten stronger.” Narukami could sense their auras, much more powerful than before, they were trapped in their bodies, like a spring ready to let loose at any time.

“Y-You’ve gone to another level, sir…” Iron Heart stuttered as he sensed Narukami’s aura. If Iron Heart’s was a spring, Narukami’s was a loose cannon, his power was incomparable to before. His aura was flaring like an inferno, causing Breeze to shiver slightly despite the heat.

“Ah sorry, I had to release it, so I don’t run into any beasts.” Narukami grinned bashfully, breathing in deeply, and the raging inferno disappeared without a trace. The Dragon’s Fall members breathed a sigh of relief.

Then a shadow appeared in front of them, spinning elegantly to reveal a silver haired elf, “Glad to see you’re all in one piece.” She spoke in a gentle yet cold tone, that would confuse anyone except them. Haera was known for her confusing personality, sometimes she seems gentle but the things she says would be bone chilling.

Soon, nearly all the Itonian members arrived, each one had attained a higher level. As they waited for the rest of the members, they told stories of their hunts. As they laughed and talked, a shimmering purple light exploded in the centre, catching all of them off guard.

The man wore a black-red mask, but that mask had cracks all over it, his cloak was nearly in tatters, and his eyes were dark with bags under his eye. Iron Heart breathed out a sigh of relief and clapped the swordsman’s shoulders. “Hahaha! I thought you were a beast!” Then he frowned, “How come you’re the same as before, did you not get stronger?” Han Ling only tiredly replied, “I got a little stronger, its hard-to-find monsters.” Iron Heart laughed, “Yes, must be difficult for a solo hunter.”

The team also agreed with Blood Mask, they too suffered from the large hunting area. Everyone was relaxed except for a few, Silent Death’s eyes were shaking, Lightning Prince’s face was pale, Ash Blade’s face was grim, and Narukami’s face was completely shocked.

The only thought running through their heads was…

“He’s very powerful!”

Narukami unconsciously gulped, inwardly deducting Blood Mask’s power, “He’s as strong as I am… just how many monsters did he send to hell?” Only those who are at a high level would see the power inside Blood Mask, if it were compared to Narukami, his would be a cannonball waiting to be fired, but Blood Mask’s power was like a rocket. His power was a furious mesh of aura, trapped in a single person. It’s a wonder Han Ling was still alive…

“B-Blood Mask… What level are you now?” Narukami whispered tentatively, only so that Han Ling could hear. Han Ling glanced at the anxious look on his face and a grin broke out his face. Looks like he sensed it… As expected of him. “Level 64.” Narukami’s eyes widened considerably, “What?! How?” Narukami himself was already level 65, so he understood how difficult it was to level up after reaching level 60. But the man in front of him rose 9 levels in 2 weeks? It didn’t make sense.

Unless…

Narukami looked at Han Ling with a grim expression, “By any chance… Did you bring stamina potions?” Han Ling was silent and Narukami’s face fell. Now it all made sense…

Han Ling never slept a wink in that two-week time, he hunted day and night, never resting once… It’s a wonder how he’s still alive…

Narukami only sighed exasperatedly, waving Han Ling away. Soon enough, the plane arrived to pick them up.

>>>

News spreads fast, when the Jironian’s left South Africa, the word was spread, and some videos were posted anonymously of the subjugation of the A-rank gate. Narukami himself stood toe-to-toe against the three headed dog. The video spread wildly, people who had time on their hands watched the video with earnest.

Soon, the country of Jiron was a hot topic on the internet, and hundreds of adventurers from Japan travelled to Jiron. This was Han Ling’s plan, it was one way to gather as many adventurers as possible before the invasion.

As adventurer’s moved towards Jiron, Han Ling slept for a complete day, and the other members understood after Narukami explained Han Ling’s situation. They were quite shocked when they heard the news, shivering at his madness.

Once Han Ling woke, he immediately sold all the pelts and items he got from the hunt, earning a large sum of sovereigns. He then hand over all the weapons and armour to the Storm Guard, instructing them to store it for future use. Then the group moved towards Springtown.

It took them 2 hours to arrive with their great speeds and mounts. Then the battle plan was drawn up…

Han Ling instructed a few members to obtain wood, and to build a barricade around the portal location. Han Ling vividly remembered the portal locations, and marked them on the map, one was in the Spring Fields next to Springtown, another was on the island not far off from Xerin, and the third was in the capital city of Brazil. These three were the major portals, capable of spewing hundreds of monsters in one go.

The team got to work, preparing for the battle that is to come. Narukami summoned his messengers informing them to send letters to the government of Brazil and the Pope of the Holy Empire, warning them of the monster outbreak.

A week passed by… and a crack formed in the night…