The castle wasn’t really grand, more of like those old castles those found on cliffs and such. Made of stone and buffeted by the salty wind every day, its understandable really.

“What do you wish to discuss, Ambassador-?” Han Ling smiled, “Just ambassador is fine, I don’t wish to speak of my name.” Altos smiled weakly, “Of course, sir.”

“I wish to purchase some warships as well as some of your men.”

King Altos frowned, “For whatever reason, ambassador?” Han Ling stared out at sea, “I am planning to clear the Blasted Islands.” “Hmm, I see. With your strength, I can see that happening, but why would you clear an island that doesn’t give many benefits?”

Han Ling stared at the king, “I have a skill that allows me to see glimpses of the future, and I see an invasion across the sea. It will ravage the world as we know, and nations will fall.” His eyes gleamed, “I plan to stop this, at least as much as I can.” Altos listened, widening his eyes as he realized something, “You predicted the invasion of goblins in Jiron, didn’t you?”

The handsome teen only smiled, not saying a thing. “Back to the topic at hand, its going to be difficult for me to grant you permission. We are on the midst of creating new warships to combat Pirates.” Han Ling felt a tickle in his memory, “Pirates? By any chance, are they pirates with a red skull on their arms?”

King Altos nodded with a curious expression, “Is something the matter?” A grin was spreading on Han Ling’s face, “Let me take care of the pirates.” King Altos was slightly puzzled but agreed, nonetheless. “And you also mentioned about an alliance, is it about the invasion?”

“Yes. When the time comes, I require the help of the Wave Kingdom’s warships.” King Altos easily agreed, “Of course we’ll help, Narukami has been a great friend and ally in the past.” Han Ling nodded and stood, “Very well, I’ll go clean out the pirates. Have at least 3 or more warships ready. I’ll be back before the end of the day.”

With that, Han Ling promptly burst into a flash of purple light, vanishing on the spot. King Altos gulped, starting to slightly pity the pirates. King Altos stepped out the room, finding his ministers suddenly falling back from the opening door. King Altos frowned, “What is going on?”

The ministers laughed awkwardly, some coughing and shuffling away while some of the older ones asked, “What were you two talking about? We couldn’t hear a single thing.” King Altos raised an eyebrow, “You couldn’t hear? Hahaha, he must have placed a silence skill of some sort on the door.” The older ones continue to pester King Altos, “Its best if we don’t talk about him, all I can tell you is he’s agreed to handle the pirates, all we have to do is wait.”

One of the ministers frowned, “He must have asked for something in return didn’t he?” King Altos nodded, “I have agreed to give him 3 or more warships for his help.” “Three warships? Why would he need that?”

“He plans to conquer the Blasted islands…”

The ministers winced but then calmed, “With a strength like his, its probably possible. We could set up new trading routes with the clearance of the Blasted Islands, we wouldn’t have to spend a few days to go around them now.”

“Those damn bees will finally be exterminated.”

“We’ll finally be able to explore the sea!”

King Altos spoked above the chattering ministers, “I believe Jiron is trying to extend their reach, mobilizing new navy forces for the future.”

“Are they trying to dominate the sea? Then we’ll be in trouble!”

“We should stop him!”

“You idiot! Do you have any idea how strong he is? Even the king probably couldn’t handle him!” the minister who spoke turned to the king, “I mean no offence my king, but I believe that is the truth.” King Altos gave him a weak smile, “It is true, he’s much powerful than I am.”

The ministers were silent, wondering if Han Ling is a problem or a benefit. “There isn’t any way for him to switch to the Wave Kingdom’s side right?” King Altos frowned, “He won’t fall for petty tricks like that, forget it, get the ships ready.” His eyes gleamed, “We’ll be going to the Blasted Lands tomorrow.”

>>>

The Red Skull pirates were notorious for attacking trading ships, even raiding villages by the shore, razing buildings to the ground and stealing valuables and food. There were also reports of women being captured along with children.

They were extremely difficult to catch, even in the future, due to the captain’s ship. The Elusive Haze, a ship capable of disappearing into the mist. In layman terms, the ship is capable of stealth, disappearing whenever chased and appearing when attacking.

The Elusive Haze was in fact a Ghostly Gold warship, a ship obtainable from Loot boxes. In fact, Han Ling has one or two ship building schematics on Silent Silver and Serene Silver ships, nothing compared to Elusive Haze, but still good enough. The current warships used by the Wave Kingdom was only Bold Bronze, Han Ling planned to give the Silent Silver ship schematic in exchange for the Elusive Haze.

But first, to deal with the Red Skull pirates…

Han Ling found them on one of the outskirt islands in the Blasted region, a place that is supposed to be crawling with monsters. The pirates must have cleared the island, making it their main base. Han Ling soared around the island, carefully checking the defences of the island before locating the Elusive Haze.

Once the information is obtained, Han Ling soared down, floating in the air as many pirates laughed and danced around a campfire. Should I say I’m lucky there aren’t any women around? Perhaps they’re inside…

Han Ling checked for any of the captives, before promptly raising an arm to the sky.

[Void Spark: Maelstrom]

Like a silent haze, dark clouds swirled from nothing, appearing over the island. One of the pirates pointed at Han Ling, screaming at the top of his lungs, the partying pirates scrambled to get their weapons. But they could do nothing as Han Ling pointed at the ground, dozens of crackling spinning orbs spun around him.

[Void Spark: Energy Barrage]

ZOOM! BOOM! RUMBLE! KA-BOOM!

The island was wreathed in flames, clouds of smoke erupted all over the beach. Pirates disintegrated one by one, and those that didn’t never survived the lightning blasts after.

Han Ling snapped his fingers.

[Void Spark: Ignite]

[Void Spark: Lightning Chain]

High from the air, arcs of purple bolts slammed down on the Earth, smiting pirates into ashes. Arcs of lightning curved, striking groups of pirates, electrocuting them to blackened bodies. Screams and shouts echoed the small island, flames burnt the leaves, thunder clapped again and again.

Han Ling floated down, eyeing the burning pirates with a cold gaze. The pirates who could still move roared, running straight to Han Ling, some fired muskets while some fired arrows. But none of the arrows hit, Han Ling’s wings created a force, forming an invisible barrier around himself.

“KILL HIM!!!”

“WHO DARES ATTACK THE RED SKULLS?!”

“AHHH!!! I’M BURNING!! WATER WAT-“

The burning pirate was sliced in half.

Han Ling dashed forward, the pirates weren’t even able to react before they were sliced from the waist, their halved bodies dropping to the ground. Han Ling weaved through the ranks of pirates, dismembering some, halving some, and instantly obliterating some with his strength.

“AHH MY ARMM!!!” “WHERE DID THIS DEMON COME FROMMM???” “AH! AH! MY LEGGG!”

Their pitiful screams rang out in the warm afternoon.

Soon, the screams grew quiet, he slaughtered the dying pirates, not leaving a single one alive with his amazing sense. He sliced up a fleeing pirate, sheathing Blood Baron’s Blade as it glowed bright red at the vast amount of blood inside it. Han Ling travelled down the stairs, leading to a basement of sorts.

And that’s when he found the captives…

Most of the females were naked, huddled up in the corner of a large cell. Han Ling stared at the females, most of them were young, with the exceptions of a couple of older ones, Han Ling scowled, feeling a deep anger form in his chest.

The pirates that stayed below surrounded Han Ling, but the latter just swung his sword, slicing them to pieces. “UWAHHH! WHAT THE HELL IS THIS DEMON!?”

“HELP ME! HELP! HEL—”

SHING!

The pirate was sliced right in the middle, its body parts falling to the side. The captives all turned to watch, the older ones shielding the eyes of the young girls.

CLANG!

Han Ling widened his eye in surprise, a burly young man with a shaggy beard stood in front of him, “I am the vice-captain of the Red Skull Pirates, why have you attacked us?” Han Ling stared coldly at him, “I have been given a job by the Wave Kingdom.” The vice-captain’s expression turned ugly, “We have only pillaged a few villages, why ar—”

The vice captain’s head fell to the ground, stunning every single person in the room. The other pirates trembled, “T-T-The vice-captain…” “The vice-captain is dead! He was level 60 God damn it! Only elites could fight him!”

Han Ling turned to the trembling pirates, “Don’t even think about leaving here alive… you’ve ruined the lives of these young girls, and u better be prepared to pay the price…”

“Uhh…uhhh… UWAHHHHH!!!!”

The screams tore through the sky.

Han Ling knew for a fact that the captain of Red Skull wasn’t a combatant, he was the master of the Elusive Haze and only he could control it unless he died. He found him…

But Han Ling’s mind was filled with rage.

It was a vivacious room, for all the wrong reasons…

It was a large room, but the smell was extremely thick, the musky smell of sweat and sex. In the centre was a large bed with candles lit on the sides the little candlelight showing the disgusting horror inside.

A little blonde girl laid naked on the bed, body limp and drooling through the side of her mouth. Her hair was dirty and unkempt, her eyes filled with tears and devoid of all the sparkling laughter children should have. Half a dozen other girls laid all over the room, shock, fear, despair, sadness, all obvious expressions plastered on their faces.

Then on the bed itself was a fat man, his breathing laboured and eyes filled with mad lust.

“What? How did you get in here? Guards! Guards! Get this man!” He turned slightly, and Han Ling saw the frail naked body of a little girl, limp, her wide black eyes teary and void of all life, staring at Han Ling.

Her eyes met Han Ling’s and a glimmer of light streaked past, Han Ling was next to the fat bastard, slashing down with vehement force.

“Uhh? AHHHHHH!!!!” Blood spurted the air, coming from the hole where the man’s penis should be. The fat captain dropped to the ground, howling at the top of his lungs. Han Ling ignored the bastard, grabbing a spare cloak Han Ling had and wrapping the little girl.

The girl looked up at Han Ling with dazed eyes, as if she woke up from a nightmare. She had wavy black hair, a splatter of freckles on the bridge of her nose, with wide black eyes. The little girl winced as she leaned forward, and Han Ling saw the pain. He turned to the howling bastard on the ground, eyes filled with cold fury.

“N-No! No! I’ll give you anything! I-I’ll give you that girl for free! Please! Please!!!”

A pig squealed.