[Ding! Congratulations, you have been placed within the Level Ranking that contains the top 1,000 players! Would you like to view the leaderboard?]

"Yes."

_______________________

★ Level Ranking Leaderboard ★

Rank 1: King → Level: 44 | Class: Swordsman | Guild: None

----------

Rank 2: Sword Emperor → Level: 29 | Class: Swordsman | Guild: Glory Empire

----------

Rank 3: Fist Emperor → Level: 29 | Class: Fighter | Guild: Glory Empire

----------

Rank 4: Laurence → Level: 28 | Class: Swordsman | Guild: None

----------

Rank 5: Arianna → Level: 27 | Class: Saintess | Guild: None

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Rank 6: Hidden Blade → Level: 27 | Class: Assassin | Guild: None

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Rank 7: Lone King → Level: 27 | Class: Warrior | Guild: None

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Rank 8: Queen → Level: 26 | Class: Warrior | Guild: Eternal Glory

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Rank 9: Krystal → Level: 26 | Class: Pyromancer | Guild: Eternal Glory

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Rank 10: Lancelot → Level: 26 | Class: Knight | Guild: Front Assault

----------

Rank 11: Moonlight → Level: 26 | Class: Berserker | Guild: Eternal Glory

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Rank 12: Severus → Level: 26 | Class: Paladin | Guild: Front Assault

----------

....

...

...

...

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Rank 998: Raven → Level: 25 | Class: Assassin | Guild: None

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Rank 999: Iphine → Level: 25 | Class: Summoner | Guild: Killing Hand

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Rank 1000: Fearless → Level 25 | Class: Fighter | Guild: None

_______________________

As Jaden kept reading down, he held his chin and muttered. "I've been training for a whole month without leveling up and I'm still the first in the leaderboard?" his expression couldn't help but turn strange. "It's been a month in-game, what were they doing all this time?"

**********

At this moment, the whole DF Forum and player communities are in an uproar a few seconds after the release of the Level Ranking Leaderboard.

"King's at the very top, wow! After being the first player to create a skill, he then does this."

"Look at the level difference, he's nearly ahead by twice the level of the rest of the players in the leaderboard!"

"As expected of my idol! It's only been a month since the game launched and he's already miles ahead of the rest!"

"Nearly everyone searched all the player-spawned cities, kingdoms, and empires, high and low looking for King, yet no one's still found him. I wonder where he's farming levels that fast..."

Presently, Destiny Forged has at least 3 billion players all over the world, and the number is still climbing at a rapid rate. This caused the game to easily reach every corner of the world, becoming a worldwide famous VRMMO in no time.

All the VRMMO games currently famous such as Magic Continent, Elfheim, Ever Chronicles, and so on were currently suffering due to the newly launched Destiny Forged attracting their players. The companies that created, supported or invested in the other games were in a state of panic as they tried to do their best to take their users back.

It's been a few decades since the virtual industry became the top industry of the world, gaining the best economic and social progress. And the EGC, the leading powerhouse of the industry, once more took the world by storm with the release of the unprecedented and unrivaled Destiny Forged!

*********

Alpha Continent, New Era City.

At this moment, the most popular TV Station, plus radio house, plus internet streaming company, DreamCraft, was in it's busiest time since it was created.

Inside the 99th floor of the DreamCraft building, there's a meeting currently being held. Standing in front of more than 30 people, all dressed in fancy suits and clothes, was a man with a wooden stand before him.

Everyone in the was at least 20 years old to 50 years old, and they all had solemn expressions on their face, the atmosphere intense.

Slam!

They shivered at the sudden sound.

"It's been 36 days! 36 days and Y'all still haven't found that player King?!" roared a middle-aged man that seemed to be in his early 50s as he slammed the stand in front of him with his fist. "What am I paying you all for then?!"

"President Harvey, we've contacted every player-based communities we could, even in-game, it's just that guy doesn't want to be found." responded a beautiful young woman with short, curly blonde hair.

"Excuses, excuses! I'll give Y'all two more days to find this, 'King', use all the resources and contacts available!" grunted President Harvey. "If he's still not found then, we'll just leave him and approach the top 20 players in the level ranking leaderboard. Annie, I want you to lead this project since the rest of this bunch are imbeciles!" he said as he looked at the young woman that spoke.

Annie nodded her head as she felt the envious gazes of her colleagues and co-workers.

Harvey continued. "To the ones that I will call out, stand up."

"Little Zhang!"

"Present!" shouted a Chinese young man with glasses and fair skin as he stood up.

"Matthew!"

"Yes!" stood up a blond-haired man with blue eyes.

"Igor!"

"Lucas!"

"Isaac"

...

In the end, a total of 15 people stood up, all with serious expressions as they stared at Harvey who said. "The 15 people I called out will be part of Annie's team. The main goal of this project is to set-up the number one Destiny Forged streaming station!" yelled Harvey with a serious face. "The rest of the plan will be sent via email in two-days time. As for the rest that I didn't call out, your job, for now, is to find that top player as soon as possible. I have a feeling that whoever contacts that player first will hold the top spot for the streaming stations for Destiny Forged."

The employees' hearts were pounding hard as the words "number one" replayed in their minds continuously.

Standing up, they all saluted before being dismissed by Harvey.

'There's no way that kid is the one right..?' pondered Harvey as he recalled the time when he met that unparalleled young man.

Shaking his head, he laughed. "Well, we'll see when the time comes."

**********

EverGuard City, Basics of Combat training ground.

"You've done well in this expedition, I can see that your skills have improved alongside your strength," said Roland as he praised his disciple.

Jaden nodded his head. "I've seen and done things in this short span of time, widening my view of this world."

Staring at Jaden, Roland knew what was on his disciple's mind as he sighed. "Life and Death is a cycle of this world, you can simply say that it was their fate."

Jaden remained silent as the death of the innocent citizens replayed in his head.

"It's the law of not just this world, but also the countless realms and dimensions. The strong eats the weak. Not many people can have the opportunity to break free from their fate and the cycle of Life and Death." said Roland as he patted Jaden's shoulder. "Although I don't know about other people, I am sure that you will be capable of this feat."

Looking at his master's eyes, Jaden sighed internally, lamenting the fact that this world was merely a virtual creation. Nevertheless, he put everything in the back of his mind as his eyes regained their focus, leaving Roland at ease.

Changing the subject, Roland chuckled as he waved his hand, taking out a handsome white robe out of nowhere. The robe caught Jaden's eyes as it was his first time seeing such a beautiful and delicately designed robe.

'It seems that it's fit for battle?' thought Jaden.

"After being my disciple, I know that I haven't really given you a lot of things, except the harsh training." smiled Roland as he handed the robe to Jaden. "This is your reward for your first successful quest."

Reaching out his arm, Jaden took the robe as he immediately inspected it.

_______________________

[???]

Rank: Gold (0%)

Durability: 450 / 450

• Defense: 200

• Magic Resistance: 100

• Agility and Constitution +15

→ A battle robe forged for an extremely talented young warrior who just began his adventure.

Requirement: Level 30 and100 Strength, Agility. Constitution.

(Bound to player King. Cannot drop or traded)

(Can upgrade)

(Please name the item)

_______________________

"This battle robe is amazing..." exclaimed Jaden as he saw the robe's stats.

Roland chuckled. "It's good that you like it. It's forged by the blacksmith Rhold. He's the city's greatest blacksmith yet! As that equipment isn't named yet, you should give it one."

Hearing his master's words, Jaden started thinking of a suitable name for the battle robe.

"Seeing that it's color is as white as snow and I'm a swordsman, I'll name it [White Swordsman's Robe]." smiled Jaden as he decided on the simple name.

"White Swordsman's Robe...hahaha" Roland couldn't help but laugh as he felt amused at his disciple's naming sense. "Although it's simple, it is very fitting."

[Ding! The equipment [???] is now named [White Swordsman's Robe!]

After Jaden wore the battle robe, Roland became quiet, astonished at his disciple's current look. 'Tsk, tsk, this kid's appearance is really something alright...what a lady killer!"

Clad in the fitting white robe, Jaden resembled an immortal from the heavens at this moment. The delicate inscriptions that ran through the robe were akin to streaks of lightning and the engravings on the cuffs that flowed upwards were like coiling dragons as they shone a hint of silver. As the wind passed and the robe fluttered, his whole being seemed to resonate with the heaven and earth, one with nature.

Taking out the Silverfang Sheath, Jaden slid the Sword of the Forsaken inside and hanged it behind him. His present image portrayed that of a carefree young man, traversing the world, unfettered.

Looking at his disciple, Roland couldn't help but be proud at this moment. They had spent a whole month together, although training 99% of the time, becoming closer to one another, not just as a master and disciple, but more like a family.

'Hmm, since EverGuard City will be my home in this world, I should buy a house in here too.' thought Jaden. Now that he has a hundred thousand gold, that probably is enough to buy a house in this city.

Raising his head, he looked at Roland. "Master, I feel like buying my own house in this city, can you help me get a good one. Don't worry, I have enough gold," said Jaden as he patted his chest reassuringly.

Taken aback, Roland was silent for a moment before he said. "Well...okay then, follow me to the City Administration Office." laughing, Roland walked away and left the training ground.

Jaden checked the amount of gold that he had once more before following the master.

**********

City Administration Office, 3rd Floor.

Seats and tables made of the strongest of metals and toughest of woods while being delicately designed could be seen inside the top floor of the building. The lights above radiated a gentle light which enhanced the deluxe and luxurious grandeur of the atmosphere in the room.

Standing in front of a long and wide lavishly styled golden desk, was a handsome young man clad in a white robe. He was currently talking to a purple-haired beautiful woman who seemed to be a receptionist.

One would think that the beautiful receptionist would have a gentle and graceful voice, however, the reality wasn't like so. An ever familiar monotonous voice was coming from her at this moment.

[This plot of land costs 350,000 gold and the additional renovation plus the decorations and furniture cost 50,000 gold. The total amount of this purchase is 400,000 gold.]

[Title Discount: EverGuard's Warrior: 10%, Disciple of the Lord of EverGuard: 50%, Total Title Discount: 60%]

[The total price of the purchase is 160,000 gold]

[Purchase: Confirm or Reject?]

Jaden was shocked for a moment when he saw the total amount of his villa. 'The price of the villa pierces the skies but I guess that's a given since I'm buying a villa in EverGuard, which is one of the strongest cities in this continent...'

"Good thing the titles' discounts are put to good use. Confirm the purchase," he said softly.

[Ding! Purchase completed! Please name the villa to your desire.]

"KingSword Villa," replied Jaden. He had thought long and hard since earlier.

[The Clear Springs Villa had been renamed to KingSword Villa. The coordinates of the location are: XXX-XXX.]

[Thank you for purchasing the land, please come again next time.]