The first calamity started right after the introduction of Sovereign’s Battleground, when people still talked about the floating screen. People transformed into beasts in seconds, tearing through hapless people, turning bustling streets into rivers of corpses. Nearly 10 million people died from the gates, earning the name ‘First Calamity’. The calamity was stopped by groups of gamers that understood the interface. The first ‘players’.

Han Ling jumped out the window of the second floor, lightly landing on the ground, taking no damage at all. Sovereign’s Battleground gives players a much sturdier body, allowing normal people to gain the strength of a body builder. The teen ran straight towards the transforming beasts, spending all his attribute points into agility.

At the start of the game, each person gets 1000 drabs or equivalent to 1 sovereign. Han Ling spent 100 on a Beginner’s sword.

Beginner’s Sword (Grey-trash)

Attack Damage: +5

Durability: 50/50

Remarks: Just a slightly sharp stick.

A bright light pulsed from Han Ling’s hand, and a sword appear inside his palm. He grabbed the handle and leaped a few feet into the air, aiming for a clueless wolfman.

[Slash]

-49

CRITICAL!

Han Ling brought the sword down, slashing diagonally over the beast’s hapless chest, spraying blood into the air. A human and beast-like scream erupted from the wolfman’s throat as he clutched his open chest. He glared at the human with raging red eyes, but he could do nothing as Han Ling pulled his sword back, tip aimed at the wolfman’s heart.

[Thrust]

-120. FATAL HIT!

[You killed a LVL 0 (Incomplete) wolfman. Awarding 10 Exp]

The wolfman limped forward with the sword in his heart, crashing to the ground with a loud thud.

Then the sounds of low growling and snapping jaws surrounded Han Ling. 4 complete wolfmen paced around the lone human, wary of the white sword in his hand. Han Ling glanced at them, 4 wolfmen, all melee type, 50 stamina should be enough. Ever since the beginning of Sovereign’s Battleground, there is a stamina count for players, starting at 100. Currently, Han Ling has 87 stamina, enough to defeat 4 wolfmen alone.

Han Ling raised his blade, heart still and eyes closed. Memories flashed through his mind, the memory of a returner, filling the cells of this teen body. Filling it with the knowledge of a fighter with 20 years of experience.

One wolfman pounced, claws outstretched and jaw open filled with sharp teeth.

Cold… A cold feeling crawled down the wolfman’s back.

Red eyes met cold, calm black eyes. A white light flashed.

Dud-

[Slash]

-164 FATAL HIT.

[You have killed a LVL 0 wolfman. Awarding 20 EXP

One down…

The beast fell with a sword in his head, gushing blood and brains. Before the body could fall, Han Ling faced two wolfmen, leaping forward with his sword pulled back.

[Thrust]

-17

He stabbed the shoulder of one, yanking the sword out with a lurch before twisting in the air, bringing the sword down on the second wolfman.

[Slash]

SHING-

Unfortunately, the wolfman raised an arm, blocking the majority of the blade, that didn’t mean he got to keep his arm though. The wolfman howled, gripping his severed arm with his other arm. Han Ling landed and turned around, facing two wolfmen leaping straight at him.

A claw swiped out and he ducked, feeling the force blow his hair back. A second claw zoomed towards Han Ling, and he raised his sword over the claw.

CLANG!

Sword and claw meet, sparks explode from the contact of metal and nail. Han Ling grunted, feeling his hand numb from the impact. The first wolfman screeched before lurching his jaw forward, attempting to bite off the human’s head.

Han Ling calmly raised his sword and thrust forward.

[thrust]

SHICK-

[You have killed a wolfman. Awarding 20 EXP]

The sword pierced straight through the wolfman’s head, protruding at the back of his head.

Han Ling let go of his sword, leaping back from the second wolfman’s claw and buying another sword for 100 drabs. Slashing the armless wolfman on the ground, taking another kill. Leaving the single wolfman staring at him a few feet away.

The wolfman growled, feeling the noose of death tightening around his neck, he shuddered as the teen stepped forward. Like taking a casual stroll, he walked over to the last wolfman, ignoring all his growling and snapping, watching his limbs shake with deep fear. He picked up his first sword, holding them in a dual wield.

The beast took this chance to run, dashing back as far as he could.

BOOM!

He was on the ground, stones stabbing his eyes and his maw crushed, he felt great pain before nothing.

[You have killed a wolfman. Awarding 20 EXP]

Han Ling breathed out, checking his stamina and weapons. He still has 50 stamina left, a little more than he expected. His weapons lost a quarter of their durability but they should still last a while.

A loud hum erupted from the red swirling vortex, spreading out waves of energy before opening, revealing a cave on the other side. Han Ling bought a stamina potion for 10 drabs, gulping it in one go, refilling his stamina to 70. He wiped his mouth, eyes fixed on the cave.

Without any hesitation…

The returner enters his first dungeon for the second time…

[You have entered Creeping Caves]...