It was impossible.

The wolf den was swamped with Wind Wolves, not to even mention the gigantic bus sized green wolf lazing right at the centre, with the statue right next to him.

Han Ling was hanging on the edge of despair, he scouted the area four or five times yet could not find any loops or hints in the wolf den. He thought of countless methods to touch the statue, yet not a single one was sound.

Frustration blew through his head, as he pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a slight headache form. Damn it… This won’t be easy… I guess the only method is to try that…

Han Ling summoned his nine sabres from the stored blood, sending them far into the forest. He dashed forward, cracks forming on the ground at every single step. Han Ling flew forward at an extreme pace, with the new Featherweight boots that increased his agility, he travelled at 120 km/h.

The Wind Wolves that noticed him all bared their fangs, daring the human to approach. Even the Wolf King stood up at the sight of an intruder. Han Ling knew he didn’t have much time, he slashed towards the incoming wolves, forcing them back as much as he can. But with the 5-level difference, it was difficult to force even a single wolf back.

Without the help of the red sabres, Han Ling couldn’t even last a couple of seconds before being surrounded. Seeing no way out he activated the Coat of Night’s skill, Blend in, disappearing in front of the pack of wolves. Every single wolf sniffed the air, finding it strange that their prey vanished.

But a sudden shockwave startled the beasts, as the ground cracked where the human was. And a powerful force flew by the pack of wolves, even the Wolf King was oblivious to the speed of an invisible object flying straight at him.

Yes! The skill actually worked! Han Ling wasn’t sure if the camouflage skill would work against the Wolf King as wolves have an extremely good sense of smell. Luckily, the blend in skill covers up all of his scent, sound, and sight.

With 5 seconds of invisibility, Han Ling burst forward to the statue, using 2 seconds to get there. He touched the stone and dread immediately washed over him.

He was a fool… He completely forgot what happens when he touches a statue…

The moment white light burst out the statue, a great green claw swiped towards him. Han Ling was hit, flying into the woods faster than a bullet, his health immediately went critical as he slammed into a great oak tree. Han Ling coughed out a lungful of blood, groaning with immense pain.

With a shaking hand, he pulled a bottle of healing he prepared in advance, gulping it down in one go, feeling the bones mend and cuts close.

However, a great howl snapped his pain back, as a giant green wolf barrelled over to him. Han Ling gulped down another potion before exploding into a cloud of blood, leaving the wolf confused at the metallic smell in the air. He growled in frustration before throwing his head back and howled.

With that howl, countless howls sounded through the forest. The ground shook, and trees rustled, moving in the direction of the Shrine…

>>>

Gasping and coughing, Han Ling dragged his bloody body to the Shrine Maiden, the only person who he feels safe next to.

He pulled out another 2 healing potions, gulping them both in one go, finally taking a deep breath as his health reached the halfway point.

Han Ling collapsed on the steps of the Shrine, the maiden only stared at him with a slightly bemused expression. “You actually managed to get the statue…”

Han Ling took a deep breath, “It nearly died… Luckily, I got away in time.” The Shrine Maiden was silent, but her eyes were full of worry. “That means the next part of the quest is starting…” Han Ling frowned and opened his mouth, but a tri-ring sounded and his happiness hit rock bottom.

[Hidden Quest – The Locked Sovereign]

Player has found three statues, rewarding player Ghostly Gold Loot Box, Death’s Cloak, Swordsman skill: Three Slash Ashura (rare)

[Player has triggered Epic Quest- Repeat of History]

The Wind Wolf King, directs his anger at the Shrine, sending his pack to raze it to the ground. Complete one of the objectives to complete the quest… Fend off the wolf pack. Defeat the Wind Wolf King.

Han Ling had mixed feelings, despair clouded his mind, yet at the same time… Excitement. Ever since he regressed, he has not felt the excitement of battle. He always told himself the horrors of a battle, yet…

He couldn’t help it, it was like battle was a woman he once loved, always longing to be by her side.

Han Ling took a deep breath and asked the Shrine Maiden, “Esteemed Shrine Maiden Kino, please aide me in protecting the Shrine.” He bowed a perfect 90 degrees and waited for a reply. The Shrine Maiden stared at the swordsman then sighed, “Ha- I’m not allowed to kill too many living things, it upsets the balance in this realm…” Han Ling’s heart dropped, he gritted his teeth, now he had little to no chance.

“However… I can provide you items that may aid you.”

Han Ling looked up with wide eyes, the Shrine Maiden laughed lightly, taking a ring off her finger, and throwing it to him. He caught it and inspected it…

[Amaterasu’s Ring (Incomplete) (Ultra Rare Item)]

All stats increased by 300% Passive Skill Solar Power: Cancels all cooldowns for 30 seconds. CD 10 minutes. Active Skill Solar Domain: Buffs allies with Sun resistance, decreasing damage taken by 200%. Debuffs enemies with 200% additional damage. Lasts 1 hour. CD 3 days.

Han Ling couldn’t contain his shock, gasping out loud before raising his head to the Shrine Maiden, gulping down dry saliva. He quickly kneeled with his head down, “Forgive this one’s disrespect, Esteemed Goddess. This lowly one did not realise great one’s identity; I beg for forgiveness.”

“Now you understand why I’m not allowed to help you right?” Han Ling nodded vigorously, inwardly screaming at his luck. Amaterasu would be one of the most powerful Japanese Gods. With her divine power over the sun, she was immensely powerful, she even had an Apostle in the future, a mage called Shino, or the Solar Witch. With the power of the sun, not even Child of Death could defeat her easily.

To be able to meet Amaterasu so early in the game… I must be Lady Luck’s lost son.

AWOOOOO

Han Ling turned, cursing as an army of wolves came out of the forests. Then a thin layer of mana formed from the top of the shrine, covering the building in a rainbow bubble. “This shield will last at least 10 minutes against a full onslaught from the wolves, you will also have reinforcements.”

A circle formed on the ground around the shrine, and a single red fox stepped out of the circle, but in the next second, another appeared, then another. Han Ling widened his eyes as he recognized the skill. Well it wasn’t really a skill, it was a Spawner, a mana circle that spawns monsters until its magic disappears. Spawners were one of the most important defences in the future, with almost every single large organization owning a single one. It was tremendously hard to create and the mana required to activate it was immense.

But for a god, this was as simple as cooking rice. Amaterasu formed another Spawner with a wave of her hand, bringing a couple dozen red foxes into the battle. Han Ling could see the large bus-sized green wolf in front of the pack, baring his fangs at the human.

Han Ling placed the ring around his middle finger, and a great heat exploded from his body. The heat gradually became warm and gold rays of mana danced around the swordsman, buffing him to an unprecedented level.

With the ring Han Ling at least stood a chance against the beast king. He raised his sword, summoning all nine sabres in a flash burst forward, cracking the ground beneath him.

The beast king roared, tendrils of wind coiling around his claws as he bound forward. The distance closed, Han Ling roared out a challenge, leaping high into the air before slashing down with a mighty force.

The Wolf King swiped his claw with a howl, almost saying “Bring it on Human!”

Wind claw and sword met.

BOOM!