NOVEL NEXT XV – Professional Player
"Reporting, boss! According to the virtual map, there are less than 100 people left in the entire area" said a man in black, clearly a low-ranking member.
In front of him stood a middle-aged man with a cap pulled low over his eyes. Arms crossed, he wore a grin that revealed his crooked teeth.
"Haha, this is just perfect. Taking over this gang from the old man was the smartest move I could've made. Just in time for this new era… With my brains, our gang won’t have to worry about the police breathing down our necks anymore. Now, power is the only thing that counts!"
He laughed loudly, the sound echoing ominously. The lower-ranking member gulped nervously before asking hesitantly "Can… can I go now, boss? I’ve delivered the information..."
"Hm? You want to leave? Sure" the boss replied, chuckling as he casually crossed one leg over the other. The man sighed in relief, turning to leave, until his boss raised a hand.
"Wait!"
The man froze, stiffly turning back. His boss was pointing a gun at his head, looking at him with disdain. "By now, shouldn’t you be at level 10? What exactly am I paying you for?"
To him, leveling up wasn’t a challenge, he considered level 10 a basic requirement and regarded level 20 as a sign of certain combat ability.
"What’s wrong? Afraid to kill?" he said slowly, his tone laced with cold amusement, letting the words sink in and amplify the man's fear. While many in the gang had adapted to the new world’s brutal demands, a few still couldn’t bring themselves to kill, which held their levels back.
And to him, there was only one way to deal with people like that.
Bang!
The shot rang out, and in an instant, a lifeless body crumpled to the ground. He glanced at it with disdain, then waved his gun dismissively.
"If you can’t kill, then dying’s the only lesson you’re fit for" he sneered, "though it’s a waste of a decent bullet"
He then checked the map again and noticed several points clustered together. His eyes narrowed thoughtfully as he tapped his cheek.
"With so many gathered… could it be them? If they’re worth something, maybe I’ll consider an alliance. If not, it’s better to wipe them out now"
After a moment’s thought, he called out "Where is everyone?"
From outside, hurried footsteps approached, and several of his men entered, dressed in black and ready for orders.
"Watch out! It’s a trap!"
The ground began to give way beneath their feet, and they teetered for a brief moment before plummeting downward.
"Take this!"
[Thunder God’s Hammer!]
Suo Gang leaped into action, wielding his massive hammer. He swung it with full force, sending a powerful electric surge through the air.
Boom!
A burst of lightning exploded from the hammer. Although the attack did little direct damage, every enemy caught in the blast was hit with a debilitating status effect.
[Paralysis]
“Damn, they set us up! Tank, absorb as much as you can, the rest of you, pull back!” one of the leaders ordered. But as they tried to move, they realized their legs were immobilized.
[Icy Radiance: Manifestation!]
Above them, Mu Xuetong glared down, her sword glinting in hand.
"High level or not, you’re far too careless! We anticipated every move, yet you charged in headfirst. If I were in your place, I’d have kept my defenses ready, maybe used some MP to stay prepared, or even destroyed the ground in advance. That’s basic combat strategy" she scoffed, her tone brimming with contempt.
One of them, a men dressed in black scowled and turned to the healer behind him. "Healing! Reinforcement! We’re at the same level and outnumber the…"
He stopped mid-sentence, realizing the healer was already on the ground, unconscious. Du Heng, the team’s assassin, casually dusted off his hands.
"What game are you playing here?" he sneered. "In a team battle, the first target is always the healer. Seriously, are you even trying?"
The man in black clenched his fists in frustration and shouted, "Even without a healer, we still have the advantage!" His body emitted a wave of hot steam as he activated his skill.
[Magic • Lava Body]
The frost encasing his feet evaporated instantly. But before he could savor his freedom, a shadow appeared behind him.
"When you’re surrounded, never lose track of your enemies. You lost the moment you ignored us" Yi Lai said, grinning as he struck with his spear, aiming precisely at the man’s weak point.
[Secret Technique • Thousand-Year Assassination]
“Aaaaahhhhhh!”
The scream of agony echoed through the building. Ye Lan, watching, instinctively covered her eyes, she could barely stomach the brutal scene unfolding in front of her.
It was a slaughter.
Suo Gang, still smiling, swung his hammer onto his shoulder and strolled over to her. "So, what do you think? Impressive, right? From now on, let me protect you. I mean, you’re level 5, way too weak for this world."
Ye Lan tilted her head, looking puzzled. Weak? Me? What would I even do if those level 20 guys came after me…?
She smirked to herself. Though it’d be a hassle, one punch would probably do it, right? No, no, can’t get overconfident here. I’m not Saitama.
Alright… maybe two punches each, just to be safe.
