The Multiverse Hunter

The second level of Paradise-a place where players escaped the Slum and once again lived under a true sky, where the sun and moon cycled naturally, and where seasons changed instead of the endless dull grey of the Slum.

Here, there was rain, wind, and warmth—a taste of normalcy that the Slum never offered.

But today, normalcy was shattered.

All eyes were locked on the grey tower that pierced the clouds, stretching high above the centre of the Second Level's grand city.

The streets below the tower were packed-thousands of players had gathered, their outfits and armour reflecting the vast variety of worlds they came from.

Warriors clad in enchanted plate armour, rogue-like figures in light leather, spell-casters wearing flowing robes, and even futuristic exo-suits from high-tech universes.

Yet despite all the different backgrounds, all attention was drawn to one group.

The strongest players of the second level.

These weren't just ordinary players-these were leaders, commanders, and captains.

The most powerful individuals who ruled this level, those who controlled dungeons, resources, and commerce. And they were all gathered here, waiting for one man.

At the front of the crowd, a tall, muscular woman stood confidently, flames dancing across her fingers as she idly twirled a fireball around her wrist.

Her bright red hair was wild, untamed, matching the fiery aura she exuded. She wore a red battle-suit made of hardened beast hide, the crevices of the armour lined with fur from an unknown creature.

She smirked as she scanned the crowd.

"Hey, Julie. What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice filled with casual amusement.

Next to her, a woman clad in brilliant white armour turned her head.

Her long pink hair flowed down her back, a stark contrast to the glistening silver of her knight's armour. On her back was a massive white longsword-one so large that it towered over her when she stood still.

Julie's expression was calm, her tone unwavering.

"The same reason you're here, Luciana."

Luciana chuckled. "Fair enough."

Her golden eyes gleamed as she took another look around.

'Whoever this guy is, he's got every big-time player on edge.'

It wasn't just independent captains like Julie who were here.

The leaders of the guilds-the ones who ruled the second level-had also stepped out personally.

Behind Luciana, Claire, the Apostle of the Fire Guild.

Elsewhere, another faction stood-the leaders of the five ancient guilds, as well as other rising powerhouses. They weren't here for fun.

They were here to recruit Ali.

Or, at the very least, control him.

At the back, standing behind a man in a grey suit, Jacob remained quiet.

His eyes flickered as he watched the silver coin in his superior's hand-engraved with the Air Guild insignia-flip constantly between his fingers.

At first glance, it seemed like a simple trick.

But if one looked closer, they'd notice something strange-

Each time the coin was about to drop, something impossible happened-it would suddenly launch upward again, defying physics.

This was not sleight of hand.

SHAKE.

RUMBLE.

The moment stone shifted, every elite player straightened-their expressions sharpening, their postures stiffening.

The grey tower groaned, and the base slid open to reveal a dimly lit chamber.

Then—

A man clad in black stepped out.

Two Supervisors stood behind him in the grey room.

The first thing that hit him was the sunlight—a warm contrast to the eternal artificial lighting of the Slum.

Then, he saw them.

Thousands of players, all standing before him, their eyes fixed on his figure.

Ali's expression remained calm.

His black eyes scanned the crowd, his presence alone enough to make some players tense up involuntarily.

The second-level players had heard about him.They had seen his achievements listed in the Review. But seeing him in person was different.

'Handsome.'

'Tall.'

'Muscular.'

'Scary!'

'STRONG.'

For a split second, the crowd absorbed his presence, mentally comparing the man to the legend they had heard about.

Then—

Luciana stepped forward.

She opened her mouth-

"Player Ali, I am-"

"I am not joining any guild."

Ali's voice cut through the air, sharp, unwavering.

His words echoed across the plaza, reaching even the players at the very back of the crowd.

"Regardless of what you offer, do not waste my time. Move out of my way."

A heavy silence followed.

Then—Tension.

Jacob grinned. 'Good.'

But the guild leaders around him?

Their expressions darkened instantly.

Some looked angry, others looked offended, but the general reaction was unmistakable-pure irritation.

They had come all this way, only to be dismissed in seconds.

Then, a deep voice rumbled through the air.

"You are an arrogant bastard."

The crowd stiffened.

A massive figure stepped forward-an Asian man, nearly eight feet tall, with broad shoulders and an unshakable presence.

His brown robes resembled traditional Chinese garments, but the pressure he exuded was far from normal.

Ali's gaze locked onto him immediately.

Not because of his size.

But because of his power.

Wu Gongfu wasn't just strong.

He was a walking tank, a monster of raw strength.

And he wasn't hiding it.

"I am Wu Gongfu of the Stone Guild."

His voice was deep, authoritative-and final.

"I know what you did to my people in the Slum."

The air grew heavier. The players behind him tensed.

"This is your last chance. Join my guild and redeem yourself."

His eyes glowed slightly.

"Otherwise, you will face death for what you have done."

The crowd was stunned.

The newcomer had barely been here for minutes, and yet—

He was already being threatened by the strongest player on the second level.

Ali did not hesitate.

"Not joining any guild."

His tone did not change.

"Do with that what you will."

Without another word, he walked forward, head held straight, unbothered.

Behind him, the tower doors shut, the Supervisors disappearing within.

And still, Ali kept walking.

The crowd parted before him, instinctively making way. Wu Gongfu's expression darkened.

"I challenge you to a duel in the arena."

Ali kept walking.

Then—

"To the DEATH."

The entire second level froze.

A wave of shock rippled through the crowd.

Even among the most hardened players of the second level, a duel to the death was no small matter.

There was no surrender. No escape.

Only one fighter would leave alive.

And yet, Ali did not even pause.

He kept walking.

His black eyes remained locked forward, his expression completely neutral-as if Wu Gongfu's challenge was nothing more than white noise in the background.

Then—

"Ali! Don't accept!"

A familiar voice called out, and Ali turned his head slightly.

The white-haired Air Guild apostle had stepped forward, now walking beside him. His usual grin was still there, but there was something slightly sharper behind his eyes.

His words, however, carried weight. "Why not?" Ali stopped and asked, his voice calm.

Jacob scoffed. "Because he has at least ten points in Strength. He's too much for you right now. You can kill him later."

Silence.

The words hung heavily in the air.

The players of the Stone Guild stiffened, glaring at Jacob as anger filled their expressions.

Wu Gongfu himself didn't move, but a slow, deep exhale left his chest.

Then—

"I'll kill you too, ant."

He took a single step forward, his massive frame casting a shadow over Jacob.

For most, that single movement was enough to send fear crawling up their spine.

But Jacob? He just smiled.

Then—

VOOOOOOOOOOM!

A silver coin shot between them, slicing through the air at blinding speed.

A violent gust of wind followed the coin, blasting against Wu Gongfu's face, making him reel his head back slightly.

His sharp eyes immediately locked onto the source.

A man in a grey suit-floating several feet in the air.

A small tornado swirled beneath his feet, holding him aloft.

His expression was completely calm. But his words carried absolute authority.

"Who the fuck are you threatening?"

The leader of the Air Guild had spoken.

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Author here, just a heads up that the next chapters will be used to introduce a small bit of the politics and new characters and general new stuff on the second level. The second level is going to be a huge part of Ali's journey and so I need to set it up properly. A lot of readers are complaining about lack of R18 so I'll try and make some R18 chapters soon.

Please donate some of your power stones, it would help my ff massively.

Five chapters ahead of webnovel on patreon.com/Rondo312