Chapter Eleven: The Endless Crusade Without Hope

With a staggering 50,000 HP, Li Ren felt no fear at all toward the foes before him. No matter what, at level 30, their abilities wouldn’t differ too much; it was unlikely anyone could casually land a blow for a thousand or two damage. It would take a finishing move to make a real impact.

As expected, Shield Star charged forward with a Sky Roar and an Armor Break. Yet, only 130 points of damage appeared above Li Ren’s head. It made sense, after all, since he was dealing with a shield warrior. Those numbers were just about right.

Fighting a boss followed certain rules: others had to wait until the shield warrior had firmly established aggro before attacking, or risk being cut down instantly. Bosses typically had predictable attack patterns; if you survived the initial phase and grasped those rhythms, the battle would become much easier.

However, neither rule applied to Li Ren, now acting as the boss.

Still, the opposing players were well-equipped and skillful. Li Ren decided to play along, relishing the rare opportunity to face players openly and fairly.

With this thought, Li Ren’s tactics turned sly. He casually slashed at Shield Star—nothing special, just letting the blade fall as if by gravity. Instantly, a glaring -300 appeared above Shield Star’s head, draining a fifth of his health bar. Just as Li Ren raised his hand again, a holy light descended, restoring Shield Star’s HP.

Li Ren grumbled at the mobile blood bank, but was satisfied with his own attack. Shield warriors only had about 1,500 HP at this stage; if he decided to go all out, and Shield Star didn’t activate damage immunity, he could easily halve his health in one strike.

Seeing that Li Ren was thoroughly fixated on Shield Star, the other three began their assault. Sword Star led the charge, wielding his heavy blade. A dazzling arc of light swept from his sword, slashing straight toward Li Ren.

Li Ren glanced sideways; he couldn’t help but admire the spectacle. He shifted, positioning his bone shield to intercept the sword light. -500!

“Hmm, not bad—he managed to deal 500 damage even after triggering my block. Without block, that would’ve been a clean 1,000. With looks and damage like this, he must have beauties flocking to him. Yes, that’s it.” Li Ren noted the damage, his thoughts quickly meandering elsewhere.

The five before him posed no real threat, and their numbers were so few. He pondered for a moment and decided to change his approach.

He ceased attacking and suddenly pivoted, accelerating straight at Sword Star. With a resounding crash, a soft sensation followed—oh, please! With a man, what softness could there possibly be? Nevertheless, it was a distinct feeling. Watching Sword Star dizzy from the collision, Li Ren felt thoroughly pleased.

In the real world, inside a high-end gaming pod, a sudden violent tremor made the man within frown deeply, as if enduring something unbearable. Indeed, this was the unlucky Sword Star who had just been sent flying.

He definitely needed a break.

Li Ren enjoyed the first collision so much that his inner mischief flared. He ignored all of Shield Star’s skills slamming against him—what could this foolish shield warrior really do? Li Ren would simply disregard him, leaving him utterly embarrassed. What could Shield Star do about it? Yet, Li Ren forgot that his current persona was precisely that same foolish shield warrior—a case of the pot calling the kettle black!

Swinging his arms, he charged furiously toward the group’s priest. The priest, busy healing the shield warrior, froze instantly.

Damn it, this is suicide!

“What the hell—Is this boss an idiot or are you?! Why is he chasing me?!” Priest Star cursed loudly, while Shield Star felt utterly powerless, trailing behind Li Ren and hacking away, but Li Ren paid him no mind.

“Why don’t you try tanking! This guy has no aggro at all! How am I supposed to hold him?!” Shield Star shouted as he ran, which Li Ren found immensely amusing.

The mage and hunter paused briefly, but as professional players, they never missed a chance to deal damage. As Li Ren chased the priest, their attacks rained down continuously.

Li Ren glanced at the two persistently attacking him but ignored them, continuing after the priest. Generally, healing priests—especially female ones—were the most entertaining to chase in games; that was half the fun. But this priest was a man…

With that irritating thought, Li Ren resolved to teach him a lesson—maybe ensure he couldn’t be a man anymore? Even Li Ren felt a chill run through certain parts of himself at his own sudden notion.

For the sanctity of priest maidens everywhere! Charge!

Li Ren gave his actions a grand justification, deciding that chasing a man in a pristine priest’s robe wasn’t so perverse after all. This was for a holy cause—a crusade! These fools wouldn’t understand.

Li Ren, devoted to holy war for five centuries, pursued the priest relentlessly, his sword swinging with imposing force. Priest Star felt as if he might wet himself.

“Come on, hit your grandpa already!” Shield Star finally snapped, unleashing his ultimate move—the legendary strongest MT’s greatest contribution to humanity: a powerful taunt.

Sure enough, Li Ren was successfully taunted. His rapid stride halted abruptly, and Shield Star, unable to react in time, crashed right into him, dazed and confused—fortunately, he remembered to shield his face.

“Let me teach you a lesson, you brat!” Li Ren roared in fury.

He turned and hacked with all his might, targeting Shield Star’s shield. The entire hall echoed with clangs as Li Ren, towering over Shield Star, battered him mercilessly.

Shield Star could only shield his head, trapped like a chubby rat inside a giant bell. The violent tremors from the shield made his fat jiggle uncontrollably, as if electrified—a perverse sort of pleasure.

In reality, the overweight player in the gaming pod twitched and shuddered, his eyelids fluttering, clearly in pain.

“I’ll smash you! I’ll smash you hard! Damn it! I’ll make you suffer, make you a fool!” Li Ren vented, raining attacks on the shield. Naturally, Shield Star took little damage, giving the priest time to keep healing, but when Li Ren finally ceased, Shield Star remained in that pose.

Though pain was limited to 10%, the thunderous impacts and vibrations had clearly shattered his will.

Li Ren didn’t even look; he delivered another blow, bypassing the shield and sending Shield Star off in a flash of white light, back to the city teleport zone, utterly despairing.

Holy war!

Priest Star, desperate and cornered against the wall, pulled out his teleport crystal. Just as he was about to crush it, Li Ren moved.

Swift as lightning, blade flashing, Priest Star was sent back to the city as well.

“Ahhhhhhh! Damn you!” A heart-wrenching wail echoed from the Grand Mage’s basement.

Li Ren couldn’t hear it, but he could easily imagine the miserable state of the priest upon his return.

A proud advocate of heterosexuality! Defilers of priest maidens must burn!

Sword Star, Mage Star, and Hunter Star exchanged glances and sighed...