Level 0 Master

"Hm? Well, I was busy training and studying. Wait, watch out!"

Immediately, several tens of wooden blocks attacked Ereka's entire body.

"Ahh!"

With a short scream, Ereka fell down.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"Princess!"

Sungjin ran forward to hold her up, while Jenna looked on with a worried expression.

"I'm… okay."

"Hey, do you have a fever? Your face is red."

Sungjin placed his hand against Ereka's forehead. Ereka's face flushed deeply.

"You do have a fever. It's good to see you're working hard, but why don't you take a day off?"

"N… No. It's not that…" Ereka waved her hands in protest.

"Oh, I need to go! I need to work on some matters! Prepare lunch! Have fun training."

Ereka pushed Sungjin away, and ran off with short strides.

"You should take a break for at least a day."

She is cute when she lowers her guard, but I feel bad for her when I see her trying too hard.

Ereka stirred up his protective instincts.

"She seems to have a lot to do since she just took back the castle."

"That makes sense. Hm, I can't stop her then."

Sungjin nodded.

He wanted to tell her to take some medicine, but dealing with her period was something she knew better than him, a man, so he decided to keep quiet.

He had studied various methods of winning to the point of becoming the god of battlefields, but everything he knew about romantic affairs and women were from books, with no experience. So naturally, he didn't know his thoughts were way off the mark.

Jenna remained beside him waving her tail.

Wow. To think he really didn't have other women. He wasn't lying about not having a relationship without love. I'm liking this oppa more and more.

If this was the kind of man he was, he wouldn't carelessly touch others aside from the few he loved, no?

Did he pass my tests? Hmm, no. Maybe I should learn more about him first.

At the same time. Ereka felt her burning cheeks as she ran.

Sungjin… so you didn't have a lover.

She couldn't believe he had no one.

I suppose it means that he was focused on his training. I was busy learning martial arts as a knight and studying on how to rule a kingdom as a princess, so I never had a boyfriend before. But to think Sungjin was the same.

She was supposed to be feeling bad, but felt elated instead.

Oh, then maybe...

She didn't see the pillar in front of her and ran into it.

Ouch. This is not the time! I need to take care of the state affairs. The state affairs...

She shouldn't be having such thoughts when the country was in danger.

But… it's good news that you've never had anyone.

Her mind was everywhere at once while she was running towards her office. Her footsteps were light.

Unlike the bright atmosphere on the princess' side, the atmosphere in the Blood Ruler's camp was stifled with tension.

The heroes who had gathered in Rangrian Castle, second of the southern regions, was shivering in fear of the upcoming punishment at losing their capital which had once been their headquarters.

This included the three knights.

"I have come back awakened, only to see that you've given back the capital to that b***."

Anger could be heard in Riad's murmur. The bloodlust which came from her had increased since her awakening. All the heroes within the hall felt as though the heavy air was suffocating them.

"We've sinned." The three knights begged for forgiveness.

"Then go to hell." Riad's answer was as cold as ice.

"Please… forgive us."

"Please, give us one more chance."

"A chance? You couldn't even deal with the weaklings, what could you possibly do with another chance?"

"Please consider our past contributions and give us one more chance. This will never happen again."

"Your contributions. Fine. If you three manage to block a single attack of mine, I will consider another use for you."

The three knights felt relief.

She's forgiving us!

It makes sense. Although we made a huge mistake, without us, the next battle would be a problem.

It wouldn't look good if she pardoned us like this, so she made this condition of only "one hit."

Everyone knew the Blood Ruler was the stronger fighter, but there was no way the trio, when working in cooperation, could be defeated so easily. Winning, and withstanding a single hit were entirely different conditions.

It would be strange to abandon us once the princess and her weaklings are defeated, since we have to attack other kingdoms to advance towards the central regions.

They were relieved to have a chance to save their lives.

"Come to the training hall. Do your best if you want to save yourselves."

"May it please you, Your Highness."

The three knights bowed and followed Riad into the training hall. The other heroes followed to see the match.

A few moments later… the three knights were passed out on the floor in a sea of blood.

They looked miserable with fractures all over their whole bodies, torn flesh, and ripped muscles.

They were barely alive only because the Blood Ruler didn't use her entire strength.

Their torn pants smelled like a disgusting mix of blood and urine, but the other heroes watching from a distance couldn't laugh at them.

After all, they, too, were afraid.

What had they had just witnessed was the ultimate skill of the Blood Ruler.

The three knights hadn't been capable of landing a hit, nonetheless withstanding an attack.

Out of the six classes, knights had the highest defence.

But… To have one skill defeat all three at once?

By simply pressing on with brute strength, when no weaknesses were shown?

No one would have believed this without seeing it. Even those who saw this couldn't believe their eyes.

This is… Our Majesty's awakened power.

They were scared.

Terrified.

She was their ruler, but they feared her.

The princess and her weaklings, their happiness wasn't going to last a month. They were definitely going to be destroyed in the next battle. There was no need for the three knights. The Blood Ruler alone was more than enough.

They could also no longer be certain as to whether the three knights would be needed.

"Useless things. Can't you withstand a single hit from me?"

At the cold voice, the three knights used the last of their strength to beg for their lives.

"Sa… save us."

"What use do I have for you who could not defeat the weaklings of the princess?"

Bloody energy vibrated from the magical sword of the Blood Ruler.

"The enemies' tricks were too vile!"

"Yes. They were cunning and cowardly!" Firgrine and Angrasil shouted together.

"Ho?"

For the first time, Riad's face showed something other than anger. She was curious.

Realizing that this was their last chance to beg for their lives, the three knights started to shout out loud.

"That is the truth! If not, we would have won!"

"Tell me the details of the battle. According to that, I will decide what to do with you all."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The three knights described the fight with the princess.

Of course, they added in how hard they fought with their loyalty on behalf of the Blood Ruler while explaining how sly and cunning the acting of the princess and Jenna was.

"That is what happened."

"Ho. Ignoring your useless flowery words, I can tell the fight involved a highly capable strategist."

Riad sheathed her magical sword.

"Are you forgiving us?"

"Although you were defeated this time, there were previous contributions. I will give you one more chance to be useful. Bring in the healer."

"Thank you, thank you."

The three knights cried with happiness.

After dealing with the situation, Riad sat on the throne and asked the heroes again.

"Are you certain there has been no addition to the princess' side?"

"As mentioned, the princess, Rittier, and the baby wizard were fighting in the battle. It was their fixed members."

"I'm saying that there should be a guest treated with the highest regard, who didn't step onto the battlefield."

"We would have reported that to you if there was another high-level hero."

"What about a low-level one?"

"There was none."

"That's impossible. The three of them couldn't have come up with such a strategy in that brief period. There is someone."

At Riad's confident announcement, a hero who stood at the very end of the hall opened his mouth carefully.

"Ah… Now that I recall… For some reason, I've heard that the princess is still treating the Level 0 extra as an ally. On top of that, she had provided him with a chamber and meals."

"Why you didn't you mention that earlier!" Riad's angry voice shook the hall.

"Well he's but a Level 0 extra… Rumor has it that the princess is keeping him because of his talents in bed."

"You fools. I see that even if you have eyes, you are blind, and even with ears, you are deaf."

Riad sat back on the throne.

"Bring in all the intel about this extra. Don't miss anything. I will check everything, even the smallest details."

"You shouldn't waste time on an extra…"

"Bring it!"

"Ye- Yes!"

A moment later, Riad erupted into laughter reading the information the heroes brought in.

"Ahahaha. So I see."

Why is she laughing?

"How entertaining. Very well. I will personally go see this man myself."

"What? Your… Your Highness. Why would you go see an extra?"

"Idiots! What of a Level 0! If he can bring a victory, that becomes an ability! Having an ability means usefulness!"

"B… but."

"I will see him in person. If he is the real source of their plan, he is worth my attention."

"Your… Your Majesty."

As the heroes couldn't stop her, they silently expressed their dissatisfaction in silence.

It can't be the work of that extra.

The three must have come up with that inspiration by chance.

A stupid, low, useless extra couldn't know anything about a battleground meant for heroes.

Like how people placed their jewels in a jewel box and not in the trash can, god would have put power, intelligence, and character in a hero's body, not an extra's.

They couldn't understand why the Blood Ruler was ignoring common sense.

It was obvious that she was going to waste her time, but they decided to remain silent so as to not provoke her anger.

Sungjin was relaxing in a bathtub.

It was a good way to call it a day and relax his muscles after sweating in the training room.

The bathroom in the castle was obviously incomparable to the neighbourhood sauna or the luxurious hotel bathtubs which frequented on TV. Magic controlled the temperature of the water so it could be altered to his wishes, and the jets of water varied in strength where and when he wanted.

On top of that, there were various bath herbs lined in variety for his desire, and outside were maids who could deliver service when he called for it.

Although, he never asked for them in embarrassment.

I didn't ask for luxury, but it's certain that the reward for the winners in this world makes the prizes of a pro gamer of my world look like a joke.

That was why national heroes joined battles with their lives on the line. There were way stronger and cooler enemies here than on earth.

And one of them was his current enemy, the Blood Ruler Riad.

When I saw her, I felt the incomparable power equivalent to everyone on the world champion team.

But that was before her awakening. She had to be stronger now that she has come back as level 8.

A tyrant who bathed in the virgin's blood.

A person who should not exist in terms of humanity.

But from a gamer's point of view, her ruthlessness and strength made her a great opponent.

What is she like?

A curiosity directed towards an enemy was similar to curiosity directed towards a lover. After all, one became curious about what the other likes and hates, to the most miniscule details, so that they become vulnerable.

They were also similar in the fact that the other's presence never left the head all day, until the day of their meeting approached with beating hearts.

Information on the surface was not enough. To set up a perfect strategy against her, he had to understand her inside and out.

Sungjin's head was full of Riad, the Blood Ruler.

In that moment, one side of the bathroom's wall began to crack. A scarlet aura started to ooze out, and a heavy threatening scent followed.

Soon, the wall shattered.

Standing there was a woman with a fatal seductiveness.

Her confident posture and arrogant eyes showed vigor. But on the other hand her breasts, on the verge of exploding out of her clothes, and breathtaking curves revealed an alluring charm.

Her flowing red hair was glamorous and sexy.

Her strong limbs urging pleasure.

While she looked like a spider queen who ate men.

She also resembled a bloodied rose that made people want to be eaten.

She was the Blood Ruler, Riad, owner of the magical sword, and a witch queen who gained strength by taking a bath in the blood of virgins. She was the strongest in the kingdom, and even male heroes couldn't look her in the eye without kneeling.

Ereka was an edelweiss covered with morning dew, blooming on the side of a cliff. Riad was a bloody red rose that sucked up the blood of a thousand dead bodies.

Sungjin smirked at her, head on.

"Ho? Is this a kidnapping?"

Despite his naked body on display as he was leaning into the bath, he was confident.

His attitude without fear or humiliation made Riad laugh.

"Haha. I came just to see you."

"You should have sent a note. Obviously, I'm not in the situation to greet a guest."

"Ha. This is better. Being naked is the best way to have an unfiltered conversation. I will join you."

She stepped forward. By disarming the appearance of her armour, she, too, became naked.

Her mature body which had been alluring in the first place had been completely unveiled. With every step, her private parts appeared and disappeared. And even then, she stepped into the bath without an ounce of embarrassment, facing Sungjin with spirit.

"Why not. Use it to your liking. I won't charge you for the water," Sungjin greeted this uninvited guest nonchalantly.

Their gazes clashed passionately; their fierce, burning eyes revealing respect for each other. Others might have thought they were a passionate couple.

They both scanned each other's body from head to toe, and neither of them flinched.

"Hahaha. Now I see. You've got the body of a trained martial artist." Riad laughed first.

"And the knowing eyes of a competitor."

She pointed at Sungjin with her finger.

"And that aura, is of an ambitious man. Hahaha. I thought there were no real men in this country, but here you are. But you. You are from elsewhere. You are level 0, but you're not a real level 0."

As a royal, she knew about the forbidden summoning ceremony hidden in the secret chamber.

"Ha. You, too, are more than what I've seen in the records. You're a worthy opponent."

Sungjin respected Riad. She was the real deal, totally unlike those three knights. She had to be defeated, but it wasn't going to be easy for him. His blood started to pump faster at the excitement.

Their gazes clashed more fervently.

Suddenly, the door opened, and princess Ereka rushed in.

"What are you doing! Blood Ruler Riad! I knew you had no manners but don't you have a sense of humiliation? What is this… obscene…!"

As soon as Sungjin's naked body came into her sight, Ereka turned her head. Her face turned red and she couldn't finish her sentence.

"This is a conversation between people who know about the fight for supremacy. Children like newborns do not belong here," said Riad. She didn't even bother to look at Ereka.

That provoked Ereka into lifting her head.

"I, too, am a trained knight who gave up being a woman, instead holding a spear and sword. There is nothing incomparable to you! And what does that have to do with being na… Naked."

She turned her head again upon seeing Sungjin's naked body.

"The conversation between warriors is a battle in and of itself. By disturbing it, you have proved yourself a novice."

"E… eee… eeeek. Do you think I can't? I can't let you speak nonsense to Sungjin. I will join you!" said Ereka as she walked into the bath so as not to look weak.

But, incapable of going near Sungjin, she sat in a far corner. And since she couldn't reveal her naked body, she had covered it with a gown. Even her gaze turned towards Riad, avoiding eye contact with Sungjin.

Pfft.

Sungjin tried not to laugh. He was in the middle of a battle of wills with Riad, but due to Ereka's stubbornness was too cute for the situation. He wished to tell Ereka to go outside as he could deal with it, but that could hurt Ereka's pride, so he decided not to.

Riad ignored the princess and kept looking at Sungjin.

"I like you. Be mine."

"Ha?"

"I will give you more than whatever the princess has offered. Refuse, and I will kill you."

"She promised half of her kingdom. You can top that?"

"Hahaha. Ahahaha. That's a breeze."

The water in the tub made waves with her laughter.

"I will give you the world."

"The world."

"I plan to march towards the central regions to become the third Kaiser to conquer the world. I will let you stand by me. The rewards will be incomparable to a half of this miserably tiny kingdom."

"I will march you to the center to become the third Kaiser to conquer the world. I will let you stand by me. You can't compare that with half of a miserably tiny kingdom."

"The world? Hmph, now we are talking."

Sungjin showed a small grin.

Although, his goal was not just to become a Kaiser and conquer the human world; he also wanted to become an Arc Master by conquering the sacred territory protected by God's guardians.

"Hahaha. Now we are talking! I like you more. I will take you under my wing. I'm the only one who can bring you to the top."

"Well, I'm okay with the princess though?"

"Bullsh*t. She, a newborn, can't embrace a man like you."

"Are you bragging about your level? She can catch up to you if I let her win a few times."

"Don't play innocent."

Riad's red eyes shone sharply. Her eyes looked through a side of his reality accurately.

"The ruling of the princess will limit you from taking all the measures you need to take. That will stop you from using all of your power. I'm not like that."

The bloody aura rose into the air from her body. Bloodthirst filled the bathroom.