the lord's punishment

Tread, tread, tread...

In the distance, dust gradually rose, and the ground trembled.

Within the field of view, amidst the densely packed enemy forces, a wave of cavalry charged forward.

Jiang Han cast an Insightful Eye, revealing that they were merely level 60.

"The system deliberately lowered the levels and attributes of the initial waves of both sides," Jiang Han concluded.

Strictly speaking, in a first-tier city's siege, it was impossible to encounter such "low-level" cannon fodder. If it weren't for player participation, the first wave might consist of hundreds of levelled soldiers.

Soon, Heart City also dispatched a level 60 dark gold boss.

"Due to the rules, we have no choice," Sherrill explained helplessly.

"Charge!"

The city gate opened, and the defending forces surged out.

"Healers, keep me alive! Don't let me die!"

"Damn it, although the defending soldiers are weaker than the attacking ones, they are still quite troublesome!"

"I'll pull the aggro, mage brothers, cast area-of-effect spells from a distance!"

"These monsters give rich experience!"

...

The two armies fiercely clashed, with players joining in enthusiastically.

"Excellent!"

Watching the intense battle outside the city, Jiang Han was filled with mixed emotions.

This was the normal gaming experience players should have!

Unlike himself, who was basically unable to interact with ordinary players, surrounded by immortal and divine-level NPCs, always appearing as a boss, losing the joy of playing games.

Thinking about only being able to achieve some first kills, follow the main storyline, and engage in player killing on regular days, Jiang Han couldn't help but feel envious.

"Later on, I have to appear as a boss again." Jiang Han sighed.

What's the meaning of dominating in all directions?

The happiest time in my life was battling slimes in the newbie village!

Now, the passion is long gone.

Moments later...

"Ding! ~"

System prompt: Please note that the Dark Legion led by level 89 spirit-grade boss [Harbinger of Annihilation · Jiang Han] will lead the second wave of defense. Be prepared!

Due to yesterday's leveling and monster grinding, Jiang Han's level had reached 89.

"Damn it, it's that player from the Eastern Region again?!"

"The Son of Eternity is appearing in the second wave, this is annoying!"

"Farewell!"

...

The expressions of the players below the city tower instantly turned gloomy.

Joy vanished in the blink of an eye.

"Tread, tread, tread..."

The second wave of defending forces charged out from the city, while players retreated frantically.

Knowing they couldn't win, going up would only be sending themselves to death. They had no heroic sacrifice in mind.

"Disciple, it's your turn." Sherrill said, "Be careful in all matters!"

"Got it!"

Jiang Han, who had long lost his passion, tightened the divine weapon in his hand and felt an overwhelming surge in his heart. "It's a good opportunity to test my newly acquired weapon on them!"

A glance, seeing the first wave's boss wielding a purple long spear approaching the city, Jiang Han summoned the Dark Thunder Tiger, leaped into the air, activated War Stomp, and descended like a cannonball, smashing towards the first wave's boss.

Benson only felt a darkening over his head, the sunlight blocked by a shadow, and instinctively looked up.

"Boom!!"

In the next moment, a pair of feet landed heavily on his head. Before he could make any move, consciousness dissipated instantly.

"Ding! ~"

System prompt: You used the skill [War Stomp], dealing 7,215,899 damage to Thunder Knight Benson and boosting your own attack by 20%. The Dark Legion's attack increases by 40%, and the attack of all enemy units within a 100*100 range decreases by 50%, lasting for one minute, and dealing 1,729,744~1,864,710 damage!

-1,729,744!

-1,829,441!

-1,846,633!

...

"Ding! ~"

System prompt: Congratulations on killing the level 65 dark gold boss [Thunder Knight Benson], gaining rewards: Experience +0.5%!

Jiang Han felt a moment of dark satisfaction.

To kill a dark gold boss in one shot was currently an unattainable achievement for players at this stage!

Of course, the main reason was that War Stomp, as an SSS-level skill, had inherently high damage bonuses, always resulting in a critical hit. Coupled with him holding the Cold Moon, which increased critical damage by 50%, a hit equated to around 900% of base damage.

"Swoosh swoosh swoosh..."

A strong wave of energy lifted up rolling dust, turning many players who couldn't evacuate in time into white light.

Unfortunately, the experience gained wasn't much.

Now, at level 89, killing a group of level 50s and 60s players was much slower in leveling compared to hunting level 100 and above ghost monsters.

"What's with this, close to a hundred thousand in attack?!"

"Trash game, trash game!"

"Just a few days ago, it was just over 30,000 attacks. It's impossible to increase so fast under normal circumstances. In the end, it's the official's negligence!"

...

A group of fleeing players cursed without dignity.

A hundred thousand in attack!

Normal players struggled to break through ten thousand. This guy was already prepared to break through a hundred thousand, utterly unimaginable.

Picking up many valuable items, ignoring the arrows and magic raining down on him, Jiang Han raised his arm and shouted, "Players of the Merit District, unite! One Jiang Han is not invincible!"

Although relying on player levels was impossible, grabbing some equipment to make money was not a problem.

"???"

Players were puzzled.

Anyone could say those words, but shouldn't they be said by someone from the Eastern Region, like you?

Jiang Han swung his divine weapon, effortlessly killing the enemies before him, loudly proclaiming, "The first guild of the Merit District, Sin City, gather your forces!"

"Damn!"

As the leader of Sin City, Sin was furiously cursing from a distance, his face slightly red. He was angered and ashamed, "This guy is mocking us!"

Back then, when they mobilized most of the guild members to encircle Jiang Han, they did have this slogan. Now, hearing the slogan from the opponent's mouth was particularly grating.

After all, the outcome of that full mobilization was well-known and widely spread.

"Friends, can you feel it?" Jiang Han continued, "The national treasure is beckoning to you!"

"￥#%#%￥..."

Merit District players cursed, spewing a bunch of words blocked by the system.

This Eastern Region player was too arrogant!

What's even despairing was that he couldn't be defeated!

...

At the same time, on the Eastern Region official forum, countless players were watching the live broadcast, and the barrage was overflowing, almost bursting.

"He's awesome, all the bamboo shoots on the mountain have been taken!"

"Players from Sin City must now understand our feelings."

"No wonder he's called Jiang Han, a master of being obnoxious!"

...

On the city tower.

Watching this scene, Atikas looked at the adventurers' teeth-gritting

 expressions with great delight, grinning, "This guy must be the King of Trash Talk, right?"

On the shores of Lake Stable, he was analyzed thoroughly by Jiang Han, almost making him doubt his life. Since then, he knew not to easily engage in verbal sparring with this person.

"Adept in the art of sarcasm!"

Ralph licked his lips, giving his evaluation.

"Ding! ~"

System prompt: Please note that the Radiant Legion led by level 80 spirit-grade boss [Hand of Mercy · Bennett] will lead the second wave of attack. Be prepared!

As the first wave was dismantled, the system quickly announced the arrival of the second wave.

Looking at the distant approaching man in white, Jiang Han rushed out without even bothering to check the attributes, delivering a War Stomp. During the suppression, he unleashed various skills, easily killing the opponent with his high attack.

Dealing with a spirit-grade boss with close to a hundred thousand attacks was too simple.

"The guild will punish you for this!" Bennett, who hadn't made any moves yet, glared hatefully and cursed before his demise.

Jiang Han couldn't be bothered to respond to this.

"Ding! ~"

System prompt: Congratulations on killing the level 80 spirit-grade boss [Hand of Mercy · Bennett], gaining rewards: Experience +30%, Reputation +3000!

When Bennett died, two pieces of equipment, several hundred gold coins, and a white-covered skill book dropped beside him.

A skill book?!

Jiang Han decisively bent down to pick up the three spoils of war, brushing away the dust. He wore a disgruntled expression, "So, the main punishment is that I learned an additional skill, making it impossible to specialize in swordsmanship. Damn it, I fell for it!"

Specialize in one's trade!

For him, the skills of the priest profession were akin to extraneous methods, and learning more didn't benefit him!

Thinking about his once-in-a-lifetime fame, foreseeing everything, he also had times when he capsized in the gutter. One could only say, the punishment from the system was terrifying!