Qin Jun traveled on, feeling great. He figured he must have left an indelible mark on that little girl’s heart—not necessarily a good one, but a mark nonetheless.
Why had he kissed her earlier? Simple fun. He wasn’t into little girls; they should be raised well. Wait until they grew into mature women, then he’d play with them.
That was Qin Jun’s mindset. He was a true fan of mature women, especially the cold and aloof type. Winning one over would be incredibly satisfying.
He’d long planned this: if he met such a girl, he’d snatch her without hesitation. That’s what a Demon King should do. Love could wait—feelings were cultivable.
Flying through the sky, Qin Jun heard a girl’s scream. He looked down. Unnoticed, he’d reached the forest. A girl was under goblin attack, about to be struck by a curved blade. Qin Jun unleashed chain lightning. All goblins dropped, electrocuted unconscious.
A golden hero-saving-beauty chance. The girl was lovely, just too young. By "young," he meant two things: she was tiny, younger than the mage he’d met—eleven or twelve—and flat-chested. Naturally, you couldn’t expect chest from an eleven-year-old.
Except for early bloomers, but they were rare.
Landing, Qin Jun faced the sobbing girl. "Stop crying. It’s annoying. How did a kid like you end up here?"
He sensed the Monster Forest. Monstrous beasts ranged from level three or four—like these goblins—to over sixty. Wait—level ninety-nine? Excellent. After solving her problem, he’d check it out. Might make a fine pet.
That level ninety-nine beast would rage if it knew. Its power ranked top in the world, yet it’d become a pet.
The girl slowed her tears. She stared up with wet eyes. This man saved her, but what good was that? Her fault—she’d been willful, entering the Monster Forest. Her servant died protecting her. Her knight, who’d been with her since childhood.
She sobbed again: "Knight Luofu is dead! Knight Luofu is dead!"
Qin Jun’s head throbbed. He hated crying girls. Ignoring her felt wrong—she was pretty, and who knew how stunning she’d grow? Leaving her to die was a waste.
He threatened: "Cry again, and I’ll kill you. Your whole family too. You’ve seen my power."
It worked. She stopped instantly. "Just kill me. Luofu’s gone—I don’t want to live. Spare my family."
Huh. She had backbone. Protecting her family? Most kids her age only played. Qin Jun felt a flicker of admiration.
He smiled. "No tears, and anything’s possible. Wipe your eyes. Tell big brother who killed your servant. I’ll avenge you."
Qin Jun conjured a tissue from thin air and handed it to her.
She wiped her eyes, tears threatening again. Qin Jun cut in: "Don’t cry. Remember my words."
She realized he’d been bluffing. A tearful smile broke through. "You wouldn’t do it."
She wiped harder. "I won’t cry. Luofu wouldn’t want that. A huge wild boar killed him."
A boar? Qin Jun scanned the Monster Forest with perception magic. His senses covered every inch. He found it in a cave—and checked its stats.
Fierce Mountain Boar: Level 36. Tough hide, resistant to magic and physical damage.
"Know your servant’s level?" Qin Jun asked.
She thought. "Luofu was a level 31 warrior."
Qin Jun nodded. No wonder he lost. Even level 40s would struggle against this boar. But against him? One shot would end it.
"Found the boar. Let’s avenge him. Follow me."
Suddenly, she floated skyward. She gasped. Luofu said levitation needed level 50. This big brother was incredibly powerful.
She stared at him. "Big brother, your name? I’m Fili, daughter of Falcon City’s lord."
Oh, high-born. Of course—only nobles had servants.
Qin Jun smiled. "Call me Dante."
He’d noticed Western names here. Shamelessly, he’d adopted this alias. He’d reveal his real name only to a woman he pursued.
Fili whispered, self-blaming: "If I were as strong as Big Brother Dante, Luofu wouldn’t have died."
"Don’t blame yourself," Qin Jun said. "Luofu was your servant. Dying for you was his honor."
She shook her head. "But I caused it."
Qin Jun sighed. Why so stubborn? Couldn’t she think brighter?
"Then grow stronger," he said. "Become powerful enough that no one dies before your eyes."
Fili looked up. "As strong as you, Big Brother Dante?"
"When you reach my level," Qin Jun nodded.
He knew power couldn’t stop everything—but saying that would worsen things. Besides, reaching level 999 would take her ages.
They hovered above the boar. It roared, sensing them. Qin Jun descended. He’d show Fili true strength.
The Fierce Mountain Boar charged. Bulky but fast. Fili froze in terror. Qin Jun stayed calm. He cast Freeze.
The dry ground turned icy. Frost spread visibly. The boar sensed danger, tried to stop—but ice gripped its feet, freezing its limbs solid. Three ice pillars shot from nowhere. They pierced its body. Instant death.
Fili stood stunned, speechless.
