On this journey, Sky Qi endured countless hardships.

Have you ever tasted true despair?

Sky Qi strode out, black box on his back. A flowerpot suddenly crashed down from above. With a casual flick, he shattered it mid-air—but the soil rained onto his face.

For the bounty, I’ll endure!

A child’s stray ball flew at him. He glanced over; sword energy burst from his eyes, slicing the ball apart with a loud bang. Then, a basin of water dumped from a windowsill, drenching him like a drowned rat.

For the bounty! I’ll endure again!

An archer in training fired an arrow that veered wildly off-target toward Sky Qi. He caught the speeding arrow between two fingers, effortless.

For the bounty! I must endure! Sky Qi’s forehead veins bulged, rage burning in his chest.

Had his sixteen years of good luck finally run out? Not only did God ignore him now—he was cursed with awful luck. And why did his power drop whenever he got close to a pretty girl? What nonsense was that?

Once, he was the nightmare of Dark Races and nobles alike. Alone, he held back thousands of troops—a single guardian blocking ten thousand.

He’d charged solo into enemy camps, Soulsever Sacred Sword claiming generals’ heads.

He’d dueled entire imperial legions alone. Even the strongest Knight King fled in defeat before him.

With unmatched strength and insane luck, he ruled invincible. Anyone who crossed him met a grim end.

All he wanted was to sing aloud: *Invincible, so, so lonely. Invincible, so, so hollow…*

But now? He tiptoed through life. Just stepping outside meant near-death traps everywhere.

Luck stats? They’d never convinced him. Peak strength could overcome any danger.

Yet now, he felt real fear. This shitty luck could kill him. He regretted that wish.

Enough! He yanked Soulsever Sacred Sword from the black box.

The blade, forged from the continent’s rarest metal, gleamed gold in sunlight. An angel with spread wings adorned the hilt. Divine authority radiated from the exposed sword.

Sky Qi smirked faintly, basking in the crowd’s shocked, fearful stares. *Continent Strongest draws his sword—scum, scatter now!*

He sheathed the blade, tossed the black box aside, and wore Soulsever openly at his waist—no cover, fully visible.

He meant to show off. Flaunting his Continent Strongest status avoided trouble. Why waste such privilege?

His smirk stayed as he scanned the gaping crowd. *Keep staring, and I’ll gouge your eyes out.* He glared fiercely at a curious child.

Maybe his glare lacked bite. Or maybe Sky Qi’s cute face ruined it. The kid burst out laughing.

Sky Qi sweated. *Damn it!* Did the Continent Strongest’s glare have zero intimidation? Why did his fiercest look amuse a kid?

“Sister’s so cool!” The kid jumped, clapping. Chubby cheeks jiggled.

*Sister?* Sky Qi’s mind froze. *No! I’ll kill this brat!*

“Brat, what did you call me?” Sky Qi snapped, turning.

“Sister! Sister!”

No mistake this time. Sky Qi took a deep breath. *Hell!* *I’m a guy! A real man!* But to keep his image, he bit back the curse.

Trembling, he reached out a slender hand, gently patting the kid’s head. “I’m a boy. Call me ‘brother,’ okay?” He forced calmness.

“Hmm… really?” The kid pouted. “But why wear a skirt?”

*Skirt, my ass!* *It’s a coat!* A sleek, cool gray trench coat. Are you blind? Can’t tell a coat from a skirt?

Sky Qi’s lip twitched. He gave up on the brat, stood, smoothed his coat, and walked on.

Troubles didn’t lessen much—but the holy sword deterred many. Reaching the meetup felt like hacking through a dungeon. How much worse would intercepting the Bloodline army be? He sighed inwardly.

Sky Qi drew his sword. A cold flash—flying roof tiles shattered. A gale swirled around him, forming an invisible shield. Mud from the tiles splattered harmlessly away.

*Good thing I’ve got experience.* He relaxed slightly, then tensed again. One slip, and he’d be dead.

Orton Plaza loomed ahead!

Sky Qi smiled in relief. Finally here.

At the plaza’s heart stood a towering Infernal Dragon statue, wings spread as if to soar. Lush green grass, dotted with colorful wildflowers, glowed under sunlight. Fountains shot skyward, sparkling with golden light.

Elderly strolled aimlessly. Kids played under mothers’ watch. Couples whispered sweet nothings, arms linked. Lazy drifters lay on the grass, hands shading their faces, feeling warmth through their fingers.

*Being ordinary… isn’t so bad,* Sky Qi mused.

An Infernal Dragon statue here wasn’t odd. It symbolized power. Kings carved it, dreaming of matching that strength.

This world worshipped strength, not weakness. Power meant everything. Commoners hated Dark Races like Infernal Dragons—but really, they mocked their own frailty. Dragons invaded because they were strong.

Few could rival an Infernal Dragon. He was one of them.

A golden-haired youth in heavy armor waved near the statue. “Hey, Sky Qi! Over here!”

“Coming!” Sky Qi called back, dashing over in a gust-like stride.

The youth was William, captain of the Sacred Knight Heroic Corps. A top-tier expert on the continent, he’d partnered with Sky Qi often. His bounties were generous, his attitude straightforward—reasons Sky Qi liked working with him.

“Ha! Knew it. Mention bounty, and you’d come running.” He slapped Sky Qi’s shoulder.