I Know the Secret to Surpass Level 100

Four guards immediately walked up to them. They were wearing full metal armor and large spears that could cut a tree in half.

These guards bowed at Emperor Kang, and let the emperor lead the way through the city. 

The group was silent as they let the emperor lead them around. It had only been a few days since they were in Shyako, yet the loud bustling streets and the joyful people they encounter felt so foreign. 

The darkness in Shyako was too dark that it was as if they completely forgot how to smile, or what joy felt like. It was no joke how this affected them. It was scary.

"This is our safe haven," Emperor Kang said. "We have sought refuge from all over the land and found a tree that could teleport here."

"Do you know where this place is?" Guan Yin asked, to which the emperor shook his head at.

"I'm afraid, we do not," he said with a disappointed sigh. "For years, our explorers have been venturing these vast lands, but had zero progress. We walked far and wide, but we couldn't see the end."

Lance looked around. "This area seem to have a rather tropical climate. Weathers like this would commonly be in an island."

"Or in another realm," Kaminari said. "I have read about the other realms and portals that are hidden from the human eyes. Maybe this place is one of those portals."

"That's highly unlikely," Connor said. "I have been to almost all of the realms, but none of them have this kind of climate. Unlike Terra, the other realms aren't as huge as ours. They only have one large island and the other part of their realm was the vast oceans."

"And it can't be a man made realm," Lance added. "If this was created by a person, they would have to either give their aura to it continuously until they die or kill themselves and release their mana into creating this realm."

"Yes," Ed added too. "This was why the Almighty is powerful. He can maintain all six realms with his power."

"You seem to know a lot about this topic," Emperor Kang said while brushing his long beard. "Do you perhaps, studied about realms and their functions in the West?"

Lance shook his head. "We just happen to have fought enemies from these realms. By the way, can I request a place to stay? Elliot here is slowly getting heavier."

"Kusa too," Kaminari said while dragging the still wriggling Flame Master. Kusa was trying to break himself free, but the chains had bound him from casting any skill.

"Why, yes of course," Emperor Kang said. He tapped one of the guards' shoulder and pointed at the Avancians. "Find them an empty house to stay in. I don't think it's necessary to guard them. These people are much stronger than us."

"Right away, your highness," the guard said, saluting to the emperor and turning to face the group. "Please follow me."

"He will lead you the way," Emperor Kang said. "I will send him your way when dinner is ready. For the meantime, please rest."

"Thank you," Lance said. "Thank you very much."

The group followed the guards to a house to which they would stay in. The guard also pointed at the direction of the places in town so they could wander around easily.

"That's where the farmer's market is, and that's where Emperor Kang is staying," the guard pointed at the house not far from them.

"He's so near," Guan Yin chuckled. "He wants us to low-key protect him, right?"

The guard scratched the back of his helmet, forgetting that his hair was covered with the metal. "The emperor is just thinking for his safety. He's the one leading us, and he's super great with tactics. That's why we need to protect him."

"Yeah," Guan Yin nodded. "We'll enter the house now. Thank you so much."

"My name is Lee. Please don't hesitate to find me in the emperor's gates," the guard said. "I'll do my best to help you."

"Thank you, Lee," Lance smiled. "We'll be off."

Lee bowed to them and left right away. The group looked at him while he shuffled through his armor and ran back to his spot, almost tripping on the way there.

"That guy was cute," Lance chuckled. "He's a little boy."

"Very young too," Guan Yin sighed. "I can't believe this war leave the children no other choice but to fight."

"It sucks," Kaminari said. "But we have no other choice but to fight harder. The sooner this war ends, the less children would be affected."

Since Kaminari requested for the custody over Kusa, Emperor Kang had no other choice but to grant it. He knew his guards doesn't stand a chance in case Kusa finds a way to escape from his bind. At least with Kaminari and the others, they can neutralize him in case he escapes.

When everyone was in the living room of the house, they sat on the sofa that surrounded a matt in the middle. They placed Kusa their and removed the bind from his mouth.

"Let's start this," Lance said. "How come you don't have an inch of darkness in you?"

Kusa scoffed, "How come you don't have an inch of darkness in you?"

"What?" Lance contorted his face in confusion. "But you're the one siding with Licht, Du Du and Malice."

"To save the Twelve Kingdoms, of course," Kusa said with a scoff. "How else am I supposed to help my Motherland other than serve the emperors who are willing to free us from the darkness."

"You got that wrong," Lance sighed. "So wrong."

Kusa paused and narrowed his eyes, "Why would I be wrong? Emeperor DuDu himself gave me the honors of being one of his Inner Generals."

"Inner Generals?" Guan Yin stood and looked at Kusa. "Who are the other members of your circle?"

"The Earth Master, the Metal Master, and Angin," Kusa replied. "Why are you so interested? I swear, whoever you are, you don't stand a chance against the Earth and Metal Masters. They trained so hard that they now par Kaminari himself."

"But…" Guan Yin trailed off.

"What's wrong?" Lance asked the female general. "Is there something that's happening? I don't like this thrill, honestly."

"The inner and outer generals were all recruited from the soldiers," Guan Yin said. "I trained so hard with the men just to become a general, but DuDu had other plans in mind.

"He didn't have just Inner and Outer Generals. He have two more. That's what the graphs were referring to in his office. The Masters and Ladies are the Upper Inner and Outer generals while we were at the bottom," Guan Yin gulped.

"But why are you so scared?" Lance asked. "They may be more than we thought, but we don't need to face them all at once."

"I'm not scared, I'm just confused," Guan Yin said. "Why would DuDu not corrupt Kusa, who's much stronger than Angin?"

"A limit," Elliot whispered, making everyone look at him.

"You're awake," Lance sighed in relief. "Are you okay?"

Elliot nodded, "I am. But to answer your question, there is a limit on how much their victim's powers are. You said it yourself, Kusa. Kaminari is strong, that's why he can't be corrupted."