"Things are about to get interesting!"

All 3 bounty missions came unexpectedly and Sebastian was thrilled.

The first mission to assassinate Lord Elrond was clearly the hardest and so also were the mission rewards most lucrative.

Sebastian already expected the Black tier missions to be more than a whole level harder than the Red tier missions, but still, on seeing this mission, he sucked in a deep mouthful of water in acknowledgment of the risk involved.

The Wood Elves were a variant human Empire in the Blue Sea. The only description of Lord Elrond was that he was the leader of the Wood Elves and that was more than enough since Sebastian knew him instantly.

By far, the difficulty of this mission was the hardest but the difficulty only did more to stimulate his competitive spirit in him.

Sebastian was ready to give his all for all 3 missions.

As for the mission to assassinate the Machine Mercenary and the Mantis Monarch, though it was less difficult than that of assassinating Lord Elrond, these 2 were still bonafide Black tier predators.

With anticipation and expectation, Sebastian accepted all 3 of the missions.

...

A world filled with greenery, trees, and leaves...

The chlorophyll concentration here was strong as instead of the sun, the primordial origin glow of the Blue Sea became the catalyst responsible for the beautiful and bright greenery of the forest life in the Wood Elf domain.

The Wood Elf domain was the territory of the Wood Elves since the antiquity age, this old variant human Empire started even before the Atlantis Empire.

By now, they were no longer the strongest variant human Empire nor were they close to the strongest but the Wood Elves were still strong in their own rights.

The Blue Sea was the exclusive territory of the Beast King!

This powerful Sea King who was rumored to be the current strongest Sea King ruled his territory with a tight grip. Every single Empire in the Blue Sea answered to the Beast King Empire.

They were not under the protection of the Beast King Empire or anything, they all just recognized the Beast King Empire as the absolute overlord here.

Of course, the world war also encompassed the Blue Sea but it was unlike the other 5 Great Seas apart from the Atlantian Domain.

Here, the other Beast and variant human Empires only dared to fight and vie for supremacy among themselves, none of them were bold enough to try ruffling the feathers of the sleeping dragon which was the Beast King.

Due to this, the world war in the Blue Sea was a lot more coordinated as all the chaotic fighting was confined to certain regions of the Blue Sea only.

Today, the morning was bright and the blue glow of the primordial origin magic was cool and serene like usual in the Wood Elf domain.

While the mature Wood Elf soldiers were out there at war, the young Wood Elves played and learned from the elderly and retired Wood Elves who took care of them at home, they were having a nice childhood away from the world war.

While their parents killed out there, they enjoyed the warmth of home. This was the difference in treatment between the children born in powerful Empires and the children born into weak and poor races and clans.

Today, as the harmonious day continued, unknowingly to the Wood Elves, a shadow snuck into their world, bypassing all their best defenses against intruders.

Like a shadow and as swift as the wind did he infiltrate, in no time, Sebastian got to the deepest parts of this Empire where the leader lived.

This was when the alarm finally sounded, the alarm sounded but it was already a bit too late as Sebastian was already before his target.

Night Rakshashas was famous for never missing when they were this close to their targets, their assassination skill was accurate and extremely lethal.

Sebastian took this reputation a step further, he never missed, he already had an assassination success rate of 100% since he started which only served to increase his notoriety.

This time was no different as his eyes bypassed all the royal guards.

[You have activated skill: Shadow Bind!]

Bzzz!

All the royal guards protecting Lord Elrond were bound, including Lord Elrond himself and none of them were powerful enough to instantly break away from Sebastian’s skill. This was supposed to be the end but Lord Elrond spoke.

"I surrender!"

"I surrender, my Lord!"

Sebastian paused on hearing this while still being fully alert, he looked deep into the eyes of this powerful Wood Elf and all he saw was sincerity.

On seeing Sebastian pause, Lord Elrond heaved a sigh of relief and continued.

"I know that you will come for me, I have some powerful enemies who want to kill me by all means. When I thought of facing you, I decided that preserving my life and subsequently my Empire was paramount and above everything else".

"I already have a faint idea of your ambitions for the future".

"Shadow Lord, I am willing to submit to your will and become an extension of your power".

"My Lord, allow me and my Empire to be your subordinates".

On hearing that, Sebastian was shocked. He always thought of making allies, but never did it cross his mind to make entire Empires his subordinates.

In the end, all it required was a few questions on his part to test the resolve and sincerity of Lord Elrond to submit to his rule.

This Lord of the Wood Elves already succumbed, he recognized power when he saw one and knew that he was helpless against it, his decision was the best.

After confirming his sincerity, Sebastian did not approve his proposal though. "I can’t take your Empire as my subordinate, I’d rather you become my ally".

Boss over a horse and he’ll respect and serve you for a day but befriend a horse and he’ll respect and serve you for a lifetime.

Instead of subordinating them, Sebastian much preferred them to be his allies. Lord Elrond was surprised at this proposal before he became ecstatic the next moment, this was the best outcome that he could ever hope for.

In no time, Sebastian got his 3rd official ally, he could not wait to thank the resentful bastards who set up this bounty mission.

"Lord Elrond, as an ally, I seek your help for one thing".

"Help me assassinate the Machine Mercenary and the Mantis Monarch!"

...

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Magic arrows flew everywhere like bullets rapidly leaving the muzzle of a machine gun as a massive golden metal shark bled gold blood from his numerous injuries. Lord Elrond and Sebastian cornered this shark as more time passed.

Roar!!!

The Machine Mercenary roared again as the sharp claws of the Night Rakshasha came from the shadows again to dig his thick metal skin open.

The Machine Mercenary was a powerful golden metal shark. Inside of his body was powered by fire like those of a volcano and they were his driving force.

After over 2 hours of a fierce battle, this powerful mercenary finally revealed an opening as the deadly green arrow of the mighty Elf Lord ruthlessly pierced through his head, spilling a lot of golden blood.

Before he could recover, the Night Rakshasha pounced on him to finish the job, and Night Rakshashas rarely failed at such point-blank range.

[You have activated skill: Assassination!]

Roar!

The Machine Mercenary gave his last roar before falling, a notorious legend of Oceania finally fell to the powerful hooves of another rising legend.

[Congratulations! You have killed a Black tier predator- Alien Metal Shark- Level ???: You have gained Experience!]

[You have gained 4600 Skill points and 5000 Adaptation points!]

[Congratulations! You have gained the mark of Oceania!]

[Congratulations! You have gained the mark of Oceania!]

[You are under the effects of the Double Experience system boon!]

[Congratulations! You have leveled up once!]

[Congratulations! You have leveled up once!]

[Congratulations! You have leveled up once!]

[Congratulations! You have leveled up once!]

...

[You have activated ability: Magic Field!]

"I surrender, my Lord!"

"Spare this lowly soul, I am too unworthy to die to your esteemed self".

"My life is not enough in exchange for the stain that will attach itself to your claws after my death, my blood is too filthy for your royal hands".

"My Lord, let me be your servant".

"..." Sebastian was speechless.