CHAPTER 2: I AM WEAK

As expected, Ye Feng successfully joined the Hunter Team, known as the Sky Eagle Demon Hunter Team. As for his name…

"Just call me Fengye."

"I am Xu Ya, the vice-captain of the Sky Eagle Demon Hunter Team. Welcome to the team."

Ye Feng followed Xu Ya into the rest area of the Hunter Association. The Sky Eagle Demon Hunter Team now consisted of ten people, including him. Everyone was excited and thrilled to learn that a Thunder Mage had joined.

"Hello, I’m Chen Zhendong, the captain of the Sky Eagle Demon Hunter Team. It’s a pleasure to have you with us," said a tall and muscular middle-aged man, whose scars on his face and arms told the story of his many years of battle.

After a brief conversation, Ye Feng got to know everyone a little better. Eventually, someone asked curiously about why he was wearing a mask.

Ye Feng explained, "My face was burned in an accident. It looks… unpleasant, and it might scare people if I expose it."

Everyone immediately assumed that the Thunder Mage had some painful memories associated with his appearance, so they refrained from asking further about it.

"Fengye, our team has taken on a mission to hunt a mid-tier demon beast. Do you want to come along?" Captain Chen Zhendong asked.

He wasn't sure about Ye Feng's strength, so he didn’t want to risk bringing him into battle right away.

Without hesitation, Ye Feng responded, "Forget it, I'm too weak. Call me when there's something small for me to do."

He waved his hand dismissively, and everyone quickly understood that this "Fengye" must be an entry-level mage.

"Haha, well, looks like we'll have to work together next time," Chen Zhendong said, trying to keep things light-hearted. Technically, they shouldn’t have accepted an entry-level mage, but Thunder Mages were so rare, and they couldn’t bear to let go of this promising talent.

"By the way... Captain, is there a signing bonus for joining? I’m pretty broke and thought joining the Demon Hunter Team could help me make some money."

Chen Zhendong: …

Not only Chen Zhendong, but the others in the team all stared at Ye Feng in disbelief. You’re a rare Thunder Mage with unlimited potential, yet you're obsessed with the internet?

Chen Zhendong’s eyes narrowed as realization hit. This Thunder Mage must be someone who had fallen into decadence. How could he waste such talent?

No! I have to take him on this mission and show him the importance of strength through battle.

With that thought in mind, Chen Zhendong cleared his throat and said, "Alright, Fengye, our mission will only take a few hours. You can come with us, and we’ll protect you. It’ll also be a test for your willpower. If you pass, I’ll give you a signing bonus of 30,000. What do you think?"

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

"Money? Why didn’t you say so earlier? Don’t even mention 30,000—I'll go for 3,000!" Ye Feng responded eagerly.

The rest of the team was left stunned again. This guy really was one of a kind.

The mission they had taken was to hunt a mid-tier demon serpent. The demon serpent was located in an abandoned zone about ten miles outside Peng City, which had once been a development area. However, due to the frequent appearances of monsters in the past few years, it had been abandoned.

Two vans parked on the deserted road in the wasteland.

Chen Zhendong and Xu Ya led the way, with the others following behind as they ventured deeper into the forest. Ye Feng, yawning and looking completely indifferent, trailed behind the group.

After noticing Ye Feng's lethargic attitude, Chen Zhendong couldn't help but look down on him even more. How could someone with such potential be so unmotivated? He had to push this kid to improve!

Determined, Chen Zhendong quickened his pace.

Occasionally, some low-level monsters, like demon rats or demon insects, appeared in the forest. But they were of no concern and were quickly taken care of by the Sky Eagle Demon Hunter Team.

The trees ahead gradually disappeared, replaced by an abandoned construction site.

"Stop! The demon serpent we’re after is hiding in there, waiting to ambush us. If we go in, we’ll be attacked," Ye Feng suddenly said, halting the group.

Chen Zhendong furrowed his brows and shot Ye Feng a doubtful glance. His own mid-tier mage could barely detect any traces of the demon serpent. How could an entry-level mage like Ye Feng notice it?

However, Ye Feng’s words made Chen Zhendong pause. The calmness in the air seemed unnatural. This wasteland used to be teeming with monsters. Now, the silence was telling them that they had entered the demon serpent’s territory.

"Everyone, be on high alert," Chen Zhendong ordered, his voice serious.

Sure enough, as soon as they entered the abandoned site, a black shadow suddenly lunged at them.

A twenty-meter-long serpent, black as night, appeared before them, its piercing eyes locking onto the group.

"Hiss!"

The giant serpent opened its mouth, and venom shot out from its fangs.

"Dodge!" Chen Zhendong shouted, and everyone quickly moved out of the way. The venom splashed on the ground with a sizzling sound.

"Ugh!" The others gulped nervously.

"Die, beast!" Chen Zhendong roared, summoning fire magic to create two fire serpents that slammed toward the demon serpent.

But the serpent was unfazed. It whipped its body, and the flames were immediately extinguished.

Its black body cracked like a whip, and Chen Zhendong leapt into the air only to fall heavily back down. His iron fists gripped the demon serpent’s body tightly.

"The combination of fire magic and physical strength—it covers the mage's weaknesses in close combat and compensates for the physical fighter’s shortcomings in long-range attacks. Not bad," Ye Feng thought to himself, watching the battle with curiosity.

The battle escalated as everyone began launching various magical attacks. Ye Feng realized that all of them were mid-tier mages with two elemental affinities. It seemed like he had joined a top-tier demon hunter team.

However…

If this was all they could do, they might not be enough.

"Die, you beast!" Chen Zhendong shouted, leaping into the air again and delivering a powerful iron punch directly onto the demon serpent’s head.

Boom!

A loud sound echoed across the abandoned site.

"We hit it! Awesome!"

The team cheered, but their cheers were cut short.

"Hiss!"

The demon serpent suddenly erupted with terrifying energy.

Its tail lashed out, wrapping tightly around Chen Zhendong’s body. The speed was so fast that no one could react in time.

Xu Ya transformed into a golden beam of light, attempting to save her captain with her light magic, but the serpent’s tail struck her first.

The serpent’s speed was even faster than hers!

Xu Ya couldn't believe it—was this really a mid-tier demon serpent?

With a loud crash, both Xu Ya and Chen Zhendong were sent flying to the ground.

They struggled to get up but lacked the strength to do so.

"Hiss!"

The serpent hissed again, and its body split open to reveal a second head.

It had broken through its limits and evolved into a high-tier demon beast—a two-headed serpent!