Chapter 244

Chapter 244

The massive werewolf with silver-red fur came to a halt, stopping only a few meters away from us.

"So, the Wolf King has finally shown himself."

I spat out his name once more.

"Lunared."

"Ash."

Chewing over my name, Lunared smirked, showing a hint of his fangs.

"Did you really think you could venture this deep into the dungeon, knowing Id be here?"

"Werent you hunting our party?"

The werewolf was so tall that I had to tilt my head up significantly to meet his gaze.

Both of us exchanged glares, as if in a staring contest.

"Either way, we were bound to face off. You wouldnt just be hiding out of fear, would you?"

I always anticipated that wed encounter a monster of his rank in this dungeon.Reêad latest novels at novelhall.com

Thus, I wasnt taken aback.

"I heard you were quite the clever one, but it seems I was mistaken. Youre willingly cutting your lifeline."

With that, the werewolf raised his massive hand, cracking his knuckles.

"This Lake Kingdom is my hunting ground. Unlike the outside world, here I can use my full power. A few minutes is all I need to slaughter all of you."

"Arent you aware? Two of your fellow commanders, just as cocky as you, were killed by us."

As I responded, Lucas and Evangeline stepped forward, raising their sword and shield, respectively.

Even in the face of the menacing aura from this legendary beast, both knights stood firm, unshaken.

Probably due to their previous encounters with a commander of the Nightmare Legion.

Damien also calmly aimed his magic gun, and Verdandi, having clashed with him before, didnt waver as she drew her dagger.

"Uh... urgh..."

But Kuilan...

And members of the Penal Squad were frozen in place, unable to move.

I tried to lighten the atmosphere with a joke.

"Whats the matter, Kuilan? Scared?"

"No. Of course, I was tense, but theres another reason..."

Kuilan placed his trembling hand over his chest.

"Whats this sensation...? Looking at that monster... why does my heart..."

As he said this, Lunareds red eyes gleamed, looking towards Kuilan and the Penal Squad.

"Ho, I wondered why there was a familiar scent... You all are my descendants."

"...?"

Kuilan and the Penal Squad members were taken aback by this unexpected revelation.

Not just them, I too widened my eyes, trying to comprehend what I had just heard.

What did he say?

"What nonsense are you spouting, you freak?!"

As Kuilan snapped, Lunared laughed heartily.

"In the distant past, after consuming the blood of a foreign god, casting away humanity, and merging with beasts, the first Werebeast came into existence."

He pointed to himself with his hand covered in silver-red fur.

"One of your distant ancestors, the Werefolk, is none other than me."

The first among the Werebeasts, the first Werewolf.

Claiming to be a distant ancestor of the Werefolk, including Kuilan.

"Stop your lies, monster!"

Kuilan, now visibly angered, readied himself in a combat stance.

Red energy flared around the fists of the Mountain Bandit King.

The undulating red aura looked almost like swirling autumn leaves.

"I cant believe the likes of you flows through my veins...!"

"Although you say that, isnt your body feeling it on its own?"

With a cruel smirk playing on his lips, Lunared slowly extended both his hands forward.

"We are kin. I am the source of your lineage."

Shick!

Wolf-like sharp claws sprouted from the werewolf, and a blood-red aura swirled around them.

"I will prove it by taking all your lives."

Hiss!

It was a shade of red different from Kuilans fiery hue, more of a blood red. But even to my untrained eyes, they seemed strikingly similar.

Above all, their stances.

Lunared assumed a combat position that mirrored Kuilans perfectly.

"This cant be..."

A fleeting look of despair crossed Kuilans face.

Why would we? Why engage in a battle that puts us at a disadvantage, especially on their home turf?

Why explore Zone 6 in such a perilous situation, where commander-level monsters might find and pursue me in the dungeon?

Because I have a way to escape!

Without hesitation, I tore the scroll and activated the [Emergency Exit Bomb!] feature.

Flash-!

What the?!

Lunared staggered back from the sudden brilliance, and I helped Kuilan up, shouting to my party members.

Run to the teleport gate! Were retreating!

Yes!

The party members immediately ran toward the safe point inside the inner city checkpoint.

Dragging the wobbly Kuilan, I followed, assisted by Lucas and Evangeline.

Once the stun wore off, Lunared roared.

Ash! Are you running away now?! Fleeing with an enemy in front of you? Have you no warriors pride?!

I cheerfully nodded.

Absolutely!

Wha...?

Talking about pride? Does pride feed you?

Life matters more to me than such nonsense. No reason to accept a losing fight.

Mark my words! We may be retreating for strategic reasons now, but Ill repay this grudge!

He spat out lines akin to a third-rate villain and reached the teleport gate, shoving his party members in, one by one.

Lunared, who had sprinted just outside the safety point in a blink, gritted his teeth.

With a mocking smile, I glared at the werewolf.

Sending your subordinates stealthily, ambushing in your home ground, stop such tactics! If you truly love combat, lets have an honest match.

...

Come to my fortress. Whether your centuries-old skin is saggy or just rot, Ill tear it apart with my crossfire.

Lunared chuckled.

In combat, theres no unfair or cowardly tactics. This world adheres to survival of the fittest. The one left standing is the strongest.

I agreed with that sentiment.

So I, too, will deal with you with all the cunning I possess.

On a battlefield that favors me, in a way that advantages me.

To survive in this hell.

Lets do our best to kill each other, werewolf.

I flipped him off and threw myself into the teleport gate.

Kuilan, who had been glaring at Lunared till the very end, and Lucas, who was supporting Kuilan, followed me into the gate.

The werewolfs red eyes continued to fixate on us.

Like marking his prey, it was a persistent and greedy gaze.

Flash!

***

[Free Exploration Complete!]

[Character Level Up]

>Main Party:

- Ash(EX) Lv.47 (1)

>Sub Party 1:

- Kuilan(SR) Lv.47 (1)

- Tuesday(R) Lv.41 (1)

- Wednesday(R) Lv.40 (1)

- Becky(R) Lv.39 (2)

- OnTheRock(R) Lv.37 (2)

[Injured and Deceased Characters]

- Kuilan(SR): Minor injuries

[Equipment Acquired]

- Fragment of the Great Commanders Flag: 1 piece

[Items Acquired]

- Dark Crystal: 3 pieces

- Demon Legion Magic Stone: 63 pieces

- Demons Rune Magic Core(R): 1 piece

- Superior Stamina Potion: 1 piece

- Superior Magic Power Potion: 1 piece