62 – 13 – Master of the Ruins – 2

“I knew you would come here, humans.”

“To crawl all the way here believing the words of a delusional woman is truly pitiful.”

At the head of the werewolf pack, there were two even more massive werewolves.

Since they had already completely turned into monsters, distinguishing their genders felt meaningless, but one could still guess from the somewhat high-pitched voice that the one on the left had originally been female.

They were likely mid-boss monsters who controlled this area as the close associates of Quinodon, the ruler of these ruins.

Furthermore, not only were their stats high, but their racial grade was even higher than Gi-jun’s, which strictly remained at Rare.

How did Gi-jun perceive that fact?

―You are facing a boss monster of the dark/evil attribute. The effect of the title [The Last Hero (L)] has been activated, and all abilities are enhanced by 30%.

―You are facing an enemy of a higher grade than yourself. The effect of the title [Limit Surpasser (L)] has been activated, obtaining a dramatically positive modifier.

―You are facing a boss monster of the dark/evil attribute. The effect of the title [The Last Hero (L)] has been activated, and all abilities are enhanced by 30%.

―You are facing an enemy of a higher grade than yourself. The effect of the title [Limit Surpasser (L)] has been activated, obtaining a dramatically positive modifier.

Naturally, it was thanks to the power that surged along with the messages that appeared before his eyes the moment he faced them.

Gi-jun suddenly wondered if the title’s effect would disappear again if he fought the underlings instead of those bosses with this increased power, but when he immediately threw his shield to check, it turned out that was not the case.

―Pshshshk!

―The Flash Throw (R) skill has reached level 5!

―The Flash Throw (R) skill has reached level 5!

Not only was its speed overwhelmingly faster than before, but the King of the Well, which held a more brilliant light, orbited through the air before the two mid-bosses even had a chance to block it, sweeping over the werewolf pack and slicing off the heads of at least ten werewolves before returning to his hand.

“What—you worm-like human!”

“I’ll kill you!”

The two werewolves were astonished and terrified by Gi-jun’s performance, which far exceeded their reaction speed, but they seemed to be trying to suppress their negative emotions with anger.

However, facing the werewolves who raised their momentum as if they would pounce at any moment, Gi-jun merely scoffed as he lightly shook off the blood and brain matter on his shield.

“I am not a human, but a Flame Human. Perhaps because you are beasts, your eyesight is poor.”

“Whew, that really woke me up. That was a great attack, Leader—”

Had she been temporarily frightened by the simultaneous appearance of hundreds of elite forces, unlike the werewolves they had faced so far?

Armillca, who had seemed frozen, also whistled and drew her sword.

In also guarded their surroundings to protect Laura, while Laura, who had resolved to fight, pulled out a thick book from her chest with a solemn look.

No, it was not a book.

It was a leather case storing hundreds of sheets of glowing paper.

She pulled out a few sheets of paper from it, slipped them between her fingers, and opened her eyes wide.

“I will use combat Holy Magic—!”

“Ugh, Lau—ra! It’s too bright!”

Whether Armillca screamed at the light enveloping the area or not, Laura chanted a spell in a passionate voice.

“O ruler of the holy struggle of all warriors, the morning star that shines most beautifully in the heavens. Hear and answer the prayer of the battlefield!”

―…Huh?

At that moment, Lucy suddenly looked back at Laura, her eyes widening slightly.

When Laura threw the papers she had pulled from the case, they all burned in the air simultaneously.

A dazzlingly bright golden mana… no, a power that deserved to be called holy power, formed a giant ring surrounding the area.

“Ishtar, O goddess of brilliant victory—bless us with your light!”

―Aaaaaaargh!

At that moment, a shining pentagram rose and vanished within the ring that enveloped both the party and the werewolves.

At that moment, Gi-jun felt a new vitality rising inside him and opened his eyes wide.

Of course, it was not a dramatically massive power, but it affected all his skills evenly, and above all… the light power inherent within him was being amplified.

For Gi-jun, this was an earth-shattering event, because he had never received a buff from another person before due to his unique skill that deflected all debuffs and buffs alike!

‘To think I accepted the buff without resisting it.’

―It’s probably because the contractor became a Light Human. Since it’s a power with the exact same source, you accepted it without resisting.

‘My goodness, she was an incredibly great choice beyond imagination. Ishtar, a priest of light…’

―Contractor, *sniff*, you know, I really don’t like her, but we might have to go together with her from now on. *Sob*…

‘I get it, so don’t cry, Lucy.’

If she was a priest who could apply buffs to Gi-jun, who normally could not receive buffs, then of course he had to keep her with him for life.

Was it because it was so frustrating to have to acknowledge Laura? At Lucy’s tearful attitude, Gi-jun chuckled, raised his shield, and…

As if he disliked the light Laura had created to no small degree, the male werewolf—mid-boss A—grew his claws long and swung them aiming for her, but Gi-jun quickly stood in front to block him.

―Clang!

The werewolf’s sharp claws collided with the shield, sending sparks and noise flying at the same time.

The bastard was trying to press him down from above with brute force, but only a smile formed on Gi-jun’s lips as he blocked it.

His abilities were already enhanced by the effects of The Last Hero and Limit Surpasser.

On top of that, thanks to Laura’s unexpected and dramatic support—the attack did not feel heavy at all.

―Kill that woman first—!

At the bastard’s urgent voice after being blocked by Gi-jun, the subordinate werewolves rushed in like a wave, and the battle began in earnest.

He deflected the mid-boss’s claws, put strength into the hand holding the shield to flare up the flames and light even more intensely, and spoke without looking back.

“Protect her with your life, In.”

“Kuh…!”

―I’ll… kill… you…!

“Kahahahat! Too—slow—!”

While Gi-jun blocked one mid-boss, Armillca was fighting the other, evading and toying with the enemy’s attacks with dazzlingly fast movements, making it seem like she could hunt it down on her own even if left alone.

―Kill the sparkling woman… *cough*!

―Kieeeek! It’s silver arrows! Silver arrows!

―Where is it flying from—*cough*!

Hervunt was nowhere to be seen, having hidden himself at some point—but seeing that a significant number of the werewolves rushing toward In and Laura fell with bolts embedded in their heads, there was no room to doubt his contribution.

‘But I’m worried about how long In can hold out. Let’s finish this quickly.’

The light and flames blooming on his two shields merged to form a giant spike.

Secretly strengthening it further was the reinforcement skill [Adamant (L)], which allowed not only his body but also the equipment he wore to reach the divine realm.

The werewolf, perhaps proving that he was not a mid-boss for nothing, swung claws that shone even more blue under the moonlight—but…

―Crunch!

They caught cleanly on the spike Gi-jun violently thrust forward, snapping near the root and flying away.

Indeed, there was no way a mere mutt’s claws could overcome divine iron containing holy fire.

―With a slaughtering skill that has reached the realm of craftsmanship, you have succeeded in butchering an enemy in a state filled with power, and the quality of the material increases. You have obtained [Blue-Stained Moonlight Wolf’s Claw (U)].

―The Slaughter (R) skill has reached level 11!

―With a slaughtering skill that has reached the realm of craftsmanship, you have succeeded in butchering an enemy in a state filled with power, and the quality of the material increases. You have obtained [Blue-Stained Moonlight Wolf’s Claw (U)].

―The Slaughter (R) skill has reached level 11!

A smile played on the lips of Gi-jun, who had caught the bastard’s claws and quickly stored them in his inventory.

“Indeed, the Slaughter skill is definitely a combat skill.”

―Y-You…!

The spiteful bastard regenerated his claws under the moonlight and pounced, but to Gi-jun, that was only something to be grateful for.

To think he was helping him endlessly harvest Unique-grade materials, what a kind monster!

―Proficiency from repetitive work allows you to butcher the enemy more effectively and obtain high-quality materials. You have obtained [Blue-Stained Moonlight Wolf’s Claw (U)].

―Proficiency from repetitive work allows you to butcher the enemy more effectively and obtain high-quality materials. You have obtained [Blue-Stained Moonlight Wolf’s Claw (U)].

―Kuaaaaaargh!

“I wonder how long I can keep getting them. Let’s keep going.”

―Without fail! I will tear you to shreds and eat you roasted!

The blue claws cutting through the air drew eerie curves of destruction in succession, and the fangs wrapped in red light cut them off without fail.

After several repetitions of clash, in exchange for giving Gi-jun a few more drops and leveling up his Slaughter skill once again, the bastard eventually lost all ten of his claws.

―Die!

“Ha!”

Finally, he kicked Gi-jun with toes protruding with claws, but Gi-jun stepped half a step to the side as expected and strongly shoved him with his shield, making him lose his balance.

―This is nothing—!

But at that moment.

Surprisingly, the werewolf, who slammed the floor with his tail to bounce his body, pounced on him with the recoil, opening a hideous maw.

Facing the giant maw that looked like the entrance of hell, large enough to dye his vision pitch black for a moment, Gi-jun alertly lowered his body.

―I’ll chew and swallow you—!

“Hup!”

At the moment the wolf’s maw cast a dark shadow over his head,

Gi-jun straightened his bent knees and lunged forward, digging into the wolf’s embrace—

He thrust one of the two sharply honed blood-red fangs into the bastard’s chest, and slammed the other straight up into his chin.

―Ke, kehe…

As the holy fire that surged with an eerie sound completely melted the bastard’s lower jaw—his teeth, which resisted melting even as his gums turned to white ash and blew away, fell in a shower.

Of course, the level of the Slaughter skill rose this time as well.

“Who did you get the information from?”

―Kieeeee…!

“Ah, you can’t speak.”

Tsking, Gi-jun put more strength into the shield he had stabbed into the bastard’s chest, twisting it deeper before pulling it out in one motion.

Hanging from the edge of the shield was the werewolf’s heart, which had been beating vividly until just a moment ago.

―You have reached level 28, and Strength (U) has increased by 2, Dexterity (L) by 1, Endurance (U) by 1, Light Mana (L) by 1, and Spiritual Power (L) by 1.

―Fire Spirit Arts (R) has reached level 58, Moonlight Blood Fangs (L) level 5, Lucy (L) level 7, and Adamant (L) level 3.

―You have obtained [Blue Moonlight Wolf’s Heart (U)]. The Slaughter (R) skill has reached level 15.

―You have reached level 28, and Strength (U) has increased by 2, Dexterity (L) by 1, Endurance (U) by 1, Light Mana (L) by 1, and Spiritual Power (L) by 1.

―Fire Spirit Arts (R) has reached level 58, Moonlight Blood Fangs (L) level 5, Lucy (L) level 7, and Adamant (L) level 3.

―You have obtained [Blue Moonlight Wolf’s Heart (U)]. The Slaughter (R) skill has reached level 15.

Scoffing as he watched the end of the mid-boss who turned to ash, Gi-jun put the cleanly extracted heart and the teeth rolling on the ground all into his inventory and turned around.

―K-Karol is dead…!

―The Flame Human! The Flame Human is too strong!

“How…”

“Jun-nim is, perhaps, even more than I thought…”

Because the battle had ended too quickly, not only the enemies but also his allies were staring at him with astonished expressions.

It was not as if Gi-jun could explain that he had easily crushed the enemy thanks to the application of all kinds of advantageous title effects, not to mention his good compatibility with Laura’s buff, so with everyone’s eyes on him, he decided to do what he always did.

“Come at me, all of you—!”

It was Luminescent Provocation.

“Ah, seriously!”

―Kyaaaaaargh!

While a few of his party members were horrified, the werewolves who stared directly at Luminescent Provocation could not withstand their hatred and anger toward him and rushed in from all directions.

What was funny was that mid-boss B, who had been constantly toyed with by Armillca and was pouncing at her in spite, was also not exempt from the target of Luminescent Provocation.

―That damned flame, that annoying light—!

“Ha, you’re looking away with me right here…? I’ll kill you just as you wish!”

Armillca had the upper hand even in a head-on clash, so there was no way that a creature which had completely lost its reason could last long against Armillca pursuing from behind.

Armillca, who quickly sliced off the mid-boss’s head, flung it into the midst of the werewolves rushing toward Gi-jun to grab their attention, and then charged straight in while spraying blood, showing off her presence by slicing through dozens of them in succession.

“The leader can’t be the only one looking cool! Lau—ra, watch your big sister!”

“I’m watching! I’m watching, so please be careful!”

Unlike the previous battle, which consisted mostly of wild werewolves, this time they had to face elite soldiers who were overall more organized and of a higher level, but Gi-jun faced them without even blinking an eye.

‘Salutaris.’

The consumed mana and spiritual power were replenished by the unique mana circulation that rotated as if warmly wrapping around his entire body.

Part of it flowed into Ur and Lucy to become spirit power that bloomed light and flames, while the rest became the fuel to maintain Adamant, once again turning his two shields into divine weapons.

Standing firmly on the ground, Gi-jun did not back down a single step as he pushed back and tore into the enemies.

No one could get past him until he fell, and he would never fall unless he wished to.

“Ha, the calculations really keep changing!”

“Phew—are you alright, Laura?”

“Yes, yes. I’m fine—”

Once the flow of the battlefield completely shifted, Hervunt also revealed himself again to pour down attacks, and In, who had been protecting Laura, could finally catch his breath and fight with more ease.

Perhaps there were more enemies in ambush, as about a hundred additional werewolves hurriedly showed themselves only after the two leaders died, but by that time, even Laura, who had completely abandoned her role as a healer, chanted light attack spells and pushed them back, allowing them to clean up the battlefield neatly.

―You have reached level 30, and Strength (U) has increased by 1, Dexterity (L) by 1, and Spiritual Power (L) by 1.

―Due to the fierce battle that stimulates the soul, Strength (U) has grown by an additional 1, and Endurance (U) by 1.

―Fire Spirit Arts (R) has reached level 60, Adamant (L) level 4, and Salutaris (L) level 5.

―You have reached level 30, and Strength (U) has increased by 1, Dexterity (L) by 1, and Spiritual Power (L) by 1.

―Due to the fierce battle that stimulates the soul, Strength (U) has grown by an additional 1, and Endurance (U) by 1.

―Fire Spirit Arts (R) has reached level 60, Adamant (L) level 4, and Salutaris (L) level 5.

“Phew.”

Wondering how many levels he had gained in just one spot, Gi-jun tried not to show his joy as he felt his entire body being reassembled and strengthened in real-time with a creaking sound.

Even so, he could not help the faint smile that rose to his lips—

“Jun.”

“Yeah.”

Hervunt approached him and spoke.

Since he could roughly guess what the man was going to say, Gi-jun also hardened his expression and nodded.

“Both the appearance of the enemy and their target were too coincidental. There is a traitor in the village.”

“Yeah.”

“Perhaps their original plans were twisted due to our appearance. Or maybe they are really afraid that Gin will become human. That’s why they are attacking so urgently like this.”

“……Yeah.”

“So in the worst-case scenario… when we go back, Gin might not be there.”

“I want to believe that won’t be the case.”

A bitter smile, different from the smile he had shown just a moment ago, hung on his lips.

While thinking that it was indeed a good thing he had left the gun in the village after all, he turned his gaze to see Hervunt’s strangely calm expression even as he spouted such words.

“Are you not surprised?”

“They say the best prophet of the future is the past. I have experienced this kind of thing often. Indeed, it is all too common.”

“……”

Coincidentally, those were the same words left behind by Earth’s famous Romantic poet, George Gordon Byron.

Hervunt, who turned to the party members and briefly declared, ‘Let’s go now,’ stopped as he headed forward to scout, glanced back at Gi-jun, and spoke.

“That is why I told you, didn’t I? Don’t grow too attached.”

Strangely, the wolves’ attacks stopped completely as they entered the mountain.

Climbing the mountain while checking the map, before long they discovered an unnaturally piled mound of rocks, and were convinced that it was a silver vein.

And after spending several hours digging through the pile of dirt and rocks,

they finally discovered silver imbued with the power of the moon.

A large amount of Moon-Welcoming Stones was a bonus.

* * *

“They’re all dead? By them? H-How…”

“You can’t! No matter what!”

“……”

“Spare that person… If it’s not under that condition, I will not let you in. Never.”

“There is a magic contract. The one I brought when escaping the laboratory…”

“Yes, I don’t care what happens to the rest.”

“No, there is also someone who must be killed.”

“That woman.”

“The wolf cub? Do you mean Gin?”

“……I know, it’s fine.”

“It’s not my child anyway.”