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 res, 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.


    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 ughter all of you."


    "Arent you aware? Two of your fellowmanders, 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 amander of the Nightmare Legion.


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


    "Uh... urgh..."


    But Kun...


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


    I tried to lighten the atmosphere with a joke.


    "Whats the matter, Kun? Scared?"


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


    Kun ced 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 Kun and the Penal Squad.


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


    "...?"


    Kun and the Penal Squad members were taken aback by this unexpected revtion.


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


    What did he say?


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


    As Kun snapped, Lunaredughed 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.


    iming to be a distant ancestor of the Werefolk, including Kun.


    "Stop your lies, monster!"


    Kun, now visibly angered, readied himself in abat stance.


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


    The undting 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 ying on his lips, Lunared slowly extended both his hands forward.


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


    Shick!


    Wolf-like sharp ws 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 Kuns fiery hue, more of a blood red. But even to my untrained eyes, they seemed strikingly simr.


    Above all, their stances.


    Lunared assumed abat position that mirrored Kuns perfectly.


    "This cant be..."


    A fleeting look of despair crossed Kuns face.


    "This martial art... Its been passed down through our n for generations..."


    "I established the martial techniques, defined the forms, refined the breathing. I am the grandmaster of everything youve learned."


    Not only the bloodline, but everything Kun had learned originated from him. The monster cruelly boasted.


    Reflecting the light of the surrounding torches, Lunareds silvery mane shimmered momentarily, very much like mes.


    Its hue was eerily simr to Kuns red hair.


    "..."


    I swallowed hard, deep in thought.


    Whether the monsters words were true or just a ploy to distract our allies, I didnt know.


    The monsters of the Lake Kingdom were beings resurrected by the demon king.


    In other words, beings that died hundreds, if not thousands, of years ago were brought back to life.


    It was entirely possible that one of them could be a forefather to someone from the present.


    Gritting his teeth, Kun charged forward,unching himself at the monster.


    "Shut up, you beastly brat! I..."


    "Kun! No!"


    Before I could stop him, Kun dashed forward at a speed Id never seen from him before.


    His fists and feet, enveloped in his red aura, barraged the monster.


    His swift strikes released dozens of attacks in the blink of an eye.


    However.


    "Youre inexperienced, descendant!"


    With a single swing of his fist,


    Wham!


    Lunared delivered a counter to Kuns midsection.


    Kun spat out blood without even a scream, getting thrown in the exact opposite direction of his charge.


    "Shallow, so shallow! Your punches, your intent, everything is lukewarm!"


    As the muscr werewolf drew back his bulging arm, he roared.


    "Our nsbat style is purely forbat! We dont hold back, we transcend human limitations, its a method to ughter enemies like a beast would!"


    I rushed to Kun, who was throwing up blood, and quickly supported him.


    Lunared continued his tirade.


    "I abandoned my humanity and became a beast to perfect that art. But what about you, descendant? Are you still trapped within the confines of humanity? What a waste of my legacy!"


    "Hey, quit berating the descendants youre so proud of, Martial Arts Wolf."


    As I spoke, Lunareds gaze shifted from Kun to me. I continued.


    So, if you perfected such a formidable fighting technique, shouldnt you have been satisfied and attained peace in the afterlife? Why did you resurrect and cause this chaos?


    Perfected? Satisfied? What inane drivel are you spouting, human?


    Lunared bellowed with a derisiveugh.


    Is there an end to strife? A limit to martial prowess? I regretted not being able to fight till myst breath. Given another chance, of course I would seize it!


    "Huh..."


    If I can battle someone stronger than me, and taste their blood by tearing out their throat! If I can prove I am the mightiest! Id dly sell my soul to a demon for it!


    "Seems like it. Looks like youve already sold it."


    I wondered if his persona was influenced by martial arts novels, but this werewolf seemed serious.


    Lunared began to approach me with a growl.


    Well, now that youve had your fun with my descendant, lets return to our conversation.


    Actually, Id rather not...


    If you managed to defeat Orlop and Celendion, surely you can provide a real challenge for me?


    Facing the expectant eyes of the werewolf, I replied crisply.


    No.


    Huh?


    I wont fight.


    I swiftly pulled out a magical scroll from my robe.


    It was a [Dungeon Escape Teleport Scroll].


    After the vampire lord, Celendion, ambushed us in the past, Aider granted me ess to two system features.


    One was a radar to detect boss monsters. And the other:


    [Emergency Exit Bomb!] <Free Exploration Exclusive>


    - Inflicts apulsory stun on surrounding monsters and increases the partys movement speed by 100%.


    - Consumes 1 Dungeon Escape Teleport Scroll upon use.


    This was it.


    Its an emergency feature for when you encounter an unbeatable enemy in a dungeon. Worth a whopping 45,000 achievement points.


    Finally going to use this!


    I never intended to fight the Nightmare Legion Commander in this dungeon.


    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, wheremander-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.


    sh-!


    What the?!


    Lunared staggered back from the sudden brilliance, and I helped Kun 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 Kun, 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 ept 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 viin 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 red at the werewolf.


    Sending your subordinates stealthily, ambushing in your home ground, stop such tactics! If you truly lovebat, 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.


    Inbat, 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.


    Kun, who had been ring at Lunared till the very end, and Lucas, who was supporting Kun, 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.


    sh!


    ***


    [Free Exploration Complete!]


    [Character Level Up]


    >Main Party:


    - Ash(EX) Lv.47 (1)


    >Sub Party 1:


    - Kun(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]


    - Kun(SR): Minor injuries


    [Equipment Acquired]


    - Fragment of the Great Commanders g: 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