From Trash Rank to Untouchable

5

The beta wolf moved first.

Its massive body shot forward, claws ripping through the ground as it closed the distance in an instant and the pressure from its aura surged again, crushing down on the cavern.

But Regan stood firm, and stepped into the attack.

The flaming sword swept upward, meeting the beta head-on. Fire exploded on impact, forcing the wolf back as it skidded across the stone floor, claws screeching.

The B-rank Hunter beside Regan moved in immediately, striking from the side. His blade pierced the wolf’s flank, but the beta barely reacted. It twisted violently, slamming him away with a single swipe.

Regan clicked his tongue.

“So tough,” he muttered.

The beta lunged again, jaws snapping wide and Regan ducked under the bite and brought his sword down in a blazing arc. Flames wrapped around the blade, searing deep into the wolf’s shoulder.

The beta howled in pain, stumbling back.

Regan did not give it time to recover.

He surged forward, sword blazing brighter as he poured more mana into it. Each strike landed cleanly in a blur, forcing the wolf back step by step, its movements slowing, its breathing turning ragged.

With a final roar, the beta gathered its remaining strength and charged.

Regan planted his feet.

“End it,” someone whispered from behind.

Regan swung.

The flaming blade cut straight through the beta’s neck. Fire consumed the wound instantly, and the massive body collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud.

The flames on Regan’s sword faded as he flicked the blood from the blade.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Then a Hunter let out a breathy laugh.

“Did you see that?”

“That was a beta,” another said in disbelief. “And he handled it alone.”

“As expected of an A-rank,” someone muttered. “No wonder he’s the leader.”

The B-rank Hunter pushed himself up, wincing as he looked at the corpse.

“That thing almost crushed me,” he said. “Regan saved my life.”

Regan glanced back at them, unimpressed.

“Focus,” he said. “We still have the boss to deal with.”

Eric slowly pushed himself up as the Hunters regrouped. One by one, they began extracting the treasures from the fallen monsters. Crystallized cores. Fangs. Hardened claws. Pieces that still radiated faint mana.

Everything they pulled out was handed straight to him, and his backpack was opened and weighed down again as the items were placed inside.

Once they were done, Eric followed quietly as the group advanced deeper into the dungeon, the air growing heavier with every step.

The tunnel widened gradually, the walls smoother, and the faint glow from the moss dimmed.

Then they reached it an expansive stretch of tunnel opened before them, and the moment Eric stepped into it, his skin prickled. The air felt thick, charged with pressure that made breathing harder.

And there, standing at the far end, were massive double doors.

Everyone stopped and no one needed to say it.

This was it.

Regan turned around to face his team with a calm, and confident expression, as if this was no different from any other job.

“You guys stay out here,” he said. “I’ll handle the boss.”

A lady frowned, her grip tightening around her weapon. “Are you sure about that?” she asked, worry clear in her voice.

Regan nodded once. “All I have to do is coat one of the arrows with the potent wolfsbane,” he said evenly. “Once the Alpha is weakened, I’ll kill it.”

The team exchanged looks, then nodded one after another.

“That should work,” someone muttered.

Still, the B-rank Hunter stepped forward. “Then one of us should go with you,” he said. “Just in case.”

Regan considered it for a moment.

Then he nodded. “Fine.”

His gaze shifted slightly.

“I’ll go in with the carrier.”

Eric’s head snapped up instantly.

“Huh?”

The word slipped out before he could stop himself.

Regan met his eyes, expression unreadable.

“You heard me,” he said. “You’re carrying the supplies. You’re coming in.”