2025-09-29 21:04:51They stood in a vast wasteland where the horizon could not be seen. Ancient ruins lay scattered about, their age impossible to guess. For two days and nights the squad marched tirelessly without spotting a single sign of life.
To make matters worse, the fog grew thicker with every step, shrouding everything in a pale veil. When they entered a jagged mountain range, the air grew denser, heavy with something eerie.
Most of the squad were Ascended, only a handful still Awakened, which at least made navigating this hellish terrain possible. But Ethan couldn't shake the thought that gnawed at him.
Something's not right… Even in a Tier 5 dungeon, we should have encountered beasts by now.
The unease twisted his gut.
Then it came.
A crushing pressure, so heavy it was hard to breathe.
"Everyone, be on alert!" Sony barked, his massive axe flashing as he drew it. His sharp instincts had already picked up on the evil presence lurking within the fog.
The Awakened tensed immediately. Sony didn't need to tell them twice.
Ethan steadied his grip on his blade. His Black Panther Hide armor, bought for fifty million Ace Tokens, pulsed with energy. Not only did it boost his speed, but its active skill, Shadow Panther, allowed him to conceal his presence. He may have only wielded a mutant-grade sword, but his techniques and his will made it lethal.
Hissss…
Their breaths turned ragged as the pressure thickened. The thirty-man squad quickly shifted into formation, mages and healers forming the center.
Then
BANG!
A wet shriek split the air. A purple fist shot from the fog and smashed into an Ascended clad in mutant beast armor. He didn't even have time to scream. His body burst apart like tofu, flesh and bone scattered across the rocks.
"Damn it!"
The mages unleashed a barrage of beams, but they sliced nothing but mist. The beast moved like a phantom. Another explosion rocked the ground, scattering their formation. By the time they regrouped, another Ascended had fallen, lifeless.
"It's a humanoid devilish beast!" Sony's voice thundered through the chaos. Only someone at Apex could read an enemy this fast.
"I already knew", Ethan thought grimly.His armor had warned him of the danger the moment it appeared.
"Protect the mages and healers—it's targeting them!" Ethan barked. His voice carried authority, and he dashed forward. His sword flared, wrapped in a condensed water blade.
CLANG!
The strike met flesh but it was like striking steel.
"What the hell…?!" Ethan's eyes widened. I thought humanoid beasts relied on intelligence and attack power, not defense!
He had used the Traceless Sword Technique, a Rank-S skill gifted to him by the Vanguard Guild after years of hard work. Even if it couldn't cut through, it should have left a scar. Instead, the beast stood unscathed.
From the fog stepped their nightmare.
A humanoid figure, skin purple as bruises, its tall frame lean but radiating deathly strength. It lacked muscle, yet its presence crushed them like a storm.
BANG! BANG!
Sony roared, aura bursting out as he activated his berserker skill. His energy scattered the fog, revealing the abomination.
He charged.
The clash shook the mountain, but within seconds Sony was hurled through the air, screaming. He landed hard, blood spraying as one arm was severed clean off.
"Damn it!" Ethan cursed then his eyes caught a fiery glow.
A massive fireball exploded against the beast, staggering it for a heartbeat. Ethan seized the chance, tossing Sony's battered body to the healers like he weighed nothing.
"Now!"
Fifteen Ascended surged forward with Ethan, raining down devastating blows. The beast blurred, dodging, before darting straight at the healers.
"Not a chance!" Ethan's speed exploded, his armor's skill kicking in. A colossal water serpent surged forth, coiling around the beast. Before it could break free, Ethan slammed his entire body into it.
BANG!
It was like ramming a steel mountain. Pain screamed through his bones, but he'd diverted its strike an inch away from a healer's skull.
"Damn… my whole body's numb"
"ROAAAR!" The beast shrieked in fury. This human this insectwas in its way. It shifted, honing in on Ethan.
Ethan smirked. His armor made him blur like a shadow. Right now, his speed rivaled Apex—over 220 points, faster than Sony himself.
The beast unleashed a storm of blows.
BANG! BOOM! CRACK!
Ethan slipped between them, every step like tracing fireworks in the dark. Not a single strike landed.
"Sony, now!" Ethan shouted, diving aside.
SPURT!
Sony's axe hacked down, biting deep into the beast's neck. Purple blood splattered the stones.
The beast staggered, shocked.
The battle raged for thirty more minutes. Together, they drove it back, mark after bloody mark tearing into its body. Ethan's panther armor and water skills worked in perfect rhythm, shackling the beast whenever it tried to retreat.
Finally, the creature was cornered. Wounded. Desperate.
Then
Puff.
It turned to purple smoke .
The awakened sensed more danger
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MECH SUIT
The long golden limo cruised the street of the residential zone. Ethan and his group were lavishing the high life inside. There was a fountain in the middle with music blaring everywhere.Ethan looked at Chloe. “So this is the girl that topped me,” Ethan thought, surprised. Who would have thought this gorgeous, almost fragile girl was a hardcore beast hunter?Chloe also calmly stared at Ethan. “So he is the one who beat all those awakened. He sure is strong. I want to learn from him,” she thought.“Hey guys, we are almost there. We have to look at our best. Remember, we are the top rankers,” Gloria said, smiling.“Of course,” Ethan said. “I wonder what that son of a bitch is planning,” Ethan sighed.“You can’t help but be bothered by Alex, isn’t it?” Lynx asked.“It’s understandable. Sending powerful enemies at us isn’t something we should underestimate,” Freddy said.“Hmm,” Ethan snorted."""""""""""""Five minutes later, the limo arrived at the academic zone. The academic zone was h
ALEX: BIG HEADACHE
Ethan was lying flat on the ground of his room. His oni mask had already shattered. Now he was thinking of creating a full oni mask and costume for when he fought at his highest ability in secret. Not only that, this time he wanted it to be durable.But he needed a weaponsmith to do that. Weaponsmiths were very rare, especially the type he was looking for. The ones in major cities were not Ethan’s target.“Why did we run? She was only trying to help us out,” Gloria questioned.“Nothing,” Ethan said.“Look, I know you’re blur, and you don’t need to lie to me,” Gloria said, staring into Ethan’s eyes.“Blur? Who the hell is that guy?” Ethan asked as he drank his wine.“Don’t bullshit me. What is that mask doing with you?” Gloria asked.“Hey, I remember on the day of the underground dungeon break, I was passing by and saw an abandoned armor. It was so pretty and shiny, I couldn’t avoid it, so I took it,” Ethan said seriously.“Seriously? What the fuck. Assuming someone alive saw you, th
APEX TALISMAN
Ethan stared at the trio with ultra calm. He had his Death Blade resting on his shoulders, and [Fiery Cloud Toad] stood beside him, heaving."Why do you let us live?" the lady boldly asked."You don't have the right to ask a question from your captor," Ethan replied."From the way I see it, I don't see a rope tied to my hands," the girl mocked."Ah yes… yes, you will," Ethan chuckled.Bang.Ethan burst forward with speed. The trio were shocked—they could see his movement, but they couldn’t fathom his technique.Clang clang clang clang clang.Ethan and the trio clashed. Their attributes were almost at his level. In his past life, if he were cornered like this, he would have simply escaped.The girl fired arrows at Ethan. He immediately recognized that she was using an A-rank technique—the arrow tips had condensed mana, which increased both penetration and speed.Bang bang.Ethan wiped away the arrows with precise, fluid movements. By this time, the other two followed him like flies, wi
All of you are dead
Ethan arrived at the restaurant and immediately felt the dagger-like stares his friends were giving him.“Alright, I’m sorry. Drinks on me,” Ethan said, waving them off.“Nah, bro. You’re giving us a banquet,” Freddy replied.“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” Ethan sighed as he sat down. “Ten full chickens, please,” he called to the waiter.“Eh? Don’t tell me you’re the only one eating ten full chickens,” Gloria asked, puzzled.“Nah, it’s for everybody,” Ethan replied.Lynx ordered ten bottles of liquor, and the four of them drank for seven straight hours.Despite the amount of liquor they consumed, none of them got intoxicated. After awakening and learning to control mana, one could use pure mana to refine alcohol out of their system. Although it usually required a great deal of control, it was relatively easy for them.Another six hours passed as the group continued to wine, dine, gossip, and joke. By now, their table was filled with mountains of plates and empty bottles.Lynx and Freddy had
what's that girls deal
Ethan and Lynx had finally reached their rooms, and the first thing Ethan did was call Freddy and Gloria.“I am having a tequila,” Gloria said over the video call. It looked like she was in a bar.“Damn, that was fast. You couldn’t even wait for us,” Ethan chuckled.“I looked around, and I couldn’t find you guys,” she said, shrugging.“Eh, what about Freddy?” Ethan asked.“I don’t know. I thought I heard he was going to the lounge,” she replied.“No, I can’t find him here,” Ethan said.“Look, we have to stay together. I’m afraid the ‘rest’ they said we’re here for is more than that,” Ethan added.“What do you mean?” Gloria asked, confused.“Seriously? I thought you knew,” Ethan said, disappointed.“No, mister, I don’t fucking know. That’s why I fucking asked you,” she snapped, annoyed that Ethan underestimated her.“Okay, okay, let me explain,” Ethan continued. He then told her what he knew, which shocked her.“Eh, I have an Ascended bodyguard with me, but his shift is almost over. I’
TOO SLOW
Ethan stared at the trio for a bit, then sheathed his Death Blade. Seeing what Ethan did shocked not only the trio but also Lynx."You are wasting my time. Step back," Ethan said calmly.Silas looked at Ethan and laughed."Just like what Alex said. Arrogant to the core. But too bad—you’re going to die anyway," Silas said."Oh, I’d like to see you try," Ethan chuckled.Like a breeze, Ethan passed the trio standing at the front door. The trio felt chills instantly. They couldn’t even react in time. When Ethan reached the main door, they rushed backward in shock as if death itself had walked past them."How? Why couldn’t I sense him when he passed us? Is that some type of technique or aspect?" Silas thought, gritting his teeth as cold sweat dripped down his face."Like I said, you’re wasting my time," Ethan said casually."Shut up, doofus. It’s just some movement technique. You’re dying today, man!" Silas cursed.Lynx watched from the side. The way Ethan handled the situation genuinely i
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