Chapter 23 – Hammer of the Executioner
The moment the Iron Executioner finished its charge, the entire chamber trembled.
The enormous hammer slammed into the ground with devastating force.
BOOOOOOM!
Concrete exploded outward like shrapnel.
Chunks of stone and metal crates were thrown into the air as dust filled the massive factory chamber.
Ronan rolled across the ground, barely avoiding the shockwave. The impact still pushed him several meters away.
He quickly pushed himself to his feet.
His heartbeat pounded in his ears.
"That thing… hits like a truck."
Across the chamber, the Iron Executioner slowly lifted its hammer from the cracked floor.
The weapon left a deep crater behind.
The monster's red eyes glowed brighter as it locked onto Ronan again.
Then it began walking forward.
BOOM.
BOOM.
Each step shook the ground beneath it.
The chains wrapped around its torso rattled with every movement.
Ronan's mind raced.
Too strong.
That hammer wasn't just a weapon—it was destruction itself.
Blocking it wasn't an option.
Even dodging it was dangerous because of the shockwaves.
The only way to survive…
Was to stay fast.
The Executioner suddenly swung the hammer sideways.
Ronan ducked instantly.
The massive weapon roared through the air above his head.
WHOOM!
The wind pressure alone knocked several metal crates across the room.
Ronan dashed forward.
If he stayed at a distance, he would eventually get crushed.
Closing the gap was his only chance.
The Iron Executioner reacted immediately.
Its hammer rose again.
Ronan jumped sideways as the weapon smashed into the ground again.
BOOOOM!
A spiderweb of cracks spread across the floor.
Dust clouded the air.
Ronan moved through the dust like a shadow.
In seconds, he closed the distance.
Now he stood directly in front of the massive guardian.
He leapt forward.
His dagger flashed toward the monster's leg joint.
CLANG!
The blade struck thick armor plating.
Sparks flew.
But the dagger barely scratched the metal.
Ronan clicked his tongue.
"Figures."
The Iron Executioner raised its leg.
And kicked.
The impact hit Ronan's side like a speeding car.
WHAM!
He was launched across the chamber and smashed into a stack of rusted metal containers.
Pain exploded through his body.
His ribs screamed.
For a moment, his vision blurred.
Ronan coughed as he forced himself upright.
"That… definitely broke something."
The monster approached again.
Slow.
Unstoppable.
It raised its hammer once more.
But this time—
The system interface appeared suddenly.
---
Predator Instinct Active
Combat Analysis Running…
Enemy Weak Point Detected
---
Ronan blinked.
A faint red glow appeared around the monster's body.
But only one area pulsed brighter.
Its neck.
Right where the stone-like armor plates connected to its collar.
"A weak point…"
The Iron Executioner swung its hammer downward again.
Ronan rolled to the side.
The hammer struck the ground beside him.
BOOOOM!
The shockwave blasted him backward again.
But Ronan was already moving.
He sprinted straight toward the monster's back.
The Iron Executioner began turning.
Too slow.
Ronan jumped.
He used the monster's leg armor as a foothold.
Then leapt again—
Climbing onto its massive back.
The chains wrapped around the creature rattled violently.
The Executioner roared.
A deep mechanical growl.
It tried to grab him.
But Ronan moved fast.
He climbed up the creature's shoulder.
Then drove his dagger toward the glowing weak point.
CLANG!
The blade bounced off the armor.
Ronan cursed.
"Not enough force!"
The Executioner grabbed him with one massive hand.
Its grip crushed around Ronan's torso.
The pressure squeezed the air from his lungs.
Then the monster threw him.
Hard.
Ronan flew across the chamber like a ragdoll.
He slammed into the factory wall.
The metal structure bent from the impact.
Ronan collapsed onto the floor.
For several seconds, he couldn't move.
His chest burned.
His arm trembled.
The Executioner slowly approached again.
Hammer dragging behind it.
GRAAAAAANG.
Ronan forced himself to stand.
Blood ran down from his forehead.
"Damn… this thing is ridiculous."
His dagger couldn't pierce its armor.
His strength wasn't enough.
But the weak point existed.
That meant the monster could be killed.
He just needed more power.
The system flickered again.
---
Hidden Condition Met
Extreme Combat Stress Detected
Skill Evolution Available
---
Ronan's eyes widened.
"What?"
A new message appeared.
---
Predator Instinct → Predator Overdrive
Temporary Upgrade Available
Activation Cost: High Stamina
---
Ronan grinned despite the blood on his lips.
"Let's try it."
He activated it.
Instantly—
The world slowed.
His hearing sharpened.
The Iron Executioner's movements became clearer.
The sound of its chains.
The grinding of its hammer.
The shifting of its weight.
Everything became visible.
The monster charged again.
Ronan moved.
Faster than before.
He slipped under the hammer swing.
The weapon smashed the ground behind him.
But Ronan was already sprinting forward.
He jumped onto the creature's leg again.
Then climbed its back like a predator chasing prey.
The Executioner roared and swung its arm wildly.
But Ronan was already on its shoulder.
The weak point glowed brightly now.
The system highlighted it like a target.
Ronan raised his dagger.
Every muscle in his body tensed.
"Let's see how tough you really are."
He drove the dagger down with all his strength.
CRACK!
This time—
The blade pierced.
Dark fluid burst from the wound.
The Executioner roared violently.
Its entire body shook.
Ronan twisted the dagger deeper.
The creature staggered forward.
It tried to grab him again.
But Ronan jumped off its back.
The Executioner took two heavy steps.
Then three.
Then its massive body froze.
The red glow in its eyes flickered.
And slowly—
The giant guardian collapsed.
BOOOOOOM!
The ground shook when it hit the floor.
Dust filled the air.
For several seconds, the chamber remained silent.
Then the system appeared again.
---
Guardian Eliminated
Iron Executioner Defeated
Massive Experience Reward Granted
Dungeon Key Fragment Obtained
---
A glowing metal fragment floated above the monster's body.
Ronan walked toward it slowly.
Every step hurt.
But his eyes shone with satisfaction.
He grabbed the fragment.
---
Dungeon Key Fragment (2/3) Acquired
---
Ronan looked back at the massive core machine across the chamber.
Two fragments now.
Only one left.
But something else happened.
The dungeon trembled again.
Deeper.
Louder.
The machine in the center began glowing faintly.
The chains around it tightened.
And somewhere far below the factory floor…
Something ancient began to awaken.
Ronan frowned.
"That… doesn't sound good."
The system flashed one more warning.
---
Final Guardian Awakening
Threat Level: Extreme
---
Ronan slowly raised his dagger again.
His body was exhausted.
But his eyes burned with determination.
"One more…"
Deep beneath the factory ruins—
The last guardian had begun to move.