Morning arrived with a cold wind blowing across the wasteland.
The Outcast Settlement was already awake.
Demons moved around carrying wood, repairing parts of the barricade, and preparing food.
Life in the settlement was slowly improving.
But the mood was different today.
Everyone was still thinking about the visitor from last night.
A servant of a Demon Lord.
Grik slammed a log into place while grumbling loudly.
"That guy just walked into our settlement like he owned the place."
Ruun sat nearby, sharpening his dagger.
"He could have killed us if he wanted."
Grik frowned.
"…Yeah."
Not far from them, Rai stood alone near the edge of the settlement.
His eyes looked toward the distant horizon.
The words Kael spoke still echoed in his mind.
"If you keep growing like this… we will meet again."
Rai understood something clearly now.
The enemies he had fought so far…
Were nothing compared to what was coming.
Then suddenly—
The system appeared again.
A large glowing window opened before him.
---
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
Special Quest Available
Rank Advancement Trial
Current Rank: F
Requirement to Advance: Complete the following mission.
---
Rai focused on the message.
The quest details appeared.
---
QUEST: HUNT THE WASTELAND TYRANT
A powerful monster has been detected in the northern wasteland.
Name: Abyss Horn Behemoth
Threat Level: B-Rank
Objective:
• Defeat the Abyss Horn Behemoth
• Absorb its core
Reward:
• Rank Upgrade: F → E
• Skill Upgrade
• Territory Bonus
Warning: High risk of death.
---
Rai studied the quest carefully.
A B-Rank monster.
Far stronger than the enemies he had faced before.
But the reward…
Was exactly what he needed.
A rank upgrade.
Behind him, Grik approached while wiping sweat from his head.
"You've been staring at the sky for ten minutes."
Rai turned slightly.
"There's a monster in the northern wasteland."
Grik scratched his chin.
"That place is dangerous."
"Even demon gangs avoid it."
Ruun joined them.
"Something big lives there."
Rai nodded.
"Yes."
"The Abyss Horn Behemoth."
Both demons froze.
Grik blinked.
"…You're joking, right?"
Ruun's expression became serious.
"That monster destroys entire groups of demons."
"Even B-Rank fighters avoid it."
Rai started walking toward the gate.
"I'm going to kill it."
Grik nearly choked.
"Wait—WHAT?!"
"You can't fight that thing alone!"
Rai stopped.
Then looked back at them.
"This is the only way I can grow stronger."
The two demons were silent for a moment.
Then Grik suddenly grabbed his hammer.
"Well then."
"If you're fighting a giant monster…"
"…I'm coming too."
Ruun sighed quietly.
"And someone needs to make sure you two idiots don't die."
Rai looked at them.
For a moment…
Something changed in his expression.
Not surprise.
But acceptance.
"Fine."
He turned toward the northern wasteland.
"Then we leave now."
Far in the distance…
Beyond the broken mountains…
A massive creature slept beneath the earth.
Its horns were as large as towers.
Its body covered in dark stone-like armor.
The ruler of the northern wasteland.
The Abyss Horn Behemoth.
And soon…
Rai would challenge it.