The Abyss Horn Behemoth roared in fury.
The crack in its chest armor glowed red like molten lava, dark energy leaking from the wound.
The entire crater trembled as the monster stomped forward.
BOOOOM!
BOOOOM!
BOOOOM!
Each step shook the ground like an earthquake.
Grik gripped his hammer tightly.
"That thing's going crazy!"
Ruun jumped down from the rocks, landing beside him.
"Of course it is."
"You broke its armor."
Both of them looked toward Rai.
He stood in front of the giant creature like a single shadow against a mountain.
Blood ran down his arm.
But his expression remained calm.
The system flashed again.
---
BOSS STATUS
Abyss Horn Behemoth
Health: 37%
Core: Partially Exposed
---
Rai took a slow breath.
The core was visible now.
A dark red crystal beating like a heart beneath the broken armor.
But reaching it would be dangerous.
The Behemoth raised its claw again.
Then slammed it toward Rai.
BOOOOOM!
The ground exploded.
Dust filled the air.
But Rai was already gone.
Shadow Step.
FLASH!
He reappeared beside the monster's leg.
Then ran upward along its massive body.
Grik stared in disbelief.
"He's climbing it?!"
Ruun nodded slowly.
"He's going straight for the core."
The Behemoth roared violently.
ROOOOOOOAR!
Its body shook, trying to throw Rai off.
But Rai moved quickly.
Jumping from scale to scale.
Dodging the creature's claws.
He reached the cracked armor on its chest.
The glowing core pulsed right in front of him.
The Behemoth sensed the danger.
Its giant hand rushed toward him.
WHOOOOOSH!
Rai jumped back.
The claw smashed into its own chest armor.
CRACK!
The armor shattered further.
The core was now fully exposed.
The system flashed again.
---
WEAK POINT EXPOSED
Attack Now!
---
Rai didn't hesitate.
He leaped forward.
His fist gathered every bit of strength he had.
Every battle.
Every level.
Every skill.
Then he drove his fist straight into the core.
CRAAAAAAACK!
The crystal shattered.
A massive wave of dark energy exploded outward.
The Behemoth froze.
Its glowing eyes flickered.
Then slowly…
The giant monster collapsed.
BOOOOOOOOM!
The ground shook as the massive body crashed into the crater.
Silence filled the wasteland.
Grik stared with his mouth open.
"…He did it."
Ruun exhaled slowly.
"That monster ruled this land for years…"
"And Rai just killed it."
Rai stood on top of the fallen Behemoth.
The system appeared one last time.
---
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
Boss Defeated: Abyss Horn Behemoth
Rank Advancement Trial Completed
Rank Upgraded:
F-Rank → E-Rank
New Skills Acquired:
• Abyss Strength
• Core Absorption
Territory Bonus Activated
---
Rai felt a surge of power flow through his body.
His strength.
His senses.
Everything had improved.
Grik walked over and kicked the giant corpse.
"I can't believe this thing is dead."
Ruun looked at Rai.
"You're not F-Rank anymore."
Rai looked toward the horizon.
"I was never truly F-Rank."
The wind blew across the wasteland.
Far away in the Demon Realm…
News of the Behemoth's death was already spreading.
And when Demon Lord Varkesh heard it…
Even he would realize something dangerous had appeared in the wasteland.
The F-Rank Demon King Vessel had finally evolved.
And his rise had only just begun.