The canyon fell into chaos. The massive Ogre Warlord stepped forward, each footstep shaking the ground like a small earthquake. Behind it, dozens of ogres climbed down from the cliffs, roaring wildly. The hunters immediately realized the truth. They were surrounded.
Marcus Hale gritted his teeth. "Everyone! Fall back!" But the order came too late. One ogre slammed its club into the defensive line. Shields shattered. Two hunters were sent flying across the battlefield. Another ogre grabbed a mage and crushed him instantly. Blood sprayed across the rocks. Panic spread through the raid team.
"This is impossible!"
"We can't fight a B-Rank boss!"
"Retreat!"
But retreat wasn't possible. The canyon entrance had already been blocked by ogres. They were trapped.
The Warlord Moves
The Ogre Warlord slowly raised its gigantic axe. The weapon was easily twice Kai's height. It swung the axe downward. The ground exploded. Three hunters were instantly crushed under the attack. Silence fell for a moment. Even the ogres stopped roaring. The warlord looked down at the tiny humans beneath it like they were insects. Then it roared again. The sound echoed through the entire dungeon.
Marcus clenched his sword tightly. "...Damn it." Even a C-Rank hunter like him knew the truth. They couldn't win.
Kai Watches
Kai stood near the back of the battlefield. Calm. Observing everything. The system window hovered in front of him.
Boss Monster Detected
Name: Ogre Warlord
Rank: B
Devour Potential: Extremely High
Reward Possibility: Class Evolution
Kai's eyes shone slightly. A B-Rank monster. If he devoured that… His power would explode. But the warlord was far stronger than the ogres he fought earlier. Even Kai wasn't sure he could defeat it alone. Yet. He needed more power first.
Kai glanced around the battlefield. Several ogres were already injured from fighting the hunters. Perfect targets. Kai quietly moved toward them. An injured ogre stumbled behind a large rock. Kai appeared behind it instantly. His dagger flashed. The blade pierced the glowing weak point. The ogre collapsed.
Enemy Defeated
Canyon Ogre Eliminated
Devour Available
Kai placed his hand on the corpse. "...Devour." Darkness swallowed the ogre instantly. Power surged into his body again.
Devour Successful
Strength +6
Vitality +5
Level Up!
Level 10 → Level 11
Kai felt his muscles tighten with new strength. But the system displayed something more interesting.
Abyss Energy Increased
Abyss Level: 4%
Kai smiled slightly. "Almost there…" Just a little more. And he might reach the evolution threshold.
Meanwhile— The battle in the canyon was collapsing. Hunters were dying. Marcus and the other C-Rank hunter, Elena Frost, struggled desperately to slow the warlord. But the monster was overwhelming. The warlord swung its axe again. Elena barely blocked with her spear. The impact sent her crashing across the ground. Marcus shouted in panic.
"Elena!"
The warlord lifted its axe again. Preparing the killing blow.
Kai Steps Forward
Kai sighed quietly. "I guess that's enough watching." He stepped out from behind the rocks. Right into the battlefield. Ronan saw him first.
"You idiot!" Ronan shouted. "Get back!"
But Kai ignored him. Because the system had just displayed the message he wanted.
Abyss Energy Threshold Reached
Abyss Level: 5%
Evolution Available
Kai's heartbeat slowed. The power inside him felt different now. Darker. Deeper. The abyss within him was growing. And the Ogre Warlord turned its burning eyes toward him. The monster sensed something unusual. Something dangerous.
Kai slowly raised his dagger. Then he whispered quietly. "...Let's see what happens."
END OF CHAPTER 11