The fourth week was almost over. Only one day remained until the final wave.

Everyone appeared optimistic. They believed that, like before, this wave would not be too difficult.

Taesan visited Kim Hwihyun in her room as she was preparing for the next day.

“Ah, Taesan.”

“You should be careful tomorrow.”

“What?”

“I have a strange feeling. Don’t let your guard down and give it your all.”

“There’s something coming then.”

Kim’s relaxed demeanor stiffened, and she rose resolutely.

“I’ll let everyone know.”

“Good.”

She left the room with a serious expression.

And that night.

“Ugh!”

Kang Junhyuk clutched his arm and collapsed, then got up with a face full of resolve.

“Not yet.”

“No, that’s enough for today.”

Taesan sheathed his sword. Lee Taeyeon, who had been watching nervously, looked startled.

“What? Is it over already? What’s going on?”

Taesan had continued their training even after arriving at City Hall, and the approach of the wave made no difference.

However, today Taesan had ended their training after just two hours.

“I don’t want us to die in practice. We need to fight without regrets tomorrow.”

“It seems something is up for tomorrow,” said Kang Junhyuk calmly.

“Kim Hwihyun is moving around, setting up the formation. That was your doing, right?”

“It’s just going to be a lot tougher tomorrow,” Taesan replied, looking up at the sky’s rift.

Kang Junhyuk swallowed, sensing the ominous tone.

“If it’s tough enough for you to worry… how bad will it be?”

“Don’t die. I’d actually be sad if you did.”

“I’ll try my best.”

The next day arrived.

Everyone took their places, prepared for the wave. Alerted by Kim Hwihyun, their faces were grave.

“The fourth wave has begun.”

“Rewards will be distributed based on performance upon returning to the labyrinth.”

Crack.

“What?”

“What’s that?”

This time, unlike before, monsters didn’t charge at them.

Instead, the sky itself split open.

One by one, monsters appeared through the spatial rift.

“Uh oh…”

Someone swallowed hard. The number of monsters, about a hundred, was considerably fewer than before.

But it was ominous. These hundred monsters felt stronger than thousands of their brethren.

Taesan muttered under his breath.

“Grade E.”

And a few Grade D.

“They’re serious this time.”

Taesan chuckled ruefully at the unexpectedly formidable monsters. Even Hard Mode players would struggle against Grade E, let alone Grade D.

The monsters began to move. Kim Hwihyun clenched her teeth.

“Form up, everyone!”

The battle began, and it became clear…

These monsters were fundamentally different beings.

“Argh!”

A monster swung its tail wildly. Easy and Normal Mode players couldn’t properly defend and were sent flying.

“Damn!”

Commissioner Seo, barely blocking it, was shocked.

“So heavy!”

It was a strength he had trouble handling, reminiscent of the last monster he’d faced in a previous return.

It was that level of power.

And there were nearly a hundred of them.

Feeling despair, Commissioner Seo swung his sword.

The monsters rampaged among the people. A mere hundred decimated the hundred thousand.

Clang.

And the Grade D was truly a harbinger of destruction.

Boom!

“Ah, damn.”

Everyone, whether Easy, Normal, or Hard, was crushed under their might. Lee Taeyeon screamed as she brought her sword down. Her face was a mask of terror, but her actions were flawless.

Crash!

Her attack was easily blocked. It was then that Lee Taeyeon screamed as the monster retaliated.

“What are you spacing out for?”

Crunch.

Taesan crushed a monster. Unable to withstand his power, the monster was smashed into the ground.

Boom!

The ground split, and it seemed like an earthquake had erupted. Lee Taeyeon was elated.

“Taesan!”

The monster wasn’t down yet; it retaliated with long chains attempting to bind Taesan.

“Filthy creature.”

Taesan, seemingly annoyed, swung his fist. The chains burst apart. He slammed his fist down again, and the monster was smashed back into the ground.

“With just two hits…”

She couldn’t believe that a monster which she couldn’t handle was downed by just two of Taesan’s attacks.

“If only Taesan is here…”

The monsters were strong, but Taesan was stronger. She murmured with hope, but Taesan cut her off.

“Sorry, but that won’t work.”

“What?”

Taesan dispatched another Grade E monster and squinted his eyes.

“Here it comes.”

Rip.

Space itself tore apart. A black arm pierced through, seeming to grab at the space. The rift violently expanded.

The monster was humanoid.

Four arms. Black legs. A body three times the size of theirs.

A spherical head turned towards them.

“Ah.”

[Monster 488817 has appeared.]

A five-digit monster made its presence known.

“Ah, ah…”

Lee Taeyeon trembled.

It was terrifying.

A fundamental fear overwhelmed her, greater than anything she had seen in the labyrinth.

It wasn’t just her feeling this. Everyone engaged in battle flinched under the onslaught of this terror.

The monster raised its four arms.

Boom!

For a moment, they thought a bomb had exploded. Such was the force that enveloped them.

“Argh!”

Easy, Normal, and Hard—no distinction was made as they were blown away, and the formation collapsed. And the shockwave was heading straight for Taesan.

Taesan grimaced and swung his fist to meet it.

Crash!

The sound of air breaking caused people to cover their ears.

Taesan shook his numb hand.

“Damn strong.”

[This is quite dangerous.]

“Taesan!”

Kim Hwihyun, blown close by the storm, staggered to her feet.

“That thing…”

Her teeth clicked together. The sheer presence of the monster felt like it could stop her heart.

“I don’t like this.”

Taesan twisted his mouth in distaste as a surge of energy erupted from him.

“Ah.”

Kim Hwihyun instinctively stepped back. An overwhelming force poured from Taesan, matching the intensity of the monster.

“Sorry, but I can’t help you.”

“Taesan!”

Ignoring her call, Taesan charged forward.

He left City Hall, running until it was out of sight.

“This should be far enough.”

Here, even if they battled, it wouldn’t affect City Hall. The only issue was whether the monster would follow him, but as soon as he moved, the monster had followed, erasing any concern.

“As long as the target is me, right?”

Taesan drew his sword.

The four-armed giant silently glared at him.

[Strong.]

The specter moaned.

[That level of strength could defeat adventurers who have made it to the 40th floor. Why is such a monster appearing now?]

“The reason is simple.”

To kill him. That was the only reason.

“Should I be flattered that the high ones are taking an interest?”

Taesan spoke jokingly, but his eyes were dead serious.

A five-digit monster.

A Grade B monster, typically only defeatable by Hard Mode players who had cleared the labyrinth.

[The opponent is an unbeatable enemy.]

[No judgement needed.]

The hostile opponent judgement succeeded, boosting everything.

[Desire for Battle has been triggered.]

[Honorable Duel has been triggered.]

[Contempt for the Strong has been triggered.]

[Half-God Theory has been triggered.]

The system window scrolled up. He felt the immediate change in stats and used his skills.

[You have activated Reconnaissance.]

[Monster 48881]

[Specialized Attack Type]

While not a complete reconnaissance since its health didn’t appear, the information displayed was sufficient.

“Fortunately, it’s specialized.”

Monsters came in various types: Attack, Support, Defense, and so forth. Each could further diverge.

A plain Attack type was versatile, with speed, strength, and stamina all above average.

However, being labeled specialized meant that all other abilities, save for one, were below average.

The question was what type of specialized it was—whether it was strength, speed, or something else was unknown at the moment.

“Let’s find out.”

The spherical head of the monster moved. Although it had no eyes, the intent to kill was clear.

Boom.

The monster stamped its foot. At the same moment, Taesan knew.

It was a Speed-Specialized type. The monster vanished instantaneously.

When it reappeared, it was right in front of Taesan.

[Your first attack nullification has been triggered.]

Taesan moved immediately. As he tried to stab the reappearing monster in the neck, it vanished. A blast of wind followed, and the monster had retreated far back.

“Huh.”

Taesan chuckled wryly.

He had no answer for its speed. He readjusted his stance seriously.

Whoosh.

The monster disappeared again.

Simultaneously, Taesan activated his skills.

[You have activated Mental Acceleration.]

[You have activated Walking the Wind’s Path Deer.]

After using all his speed-related skills, he barely managed to see its movements. As a fist flew towards him, Taesan moved.

Taesan’s sword collided with the monster’s arm.

The four arms of the monster moved chaotically. Taesan also used his first sword of the Storm Scar, Wolf’s Teeth.

Clash!

The difference in speed was significant. Taesan allowed a strike.

[Your second attack nullification has been triggered.]

But it was expected. Thanks to attack nullification, he returned the monster to its pre-attack state and plunged his sword into its chest. This time, the combination flowed like water, and the monster couldn’t dodge.

[You have activated Strong Strike.]

[You have activated Addition.]

[You have activated Continuous Attack.]

[Monster 48881 takes 895 damage.]

[Monster 48881 takes 412 damage.]

[Truly unbelievable.]

The specter muttered, unable to hold back. The continuous attack dealt double damage. It was an utterly ridiculous skill by any standard.

The monster charged again. Taesan couldn’t block this time either, and nullification was triggered. He seized the opportunity to attack.

Once again, over a thousand damage was inflicted. The monster kept its distance.

“Now it’s my turn.”

All attack nullifications were used up. There was no chance to exploit the moment it returned to its pre-attack state.

Still, nearly 3000 damage had been dealt, which was substantial, but as far as he remembered, a Grade B monster’s health ranged around twenty to thirty thousand. He would need almost eight successful attacks.

The monster moved. Taesan chased its afterimage, swinging his sword, but only hit the air.

[You take 343 damage.]

Given it was Speed-Specialized, the damage was surprisingly low.
But it wasn’t negligible. Taesan’s health, including his shield, was about 4300. Even with Solidification activated, he would die after being hit 30 times.

Facing a monster whose speed made it barely visible and almost impossible to counter, he had to succeed in hitting it eight times within thirty tries.

A judgement of certain defeat was indeed appropriate.

But.

“Am I being underestimated? This is really insulting.”

He had dealt with thousands of specialized types in his previous lives.

Taesan murmured as he touched the ground.

[You have activated Decarabia’s Twisted Flora.]

Twisted roots erupted explosively.