Solo Leveling : Ragnarok - Chapter 16

The Hyena Guild had become widely known about a year ago.

Originally, they were just a group of back-alley thugs operating in the Gwachon area. However, after awakening their powers, they exaggerated their pasts, claiming they had been successful gangsters all along.

Though it was a flimsy bluff, after becoming awakened, they started committing real criminal acts that resembled those of actual gangsters.

For instance, they would loan money to low-level Hunters at high interest rates, or force them to work in dungeons without pay in exchange for clearing their debts.

Such acts would be unthinkable now, but at the time, there were no Hunter laws or even a Hunter Association to stop their crimes.

While investigating them, Su-ho uncovered a strange fact.

Every single one of them, who were originally just neighborhood thugs, had awakened on nearly the same day.

Even the location where they awakened was right here, on Gwanaksan Mountain.

‘Does that even make sense?’

Su-ho found it puzzling.

One day, about a year ago, when a dungeon break occurred on Gwanaksan, these thugs had come to bury a body as part of their gang duties. But coincidentally, all of them awakened.

Immediately after, they formed the Hyena Guild, took control of the Gwanaksan field, and started mining magic stones, earning money.

And they continued doing so for a year.

‘It’s too much of a coincidence to be just that.’

The cause and trigger of magical awakenings among ordinary people was still a topic of debate.

Some said it was talent, others claimed it was genetic.

There were even those who said it was purely luck, like winning the lottery or getting struck by lightning.

These speculations might all be nonsense, or they could all be true.

For some, it was genetic; for others, it was luck.

The conclusion was that if the opportunity for awakening presented itself, one would acquire these powers.

‘In the end, it varies from person to person.’

In the case of the Hyena Guild members, it seemed that they had awakened because they drank the blood of the Fang Tribe.

That would explain how they all awakened at the same time.

‘The real issue is that there’s someone from the Fang Tribe who gave them that blood…’

Whether it was good or bad luck, it seemed Su-ho was about to find out who that member of the Fang Tribe was.

Because an overwhelming presence was now emerging from within the gate.

[Grrrrr……]

A chill ran down his spine!

The menacing breathing of a beast.

The murderous intent contained within it shook the air of the fog-covered Gwanaksan.

“……!”

Su-ho’s gaze, which had been focused on fighting the werewolves, shifted to the gate.

[Young Lord, it’s dangerous.]

Beru climbed onto Su-ho’s shoulder and urgently whispered.

The relaxed expression Beru had maintained until now had disappeared.

[We need to flee immediately. This opponent is beyond your current abilities, Young Lord!]

But it wasn’t as simple as just running away.

[‘Skill: Ruthless Command’ increases the werewolves’ stats by 50%.]

[Due to the side effect of ‘Ruthless Command,’ the werewolves are now cursed with madness.]

“Kyaoo!”

Suddenly, the werewolves Su-ho was fighting grew larger, moving with incredible speed and strength.

Their madness intensified, putting even more pressure on Su-ho.

“Grrr! Do you think you can escape?”

“Die, die, die, die, die, die!”

Slash, slash, slash!

“Kraaaah! Kill that bastard!”

Thud! Boom!

[Young Lord!]

“Tsk!”

In the sudden turn of events, wounds began to accumulate rapidly on Su-ho’s body.

[‘Skill: Toughness’ has leveled up!]

[Physical Defense +20% → +40%]

Though the skill’s level increased, the battle didn’t get any easier.

– I warned you from the start that approaching the Sanctuary would be dangerous.

Rakhan’s Fang seemed displeased.

– This aura… It seems there are not just relics here, but also dirty mongrels.

“Mongrels?”

Su-ho asked as he barely managed to cut down one of the werewolves.

– Yes. The great Fang Tribe had many followers. Among them was one who emitted this filthy aura.

At that moment.

Boom.

[Kyaaaaaooo!]

A savage beast’s roar shook Gwanaksan.

-…Yes. That one. The leader of the Hyena Tribe, Brocky.

Just then, a massive beast appeared outside the gate.

“……!”

A filthy mane, mottled fur.

Jagged teeth growing haphazardly.

A hyena the size of a house had emerged.

[Ruthless Commander Brocky]

A red name tag hovered above its head.

That color meant only one thing.

This hyena was a monster far beyond Su-ho’s ability to handle.

‘The dungeon’s boss is still alive.’

Su-ho shivered at the overwhelming pressure radiating from it.

It seemed the Hyena Guild had been deliberately hiding information about this place for the past year.

A field-type dungeon with a boss monster was a disaster in itself.

If other Hunters had known, they wouldn’t have left this place alone.

‘So that’s why they named the guild Hyena.’

It was utterly absurd.

Hunters, who should have been hunting monsters, were instead serving as the lackeys of one.

And they were even bringing other humans as offerings?

Grit.

Realizing the situation, Su-ho gritted his teeth.

In response, the giant hyena yawned, its mouth stretching wide.

Then it seemed to recognize Rakhan’s Fang in Su-ho’s hand and began to chuckle.

[Grk? I wondered why the aura felt familiar, and it turns out it’s Rakhan’s Fang?]

-…Brocky.

[What’s with that pitiful state? How did the great Fang Lord’s relic end up in the hands of a mere human?]

Rakhan’s Fang seethed with humiliation.

Even now, it was being wielded frantically by Su-ho, and the fact that it was being used against Brocky’s lackeys made it even worse.

– And what about you? Have you lost all your power?

[Kehihik. We’re all just remnants now, without our Lords. Isn’t that right?]

‘They don’t seem to be on good terms.’

Even in this moment, Su-ho continued his fierce battle with the werewolves.

The problem was that even if he defeated these werewolves, the hyena still remained.

No matter how much these remnants had weakened without their Lords, Su-ho was far weaker.

‘But that doesn’t mean I’ll just die without a fight.’

Even in this dire situation, Su-ho coldly assessed the battlefield.

Slash!

[You have slain a werewolf.]

[Number of enemies to defeat: 10]

[Number of enemies defeated: 9]

Only one werewolf remained.

But Brocky didn’t even flinch as his minions were killed off.

[Tch. Pathetic fools. To be unable to handle a single human.]

He instead laughed at their deaths and made an offer to Rakhan’s Fang in Su-ho’s hand.

[Perfect timing. Rakhan’s Fang, I’ll kill that human for you. Come to me. I was just looking for a useful tool, so I’ll be your new master.]

– Don’t be ridiculous. How dare a mongrel like you claim to be my master? My only master is Rakhan.

[But Rakhan is already dead, isn’t he?]

– What…? How dare you!

[Heheh. Don’t get mad. The weak die. The strong survive. Like me.]

Brocky’s vile laughter filled the air, enraging Rakhan’s Fang.

It shouted at Su-ho.

– Human! Kill that bastard immediately! Shove my blade into the neck of that mongrel who insulted Rakhan!

[Kekeh. Try it if you can! A weakling like you…]

Before Brocky could finish his sentence, Su-ho’s hand shot forward, launching Rakhan’s Fang in a straight line.

Thunk!

-…!

The cold blade lodged itself in Brocky’s throat, cutting off his laughter.

[Ke… Heck?]

A deflated sound escaped Brocky’s mouth as his eyes widened in shock.

In his line of sight, Su-ho stood, his stance firm, looking right at him.

In his other hand, he held the last werewolf by the scruff of its neck.

“Is that enough?”

Brocky’s eyes curved into crescent shapes.

[……You’re an amusing one.]

Even with Rakhan’s Fang stuck in his throat, Brocky remained composed.

[But you can’t kill me with such an attack…]

“I know. But it’ll still hurt.”

Su-ho flicked his fingers.

‘Ruler’s Authority.’

Whirr.

‘Spin.’

At that moment, Rakhan’s Fang embedded in Brocky’s neck began to rotate like a drill.

Viciously.

Rrrrrrrip!

[Muh… Khek?!]

The pain in his throat made Brocky convulse in shock.

‘Spin.’

Faster.

Rrrrrrrripp!

[Krah!]

‘Spin!’

Deeper!

[‘Skill: Whirlwind Slash’ activated.]

Whoooosh!

[Graaaah! You damn…!]

Rakhan’s Fang whirled fiercely like a storm, burrowing into Brocky’s body!

The more it did, the more Brocky thrashed in agony.

-…You’re quite something, kid.

Amidst this, Rakhan’s Fang whispered to Su-ho.

– But are you sure about this?

No matter what, Su-ho couldn’t kill Brocky with his current power.

Even though Brocky had weakened significantly compared to his former self, his regeneration was far beyond what Su-ho’s attacks could overcome.

But still.

It was satisfying.

‘But Rakhan is already dead, isn’t he?’

How dare he…!

How dare he…! To insult the great Lord Rakhan, his [Brocky’s] former master?

If it were up to him, he’d execute Brocky on the spot for such a crime!

But in reality, all he could do was inflict a bit of pain in revenge.

And the price for this would inevitably…

[Graaah! I’ll kill you!]

Brocky, now a wounded beast, roared with savage fury, stomping the ground.

The sheer force shook Gwanaksan, his overwhelming strength causing the very ground to tremble!

[Kyaaaaooo!]

A crushing pressure, as heavy as a boulder, descended upon Su-ho.

But then.

-…Forgive me. But thank you. For allowing a remnant like me to uphold my final pride.

Rakhan’s Fang’s voice resonated with a resolute tone.

Thud!

[Grk?!]

Brocky’s body froze for a moment, just as he was about to crush Su-ho.

[You… Rakhan’s Fang, you… traitor…!]

Rakhan’s Fang, now lodged deep within Brocky, forcefully seized control of his body, halting his movements.

It urgently shouted to Su-ho.

Run! I’ll do whatever I can to buy you some time from within!

But.

Su-ho had no intention of fleeing.

Thud!

At that moment, the last werewolf in Su-ho’s grasp fell lifeless to the ground.

[Enemies defeated: 10]

And then, the messages appeared.

Ding.

[‘Emergency Quest: Defeat the Enemies’ has been completed.]

Ding.

[You have leveled up!]

Ding.

[The following rewards have been prepared.]

Reward 1: Ability Points +5

Reward 2: Title: ‘Wolf Slayer’

“Accept rewards.”

Ding.

[You have obtained the title: ‘Wolf Slayer.’]

Clutch.

Su-ho picked up the weapons used by the fallen werewolves, gripping a sword in each hand. His eyes gleamed with the sharpness of a hunter ready for the kill.

In that instant.

[Title: Wolf Slayer]

A title given to those proficient in hunting wolves. All stats increase by 40% when facing beast-type monsters.

“Let the hunt begin.”

Su-ho’s entire body was enveloped in a powerful aura.