“Solo Leveling: Chapter 16 of Ragnarok”

The Hyena Guild rose to prominence about a year ago. They were originally a group of street thugs in the Gwacheon area, but after awakening, they began exaggerating their previous criminal histories as gangsters.

Despite their arrogance, they began committing real gang-like crimes after awakening. They would force lower-ranked hunters to borrow money at high-interest rates and work in dungeons for free.

As the Hunter Association had not yet been formed, there were no hunting laws in place to prevent wrongdoing.

However, the protector who was investigating them discovered a strange fact: all members of the guild had awakened almost simultaneously, in this very location, Gwanak Mountain.

Suho was suspicious of this. When the dungeon break happened in Gwanak Mountain a year ago, the messenger who came to bury a body for the gangsters was coincidentally awakened.

They then formed the Hyena Guild and occupied the Gwanak Mountain field, mining magic stones and making money. Even one year later, people still debate the cause of the general public awakening.

Some believe it is due to talent or genetics, while others believe it is pure luck, such as winning the lottery or being struck by lightning. These guesses could be completely wrong or completely correct.

Someone attributes it to genetics, while another attributes it to luck. In the end, it meant that you could gain abilities if a trigger for awakening appeared in any way.

“It’s still six of one and a half dozen of the other.”

In that sense, it appeared that the Hyenas guild members had awakened as a result of drinking the blood of the Fang tribe.

It made sense then that Han Jihan had awoken in a single day.

“But the problem is that the Fang tribe that gave them that blood is still alive…”

Whether by chance or design, it appeared that finding out who the Fang tribe was would be simple now that a tremendous amount of pressure was walking out the gate.

“……!”

The sound of a creepy beast breathing.

The sinister vitality contained within shook the air of Gwanak Mountain, which was shrouded in blue mist.

[My lord, it’s dangerous.]

Beru, perched on the guardian’s shoulder, urgently whispered.

Beru’s relaxed expression had vanished throughout the walk.

“We need to get out of here as soon as possible; this kind of opponent… my lord can’t handle it yet!”

However, it was not as simple as it sounded.

[“Skill: Cruel Command” boosts werewolves’ abilities by 50%.]

[“Skill: Cruel Command” causes werewolves to be cursed with madness as a side effect.]

“Kyaaooo!”

The werewolves fighting the guardians grew in size and power, and their movements became incredibly fast and powerful.

Their insanity became even more oppressive to the guardians.

“Grrr! Do you think you’ll be able to escape?”

“Die, die, die, die, die, die, die!”

Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish!

“Kraaah! I’m going to kill that bastard!”

Chop! Crash!

[My Lady!]

“Ugh!”

The guardians’ bodies began to accumulate wounds at a rapid rate due to the unexpected turn of events.

[The level of the skill ‘Grit’ has increased!]

[Physical defense +20% → +40%]

Even though the skill level had increased, the battle had not become any easier.

“Tsk, I warned you from the start that it would get more dangerous as we got closer to the stronghold.”

For some reason, Rakkan’s fangs showed a hint of displeasure.

“This energy… it appears that not only relics but also dirty hybrids, lived on this side.”

“Hybrids?”

Soho, who had barely taken down one werewolf, asked.

“Yes. There were many tribes that followed the great Fang Clan, and among them was one that emitted this dirty energy.”

It was at that moment.

Kwoong.

[Kyaahhhh!]

The roar of a ferocious beast shook the mountain range.

–…That’s right. That guy. Brocky, the hyena tribe’s leader.

A huge beast appeared outside the gate at that precise moment.

“…”

Dirty fur with spotted markings.

Sharp teeth that grew at random.

A small-house-sized hyena appeared.

[BROCKY, THE RUTHLESS COMMENDER]

His red name tag was on his head.

It could only mean one thing.

The hyena was a monster with far more power than the guardians could handle.

“…The dungeon boss is still alive.”

Suho shuddered as he felt the pressure from him.

The Hyena Guild appeared to have purposefully kept this information hidden for a year.

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

If other hunters had known this, they would not have left this area alone until now.

“Was the guild named Hyena because of this?”

It was truly absurd.

Hunters who were supposed to be hunting monsters pretended to be the monsters’ henchmen.

Bringing in other people as sacrifices?

Crunch.

Suho realized what was going on and clenched his teeth.

In response, the hyena ripped its mouth open and yawned.

Then it laughed because it recognized Rakkan’s fang in Suho’s hand.

[Crk? What’s this? I sense a familiar energy. Is that Rakkan’s fang? ]

-…Brocky.

[What’s with that appearance? How did that great lord’s artifact end up in the hands of humans like you? ]

Rakkan’s fang was ashamed.

He was being held by Suho’s hand, and his opponent was one of Brocky’s henchmen.

-Your appearance isn’t any better. Have you lost all of your original power?

[Hehehe. Isn’t this what happens to defeated soldiers after their lord is killed? ]

‘They’re not close friends, are they?’

Suho was still fighting the werewolves fiercely at this point.

The problem was that even if he killed them all, Brocky would still be alive.

Suho was much weaker than the defeated soldiers who had lost their lord, no matter how weak and powerless they were.

‘But I’m not going to die easily.’

Suho calmly assessed the situation with a cold gaze, even in this desperate situation.

Chwaaak!

[A werewolf has been slain.]

[Enemies to be defeated: 10]

[Enemies defeated: 9]

Now…

[But isn’t Rakkan already dead? ]

-What, what did you say? How dare you!

[Kehehe. Don’t get mad. The weak are doomed to die. The strong are the ones who survive. Like me.]

Rakkan’s fangs flared in rage as he heard Brocky’s despicable laughter.

And he yelled at Suho.

-Human! Kill that bastard right now! Stick my blade through the throat of that scumbag who insulted Rakkan! 

[Kyahahak! That’s an interesting sound. Try anything you want! You weakling…]

Rakkan’s fangs flew straight from Suho’s hand before he could finish his sentence.

Pook!

-…!

The cold blade pierced through Brocky’s neck as he laughed.

[Ke…hek?]

Brocky’s mouth made a windless sound for a brief moment.

Suho appeared in his hazy vision.

Suho was standing still, looking this way, in the posture of throwing his sword.

He gripped the neck of the remaining werewolf with his other hand.

“Are you done?”

Brocky’s eyes curved like a crescent moon.

[… You’re an interesting guy.]

Despite having Rakkan’s fangs embedded in his neck, he remained calm.

[However, you can’t kill me with such a feeble attack…]

“I know, but I can still make it hurt.”

Suho flicked his wrist.

‘The power of the ruler.’

Fluttering.

“Turn.”

Rakkan’s fangs, which were embedded in Brocky’s neck, began to rotate like a drill at that moment.

Fiercely.

Quack-quack-quack-quack!

“What the-?”

Brocky jerked back in surprise as he felt a sharp pain in his throat.

“Turn around.”

Even more fiercely.

Ku-quack-quack-quack-quack-quack-quack!

“Krah!”

“Turn around!”

Even deeper!

[“Storm Slash is being used.”]

Quarrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

“Kuaaaak! You, you damn-!”

Rakkan’s fangs dug like a storm into Brocky’s body, causing him to writhe in pain even more.

-…You bastard, I like you.

At that moment, a strand of Rakkan’s laughter flowed to Suho.

-But is this really okay?

Suho couldn’t kill Brocky at his current level, no matter how weak he was in comparison to before. Brocky’s regenerative ability was far superior to Suho’s attack power.

However.

It was exhilarating.

“But, isn’t Rakkan already dead?”

How dare he…!

To insult the death of his former lord was a sin that could not be forgiven, even if he were executed immediately!

But in reality, he had to be content with this level of pain.

And the cost would eventually be…

“Kraaaaaak! I’m going to kill you!”

Brocky’s rage was directed solely at Suho.

Ku-quaang!

Brocky, now a wounded beast, spun his foot furiously, emitting a ferocious aura that shook Mount Gwanak.

“Kyaoooo!”

A tremendous pressure like a rock crushed Suho.

And then…

-…I’m sorry. But thank you. You preserved the Rakkan soldiers’ last shred of dignity.

Rakkan’s determined voice could be heard.

Thunk!

“Kruck?!”

Brocky, who was about to trample Suho, came to a halt.

“Rakkan’s fang, Inoohm! Kralarack!”

Lakan’s fang, which controlled his movements inside Brocky’s body, yelled urgently at Suho.

“Run! I’ll try to stall for time in some way!”

However.

Suho, who was supposed to flee, did not appear to have any plans to do so.

Thud!

Suho’s hand cut off the last werewolf’s breath at that moment.

[Number of enemies defeated: 10]

And then the following messages

Ding.

[“Urgent quest completed: Defeat the enemies.”]

Ding.

[Your level has increased!]

Ding.

[The following rewards are prepared for you.]

Reward 1: Ability points +5

Reward 2: Title: ‘Wolf Slayer’

“I accept the rewards.”

Ding.

[You have earned the title: Wolf Slayer.]

Thunk.

Suho retrieved a weapon from the ground that the werewolves had used.

His eyes glinted like a hunter’s with a sword in each hand.

At that moment,

[Title: Wolf Slayer]

A title bestowed upon a skilled wolf hunter. When faced with beast-type monsters, all ability points increase by 40%.

“Let the hunt begin.”

Suho was engulfed in a fierce fighting spirit.