The sky burned red.
A gigantic shadow swept across the floating island.
The Crimson Tyrant Wyvern roared as it descended from the clouds, its massive wings shaking the battlefield.
Hunters across the raid formation felt the terrifying pressure of an S Rank monster.
Even experienced warriors swallowed nervously.
Standing at the front was Valerian the Titan.
He slammed his fist into his palm.
"Formation!"
The raid squad instantly moved.
Shields raised.
Mages prepared spells.
Archers aimed their weapons.
Behind them stood Kael Varyn.
He stared at the enormous monster.
"…That thing is bigger than the dungeon boss I fought."
Beside him, Ronan Blackforge grinned.
"That's because this one can wipe out cities."
The wyvern opened its mouth.
Crimson fire gathered inside.
ROOOOOAR
A beam of burning flame shot toward the hunters.
"DEFEND!" Valerian roared.
Elemental mages raised barriers.
Earth walls rose from the ground.
Fire collided with the shields in a massive explosion.
BOOM.
The battlefield shook violently.
When the smoke cleared—
The wyvern had already attacked again.
Its claws slammed into the ground.
CRASH.
Hunters scattered as shockwaves ripped across the island.
Kael activated his system.
Skill Activated
⚔ Battle Instinct
The monster's movements slowed in his perception.
Kael sprinted forward.
"Kael!" Ronan shouted.
"You're too close!"
But Kael had already jumped.
His gauntlets glowed as the fragment of the Worldbreaker Gauntlets awakened.
He punched the wyvern's leg.
BOOM.
The impact cracked the creature's scales.
The wyvern screeched in pain.
Hunters gasped.
"He damaged it!"
But the monster reacted instantly.
Its massive tail swung toward Kael.
WHAM.
Kael was thrown across the battlefield.
He crashed into broken stone and rolled to a stop.
His chest burned.
The system flashed urgently.
HP: 62%
Warning: Heavy Impact
Kael coughed.
"…That hurt."
Suddenly the air above the battlefield turned golden.
A blazing figure shot into the sky.
It was Ardyn Solis.
Golden flames surrounded him like a miniature sun.
He raised his hand toward the wyvern.
"Stand back."
The hunters retreated.
Ardyn's voice echoed across the battlefield.
"Solar Judgment."
A massive beam of golden energy crashed down onto the wyvern.
BOOOOOOM.
The entire island shook.
The explosion lit the crimson sky like a second sunrise.
When the light faded—
The wyvern collapsed onto the ground.
Its wings twitched weakly.
The hunters erupted in cheers.
But Valerian raised his hand.
"Wait."
He stared at the monster carefully.
"…It's not dead."
The wyvern slowly lifted its head again.
Its scales began glowing darker.
Crimson energy poured from its body.
The system flashed.
Monster Evolution Detected
Crimson Tyrant Wyvern → Abyssal Crimson Tyrant
Rank Increase: S → S+
Ronan stared in disbelief.
"You've got to be kidding me."
Kael slowly stood up.
"…So it just got stronger?"
Valerian cracked his knuckles.
"Yes."
Ardyn descended from the sky again.
Even he looked serious now.
"This dungeon is far more dangerous than expected."
The monster spread its wings again.
Crimson lightning crackled across the sky.
The real battle had only just begun.
Kael clenched his fists.
His bloodline burned inside him.
Something deep within his body was awakening.
The system suddenly flashed brighter than ever before.
Bloodline Reaction Detected
Berserker Bloodline awakening...
New Ability Approaching
Kael's heart pounded.
"…What?"
Valerian looked at him.
Then his eyes widened slightly.
"Your aura…"
"It's changing."
The wyvern roared again.
But this time—
Kael roared back.