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Chapter 310: 310

Act 1

Drag .

Su-hyeun dragged the monster’s body on his own .

Without them actually noticing it, Su-hyeun and the wolf therianthrope had traded places . Su-hyeun was now leading and the therianthrope following .

The therianthrope couldn’t keep its eyes off Su-hyeun . It couldn’t believe what it had seen .

It stared at Su-hyeun’s body, observing how each part moved . Then it commented, “Well, he did have a bit of muscle on him, but…”

It groaned and then tilted its head .

“Okay . You got me curious,” it began to speak . “Just where exactly is your strength coming from? I don’t think you’re one of us . I mean, you’re not one of my kind . ”

“Are all of your kind as strong as you?”

“My kind? That’s obvious . ” The therianthrope raised its arm to flex and show off its well-toned muscles . “We rely on our bodies . We are born physically perfect and with great intellect . Our bodies are incomparable, whereas our battle, and even hunting, instincts are sharp . My kind founded a powerful tribe, and it flourished,” the therianthrope explained .

It spoke full of pride about its kind . It was proud to be part of the tribe .

But then…

“However, I am now starting to think that we are not the only strong species—strongest, if you may,” it remarked . It looked dejected . “It never occurred to me that a more powerful and intelligent species than our kind existed . I thought we are one of a kind…”

A creature so strong that it could take down an opponent twice its size feeling down?

Su-hyeun tried to keep a straight face . This wolf therianthrope must have thought that all humans were as strong as Su-hyeun .

“The species I belong to is called ‘human . ‘”

“Human?”

“Yes . We are small beings and weak as well,” Su-hyeun described, gesturing . He was trying to cheer the therianthrope up, but it was skeptical .

“Are you making fun of me? You’re incredibly strong . What are you talking about?”

“Yes, I’m strong, but that doesn’t mean all humans are strong . Humans are actually weak species that would be too easy to hunt . ”

“Are you telling the truth?”

“Yes, it’s true . That’s why”—Su-hyeun went on as he dragged the corpse with one hand—”you don’t have to be depressed . Besides, I also think that your tribe is one of a kind . ”

“Hmm…” The wolf therianthrope rubbed its chin while looking at the massive creature being dragged away by Su-hyeun . “You know, I don’t find your words convincing at all, especially when I can see you effortlessly dragging this monster with one hand . ”

“Is that so?”

“In any case, I’ve learned one thing about you . ”

“About me? What is it?”

“You’re a nice guy . I don’t know . You look nice . ”

“Not sure whether that’s a compliment or—”

“It’s an insult,” the therianthrope cut him off . “A nice guy like you won’t survive in this place for long . ”

“Is that so?” Su-hyeun smiled meekly and nodded . “Well, that might be true . ”

Drag . Drag .

Su-hyeun glanced back at the monster he was dragging by its hide .

Although he discovered several monsters on his way here, none of those creatures were as large as this one . They had probably seen Su-hyeun and the therianthrope dragging a humongous monster, and the sight intimidated them that they didn’t bother to approach them .

Without a doubt, he would have to work extra hard to drag something this big in the past .

He might even have to rely on magical energy too .

But it was a different story now .

‘Why do I feel like I’ve become some creature with incredibly high physical strength and nothing else?’

Su-hyeun smirked at that thought .

The wolf therianthrope mistook him as a monster just now, but even to his mind, he had exceeded the limits of an ordinary person a long time ago .

In the next few hours, Su-hyeun, along with the therianthrope, kept dragging the carcass as he headed to the village .

While chatting every now and then, Su-hyeun and the therianthrope became more acquainted with each other .

The therianthrope commented that Su-hyeun’s name was weird before introducing its name .

Its name was Raboonta . It was a warrior too .

“There are a lot more of my kind stronger than me back in the village . I’m still too young to be officially recognized as a warrior, you see . ”

“You’re actually…young?” Su-hyeun asked cautiously .

“That I am . ”

“How old are you, then?”

“I’ve turned 80 this year . One has to be at least a hundred years old before it can become a warrior . Only 20 more years to go for me . ”

“Eighty?”

By human standards, 80 was considered old . Yet he encountered a creature who said otherwise . He was surprised but didn’t find it strange .

‘Then again, dragons live for thousands—no, tens of thousands of years, so…’

Su-hyeun wasn’t really concerned with the life span of therianthropes . Something else was of interest to him .

‘He’s still not a warrior yet, which means…’

Therianthropes stronger than Raboonta existed .

‘Just how much stronger are actual warriors, then?’

Raboonta was undoubtedly an excellent warrior already . It was so capable that it could hunt monsters twice its size in a forest like this one .

The fact that it was aiming to become a warrior was proof of its physical and mental strength . However, Su-hyeun still couldn’t help but wonder if Raboonta was a special case that simply happened to be stronger than average .

“By the way, if you’re considered young by your kind’s standards, then why are you hunting by yourself? Shouldn’t you be accompanied by an ‘adult’?”

“It’s to find something to eat . ”

“No . I mean, why are you doing it alone?”

“All because of that bastard . ”

“That bastard?”

Krr!

Raboonta bared its fangs and growled . “The monster that ruined our world . ”

Its reactions seemed “suspicious,” to say the least .

But before Su-hyeun could ask more questions, Raboonta spoke, “We have arrived . ”

Su-hyeun already knew that there was a village in the vicinity . Even from afar, he could sense the presence of other beings .

He didn’t bother to continue with his probing . The distant view of the village captured his attention . From a distance, he could see houses made of lumber .

Judging from all the presence he sensed, the number of therianthropes living on the outskirts of the village alone could easily be around several hundred .

A dozen of therianthropes lined up to welcome Raboonta back .

As expected, they all boasted generally muscular physiques . Most of them stood on their hind legs and were three meters in height, which was about the same as Raboonta .

However, all these therianthropes were astonished to witness Su-hyeun dragging an enormous carcass . As he passed by them, they bared their fangs to intimidate him .

Raboonta swiftly stood before them . “All of you, wait . This guy over here, he’s with me . He’s a good guy . ”

“Raboonta?”

The therianthropes calmed down when Raboonta spoke . However, they were still suspicious of Su-hyeun and refused to back off .

“You know that no warriors are present in the village right now, don’t you? We can’t let a monster inside,” a therianthrope reminded Raboonta .

“I know . However, this guy isn’t a monster . ”

“Not a monster? What do you mean?”

A half-smile formed on Su-hyeun’s lips .

‘This is awkward . ’

Su-hyeun was uneasy when the therianthropes called him a monster and remained wary of his presence .

He certainly never expected to be treated like a monster when visiting a foreign land . Then again, even humans would treat another race that looked different than themselves as monsters, so there was that .

But if there was one saving grace…

“Nice to meet you, everyone . ”

It would be that Su-hyeun could at least hold a conversation with these creatures . Thanks to the tower’s system .

“My name is Kim Su-hyeun . Unfortunately, I’m lost . I was wondering if I can bother you for the next few days . ”

“It spoke?”

“A monster could speak?”

“Wait . Maybe it’s not really a monster after all . ”

The therianthropes present were all confused .

They seemed to contemplate something and then called Raboonta . They got together in a huddle and discussed among themselves .

Most of the questions had something to do with Su-hyeun . They were curious if he was food, prey, or monster . Raboonta did its best to answer each query and put Su-hyeun in a good light .

What he said next prompted a noticeable change in the therianthropes’ demeanor .

“He’s definitely an outstanding warrior . ”

“Warrior”… That word was enough to arouse the interest of the therianthropes toward Su-hyeun . They sized him up, staring at him from head to foot .

It seemed that they held warriors in high esteem .

Step . Step .

They soon approached Su-hyeun, and one of them extended its hand, which was larger than its head .

“Welcome to our village . We were informed that you’re an outstanding warrior . ”

It was the biggest therianthrope among the group . Su-hyeun took its hand and shook it . He felt a tight grip on his hand .

This huge therianthrope wasn’t trying to pick a fight . To the therianthropes living in this place, this was how they welcomed visitors .

“Raboonta informed us of your deed . You helped him bring home our food . ”

Raboonta did hunt this monster for its people . The monster’s size was enough to feed the entire village, though Raboonta was not the only one hunting for the tribe .

“Actually, Raboonta was the one who successfully hunted the creature down,” Su-hyeun emphasized .

“Hunting one isn’t difficult, but transporting it is . Even without trying to carry it, I can tell that its heavy weight is a burden to anyone who was tasked to take it home . ”

The therianthrope acknowledged that it was indeed a burden . It was an impossible task to accomplish alone . From the therianthrope’s statement, Su-hyeun supposed that these creatures had the same level of strength as Raboonta .

“Well, then . Come on in . And since you ended up breaking a sweat instead of that kid, allow us to treat you to a meal at least . ”

“In that case, please excuse me . ”

Su-hyeun began walking through the village accompanied by Raboonta and the other therianthropes .

Tall and thick trees populated the village . They were majestic to look at . Su-hyeun was in awe as he walked through their midst .

‘This place is more of a city than a village . ’

Its size was big enough for thousands to live . Even after taking into consideration the physical size of the wolf therianthropes, at the very least, ten thousand creatures should be able to live in this place .

Su-hyeun was met with curious glances from the rest of the therianthropes . He could sense passiveness from them . They seemed withdrawn compared to those who welcomed him and Raboonta .

‘Are they afraid of something?’

Su-hyeun noticed some of them cowering . However, he was sure that he didn’t cause whatever fear they might be feeling at the moment .

‘But what are they afraid of?’

Su-hyeun shifted his gaze toward Raboonta as well as the other therianthropes with him . They didn’t look afraid—not one bit . In fact, they looked sharp .

“Did something happen to the village?” Su-hyeun asked .

The therianthropes’ demeanor noticeably changed .

One of them turned its head and asked Su-hyeun, “Are you asking us because you really don’t know?”

“Is it because of that monster?”

Su-hyeun actually didn’t know what that monster was, but he still asked out of curiosity .

The therianthrope nodded . It was likely that the unknown creature all these therianthropes were afraid of was somehow related to the “predator” Su-hyeun was searching for .

“That bastard is currently headed toward this village . The forest and this village are our last strongholds, you see . ”

“Does that mean other places are already…”

“All destroyed,” the therianthrope finished Su-hyeun’s sentence . Then it continued, “Not even a blade of grass survives wherever that monstrous bastard goes . That thing is a monster that devours any and all living things . ”

That sounded oddly similar to the characteristics of a “predator” or at least a monster about to become one .

A predator was a monster that preyed on a world and grew stronger by devouring the energy existing within it .

And this unknown monster was trying to devour everything in this world .

“However, things will be different this time,” the oldest-looking therianthrope among the group chimed in while stroking its lengthy beard with its claws . “Our king has taken it upon himself to hunt that bastard down . ”

‘The therianthropes had a king?’ As Su-hyeun paid attention to the information being revealed to him, his mind was also at work, absorbing every detail .

That therianthrope must have been the strongest one among them, considering the importance they put on one’s strength and ability .

“If it’s your people’s king…”

“Ah, right . You may not know who he is . Well, you’re not from our race, after all . ”

“Is he really that amazing?”

“He’s the heir of a noble bloodline . He decided to move along with hundreds of our remaining warriors . Surely, nothing would be impossible for them . Wouldn’t you say so?”

In the old therianthrope’s manner of speaking, one could see its trust and reverence toward its king .

For a moment there, fear and worry clouded the faces of other therianthropes . However, as soon as their king was brought up, hope and relief filled their hearts .

Only then did Su-hyeun understand something important . The reason why they were anxious in the first place was not because of some monster that would soon be a “predator . ” It was because their king was not with them at the moment .

The therianthropes’ expression of relief confused Su-hyeun .

One hundred therianthrope warriors possessing abilities that exceed Raboonta and their king, who was supposedly stronger than them… A combat force of this scale would more or less be able to defeat the black dragon that showed up on the hundredth floor .

‘But if the king of therianthropes can really hunt that monster down…,’ Su-hyeun contemplated .

‘Then the administrator would not have sent me here in the first place . ’