“Dark Tornado,” Ryuji Hak said, performing a move that was once considered an Ultimate Technique before graduating from The Omen Trials.

Aura & Element Technique: [Skill - Dark Tornado] -Spins at tremendous speed like a tornado that launches at the enemy. Combines the elemental dark attribute with Aura that breaks guard or parry. Unblockable and deals lethal damage. Rank: EX Proficiency: 96%

Thwack! (sound effect)

Critical!

-20942

Overkill!

Ryuji’s exquisite twin Tanto angled to a fine point and pierced right through a giant monster, Behemoth. A circular hole could be seen as the massive monster fell to the ground.

Name: (unnamed) Type: Tantos (set) Grade: Mythical

-A pair of custom-made Tantos, guardless, black leather grip weaved onto the handle, and a blade curved slightly to a trailing point. Forged sleek for speed and skill utilization, a masterpiece that brings out the elegance in simplicity. Originally belonging to Jinn, the planet’s immeasurable mana evolved the knives from a Legendary rating to the deified, godly rank of Mythical.

-Rewarded to Ryuji Hak for completing The Omen Trials as the primary candidate for the Sal Mu Sect Leadership.

BOOM! “Another one,” Veda said. Right next to the fallen Behemoth were bodies of the same monster riddled about on Quasar’s nest. These creatures are described to be apex predators of the monster food chain. An extremely large and powerful beast leveling between 40 and 99. “This should be enough to serve as bait for the entire family.”

What Veda had mentioned was for the arrival of the Behemoth King who once ruled this part of Hollow World for hundreds of years. That was no longer the case when Quasar, an Ancient Dragon made its dark appearance on the red sands of the great desert. At first, they battled for several days and nights, however, the Behemoth King knew its strength was on par with the Ancient Dragon and was able to keep up for this long. Still, Quasar is one of the oldest beings to have soared the skies, its level was beyond the Behemoth King could ever keep up with. Although Quasar’s physical strength attribute was slightly inferior to the Behemoth King’s, all other attributes pale in comparison. So, when the Ancient Dragon decided to stop playing around testing each other’s physical prowess, breath attacks began to be unleashed. When those started, the Behemoth King could not withstand such potent magical attacks even with its high resistance to the arcane, therefore, the Behemoth King fled for its life. Though tactical retreats serve as a means for survival, there is still the question if the enemy will give chase. Fortunately, Quasar showed no interest and has since occupied the wide plains of the Great Sand Dunes.

With all that said, it is expected that the Behemoth King would return if its offspring were wiped out or if Quasar’s presence could not be felt within Hollow World.

RUMBLE! RUMBLE! Fighting and loud quakes were heard from a distance. “Emir Sarjace and the horde (undead) must be locked in their battles. Looks like Hollow World will be rumbling for some time.” What Veda had mentioned was the fact that many places in the great desert were engaged in battle.

Hollow World is the largest desert in the world and is the central continent of Soa. It is the gateway that connects the Western Continent, Superbia, and the Eastern Continent, Erebus. Mt. Tian and its 100,000 mountains spread about, clustered in regions of the great red desert and cordoning the entrance to Omen Town. The oasis (Hollow Bastion), one of the great oases on the map is not far from Quasar’s nest. It was a place that was dangerously close to the Omen people’s home and was one of the first places with the highest priority to be cleared, so much so, that Dario had sent the Arishok and the 3 Demonic Slayers supplemented with legions of high-tier undead. Thanks to resurrecting an Ancient Dragon named Quasar, the population of the monster infestation began to decrease precipitously as the breath attacks of the great Demonic Dragon laid the monsters to ashes by the billions.

Anyhow, Ryuji Hak initiated his solo mission like an assassin would, by stealth. There could be no other way, especially, when the enemy is the Behemoth King.

Mission Objective: [Once in a Lifetime Assassination - The Behemoth King] Rank: EX Class “Hulking Beast Monarch”- Monster species of towering, hulk-like beasts that inhabit settings rich with dense yin and yang energy like misty regions or deserts. A Behemoth King is either spawned or born naturally with the odds of existing in 1 out of 1,000,000. Long thought to exist in myth, stories, and legends are told about such an encounter with the beast often ending in their deaths. Behemoth Kings employ special magical attacks and skills. Unlike most of its kind, the Monarch of Behemoths is intelligent and a great sloth.

Difficulty:

-Lvl. 60 or above

-Behemoth King Lvl. 90+

The Mark, especially, was an opponent that Ryuji did not think would be felled in a single move, at least, not at his current level. “There are families of Behemoths sprouting out now. They must have smelled the blood in the air close to their home and ran hastily,” Veda alerted.

“Affirmative,” a cold voice echoed, Ryuji Hak, activated an illusion spell, Invisibility. Fighting stealthily would be of no concern if one knew of this arcane spell. Still, if any skills or spells were to be discharged, then the Invisibility spell would cease and the caster’s form is physically visible. In addition, with the mastery of Quiet Casting, arcane spells or even special skills would be silent. The combination of Invisibility and Quiet Casting makes for one of the best tactics for surprise attacks.

Aura Technique:

[Skill - Flicker]

-Teleports to each enemy one after another within a targeted area, slashing and backstabbing them while simultaneously appearing behind the next target in an instant. Requires a player with high dexterity with unmatched speed capable of disappearing in a blur.

Rank: EX Proficiency: 97%

Ryuji Hak jumped and landed in the middle of the family of Behemoths with no regard to position himself and performing one of the most difficult blade arts. Hundreds of thousands of cuts and stabs rained like hellfire on the Behemoths. Pieces of their body parts were cleanly cut like sashimi while some beasts were slashed to oblivion, leaving no remnants of the monster at all. This technique was also considered to be an Ultimate Technique for the Sal Mu Sect Leader.

“Indeed. You fight like how my liege had fought at your age. It was at that time where I witnessed what a ‘novelty’ was,” Veda spewed words of praise and affirmation. The butler said such words because he now knows that Ryuji Hak mastered the “Luminous Veiling Moonlight” chi cultivation method alongside the Divine Origin Stardust Rebirth breathing art. In effect, wisps of moonlight energy often materialize whenever Ryuji Hak moves. Looking at the wisps of energy materializing into

Chuckle. Chuckle. Veda could be seen expressing a light chuckle. Typically, it is not possible to contend with just one Behemoth with a single Master. In terms of the military of most kingdoms, it would take one Master and a party of high-ranking knights with a healer. For Adventurers who slay monsters and delve deep into dungeons, a full party of S-Class Adventurers would be needed to deal with a fully grown Behemoth. So, for Ryuji Hak to finish off such monsters in heaps and droves showed the fruits of The Omen Trials. In truth, it was because of the two chi cultivation methods and the martial arts of the Sal Mu Sect Leader, Subtle Transient Moon Realm. And of course, the wielder and the cultivator of such martial arts or chi cultivation method was the most important aspect.

“More are showing up. This should be the start of the desert Behemoths protecting their territory,” Veda remarked. Ryuji Hak nodded and continued the hunt once more.

***

Undead troops, soldiers, mages, and the like were busy dismantling the bodies of Behemoths and carrying them on carriages that would be en route to Hollow Bastion. Some, if not all, the external and internal body parts of Behemoths are of high quality. High-quality elixirs can be concocted and the hide is as tough as Dragon Scales. Its horns and claws are similar in rating to Dragon Bones. The materials collected in this great monster purge in Hollows World will serve as the bedrock of the renewal of the Omen Sect. The amount of revenue and utility the Omen people can produce with just that was one of Jinn’s first goals.

“Quasar’s nest, cleaned,” Ryuji Hak reported to Veda. “Excellent, it may take some time for the Behemoth King to make its appearance. The undead has prepared a resting area for the Sal Mu Sect Leader.” He nodded and saw the window screen that the place was at the core of Quasar’s nest. “This would be a perfect time to tell you why powerful species like a Behemoth King and an Ancient Dragon would make this place their nest (home).”

Veda began to speak and explain many curious things, the important parts. Quasar, an Ancient Demonic Dragon took the Behemoth King’s nest because of the crystal edifice. Located between a cracked mountain, an entrance to a secret area where a glowing upright edifice is disgorging small amounts of luminous, slightly milky water.

“This is…?” Ryuji Hak’s eyes saw what looks to be a mini oasis lighted upon an open mountain where the topside is exposed. A subtle, low-pitched hymn noise constantly makes a vibrating sound the closer you are to the sublime place. “I see, these are the blessed healing springs” Ryuji Hak mentioned.

Crystal edifices found in Soa are a natural spring blessed with healing and curing properties. Such water is applied by ingestion or immersion, either method works wonders. Also, buffs and boons are granted that resist diseases or debilitations for a short duration. This is an amazing resource that was obvious that the Omen Sect must secure.

“You feel it do you not? This crystal is waiting to be awakened,” Veda replied. Without thinking too much about it, Ryuji Hak sent his mana to the crystal edifice, humoring what Veda was trying to communicate. Chuckle. Veda smiled satisfyingly. Such talent for a debased society. The butler was surprised at the amount of talent he was seeing one after the other, from Dario to Glenn, and now - Ryuji Hak. Do you intend to make more of you? Veda asked himself internally, knowing who he was referring to when asking that question. The humble butler did not want to see numerous “Heavenly Killing Stars” similar to Jinn. Veda had thought that only Earth deserved to witness someone like the Angel of Death, not this new world in which they do not belong.

Instantly, the crystal edifice radiated more brightly than ever and more water was disgorged. What was a small spring gradually became an endless oasis, constantly recycling and purifying water. Ryuji Hak drank from the spring and felt a transcendental surge of emotion. “Only your chi will activate crystal edifices like these. Moonlight energy brings about life in many ways instead of killing, don’t you think so, Sect Leader?” Veda asked.

Chuckle. A rare chuckle from a cold-hearted man like Ryuji Hak, his smirk was a rare sight to behold. The Sal Mu Sect Leader is not someone who has emotions. That is because of the Luminous Veiling Moonlight breathing method.

“This is why Quasar and the Behemoth King made this place their nest,” Ryuji Hak replied. The gentlemanly butler bowed, “Indeed. Those two powerful creatures have their reasons, however, this precious resource is now ours.”

Understanding the situation at hand, the Sal Mu Sect Leader began issuing orders to Veda. “Sir Veda, deploy a sufficient retinue of undead for complete security of this region, especially for this hidden spring. Work and development of the area will begin after the assassination of the Behemoth King.”

Ryuji Hak is given great privileges and responsibilities as the Sal Mu Sect Leader, the right-hand man of the Lord Disciple, and the leader of the assassin faction. He is given the same right as Dario to improve any conquered area which is one of the primary duties trusted to people like him.

“A fine command. The message has been sent and the Liches have already begun to move. Expect several portals at this location to show up soon,” Veda replied and as he said, portals started to appear. The undead force is equipped with ebony arms and armor and positioned themselves in strategic positions where places are prone to the discovery of the blessed spring.

Suddenly, a loud growl was heard clearly outside of the cave. Growl. “The Behemoth King is here,” Veda said. Ryuji Hak nodded and proceeded to the location of the loud sound. Floating in the air is the residual effect of the Luminous Veiling Moonlight chi method, rank SS or SSS would need to be the proper level to walk on air or have full control of the wind element.

High up in the sky, the gigantic figure could not be any more obvious. What a colossus. Veda thought for a second, “How will you proceed, Sect Leader?”

“...” Ryuji Hak said no words. Men like him don’t say much nor talk at all, for assassins, action is their language and silence their music. The Sect Leader, for the first time, activated his nanomachines. Finally, there was an enemy he could go all out on.

Behemoth King Lvl. 89

Class: Transcendence Realm

7th Class Mage

Species: Behemoth King Main Job: Berserk Reaver

Titles: Lord of the Great Sand Dunes (formerly)

Hulking Beast Monarch

The nanomachines within the Sect Leader’s body are best used for utility rather than combat. In this case, analytical data window screens appear in Ryuji’s vision. He was trying to detect any weaknesses he could exploit with such an enemy.

Found it. Activating the Invisibility spell through voiceless incantation, Ryuji Hak stealthily positioned behind the Achilles heel, specifically, the left hind leg. Behemoths are not a bipedal species, they walk on all fours, so when the Behemoth King stood on its two feet to smell the air, lowering its guard for a quick smell. This was the perfect opportunity to strike a completely defenseless mark. And so, the Sect Leader executed a technique that would cleanly cut through.

Aura Technique:

[Skill - Full Moon Drive]

-Compresses mana to create a blistering crescent swing. An incredibly dense shockwave that cuts all material.

Rank: EX Proficiency: 110%

With a stance wielding both the tantos behind the back in a reverse grip, mana gathered into the Mythical grade weapon. The speed taken to fully compress mana to the maximum was three seconds. In those seconds, what should have been a loud compression of energy was complete silence. The Luminous Veiling Moon breathing art does not produce any sound, perfect for things that need to be done silently. Completely oblivious to what’s about to occur, the Behemoth King stands like a sitting duck. Ryuji Hak unleashed an Aura Technique by crossing both the tantos parallel to each other and connected with the Behemot King’s achilles.

KACHING!

Critical!

-34970

Overkill!

Contrary to its long cast time, the Aura wave came in spectacularly and vanished soon after. Of course, this explains the martial arts of the Sal Mu Sect Leader, Subtle Transient Moon Realm, the name fits such a beautiful way to fight.

GRAHHHHHH! The Behemoth King growled in agony as its left foot was cleanly sliced through. KABOOOOOM!! The towering colossus collapsed to the ground and kicked up a dust storm. At this critical juncture, a creature who is staggered such as this is susceptible to critical hits, therefore, Ryuji Hak aimed to detach the head of the beast.

At this moment, Ryuji Hak remembered a memory while simultaneously performing the martial arts taught to him by Jinn.

Aura Techniques: [Skill - Omen Stance Thunder God Fist] God Upper - Invented by combining the pugilistic arts of the Omen Stance with the job of a Dual Knife Saint and its functions. Initiates the move by a shifty step-in crouch followed by a left uppercut while spinning counter-clockwise for a smooth transition for an even greater right uppercut. Thunder properties manifest as electrical shocks with each move performed. Rank: EX Proficiency: 115%

Out of all times, the Sect Leader would remember such a vivid memory at the wrong place. I can sense your feelings. Veda thought to himself. The artificial intelligence has seen people in the same predicament, reminiscing their time with Jinn in the most inopportune moments. Like Dario and Glenn before him, Ryuji Hak was trained personally by Jinn and was taught the Omen Stance martial arts.

Do you execute the move while thinking about the memory? Kuku. The butler jest cordially. Impressed, the artificial intelligence was witnessing an incredibly potent attack, capable of detaching the Behemoth King’s head from its body.

KACHING!! Head rolling… Head rolling… Head rolling…

The Hulking Beast Monarch is a rare sight to see in the vastness of Soa, however, it is even rarer to see a single person slay such a king.

“Mission complete,” The Sal Mu Sect Leader reported for the last time for his solo mission. “Well done, Sect Leader. You are the first to complete your mission out of all the Sal Mu assassins. Rendezvous with His Majesty, Emir Sarjace, and put an end to the Marlboro King.”

Tired and exhausted from the duties required of him, the Sal Mu Sect Leader carried his burden with a cold gaze and eyes that pierces through the soul, “Affirmative.” Described to have looks that could kill, the Luminous Veiling Moonlight breathing art induces moonlight energy in the practitioner, effectively glowing the hair and eyes into a silver color. It is only the ones he kills who have the privilege of seeing his face, a cold face to hunt beings colder than him. And so, the hunt begins anew.

(Author’s note: In this sense, “glowing,” can also be thought of as “purifying,” since, the chi cultivated by the Luminous Veiling Moonlight refines all kinds of energy. So, when I say glowing, Ryuji Hak’s hair is actually being “purified.”)

“Kill the World,” Sal Mu Sect Leader, Killing Perfection, Ryuji Hak

(concept art subject to change.)

(Black&White Render)