Chapter 6
Han stood frozen, staring at the monstrous beast before him. He immediately sensed it — this monster was far more powerful than the one he had defeated yesterday.
If I go all out, I can kill it, Han thought confidently.
Yet, deep down, he knew one wrong move would bring him a step away from death.
That steely resolve, however, was replaced with pure excitement the moment the white glow reappeared in his hand. As it faded, the pristine white blade formed.
"I can really summon it," Han whispered, awed.
"Watch out!" a panicked voice shouted behind him.
Without thinking, Han twisted in the air, somersaulting backward just as jagged claw marks ripped into the ground where he had stood.
This monster doesn't give you a second to breathe, Han thought grimly.
Gripping the white blade tightly, Han looked at the monster.
"Alright," he muttered. "Let's see how strong I am now."
The monster, with a guttural roar, slammed its chest with both hands, sending out a shockwave of slicing wind blades. Han reacted fast, slashing through the air, his white blade dispersing several wind blades, but not all. Several cuts scratched his skin, forcing him backward.
Tch, getting cocky already, Han cursed, steadying his breathing. He shifted into a lower stance, his grip on the sword tightening.
Leaping high, he roared:
"Fifth Jungle Art: Gorilla Smash!"
He swung the white blade downward with brutal force, aiming to cleave the monster in two.
The monster retaliated with another double chest pound, firing more devastating air blades. The clash sent a storm of debris swirling through the room. Red lines appeared across Han's body again, blood trickling down, but he gritted his teeth and twisted the sword expertly.
Without hesitation, he hurled the sword like a spear. It whistled through the air, but the monster dodged. Han sprinted after it, weaving through deadly air slashes that sliced the very floor apart.
With a swift slide between the monster's massive legs, Han scooped up his blade. Activating the Fourth Jungle Art- Cheetah Stride, his speed exploded. In a blur, Han slashed across the monster's fan-shaped appendage at its back—the source of its deadly air attacks.
The appendage dropped with a wet thud.
Now, without that… victory should be easier, Han thought, exhaling in relief.
But the second his eyes closed, a heavy fist smashed across his jaw, sending him crashing into the wall.
Coughing, Han wiped the blood from his lips.
"Sorry for underestimating you," he said, steadying himself. "Even without your advantage, you're still stronger than most humans. But hand-to-hand?"
A small smirk tugged at his lips.
"That's a bad idea against me."
Han stabbed the white sword deep into the floor, letting it go.
Gasps filled the air.
One of the doctors, barely recovered from panic, screamed:
"What is he doing?! He has the advantage with the sword! Why throw it away?!"
"He's insane!" another cried.
But Han had his reasons.
Deep inside, he could feel it—he has gotten stronger, far stronger. He needed to test it.
Lowering into a feral stance, Han dashed forward with Cheetah Stride. The monster, seeing him approach, roared and swung its arm down like a hammer aiming to crush his skull.
Han twisted expertly, grabbing the descending arm with the First Jungle Art- Wolf Clutch. His legs braced, muscles flexed, and with a guttural shout—
BAM!
He lifted the monster and slammed it into the ground with earth-shattering force.
The floor cracked. Dust and debris exploded upward.
The doctors watched, jaws hanging open. They had underestimated Han.
The monster, bloodied but not broken, staggered to its feet, rage burning in its eyes.
Han didn't give it a chance.
Leaping high again, he brought his arms together like a hammer.
"Fifth Jungle Art: Gorilla Smash!!"
With a bone-snapping crash, Han slammed both fists onto the monster's head.
The creature was driven deep into the floor, forming a small crater in the marble.
Panting, Han looked down at his hands, stunned by his own strength.
But in that moment of awe—
WHAM!
The monster's hand shot up, striking Han across the chest and hurling him out of the room.
Groaning, Han forced himself up, just in time to see the monster—grabbing the white blade—charging toward the doctors, madness in its eyes.
"I must kill them! I must avenge her death!!" the monster howled, voice broken and raw.
It lifted the sword high, aiming to bring it down upon the helpless doctors.
But before it could strike—
CLANG!
Han, moving at full speed, appeared, using a piece of shattered metal to deflect the blow. With a brutal thrust, he redirected the sword straight into the monster's throat.
The monster dropped to its knees, the white blade buried deep. Tears welled in its eyes.
And then it spoke.
"They let her die... they let her die!" It cried out, voice breaking into a shuddering sob.
"I wasn't strong enough to protect her... and they... they couldn't even save her...!"
He clutched his head, grief and rage twisting his monstrous form, his body trembling violently under the weight of his sorrow.
"I have nothing left... nothing!"
Han's face twisted with shock.
That voice—he recognized it.
It was the man who had caused a scene at the Awakening Hall yesterday.
So it's true... his daughter died...
Han's heart ached.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly, guilt heavy in his voice.
"I promise… I'll change this world. I'll make sure no one else suffers like you did."
The monster, barely clinging to life, grabbed Han's wrist with a trembling hand.
"I'll hold you to that promise..." it rasped, voice thick with pain and fury.
"But... you must stop him... before he drowns this world in chaos."
Han's breath caught in his throat. "Who...?"
A broken, almost mocking smile tugged at the monster's lips.
"The man... with purple hair..."
Its grip loosened. Its body slumped.
And as the last spark of life vanished from its eyes.
The doctors cheered, grateful for their survival, chanting Hero.
But Han wasn't celebrating.
His chest was heavy.
This battle reminded him of that day… when his aunt injected that strange serum into her veins… the monstrous features she displayed.
The connection was clear now.
Someone was turning people into monsters.
But who?
Dr. Lin hurried over, her hands glowing faintly. Her C-rank healing powers weren't the best, but for Han's minor injuries, they were enough.
She patched him up quickly.
Han stood up, thanking her with a nod, and walked out into the open.
Laura, drenched in sweat from running all the way to the hospital, rushed toward him.
"Let's go," Han said, his voice colder, less cheerful than before.
"What about the danger you sensed earlier?" Laura asked.
"It's gone," Han replied simply.
"But big brother is so strong to deal with a monster so fast!" Laura grinned. "Only an E-rank? The badge must be blind!"
Han tried to smile but failed. His heart was weighed down by guilt.
"What's wrong?" Laura asked.
"He wasn't a monster," Han said softly.
Laura frowned. "Not a monster?"
"He was a grieving father... a victim..." Han whispered.
They drove toward Serenya in silence.
Han sat, eyes closed, the last words of the monster haunting him.
"Purple-haired man..."
Who is he?
When they arrived, people rushed toward them, faces full of concern.
"Young Master, are you okay?! We heard you were injured!" they cried out, worry etched on their faces.
A warmth spread in Han's chest seeing their care.
He smiled and stretched, showing he was fine.
"Don't worry. I'm okay," he said.
Everyone sighed in relief.
"Young Master, what skill did you awaken?!" a young boy asked excitedly, his eyes sparkling.
Han's smile faltered.
How was he supposed to explain...?
Laura nudged him gently.
Tell them. At least lift some of that burden.
Han took a deep breath and faced them.
Guilt twisted in his heart as the words left his mouth.
"I… I awakened a useless skill," he said.
"An E-rank skill."
To be continued.