Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Wolves' Paradise
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Zone 2.
Wolves' Paradise.
True to its name, hundreds of wolves prowled through the forest.
They weren't hunting prey like typical carnivores, nor were they displaying territorial aggression toward intruders in paradise.
These were monsters. Not animals from Earth.
Creatures created by the system, mimicking the appearance of wolves.
Monsters replicated with most wolf instincts stripped away.
They had fallen to me yesterday, and they would today, tomorrow, and every day after.
Thud.
Another Compound-Eyed Wolf collapsed before me, crumbling into dust.
The more accustomed I grew to wolf hunting, the less I needed to focus—my body naturally sought out the next one.
Fully experiencing the effects of my new skill, [Grasp Complete], I hunted down the remaining wolves.
By the time the aggressive Compound-Eyed Wolves stopped gathering despite the commotion I caused...
I had achieved my primary goal.
Ever since arriving in the Transcendence World, I always planned for the next day before sleep.
Today's primary goal: Hunt 133 Compound-Eyed Wolves.
The reason was clear.
I had to leave enough for Dwin's group and the new arrivals to hunt.
Theoretically, up to ten people could arrive at once.
With the existing three, that made thirteen people total, requiring 65 wolves.
Daily spawns: 198 Compound-Eyed Wolves, 2 Star-Eyed Wolves.
I'd hunted the maximum without confirming headcount.
Hm?
I sensed presences.
My high Agility stat made even faint sounds hundreds of meters away crystal clear.
They're close.
Dozens of minutes ago, while hunting packs of wolves, something emitting starlight—like in the village—shot into the sky from the forest.
Immediately after, I felt a faint resistance against my Defense.
It was subtle, but with my Demi-God Body, I could detect even the slightest defensive force. This was fact.
Dwin's group, with just one person compared to me, would hunt slower.
They could split up, but I hadn't permitted it yet.
Someday, I'd grant more autonomy.
Nothing was set, so today might be that day.
I headed for the Star-Eyed Wolf's den.
Grrrrr...
The Star-Eyed Wolf glared at the hunter targeting it, exuding intimidation.
The massive, savage beast kicked off the cave floor and lunged.
The moment it bared its jaws to kill the human before it in one bite...
Its pitch-black bulk exploded before my demi-god-force-infused fist.
Elite Quest - Star-Eyed Wolf Hunt
An item?
Gauntlets? It's been a while.
Day 5? Day 4?
Equipment items that wouldn't drop back then were appearing now.
Luck's on my side today.
If the stats are useless, I can always sell them.
I picked it up, stored it in my inventory, and checked the info.
[Star-Eyed Wolf's Gauntlets: Common]Durability:Tier 1
Effect: Physical attacks exceeding a certain speed gain +1 Strength attack power.
(Limit: 50 Strength)
Gauntlets that added Strength once speed surpassed a threshold.
Nice.
For Divine Aspirant, Strength, Defense, and Mana were key stats—more important than Agility or Stamina.
A faint smile crossed my lips as I equipped them.
The dark leather look was pretty cool, too.
As I exited the cave, I heard sounds.
Clashing metal, human shouts.
Faint, but coming from afar.
They're coming this way.
Hunting while roaming the forest.
Meant wolf numbers had thinned out.
Time to head to Dwin's group.
Theoretically thirteen, but likely fewer—hunts nearly done.
They'd be stronger than yesterday, finishing faster.
I walked calmly through the forest, ignoring roaming wolves, toward the noise.
Deep in the woods.
Dale never let her guard down while hunting wolves.
Clearly, that Dwin guy and his crew were helping.
Unfortunately, hunts rewarded only the killing blow.
Not what she'd predicted, but her group still followed her lead.
As she led, the party leveled up gradually, gaining confidence—hunts sped up.
Soon, finding wolves took longer than killing them.
Once accustomed, Dwin's side decided Siron should level first.
Hunting continued.
Dale assisted others' levels while thinking.
Low betrayal risk. They're helping level us honestly. But...
Before entering Zone 2, Dale used her unique ability again.
Max range, scanning the whole forest.
Heavy mana drain made her dizzy, but pre-battle necessity.
Black... and Immeasurable?
Dale furrowed her brow.
Red: Hard to beat—Dwin and Siron.
Yellow: Slightly stronger than her—the Indian guy and forest wolves.
But 'Black' and 'Immeasurable'...
Black: Absolute unbeatable existence. Overwhelming threat—run.
Immeasurable: Beyond her ability's measurement.
Per system description: Stealth, detection resistance, or massive stat gap.
If the latter...
Threat beyond levels, an absolute unimaginable menace.
Dale doubted if her ability worked right.
Overwhelming absolute threats.
Two monsters in this forest that could kill her instantly.
Existing here?
Recalling it, she swallowed dryly.
Then, faint footsteps echoed from deep woods.
All eyes turned toward the sound.
Dale didn't recognize, but Dwin, Siron, and Manav did—their faces showed it.
Leaf-crunching grew closer; finally, a man's silhouette emerged from shadows.
He appeared slowly, but with unstoppable pressure.
Dwin, Siron, and Manav reflexively bowed.
Dale confirmed it.
That's him... the one giving orders.
Her heart blared warnings.
At least Black or Immeasurable.
But Dale didn't back down. She stepped forward.
"Are you this group's leader? Let's talk."
He ignored her existence, passing to stand before Dwin.
Perfect dismissal, like a bug.
Humiliation flushed Dale's face.
Siron nearly laughed at the repeat of yesterday.
He eyed Dwin, feeling slightly stronger, and asked:
"Status?"
"Everyone but one guy completed their quests."
His profile was ice-cold as he heard Dwin's report.
Dale couldn't hold back, blocking him.
Despite her scan, she thought group assault could still intimidate.
Most at level 2 bolstered her vain confidence.
"Didn't you hear me? If no talk, we're leaving. We have our ways!"
He didn't twitch at her shout.
Indifferent gaze, like a roadside pebble.
His arrogance ignited not Dale, but Siron first.
"This bitch thinks she can push it!"
Siron's body turned steel-like, charging Dale.
Acting as if personally insulted, he swung mercilessly.
Dale was thoroughly pummeled, reduced to a bloody mess instantly.
The six newcomers rushed in shock to protect her, but crumbled before activated Siron.
"Don't kill."
One word halted Siron.
Dale seized the gap—her last chance, she thought.
She was dead wrong.
Never imagined Siron's strength this much.
Fallen and dust-covered, Dale looked up at him.
That man.
Not a leader.
Perfect master-servant hierarchy.
And she'd offended the master.
Survival instinct squeezed thoughts from her.
He's the one with all power... To survive, do anything before him...!
Prove value fast.
Enduring pain, hand on ground, she rasped:
"I... I'll tell you my unique ability!..."
"This will definitely help!!... I can detect all threats around here!!... Even info you don't know!"
She pleaded desperately.
Convinced her ability was rare and powerful.
Calculation: They wouldn't kill someone this useful.
Key cards demand price.
Revealing unique ability.
Least wanted, but exposed less than a day in.
Big concession, gritted out.
He showed no expression change, murmuring lowly:
"[Domain]."
Instantly, surrounding space pressure surged.
All forest sounds ceased; absolute silence like frozen time.
Including Dale, everyone petrified like stone.
Complete restraint—no finger twitch possible.
Primal terror she'd never felt rose in Dale's eyes.
What...
Irresistible, like a natural disaster.
He crooked a finger at rigid Dale.
Bam—!!
Invisible shockwave proportional to his power slammed her.
Her body tore apart without a scream.
Speed so fast, it looked near-vaporized.
Instant death in that instant.
Aftershock winds passed.
Only blood droplets on ground, handful of dust scattering.
As if never existed.
Overwhelming sight made all forget to breathe.
Terror eroded souls.
Dwin and Manav shuddered, reliving past horror.
Only Siron felt faint thrill watching.
He scanned today's arrivals one by one.
Wherever his gaze touched, they bowed in fear.
Dwin snapped to, speaking politely:
"W-We’ll complete everyone’s quests right away. Just me, Manav, and that one guy left."
Hearing that,
I spoke to Siron, not Dwin, as if nothing happened.
"Then today, you take the Star-Eyed Wolf. Follow."
Process identical to before.
Siron handled far more efficiently than Dwin.
Just one day, but learned—full of zeal.
Quickly grasped this world's brutal cycle: yesterday's victim today's perpetrator.
Even if Siron hadn't delayed his quest, I'd planned to bring him today.
Dwin leveling too fast shortens obedient manager lifespan.
Exiting cave, I paused mid-step.
Trailing Siron tensed sharply.
Quest first, so I resumed earlier postponed thought.
Should I have spared her...?
For gain?
I trust only myself.
No—only my abilities.
Even my heart part of selfish plans.
How trust others?
Others' potential—not mine—risky future uncertainty.
Higher importance, more burden, weakness.
Plus, she seemed rebellious to me.
Of course.
If truly powerful unique, I'd claim it my way.
But... not her.
I turned roughly. Flustered Siron visible.
That one's similar mindset.
Just weak, so obeys.
"From now on, rough up newbies as needed."
"Tell Dwin too. You lead a group separately. Finish wolf hunts faster."
Siron startled first, then anticipation swelled at violence permission and leadership.
My quick autonomy expansion had reason.
Before numbers grow, solidify system.
Replaceable, as long as system holds.
This tested planned structure.
Message delivered, I hurried for remaining wolves.
Not training.
Today needed time for unique ability experiment.
Confirm possible?
New powerful core ability mine.
Next day, noon.
As expected, monsters respawned, people summoned.
I gazed at meadow, focusing not slimes but rising message.
Gimmick?