Chapter 11
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: I Became the Last of the Giant Clan
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Lee Yong couldn't wrap his head around it.
How could some lowly civil servant snap his wrist like that?
If he could do that, it meant he was a hunter. So why hadn't any mana or magical power been detected?
And most crucially, why hide his identity only to reveal it now?
One question led to another, his mind growing tangled.
But he had no time to dwell on it deeply.
"Uwaaaagh!"
The civil servant who'd been hiding his identity hurled himself in front of Lee Yong toward the Big Butter Fly.
The D-rank boss monster that had taken out his team in a single blow.
Kirururuk!
Of course, that D-rank monster wouldn't show mercy just to him...
If he stayed put, he'd end up skewered like his fallen subordinates.
And that would mean meeting his end in the jaws of that hideous beast.
"Fuck!"
He'd mentally prepared for death ever since becoming a hunter, but not like this.
So Lee Yong thrashed desperately.
Ignition
Flames erupt without restraint
Thankfully, even with his bones broken, he could still use his ability without issue.
Thanks to that, he nurtured the small spark in his palm, soon swelling it into a massive fireball.
"Die!!!"
With a shout, he hurled the fireball at the Big Butter Fly.
Kieeeek!
It worked—the Big Butter Fly shrieked as the blazing flames engulfed it.
At that sight, Lee Yong clung to a thread of hope.
Kiruruk!
But unlike the regular Butter Flies, the Big Butter Fly was clever.
The flames scattered once more under the beat of its wings.
As Lee Yong's eyes widened in shock, one of the fallen Butter Flies rose again.
He gaped unwittingly at the scene.
"Fuck..."
The gambit he'd thrown to escape had backfired spectacularly.
He tried to flee, but it was already too late.
Kirurururuk!
The Butter Flies and Big Butter Fly surrounded him with their cries.
Realizing escape was impossible, Lee Yong screamed.
"Uwaaaagh!"
What followed was a brutal struggle.
For the first time since becoming a hunter, he pushed his ability to its absolute limit, fighting and fighting.
But limits were clear-cut.
"Kuaaagh!"
No matter his elemental advantage, taking on a D-rank monster and six E-rank ones at once was beyond his current power.
In the end, his body went numb from their poison.
And through it, the Big Butter Fly's proboscis pierced his throat.
"Kheuk!!"
The vivid sensation of flesh tearing.
Then an unprecedented agony overwhelmed him.
The Big Butter Fly's proboscis was sucking the fluids from his body.
"Uwaaaagh!"
He flailed to break free, but his paralyzed body, ensnared by the other Butter Flies' proboscises, wouldn't budge.
"S-save... me..."
Finally, Lee Yong let go of everything and reached out toward Kang Hyuk.
With death breathing down his neck, pride was the last thing on his mind.
"..."
But Kang Hyuk didn't move.
Instead, he watched Lee Yong's outstretched hand with cold eyes.
'If I hadn't gained this power, I'd be the one in that state, not Lee Yong.'
Moreover, he'd already shown mercy once.
To give this human scum a chance at the right choice.
But the bastard had kicked that chance away himself.
"..."
So Kang Hyuk watched Lee Yong die.
He bore witness to the end.
A final elegy for the traitor who'd sold out his comrades to survive alone.
Kiruruk!
Meanwhile, the Big Butter Fly that devoured Lee Yong let out a fierce cry.
Kang Hyuk's eyes narrowed.
'It's gotten stronger.'
Hunters grew by slaying monsters.
Monsters could grow by devouring hunters, too.
The Big Butter Fly has evolved after devouring a hunter!
Paat!
The Big Butter Fly that absorbed Lee Yong ballooned even larger with power.
Its wings had grown too vast for the cave, and its beak sharpened to spear-like lethality.
Kirurururuk!
The surrounding Butter Flies wailed in worship, like devotees before a god, at its evolved form.
Realizing his turn had come, Kang Hyuk slowly roused his power.
Power of the Last Giant Clan activates.
Partial Giantization activates!
Giantization Assimilation Rate: 0.2%
Duration: 10 seconds
Power of the Last Giant Clan activates.
Acquire Giant's Calf.
Power of the Last Giant Clan: 2%
At the same time, the Big Butter Fly turned its gaze to its final prey.
Kirururuk!
The monster, having tasted the blood of an awakened superhuman—especially a human—glared with eyes gleaming in desire.
It instinctively knew.
Devouring all the hunters here would trigger another evolution.
Then it wouldn't be confined to this narrow cave dungeon—it could claim the entire mountain as its domain.
Reading the Big Butter Fly's intent, Kang Hyuk smirked coldly.
"Monster bastard."
Muttering, he stomped his foot.
The partially giantized calf and foot, empowered by the Giant's power, gouged the ground mercilessly.
Thud thud thud!
The ground shook violently, like an earthquake.
Startled by the tremors, the Butter Flies fell silent and flapped their wings.
Paat!
Kang Hyuk's eyes gleamed at the debris kicked up.
Power of the Last Giant Clan activates.
Partial Giantization activates!
Giantization Assimilation Rate: 0.2%
Duration: 9 seconds
Power of the Last Giant Clan activates.
Acquire Giant's Arm.
Power of the Last Giant Clan: 2.2%
Rousing his power, Kang Hyuk grabbed a rising fragment and turned his gaze.
He hurled it without hesitation at the six Butter Flies beside the Big Butter Fly.
Plush!
The Butter Flies couldn't react.
The price was immediate.
Like bursting balloons, the heads of all six Butter Flies exploded.
The cave filled with viscous fluid and a nauseating stench.
Kieeeek!!!
The enraged Big Butter Fly shrieked, and Kang Hyuk grinned.
Absorb Butter Fly Soulstones!
Physical abilities slightly enhanced!
His physical abilities had advanced another step from the soulstones gained by slaying them.
Just like the monster before him.
Kirururuk!
Meanwhile, the furious Big Butter Fly swept its wings.
Something like yellow pollen scattered through the air.
'Paralysis poison.'
He held his breath.
Not only that, but the powder sealed off every sense that could let it enter his body...
'I can hold out for 10 minutes. Not generous, but doable.'
With that conclusion, he bent his knees.
Kukukung!
His figure vanished instantly.
The startled Big Butter Fly reacted, swinging its massive wings.
It hadn't seen him, but instinct drove it to block Kang Hyuk's path.
Too late.
...!
Kang Hyuk had already slipped past the wingbeat, closing in.
There, he recalled the Butter Flies he'd just pulverized with debris.
'Butter Flies' weak point is the head. It's not as tough as the rest of their bodies. Normally, fighting them wouldn't be easy—they fly around, making headshots tricky.'
Ironically, their cave dungeon had become their downfall.
And this weakness applied to the Big Butter Fly too.
'No matter how evolved, targeting the head should make it easier than expected.'
Muttering, Kang Hyuk tensed his fist.
Power of the Last Giant Clan activates.
Partial Giantization activates!
Giantization Assimilation Rate: 0.4%
Duration: 12 seconds
Power of the Last Giant Clan activates.
Acquire Giant's Strike.
Power of the Last Giant Clan: 3.2%
'One strike to kill. No room for variables.'
The Giant's power boosted from the recent Butter Flies, plus the heightened partial giantization—this was his peak output.
Kukukukung!
The surge shredded his suit sleeve to rags.
Swollen muscles and veins bulged larger than his head, like massive iron pillars.
Kirururuk!
Sensing something wrong, the Big Butter Fly thrust its beak forward.
Kieeeek!!!
The beak hurtled with immense force, evoking a giant spear.
Kang Hyuk drew back his fist.
And exhaled the breath he'd held.
"Hup!"
His fist shot out, colliding precisely with the Big Butter Fly's beak.
Silence fell for a moment.
"..."
The Big Butter Fly and Kang Hyuk locked eyes.
In that instant, something snapped.
Kwajik!
The spear that couldn't withstand the iron pillar bent with a groan.
Kieeeek!!!
The beast's cry echoed.
A beat later, a colossal explosion roared as the Big Butter Fly's body blocking Kang Hyuk vanished.
Kwakwakwang!!
When it reappeared, it was amid collapsing cave debris.
Like food scraps melted in a grinder.
"..."
Watching the scene, Kang Hyuk released the Giant's power.
The moment he closed his eyes.
Absorb Big Butter Fly Soulstone!
Physical abilities dramatically enhanced!
A status message rang out, drawing a satisfied curve to his lips.
'Dramatically enhanced means three times the efficiency of a slight boost.'
In other words, the physical ability gain from the Big Butter Fly was exactly triple.
Thinking that far, Kang Hyuk roused the Giant's power again.
Kukukukukuk!!!
A different sensation surged through his body than before.
The overflowing power warped his vision.
'What? The power's surged too much?'
As he marveled at the unexpected might.
Power of the Last Giant Clan activates.
Partial Giantization activates!
Giantization Assimilation Rate: 1%
Duration: 18 seconds
Power of the Last Giant Clan activates.
Acquire Giant's Strike.
Power of the Last Giant Clan: 4%
'...What?'
Kang Hyuk's jaw dropped in astonishment.
'Using 4% of the Giant Clan's power without strain?'
He checked the message again.
No change.
The status read exactly 4%.
'Even for a D-rank Big Butter Fly...'
This jump was excessive.
Pondering it, a plausible reason dawned on him.
'Did devouring Lee Yong and evolving give it a purer soulstone?'
The previous Big Butter Fly he recalled hadn't eaten Lee Yong.
This one had, advancing a step further.
That explained the drastic rise.
'Even so, it's insane progress... and on top of that.'
With the boosted assimilation rate and duration, full-body giantization might even be possible now.
'Putting all these stats together... I'd match a D-rank. No, even a C-rank hunter.'
Perhaps that's why.
His growth outpacing plans hardened his expression.
His common sense couldn't accept such transcendent speed.
But he soon shook his head, casting aside the worry.
'...Don't fret, Kang Hyuk. This is the growth you need. It's how you'll get revenge on those national-level hunters who destroyed Korea.'
Muttering, his eyes gleamed.
He nodded, reaffirming his unquenched thirst for vengeance.
'So instead of needless worries, focus on squeezing every gain perfectly without mistakes.'
A cool smile played on his lips as he turned his gaze.
To the unclaimed rewards.
The rare item that would've cost 3 billion won, meant for Lee Yong.
Meuuuuu-!
A bizarre cry echoed then.
His relaxed senses sharpened like needles.
Meuuuuuuu!
The cry repeated, confirming it was no illusion.
Kang Hyuk's face stiffened as he channeled the Giant's power into his eyes.
Peering into the darkened cave depths, he muttered in surprise.
"...What is that?"