Slaying the Tyrant: Full Moon Slash Awakens

Rookie: Baek Jaesung 43

Jisu gripped her sword in a reverse stance, steadying her ki.

With the Sword Mastery ability, Jisu had reached the pinnacle realm of Man-Sword Unity, becoming a master swordswoman.

She could synchronize her will with the sword's movements, wielding it as naturally as her own limbs.

This went beyond mere physical motion. The intense mana surging from Jisu's heart flowed through her blade as if it coursed through her own body. To her, the sword was an extension of her flesh.

"One Sword, Two Halves!"

A profound sword principle unfolded from her fingertips, compressing the mana in her blade to its limit into a single piercing line.

The free-flowing mana united her body and sword as one. Her form accelerated as if she'd activated a speed boost skill. The blade gleamed with sharp blue sword aura, flashing like lightning to rend her foes.

Shlick!

Like a shot arrow, a falling thunderbolt, or a streak of light, Jisu's body became the world's freest sword strike, cleaving through the charging dinosaur horde toward us. Blood fountains erupted from three dinosaurs' bodies.

"Haat!"

Yeonji covered the side Jisu missed. Her body launched like a slingshot toward the largest charging dinosaur. With her skin hardened to steel, she channeled her kinetic energy into her fist.

"Iron Fist!"

Her punch smashed into the dinosaur's face, exploding it like it'd taken a dynamite blast.

Yeonji rebounded backward, landing cleanly on the ground. Without even using a proper landing technique, she stood tall like a gymnast nailing a flawless routine. Despite the high-speed drop, she showed no wobble, straightening up perfectly.

"That's it."

Rina, the only one who hadn't shone, said with a disappointed look. She reined in her surging mana.

"Let's keep moving."

No time to rest even after the fight. We had to press on.

"Hold up. Doesn't look like it's over yet."

Kim Seonwook pointed sideways with an anxious expression. A massive dinosaur was lumbering toward us with heavy thuds.

"Huh? That one's way bigger than the others."

I eyed the dinosaur monster stomping toward us with gigantic strides. Roughly 20 to 30 meters tall. At least 10 meters bigger than the rest.

"Boss monster? Or a named one?"

Everyone tensed at my words. Especially a boss—you couldn't drop your guard.

"Looks just like that. Tyrannosaurus."

Sujin spoke up. I examined its ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠form closely.

The savage fangs on its massive head evoked ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the nickname "tyrant," with stubby forelimbs contrasting its bulky hind legs. Its taut tail reminded me of a steel whip, and the drool-dripping approach radiated pure carnivore menace.

"Weren't real T-Rexes around 10 meters?"

Sujin shook her head at my question.

"That's what I know. But this is a dungeon monster. Could be different."

The overwhelming pressure from the near-30-meter behemoth defied imagination. Even I felt a chill down my spine.

Kim Seonwook's face had gone pale, and the others were steadying their trembling bodies. No helping it against a beast like that.

I took a deep breath. To boil my fighting spirit and regain composure. Fighting a powerhouse like this demanded perfect mental and physical prep.

"Everyone, prioritize your safety!"

"Wouldn't running be better?"

Kim Seonwook made the pragmatic call. But the thing had us targeted. No way that hulking monster would let us bolt easily.

"Seonwook, look after your party. We'll handle it."

When we said we'd take it on, the terrified Kim Seonwook bit his lip and mustered courage.

"We'll help too. Can't keep freeloading off your party forever."

Still, he was a party leader. His mindset was decent enough.

"KREEEEEEEK!"

The T-Rex's thunderous roar echoed everywhere. The deafening blast made us reflexively clap our hands over our ears.

Whoosh! Pterodactyls scattered into the sky. Noisy dinosaur footsteps fled from all directions.

"Definitely the apex predator around here. Take it down, and the rest should be smooth sailing."

I reached into the air. Light gathered in my hand, forming a sword. Gripping the lightsaber tightly, I stared up at the slowly advancing dinosaur head-on.

"Oppa! I'll help!"

Rina shouted with spirited resolve. Her voice alone pumped me up.

"Good. Yeonji and I charge in! Yeonji!"

"Okay!"

We exchanged intents with just a glance. Thanks to countless trainings—and even more sex sessions.

Yeonji and I bolted in opposite directions. Me right, her left. Destination: the T-Rex.

"KREEEENG!"

"Ugly roar!"

The T-Rex's guttural bellow amplified the thrill boiling in me. Adrenaline from extreme sports flooded my veins. In battle, this biological high was a huge boost.

Acceleration!

I surged forward instantly. Acceleration was a skill I could spam without worry, even with eyes around. My body rocketed toward the T-Rex at sonic speeds.

Boom!

Suddenly, the ground erupted before me. An unexpected obstacle. I vaulted over it. Without acceleration-boosted reflexes, I'd have eaten it.

"GRRAAAAAH!"

The T-Rex stomped with a bellow, warping the earth and sending shockwaves everywhere.

"That bastard! Earth attribute?"

Ground spikes jutted up everywhere, like telekinesis ripping chunks from the earth.

Debris hurled toward me and Yeonji. Powerhouses like this had unique skills. This T-Rex too.

"Stone Skin!"

Yeonji armored up and body-slammed the debris.

True Position Swap!

I used position swap. An afterimage lingered as my body flickered. Dodging debris, I leaped into the air—air-stepping vibes.

ZZZING!

From behind, black chains lashed out in bundles, wrapping the T-Rex's left and right legs tight. Rina's assist.

"KREEEENG!"

But its strength was insane. A roar and body shake snapped Rina's chains like twigs.

No foe had broken her chains that easily before. This one was different from anything we'd faced.

Battle thrill overpowered any fear, binding my body tight. Proof my flesh was seasoned to dungeon hunting.

"Haat!"

I shattered ground debris and soared into the air. But against a 30m+ giant, it wasn't enough. I only hit 10m before dropping.

"Jaesung!"

Yeonji called from her side. I read her intent instantly. No words needed; we synced perfectly.

"Hyper Elastic Body!"

Yeonji maxed her body's springiness, then rocketed toward me with explosive force.

"Thanks!"

I springboarded off her body, launching higher. Her boost got me past 20m.

Still short!

Not quite at face level. Options to add thrust abounded, but wind control risked Kim's party nearby.

"Oppa!"

Suddenly, a sword flew from the ground like a dagger, brimming with mana. Jisu's blade.

"Can't hold Flying ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Sword long! Hurry!"

"Got it!"

I stepped on Jisu's sword, clearing the final hurdle. My body shot past 30m, hovering eye-to-eye with the T-Rex, sword at ready.

Its eyes were red. Blinking up at me awkwardly. A monster like this probably never looked ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠up at prey its whole life. Well, maybe pterodactyls.

Anyway, I raised my double grip, leaned back slightly, and poured max mana into the lightsaber. The more mana, the brighter it blazed.

I was this battlefield's David, my lightsaber a hefty slingshot stone. Perfect against a 30m Goliath.

"GRRAAAAH!"

Flames flickered from the T-Rex's maw. It gaped wide at my falling form.

No way!?

"GRRAAAAAAAH!"

Furnace-hot flames spewed at me.

I snapped to focus, spinning my body. Scorching solar heat enveloped me. The blaze sharpened my mind further. Sword raised, I rotated midair. My dantian responded.