59. No Less Than Five Mongrels
Lee Hoyeol's group was surrounded by the demon legion commanders. It was only natural for the onlookers to clutch their chests in anxiety.
The demon army's movements? It was a pattern players were all too familiar with. Monsters' instinct to take out the biggest threats first. Arcana had an aggro system too, after all. They knew it was unavoidable, but that didn't make it any less frustrating.
However.
"...Hold on. Aren't those some familiar faces?"
The despair didn't last long. The camera angle zoomed in, revealing those familiar faces.
"If my eyes aren't deceiving me, that's Jessie Haynes?!"
Jessie, why are you there...?
It was only natural for reactions like that to erupt. Jessie was still Shining Guild's mage, after all. But it wasn't entirely incomprehensible. She hadn't shown up even during the Yusra Kingdom incident.
But the more they looked, the harder it was to dismiss as nonsense. Jessie's face on the broadcast screen. Especially her pupils, sparkling brighter than ever—wide-eyed and gleaming.
One of the panelists tossed out a provocative topic.
"...Come to think of it, this isn't the first time Lee Hoyeol and Jessie Haynes have met, right? Back during the Ascura Viscount raid, they synced up perfectly..."
But that was a topic best left untouched. Who were Lee Hoyeol and Jessie Haynes? Star players with massive public appeal. Even the sensationalist media, who lived for drama, wouldn't dare poke at them—not with the backlash it'd bring.
Especially Lee Hoyeol! Before viewers could bombard the boards, the host jumped in desperately.
"This is purely Expert Hwang Kyojun's personal opinion. VBC, including myself, does not endorse it in the slightest."
"...Pardon? Wait, hold on. I misspoke!"
And besides, even setting aside the speculation, there was a clear reason. Soon, Lee Hoyeol's magic manifested in the air. Influenced by his aesthetics stat. A dazzling spectacle began to unfold.
"Elemental magic feeling this radiant...!"
"It's like gazing at a masterpiece painting."
"The summoned statues have grabbed the demon legion commander's legs?!"
Even watching on screen, it was beautiful. What must it be like up close?
No need to explain its power separately. Lee Hoyeol was orchestrating the battlefield with magic. It was hardly a hunt—more like a one-sided slaughter. The time it took to clip the wings of the five legion commanders? A mere ten-odd minutes.
"...It's over, everyone."
The panelists were dumbfounded, and so were the viewers—few words to say.
According to the update notes, only four remained.
Curious about the other guilds, viewers switched channels. Some couldn't help but flinch. Unexpected developments were unfolding elsewhere too.
A lone player facing a demon legion commander. Korean viewers gasped at his identity.
"...Hey, that's Nam Taemin?!"
*
Nam Taemin flinched.
'Class quest...? Out of nowhere?'
Barbarian class ranking 1st. He'd scoured every rumor and quest for his class quest. Yet when he finally searched, not a single clue. And now, in this situation, it popped up.
Nam Taemin was a bit glad.
'...Maybe I can do something after all.'
Frost in crisis. A class quest reward guaranteed growth. He might even contribute to retaking Frost.
With that thought, Nam Taemin checked the quest window.
Proof of Ferocity
📍 The leader has drawn its final breath.
Young and new leader.
Prove your true ferocity.
"...!"
And he realized why the class quest had appeared for him.
Leader. It referred to the strongest barbarian warrior.
"...Kern."
Back when Arcana was just a game. Kern had lurked in the forest near Frost, helping players class-change to barbarian as an NPC.
But Nam Taemin knew. Arcana was no longer just a game. Kern was human—or Arcana native—like him.
'Kern got taken out by the demons.'
Suddenly, a conversation with Kern resurfaced.
—A barbarian's secret technique? Is that what you seek, brother?
While digging for class quest info, Nam Taemin had asked Kern too. Kern had laughed heartily.
—Getting excited over some secret technique? How frail, little brother!
...He'd brushed it off then. But now he finally understood.
—You'll learn it all naturally when the time comes, brother.
Yes. The barbarian's secret technique was granted only to the 'leader.' With leader Kern's death, the class quest transferred to Nam Taemin.
So the quest appearing meant...
"...Kern was alive until just now."
Damn demon bastards!
Crunch— veins bulged on Nam Taemin's muscles. He was truly furious. From his brother Nam Cheolmin to his sworn brother-like Kern. They'd only ever lost to these demon scum.
Crack— His grip cracked the thick greatsword's hilt.
That was when it appeared before him. [Demon Legion Commander, Horikan]. A half-bird, half-beast armed with a spear. Horikan tilted its head at Nam Taemin, glanced at the blood on its spear tip, and opened its beak.
"Strange. I clearly pierced his side with this spear and killed him."
"...?"
"Why is another beast reeking of the same scent here?"
"!!!"
Beast. The crude slang for barbarian warriors.
Nam Taemin realized instantly. This birdbrain was the one who killed Kern.
As if confirming it, his brother Nam Cheolmin's voice rang in his ear.
—Hey, Nam Taemin!! Snap out of it!! That thing's at least level 500!!
Level 500. His own level was a measly 374. No way he could win. His brother was right—run.
But his heart pounded. Thump-thump—fiercer than ever.
Run. You can't win. Level gap's too big.
Reason screamed endlessly, fading. His muscles writhed violently. He could feel stamina draining just from the throbbing.
"Huff... huff..."
Nam Taemin breathed raggedly. Then—
Hiss— steam rose from his body. A message appeared.
You have met the conditions.
Reward granted.
Acquired class-exclusive skill, 'Call of the Wild'.
Class-exclusive skill, 'Call of the Wild', has activated.
Awaken true ferocity. Ferocity greatly increases.
Ferocity. The barbarian's class-exclusive stat. The explosive strength barbarians wielded came from ferocity.
That ferocity surging massively. The boost to physical prowess was indescribable.
Crack—! The greatsword hilt in his hand shattered completely.
But he didn't care. Whoosh—! He hurled the greatsword at Horikan. The speed from that raw power was unimaginable. Even winged Horikan couldn't fully dodge.
Boom—!
Desperately raising its spear to block, the impact still hurled Horikan dozens of meters back. Without wingbeats to counter, it'd have crashed into rubble.
Shuddering, Horikan shook its head rapidly.
"I don't know what's happening, but impressive, beast. That strength is something. But a beast is just a beast. I'll hunt you slowly."
Flap—! Horikan spread its wings and took flight.
'No need to fight on the ground.'
A lesson from battling another beast. Horikan had folded its wings thinking Kern was done for, nearly getting in trouble.
But to Horikan, Nam Taemin and Kern smelled different.
'Similar, but distinct scents.'
Like adult predator versus cub? A cub, it could hunt alone.
Horikan grew arrogant. Then—
Crack—!
"!"
Pain shot through its ankle. Nam Taemin had grabbed Horikan's leg mid-air.
Fracture on Demon Legion Commander, Horikan
"How dare you...!!"
Horikan swung its spear swiftly. Stabbed in the forearm, Nam Taemin plummeted. But no impact. He landed lightly on all fours. The massive ferocity boost made him move like a true beast.
Whoosh—! Nam Taemin leaped up the building again.
"Cursed beast cub!"
Horikan tried desperately to gain distance, but it wasn't enough. Thud— Instead, its wing was seized.
Nam Taemin's forearm twitched. Rip—! He tore the wing clean off.
Bleeding on Demon Legion Commander, Horikan
Horikan lost balance and plummeted. Nam Taemin didn't let go.
Crunch—! He seized its long neck and twisted.
"...Grahk!"
Horikan couldn't comprehend. These beasts weren't like ordinary humans. But it wasn't an ordinary bird either.
'I'm not like that blockhead Kupikan...!'
Wingless? It had arms and legs. Mid-fall, Horikan raised its spear. Aimed at Nam Taemin holding it—not to attack, but to shake free.
'He'll have to let go to dodge.'
But.
Stab— Nam Taemin still gripped the neck. The piercing sensation hit, yet...?
Horikan recalled Kern. Covered in blood after endless fighting, bones shattered, yet unyielding to the end.
'Damn...!'
Horikan realized.
'This beast is the same!'
Yes, beasts lacked reason. Threats wouldn't work on the unreasonable.
Horikan twisted with its remaining wing. Did it work?
"!"
The grip on its neck loosened.
"Huff... huff..."
Call of the Wild traded extreme stamina drain. With stamina depleted, it deactivated, and Nam Taemin's reason returned.
Of course, Horikan didn't care why.
Crash—! Nam Taemin hit the ground with a boom.
Horikan approached.
"Brutish beast. Same pathetic end."
Pathetic end? Bullshit. He wanted to laugh it off, but lacked the stamina. So he smirked inwardly.
'...Now I kinda get it.'
What Lee Hoyeol meant by pride burning in the chest.
Yes, pride drove Nam Taemin. Pride in protecting Kern. Pride that wouldn't let him ignore it.
No regrets.
"Beasts are fools beyond beasts. Even beasts tuck tail before predators and flee. Did you think noble Horikan would fall to the likes of you? Delusions have limits, vermin human."
Beast, huh. Yeah, hurling his greatsword, running on all fours... Anyone watching would think so.
Nam Taemin wanted to ask playfully if he could.
'Did I look like a beast too, bro?'
Why make last words too serious? It'd just sadden survivors.
Of course, with earpiece smashed on impact, no voice anyway.
But.
Click— An answer came clearly.
"Calling him a beast? Know your place, you prattling fool."
Ironically.
"Yet I understand, wretched demon."
From Lee Hoyeol.
"!"
In his blurring vision, Lee Hoyeol appeared. Guildmates rushing toward him too.
Nam Taemin sensed it.
'...Bro?'
Nam Cheolmin must've relayed the situation to the guild.
Nam Taemin flinched.
'...Then he saw me running on all fours too?'
Lee Hoyeol prized decorum above all. No less dignified sight than that. Hell, even he thought he looked like a beast.
But it was needless worry.
"For you know not pride. Thus, you cannot comprehend humans who fight to uphold it."
"...!"
"A lesson lost on your inferior demon kind."
Lee Hoyeol spoke calmly, as always. Nam Taemin swelled with emotion; Horikan panicked.
'Why?'
Dangerous aura from the silver-haired man. The mingled blood scent of six legion commanders, including Kupikan!
Horikan sensed instinctively. This man was its natural enemy...!
'R-run...'
Whole, maybe. But wingless? Horikan's beak twitched.
'Yes, distract with words, then seize the opening...'
"G-grahk!"
But it couldn't even open its beak. Whoosh—! Flames erupted from it instantly. Detection, interference, manifestation.
Brief writhing in agony.
"I do not converse with prey."
A cold voice in Horikan's ear.
"Silence, mongrel."
*
AAU Korea Branch.
"...Unbelievable."
They stared at Lee Hoyeol on the monitors, dumbfounded. Among them.
Tap-tap-tap—!
Yoon Sugyeom spoke up from his keyboard.
"...I think I get it now, Hyunjun. What the demon king is!"
"F-for real, sunbae?!"
"Yeah. 99.9% certain."
Time to earn his keep. And this info would help Lee Hoyeol most of all.