---.
Ren and Lycaon—the mutated Gillian-class Hollow—stood locked in a silent standoff.
Their auras collided violently in the air.
One was deep, abyssal blue.
The other, a sinister, blood-soaked crimson.
The pressure alone warped the space between them.
Lycaon growled, a sound like grinding iron, as it began to advance. Its massive frame radiated heat, the surrounding flames intensifying with every step it took. Both of its glowing red eyes burned with feral fury, fixed entirely on Ren.
Ren tightened his grip around the Sword of Venom.
Focusing his mind, he shifted his gaze toward the translucent system interface hovering before him.
---
[Guardian of the Demon and Hollow Tower's Gate: Lycaon]
[Danger Level: HIGH]
---
A faint smile tugged at Ren's lips.
It was the first time the system had ever labeled an enemy as High Danger.
And instead of fear… excitement surged through him.
This was his chance to grow stronger.
He had no intention of retreating.
This will be difficult, he admitted, eyes sharpening. But I'm ready.
Suddenly, the system flickered.
---
[Notification]
[Title Activated: "Wolf Hunter"]
[Title Buff Applied: +40% Damage]
---
Ren's smile widened.
Perfect.
Lycaon sensed the shift immediately.
It roared—pure rage vibrating through the battlefield.
In the next instant, both vanished.
Steel screamed through the air as Ren unleashed a flurry of slashes, his blade striking again and again in blinding succession. However, Lycaon's flesh regenerated almost instantly—its Hollow physiology repairing the damage faster than Ren could carve it.
The venom coating his blade barely slowed it.
So poison won't cut it…
Then—
Lycaon's jaws snapped open.
A Cero formed.
Ren's eyes widened.
Too fast—!
He flooded his body with spiritual pressure, reinforcing every muscle—
BOOM!
The blast sent him flying.
Ren crashed through rubble like a meteor, smashing into a massive rock with a thunderous impact. Stone cracked. Dust exploded into the air, swallowing the battlefield whole.
When the dust settled, Ren was pinned against the rock, blood streaming down his face.
He lifted his head slowly.
A weak, annoyed smile appeared.
"Heh… damn mutt…"
---
[Warning: -500 HP]
[HP: 3000 / 3500]
---
That hit was heavy…
Before he could recover, Lycaon reappeared.
Ren dodged backward—but not far enough.
Claws tore through his torso.
One slash across his chest.
Another lower.
A third ripped across his abdomen.
Blood sprayed.
---
[Warning: -150 HP]
[HP: 2850 / 3500]
---
Ren hissed in pain, tightening his grip on the katana. In a flash, he surged forward again, circling Lycaon at high speed. His blade danced, carving shallow wounds as he searched relentlessly for a weak point.
---
[Notification]
[Debuff Nullified]
---
Ren exhaled sharply.
I figured.
Changing tactics, he sprinted, leapt—and drove his blade straight into one of Lycaon's heads.
The sound of steel piercing bone echoed across the field.
Lycaon thrashed violently, flinging Ren into the air—
The right head lunged.
Its jaws clamped down on him.
CRACK.
Fangs sank deep into Ren's body as Lycaon shook him like a rag doll, savoring the kill.
"Let… me… GO!" Ren roared.
He stabbed wildly into its gums, again and again.
---
[Warning: -500 HP]
[Warning: -350 HP]
[HP: 2000 / 3500]
---
Pain blurred his vision.
In desperation, Ren slammed his fist into Lycaon's fangs.
CRUNCH.
Several shattered.
Lycaon howled and flung him away.
Even with its regeneration—it hurt.
Ren skidded across the ground and forced himself up.
Activating Bringer of Light, his body blurred, leaving behind a streak of dark blue energy as he vanished into the smoke.
He noticed it then.
Blood dripping from Lycaon's mouth.
Its movements—slightly slower.
So it feels pain… and its regeneration has limits.
A dangerous idea formed.
Ren smiled.
He charged back in.
The battlefield exploded into motion.
Hundreds of blows were exchanged in seconds—steel against claws, energy against rage. But Ren was changing.
Adapting.
His movements grew smoother. Faster. Sharper.
He was learning Lycaon's rhythm.
Growing stronger mid-battle.
Fear crept into Lycaon's eyes.
How is this human growing strong so fast?!
Ren's aura exploded outward, dark blue spiritual pressure engulfing his body. His eyes glowed with merciless resolve.
Why should I fear death… when I've already faced it?
Now—I am the hunter.
With a roar, he poured everything into his blade.
A spiritual-pressure–enhanced slash tore through Lycaon's shoulder, severing it completely.
The Hollow screamed.
Regeneration kicked in—but the pain didn't fade.
Ren didn't stop.
Slash after slash.
Relentless.
Desperate, Lycaon attempted another Cero—
Ren was faster.
He drove his katana straight through its jaw, piercing the roof of its mouth. Destroying it's Hollow mask
The Cero detonated inside.
In the same motion—
He decapitated it.
Lycaon released one final, deafening howl. Blood erupted like a crimson geyser, painting the battlefield in red as its colossal body collapsed with an earth-shaking crash.
Silence followed.
Ren stood there, drenched in blood, breathing heavily.
---
[Notification]
[You have defeated the Gate Guardian: Lycaon]
[Level Up]
[Level up]
[Level up]
[Level up]
[Level up]
---
Ren watched the notifications with a faint smile before finally collapsing to the ground.
Exhausted.
Victorious.
He had faced death again—and surpassed himself.
He had adapted.
He had grown stronger.
And for him…
That was more than enough.
---
To be continued.
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