THUMP-THUMP-THUMP!
Another thunderous Charge.
The elite Cerberus Knight hurtled toward Lister like a black comet. Its speed was blinding-almost impossible to track with the naked eye-but its bulk gave it away.
No matter how fast it moved, its size gave it presence. Its charging force left the earth shaking.
And Lister had learned to read the tremors.
With calm precision, he sidestepped again, letting the beast thunder past.
He moved slowly, deliberately, placing his steps as he mapped the terrain.
The bastard was tireless. This was its third Charge. No sign of slowing yet.
But Lister was patient.
He had danced with worse.
The fourth Charge came with a roar.
Lister didn't dodge this time.
He leapt.
The Cerberus slammed headfirst into the slope behind him-momentum carrying it halfway into the dirt wall.
Before it could fully react, Lister landed on its back.
In one clean motion, his blade arced down-precisely into the weak point at the base of its center neck.
Critical Hit: 2,667 damage.
The beast howled.
All three heads screamed at once, ear-splitting and primal. It bucked beneath him like a possessed bull, limbs thrashing, dirt flying.
Two of its heads twisted backward, jaws snapping toward the invader on its spine.
Too slow.
Lister's answer was clean and brutal-a perfect Draw Slash.
Strike: 607 damage.
But outside of weak points, the thing was a fortress. Even with 25 Strength, anything short of a critical barely dented it.
He had to be precise.
Warning: You have been afflicted with [Weakened].
-2 Agility (Temporary Debuff)
So it had a debuff aura.
Figures.
The sluggishness hit his limbs a second later-small, but noticeable. Nothing fatal, but enough to disrupt timing.
Meanwhile, the Cerberus's neck was still bleeding.
Good.
ROOOAAAAAR!
Another howl. More bestial than canine now. This time it charged again-wild, desperate.
It missed.
Lister had moved before the system even registered the sound cue.
But the Cerberus was finally tiring.
Its Charge was slower. Its breath labored.
The three pairs of green eyes bore into Lister, brimming with hatred and pain-but they were no longer sharp.
They're just a beast after all.
These weren't intelligent bosses from the late game. Not the humanoid horrors of Stage 3 or 4.
No strategies.
No spells.
Just primal fury.
And fury could be baited.
He waited. Let it come.
Charge #4 was sloppy.
Too wide.
Too heavy-footed.
Lister didn't hesitate.
As the Cerberus lunged past him, he spun, redirected all his power into a single counterstroke-
Critical Hit: 2,811 damage.
The beast collapsed to its knees, front limbs buckling. Blood poured from its wounded neck. Its three heads groaned in pain, twitching as it tried to rise.
It didn't.
Lister advanced without ceremony and drove three more slashes into its weak spot.
"You have slain [Cerberus Knight – Elite]."
+75,641 EXP
He exhaled.
Two Days Later - Back in Willtown
The rumors in the outer city had all but died.
Talk of an elite-class combatant wiping out Cerberus nests in the Kayas region had spread fast at first-but no one had followed up.
The people in the outer ring were merchants, peasants, peddlers.
They didn't have the coin to verify those rumors.
And adventurers weren't about to take free risks.
So the story faded.
Replaced by whatever gossip came next.
Meanwhile, inside the Merrick estate, Lister was pouring himself a cup of tea.
Across from him sat a large, silk-draped man with an impressive gut and a finely waxed mustache. His outfit was regal in fabric, garish in color.
Porter, chairman of the minor Poly Merchant Guild.
A man of wealth-but clearly not of power.
Which is why he was sitting across from Lister now, hands respectfully folded, waiting for the baron to speak.
"I assume my steward has already explained the situation to you," Lister said calmly, swirling the tea in his cup. "You wouldn't have come otherwise."
Porter laughed nervously, tugging at his collar.
"O-of course, Lord Merrick! I assure you, the Poly Guild is… honored to receive this invitation. If your house is considering reopening trade routes-we would be privileged to participate."
Lister didn't smile.
"Then sit," he said, gesturing lazily.
Porter sat with a grateful bow, the wooden chair creaking beneath his weight.
In truth, the Poly Guild had never aligned itself with any noble house.
That had kept them independent, yes-but also left them vulnerable.
They weren't important enough for the greater families to absorb. Not profitable enough to compete with the major trade guilds.
But now?
Now they had a chance.
"You want to open trade with House Gabriel," Porter said, eager again. "I assume you mean the overland route through the east?"
Lister nodded. "From Willtown's east gate, through Kayas Forest. Direct path."
Porter's teacup froze halfway to his mouth.
"…Kayas?" he repeated, voice cracking.
"That's Cerberus territory."
"It was," Lister corrected.
Porter coughed violently, barely swallowing his drink.
"But-that region hasn't been touched in years! No caravans pass through there. No one can afford the protection."
"Your information is outdated," Lister said flatly. "The dens have been cleared."
Across the room, old steward Anco stiffened. He'd been quiet until now.
His face paled.
He didn't know.
He'd assumed Lister was bluffing. Spinning a grand story to bait a desperate merchant.
But if what Lister claimed was true…
Then he had cleared Kayas solo.
And that changed everything.
"I've already spoken to Viscount Gabriel," Lister continued. "He's open to the idea. His domain produces low-tier magical herbs. The ingredients for entry-level potions. Demand is growing."
"Of course!" Porter said quickly. "And the usual route is too long-trade bottlenecks outside the pass. If Kayas is open, it's a massive advantage!"
Lister set down his cup.
"Then here's the offer."
"You align the Poly Guild under House Merrick."
"You take 30% of the profits. We take 70%."
"You handle logistics. We protect the route."
"You report to me."
Porter hesitated-but only for a moment.
Then he bowed his head.
"Agreed, my lord."
Truth was, Porter knew this was the best deal he'd ever get.
The Merrick family might be in decline, but they were still a legacy name in Willtown-one of the Seven Martial Lineages.
Even a dying horse had a long shadow.
And now, with the eastern route reopened? And Lister looking more and more like a genuine combat powerhouse?
This was the safest bet in years.
Besides, it was 30% of a monopoly.
He'd be rich regardless.
Anco, standing by the window, said nothing.
His eyes never left Lister.
"So he wasn't lying…"
"He really cleared Kayas…"
He felt a chill.
A mix of awe-and fear.
Because if Lister had changed this much in a matter of weeks…
What else was he hiding?