The huge wolf slowly raised its head.
Its piercing red eyes locked onto them—and within a single glance, it identified the weakest prey.
Dion.
With a thunderous roar, the beast unleashed its mana.
The pressure slammed into them like a wall.
Dion froze in place. Even though he couldn't see mana, the sheer force made his body refuse to move. Eve quickly grabbed his arm and pulled him backward.
The wolf charged.
Its speed was terrifying.
Suddenly, Luoice leapt forward and stood between them.
"You'll have to get past us first."
Panther moved instantly.
He slashed the wolf's right leg and left arm, then retreated. At the same time, Luoice cut through the right arm and left leg, creating distance.
"Fireball."
Eve hurled a blazing sphere straight at the wolf's head.
Blood sprayed as its right eye was destroyed. The beast flew backward and crashed into the ground.
Panther laughed. "Is this really the boss? That was easier than eating cake."
The laughter died instantly.
The wolf's wounds healed.
Its body grew larger, muscles swelling, and the mana pressure doubled.
Everyone stepped back.
Luoice's screen lit up.
Low-Class Superior Beast:Mythical Wolf
Used Abilities: Regeneration, Mana Buff
Effects: Increased Health, Damage, Speed
Duration: 1 minute
"Boss for a reason," Panther muttered.
The wolf lunged again—straight at Panther.
Panther jumped onto a rock, flipped over the beast, and landed behind it.
The wolf turned sharply and rushed toward Dion again.
"Why is it always coming for me?!" Dion shouted, stumbling backward and falling.
"Divine Sword Technique: Heavenly Slash."
A brilliant line of light cut through the air, striking the ground in front of the wolf.
The beast halted for a split second.
"Fire Arms."
Eve's arms ignited into flames as she charged forward. The wolf rushed to meet her.
Just before impact—
"Fire Wall."
A wall of flames erupted between them.
The wolf hesitated, confused.
Eve burst through the fire, smashing her flaming fist into the wolf's remaining eye.
"Demon Sword Technique: Vertical Slash," Panther roared.
"Divine Sword Technique: Heavenly Slash," Luoice followed.
The combined strikes cleaved straight through the wolf's head.
Its massive body collapsed.
The head rolled across the floor and stopped beside Eve—larger than her entire body.
"It's finished," Luoice said.
Panther exhaled. "So beasts can use abilities too… then why don't I have one like that?"
"When did you learn sword techniques?" Luoice asked.
Panther paused. "…I don't know. I just knew how to use them after being blessed. Knowing sword skills doesn't count as an ability, right?" Panther felt a little guilty.
Dion grinned. "That last move was insane. It was like watching a movie."
The wolf's head suddenly shrank to normal size.
Dion kicked one of its huge fangs. "What giant teeth…"
Luoice's screen flashed again.
Low-Class Mythical Wolf Defeated
+5000 EXP
New Ability Unlocked: Mana Exposure
• Stuns enemies with lower mana than the user
• Cooldown: 1 hour
Reward: Mythical Wolf Core
"What did you get?" Dion asked.
"The ability the wolf used," Luoice replied. "A mana wave that stuns weaker enemies."
Dion smirked. "Do you have to roar like that wolf?"
Eve and Dion chuckled.
Panther laughed. "I just imagined Luoice roaring."
"It doesn't need roaring," Luoice said. "It works like breathing."
Everyone laughed.
Then
Again something showed on screen
User Level Up
New Ability Unlocked: Time Pause
• Radius: 200 meters
• Duration: 0.2 seconds
• Cooldown: 1 day
Eve blinked. "Why do you look like that?"
Luoice stood frozen, eyes locked on the glowing screen only he could see. His lips parted slightly, but no words came out.
"…Luoice?" Eve called.
"I got…" He swallowed. "A fun ability."
"One more?" Panther groaned, rubbing his forehead. "That's unfair."
Dion stepped closer. "What is it?"
Luoice took a slow breath.
"I can stop time," he said. "…But only for 0.2 seconds."
"Damn," Panther finally whistled with his envious eyes. "That's short—but dangerous."
Eve's eyes narrowed with curiosity. "Can you use it now?"
Luoice hesitated, then nodded. "Alright. Panther, get ready."
They walked away from each other, boots scraping lightly against the stone floor.
The air felt heavier than before.
Panther rolled his shoulders. "Don't hold back."
"I won't," Luoice said quietly.
They faced each other.
"I'm coming," Luoice warned.He ran towards panther at full speed
Panther bent his knees slightly, muscles tense, eyes sharp.
His footsteps echoed as he closed the distance. Panther didn't move at first, watching, waiting for the exact moment.
Panther lunged.
Their movements crossed—
And—
Panther stunned
Dust hung in the air, unmoving.
Panther's body locked mid-stride, one foot barely touching the ground, eyes wide as if he had just realized something was wrong.
Luoice could see everything.
Panther's exposed side.
The shallow opening in his stance.
The heartbeat that no longer sounded.
Luoice stepped calmly to the side.
The frozen world shattered.
Sound rushed back.
Panther felt a sudden emptiness beside him.
His instincts screamed.
He jumped back, barely in control of his body, heart slamming against his chest.
The distance between them widened.
Panther stared at Luoice.
"Oh man…" he muttered, breathing hard. "That's scary."
Luoice exhaled slowly. "It'll be useful."
Dion frowned deeply. "You used it? I didn't see anything."
"It was only 0.2 seconds," Eve said. "But that was enough."
She looked at Panther. "You were completely stunned."
"…That was cool," she added.
Dion let out a tired sigh. "Life really isn't fair."
Panther walked past him, patting his shoulder. "True."
"Let's go outside," Luoice said.
The dungeon exit shimmered into existence. As they stepped through, it vanished without a trace.
Outside, Luoice turned to Eve.
"This is for you."
He placed the wolf's mana core in her hands.
"It'll increase your mana. If you're lucky… it might even unlock healing."
Eve's fingers tightened around it.
"Thank you," she said softly.
As she absorbed it, a faint glow spread across her body, warm and gentle.
"…It feels good."
Panther grinned. "Nothing for me?"
"I gave you a sword."
"But it broke," Panther chuckled.
Luoice said without looking panther. "…Then nothing."
Then everyone burst out laughing.