CH 171 Tusk

If you haven't noticed yet then let me inform you the Harem chapter is out and I already uploaded the pics so go there and give some likes.

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Today's anime meme is here. [ ]

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When it first opened its eyes in this place, only one order was filling up its mind.

– Hunt down humans!

However, what was the meaning of this pathetic display?

Wasn't a lone human easily hunted down every single member of its tribe? This wasn't supposed to happen. No, such a thing must not happen at all.

The Shaman's eyes reddened even further as it again glanced at the massacre of its subordinates.

'You insect-like b*stard! I'll step on you!!'

If hexes didn't work against the enemy, then all it had to do was to bless itself and fight!

"The song of rage! The song of strengthening! The song of the giants! The song of the fire dragon!"

With the completion of the various spells, the Shaman's body suddenly ballooned up to nearly ten meters tall. Its strength, agility, stamina, and even its confidence increased greatly as well, power filling up every square inch of its frame. He was sure if the man was a magic caster, then he can't be stronger than him, not after he had buffed himself up.

Right away, the Shaman used its gigantic arm to swat away the spears that were in front of him and then took a deep breath.

And then…

"Fuuuu-hoook!!"

When the Shaman spat out its breath, reddish-black flames erupted out of its mouth.

Rumble!

As the ferocious fire attack hurtled directly toward Jin, it seemed that a blazing inferno was about to engulf him. However, just before the searing flames could reach their target, a Disk materialized behind Susanoo and darted in front of Jin. In the blink of an eye, it expanded, its surface transforming from a hollow, inky black into a pristine, mirror-like white.

This extraordinary transformation unfolded in less than a second. The immense black fireball collided with the newly formed white mirror surface, and the expectation of a fiery explosion filled the room. But something entirely different occurred. The white mirror-like surface absorbed the black fireball completely, leaving no trace of its destructive power.

A collective gasp of astonishment swept through the onlookers as they witnessed this inexplicable turn of events. Jin, remaining calm and composed, directed his attention toward the Orc Shaman with a faint smile.

"I don't need it," Jin declared calmly, his eyes locked on the perplexed Orc Shaman, "You can have it."

With a snap of his fingers, the same black-hued fireball that had been absorbed into the white mirror-like surface was launched from it. The Orc Shaman watched in horror as the fireball, now under his control, hurtled toward him.

As if in response to the impending threat, the Orc Shaman unleashed a second wave of flames from its gaping maw. Two fireballs, equal in power and intensity, surged toward each other, colliding in a spectacular display of raw elemental fury.

The moment of impact was nothing short of cataclysmic. Shockwaves radiated outward, rippling through the air with thunderous force, while searing heat waves billowed in all directions. The room quaked as the forces of nature clashed in a breathtaking spectacle of fire and power.

And just when it seemed that all was lost for the Orc Shaman, a twist of fate, akin to an ultimate Uno reverse card, occurred. The black fireball, originally launched by the Orc Shaman, was now on a collision course with its creator. It was a moment that defied all logic, a JoJo-like twist of destiny that left everyone in awe.

As the collision of the two enormous black fireballs resulted in an intricate dance of chaos and energy, each vying for dominance, the room became an inferno of clashing elements. The hunters and monsters present could only watch in sheer awe as the destructive forces canceled each other out.

The Orc Shaman, having expected its attack to deliver a fatal blow, found itself stunned by the unexpected reversal of fortune. The tides had shifted dramatically in favor of Jin, and the Shaman's once-confident demeanor was replaced with disbelief. Yet both attacks had the same power, and they ultimately equalized each other out.

Amid the swirling maelstrom of power and fire died down. "Roarrrrrhhhhhh!!!!" A thunderous roar erupted from the Orc Shaman as it tried to assert dominance, but in this battle of wills and forces, Jin had emerged victorious.

"Do you still find this great Karugalgan funny now?!" the Shaman bellowed defiantly, attempting to regain control of the situation.

The reply came from above, from the unwavering figure of Jin himself.

"Yup," he replied with a nonchalant grin, his unwavering confidence evident.

The Shaman flinched and raised its head, all the while hurriedly trying to chant a defensive spell, but…

But Jin was a lot quicker.

The Orc Shaman's fate was sealed in an instant. Jin's punch landed with such ferocity that the very fabric of reality seemed to tremble as the first time he used one of his skills that he learned a long ago: Dynamic Arts - The power to contort reality through one's physical might alone.

*Boom* *Boom*

*POW!!*

*CRACK!!*

*SNAP!!*

Shockwaves were created from the sheer force of the punch without even collagen or impact.

The Shaman's head smashed down into the ground with bone-crushing force. The floor shattered beneath it, and spiderweb-like cracks rapidly spread out in all directions. The cracks from the sheer force created a crater several meters deep and tens of meters wide.

The rubble around them shot away like a cannon bolt, leaving the poor hunters to fend for their lives. But due to the fact shadows stood before them, they chopped the rubble into microscopic pieces. The sound of bones breaking was deafening, and a sickening *CRUNCH* filled the air as Jin's fist connected with the Shaman's face.

In that moment, the Shaman's skull shattered into a grotesque puzzle of bone fragments. Blood and brain matter sprayed outward in a gruesome display of destruction.

Jin's punch had turned the once-terrifying monster into a lifeless heap of shattered bones and mangled flesh. It was a brutal and visceral reminder of the overwhelming power at Jin's disposal.

In the wake of this shocking display, the room fell into a heavy silence, broken only by the sound of the Shaman's broken body hitting the ground. The other hunters and creatures in the room could only stare in stunned disbelief at the horrifying scene before them.

[You have killed the owner of the dungeon.]

Tab.

When he lightly landed on the ground, feel-good messages began popping up in his view one after the other.

Ding.

[Level up!]

"There you go!"

Jin pumped his fist.

Back when he was fighting using 'Stealth,' he didn't level up. When he killed all these Orcs, didn't level up again but he knew his exp bar was pretty much full and just a good kill would be enough. And just like he expected, after killing the boss just now, he leveled up finally.

Clearing this rank A dungeon netted him one level up, in other words. This was a result well under his expectation. He even felt very grateful towards Foreman Bae for proposing yesterday that they should work together again.

'This is very good.'

With an elated mind, Jin walked closer to the boss. The once-buffed up Shaman's body had reverted back to its original size already.

He saw an egg-sized magic crystal embedded in the dead boss's necklace, but he decided not to get too greedy.

'Earning experience points is good enough. And money I already have lots of.'

Even though I don't have any problems having more but now I don't need to rob someone to just get more. I have many ways to make it more.

This was the Hunters Guild's dungeon, at the end of the day.

If he wanted to get his hands on a magic crystal from a rank A dungeon, he didn't need to enter someone else's dungeon – he'd just buy himself a permit for a dungeon of his own, instead.

No, what Jin was aiming for was something else. And that would be the black smoke beginning to rise up from the boss's corpse.

Jin licked his lips in anticipation, not in any kind of weird way; he had a very hot woman waiting for him at home.

He couldn't help but remember the corpse of Zelos, the one that slipped through his fingers back in the Red Gate.

A week spent inside the Demon's Castle – this was definite proof that the events of those short seven days weren't in vain.

Jin issued a new order at the rising, wavering black steam-like smoke.

"Arias, and manifest!"

At the same time, an ominous wind brushed past his cheeks. He instinctively realized it right away.

A radiant smile bloomed on Jin's face.

Kuwaaaahhh!!

As the soul-tearing scream resounded out, a mage covered in a black robe rose up from the shadow of the dead Shaman.

Jin sensed something was different about this guy, and so he checked the information window.

[?? Lv.1]

Elite Knight grade

'An Elite Knight?'

Previously, Jin was able to confirm that there were three grades to the Shadow Soldiers.

Normal Grade.

Elite Grade.

Veteran Grade: This was something new I didn't know existed.

Knight grade.

Veteran Knight Grade:

Elite Knight Grade:

Veteran Elite Knight Grade:

And then Commander/General.

I knew there were more ranks I didn't know even existed before, but I did gain all the soldiers of these ranks beside the normal rank.

And there are many more ranks yet to appear.

He began to think that, seeing the word 'elite' tacked on to the already-existing grade 'Knight,' this new guy had to be a realm higher than the others. Then 'Veteran' in the military terms would mean an experienced soldier so it makes sense that 'Veteran' is higher than 'Elite' which just means a soldier who is at their peak but doesn't have any experience.

Not a perfect fit for the job but still had a name in the selections. And combining both Veteran Elite just means a soldier who had experience and is in perfect shape. So I won't be shocked if the Commander rank also came with its variants of Commander.

Like

Elite Commander

Veteran Commander

And Elite Veteran Commander

But after those stages, I am as clueless as anybody. Or it could be Grand. I am currently very clueless and won't receive any answers until I encounter a being of that power, kill it, and turn him into a shadow to which I myself had to grow much more than what I am currently now.

'For sure, I can sense that its magic energy is far greater than that of all my soldiers beside the beast known as Typhoon.'

As expected of turning the boss of a rank A dungeon into his Shadow Soldier.

Ding.

[Please set the soldier's name.]

And also as expected, he got another System message telling to name the new guy, now that another Knight-grade Shadow Soldier had appeared.

'A name, is it….'

Well, its face was hidden under the hood of the robe now, but still, High Orcs and lengthy fangs went hand in hand, no?

He didn't need to issue a separate order; just thinking about it meant the new guy's name would be set.

[Tusk: Lv.1]

Elite Knight grade.

Instead of question marks, the new name appeared in the information window.

If the Shaman who remained utterly arrogant right till the moment it died heard this name, the poor guy might have fainted on the spot. But well, who cares? It was already dead, anyway.

With a satisfied grin on his face, Jin recalled his Shadow Soldiers.

He could now store almost 1300 of them. So it wasn't a problem to store all of them and not let them return back to the void.

'This much is more than enough, though.'

He stepped off from the altar with a big smile on his face, but then, several people rushed over to him. They were – Hunters from the raid team, Cha Hae-In, and finally, a group of men wearing matching black business suits.

Jin recognized one of the faces among the black suits, and he knew he was here; his senses told him a long time ago.

'Well, my getaway is here.'

Seeing the expression on Woo Jin-Cheol, he probably had witnessed the Shadow Soldiers in action in full.

"Mister Sung Jin-Woo."

"Sung Jin-Woo, Hunter-nim."

"Mister Porter?!"

Everyone called out to him at the same time, then they took glances at each other.

Well, it was all fine and dandy that he got to fight to his heart's content since he no longer had any reason to hide his powers, but…

Jin looked at all these people surrounding him and scratched the back of his head. He was already getting late for his busy schedule.

"Ding!

As the dust settled and Jinwoo stood amidst the aftermath of his battle, his thoughts were interrupted by a familiar notification. His eyes quickly darted to the message, curiosity piqued. What could this skill level-up bring, now that the battle was over?

**Skill Mana Breathing's level has risen by one.**

Jinwoo's heart quickened with excitement. The notification screen expanded before him, revealing the enhancements brought by this level-up:

**Mana Breathing - Passive(LV. 4):** A skill obtained through continuously focusing on breathing and avoiding distractions. It's an ancient cultivation method from times long past, a foundational technique honed by powerful beasts. Mana Breathing enables the practitioner to harness the energy swirling in the air, and, when mastered, allows for the creation of an internal mana reservoir within the body.

**Mana Breathing Passive(LV. 4): This advanced technique maximizes the inhalation of mana-rich air while regulating the pattern of exhalation. By increasing lung and heart capacity, mental acuity, and precise control over timing, the practitioner can reach peak mastery.

**Skill Effects:**

- **Contemplate Your Inner Self By Calming Your Mind:** Player's mental clarity and focus reached new heights.

- **Mental And Physical Fatigue Recovers Faster:** Recovery times were noticeably improved.

- **Mana Growth Rate Has Slightly Increased:** Player's mana pool was expanding more rapidly.

- **Health Regeneration Has Increased By 2%:** Player's Injuries healed a bit faster.

- **Mana Recovery Speed Has Increased By 12%:** Player's mana rejuvenation was swifter than ever.

- **Meditation Skill Has Efficiency Increased By 20%:** Player's meditation sessions now yielded even greater benefits.

- **Mana Manipulation Efficiency Has Increased By A Lot:** Player's could control mana with incredible precision.

- **Magic Efficiency Has Increased By 8%:** Player's spells became more potent with less effort.

- **Player's Existing Mana Pool Has Increased By 8%:** The well of Player's mana grew deeper.

- **Power Of Magic Attacks Has Amplified By 8%:** Player's magical assaults packed a more devastating punch.

- **Magic Consumption Has Decreased By 8%:** Spells required less mana to cast.

- **Due To The Effects Of Skill Mana Breathing Level Gain Strength Has Increased By 3 Points:** Player's physical power surged and stamina.

- **Due To The Effects Of Skill Mana Breathing Level Gain Constitution Has Increased By 3 Points:** Player's durability and stamina improved significantly.

- **Due To The Effects Of Skill Mana Breathing Level Gain Agility Has Increased By 3 Points:** Player's movements were more agile.

- **Due To The Effects Of Skill Mana Breathing Level Gain Intelligence Has Increased By 3 Points:** Player's intellect sharpened.

- **Due To The Effects Of Skill Mana Breathing Level Gain Sense has increased By 3 Points:** Player's sensory perception heightened.

**At Level 5, Skill Will Evolve Into Total Mana Breathing.**

This cryptic message intrigued Jinwoo. What could Total Mana Breathing offer? The possibilities raced through his mind.

And it could only one just like always he won't require oxygen to live but mana will do.

**At Max Level, The Mana Blood Skill Will Be Unlocked, Turning Player's Blood Into Pure Mana Energy And Drawing Mana From The Life Around The Player Will Gain A Significant Boost. Filling Every Cell In Player's Body With Pure Mana. Player's Very Veins Will Transform Into Rivers Of Pulsating Mana, Coursing Through Player's Being.".**

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Stones??