Samuel's POV.
The sun was dipping low on the horizon, casting a golden hue over the wildlands. I walked in silence, my boots crunching against dry earth and ancient stones. The words of the Seer still echoed in my mind:
"You are not bound by fate… you are the void."
Tch. I wasn't here to become a god. I was here to rise. To claim what was denied to me in every life before.
As I passed through the outskirts of a small beast-hamlet, the townsfolk stopped and turned. Despite their human forms—some with subtle beastly features like slitted eyes or clawed fingers—they instinctively stepped back. Their instincts screamed caution. Fear.
An elderly beast woman holding a basket gave a low bow.
"You… you are the one the wind spoke of. The outsider from the Eastern Gate."
I nodded. "Just passing through. Not looking for trouble."
Her eyes darted to the dark gauntlets on my arms—Warden's Gauntlets, still humming with residual energy from the last fight.
"We feel your power. It rolls off you like thunder. Trouble follows men like you… or ends with them."
She wasn't wrong.
Further ahead, a child beastling with fox ears peeked out from behind a stall. Her voice was soft. "Mister… are you the monster they said came from the sky?"
I crouched down, giving her a half-smile. "Monster? Nah. Maybe a nightmare with good manners."
She giggled, though her mother quickly pulled her away.
"Don't talk to him. He's not one of us."
Their fear wasn't personal. It was primal. They could sense it.
The Void.
The Destruction.
The King without a Crown.
---
[System Notice: Side Quest Progression Unlocked]
→ You have made a strong impression. Citizens of the Land of Beasts now acknowledge your presence.
Reputation increased: +35
Quest Progress: 1/3 requirements met.
---
I kept walking. I had no intention of staying long. The name Sirka had been mentioned in old tales—A colossal, ancient beast known as the "Titan of the Valley." The kind of creature only someone with the title Titan Slayer should even dream of facing.
"Heh… Let's see how much my fists can shake the heavens."
Suddenly, a powerful pressure descended across the valley. The wind stopped. The birds silenced. The sky itself seemed to hold its breath.
I looked up.
From miles away… a massive roar echoed across the land.
ROOOOOAAAAARRRRR—!!
The ground quaked slightly beneath my feet.
Looks like Sirka just sensed my arrival.
I cracked my neck and grinned.
"Alright then, big guy. Let's dance."
[Southern Wastes – Titan's Hollow]
Samuel's POV
The ground rumbled beneath me. Cracks spread across the valley floor as a massive shadow loomed in the distance. The trees snapped, birds fled, and silence fell like a death sentence.
Sirka had arrived.
A beast taller than towers, his body was layered with obsidian-scale armor, jagged spikes protruding from his spine like mountain ridges. Eyes like burning suns locked onto me, and with one thunderous roar, the sky itself cracked.
[Warning: You have entered a Raid-Level Boss Zone – Sirka, Titan of the Valley.]
Level: ???
Danger Class: Catastrophic
"You're… bigger than I expected." I muttered, cracking my knuckles, the Warden's Gauntlets surging with suppressed power.
Sirka charged.
The ground exploded beneath his steps.
I barely moved in time—Phantom Step!
SWOOSH—! I blinked across space, reappearing behind him and activating Dragon Fang Fist—my gauntlets gleamed crimson, dragonic force bursting from my arms.
BAM!
I struck his knee joint. A shockwave followed—but Sirka barely flinched.
"Tch…" His skin was like steel.
Sirka spun, his tail the size of a fallen tree slamming toward me—
BOOOOM!!
I flew like a ragdoll, crashing through boulders.
HP: 78,300/110,000
Blood trickled down my lips. "So that's how we're playing…"
I activated Fury Overdrive.
Red veins of energy surged across my body. My muscles tensed, strength tripled as I blurred forward, chaining blows with Crimson Burst—
explosions detonated with each punch as I unleashed a barrage straight into Sirka's gut.
BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM!
He roared in pain, staggering—finally.
I jumped, flipping mid-air—Heaven's Execution!!
A downward strike with everything I had.
It cracked one of his shoulder plates.
But Sirka responded.
ROAAAAARRR—!!
A storm of primal energy burst from his chest—Wild Beast's Cry—
I was blasted backward, my skin sizzling.
HP: 43,100/110,000
"Shit… he's tough."
But I wasn't done.
Abyssal Flame.
Conjuring the cursed fire born from Oblivion itself. Black and purple flame spiraled into a vortex and hurled toward him—
FOOOOOOM—!!
It burned. For the first time, Sirka howled like prey.
His scales charred. He stumbled.
That's when I activated it.
Harbinger's Awakening.
My heart slowed. Time froze.
A crimson aura exploded from me, doubling my stats.
[Temporary Buff: All Stats +100%. Duration: 30 seconds]
I surged forward like death itself.
Phantom Step.
Dragon Fang Fist.
Crimson Burst.
Fury Overdrive.
Heaven's Execution.
One after another. Strike after strike.
I broke his legs.
Shattered his armor.
Slammed his jaw with my burning fists until his roars became whimpers.
Then I drove my fist into his core—my mana bursting out in a final blow.
"VOID SPEAR!"
From inside him.
The spear erupted—tearing through his chest like a divine lance.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
Sirka collapsed, trembling… then stopped moving.
---
[System Alert: Sirka, Titan of the Valley – DEFEATED.]
+2 Levels Gained.
Predator's Instinct has evolved into Primeval Hunter's Sense (New effect unlocked).
Beast Land Reputation: Greatly Increased.
---
I stood over the fallen beast, breath ragged, blood dripping, and mana nearly spent.
But I smiled.
"Still breathing. That's what matters."
The valley was silent.
But above me, somewhere beyond the mountains—I felt it.
Owen Yates had sensed my power.
And the next storm was already on its way.