The Lernaian Alpha emerged from the mist, its hulking form towering over the corpses of lesser beasts.
Its scaled black hide shimmered under the faint glow of the system interface, thick and impenetrable. Its three monstrous heads turned in unison, six glowing red eyes locking onto Joon-ho.
A deep, guttural growl reverberated through the forest.
This wasn't just another prey.
This was a predator.
Most players wouldn't even last a second against it. But Joon-ho wasn't most players.
He tightened his grip on his knife, his breathing slow and controlled. The beast was strong—but not invincible.
He knew its weaknesses.
The Lernaian Alpha
[BOSS MONSTER]Level: 8HP: ???Strength: 20Agility: 12Endurance: 18Abilities:
[Pack Leader] – Can summon nearby Lernaian Hounds.[Unyielding Hide] – Highly resistant to non-magical attacks.[Savage Regeneration] – Restores health over time.
Joon-ho smirked. It really was just as he remembered.
A beast that could outlast and overpower any opponent.
Which meant there was only one way to kill it—fast and efficiently.
The Alpha's middle head snarled, then lunged.
Joon-ho moved.
A Predator's Dance
The earth shattered where Joon-ho had stood, the beast's massive jaws crushing the ground with ease. A second slower, and his body would have been torn apart.
But he was already two steps ahead.
He sidestepped left, then twisted sharply to the right, narrowly avoiding the sweeping claws that followed. His movements were controlled, precise—a hunter, not prey.
The beast was strong, but it wasn't fast.
Joon-ho exploited that.
He darted to its exposed flank, his knife gleaming under the moonlight—then drove it deep into the beast's side.
Shhk!
The blade bit into flesh.
But not deep enough.
[Unyielding Hide has reduced damage.]
Joon-ho clicked his tongue. As expected. The Alpha's natural armor was still too thick. A normal attack wouldn't work.
Then the second head lunged.
Joon-ho ducked—just barely.
The beast's fangs tore through the air, missing his skull by inches. A shockwave of raw force knocked him back, forcing him into a roll to regain balance.
The third head roared, and suddenly—
More howls echoed through the mist.
Joon-ho's eyes flicked to the side. Lernaian Hounds. Dozens of them.
Damn.
The Alpha had activated [Pack Leader.]
Joon-ho exhaled sharply. "So it's going to be like this, huh?"
Fine.
His eyes sharpened.
Then let's make this interesting.
The Turning Point
The first hound lunged.
Joon-ho stepped forward instead of retreating.
His knife flashed. A clean throat cut.
[You have slain a Lernaian Hound.][Blood Predator activated: Restoring health and stamina.]
Joon-ho felt the surge of vitality. His body moved sharper, faster.
Another hound snapped at him. He twisted, slashing across its eye, then driving the knife into its skull.
[You have slain a Lernaian Hound.][+50 EXP]
More monsters charged—but Joon-ho wasn't overwhelmed.
He was thriving.
Kill. Regenerate. Kill. Regenerate.
The hounds dropped one after another. Each kill only made him stronger.
The Alpha realized this.
It roared—an earth-shaking command—and charged.
Joon-ho's blood ran cold.
The beast moved faster than before, its hulking form barreling toward him with terrifying force.
He had seconds to react.
Jump? Dodge? No—too slow.
Then, an idea struck him. Risky. Insane. But it could work.
Instead of running—
Joon-ho ran straight at the Alpha.
The beast's jaws opened to devour him whole.
And that's exactly what he wanted.
The Killing Blow
As the Alpha lunged, Joon-ho dropped to the ground at the last second, sliding beneath its massive body.
Its jaws snapped shut—on nothing.
Perfect.
Joon-ho's knife plunged upward—right into the soft, vulnerable flesh beneath its throat.
SHHK!
A death blow.
The Alpha thrashed violently, its massive frame convulsing.
Black blood gushed over Joon-ho, drenching him, but he held on—twisting the blade deeper, severing its windpipe.
The Alpha let out a final, wheezing growl.
Then, it collapsed.
Silence.
Then, golden text appeared.
[You have slain the Lernaian Alpha.][+500 EXP][You have leveled up!]
Joon-ho exhaled. His entire body was soaked in blood, but his expression remained calm.
He stood up, wiping the blade on his torn shirt.
Then, another notification popped up.
[You have gained a Unique Skill: Alpha's Dominance.][Your presence now exerts pressure over lesser monsters.]
Joon-ho's lips curled into a smirk.
Not bad.
He glanced around. The remaining Lernaian Hounds trembled in place, no longer willing to fight. Their pack leader was dead. And now, they recognized him as the new predator.
Joon-ho turned away. The first night of the Tower was nearly over.
But this was only the beginning.
He cracked his neck, staring up at the sky where the next trial awaited.
He would climb.
And this time, he would break the Tower itself.