Chapter 27: The Hunt of a Future Monarch
After understanding the true meaning of Territory, Lee Hwan didn't waste another second. He quietly left the 9th Floor's city and entered the wild zones that lay hidden in its outskirts—places even most rankers avoided due to how unstable and monster-infested they were.
There were no alliances now. No council. No backup.
Just Lee.
And the monsters.
Within an hour, dozens of creatures—each over level 160—were reduced to ashes. Lee didn't stop. His sword danced, his flame burst tore the sky, and the aura of dragons wrapped around his entire body like a cloak of destruction.
By the time the sun set in the artificial sky of the Tower, a system notification echoed in his ears:
[Ding! Level Up! You have reached Level 182!]
[Dragon Devourer Effect Triggered – Absorbing Stats...]
[Strength +12 | Speed +8 | Mana +15 | Dexterity +7 | Stamina +9]
His stats now stood towering above most rankers:
Strength: 256
Speed: 234
Stamina: 211
Mana: 2780
Dexterity: 212
He could now lift boulders with one hand. Cross vast terrain in seconds. Endure enemy barrages like a fortress. Cast destruction spells repeatedly. And strike with surgical precision.
He wasn't just getting stronger.
He was becoming something more.
Something that could shake the entire Tower.
Lee glanced at his hands, flames quietly dancing across his knuckles.
"Not yet... but I'm close."