Chapter 32: Ten Falls Before the Monarch
Lee Hwan stood at the foot of a towering mountain range, his aura pulsing like a storm trapped in a human shell. He clenched his fist—no sword, no skill—just raw, condensed strength.
With a calm exhale, he thrust his fist forward.
BOOOOM!
The mountain didn't just crumble—it disintegrated, the force rippling beyond into the forests, valleys, and even shattering a line of cliffs in the far distance. Dust rose like a dying breath of the land itself.
"That was just a warm-up," Lee muttered.
He turned, his eyes now glowing with the faint hue of the True Dragon Eyes. The battlefield had shifted. He no longer had to hunt monsters—he had to hunt Rankers.
And so, the slaughter began.
The first Ranker, a wielder of lightning, tried to strike from the sky.
Lee grabbed the bolt mid-air and crushed it in his hand.
1st Down.
The second used illusions. Lee didn't need sight—he used aura sense and split the Ranker in two.
2nd Down.
The third and fourth came together—twins known for devastating combo attacks.
Lee used Dragon Devourer, summoned a twin-headed dragon, and let it feast.
3rd and 4th Down.
The fifth tried to flee.
"Cowards don't belong on my floor," Lee whispered and launched a Flame Burst Arrow—piercing his heart before he took three steps.
5th Down.
The sixth came with a greatsword, nearly as tall as a building.
Lee didn't move.
His aura struck first, slicing the man apart like paper.
6th Down.
The seventh begged for mercy.
Lee stared coldly.
"You joined this floor knowing the rules."
A punch later, silence.
7th Down.
The eighth and ninth teamed up, using terrain traps and magic shields.
Lee didn't dodge—he walked through everything and unleashed Dragon Aura Explosion.
They never even screamed.
8th and 9th Down.
And then… the tenth.
The last Ranker before the Flame Monarch's vessel.
A woman cloaked in fire stood before him.
"You've done well, Lee Hwan. But I'm not like the others."
Lee cracked his neck.
"Then you'll fall last."