WebNovels

Chapter 18 - Chapter 18: The Spectro Beasts

Zokaro, his army, and Diaz entered through the Gate of Flames.

Everything was different there — the sky blazed red, the ground scattered with rocks, ruined huts, and strange square buildings completely destroyed.

Zokaro advanced with cautious steps, muttering to himself:

> "All I can do now is stay alert for any incoming attack."

But Diaz was trembling in fear.

Ever since he entered that place, he began to hear a strange voice echoing inside his head:

> "Come to me... If you seek power, come to me... Let us become one."

The voice caused a sharp pain in his head, and he started screaming at the top of his lungs.

Zokaro heard his cries and turned toward him, only to find him on the ground, writhing in agony — as if his consciousness had left his body and drifted elsewhere.

Zokaro rushed to his side, trying to understand what was happening, but Diaz did not respond.

After a few tense moments, his body went still, and his eyes closed — motionless.

Zokaro checked his pulse and breathing. Everything seemed fine.

He removed Diaz's pack and handed it to one of the soldiers, then lifted him onto his back.

General Haidar stepped forward and said:

> "Sir… let one of the soldiers carry him."

Zokaro glared at him sharply:

> "No. I'll carry him myself. I'm the one who brought him here. I'm older than he is — it's my duty to look after him."

Zokaro continued walking through the area, chuckling softly to himself as memories came rushing back —

his childhood in the orphanage, when an older boy always took care of him.

They had treated each other like brothers, and the thought warmed his heart for a brief moment.

But as he was lost in his memories, he suddenly heard the screams of women coming from the right, beyond the shattered buildings.

Zokaro sprinted toward the sound, his army following close behind.

System – Ratio

Alert:

Two Spectro Beasts detected.

Each beast's power level: 6500.

Their attacks are extremely powerful!

Warning:

They possess the "Cutting Claw" ability — a very fast strike!

But Zokaro didn't notice the system's warning.

He thought to himself:

> "I must hurry... If those screams came from humans, they might be Kevin's parents. They're in danger!"

He charged forward without hesitation.

Moments later, he arrived at the scene and saw two Spectro Beasts — monstrous, hound-like creatures with transparent bodies, eyes glowing blood-red, and massive, menacing forms.

One of the beasts turned toward Zokaro and his soldiers and released a deafening roar that made the ground tremble.

As it advanced, Zokaro spotted two women and a wounded man leaning against the debris of a building.

He took a step back — still carrying Diaz — but before the beast could attack again, General Haidar dashed forward in a flash of light and sliced the creature into pieces with a single strike.

Haidar's combat aura flared brilliantly; every move he made sent waves of energy through the air.

The second beast froze in terror before retreating and fleeing into the distance.

Zokaro approached the two women and the wounded man, gently laying Diaz on the ground.

He then used his ability, Absolute Healing, to treat the injured man.

The women looked at him in shock.

One of them asked nervously:

> "Are you... a hunter?"

Zokaro smiled calmly, his expression radiating reassurance:

> "Yes, I'm a battle hunter... but may I ask — do you know Kevin?"

The second woman gasped in fear:

> "My son! What happened to my son?! Did something happen to him?!"

Zokaro reassured her:

> "Don't worry... I came here to get you out. What are your names? Is this man Kevin's father?"

The woman replied:

> "My name is Serta, this wounded man is my husband Bashta, and this is my friend Sorna.

We've been trapped here for more than a week."

Zokaro froze, thinking to himself:

> "A week? Impossible... Wait — how did those two make it out, then? Could there be a hidden exit?"

He asked her:

> "Miss Serta... do you know the two hunters who were with you? They already got out."

Serta and Sorna's eyes widened in terror.

Then, the wounded man grabbed Zokaro's hand and spoke hoarsely:

> "Our friends are dead... Those who got out aren't human — they're shapeshifted beasts!

Please, tell me — how many of them left?"

Zokaro froze again, feeling the world spin around him:

> "Impossible... around four or five of them made it out — I don't remember exactly.

But if they're monsters... that means everyone outside is in danger!"

Serta collapsed to her knees, tears streaming silently down her face.

For the first time, Zokaro felt completely helpless — bound by fear and uncertainty.

Then, suddenly, Diaz opened his eyes.

But something was different — his expression was cold, and his eyes glowed faintly with a strange light.

He said in a flat tone:

> "Zokaro... we must move forward. We need to kill the king — only then can we save everyone."

Zokaro turned toward him in surprise:

> "You're awake! Has the pain in your head eased?

But... why do you look so pale? Where's your smile?"

Diaz replied:

"Don't worry, I'm fine. Let's move on."

Zokaro stood firmly on both feet and said,

"Alright, let's move forward… we need to get out of here."

But Diaz walked behind them, quietly observing every move they made.

In the midst of deep darkness, he heard a strange voice whispering:

> "Move forward, Diaz… for your family. Don't care about friendship. Seek power—even if it means sacrificing your friend."

Diaz trembled within that darkness.

> "But you promised me—you said you'd never hurt Zokaro… you said you'd keep your word!"

The mysterious voice replied coldly from beyond the shadows:

> "Yes, I did promise you. Bring me those three humans, and your friend will withdraw safely. No one will be harmed.

And drink the energy potion—once you do, you'll become incredibly strong."

Diaz's gaze lingered on Zokaro, following his every movement slowly and carefully.

Then, without warning, the ground began to shake—

but it wasn't an earthquake.

It was a swarm of Spectro Beasts charging straight toward them.

Zokaro drew the Warrior's Blade, gripping it tightly in both hands.

System – Ratio

Alert:

A swarm of Spectro Beasts detected.

Count: Approximately 74

Power level (each): 6,500

Spectro Leader: Power level 12,000

Warning:

Recommended action — Escape (89% success rate).

If the victory rate isn't 100%, the system considers it a lethal threat.

Zokaro smiled faintly and said,

> "General Haidar, prepare yourself!

Soldiers, form ranks and protect your comrades!"

But then a dark, echoing voice filled the air:

> "Kill the humans… bring me the human Diaz…"

The words repeated over and over, echoing through the red mist.

Zokaro gritted his teeth and asked,

> "Do you hear that too?"

Serta answered, trembling:

> "Yes… does this mean we're going to die here?"

Dark smoke ignited around Zokaro like black fire.

Both Serta, Bashta, and Surna felt a strange, overwhelming energy radiating from him.

They couldn't sense its depth—but their hands were trembling uncontrollably.

Meanwhile, Diaz stood frozen in fear as the voice screamed again inside his head:

> "Hurry, Diaz! That man is not human—he's one of the Lords!

Once his power is complete… he'll destroy this entire world!"

Diaz didn't fully understand what the voice meant,

but fear consumed him.

He didn't know why he obeyed its every command—only that he couldn't resist.

Moments later, the Spectro Beasts lined up before them.

Their leader, towering nearly twenty meters high, stepped forward and spoke in a deep, guttural tone:

> "Listen, human… hand over those three and the one beside you.

Do that, and I'll let you leave alive. Isn't that what you want?"

Zokaro began to laugh—loud, wild, and almost insane.

The Spectro Leader watched him in confusion, not understanding why a human would laugh in the face of death.

But beneath that laughter, he could feel something else—

a surge of energy building inside the black mist behind Zokaro, burning and hungry for destruction.

The massive creature shuddered for a moment but then roared:

> "Insolent human… I'll crush you!"

Zokaro's eyes flared with a dark-blue aura, emotionless and cold.

> "Show me what you've got… filthy beast.

I don't even know if your kind is edible—but if you were, I'd have cooked you already.

You disgusting animals… pigs in monstrous form."

The Spectro Leader raised his enormous arm toward Zokaro—

but before he could strike, General Haidar stepped in front of him.

> "How dare you raise your hand against my commander!"

Haidar's aura blazed with immense power.

The ground cracked beneath him, stones lifted into the air, and the force of his energy pushed the Spectro Leader back several steps.

Then, with a roar, the giant beast lunged forward—its claws slicing the air—

but Haidar blocked every blow with incredible speed, his sword flashing in perfect defense.

Each strike from the monster unleashed a gale that shattered the ground around them.

Serta, Surna, and Bashta stood in awe.

Serta whispered:

> "I can't believe this… someone of rank E like us, witnessing a battle like that—it's beyond anything we've ever seen."

Bashta added, astonished:

> "I never imagined the High Guild would answer our call and send such a strong hunter. Who are you, sir?"

Zokaro glanced at him with cold, piercing eyes:

> "The High Guild didn't send me.

I came because I saw your son waiting for you.

I don't want him to grow up an orphan…

so listen carefully — everything you see from this moment on, forget it once you leave.

I'm not who you think I am.

I'm multi-talented… powerful… and still growing stronger."

Then Zokaro dashed forward at incredible speed:

> "General Haidar, fall back! I'll take it from here!"

The Spectro Leader turned toward him and swung his massive claw,

but Zokaro leapt high, landing on the beast's arm.

With a swift spin, he slashed downward, severing the monster's hand clean off!

The Spectro Leader staggered back in pain.

Zokaro crouched low, preparing to strike again —

the ground beneath him cracking from the sheer pressure of his aura.

The beast tried to attack with its other hand, but Zokaro's speed was unmatched.

He leaped high into the air and performed a swift, powerful somersault, generating a dark mist aura that formed into slicing winds.

In a flash, he severed the beast's head from its body.

The beast collapsed before Zokaro, who immediately turned his gaze to the other Spectro Beasts.

They screamed and charged toward them with savage brutality.

General Haidar advanced slowly and stood in front of the beasts, while Zokaro moved alongside him.

Moments later, the exchange of attacks began.

The speed of both Zokaro and General Haidar far exceeded that of the Spectro Beasts, as they continually struck with lightning-fast, unpredictable attacks.

The beasts were powerless against them.

They weaved and dodged every strike, and with each blow, Zokaro and the General parried and countered with multiple attacks.

The battle raged on, yet Zokaro struggled against the sheer number of enemies, especially with the soldiers unable to intervene to provide protection or support.

At this moment, everything depended on General Haidar.

Surna's eyes widened as she followed their rapid movements:

> "I can't believe it… Who is this person? He has the speed of an assassin, summoning magic, and healing abilities… Where does he get these powers? He must be legendary! Could there really be a legendary hunter in our land?"

Bashta was astonished and said:

> "No… there isn't. But if he were truly legendary, he wouldn't struggle even against this swarm. I've heard that if a single legendary hunter were here, he could destroy this entire place alone."

With a calm gaze, Serta added:

> "But if this person can defeat this dome by himself… doesn't that make him like a legend? Even the High Guild needed the cooperation of the two most famous and powerful guilds in the country to take down this dome."

Diaz smiled slyly and said sarcastically:

> "Fools… no one can save you, no matter how much you wish for it."

Everyone was shocked by his words, his strange gaze, and his enigmatic smile.

But Diaz stepped back slightly, keeping his eyes fixed on Zokaro.

After a fierce battle, Zokaro finally defeated all the Spectro Beasts.

He was breathing heavily, the fight having nearly drained all his strength.

Turning to the armies, he said:

> "I should strengthen them if I want to continue down this difficult path… I can feel a tremendous power awakening within me, greater than any force I've ever sensed from these beasts before… Could there really be a monster with all this power? I can't believe it."

System – Ratio

Congratulations! You have earned 75,000 points and gained 10% of the power of each beast.

Total added power level: 48,759

Main Page – System Ratio

Warrior Name: Zokaro

Power Level: 68,274

Available Upgrades:

Speed: Lv12

Strength: Lv12

Attack: Lv12

Body: Lv12

Special Skills: None; you need to level up further.

System – Ratio

Points Earned: 75,000

Health Energy: 100%

Rewards:

Enhance General Haidar's Power: Lv100

Power Level: 50,000

Upgrade Cost: 800 points

Enhance 100 Soldiers' Power: Lv110

Power Level per Soldier: 1,650

Upgrade Cost: 1,500 points

Zokaro knew he had reached a high level of power enhancement, but to strengthen them further, he needed more points.

He thought to himself:

> "Damn… I need to find a way. If I face more beasts and defeat them, increasing my own level… I will grow stronger and stronger with my army.

But first, I must improve the General's power, so he reaches an even higher level."

Points Earned: 0

Health Energy: 100%

Rewards:

Enhance General Haidar's Power: Lv195

Power Level: 94,000

Upgrade Cost: 800 points

Enhance 100 Soldiers' Power: Lv110

Power Level per Soldier: 1,650

Upgrade Cost: 1,500 points

Zokaro smiled and said to himself:

> "Good… the General's power is now higher.

But the soldiers are still weaker. I need to upgrade them as well.

I must earn more points to raise my own level further."

In a distant place, a voice echoed through the area:

> "Awaken, my followers… eliminate that human! Kill him and bring me his head!"

Silent screams could be heard from the darkness.

A greater danger was igniting in the place…

Would Zokaro be able to finish this Dome Prison?

More Chapters