Even if Tiger Hunt had successfully advanced to the Class-rank, soloing a Class-rank magical beast should have been an uphill battle. The inherent gap in physical attributes between humans and monsters was a law of nature.

  Yet, Tiger Hunt was systematically dismantling that law.

  "Hah—! The Manager’s pills are the real deal," Tiger Hunt panted slightly, though his movements only grew faster.

  Before he had even revealed himself, he had already swallowed a Lesser Strength Pill and a Lesser Speed Pill. Without them, even with the Berserker Greatsword’s massive attack power, his base stats wouldn't have been enough to keep up with the Crag-Smasher Ape’s agility. He certainly wouldn't have been able to suppress it so decisively.

  "I have enough power now," Tiger Hunt thought, taking a deep breath.

  The main reason he had been wandering the forest so late was to familiarize himself with the greatsword’s passive skill. The effect of [Rising Fury] didn't provide a visible counter; it was something the wielder had to "feel" as the stack increased. Now that he had found his rhythm, he was beginning to fall in love with this wicked blade.

  The Brave Mark flared on the back of Tiger Hunt’s hand, its energy coiling around the length of the greatsword like a serpent.

  "Brave-rank Skill: Heavy Cleave!"

  This skill empowered his next strike, focusing all his kinetic energy into a single, devastating rupture.

  FLASH—!

  The Berserker Greatsword, radiating the power of the Brave Mark and bolstered by the maxed-out stacks of Rising Fury, collided with the ape’s fist. To the horror and amazement of the Blood Wolf Squad, the blade didn't just stop the punch—it sheared through the iron-like fist, splitting the ape's arm clean in two.

  A fountain of dark blood erupted.

  Without missing a beat, Tiger Hunt followed through with a fluid rotation, his blade carving into the beast’s chest to flick out its Monster Core. His movements were still a bit stiff—it was clear he hadn't quite mastered the art of "harvesting" yet—but the result was undeniable.

  "Another core for the pile. At this rate, I'll have that greataxe in no time," Tiger Hunt muttered to himself, tucking the crystal into his vest.

  The members of the Blood Wolf Squad stood paralyzed. The Class-rank nightmare that had almost wiped them out... was dead? Just like that? Was this even the same beast they had been fighting?

  "T-Tiger Hunt... did you pass the Class-rank trial recently?" Blood Wolf stammered, dragging his battered body toward his old friend.

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  "Of course not," Tiger Hunt replied. He was never one to hide his true level.

  "Then how... how did you..." Blood Wolf pointed a trembling finger at the bisected remains of the ape, unable to find the words.

  "Oh, this? It’s mostly because I got a new weapon," Tiger Hunt laughed, as casual as if he were discussing the weather.

  "A weapon?" Blood Wolf couldn't wrap his head around it. How could a piece of steel bridge such a massive power gap?

  "And the pills, of course. The 'Black-Hearted' Manager’s prices are steep, but the results are world-class," Tiger Hunt added, nodding.

  "Pills?" Blood Wolf was becoming more confused by the second.

  "Yeah, pills." After securing his loot, Tiger Hunt looked at his friend’s pale face and frowned. "By the way, that internal injury of yours looks nasty."

  "Just our luck, I suppose. A strength-type like the Crag-Smasher is the hard counter to my squad's style," Blood Wolf said with a bitter smile. Even with high-grade healing potions, an injury this severe would take at least ten days to recover from. "Hah... well, I guess I'm due for a vacation."

  "Actually, about that..." Tiger Hunt produced a small ceramic bottle. "Try this. You'll understand what I mean by 'pills' once you use it."

  "What is this?" Blood Wolf took the bottle skeptically.

  "A Healing Pill. For... well, healing."

  "Healing? Tiger Hunt, have you been scammed? We use potions for healing, not... whatever these little pebbles are," Blood Wolf teased. Despite the joke, he trusted the man. He popped the pill into his mouth and swallowed.

  Instantly, a warm, soothing current flooded his meridians, racing to the sites of his internal trauma. In just a few breaths, the injuries that were severe enough to block his Battle Qi circulation were completely repaired.

  "The... Healing Pill?"

  Blood Wolf’s hand began to shake as he looked at the empty bottle. What kind of miracle drug was this? This level of efficacy was something only the legendary "Great Alchemists" of the Ancient Era were rumored to be able to brew. He couldn't even begin to imagine how much such a treasure would cost.

  "That's the one," Tiger Hunt confirmed with a grin.

  "To give me such a priceless treasure... Tiger Hunt, you have my word. If you ever need anything, the Blood Wolf Squad will be there for you without question," Blood Wolf said solemnly, clutching the bottle as if it were made of glass.

  "Priceless? Nah. The 'Black-Hearted' Manager has a whole shelf of them back at the shop," Tiger Hunt replied, looking genuinely confused by his friend's intensity. He spoke as if he were talking about buying bread at a bakery.

  "A whole shelf?!" Blood Wolf was stunned. Has the world gone mad? A miracle drug like this, mass-produced? To mercenaries who lived on the edge of a blade, these were literal life-savers.

  "Yep. His shop is right in Cloud Mist City. Everything I’m using came from there." Tiger Hunt went on to describe the effects of the other pills.

  "So you're saying... you were only that strong because you took a Strength Pill and a Speed Pill?" Blood Wolf pinched himself hard, hoping to wake up from this dream.

  "Pretty much." Tiger Hunt released his aura—Level 36.

  He was actually one level lower than Blood Wolf. Yet, with those pills and that sword, he had soloed a Class-rank beast.

  The rest of the squad watched in a daze. Was the only thing separating them from true power... a couple of pills?

  Meanwhile, on the other side of the forest, Kael continued his trek in the direction Iron Bear had pointed out.

  "I've walked so far... where are the good materials?" Kael muttered, tossing the Omni-Sphere up and down idly.

  He had seen a few monsters along the way, but none of them were worthy of being "Quest Materials." Since his first kill had been a Wolf King, he felt the rest of the ingredients needed to be at least of that caliber.

  "Wait... there's movement ahead."

  Kael’s footsteps halted abruptly. He sensed a surge of energy—this beast was at least Level 40. He quickly ducked into the shadows, concealing his presence.