Leveling Up Alone

Chapter 326 – Laboratory of Blood (4)

Pshhhhh!

The door might have been made out of tough materials, but it was not strong enough to withstand Mavros’ Poison Breath.

‘Oh, I just noticed that both Mavros and Tia possess poison attributes.’ Han-Yeol found it quite a strange coincidence but decided to ignore it.

Mavros finally finished melting the door down.

“Let’s go.”

“Kyuu!”

“Okay~”

The basement beyond the door was not wide enough for Mavros to enter in his combat mode, so he had to shrink back to his cute size.

Yulia was situated on the fourth basement floor, while Han-Yeol was currently descending from the second to the third basement floor.

Most buildings would have prioritized convenience in their designs, with stairs connecting each floor typically centralized. However, this laboratory prioritized security above all else. Hence, the stairs were dispersed across the floors, requiring Han-Yeol to navigate through several security areas just to reach the next set of stairs going down.

Ratatatata!

Along the way, Han-Yeol and the others encountered numerous unmanned defense systems.

Ziiing…!

[Intruder Alert]

[Annihilate Intruder]

Ratatatata!

The laboratory complex stood as the most advanced state-of-the-art science facility globally. It boasted not only numerous unmanned defense systems but also pioneering unmanned defense robots, a technology far ahead of its time.

Han-Yeol and his party now found themselves confronting these advanced unmanned defense robots.

“Omo~ Are these robots? They’re so cute!” Tia exclaimed while slightly blushing.

“Sigh… You sure have a weird taste…” Han-Yeol grumbled while shaking his head.

“Omo~ Are you jealous of those cuties right now, master?”

“You wish!”

“Ah~ Master’s attention is all I need in this world~”

Kwachik!

While leisurely chatting, effortlessly plowing through the robots, Han-Yeol couldn't shake off a troubling feeling.

'Why does the defense system keep activating against me?'

It seemed odd that the defense systems on the first, second, and third floors were operational. Logically, if the system was active on the third floor, it should have been deactivated on the lower floors.

'I encountered the Smiths on the third floor!'

However, the biggest mystery remained...

'Why are there no traces of battle on the robots or anywhere?'

Not a single part of the robots littered the floor, suggesting no altercation had occurred in the basement.

'This is strange... Too strange...' He sensed something fishy, as if nothing aligned correctly, leaving this entire scenario as an unsolved riddle.

A theory flashed in his mind that would explain everything if correct. However, being right didn't mean the absence of problems.

'It’s too scary if it is what I think it is…'

Understanding would bring clarity, but it also hinted at worsening circumstances. Han-Yeol hoped fervently that his theory was wrong this time.

It was then.

“Master.”

“Hmm?”

“Up ahead,” Tia said as she pointed forward.

Electricity coursed through the laboratory complex, yet none of the lights were operational. Han-Yeol found this odd as well, but chose to set it aside for the moment since he couldn't conjure an explanation.

For the time being, he relied on his Light skill to illuminate his surroundings, complemented by Demon Eyes to peer into the areas beyond his immediate reach.

Activating his Demon Eyes, Han-Yeol peered ahead.

‘Hmm? What’s that?’

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

A large person was running toward him at a fast pace.

‘What the hell is it this time?’ Han-Yeol wondered.

Karvis responded to his question, [It is not possible to analyze it as it is a completely new creature.]

‘What? It’s not human?’

[Yes, Han-Yeol-nim.]

‘…We’re still on Earth, right?’

[Yes… I think so…]

‘Ugh…’

Han-Yeol sensed he might be dealing with migraines from now on.

The unidentified creature rushed toward him at high speed.

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

“Grwaaaah!”

‘Seriously… What the hell is this?’ Han-Yeol stood in utter disbelief as the creature charged toward him.

Initially, its silhouette resembled that of a human, as observed through Demon Eyes. Yet, as it drew closer, Han-Yeol realized it bore no resemblance to any normal human being. If it bore any resemblance to humanity, it might have been akin to the barbarians from tales or legends, but even that comparison seemed stretched.

The creature stood three to four meters tall, with dark gray skin, razor-sharp nails, and ribs jutting sharply from its body, resembling potential weapons. Yet, the most grotesque aspect was its overly bulked muscles, which exaggerated its size to at least twice its original height.

‘Oh right, Karvis.’

[Yes, Han-Yeol-nim?]

‘If you can't analyze it, then it likely means someone created that thing rather than it occurring naturally, right?’

Karvis exclaimed at Han-Yeol's question, [That sounds like the perfect way to put it. Your Analytic Eyes can fully analyze anything born from nature.]

‘Damn it!’ Han-Yeol couldn't shake the feeling that things were spiraling further away from reality. ‘Not a single day goes by without something happening!’

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

"Grwaaaaah!"

Han-Yeol finally came face to face with the large creature. It was much more tumultuous in person compared to the silent Smiths.

‘I really have no idea what's going on…’

Han-Yeol observed the approaching creature, noticing another strange aspect. ‘It's at least a Master Rank Hunter?’

The creature emitted mana, not as potent as Kim Tae-San or Tayarana, but undoubtedly in the realm of a Master Rank Hunter. Its physical strength likely surpassed most at that rank; even Han-Yeol could die from a single blow.

‘Just what on Earth is happening here…?’

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Amidst myriad thoughts, the priority was to eliminate the 'creature' aiming to kill him.

Kwachik!

However, another surprising development unfolded.

‘What the hell? It's not on the same team?’

Han-Yeol was astonished as the creature smashed through the unmoved Smiths obstructing its path. The Smiths, devoid of emotions, remained in its trajectory.

Tia narrowed her eyes, observing the approaching creature. "Hmm… I'll leave this one to you, master~"

“Kyu!”

Even Mavros chimed in as if to say 'Me too!' and flew to the back alongside Tia.

"What?! You too, Mavros?!" Han-Yeol exclaimed, feeling betrayed.

Was this akin to how the Last Emperor of Rome, Julius Caesar, felt when he was betrayed? Han-Yeol experienced a deep hurt seeing his most trusted monster pet abandon him.

“Good luck, master~ Hoho~”

“Damn it!”

Chwaaak!

Han-Yeol conjured his chain, a weapon seldom used until now. He reserved it for encounters with powerful foes, and this creature certainly appeared potent enough to warrant its use.

“Grwaaaah!”

The creature unleashed a torrent of mana waves, charging recklessly at Han-Yeol. It showed no inclination for defense, focusing solely on attacking him with full force.

‘You dare?!’ Han-Yeol confronted the creature head-on, wielding his chain and Thousand Armed Bodhisattva Sword.

Baaam!

A powerful shockwave reverberated as the creature's fist clashed with Han-Yeol's chain and sword.

Whoosh!

“Omo~ Hold on tight, Mavros~”

“Kyu~”

Mavros held onto Tia’s neck as he was currently in his mini-size.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Meanwhile, the Smiths were shoved against the wall after the shockwave pushed them back.

‘Damn it…! Why is this guy so strong?!’

Their initial clash appeared like a draw, yet Han-Yeol struggled against the creature. His arms felt on the verge of snapping at any moment, and the creature's strength surpassed what he had witnessed through Demon Eyes.

It seemed the creature possessed a skill amplifying its strength, leading Han-Yeol to unilaterally lose the strength contest. This marked the first instance he'd lost despite consistently investing his stat points in strength.

However, the creature didn't seem content with its 'minor victory.'

“Grwaaaah!”

It sought dominance and unleashed a barrage of attacks at Han-Yeol, a type only satisfied by overpowering its foe.

Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!

“Keuk…!”

The creature attacked once more, exhibiting reckless abandon. Each punch it threw carried an immense amount of mana, coupled with incredible speed, making it challenging for any opponent to find an opening for retaliation. This approach led the creature to forgo defense.

However, that strategy assumed it faced an ordinary Hunter. Han-Yeol was different.

Whoosh!

The creature drew back its fist, preparing to strike with all its might to end Han-Yeol's life, but...

Heh.

‘I was waiting for this!’ Han-Yeol smirked and thought.

‘Hard Counter!’

Harkan’s trademark skill, which had felled numerous opponents!

Han-Yeol discerned the trajectory of the creature’s attack, thanks to this skill.

‘This is it!’

Tak!

Han-Yeol leaped to evade the punch and swung his Thousand Armed Bodhisattva Sword.

‘This is the end!’

He harbored no intentions of prolonging the fight, driven by the urgency to descend to the lowest basement level and locate Yulia.

‘Just what on Earth is going on?’ he yearned to ask her once they reunited.

Han-Yeol wished to employ an offensive skill at this moment, but linking Hard Counter with another skill was impossible. Consequently, all he could do was tightly grip his sword and swing it with all his might.

But…

Thud!

‘Huh? What's that sound?’ he wondered upon hearing it.

He was certain he swung his sword, not the hammer attached to his chain.

‘It should sound like 'sukeok,' not 'thud!' What the hell?!’

But the sound wasn't the only shock. His Thousand Armed Bodhisattva Sword failed to cut through the creature's skin.

“What in the…?” Han-Yeol muttered in disbelief.

Pukeok!

“Argh!”

Unfortunately, he was snapped back to reality almost instantaneously, getting swatted down like a mosquito by the creature.

The creature's attack was so swift that even Sixth Sense didn't have time to react to it. Bam! Han-Yeol crashed into the wall, scattering bits of cement on the ground.

Bam! Bam!

The creature, confident in its victory, pounded its chest like a gorilla and roared, “Gwuoooh!”

"Omo~ Master got hit~ Hehe~" Tia leisurely remarked with a laugh.

Was she finally betraying him? No, that wasn't the case at all. Tia might be challenging to control at times, but she wasn't capable of betraying Han-Yeol, given that he hatched her from an egg.

The only scenario where betrayal could occur would be if he perished, but then, there'd be no one left to betray.