Chapter 31: The Chimera and the Hammer of Death

“Chimera!”

It really was a Chimera.

Its head was that of an ogre, its upper body was covered in thick fur, and where arms should have been—there were sharp blades instead.

The sound of human footsteps had come from its human-like lower body.

‘This is it!’

Lagaen, calming his surprise, was sure.

Among the wounds on Doben and the apprentice knights, some were clearly caused by a sword.

Which meant—this Chimera standing in front of him was the one responsible for their deaths.

‘Are the rest deeper inside?’

The corpses didn’t only show sword wounds.

There were also traces of magic—and spear wounds.

Maybe the Chimera had used magic.

But spear wounds?

Those couldn’t come from blades.

Which meant… it wasn’t alone.

Just then—

“Tsk tsk…”

A deep, gravelly voice echoed from behind the Chimera.

A man emerged.

“…!”

Lagaen flinched.

‘How did I not sense him?’

He wasn’t the Intelligence Squad leader for nothing.

His sensory awareness was top-tier even among other captains.

‘This is bad… really bad…’

But this man? He’d snuck up on them without a trace.

If he hadn’t shown himself, Lagaen would never have noticed him.

“I was planning to stay quiet until the day came, but…”

The man’s tone was irritated.

“The day? What are you talking about?”

Lagaen questioned him, hiding his hand behind his back and signaling the team to flee.

He would’ve fought the Chimera alone.

But with this man… everything changed.

His logic—and his instincts—were screaming not to engage.

“Curious?”

The man smiled wide.

Just that smile alone sent chills down Lagaen’s spine.

“Too bad. I’m not telling. Heehee.”

“Did you kill the knights?”

“Knights?”

The man tilted his head.

“Ah, those guys. Ran into them while passing by. Couldn’t be helped!”

As expected, this man and the Chimera had killed the knights.

“Don’t worry too much! They were gonna die on the day anyway. Haha!”

Lagaen said nothing.

‘The day…’

He didn’t know what it meant, exactly.

But just hearing it filled him with dread.

‘I have to warn them.’

He’d already sent Doben and Leos.

But they didn’t know about the Chimera, this man… or the day.

Swoosh.

Lagaen pulled a green stone from his robe and slammed it to the ground.

Crack! Hissss—!

The stone burst into smoke.

And the team made a break for it.

“Huh? They’re running?”

The man frowned.

He thought they’d fight like the knights did.

“Not like they’ll get far.”

He waved his hand.

A staff appeared in mid-air. He grabbed it—and waved again.

RUMMMMBLE.

The cave began to shake.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

A thunderous sound echoed from the entrance.

The man smirked.

“Let’s see how much they squirm.”

He started walking toward the exit, the Chimera following behind.

***

Meanwhile…

“Attribute Shackle!”

Kim Seokju cast the spell.

Chains of lightning wrapped around the seven attacking Lizardmen.

“Hammer of Fury!”

Kang Juho slammed his hammer down.

WHAM! WHAM!

[Skill ‘Relentless’ mastery increased to level 2.]

‘Level 2!’

Kang Juho was thrilled.

He’d been hoping Relentless would level up.

Wanting to finish the battle quickly, he swung the hammer again.

WHAM! HISS!

A third wave spread out—wiping out all enemies.

[Level Up!]

[You can now learn the skill ‘Hammer of Death.’]

‘What?! A new skill?’

He’d expected the level up, but not a skill.

And with a name like Hammer of Death? It sounded insane.

He immediately checked it.

<Relentless [Passive]>

Mastery: 2 (0%)

• Reduces Hammer of Fury cooldown by 3 seconds with each basic attack hit.

‘Not 2 seconds—3!’

That was huge.

Once he hit mastery level 10?

That’d be 19 seconds off per basic attack.

3 swings = 57 seconds off cooldown.

With a 2-minute base cooldown, that means a ~1-minute reuse cycle.

Next, he checked the new skill:

<Hammer of Death [Passive]>

Mastery: 1 (0%)

• 20% chance to prevent targets from regenerating HP for 3 minutes.
• Only works on enemies up to level 100.

‘Huh…’

It wasn’t an active skill.

No flashy new attack—just a passive debuff.

Yes, the “no healing” effect was powerful, especially against monsters with regeneration like trolls.

But right now?

Not very useful.

And it only worked on enemies under level 100.

He’d been hyped—now he was disappointed.

“What’s wrong, bro?”

“A new skill popped—but it’s kinda… meh.”

He showed Seokju the details.

“Ah… but long-term? It could be amazing. Like, against trolls and stuff.”

“Yeah, I guess…”

Still, it was better to acquire it now and build mastery.

But it cost 1,000 gold.

He was broke.

“Want me to lend you some?”

“You would? Thanks.”

Seokju sent him the gold.

[Skill Quest ‘Hammer of Death’ completed.]

[Skill acquired: Hammer of Death]

Kang Juho then allocated his bonus stat points to Stamina.

They resumed the hunt.

It didn’t take long before another Lizardman mob appeared.

“Physical Buff!”

“Hammer of Rage!”

WHAM! HISS!

WHAM! HISS!

WHAM! HISS!

Three waves—battle over.

They grabbed the loot and moved on.

***

Eventually, they reached their goal: Level 90.

“We did it!”

“Great job!”

Seokju checked the time.

“We’re two hours ahead of schedule.”

They had time to return and restock.

“Do you think we can level this fast at the next hunting ground?”

“Only if Hammer of Fury still wipes them out.”

Next up: the Hordebell Plains, home to orcs level 105–125.

Stronger, tankier than Lizardmen.

“Doubt it. They’re orcs.”

Lizardmen were glass cannons—high damage, low defense and HP.

Orcs? Not so much.

Still, the loot haul was massive.

After selling it, they’d be rich.

“I’m getting the best hammer available.”

His current weapon, the Raging Blacksmith’s Iron Hammer, was for level 40s.

At level 90, it was time for a serious upgrade.