- “Kiiiiiiieeee!!”

    The Bulgasal, woken from its slumber, began to roar.

    It wasn’t crying out in pain but rather in anger. It had been sleeping peacefully, filled and drowsy after a heavy meal, only to be rudely awakened. The deafening sound echoed through the mine, causing it to shake violently, as though an earthquake had struck.

    The first to be alarmed were the nearby Earthkeeper Kobolds.

    “Kiiirrr!”

    “Kieeee!”

    To the Earthkeeper Kobolds, Bulgasal was a disastrous existence. No matter their numbers, they couldn’t hope to confront such a mysterious and terrifying creature. They had long since learned to avoid it at all costs.

    In the past, they had tried to reclaim ownership of the mine, risking everything for their kin’s survival. However, they had suffered massive casualties, with over half of their forces annihilated without even scratching the creature. After that, they had chosen to coexist quietly, abandoning any hope of confrontation.

    The Kobolds avoided outsiders, considering them a threat. If they lost their refuge, with Bulgasal already looming over them, they would have nowhere else to go.

    “Aaahhh!”

    “Isn’t this whole place going to collapse?!”

    Next to react in panic was Nexus’s raid team stationed at the rear. Not knowing of Bulgasal’s presence, they had been anxiously waiting for Suho, growing more fearful by the second. Gu Yeon-hwa, in particular, was especially worried.

    ‘Where on earth is he? Is he even alive?’

    But they decided to wait, trusting Suho’s instructions. Gu Yeon-hwa and the raid team resolved to stay for at least twelve hours, holding onto the hope that he would return.

    *Thump! Thump!*

    The Bulgasal began to rise. It was larger than any golem or Ent Suho had previously encountered. Its skin was tougher than even those of the twisted forest golems. As it stood, it glared down at Suho with a look of utter irritation, enraged that such a lowly creature would dare interrupt its rest.@@@@

    Once more, the Bulgasal let out a furious cry.

    - “Kiiieeeeee!!”

    [The Bulgasal is using Boss-level Fear.]

    An alert from the system appeared.

    But.

    [Dragon’s Blood is activated.]

    [Due to the Dragon’s Mentality effect, the Fear is negated.]

    Even a creature as formidable as Bulgasal could not match the potency of Dragon Fear. Suho merely stood still, his hair and clothes slightly ruffled by the wind pressure, showing no reaction.

    Bulgasal, intrigued by Suho’s calm demeanor, began to chuckle. This was the first time it had ever encountered such a strange creature. Out of curiosity, it decided to put Suho to the test.

    *Whoomp—*

    Bulgasal inflated its cheeks, preparing to unleash something massive. Seeing this, Suho promptly summoned his Blood Sword.

    [Blood Weapon is activated.]

    The crimson sword emerged from his hand. Bulgasal smirked, amused that this tiny creature dared to draw a weapon against it.

    Alright, let’s see how long you can keep up this arrogance, thought the Bulgasal, as it finally spat out a massive projectile.

    [Bulgasal uses Steel Spit.]

    The projectile was exactly what it sounded like—Bulgasal had gathered minerals stored within its body, molded them into steel, and spat them out at high speed. The destructive power was immense, the projectile speeding toward Suho like a cannonball.

    So he made the best choice available to him: to resolve the battle as a swordsman, by the sword.

    Just then.

    [Bulgasal initiates Regeneration by reducing its body size.]

    The system’s notification appeared.

    Simultaneously, Bulgasal’s massive body began to shrink, its tail regenerating in the process.

    ‘That’s its regeneration, then.’

    Bulgasal couldn’t truly be killed. It would shrink its body to heal any injuries, as was happening before Suho’s eyes. Bulgasal consumed a vast amount of minerals to store energy for this very purpose.

    Suho steadily approached the creature, which had now shrunk by about thirty percent. Bulgasal flinched.

    - “Brrrk?”

    “What’s with all the burbling?”

    - “Brrrrr!!”

    Though its body had shrunk, Bulgasal’s fighting spirit hadn’t diminished, and it was still confident in the minerals stored within. However, it no longer underestimated its foe, now realizing Suho’s true strength.

    [Bulgasal uses Overpower.]

    This was one of Bulgasal’s signature techniques, consuming stored minerals to reinforce its exoskeleton.

    Bulgasal shrank even further, pouring all its energy into the exoskeleton, until its size was reduced to match Suho’s. When the transformation was complete, a dark, matte finish covered its body.

    Both Bulgasal and Suho, now equally sized, wore expressions of confidence.

    “Now that’s more like it,” Suho muttered, gripping his sword.

    Without hesitation, Bulgasal sprang into the air, curling into a ball. It spun rapidly like a wheel and charged toward Suho.

    [Bulgasal uses Hyper Spin.]

    This technique was a powerful attack, with Bulgasal’s entire body spinning like a rolling boulder to deliver catastrophic damage.

    But Suho wasn’t the least bit intimidated. Instead, he smiled.

    He wasn’t even planning to dodge.

    He was simply curious to see what the power of Bulgasal, known as one of the highest-grade boss monsters, truly was. And whether he could split it with his sword.

    As Bulgasal’s spinning body hurtled toward him, Suho raised his sword and swung.

    [Steel Cutter is activated.]

    ***

    After the mine had shaken several more times, the Earthkeeper Kobolds stopped emerging. The mining team, having completed their work, rested, leaving only Suho, who had ventured alone.

    Although no one voiced it, their faces showed deep concern.

    Then it happened.

    [The gate has been cleared.]

    [The MVP of the gate clearing is ‘Ahn Suho.’]

    A notification appeared before everyone’s eyes, signaling the gate’s conquest.