Under Leyang’s intimidating glare, the remaining first-tier Monoceros Wolves fled with their tails tucked between their legs. Seizing the moment, Leyang swiftly harvested the horn from the second-tier beast. Eight Small Yala Coins secured. He wouldn’t waste the premium second-tier wolf pelt either—not when every scrap of these monsters meant coin.

His Spatial Magic Tool still had ample room. No reason not to take it all.

Leyang’s butchering skills were razor-sharp. Within ten minutes, he’d stripped every carcass clean. He then rushed to the nearby stream, scrubbing away the bloodstains before vanishing from the scene.

One quest completed far quicker than expected. Next: hunt a Spotted Snake for its venomous fangs. The contract noted these serpents favored dark, damp caves—though overgrown thickets or rocky debris piles might also hide them. Highly aggressive, they’d strike any intruder on sight. Most victims died poisoned.

Ordinarily, Leyang ignored weak monsters. Only second-tier or higher beasts sparked his interest.

Like now. He stumbled upon a third-tier Ogre napping in the sun. Most adventurers would pale and slink away. Leyang? He jabbed its backside with his dagger.

The Ogre jolted awake with a roar. Its single massive eye burned crimson. A fist slammed down, cratering the earth. That fist alone spanned wider than Leyang’s shoulders—enough to pulp him instantly.

**"ROAR!"**

Three meters tall, the enraged Ogre glared down at the insignificant insect that dared disturb its nap. *Unforgivable.*

Leyang merely smirked. He danced aside, fluid as water. Yes, the Ogre’s strength was terrifying—but its movements were clumsy. Even in five hundred pounds of iron armor, Leyang could outmaneuver it.

To the Ogre, this gnat was maddening. Darting just out of reach. Impossible to crush.

It stomped hard. The ground cracked and shuddered.

Leyang flinched slightly, footing unsteady.

Seizing the opening, the Ogre raised its hammer-like fists and smashed downward.

At that instant, Woe emerged from Leyang’s shadow, unleashing its curse upon the third-tier beast.

A stray stone—kicked up by the Ogre’s own stomp—struck its head. Distracted by the pain, its blow veered off course. The shockwave hurled Leyang and Woe backward.

Leyang flipped midair and landed steady.

The Ogre shook its head, clutching its bruised skull. Then it charged again.

Woe’s curse weakened against far stronger foes. Like now.

*"An Ogre’s eye is its most valuable part. Mustn’t damage it. But that’s also its weakest spot..."* Leyang’s mind raced. *"Without striking the eyes, killing this thick-skinned brute will be tough. Especially with just a short dagger."* Even deep cuts wouldn’t cripple it. A sword—*one clean decapitation*—would end this.

Silver Blade Dagger flashing, Leyang dueled the Ogre. He sliced tendons, drew blood, severed limbs. The beast collapsed, twitching on the dirt.

As Leyang moved in for the kill—

The Ogre’s skin flushed crimson. Heat radiated from its body. Wounds sealed before his eyes.

It rose. Transformed.

Savage. Scorching.

**Ogre: Berserk Mode!**

*"Damn it! This power’s nearly fourth-tier!"*

Leyang didn’t hesitate. He turned and ran. With a sword? Maybe he’d stand a chance. But against a regenerating berserker armed only with a dagger? Suicide.

The Berserk Ogre’s strength had multiplied. One slap could shatter his bones.

The Ogre stood frozen, bewildered. It had bared its ultimate power—ready to die fighting—and its prey just... fled? *What the hell?!*

**"ROOOOAAAR!!!"**

Its fury shook the Monster Woods. Lesser beasts cowered in their dens.

*"Need to study monster traits better,"* Leyang panted, putting distance between them. *"Almost got wrecked. Good thing I’m fast."*

He *could* have killed the Berserk Ogre—but draining his mana here, deep in hostile territory? Too risky. Better safe than sorry.

After a fruitless day hunting Spotted Snakes in the forest’s outskirts, Leyang built a campfire. Flames deterred most beasts—and warmed the chilly night. Practical.

He scattered beast-repelling powder around the site. Then he gathered fresh branches, peeled their bark, and sharpened them into skewers. Not for firewood. For roasting second-tier Monoceros Wolf meat.

He washed the blood from the chunks, sliced them small, and threaded them onto the skewers. Angling them near the flames—not in the fire—he let the heat gently sear the meat. Direct flames would char it. Ruin the taste.