Everyone retreated, trembling with fear. But what did that matter to Qin Jun? To him, it was all just extra fun. These little Monstrous Beasts? He could crush them with a single finger.

Of course, Qin Jun didn’t enjoy slaughtering them. He wanted to see how they’d treat Nora’s group. Then he’d swoop in as the hero to save the damsel—how utterly satisfying that would be.

What kind of admiring gaze would the little girl give him then?

Naturally, Ferrero and the others had no clue the Barrier was weakening. Ferrero was still racking his brain over how to warn Nora about the team’s sinister plans for her.

As time passed, the Barrier’s strength faded. Qin Jun felt it clearly. Deep in the Monster Forest, the Monstrous Beasts grew restless. Qin Jun cleared his food and utensils away. He cast a spell—not weakening the Barrier, but shattering it completely. From that moment, the Monster Forest had no Barrier at all.

Qin Jun never considered the human cities kilometers away would suffer devastating attacks. Countless humans would die. He didn’t think about the empire’s troubles either.

He just found it amusing. If he knew the consequences, he might not have done it—or he might have. No one knew his limits.

After the Barrier fell, the bloodthirsty Monstrous Beasts surged out like freed prisoners. They hadn’t seen the outside world for decades. They craved its beauty.

Long ago, the powerful beings had transformed into humans and blended into society. Only these mediocre ones remained in the Monster Forest. Now stronger, they could roam freely in the human world. They’d heard elders describe human flesh as an exquisite delicacy.

Of course, some gentler Monstrous Beasts wanted no fight with humans. They simply dreamed of leaving the forest for freedom.

The flesh-craving beasts had already caught the scent of prey nearby. Not just Nora’s group—several level-fifty adventurer teams rested across the Monster Forest.

They were taking a break when a dark shadow flashed by. Everyone vanished, devoured completely. That shadow was a level-90 Galebird, famed for its speed and wind magic.

After eating, the Galebird transformed into a handsome man. Perched on a branch, he faced the sinister man who’d appeared beside him. “Sorry,” he said. “I ate your prey.”

The sinister man snorted coldly. “Still the same. You don’t savor meat—especially human flesh. It’s most tender and juicy only when they’re terrified and helpless.”

The Galebird shrugged. “I’m not like you, so picky. I’ll feast now, then blend in as a human. When hungry, I’ll grab one to eat. Perfect, right?”

The sinister man sneered. “Hmph. Ambitionless bird. Leave my sight, or I won’t be kind. That group is my prey. Don’t steal it again.”

The Galebird laughed. “Fine, I’ll listen this time. Next time won’t be easy. I’m not afraid—you can’t kill me, even at your higher level. Good luck. Don’t get chased back by humans again.”

The sinister man’s hand crackled with magic. The Galebird fled instantly—still afraid.