Chapter 14: The Middle Zone’s Welcome

As dawn broke, Reyon and his squad set out for their assignment in the middle zone of the Dark Nation.

It was a journey that took an entire day, passing through the outer region where weak monsters roamed.

Most of these creatures—D-rank to F-rank beasts—weren't even worth a proper battle. Whenever a group of goblins or mutated wolves appeared, they were annihilated almost instantly by Reyon's squad.

However, they knew the deeper they went, the more dangerous their enemies would become.

By the time night fell, they had finally reached the middle zone.

Setting Up Camp

Under the pale light of the moon, the squad set up their camp in a small clearing surrounded by dense, blackened trees.

Reyon assigned watch rotations, ensuring that at least two people would remain awake at all times.

Some members skinned the monsters they had killed earlier, using fire magic to roast the meat over an open flame.

Despite the dangers surrounding them, there was a rare moment of calm.

Reyon sat by the fire, his eyes scanning the surroundings. It was too quiet.

Sylph sat beside him, chewing on a piece of roasted wolf meat. "I expected the middle zone to be worse," she muttered.

Reyon didn't respond immediately. He knew that silence in a place like this was never a good sign.

Then he felt it.

A faint presence, watching them from the darkness.

Something was coming.

The Bloodied Chump Attacks

Reyon's instincts screamed at him.

He shot to his feet, his voice cutting through the night.

"Everyone, get up! We have company!"

The squad snapped into action, grabbing their weapons just as the trees trembled—something massive was approaching.

A hulking B-rank monster emerged from the shadows.

The Bloodied Chump.

It was an eight-foot-tall monstrosity, its grotesque body covered in pulsating veins. Its oversized arms, each thicker than a human torso, twitched as it slammed its fists into the ground.

Its bloodshot eyes gleamed with unrestrained savagery.

Then, with a beastly roar, it charged.

Sylph vs. The Bloodied Chump

Sylph stepped forward, her golden sword flashing as she channeled light magic into its blade.

She dashed forward, her speed tripling under the effects of her magic.

The clash was immediate.

Sylph struck first, slashing at the Chump's legs, but its thick hide barely took any damage.

The monster retaliated, swiping its massive arm toward her.

Sylph barely dodged, but the shockwave alone sent her flying backward, skidding across the dirt.

Reyon cursed.

Even though she was a 5th Circle magician, fighting a B-rank monster was beyond her current level.

At least a 6th Circle magician was needed to handle it alone.

But before the Bloodied Chump could finish her off—

The rest of the squad intervened.

The Squad's Cooperation

The soldiers rallied together, surrounding the monster.

A fire mage launched a barrage of fireballs, setting the monster's back ablaze.

An earth mage erected walls to limit its movement.

A spear-wielding warrior dashed in, stabbing at its sides.

Sylph recovered, jumping back into the fray.

After a fierce battle, she slashed downward with all her strength, her light-infused sword slicing through the monster's neck.

BAM!

The Bloodied Chump collapsed, its massive frame shaking the earth.

The battle had been tough, but they had won.

Or so they thought.

A Greater Threat Approaches

Then they felt it.

A chilling presence.

It was still far away, but every single person in the squad felt it in their bones—something was coming.

Reyon's eyes sharpened.

Even though A-rank monsters were rare in the middle zone, it seemed that the scent of blood had attracted one of them.

A deep, guttural growl echoed through the forest.

Then, from the shadows, it emerged.

A monstrous, twelve-foot-tall figure—an A-rank Troll.

A Nightmare Regenerating Monster

The troll's skin was dark gray, its muscles bulging unnaturally.

Its jagged teeth dripped with saliva, and its eyes gleamed with primal hunger.

But the worst part?

No matter how many times it was wounded, it could heal almost instantly.

"Formation!" Reyon ordered.

The squad attacked immediately, launching thousands of strikes at the troll.

Swords slashed.

Spears pierced.

Fireballs and ice shards exploded against its skin.

But none of it mattered.

Within seconds, every wound regenerated.

Even when they severed its limbs, they grew back.

Sylph gritted her teeth. "This thing… it's a damn nightmare!"

The squad began to despair—

Until Reyon took control.

Reyon Takes Command

In his past life, Reyon had led squads of Classers—fighters trained in hunting powerful enemies.

He knew how to fight a regenerating monster.

"Listen up!" he barked. "We cut off its limbs and burn the wounds with fire magic. No fire magic? Use lightning! Sylph, focus on attacking its weak points—eyes, joints, and throat!"

The squad followed his orders immediately.

With coordinated precision, they sliced off its limbs and scorched the wounds before they could heal.

The troll howled in agony.

But even after they decapitated it, the monster refused to die.

Its severed head twitched, and its body went berserk—slamming into the ground, ready to annihilate the entire squad.

Reyon knew this was his cue.