Boss Monster!

'Since we've known each other for quite a while now, I've been wondering why I didn't ask for your name when we first met?'

'Huh?'

'Yeah! I'm thinking of what to call you.'

'Anything you want. Any name you give is acceptable… Master.'

Leon smirked at its reply.

This System… it was just too confusing.

One moment, it acted like a loyal, humble servant. The next? It behaved like a girl throwing shade at her ex-boyfriend—hot one second, cold the next. Unpredictable. Irritating.

Sometimes, he couldn't help but wonder if it would ever change.

And if it did… he'd wait patiently for that time to come.

But if there was one thing he hated the most—it was that kind of double-faced behavior. That subtle, dishonest tone. That fake humility hiding arrogance.

And that hatred? It came from only one source.

The Emperor.

In front of the people, he'd act like a benevolent ruler—someone who cared about the wellbeing of his people. Someone noble. Just. Fair.

But that was all just a mask.

Because the Emperor's true goal was always power. And if anyone—or anything—got in the way of that? They were gone. Just like that.

Even the Empire itself meant nothing to him.

To the Emperor, the Empire and its people were tools. Tools to gain more strength, tools to climb higher, tools to crush others.

He didn't care about the consequences of his actions because, in his world, there were none.

Why?

Because punishment doesn't apply to the powerful.

So it was the common people, the poor, the powerless… who always suffered for his ambition.

Following what the crystal had told him earlier, Leon imagined storing the coins and the weapons.

And then, right before his very eyes, the silver pouches of coins vanished—like smoke in the wind.

No sound. No light. Nothing.

Just… gone.

He was stunned.

'Is it… that this artifact doesn't use Qi or what?'

From the way it worked, he could tell—this artifact wasn't normal.

It was special. Far beyond what normal artifacts could do.

After his first attempt, something changed.

He now felt… a connection to the ring.

It was like a thread of awareness linking his mind to the artifact. Telepathic. Subtle. Smooth.

One thought from him—and the artifact would react.

Leon smiled to himself, remembering clearly how he had hesitated before fusing with the Crystal.

If he could go back to that time… he wouldn't even blink. He'd say yes instantly.

He sighed.

'That's the irony of life.

Information is power.'

He thanked his stars he made the right choice.

But… what if he hadn't?

He asked the crystal.

'During the time we first met… what would've happened if I refused to combine with you?'

The crystal responded immediately, its voice cold and sharp, with just a tinge of amusement.

Leon was sure that if it had a face, it would be smirking right now.

'Of course! If you had disagreed… I would've forced you. Didn't you know you had no choice in the matter back then? I'm just fulfilling your orders.'

'There it goes again.' Leon rolled his eyes mentally, smirking to himself.

He started walking slowly toward the three chickens that had been glaring at him ever since.

Mocking him. Watching. Unmoving.

'I've been killing their subordinates for a while now… but they haven't lifted a claw. Something's wrong. Something's very wrong.'

He stopped. Squinted.

Without wasting time, he pulled up their stats.

Though they were only a little larger than the chickens he'd already killed, Leon could feel it in his bones.

These ones were different.

┏━━━━━━༻❁༺━━━━━━┓

┏━━━━━┓

[ Filled ] ← Bar of Stored Life Force

┗━━━━━┛

─────⋅☾ Details ☽⋅─────

MUTATED CHICKEN (RED)

(Collective Boss Chicken)

[LVL 5]

[HP: 2820]

─────⋅☾ Stats ☽⋅─────

[Strength: 80]

[Stamina: 80]

[Agility: 80]

[Defense: 67]

[Intelligence: 18]

─────⋅☾ Skills ☽⋅─────

EASY BERSERK (Rank E)

Every boss monster has this ability. It can enter and exit Berserk mode at will. While in Berserk, it gains additional temporary skills.

KILL MY CHICKENS?, IT'S A WIN-WIN FOR ME! (Rank C)

When any of its subordinates die, it absorbs their life force. With enough life force, it can remain in Berserk mode longer and become even stronger.

1% life force is absorbed per subordinate slain.

WIND SLASH (Rank E)

A skill obtained after encountering a treasured artifact. One flap of its wings releases arcs of slicing wind at a target.

No mana required. Pure body technique.

RAGING TORRENTS OF PECKS

It pecks its victim in rapid succession for one full minute. Used in combination with Fiery Pursuit.

Its speed of pecking is three times that of a woodpecker.

FIERY PURSUIT

Increases agility and speed by 10%, allowing it to chase victims without pause while using Raging Torrents of Pecks.

I AM YOUR BOSS! GOT IT? (Rank B)

All chicken-type beasts with less Strength than this creature will instantly submit to it upon encounter.

┗━━━━━━༻❁༺━━━━━━┛

Leon's eyes darted to the right-hand side of the glowing panel where a battery-shaped bar glowed—completely full.

It represented the amount of stored Life Force.

This thing had enough power packed inside to go Berserk for hours.

'This… this is too much.'

He blinked. Took a slow breath.

'It's got a pack of six skills… And I've got none. And this damn System's telling me to fight with my fists?!'

He gritted his teeth.

'Fuck.'

The realization hit him hard.

He regretted walking close to this beast.

Boss monsters were a different breed.

They weren't just stronger than regular beasts. They were thousands of times more dangerous.

And the worst part?

They could enter Berserk mode… whenever they wanted.

Leon stared at the towering bird.

This one was no joke.

It could kill tigers from Hearth in the 2000s with a single peck.

Of course, those tigers were weak—unmutated. Ordinary wild creatures. Still animals.

But this chicken?

It was nearly twice their size. And its strength?

Far, far beyond anything they could even imagine.

Leon stared at the screen again.

He had assumed all chicken beasts would be mostly the same.

Same base. Maybe one or two different skills.

But this one…

This one was different.

It may be a Level 5…

But its strength?

It was already pushing the peak of Level 6.

He clenched his fists, dread creeping into his spine.

'How… does the System expect me to fight this?'

He glanced again at the HP number.

[2820]

His stomach dropped.