Solo Leveling: Ragnarok

Chapter 52

Shriek!

The shadow centipede bared its vicious fangs at Randolph, who had shown his deadly intent toward its summoner. The beast’s massive body surged forward and struck him with a powerful blow.

Randolph was sent flying and slammed into the wall. Damn it! How many times am I going to get slammed against the wall today? Despite his frustrations, he kept focus on the summoner behind the creature—Suho. “This is nothing but some weak summoning magic! If I kill the summoner, this whole thing will be over—”

Thud!

***

Randolph had been defeated, but Suho couldn’t let his guard down. “Where did an A-rank hunter sustain injuries like that?”

His inherently tough nature had allowed him to exhibit tremendous strength despite his condition. The real problem was that the thing responsible for making Randolph so weak was waiting on the other side of the wall.

“What on earth could be inside there?” Esil was also disturbed. “Something feels ominous. I would have gotten out here immediately if I was on my own.”

As Suho drew closer to the heart of the labyrinth, his senses vehemently warned him of the danger. However, he also felt strangely drawn to it as if it were an opportunity. I don’t know why, but it feels like someone is waiting for me.

The mummies, the prophecy, everything about Kandiaru, who had designed the leveling-up system, and the purpose of this pyramid fascinated Suho, and his curiosity drove him forward. The answers to all his questions awaited him beyond the door.

His eyes gleamed as he stared at the giant door standing before him. “Let’s go in.”

“W-wait. It’s time to strategize!” Esil urgently called out and pointed to Vulcan’s Horn. “I’ll go back in right away if necessary.”

“Why don’t you just go in now?”

“W-well, if you insist!”

What was initially difficult seemed easier the second time around. Frightened, Esil quickly transferred her spirit into Suho’s sword.

[Vulcan’s Horn devoured the demon’s soul.]

“Vulcan’s Horn seems to be chewing and spitting things out a lot today. I hope it doesn’t get indigestion,” Suho said.

After clearing his mind with some idle chatter, he finally swung the door open, and what came into his view was a giant humanoid crocodile!

[Death Devouring Crocodile Ammut]

Ammut? Sounds like a name from Egyptian mythology, Suho recalled.

The original Ammut from Egyptian mythology was a creature that served a similar role to that of Cerberus from Greek mythology. It was commonly depicted with the head of a crocodile, a lion’s mane and its upper body, and the lower body of a hippopotamus. But the one before Suho was a muscular humanoid crocodile.

Ammut noticed Suho and charged straight toward him. The beast’s colossal footsteps shook the entire pyramid.

“Everyone, attack!”

Led by the shadow centipede, Suho’s shadow soldiers began their attack on Ammut.

The shadow centipede coiled the crocodile beast’s massive body, while Arachne shot webs on the creature’s arms and legs, restricting its movement. This allowed the shadow mummies to launch a combined assault on the creature, creating a spectacular scene. The problem was that the creature was overwhelmingly powerful.

Ammut’s powerful forearm gripped the shadow centipede’s neck and slammed it to the ground. Sporting a gruesome yet satisfied grin, the beast relentlessly pounded its fists into the centipede’s sprawled body in a show of devastating dominance.

“Suho!” Esil shouted.

“Okay. We’re going in too,” Suho said as he also charged at Ammut.

[Skill: “Giant’s Armor” has activated.]

Ammut’s eyes flickered as Suho suddenly doubled in size. However, his transformation didn’t stop there.

“Divine Possession!”

[The spiritual body of “Pet: Gray” is bound to the Shaman.]

Suho’s hair turned silver as a divine wind swept across his entire body.

[Skill: “Meadow Wind” has activated.]

[Movement speed is temporarily increased by 30%.]

[Attack speed is temporarily increased by 30%.]

With his significantly increased speed, Suho unleashed all his strength on Ammut.

[Skill: “Storm Slash” has activated.]

With a seemingly dismissive gaze, Ammut thrust its fist at the blades swirling around it. It was a simple punch, but its force was enough to tear through the storm and even pose a threat to Suho behind it.

“Young Monarch! It’s dangerous!”

Suho skillfully avoided the attack by manipulating the skill’s direction in midair using Ruler’s Authority. He then twisted and fiercely swung his swords at the creature.

Ammut grabbed the head of the shadow centipede, the previous target of his overwhelming violence, and swung its body at Suho like a whip.

The centipede’s body was far more destructive than a whip. The devastating impact of its weight shattered the marble floor and demolished the walls, forcing the shadow centipede to release an agonizing howl.

Suho skillfully dodged the incredulous attack and continued striking with his swords, aiming for Ammut’s weak points.

At that moment, Suho’s eyes lit up. “Shadow centipede! Return!”

The shadow centipede suddenly dispersed into black smoke, which managed to draw a look of surprise from the now empty-handed Ammut.

“Arise!”

As soon as the words left Suho’s lips, the shadow centipede emerged unscathed from his shadow. It coiled around Ammut’s thick neck and sank its fangs into it.

It was a clash of colossal monsters. However, as seen earlier, the disparity between the two was already evident.

“The shadow centipede can only buy us some time!” Esil exclaimed.

Suho quickly analyzed the situation. The skin is too thick and robust. It’s not a defense a blade can penetrate. A blunt weapon might be more effective than a blade. In other words, he needed unparalleled strength. Suho quickly checked his mana level. I need to land a solid blow.

Cleanly landing the strike would be the ideal outcome, but in the event of failure, the priority would be to swiftly exit and regroup to recharge his strength as soon as possible.

“Smash.”

[Skill: “Smash” has activated.]

Ruler’s Authority combined to envelope Suho’s fist, giving rise to an imposing gauntlet-like armor. As Ammut was grappling with the shadow centipede, he drove his fist toward the beast without hesitation, concentrating every ounce of his strength into the attack.

The strike landed, and the giant humanoid crocodile roared in confusion as blood burst from its mouth. It was the first time Suho had inflicted significant damage.

But at that moment, a faint light returned to Ammut’s red-stained eyes. Surprisingly, as blood gushed from its mouth, words Suho could comprehend began to flow out.

“Was that the Iron Body Technique...?”

“Huh?”

“I haven’t been hit by a punch like that in a long time!” Ammut burst into laughter, leaving Suho bewildered.

“Wh-what’s going on..?”

“Huh? Young Monarch, did that creature just—”

“It started speaking human!” Esil interrupted.

Ammut’s sudden change bewildered everyone who was engaged in the fierce battle. The surprise forced Suho to momentarily halt his attack, but he made use of the momentary pause.

[Item: “Low Grade Mana Potion” has been purchased.]

I have to quickly replenish my mana first. Suho skillfully consumed the potion and then observed the situation unfolding. The crocodile beast seemed to no longer show any interest in attacking him.

Ammut’s eyes twinkled like a child who had discovered an amusing toy. The beast simply gazed at the fist that had struck it like it was a fascinating discovery.

“Hey,” Ammut called out to Suho. “Give it another go. Hit me one more time.”

“Wh-what? You want me to use Smash again?”

“Smash, you say? Is that what you call it?” Despite the blood still dripping from its mouth, Ammut laughed heartily.

No need to refuse when he’s asking to be hit. Suho briefly checked his mana level.

A powerful strike would have normally depleted his mana, but thanks to Horus’ Ring given to him by Rio Singh, he still had some left to spare.

[Skill: “Smash” has activated.]

Suho’s fist darkened once again. However, the moment he clenched his fist...

“Wait. Just hold it like that.” Ammut’s reptilian vertical pupil rotated curiously, closely observing Suho’s fist. Then, he burst into laughter once again. “Wait, are you telling me that you can only use the Iron Body Technique on your fists? I’ve never seen such a half-baked move!”

“What is with this weird crocodile?” And what the hell is the Iron Body Technique?” Suho asked.

It seemed like he had also lost his enthusiasm to fight. In what world would any hunter accept being treated like an amateur by a boss monster in a dungeon?

To make matters worse, a message arrived from the Place of Eternal Rest.

[Rakan is amused by this situation.]

“You’re laughing as well?” Suho said.

[Rakan says that Ammut was the mentor of the previous Monarch of Iron Body.]

“The mentor for who?”

“You can’t be serious?! That beast trained the Monarch of Iron Body?!” Unlike Suho, who was scratching his head in confusion, Beru was surprised by the revelation.

“You guys also know Tarnak, huh? I knew it!” Ammut chuckled, having heard the ant’s exclamation.

He finished off the shadow centipede that had been relentlessly gnawing at his neck by ripping it to shreds with both hands and scattering it on the ground. The shadow centipede regenerated and looked to attack Ammut again, but Suho restrained his shadow beast.

He turned to Ammut and asked, “Tarnak?”

“Tarnak, the King of Monstrous Humanoids and the Monarch of Iron Body,” Ammut said, spitting out black blood from the corner of his mouth. “I am the mentor who taught him the Iron Body Technique.”

“I’ve heard this before,” Esil said, before emerging from Vulcan’s Horn. “The reason the previous King of Monstrous Humanoids is known as the Monarch of Iron Body is due to his unique technique of the same name.”

“That’s right, and I’m the one who passed down that knowledge. But what’s the point of bringing up old memories? I heard he’s dead.” Ammut plopped down on the floor, but his gaze lingered exclusively on Suho’s darkened fist as if bewitched. “Well, this might not be so bad after all. You seem to have some talent. Tarnak is no longer among the living, so how about I teach you instead?”

Suho was stunned by the proposal and remained silent.

“I’m talking about the Iron Body Technique, of course.”

“This is sudden.”

At that moment, a message appeared before Suho.

[Daily Quest: “Iron Body Technique Training” has arrived.]