"Master!" Vylyss suddenly spoke.

    Noan followed her gaze and saw a zombie Hunter standing on a high branch, watching them.

    However, this zombie Hunter differed from the one he had encountered at the ''Singular Point.''

    "That is... a Mutant zombie Hunter!" Noan immediately recognized what kind of zombie it was.

    Its outer skin had transformed into a layer of metallic scales, its razor-sharp claws reflecting the light. Its body was slightly larger than a normal zombie Hunter, reaching up to 2.5 meters in height.

    Noan frowned because an ordinary zombie Hunter had already reached Rank D-Peak, and a Mutant Hunter was likely approaching Rank C or had already reached it.

    At this moment, Vylyss frowned and said, "I''m sorry, Master. When I arrived, I didn''t detect it. Now, it suddenly appeared—this is my fault."

    Noan shook his head. Of course, he didn''t blame Vylyss, as he knew this was simply the defense mechanism of the ''Resource Storage Center.''

    Every area like this had a guardian monster, and the higher the center''s level, the stronger the guardian.

    Vylyss did not have the ability to harvest resources within the Center, so its defensive mechanism had not been activated.

    But the moment a Lord appeared. Naturally, the mechanism would trigger, and the guardian beast of this place would emerge.

    However, one thing puzzled Noan... Based on the exterior of the Center, this was only a Level 0 facility, so why was a Mutant Hunter guarding it?

    Mutant Hunters should only appear if this were a Level 3 or 4 Center—or perhaps even higher.

    But Noan had no time to think or seek an answer.

    "Vylyss, can you win?"

    Vylyss frowned, then answered honestly, "I will do my best."

    Hearing this, Noan knew that Vylyss''s chances of victory were not high. She said that because she wanted to preserve at least a little of her pride.

    Suddenly, countless diamond-shaped magical symbols appeared and interlocked, forming a dome that enveloped the entire area.

    Seeing this, Noan immediately realized it was too late, even if he wanted to escape.

    [Ding! Activating defense system.]

    [Ding! Activating hidden quest: Eliminate the Guardian – Zombie Hunter (Mutant)

    Reward: ???

    Failure: Death.]

    Even if the system hadn''t stated it outright, Noan knew what awaited him should he fail.

    The only issue was... he didn''t have the opportunity to bring Urlgan. If he had, his chances of winning this battle would have been much higher.

    "I''m sorry, Master," Vylyss said with remorse.

    Noan shook his head. "It''s not your fault. And besides, there''s no need for guilt. Right now, the most important thing is figuring out how to defeat it."

    Suddenly, his bracelet split into four parts, transforming into gloves and boots wrapped around his hands and feet.

    Intricate purple luminescent patterns flickered across the gloves, exuding an aura of mystery.

    Vylyss abruptly sensed an overwhelming power emanating from them.

    What was bizarre, however, was that this power carried an evil and divine presence, as if an ancient gaze from the depths of time was piercing through existence, staring directly at her.

    Vylyss shuddered, but fortunately, the sensation lasted briefly before vanishing entirely.

    She quickly regained her composure, dismissing it as an illusion conjured by her imagination.

    Noan, on the other hand, felt nothing. His eyes remained locked onto the Mutant Hunter, and his nerves wound as tightly as guitar strings.

    Suddenly, the Mutant Hunter vanished, startling him.

    Noan frowned, uncertain what to do as the battle unfolded beyond his combat capabilities.

    Suddenly, the Abyss Cube detached itself from his hands and feet, transforming into a firearm affixed to his left hand.

    "What the...?" Noan was startled. It was the first time he had seen the Abyss Cube act independently, assembling into a different weapon without his command.

    However, he suddenly recalled the silk-shooting ability he had inherited from Zhisse.

    He had inherited physical power, magical abilities, and unique traits from his creatures.

    It was just that these abilities weren''t as powerful as when used by the original monsters.

    Raising his hand, Noan felt the Abyss Cube seamlessly merge with his palm. Then...

    BANG!

    The Mutant Hunter was mid-swing, its razor-sharp claws slashing toward Vylyss''s head when a streak of light shot forward at an incredible speed.

    Clang!

    Vylyss flinched as the light collided with the Mutant Hunter''s claws, deflecting them from their deadly trajectory.

    She seized the opportunity, instantly summoning countless chains wrapped around the Mutant Hunter and yanking it higher.

    A massive magic circle materialized before her, and from within it, a giant black hand emerged, rocketing forward with immense force.

    BAM!

    The impact sent the Mutant Hunter hurtling backward, its body smashing through towering trees, snapping them like twigs.

    Thick and dense dust erupted into the air, obscuring Noan''s vision.

    But Vylyss did not stop. With a swift motion, she conjured a shadowy veil that transformed into a long spear.

    The Dark Spear was wrapped in several chains, emanating a terrifying aura of destruction.

    At the same moment, three magic circles appeared straight before her, each glowing with a different hue.

    "Dark Spear!"

    Vylyss''s voice rang out as she hurled the spear. It shot through the three magic circles, absorbing their energy and amplifying its destructive power exponentially.

    Whoosh!

    The spear became a streak of black light, hurtling straight toward the spot where the Mutant Hunter had fallen.

    BAM!

    For an instant, everything turned black and white, and then—silence.

    In the distance, Noan saw a glowing sphere of light slowly expanding, growing larger and larger until its radius exceeded a hundred meters.

    Without waiting for a command, the Abyss Cube transformed into a shield, positioning itself in front of Noan.

    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

    Gale-force winds surged through the battlefield. Thankfully, the shield formed by Abyss Cube absorbed the shockwave, protecting him.

    Then came an ear-piercing explosion. The ground trembled violently as if the world itself was collapsing. Trees were uprooted and flung away like mere leaves in a storm.

    Dust filled the entire space.

    As Noan opened his eyes, he saw the Mutant Hunter right before him.

    In that brief moment, he realized... his life was about to end.

    And then—

    A shadowy figure appeared between him and death.

    "Vylyss?!!"