"Crocodile? What the hell is that—don't tell me it's another SSS-tier monster in this damn forest!"

Ethan could feel it—there was no mistaking the raw, overwhelming power radiating off the creature in front of him.

This thing was definitely dangerous.

But something about it didn't quite add up.

Yeah, it was strong—crazy strong—but it didn't feel the same as the other SSS-tier beasts they'd run into before. There was something... different.

Still, the croc didn't seem aggressive. It just sat there, watching them silently from the shadows, not making a move.

That alone told Ethan enough.

He figured it was best to back off slowly, not provoke it.

But just as he was about to quietly slip away—

BAM!

Elira dropped out of the sky like a damn meteor, landing right next to him with a huge grin on her face, practically bouncing with excitement.

"My Lord! You've gotta see this—I figured out something super cool!" she said, eyes sparkling.

"I was experimenting with the Venom Law in the Veilmarsh, and guess what? I can actually fuse it into my elemental laws! That means I might not have to worry about poison anymore!"

As she spoke, her aura flared up, and tendrils of magical energy began to swirl around her. In a flash, she conjured a glowing orb laced with the essence of the Venom Law—

—and without a second thought, she hurled it straight at the ground.

"Wait—Elira, hold on!" Ethan's face went pale.

He reached out to stop her—

Too late.

BOOM!

A deafening explosion ripped through the swamp, shaking the ground beneath their feet.

And just like that, the massive crocodile Ethan had been wary of was forced out of hiding.

"Are you kidding me?!" the beast roared, its voice booming like thunder. "You barge into my territory like you own the place, and now you're throwing attacks around like it's your backyard? You've got some nerve. Looks like I'll have to teach you a lesson!"

Its power surged, a wave of pressure blasting outward.

Ethan, Elira, and even Seraphina—all of them flinched.

"What the hell is that thing?!" Elira gasped, her expression shifting from smug to stunned. "And that power… it's weird. It doesn't feel like any SSS-tier I've ever seen."

Truth be told, she hadn't even meant to hit anything. That blast was just her showing off a new trick to Ethan. She never expected it to stir up something like this.

Who would've thought there was a monster this powerful hiding under the swamp?

Talk about bad luck.

But the croc clearly wasn't in the mood for chit-chat.

ROAR!

With a furious bellow, it opened its jaws wide—

—and unleashed a surge of magical energy so intense it made the air crackle.

Elira's face went pale.

"No way… what is this thing? How can it be this strong?"

She was stunned.

Because in that moment, she realized—

This thing was stronger than her.

And that was saying something.

She was a 14-Tier SSS-class Crimson Ultimate Hero. She was at the absolute peak of her rank.

If this monster was stronger than her…

"Fifteen Tier?" she whispered, eyes wide. "That's impossible…"

But there was no time to dwell on it.

If this really was a 15-Tier beast, then even she had to go all in. No holding back.

She braced herself, magic flaring.

WHOOSH!

BOOM!

Suddenly, sonic booms echoed from the direction of the Veilmarsh.

In the next instant, Seraphina and Feylora came streaking in, cutting through the air like arrows.

They'd clearly sensed the commotion and rushed over to help.

But the moment Feylora laid eyes on the crocodile—

She froze.

Her whole body trembled.

Her face went pale.

And then—

"…No way…" she whispered, voice barely audible.

"Why is it him?"

"Why is he still here?!"

"Feylora, you know this guy? Who is he? Is he really that strong? Wait—don't tell me he's a 15-Tier?" Ethan fired off the questions the moment he saw Feylora's reaction.

It was obvious now—he wasn't the only one starting to suspect it. Elira had her doubts too.

This massive, terrifying crocodile in front of them… could it really be a 15-Tier Crimson Ultimate Hero?

Feylora nodded slowly, her face pale, eyes still wide with fear.

"My Lord… he's one of the forbidden beings of the Veilmarsh," she said, voice trembling.

"I don't know his name, or exactly what he is. All I know is that he's been sleeping beneath the swamp for as long as anyone can remember. He almost never shows himself. As for whether he's 15-Tier… I'm not sure. But probably, yeah."

"Every time he's surfaced in the past, even the most powerful creatures deep in the forest wouldn't dare go near him. They're terrified of him."

"I see…" Ethan nodded, his expression turning serious.

That confirmed it.

This thing wasn't just some random monster—it was a 15-Tier Crimson Ultimate Hero.

Fifteen Tier.

That was a whole different league.

Right now, Seraphina, Elira, and Ethan himself were all 14-Tier SSS-class Crimson Ultimate Heroes. This guy? He was a full tier above them.

Which meant…

He was a 15-Tier S-Class.

In the hierarchy of Crimson Ultimate Heroes, once you hit 14-Tier SSS, the next step up was 15-Tier S-Class, then 15-Tier SS-Class, and finally 15-Tier SSS-Class. After that, it jumped to 16-Tier.

Even though it was just a single tier difference on paper, the power gap was massive.

Ethan could feel it in his bones.

This was the kind of strength that could crush them if they weren't careful.

Still, he had to be sure. He instinctively cast a detection spell toward the creature.

He half-expected it to fail—monsters this strong usually blocked that kind of thing.

But to his surprise, it worked.

[???]

Level: ???

Race: Primordial Venom Crocodile

Tier Spell Power: 15-Tier

—

Overall Assessment: 15-Tier S-Class

Status: WEAKENED (80%)

[This entity has suffered severe injuries. Its condition is deteriorating and requires significant time to recover. Combat effectiveness reduced by 70%.]

—

"It really is 15-Tier… and S-Class at that," Ethan muttered, eyes narrowing.

"So this is what lies beyond 14-Tier SSS… no wonder he felt off."

But deep in his gaze, a flicker of excitement sparked.

Because if this thing were at full strength, they'd have no choice but to run. A direct fight would be suicide. Even if they won, it'd be a bloodbath.

But now?

Now they had a shot.

He turned to the others, voice low but firm. "Everyone stay sharp. This guy's 15-Tier, no doubt about it. But he's injured—badly. This is our chance. We hit him together, full force. We take him down."

"Fifteen Tier?!" Seraphina gasped, stunned.

"We're really doing this?" Feylora asked, clearly shaken.

But before anyone could answer—

Elira moved.

In a blur, she launched herself straight at the crocodile, magic flaring around her.

She didn't hesitate.

She attacked.

BOOM!

BOOM!

BOOM!

Explosions rocked the swamp as her spells slammed into the beast.

And then—something even crazier happened.

A radiant light burst from Elira's body, like a cocoon cracking open.

Ethan's system chimed in his ear:

DING!

Notice: Player Valkarion, congratulations! Your Hero Unit, Elira, has successfully evolved into a Skytear Demon Moth! She has ascended to a 15-Tier Hero!

"What?!" Ethan's jaw dropped. "She evolved? Just like that?!"

But then it hit him.

Wait… this wasn't some random evolution.

This was deliberate.

He turned sharply toward her. "Hold on—Elira, was that… did you do that on purpose?"

...