The appearance of the Lake Serpent King caused a ripple among the players and even those on the forum. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

This was the first time in the history of gaming that such a powerful monster had shown up when the majority of players were still around level 20.

"I tell you, things are moving too fast in this game," BrawlerX commented as he shifted his gaze to Ragnarok99.

However, what he saw left him speechless. Ragnarok99’s entire body was trembling with excitement.

"This battle freak... he didn’t even hear what I said."

Similar to the notification the players received, the inhabitants of this world also received announcements about the monster and its current location.

"A Level 95 boss-type monster has been spotted in the Crimsonscale Lake. All guilds are advised to engage. Successfully killing it rewards 80 points!"

When Scarlett heard the notification echo across the wilderness, she felt the urge to rush toward the given location.

’If I remember, Gabriel should be close there,’ she thought, shifting her gaze to the distance where a horde of monsters was charging forward.

She couldn’t afford to abandon these monsters.

Moreover, knowing Gabriel’s personality, she was more than certain that he would engage it.

’The best I can do is send help to him.’ She turned toward the two other warriors in her team.

"Don’t mention it, Guild Leader!" Ragnarok99 spoke with a wide grin. He seemed to have read the guild leader’s thoughts.

She simply nodded at them, turning her focus back to the monsters.

Without hesitation, BrawlerX and Ragnarok99 charged toward the direction of the boss monster.

As soon as they left, there was a ripple in the air as a beautiful woman with crimson hair and a star-shaped blindfold flickered into existence—then vanished once more.

It was brief—so brief that neither the special drones broadcasting the fight to the public nor the game operation room back on Earth noticed anything.

---

Meanwhile, dozens of players were currently rushing toward the Lake Serpent King’s location with excited gleams in their eyes.

"This boss monster might give us the leap we need to enter the top three," the vice-leader of the White Flame Guild said, his eyes shining.

"Bring out the special aircraft!" he ordered.

Moments later, from the guild base, three aircraft slowly emerged, landing right in front of the guild leader.

Players and NPCs alike quickly boarded the aircraft and began heading toward the location of the boss monster.

---

Back at the lakeside...

Gabriel held the Serpent King’s gaze, his fingers wrapped tightly around his greatsword.

His earlier action seemed to have provoked the giant serpent—its eyes grew darker, and the lake water began to bubble, releasing intense rising steam.

Bunny’s breath quickened as she shouted, "Everyone, back up!"

Gabriel stood just a few feet away from the serpent, his hair fluttering in the wind, a fearless expression on his face.

’He’s under-leveled,’ she frowned. ’If anything happens to him, he’s gone. NPCs don’t respawn like us. Is this a good thing?’

Even the viewers on her stream shared the same sentiment.

[Guys, I know Broken is strong, but there’s no way he can beat a monster of that level!]

[Other players are arriving—let’s just wait. They’ll definitely help him!]

[If he doesn’t get killed first...]

Seeing these comments, she grew even more concerned.

Right at that moment, the Serpent King uncoiled its monstrous body, exposing dozens of thick, centipede-like legs.

With a wet thunk, it stabbed the ground with its legs and hauled its upper body onto the land.

It was like watching a mountain move, and those watching felt their hearts pounding.

A few even flinched from the screen, wondering how Sir Broken could remain so relaxed.

He faced it sure—size didn’t scare him. In fact, it would honestly be difficult for anything to scare him again after what he went through in his past life.

The serpent reared its upper body, its scales glinting under the sun. Then its tail slammed into the water.

BOOM!

A massive wave of boiling water surged from the lake, heading straight in Gabriel’s direction.

Steam exploded into the air, cloaking the battlefield in white mist.

From the viewing centers and even in the real world, the entire screen became blurry.

"W-what just happened?!" exclaimed Doodle, who was already anxious, biting his finger.

---

Back on the battlefield...

Gabriel’s figure remained standing.

Unscathed—and even his clothes were intact. This was because he had activated Burrow Shift and moved forward, away from the water.

Of course, his teammates and the others didn’t notice this because the steam had made the air blurry.

With a sharp exhale, Gabriel dashed forward.

[Dang, he’s fighting it!]

[RIP!]

BOOM!

The ground cracked under Gabriel’s foot as his body shot straight at the Serpent King.

BAM!

Crimson Judgement struck one of the beast’s legs, slashing through the armored joint and severing it completely.

HISSSS!

The beast hissed in pain, but its eyes burned even brighter.

SHRRRRRRAAAAAA!

The monster twisted violently, its body spinning like a cyclone.

Gabriel’s eyes widened.

"Tch—too fast for its size!"

Even before he could react, multiple legs stabbed outward as its tail whipped through the air.

Gabriel thanked his luck for investing in the Perception stat.

He ducked and twisted his body mid-air, but one of the serpent’s limbs grazed his shoulder.

Blood sprayed into the air as he was flung backward, crashing into the ground like a meteor.

BOOM!

A relatively deep crater formed at the spot he landed, raising a cloud of dust.

"Sir Broken!" Bunny screamed. "Get ready to support him!"

The faces of the others all turned pale.

"No!" a voice came from the crater.

Gabriel slowly pushed himself out.

He brushed the dust off his shoulder, grabbed his blade, and walked forward. "I’m fine."

Though he said this, he noticed he had lost over 20 HP from that attack alone.

---

All over the world—both in-game and in reality—everyone’s eyes were focused on him, with the looming question:

Would he be able to hold out against the monster until reinforcements arrived... or is this the end for him?