’I must sound so cool!’ Oliver screamed in his mind. His entrance had come at the perfect moment, just when everything seemed lost.

’They will definitely see me as a hero. And if they find out my real identity is the boy they deemed a failure, they will surely feel ashamed and kneel before me. Kekeke.’

"Pff!" Husk turned his head, trying to hold back his laughter.

"Tch! This wolf... he always ruins my great moments."

"Who are you? Which town are you from? Or are you one of those illegal hunters?" Lambert asked, growing suspicious of Oliver. Diana was also ready to attack at any moment.

"Is that how you talk to someone who just saved your friends?"

"Why you...!"

"Stop!" Nolan stepped forward and halted Lambert, who was about to charge. "Now is not the time for us to fight each other. You, are you here to fight that monster, or are you here to interfere with us?"

’This old man Nolan is quite good. That is how a leader should react,’ Oliver thought.

"I am here for that monster. All of you can leave if you are scared. I will finish it myself," Oliver said, trying to sound a little arrogant.

"Are you trying to steal our kill and take all the loot after all our effort? And how old are you? Are you actually just a kid?" Lambert asked while scanning Oliver from head to toe.

"Quiet, Lambert! You, what do you mean you are here for that monster? Please tell us your reason," Nolan said calmly. He remained composed because the figure before him was emitting a strange pressure. The ease with which they had blocked the boss’s attack made it clear that this boy was not normal. And perhaps, he could be the key to defeating this monster.

"It’s simple. I just want to tame that monster," Oliver said casually.

"What?"

"What? Nolan! This kid is crazy! He’s here just to disrupt us. Maybe he’s an enemy. Let’s defeat him first," Diana said and ready to attack. They had seen many crazy people before, but never someone this absurd.

Nolan remained silent for a moment before locking eyes with Oliver.

"Do you really think you can defeat this monster?" Nolan asked.

"Yes. Very sure," Oliver replied.

"Then... that monster is yours."

"What is this, Nolan?!"

"Yes! Why would you just give it away to a stranger?"

"Have both of you already forgotten why we are here? Why we are risking our lives? It is to protect our home, not to collect drops from monsters. That is only an incentive. Do not let materialistic desires blind your judgment. Right now, we are not able to defeat that monster by ourselves. If we fail, our families will be gone. Is that what you want?"

"N-no, Guildmaster."

"I am sorry. You are right," Lambert said, clenching his teeth. He had been greedy just now, but what truly mattered was his family.

"Well said, old man." Oliver gave a thumbs up.

"Then if there is nothing else, I will move now. If you guys want to help, even better. Let’s go, Husk."

"Auff!" Husk barked.

’Why do I need to bark when I am actually a wolf?’ Husk felt dissatisfied as he was told by Oliver to pretend like a normal monster.

Oliver then rushed toward the boss with Husk.

’Why does that dog seem familiar?’ Nolan thought for a moment, trying to recall, but failed. He then steadied himself and followed Oliver. His wounds were slowly healing thanks to the regenerative power of his roots.

Cannonyx turned its gaze toward Oliver and Husk as they charged at it. It raised its cannon and switched to rapid mode.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Oliver and Husk split to opposite sides. The bullets chased after Oliver, but he managed to evade most of them using Quickstep.

They then converged on the boss at the same time and struck.

"Crimson Slash!"

The shell protecting the boss began to crack and fall apart piece by piece along its torso. Oliver pressed the attack, following up with an Assault Slash at the exposed area.

"Ggggraaar!"

Cannonyx screamed in pain as green blood spilled from the wound. One of its legs swung toward Oliver, nearly reaching him, when suddenly, roots shot up and pulled it away.

Oliver turned and saw Woodthera restraining it.

’That monster is actually very good. If only I could have it as well,’ Oliver thought as he was impressed by Woodthera, which had proven to be a crucial asset to Nolan’s group.

He had seen many monsters of different ranks in town, and he concluded that Rank A and above monsters were more intelligent and capable of making their own decisions, unlike lower-ranked ones that relied on their masters’ commands.

Thanks to Woodthera, Oliver had an opening to attack again. His hand was suddenly covered in a red aura, forming a claw. It was not as large as during his Synchronization transformation, but it was still powerful.

"Crimson Fang!"

Oliver thrust his claw into the boss’s chest, the same spot he had struck earlier. More blood gushed out, and the boss screamed even louder in pain.

"Who is that? How can he overwhelm that boss all by himself?" the hunters murmured in awe. Soon, the remaining Cannomites were defeated, and all attention shifted to the boss.

For the next few minutes, Cannonyx was relentlessly attacked by the group, led by Oliver. Its HP began to drop rapidly, reaching around 10%.

"Be careful, it will enter Berserk mode," Nolan warned.

Suddenly, the boss raised its cannon upward. It charged with an intense brightness, causing the cracks on its cannon to widen even further. In an instant, it fired a massive beam straight into the sky. The shot exploded high above like a firecracker. All the hunters, including Oliver, were confused at first, until they realized it.

The explosion split into hundreds of fragments, raining down from above before detonating across the area. Each blast carried power similar to the charged shot, throwing the battlefield into chaos.

Oliver mounted Husk as they dashed through the forest, trying to escape the relentless barrage.

"Run faster, Husk! Faster!" Oliver shouted as he glanced back and saw hundreds of fragments raining down toward them.

"Can’t you see I’m already doing that?!" Husk snapped as he sprinting at full speed.

Suddenly, one of the fragments closed in, and struck them.

BOOM!!!

---

"What is that?" Arnulf, one of the hunters guarding the west side of the town gate facing the forest, was shocked as he saw the explosion in the sky. The blast lit up the entire town, leaving the townspeople in awe of its brightness.