“A werewolf?” The two young girls were stunned for a heartbeat before Little Mushroom recovered first. “So you are a werewolf! No wonder you can transform into a giant wolf!”

  Little Leaf had only just recalled the same thing, but the words she was about to blurt out were stolen by her friend. Forced to swallow them back down, she looked a little aggrieved.

  Glenn understood why they hadn’t immediately connected him with werewolves—these two hadn’t seen much of the world. They’d heard the legends but had never laid eyes on one.

  At that moment, the male elf forced a stiff smile. “S-Sir, you are truly formidable—to think you could slay such a horrifying creature. Might you… release us now? This posture is rather uncomfortable, haha…”

  Glenn glanced at the group bound by Little Leaf’s magic. He had just opened his mouth when Little Leaf cut in:

  “Glenn, they tried to run just now! Good thing I caught them!”

  She held her chin high, waiting for praise.

  “Little Leaf, you’re amazing!” Glenn cooperated flawlessly.

  She immediately lifted her neck like a proud swan.

  “We are terribly sorry, honorable sir! Please forgive our cowardice—we were simply terrified by that monster!”

  “Yes! We fully acknowledge your strength now. We will never attempt to escape again! Please believe us!”

  Their faces drooped like mourners. They looked utterly terrified that Glenn would finish them off—clearly not their first time betting their lives on the temperament of the strong.

  After all, they had already guided him here. By their logic, they no longer held value.

  Seeing their fearful expressions, Glenn more or less guessed what was running through their minds and allowed a conflicted look to form on his face.

  The moment they realized he wasn’t killing them outright, hope flickered in their eyes. They frantically urged the silver-tongued male elf to speak quickly.

  He did not disappoint.

  “Honored sir, we are a people who revere the mighty. After witnessing your power, our hearts have already yielded in admiration. A master as strong—and as impossibly handsome—as you is incredibly rare. Though our abilities are insignificant and we may not even be worthy of serving you, we still beg you to accept us. We can do hard labor—anything you require.”

  His words flowed with such natural fluency that Glenn’s skin crawled.

  This is way too much licking… he thought, suppressing the urge to grimace.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  Little Leaf and Little Mushroom were startled by the elf’s flattery, staring up at Glenn with wide eyes. “You’re that powerful!?”

  The corner of Glenn’s mouth twitched. He ignored the two na?ve girls for now and said, expressionless, to the locals:

  “I’ve thought it over. Killing you gains me nothing. Since that’s the case, I’ll let you live for now and put you to work.”

  The captives brightened instantly, relief washing over them like rain in a drought.

  Glenn signaled for Little Leaf to release her spell.

  Once freed, the group became noticeably more obedient—no trace of escape in their eyes.

  Glenn led them across the ruins searching for hidden doors or mechanisms, but found nothing. He grabbed the male elf and asked:

  “Did the prophet tell you where the hidden laboratory is?”

  The elf swallowed and slowly shook his head.

  “Where is the prophet? Go fetch him,” Glenn commanded.

  “My apologies, sir… The prophet left several days ago,” the elf replied respectfully.

  Did he foresee I would come? Glenn wondered.

  In truth, the prophet had only foreseen trouble looming and fled to avoid it—completely unaware someone stronger than the monster itself would arrive.

  Glenn waved his hand dismissively, ordering the elf to continue searching.

  The elf looked as if granted divine mercy and immediately hurried off.

  After observing the ruins a little longer, Glenn’s patience finally wore thin. He raised his voice:

  “Enough. Stop searching!”

  The locals halted at once—having long been repeating the same empty spots in fear of disobeying him.

  Only Little Leaf and Little Mushroom paid no attention to adult concerns; they ran about the ruins as if they were a playground.

  “Step back. I’m digging this place open.” Glenn leapt atop a cracked pillar jutting upright from the debris.

  Everyone retreated to the edge of the ruins—including the two girls.

  Glenn transformed once more into a Tier-Five Werewolf and struck the crescent-shaped foundation of the damaged structure.

  The ordinary building materials crumbled quickly, collapsing safely toward the empty side.

  The thunderous crash sent birds racing skyward and rolled a heavy plume of dust into the air. The echo rumbled for a long while.

  Before the onlookers could even marvel, another violent roar drew their attention.

  Glenn was already a blur of fiery claws—both hands armed with Blazing Fangs—as he tore into the ground with feral speed.

  Given how sharp Blazing Fangs were, the noise shouldn’t have been so loud. They sliced through almost anything like soft clay.

  Yet at seven or eight meters deep, his unstoppable steel claws struck a layer of dark-red stone—and could not break through.

  Highly unusual.

  Those three dark mages were only Tier Four. They could never have created something this durable—something that could withstand Glenn’s power for so long.

  Even with unstoppable claws and overwhelming strength, he had only scraped away a shallow fragment after repeated blows.

  Glenn paused, studying it closely.

  Then—like a lightning bolt cleaving his mind—

  This must be an ancient ruin!

  Ancient ruins meant treasure vaults. Anyone with the slightest knowledge of the world knew that.

  Stories of people stumbling into ancient ruins and rising to greatness were countless.

  How much have those three already taken? A thrill stirred in Glenn’s chest as he briefly transformed into a Tier-Seven Werewolf.

  Black curse-smoke erupted outward, flooding the entire ruin.

  The onlookers recoiled in terror, instinctively fleeing the dark fog.

  “Glenn!” The two girls had barely stepped back before remembering him, ready to charge in after him—

  A voice, familiar yet laden with a heavier, more sinister weight, stopped them:

  “I’m fine. This fog is mine.”

  It took them a moment to recognize the voice as Glenn’s.

  Only then did they breathe again.

  The rest of the locals nearly collapsed to their knees. All this devastation—caused by Glenn alone?

  Gods above… Just how terrifying was this man’s strength?