High above the chaotic battlefield, at the rooftop of a distant building where Bong Me-Eon and Song Woo-Ji stood watch, a sudden surge of energy crackled in the air.

A portal shimmered into existence, swirling with hues of violet and silver, its edges rippling like water disturbed by a gentle breeze.

From within, a figure emerged—a woman who carried herself with a presence that commanded attention.

She appeared to be in her mid-forties, yet age had only added to her fierce beauty.

Her dark hair was swept back in a high ponytail, streaked with hints of silver that framed her sharp, angular face.

Her eyes were a piercing shade of green, bright and intelligent, keen as blades.

Fine lines traced the corners of her mouth and eyes, but they did nothing to dull her severe expression; if anything, they gave her an edge of authority and life-worn wisdom.

Her posture was straight, her shoulders back, projecting an air of unshakable confidence.

She wore a fitted combat suit of muted black, adorned with silver accents that gleamed under the light, emphasizing her role not only as a ranker but as one of the most elite warriors of her world.

With a glance, she took in Bong Me-Eon and Song Woo-Ji, her gaze resting for a beat longer on the young disciple, who stared far off, his attention fixated on the raging battle beyond.

She raised an eyebrow, lips pursed in mild annoyance as she asked, “Why have I been summoned? You know my time is precious.”

Bong Me-Eon inclined her head respectfully, but the woman’s sharp gaze caught the weariness beneath her eyes.

Bong Me-Eon glanced at Song Woo-Ji, then answered, “My disciple suggested calling for top-tier reinforcements. He’s… convinced that we’ll need every ounce of power we can muster for this fight.”

The woman’s eyes narrowed, scrutinizing Song Woo-Ji.

The kid didn’t say a word, his attention riveted on Volk in the distance. She let out a sigh, half a sneer pulling at her lips.

“This is the famous new disciple of my disciple?”

Her voice held an edge of disbelief mixed with disdain, as if he were hardly worth her notice.

She turned, eyes settling on the battlefield. It was a scene of carnage, yet the clash between the armored man and Volk held her interest.

Volk’s ferocity was undeniable, and he had yet to be fully defeated, even by an S-class opponent.

She crossed her arms, watching with faint interest as Volk rose higher into the sky. But as the Orc leader rocketed back toward the ground, the armored man met him mid-descent, driving his fist into Volk’s face and sending him hurtling into the earth.

The impact sent a shockwave across the landscape.

The middle-aged woman rolled her eyes. “So I’m here for… this?” She sighed, folding her arms and glancing to the side, clearly impatient. “Honestly, why did you think I was needed? That man’s handling himself just fine, and besides, I had other things to do.”

She tapped her fingers thoughtfully, her tone almost exasperated as she started listing off her priorities.

“I was in the middle of shopping. The good boutique only opens once a month, and I need that outfit if I’m going to be forced into another one of those high-society functions.”

She sniffed, her lips curving downward in distaste at the thought.

“Then there’s the bakery down on Fifth—I swear they have the best matcha croissants in town, and they only make a limited batch each day. Do you have any idea how much effort it takes to snag one before they’re all gone?”

Her list went on, her tone more annoyed with each item she named.

“And don’t get me started on the spa appointment I had lined up. Those specialists are nearly impossible to book. There’s that new jade treatment I’ve been dying to try for weeks. And then—”

She let out an exaggerated sigh, tossing a bored glance at the ongoing battle as if it were a minor inconvenience.

She shook her head dismissively, casting a final withering look at Bong Me-Eon. “Really, why am I here? It looks like they’re holding their own. I think I should just return and finish my day.”

But as she turned away, a quiet voice broke through her musing. Song Woo-Ji, who had remained silent all this time, spoke in a low, trembling tone.

“We need to leave.” The fear in his voice cut through the air like a knife.

The woman froze, her confident expression faltering as she glanced back at him.

Bong Me-Eon stared at her disciple in surprise, eyes widening at the stark terror in his face.

Song Woo-Ji’s voice was unsteady as he continued, staring out at the horde and the ominous figure of Volk.

“If we don’t leave… we’re all going to die.”

His words were barely a whisper, yet they echoed with certainty.

The middle-aged woman frowned, still skeptical.

Her gaze swept over the battlefield, where A-class rankers rained down magic upon the horde, their power crackling across the skies and pounding Volk’s army of Ogres and Orcs into the dirt.

The sheer force seemed enough to annihilate anything in its path.

She could see no reason why they wouldn’t emerge victorious, especially with so many powerful rankers united in their cause.

The ranks of the Orcs and Ogres were dwindling, their forces shattered by the relentless onslaught of magic.

And yet… something gnawed at her, a growing unease that lingered even as she watched the scene unfold. Then she saw it.

Far below, Volk’s hand lifted, fingers curling into a tight, unyielding fist.

And with a terrifying speed, his massive arm shot upward, his furious eyes locking onto the armored man as his fist hurtled toward him with a force that could shatter mountains.

The middle-aged woman’s face paled, shock and disbelief crossing her features.

The middle-aged woman’s eyes widened in horror, and before she could stop herself, she blurted out, “Did that Orc horde leader just become… an SSS-Class monster? Comparable to an SSS-Class ranker like… me? In an instant?”

Her words hung in the air, laced with disbelief and alarm, her voice echoing slightly amidst the distant roar of battle.

Bong Me-Eon and Song Woo-Ji stood beside her, transfixed, faces pale as they too felt the terrifying shift in Volk’s power.

It was like a dark storm swelling in the air, crushing down on everyone present with a presence so intense it felt like the ground itself might buckle beneath it.

Just then, Volk’s fist came crashing down, aimed at the armored man who barely evaded, the ground exploding where Volk’s fist met earth.

KABOOM!

A violent shockwave ripped through the battlefield, its impact cascading outward like a massive tidal wave.

The sheer force was so immense it rolled through the field, sending class A rankers and weaker Orcs alike flying back like leaves in a storm.

The wave expanded outward, spreading relentlessly, the tremors climbing the distant buildings, and nearly reaching where Bong Me-Eon, Song Woo-Ji, and the middle-aged woman watched from afar.

They had never thought that it would turn out this way, they had never thought than a simple Orc would become Ogre, and an Ogre that is a comparable to a peak A rank would jump instantly into becoming an SSS rank monster!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep