Chapter 4 Blood on the bridge

Seo Jun-Ho led the small group through the devastated streets of Seoul as they made their way toward the massive black tower that dominated the skyline near the Han River. The four survivors followed closely behind him, carrying whatever supplies and monster parts they could manage. Kage stayed right beside him, his movements growing smoother and stronger with every hour that passed. The effects of the meals continued to show in both of them, giving Jun-Ho confidence that they could handle whatever came next.

The closer they got to the river, the worse the destruction became. Entire buildings had collapsed, and large rifts continued to spit out monsters at regular intervals. The group had only been walking for twenty minutes when a new threat appeared. A loud roar echoed from ahead, followed by the sound of heavy footsteps that shook the pavement.

From the direction of the Mapo Bridge, a group of much larger creatures emerged. These were not wolves or lizards. They were Ogre-type monsters, standing over three meters tall with grayish skin, crude clubs made from street signs and lampposts, and glowing yellow eyes filled with rage. There were four of them, each one clearly stronger than anything Jun-Ho had faced so far.

“Stay back,” Jun-Ho ordered the survivors. “Support from a distance if you can, but do not get close.”

He stepped forward with his reinforced metal pipe gripped firmly in both hands. The first ogre charged at him with surprising speed for its size, swinging a massive club downward. Jun-Ho rolled to the side at the last moment, feeling the impact crack the pavement where he had stood. He immediately counterattacked, striking the back of the ogre’s knee with all his enhanced strength. The joint buckled, but the creature only roared louder and swung again.

Kage darted between the ogre’s legs and bit into its calf, drawing blood and creating an opening. Jun-Ho jumped onto a nearby overturned bus and leaped directly onto the ogre’s back. He drove the sharp end of his pipe into the base of the monster’s neck repeatedly. Thick blood poured out as the ogre thrashed wildly, trying to throw him off. Jun-Ho held on tight until the creature finally collapsed to the ground.

Before he could catch his breath, the second ogre attacked. This one was smarter and waited for its companion to fall before striking. Its club caught Jun-Ho in the side and sent him flying into a row of abandoned cars. Pain flared across his ribs, but his improved vitality kept him conscious. He pushed himself up quickly, spitting blood from his mouth.

The survivors tried to help by throwing pieces of concrete and metal at the ogres, but their attacks barely distracted the monsters. Kage continued fighting bravely, dodging heavy stomps and biting at every chance he got. Jun-Ho charged back into the fight with renewed focus. He used his superior agility to stay mobile, striking at joints and soft spots while avoiding the crushing blows.

The third ogre joined the assault, forcing Jun-Ho to fight two at once. He ducked under one swing and used the momentum to slam his pipe into the second ogre’s elbow, shattering bone. Kage’s distraction allowed him to finish the injured one with a thrust through the eye. The battle grew fiercer as the final ogre, the largest of the group, entered the fray with a furious roar.

This one carried a massive metal beam as a weapon. It swung with devastating force, destroying everything in its path. Jun-Ho narrowly avoided several attacks that would have killed him instantly. One glancing blow still caught his shoulder and dislocated it. He gritted his teeth through the pain and continued fighting. Using the environment to his advantage, he lured the ogre toward a weakened section of the bridge where the structure had already been damaged.

When the ogre charged again, Jun-Ho timed his move perfectly. He slid between its legs at the last second, then struck the damaged support pillar with everything he had. The structure gave way, and part of the bridge collapsed under the ogre’s weight. The massive creature fell through the gap, crashing down toward the river below with a heavy splash.

Jun-Ho stood breathing heavily among the bodies of the defeated ogres. His left shoulder throbbed badly, and blood covered much of his body. The survivors rushed forward to help him, but he waved them off and sat down on a piece of concrete. He pulled his shoulder back into place with a sharp motion, then began processing the ogre corpses immediately.

His Primordial Palate activated the moment he cut into the first body.

[Ogre meat detected. High nutritional and essence value.] 

[Recommended dishes: Ogre Heart Steak for massive strength gains, Bone Marrow Broth for recovery and vitality.]

Using materials from the convenience store supplies and some spices he had collected earlier, Jun-Ho built a larger fire on a stable section of the bridge. He prepared the heart of the strongest ogre with careful attention, seasoning it properly before grilling it over the flames. The rich aroma spread quickly across the area, but no new monsters appeared immediately.

When the meat was ready, he ate the first large portion.

[You have consumed Ogre Heart Steak (High Quality Enhancement)] 

[Strength +22] 

[Vitality +18] 

[Endurance +15] 

[You have gained the passive skill: Ogre’s Toughness (Level 1)]

The power that flooded his body was far greater than anything before. His dislocated shoulder healed rapidly, and the black tattoos spread further across his torso and down his arms. He prepared additional portions for Kage and shared the rest with the survivors. Their improvements were smaller, but meaningful. Kage grew noticeably larger after eating, now reaching up to Jun-Ho’s waist with thicker crystals and sharper fangs.

After the meal, Jun-Ho checked his updated status.

[Name: Seo Jun-Ho] 

[Class: Beast Sovereign (Mythic)] 

[Level: 12] 

[Strength: 78] 

[Agility: 51] 

[Vitality: 60] 

[Endurance: 52]

The numbers satisfied him. The group rested briefly while keeping watch, then continued their journey across the damaged bridge toward the tower. The massive black spire loomed much closer now, its surface covered in pulsing runes that gave off an oppressive feeling. Other survivor groups could be seen in the distance, some fighting monsters while others moved carefully toward the same destination.

Jun-Ho knew the real challenges would begin once they reached the tower. For now, he focused on the path ahead. With greater power flowing through his body and Kage growing stronger beside him, he felt ready for the next stage of this new world. The survivors followed him with increasing respect, understanding that their best chance of survival lay with this calm and decisive man who turned monsters into strength through fire and skill.

The red sky continued to darken above them as they pressed forward, the tower’s presence growing stronger with every step.