Chapter 235: Flying Kick

Chapter 235: Chapter 235: Flying Kick

A few days had passed since Ares, Selene, and Leon first arrived in the Dwarven Kingdom.

After hearing from the Guild Master about a massive dungeon located near the kingdom’s capital, the three decided to make their way there. The dungeon was said to be one of the largest discovered on the Grand Continent of Ravellon, attracting adventurers from various kingdoms and races who came seeking wealth, rare materials, and the opportunity to test their strength against the monsters dwelling within.

By the time Ares, Selene, and Leon reached the area surrounding the dungeon, they found the place far more crowded than they had expected.

A massive stone structure had been constructed around the dungeon’s entrance, with several guards stationed beneath a large covered gate. Adventurers were gathered in long lines, waiting for their turns to enter, while others stood nearby preparing their equipment or speaking with companions.

Beastfolk of various kinds could be seen throughout the crowd. There were wolves, foxes, bears, cats, and several other races that Ares had never encountered before. Elves could also be seen among them, their pointed ears and distinctive appearances making them easy to recognize.

Humans were present as well, although they were noticeably fewer than the other races.

Ares, Selene, and Leon quietly joined one of the lines.

Despite their attempts to look ordinary, the three still attracted attention.

Several adventurers glanced in their direction before quietly whispering among themselves.

"Hey, look at those three. Could they be human nobles?"

"What are they doing here?"

"I bet they’re here to get themselves killed."

The words were clearly loud enough for the three to hear.

Yet none of them reacted.

Ares continued looking ahead with the same calm expression, while Leon merely glanced toward the speakers before losing interest. Selene’s eyes narrowed slightly, but she said nothing and continued standing beside Ares.

The line gradually moved forward.

Time passed, and eventually the three found themselves only a short distance from the dungeon entrance.

That was when several beastfolk suddenly approached from another direction.

Three tigerfolk walked directly toward the line.

They were clearly not monsters but members of one of the beastfolk races, possessing muscular humanoid bodies covered in orange-and-black striped fur, sharp claws, feline ears, and long tails. The one in front was a broad-shouldered young man with short black hair mixed with orange stripes, golden eyes, and a confident expression that suggested he was accustomed to getting whatever he wanted.

The two behind him were similarly built, though slightly smaller, and both carried ordinary adventurer weapons at their waists.

Without paying the slightest attention to the people waiting, the three tigerfolk simply stepped into the line several places ahead of Ares, Selene, and Leon.

Selene’s expression immediately changed.

"What do you think you’re doing?" she asked coldly.

The surrounding adventurers fell silent.

Several human adventurers immediately lowered their gazes, deliberately avoiding looking at the tigerfolk who had cut into the line. The reaction was enough to show that this was not the first time such a thing had happened.

The tigerfolk in front slowly turned around.

He looked Selene up and down before his lips curled into an arrogant smile.

"Hah. Who do you think you are to speak to me like that?"

His gaze shifted between Ares and Leon before returning to Selene.

"Although, I have to admit, you’re quite beautiful. What’s your name?"

Selene’s expression hardened.

"Disgusting."

The single word immediately caused several people nearby to gasp.

A murmur spread through the crowd.

"Did she really just say that?"

"Does she not know who he is?"

"That’s the son of the Tiger King."

"She actually insulted him to his face?"

The tigerfolk’s expression twisted with anger.

"You’re just a mere human. How dare you speak to me like that?"

He stepped forward and proudly raised his chin.

"I am the son of one of the Four Beast Kings. I can do whatever I want in this kingdom."

He then glanced toward his two companions.

"Boys, take her."

The two tigerfolk immediately stepped forward.

Neither Ares nor Leon moved.

Selene simply stared at them with an expression of complete disdain.

The moment the two attempted to grab her, she moved.

Whoosh!

Selene effortlessly stepped aside, seized one of them by the arm, and drove her foot into his chest with overwhelming force.

BOOM!

The tigerfolk was sent flying backward and crashed heavily into the ground.

Before the second could react, Selene turned and struck him with another powerful kick.

CRASH!

He flew several meters before slamming into the stone pavement, where he remained unconscious.

The surrounding adventurers stared in disbelief.

Selene calmly lowered her leg and looked toward the remaining tigerfolk.

"I don’t care if you’re the son of whichever Beast King you’re talking about. That title means nothing to me."

The tigerfolk stared at his two unconscious companions before turning toward Selene in disbelief.

"You... How dare you attack my men!"

He rushed forward, intending to strike her himself.

Selene did not even bother stepping back.

SMACK!

Her palm struck his face with enough force to send him flying across the area.

The tigerfolk crashed into the ground and rolled several times before finally coming to a stop.

The entire entrance became completely silent.

One of the human adventurers stared at the scene with his mouth slightly open.

"Am I seeing this correctly? Did she really just defeat the son of the Tiger King, Tireromon?"

Another human adventurer, a young man around Ares’s age, looked at Selene with a mixture of shock and admiration.

"Are you perhaps a high-ranking adventurer?"

His companion, who appeared to be around the same age, immediately grabbed his arm.

"I-it’s amazing that you defeated them, but you need to understand who you’ve just attacked. He’s the son of one of the Four Beast Kings. His father will never let this pass."

The other young man nodded nervously.

"You should leave this place before the Tiger King hears about what happened. If he comes here personally, none of us will be able to protect you."

Selene turned toward them.

"Beast Kings?"

She smiled.

"Who are these Beast Kings you’re talking about?"

Ares looked at the two young men.

"Could you explain who they are?"

The two exchanged a nervous glance before the first one began explaining.

"The Four Beast Kings are the four most powerful rulers beneath the Beast King himself. Each of them commands one of the major beastfolk territories and possesses enormous influence throughout the Beast Kingdom."

His companion continued.

"They are not simply powerful nobles. Each Beast King commands armies of their own race, controls vast territories, and possesses enough strength to make entire kingdoms take them seriously."

Ares listened quietly.

"Who is the Beast King?"

"The Beast King is Ragnar Goldmane."

The young man’s expression became serious.

"Ragnar Goldmane is the supreme ruler of the Beast Kingdom. The Four Beast Kings serve beneath him and act as the strongest pillars of his kingdom. Their authority is enormous, and even other powerful races think carefully before provoking them."

He glanced nervously toward the unconscious tigerfolk.

"The one you just defeated is Tireromon’s son. Tireromon is the Tiger King, one of the Four Beast Kings."

The other adventurer continued.

"The Tiger King is particularly feared because of the strength of the tigerfolk under his command. His warriors are known for their physical power and brutality, and Tireromon himself is considered one of the most dangerous individuals in the Beast Kingdom."

He lowered his voice.

"You are humans, so you really shouldn’t have done this. Humans already have little influence here, and if the Tiger King decides to punish you, there won’t be many people willing to stand against him."

Several human adventurers nearby nodded in agreement.

The fear on their faces was obvious.

The other races were also watching the situation, though many seemed more annoyed than concerned. Some whispered among themselves, while others openly stared at Selene as though waiting to see whether she would finally become frightened.

Selene, however, simply smiled.

"Beast Kings, huh?"

She glanced toward the unconscious tigerfolk before looking back at the two humans.

"I see. Thank you for telling us."

Ares gave the two young adventurers a small nod.

"Thank you for explaining."

The two seemed surprised by how calmly he responded.

"Don’t misunderstand us," one of them said quickly. "We’re only warning you because you genuinely don’t seem to understand how serious this is."

"Even if the Tiger King comes here personally, you should run," the other added. "Humans are powerless against people of that level, especially against the Four Beast Kings. They are among the most feared rulers in the Beast Kingdom."

Selene’s smile widened.

"Worry not."

She turned toward them, her expression becoming almost frighteningly cheerful.

"Even if that so-called Beast King comes here personally, I’ll beat him until he is crawling on the ground."

The two young men froze.

Their eyes widened as they stared at her.

"You... You really said that?"

"Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

The first human adventurer looked genuinely speechless.

The other could only stare at Selene as though he had never encountered anyone so fearless before.

Nearby, several human adventurers had also heard her words.

They looked at Ares, Selene, and Leon with expressions ranging from disbelief to admiration.

Some of them seemed frightened for the three.

Others could not hide their smiles.

For years, they had watched beastfolk abuse their position and intimidate humans simply because they possessed greater status or strength. Yet now, three humans stood in the middle of the dungeon entrance and openly challenged one of the Four Beast Kings without showing even the slightest trace of fear.

Several beastfolk began approaching them.

"Do you have any idea what you’ve just done?"

"You should apologize immediately."

"Don’t think defeating a few tigerfolk makes you special."

"The Tiger King will personally punish you for this."

Selene looked around at them.

"Heh."

She smiled.

"Anyone who wants to challenge me is free to come forward."

Her eyes became cold.

"And you can end up just like these disgusting creatures."

The surrounding beastfolk immediately became silent.

None of them moved.

Their faces showed obvious annoyance, but none were willing to be the next person sent flying across the entrance.

Ares sighed quietly.

’It seems Selene has no intention of holding back.’

He looked at the unconscious tigerfolk and then at the crowd surrounding them.

’Still, perhaps this is better. Anyone foolish enough to challenge us after seeing what happened will only have themselves to blame.’

Leon stood beside Ares with his usual calm expression, watching the scene with faint amusement.

The human adventurers, meanwhile, could not help smiling.

One of them quietly said, "For once..."

His companion glanced at him.

The young man looked toward the beastfolk who were now standing in uncomfortable silence.

"It’s the first time I’ve seen them humiliated like this."

His companion smiled as well.

"Yeah."

Neither of them said anything more.

The expression on their faces said enough.

The crowd eventually began moving again, and the guards at the dungeon entrance continued allowing adventurers inside. The two young human adventurers remained nearby, still watching Ares, Selene, and Leon with a mixture of concern and admiration.

Eventually, it was their turn.

Ares stepped forward with Selene and Leon.

The entrance was protected by a large stone structure resembling a fortified checkpoint, with several guards standing beneath its roof. Each adventurer was required to present their Adventurer’s Guild identification card before being allowed inside.

Ares calmly took out his card and handed it to the guard.

The guard examined it carefully.

"B-rank."

He then looked at Selene.

She handed over her card.

The guard checked it before looking at Leon.

Leon handed his over as well.

The guard examined all three cards before returning them.

"Your identification is valid. You may enter."

Ares retrieved his card and placed it away.

"Thank you."

The three then stepped beyond the checkpoint.

Ahead of them stood the enormous entrance to the dungeon, its dark opening disappearing deep beneath the earth.

Ares looked into the darkness.

’So this is the dungeon the Guild Master told us about.’

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Let’s go."

Selene smiled as she followed.

Leon calmly stepped forward beside them.

Together, the three entered the dungeon.