Lord Evolution: Starting With SS-rank Skills

Rowan and his soldiers marched through the village and arrived at the dark forest.

The villagers weren't worried about the marching anymore.

Usually, they would feel a bit scared and worried, thinking a war was ongoing.

But after learning that the soldiers were going to hunt, their worries reduced, and they only wished them a safe and successful hunting journey.

When they arrived at the entrance of the forest, some of the soldiers halted, thinking they would be hunting at the same spot as the last time—a few of them were slightly afraid of stepping inside the dark forest, especially those from Winterseed II.

Rowan noticed this and quickly announced that their hunt was going to be within the forest.

Most of them would have liked to disagree, but they ended up agreeing anyway—the road to becoming unnaturally stronger was never meant to be easy.

However, before entering the forest, Rowan decided to give tips and discuss new strategies in order to keep them safe.

While he was giving advice, some of the soldiers became a little bit worried that Rowan hadn't summoned Blaze yet.

Most of them could still remember how Blaze had saved them from dying during the last hunt, so they naturally missed his presence.

"Blaze is resting and will join the battle very late. So your survival is all in your hands," Rowan warned. "You either go all out against your opponent and win, or hold back and get hurt—or even die if care isn't taken."

Depending on himself and Blaze for survival when they made flaws during battles was not a good way to train them. He had to make them realize this now.

The soldiers gulped upon hearing his reply.

"What about bait? Are we going to burn meat like the last time?" Roland asked.

Rowan shook his head.

"How then are we going to draw out the monsters?" he asked further.

"I have been gifted a special skill to draw them out. You'll witness it when I activate it," Rowan replied.

Most of the soldiers could not help but wonder what the skill was.

"This is going to be one of the most serious fights you all have ever had. So go all out. On the battlefield, holding back is as dumb as signing your own death note," Rowan warned for the last time.

The soldiers nodded their heads in agreement.

Rowan nodded as well.

"Let us proceed," he said.

With his command, the one thousand plus soldiers accompanied him and walked into the forest.

Their eyes moved around rapidly, observing their surroundings for any threat.

Their weapons were clenched in their hands, ready to engage at the spotting of any danger.

Rowan led the soldiers deeper into the forest. The trees grew taller and thicker, blocking out most of the sunlight. The air felt colder, and the sound of leaves flapping became frequent. The noise of smaller animals escaping upon their arrival also drifted across the group.

The group progressed noiselessly.

As they moved forward, Rowan spotted a few lone monsters lurking around and did not hesitate to slay them in just one move.

The soldiers watched him slay these monsters, and their confidence grew. They were reminded once again of the strength of their Lord.

At this moment, Rowan was in search of a perfect hunting spot—a clear opening deep inside the forest. So when he activates [Hunter Call] and the monsters or demonic beasts start attacking, it would be easier for the soldiers to engage.

It would be more difficult, though, considering the monsters would be pouring out from all around them.

But Rowan wasn't bothered.

If he kept training the soldiers under good conditions, they would not become as tough as he wanted them to be.

Thankfully, after walking for about three hours, Rowan found the perfect spot.

The opening was carpeted with grass, and the trees around this place had huge spaces within them, making the sight clearer.

"We'll hunt here," he announced, and the soldiers halted.

Without wasting time, they began warming up, readying their weapons and minds to engage.

Rowan observed everyone and noticed a bit of a flaw in the setting and the formation—the archers would be at a major disadvantage.

'I need to make a quick change,' he thought.

"Gather up, everyone. Some changes have to be made."

After getting their attention, he announced the new strategy.

However, the soldiers were a little confused.

"If the monsters are pouring in in large numbers, wouldn't it be pretty disadvantageous to have the archers at the frontline?" Bryce complained.

"Naturally," Rowan replied.

"Unfortunately, this hunt is all about kills. If we go the usual route, the archers would have little to no kills, and this would only mean their evolution would be delayed. I need the archers to be very strong; they would be our trump card in the impending doom," Rowan explained.

"Also, the archers at the frontline don't necessarily put them in danger. It only gives them the advantage of initial kills. Once they are done emptying their rounds, they would move back, and the close-ranged fighters would engage," Rowan briefed them about his strategy as simply as he could.

Once the monsters start pouring out, Rowan would have to make switches in the strategy and formation from time to time.

Many might consider his strategy flawed, but it isn't—Rowan wants every soldier to evolve before the trial begins. Hiding and shielding the archers with the close-ranged fighters would only hinder their evolution, leading to uneven power in his army.

He doesn't want that.

"Is that clear?" he inquired after he was done announcing.

The soldiers nodded.

"Good... prepare yourselves. I am about to call the monsters."

The soldiers took their positions, forming a simple formation with the archers standing at the front, forming a small wall around the close-ranged fighters who braced themselves.

Rowan was standing in the middle of this formation.

'Time to test my hunter skills!' he thought.

Rowan took in a deep breath and prepared to activate his skill.

[ Activating HUNTER'S VOICE... Activated! Your shout can now draw out monsters ]

Seeing the confirmation, Rowan smirked and then—"COME OUT, YOU FUCKERS!"