I only- wish to get Achates back…….
Chapter 266
Panuz (Korean: 파누즈, RR: Panujeu) was the virtual reality dungeon recreation of one of the leading members of Achates City's Defense Agency. Transformed into a monster by Sung Hyunjae acting as the transcendent White Tail, Panuz became an SSS-rank monster temporarily allied with Han Yoojin's party before his death at the hands of the centaur scout.
Appearance
As a human, Panuz had auburn hair.
Once turned into a monster, Panuz was covered in auburn fur the same shade as his human hair. He appeared as a mix of a dragon and a leopard, with a long leopard-like tail, pointed ears, membrane wings and horns like a dragon's, and thorny spines along his head and neck. To signify his allegiance to Sung Hyunjae and his party, he had a piece of Sveil Sheep's Yarn hot pink yarn tied around one horn.[1]
Personality
Panuz was an arrogant, power-hungry man. He considered Guards to be below himself, and was not above kidnapping and a variety of other human rights violations in order to gain more power for himself and Achates. He was somewhat distrustful of others and wary of betrayal, easily losing all interest in gaining more subordinates in favor of making himself stronger after the betrayal of Alpha.[1]
History
In the original Guardverse, Panuz was one of the leading members of the Achates Defense Agency. He often met with the transcendent White Tail as part of a contract they signed,[2] with White Tail giving his help to make Achates stronger. Panuz repaid him with the lives of S-rank or higher Guards or special skill-bearing Awakened people in exchange for help in making Achates stronger. Not wanting to waste Achates' manpower on this, Panuz would have the SS-rank Guard Alpha kidnap Awakened people from other cities including Médecin City.[1]
It is unknown whether the original version of Panuz fell to the rebel movement in Achates or at another time; at the very latest, he would've perished along with the rest of the world when the Guardverse fell to its source, the Deepest Spring.
Synopsis
In the virtual reality dungeon, when Achates Defense Agency was overtaken by the rebels, Panuz waited along with the other original Defense Agency members for a chance to sneak in and gain access to the Mana Hole. They seized their opportunity while the new Agency was busy fighting off the waves of S-rank monsters spawning in the city. Panuz and Mindiba took the two S-rank Guards still on their side and went to the Mana Hole, summoning "White Tail" and asking for a new contract. White Tail—actually Sung Hyunjae—initially disregarded him out of displeasure that he'd indirectly harmed Han Yoojin, much to Panuz's affront, but heard him out. Panuz asked for strength in the form of a new SS-rank, but burned by Alpha's betrayal, changed his request to being made stronger than an SS-rank. "White Tail" agreed in exchange for the two S-ranks' lives and Panuz's obedience to him, which Panuz readily accepted.
Contrary to his expectations, however, Sung Hyunjae turned him into an SSS-rank monster instead of leaving him human. Now transformed and forced to obey Sung Hyunjae, Panuz was sent to accompany Han Yoojin's party to protect him. Panuz arrived moments before the team killed the five SS-ranks from the installation of the fourth of Newcomer's discs. Han Yoojin quickly recognized the pink wool tied to his horn, and the party initially believed him to be a transformed Sung Hyunjae, but realized after some questioning that he was merely sent by Sung Hyunjae.[1]
Panuz accompanied them to Médecin City, where they prepared to install the fifth disc.[1] Upon its installation, the Scout appeared and impaled all the party members, including Panuz, with silver chains. Alongside the others, Panuz pulled himself free and dodged the next chain attack with the help of Han Yoojin's Teacher skill. When the Scout finally showed themself, it made an attempt at attacking Han Yoojin, but Panuz took the blows and was ripped through, dying instantly.[3]
Abilities
Stats
Panuz was initially an Unawakened person. Transformed by the disguised Sung Hyunjae, he became a stat SSS-rank.[1]
Belongings
- Contract with White Tail[1]
Relationships
White Tail
Panuz was deeply, instinctually respectful to White Tail, recognizing his immense strength compared to himself, although he forgot himself at times and would snap back if White Tail showed signs of disdain or refusing to help him.[1]
Alpha
Panuz believed Alpha to be perfectly tamed and absolutely loyal, to the point where he was comfortable taking him along to meetings with White Tail despite the transcendent having killed Alpha's caregiver. Being betrayed by "Alpha" (actually Han Yoohyun) affected Panuz deeply enough that he no longer trusted any of his subordinates to stay loyal to him.[2]