After giving the workers a simple treatment, Duanmu Huai asked them to go down the mountain immediately, and also had Shajuye accompany them. Although Shajuye was opposed, Duanmu Huai was very insistent. The reason was simple: though he didn't know what kind of monster was in that hole, considering the commotion it caused just by chasing this group of workers that shook the town below to the point of collapse, its size must be enormous. If he were to fight it, it might very well cause the mountain to crumble.

In such circumstances, leaving Shajuye here was simply courting disaster, so Duanmu Huai wanted her to follow these workers back, and at the same time, reminded others that a stronger earthquake might happen soon.

Although Shajuye was somewhat reluctant, she eventually nodded and drove down the mountain with Teacher Yamahara and the workers. As for the radio tower and the first aid kit, Duanmu Huai naturally left them with her.

After all, he had no use for them.

"Alright, let's get started."

Once he confirmed that the group had descended the mountain, Duanmu Huai clapped his cheeks, then with a cold glance, walked into the cave.

This is just the first battle, but from the looks of it, he's not dealing with any passing ghouls or void ghosts; even Duanmu Huai has rarely seen a monster that can cause an earthquake just by moving.

To be honest, even a giant dragon wouldn't have this ability.

He didn't know what he would encounter this time... but at least Duanmu Huai was sure it wasn't one of the top three strongest.

It shouldn't be.

Walking into the cave, it was indeed pitch black inside, even the spotlight Duanmu Huai was carrying seemed to be swallowed by the dark shadows, becoming dim.

But fortunately, Duanmu Huai didn't need light.

He silently turned off the spotlight, then raised his hand. With Duanmu Huai's action, an even deeper darkness surged out like seawater, smearing and covering the darkness in the cave, sweeping forward like waves crashing on a beach.

Silently, as if nothing had happened.

However, at that moment, Duanmu Huai's consciousness extended forward with the surging darkness, and he could clearly see everything inside the cave, including the... thing hiding at the end of the cave.

"Oh my... "

Although Duanmu Huai was mentally prepared, he couldn't help but be startled when he actually saw the monster.

Its appearance, how should I describe it... rather than an octopus, it was more like a snake. Or you can imagine a giant python a thousand meters long, without eyes, with its mouth open and countless sturdy tentacles pouring out of it—that's what this monster was.

Of course, you could think of it as a giant python with a mouth full of tentacles, or a squid with a head elongated like a snake, both are similar.

At the same time, the information about this monster appeared in front of Duanmu Huai.

[Shude. Mel/Burrowing Demon Worm (Leader)]

Great, starting off with a BOSS, not even a small monster in sight.

Duanmu Huai's face turned slightly grave. He had only heard of the burrowing demon worm race, but had no strong impression. This thing is technically a monster, not an evil god.

But either way, starting off with a boss fight, and a big boss at that—in a game, this would be like encountering the Four Heavenly Kings just after leaving the Novice's Village?

What a garbage game setting.

And this burrowing demon worm's body is extremely huge; Duanmu Huai estimated it to be at least fifteen hundred meters long. This length in the Tribunal is on par with a warship—how do you fight this thing?

Or rather, is it even intended for humans to fight?

Unfortunately, Duanmu Huai couldn't use other items; otherwise, he would have taken out some power armor and started his preferred visceral surgery. As for now... Duanmu Huai didn't want to risk his flesh against whatever corrosive substances might be inside it.

In this case, there was nothing left to do but have a showdown between Ancient Dominators!

Let's see who will win!

Duanmu Huai once again confirmed the direction, then stared at the burrowing demon worm... the battle had begun!

At that moment, the solidified darkness suddenly shot out, transforming into countless tentacles, attacking the burrowing demon worm's immense body!

"———————!!!"

The burrowing demon worm clearly sensed Duanmu Huai's attack, opening its gigantic mouth as tentacles shot out from inside it, meeting the attack with scorching mucus!

The battle had begun!

Countless tentacles stabbed at the burrowing demon worm's body like long spears, yet its squid-like slippery, soft body had extraordinary resilience. Even the steel-piercing shadow tentacles, when striking its surface, slid off the side as if hitting a thick tire tile, failing to penetrate it.

Meanwhile, the burrowing demon worm's body began to writhe, its massive form easily crushing the ground beneath along with the shadows to powder, and the scorching saliva it spat melted the stones and tentacles blocking its path.

To this, Duanmu Huai's response was...

"Damn, that's unbelievably disgusting..."

Standing in place, Duanmu Huai's face was filled with disdain. This was his first time using the power of an Ancient Dominator to battle another Ancient Dominator. It was then Duanmu Huai understood that a battle between two Ancient Dominators was not merely a physical battle, but also a mental battle.

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