This scene.

It’s all too familiar.

A horde of beasts gathered like a swarm of ants.

And then there’s me and Nepila Jurashika facing them.

“Kreeek.”

Taking on ants is our specialty.

I planted my feet on the ground and stood up.

*[「Reverse Scale lv1」 is activated.]*

My fully restored body.

This means I can freely unleash techniques I hadn’t been able to use in a while.

But that doesn’t mean I should waste them carelessly.

I’ll need to use them as efficiently as possible to take down the Biyi Bird.

*[「Unleashing Overwhelming Strength」 has been temporarily acquired.]*

First, let’s start by hunting ants.

Thud, thud, thud.

The overwhelming internal energy erupting from my core crushed the bodies of my enemies.

Crash!

Boom!

The weaker ones couldn’t handle it and burst just from being crushed by the energy alone.

Since I’ve already recovered, there’s no need to hold back.

Or is it that they can’t help but burst for some reason?

The Biyi Bird continued to observe from a distance, just like before.

The only difference now is that before it was its choice, and now it has no other option.

I took a step forward.

Boom.

Shhhkk!

The aura of Unleashing Overwhelming Strength combined with Kangryong’s True Kick.

Like a dragon slicing through the earth, enormous cracks formed.

Crack, crack, crack.

The earth split into dozens of veins.

And it didn’t end there.

Hooo.

Boom!

An overwhelming force erupted from within the gaps in the earth.

“Kyaaaagh!”

“Krahk!”

Boom!

The bodies of the enemies within the fissures burst without resistance.

Boom!

Terror Birds, Saber Tigers, Megatherium.

All of them, without exception, exploded equally.

Trying to prevent me from gaining experience only backfired for them.

If that hadn’t been the case, I wouldn’t have been able to annihilate them with this attack.

Boom!

Crash!

The swarm of ants was wiped out completely.

“Grrrk…”

The Biyi Bird glared at me with shocked eyes.

It couldn’t believe that all its numerous minions were gone.

“Grrrr…”

It let out a low growl.

Now, things are even.

I met eyes with Nepila Jurashika, who was floating in the air.

As always, Nepila Jurashika smiled broadly.

Even though it was only an apparition without substance, just having it by my side was reassuring.

Fwoosh!

I activated my sprint and charged towards the Biyi Bird at high speed.

Its momentary shock from losing its minions was brief; it quickly readied itself for battle.

Although it often used underhanded methods despite being a sacred beast, its strength was not to be underestimated.

This creature almost pushed me to death.

Commanding its minions was likely its way of draining my stamina to ensure a clear victory.

When it had only one head, it just took the hits from me, but now that it has two, has its intelligence doubled?

Vwoooom.

The Biyi Bird flapped its steel crests, soaring into the air.

For me on the ground, attacking a foe in the sky is no easy task.

But no matter what, the Biyi Bird is essentially two Dimetrodons.

It’s almost impossible for it to sustain flight for long in that manner.

The Biyi Bird has a choice to make.

If it lands, it will be vulnerable to my attacks, but if it stays airborne like this, it will strain its body.

So it really has only one option.

To attack first.

Swoosh!

With a sound that tore through the air, the Biyi Bird dove at me.

Its steel crest turned into a sharp blade.

I’ve seen this three times already.

And now, I’m fully recovered.

I won’t fall for it again.

Crack.

I put strength into my hind legs.

After dodging its attack, I aimed to smash its head with the *Bone-Crushing Claw*.

Swoosh!

Here it comes.

The creature’s blade.

Slash!

The Biyi Bird’s wings didn’t touch me.

To be precise, it sensed my intent to kill and adjusted its trajectory.

Thud!

Naturally, the recoil sent the Biyi Bird crashing into a large tree.

But it quickly shook it off and took a defensive stance again.

Honestly, I was a bit surprised.

Even though I’d recovered, I had been utterly helpless against its aerial attacks before.

One would typically assume I couldn’t counter its attacks.

Even if it thought I could counter, it’s not easy for an opponent who’s been dominating to back down.

Most enemies I’ve faced would have charged in recklessly.

But this one was different—it was perceptive enough to make a small sacrifice to avoid greater damage.

If it had continued its charge, its head would have burst from my Bone-Crushing Claw.

“Grrk!”

So, what choice will the Biyi Bird make now?

Though I can deal it significant damage, its overall strength is probably still superior.

But with all its minions dead, it wouldn’t believe it could defeat me without suffering losses.

Vwoom.

Once again, the Biyi Bird soared into the air.

Swoosh!

Is it going for another charge?

No, that’s unlikely.

Whirr.

Whirr.

I doubted my own eyes.

The Biyi Bird was flying at a tremendous speed.

From the beginning, its speed had been overwhelming, almost too fast to follow with my eyes.

The only reason I could react to it was because I’d learned its timing through repeated encounters.

Swish, swish, swish!

Now, its image left afterimages.

If it just relied on speed, there was a high chance I’d counter it.

So it changed tactics.

It blurred its position, making it impossible to track, thus avoiding counterattacks.

This might reduce its attack power due to extra movements, but it could still inflict lethal damage on me.

There appeared to be six Dimetrodons.

Which means, the Biyi Bird now appeared as three.

It was impossible to tell which was real.

And since it’s an afterimage rather than a duplicate, even using my *Wild Eyes* wouldn’t help.

Swoosh!

There’s only one thing I can rely on.

A translucent finger pointed at one of the three afterimages.

Slash!

Shhkt!

Blood splattered.

Blood flowed from my scales.

The Biyi Bird was the same.

“Kraaaagh!”

I struck its head with *Dragon’s Talon*.

The afterimages kept me from fully channeling my strength, but it wasn’t a bad outcome.

One hit each—fair enough.

“Grrrk!”

The Biyi Bird shrieked in pain, but quickly rose back into the air.

Whoosh!

Its speed had increased further.

At this rate, it would strain its own body.

But it’s less of a strain than getting hit by me.

Five afterimages now.

Much harder than before.

Even if I attacked, I’d likely miss.

And since its attack power had risen, taking a hit from it now would put me at risk.

But I’m not backing down.

I aimed at the target Nepila indicated.

Crack.

Just as I placed strength in my forelimbs…

Swoosh!

A web shot out in an instant.

It wasn’t strong enough to hold a sacred beast like the Biyi Bird, but it managed to catch it off guard.

“Grrk!”

As I charged toward it, I met Nepila’s eyes.

Even though she lacks a physical form, she pulled this off somehow.

Then again, the Snake Queen showed something similar when she petrified the Cockatrice.

I don’t know the reason, but Nepila seems to be in a situation similar to the Snake Queen at that time.

The reason doesn’t matter.

What matters now is that the web delayed the Biyi Bird’s movement, even if only for a moment.

*[「Reverse Scale lv1」 is activated.]*

*[「Bone-Crushing Claw」 has been temporarily acquired.]*

This is the strongest close-range technique I can use.

Slash!

I swung my five fingers at the creature’s head.

Crack!

Despite my expectations, its head didn’t burst.

“Grrrk!”

It blocked my attack.

To be precise, it crossed its steel crests to stop my wrist.

Its senses were exceptional.

Had it failed to block, its head would’ve burst, and even blocking would have shattered its crest.

It used the broader part of its crests to block my wrist instead of my fingers.

Thud!

“Kraaaaagh!”

Of course, that doesn’t mean it took no damage.

The Biyi Bird’s right shoulder bore a large hole.

A bit disappointing, but still a decent result.

Crash!

The Biyi Bird immediately swung its two crests wildly.

Thud!

I pulled back to avoid its counterattack.

The situation was now in my favor.

Its speed was still insane, but it wasn’t fast enough to kill me in one blow.

When its attack reached me, it naturally slowed down.

So we ended up trading blows back and forth.

Now that I’d dealt a significant wound, its speed and strength would start to decline.

If things kept going like this, I could win.

Plus, I had Nepila’s assistance.

“Grrr…”

Just as I prepared my next attack, the Biyi Bird let out a shrill scream.

Boom!

As it flapped its two crests, a massive storm surged forth.

Whirr!

Its internal energy surged unexpectedly.

I’ve seen this situation before.

It’s like when the Dilophosaurus used its innate Qi to gain overwhelming strength.

The B

iyi Bird was burning its innate Qi too.

“Kraaaagh!”

Swoosh!

I ducked instantly.

Crack.

Splat!

I couldn’t fully dodge the attack.

Blood poured from my shoulder.

“Grrrk!”

Maybe it’s because it’s risking its future power, but it’s become absurdly fast.

Now, countering isn’t even an option—it’s beyond my capability to retaliate.

The Biyi Bird’s steel crests had hardened even more.

The tide had turned drastically.

The Biyi Bird charged at me with wild abandon, and I instinctively focused on dodging.

Relying purely on instinct meant that my injuries kept piling up.

Drip.

Despite my recent level-up, my body was wearing down at a rapid pace.

Swoosh!

Crack!

There was only one way to win against it.

I had to endure until it completely burned through its innate Qi.

I kept moving, drawing out more time.

Thud!

“Gah…”

Dark red blood spilled out of me again.

Though I narrowly avoided fatal injuries, it was no easy task.

“Grrrrk!”

Without giving me a moment to rest, the Biyi Bird launched another attack.

Slash!

A deep gash opened on my right hind leg.

I staggered, limping as I continued to flee.

Swoosh!

Once again, I threw myself to the side to dodge.

But with all the accumulating wounds and the sheer amount of blood I had lost, my legs started to give out.

In the end, I collapsed onto the ground.

“Kraaaagh!”

The Biyi Bird swooped down towards me.

If I took a direct hit, I’d die instantly.

My health was too low now.

And in my current state, there was no way to avoid its attack.

[Your level has increased.]

If only my body condition had stayed stable.

Before the creature even sensed that something was wrong, a change occurred.

Rustle!

Nepila’s web, stretched between the trees, ensnared it.

How many times had I taken hits to secretly set this up?

From the moment it started burning its innate Qi, I’d given up on a straightforward confrontation.

To be precise, I had abandoned the idea of fighting on its strongest terms.

There was no way I could beat a creature that was naturally faster than me in terms of speed.

I knew Nepila’s webs alone wouldn’t have much effect.

But the layers upon layers of her webs were enough to throw the Biyi Bird off.

Plus, I had been recovering with the experience Nepila, my ever-dutiful companion, had saved for me.

The creature must feel aggrieved.

It would have no idea when we set up this strategy.

Nepila and I understand each other without words.

Our bond goes back to my days as a gecko lizard, so I can read her intentions with just a look.

Thud!

I dashed toward the creature.

The stage was set for a close-range, one-on-one fight.

Of course, now it had the upper hand, even in close combat.

It was still burning its innate Qi.

[Your blood has gained intense heat.]

[Your blood has gained intense cold.]

Fwoosh.

A cold flame.

Contradictory energy engulfed my entire body.

“Grrrr…”

With a pained groan, the Biyi Bird recoiled from the sensation of our skins touching.

But despite the pain, it immediately swung its crest toward me.

Crack!

The creature’s attack struck my scales, tearing them from my body.

Blood flowed freely from the wound.

Fwoosh!

“Grrrk!”

Thud!

With my strengthened icy and fiery aura, I struck its head with the Dragon’s Talon.

Crack!

Thud!

Crunch!

Clang!

As if following a silent agreement, we traded blows one after another.

Each time it landed a hit, my fiery and icy aura surged more intensely.

But the creature still showed no signs of falling.

“Krrr… grrk…”

The Biyi Bird likely wasn’t questioning its victory.

It had turned into a grueling, muddy battle, but it still had the upper hand.

Given that it was burning its innate Qi, that was to be expected.

[Your level has increased.]

Well, I could do the same, in a way.

Not with innate Qi, but with the pure experience saved up by my loyal followers.

To be precise, the offerings my ever-diligent priestess had carefully saved.

“Grrrk…?”

The Biyi Bird looked at me with disbelief.

Seeing a lizard on the verge of death revive multiple times had left it with a fearful expression.

Thud!

Crack!

[Your level has increased.]

The Biyi Bird’s face grew paler, as if it had seen a ghost.

“Grrrk… grrk…”

Thud!

Crack!

Fwoosh…

“Kaah, grrrrr!”

[Your level has increased.]

Thud.

Crunch!

Snap!

“Gr… gr…”

The Biyi Bird’s attacks grew weaker and weaker.

Its stamina was draining fast, which was only natural.

Meanwhile, my attacks kept growing stronger.

I was continually healing and leveling up, each time getting slightly more powerful.

[Your level has increased.]

Thud.

At this point, calling its movements “attacks” was a stretch.

Its gestures were almost meaningless.

It had lost so much awareness that one of its heads wasn’t even using its steel crest anymore.

It was finally time to end this.

That’s when it happened.

“Kraaak, kraaaagh!”

One of the heads let out a terrified scream, and the Biyi Bird split apart.

A new tactic?

It could have a hidden ace, so I backed off to observe.

“Grrrk!”

One of the Dimetrodons, with a severed limb, swung its tail.

Oddly enough, not at me but at the other Dimetrodon.

“Grrk? Grrrk!”

In an act of desperation, it had abandoned its partner.

But both were already injured.

The fleeing Dimetrodon had its tail grabbed by the one it shoved away.

“Grrrk!”

“Kraaaak!”

Just moments ago, they had clung to each other, but now they were slashing at each other in a frenzy.

[「Reverse Scale lv1」 is activated.]

Though it was my enemy, watching this scene left me feeling strange.

[「Bone-Crushing Claw」 has been temporarily acquired.]

Thud!

I struck down hard enough to shake the earth.

“Grrrk…”

“Grrr…”

Their tenacity was remarkable; even as they drew their last breaths, they kept fighting each other.

Blaming each other until the very end…

…What’s the point in blaming anyone?

I’m your real opponent.

Although, in a way, I could understand them.

Facing an immortal enemy like me who resurrects endlessly, it’s only natural to want to pin the blame on something.

I exchanged glances with Nepila.

‘I used up all the experience we saved.’

That was the expression on her face.

…If only the Biyi Bird hadn’t turned on each other, they might have stood a chance.

But without knowing that, it became their downfall.

“Kreeeeek!”

Standing atop their bodies, I let out a mighty roar.

With such a formidable foe defeated, a fitting reward awaited.

Their inner cores for starters, and…

[Your level has increased.]

[Your level has increased.]

[Your level has increased.]

[Your level has increased.]

…

This overwhelming flood of level-up messages!