Deep within the cavern, in a place no scanner could detect, the air—once damp and stifling—had inexplicably turned dry.

The deeper they went, the more spacious it became. The human-faced insects vanished. An eerie silence hung thick in the air. From cracks in the floor and walls sprouted countless mushrooms glowing with an unnatural green light, casting a ghostly hue across the cavern.

Mylora and Ji Xue passed through the final tunnel and emerged into a vast underground chamber.

Glowing fungi and exposed mana crystals embedded in the stone provided dim light. Waist-high ferns carpeted the ground. No rotting stench lingered—only the fresh, clean scent of plants. The air felt dry and crisp.

[Stop. Move closer and the boss battle triggers. Have her ambush here—the big mushroom’s perfect.]

"Ji Xue, wait. Don’t go further. Ambush right here."

"Here?"

Following Mylora’s cue, Ji Xue ducked behind a giant mushroom over three meters tall, crouching low to hide within the lush ferns.

"I’m counting on you. When I whistle, strike the boss’s weak point—that scar on its back. Hit hard."

"Mm, got it—Wait, what?! We’re fighting the boss directly?!"

"Yes!"

"This is reckless! It’s just the two of us—"

"More allies make it harder. I draw aggro; you strike. If it fails, you run. Don’t wait for me."

"How can I leave you? I still think—"

"Shh!"

Mylora clamped a hand over Ji Xue’s mouth. Ji Xue felt it too.

A nameless pressure seeped through the cavern.

Mylora shot her a glance. Ji Xue hesitated, then nodded, held her breath, and vanished behind the mushroom.

[The boss is ahead. Follow my lead.]

(Understood. I must win this.)

[Trust me. It’ll go smoothly.]

Mylora inhaled deeply, drew her sword, and activated her Scout skill "Catfoot" to silence her steps. Under Ji Xue’s tense gaze, she advanced—slowly… slowly… slowly…

The far end lay shrouded in shadow, void of glowing fungi. She neared the deepest darkness, then tossed a torch—

(This is…)

[Yes… that’s it…]

Before her stood a statue-like figure.

Humanoid, curled in a kneeling pose, buried under moss, vines, and dust. An immense, burly silhouette.

Mylora shifted into a defensive stance, short sword reverse-gripped in her right hand. Her left slipped into her belt pouch, fingers closing around smoke and incendiary grenades (basic Scout gear). She stepped forward—cautiously.

"Buzzzzzzzzzz!!!"

"!?"

A sharp buzz erupted. Something shot from the shadow behind the boss—

A fly!

An enormous one—head twice a human’s size! Lion-sized body bristling with coarse hair, wings veined with intricate mold patterns.

Mylora flinched. Disgusting. But the giant fly landed on the boss’s right shoulder, whispering like a confidant. The boss shook off dust and vines, rising slowly.

A crushing pressure stole Mylora’s breath.

Over three meters tall. An orc.

Tribal light armor, speckled with mold.

A tangled mane of gray-white fur woven with fungal threads.

A lion-like face half-hidden by moss, revealing only dim beast-eyes and a crooked mouth.

Clawed hands gripped a massive, crude great axe—like a slab of iron.

The giant fly perched on its shoulder, huge eyes glowing sickly green-gray—part pet, part comrade.

"What is this…"

[A formidable foe.]

This killing intent, this overwhelming aura—it dwarfed every elite monster in Amana Forest. A presence like this didn’t belong here. It belonged in a far deadlier dungeon.

~~~~~~

Fly Hero Gelai Lu

Once a lion-kin orc warrior of the Furry Tribe in the savage wilds, his valor caught the eye of the Vomit Queen, servant of Nurgle, god of mercy and life. He wed into the Plague Garden as her consort.

Forced to abandon his tribe’s Khorne faith, he accepted Nurgle’s blessings. As royal husband, he waged wars across realms. He swapped meat for wild mushrooms. To temper his savage spirit, he bore the Fly Chancellor upon his back, fighting with restrained elegance.

Past glories faded like smoke. Cast aside by the Queen, weakened by centuries underground, he still craved battle—to reclaim glory and behold the Verdun Ring.

~~~~~~

Boss Gelai Lu raised his axe. His lightless eyes blinked twice—shaking off eons of slumber. The moment his gaze locked with Mylora’s—

[Smoke grenade—eyes! Then retreat!]

"Understood!!"

Mylora hurled the grenade. *Thwack!* It struck his face dead-on. Ink-black smoke exploded. She leaped back—

*Whoosh!* The axe sliced past her forehead, centimeters away. Wind pressure carved a bleeding gash across her brow.

A fraction slower, and her brains would’ve stained the blade.

[No head-on fights! Retreat while striking!]

"I-I know!"

Mylora gasped, retreating fast. This foe demanded evasion.

Smoke cleared in the axe’s wake. Gelai Lu charged. Mylora coiled to roll sideways—but he vaulted upward, axe raised!

*What’s he doing?*

*Downward smash? Dodge back—*

[ROLL FORWARD! NOW!!!]

The system’s shout jolted her. She obeyed.

*Thud!* The axe spun diagonally into the ground, gouging a crater. Gelai Lu dove, yanked it free, and swept horizontally—a brutal combo that would pulp flesh. Had she retreated? Minced meat.

"Hiss…"

"▇▇▇▇▇! ▇▇!"

Mylora sucked a sharp breath, teeth grazing her crimson lip. Gelai Lu roared in guttural tongue, then unleashed a savage assault.

His swings were bold, powerful, precise—any single strike would obliterate her. She danced on Scout agility alone, guided by the system’s voice.

It calculated every swing’s force, speed, angle—issuing commands a heartbeat before impact.

*Sidestep. Roll. Reposition. Crouch. Jump.*

Smoke grenades. Blast bombs. Thrown at perfect moments.

Every move hung by a thread. Her heart hammered. One slip—death.

[He’s impatient. Lure him toward Wenren Jixue. Create her opening. Signal ready!]

(Understood!!)