Since the Great Upheaval, encounters with otherworldly creatures have become an everyday occurrence. They appear with varying frequency, each rank less common than the one below it. Human Rank creatures are the most numerous, followed by Demon Rank. Nether Rank creatures are rarer still. Demon Rank is a dividing line: the chances of encountering a Nether Rank creature drop dramatically, and they’re rarely seen. Creatures of higher ranks are rarer still.

Shi Ji had just been expelled from General Star Hero Academy that day, and he was in a pretty good mood. Running into a monster close to Spirit Rank on his way was unexpected, but it didn’t put a damper on his mood.

He sat off to one side with his arms folded, watching the battle unfold. He looked so relaxed, as if he were just watching a show.

“That girl’s got some real skill. She can actually go toe-to-toe with a creature close to Spirit Rank. Well, at least for now. Let’s wait and see. If she can really handle it, I won’t have to step in.”

Shi Ji said that only to acknowledge the silver-haired girl’s strength. In truth, there was no way she could actually defeat that creature.

Judging by its appearance, this creature looked a bit like a lizard. Only a bit, though—it was hard to say exactly what kind of living thing had been transformed by the Great Upheaval.

The “lizard” was enormous, probably over twenty meters long. Thick scales covered its dark gray flesh, and each of its four limbs ended in razor-sharp claws. Just looking at them was frightening.

Just as Shi Ji had thought, the Hero who went to fight the creature was the silver-haired girl who’d been sitting beside him moments ago.

The girl’s name was Lin Xinyan, and she was currently a B-Rank Hero. Her General Star was Chariot Rank, and she wielded a long spear called the Divine Dance Spear.

Otherworldly creatures were humanity’s greatest threat, more terrifying than terrorists and the like. As Heroes, they had a duty to fight these creatures and protect the people.

When Lin Xinyan first charged at the “lizard,” she didn’t hesitate for a moment. She had no intention of holding back. With a fluid, seamless series of movements, she unleashed several powerful strikes with her Divine Dance Spear.

Clang! Clang! Clang!!!

A cacophony of clashing blows rang out.

The advantage of a Chariot-Tier Star General lay in speed and powerful charges. The lizard certainly tried to fight back against Lin Xinyan’s attacks, but it was a step too slow and couldn’t keep up. The result was a stalemate: Lin Xinyan’s ordinary attacks couldn’t hurt it, while the “lizard” couldn’t land a blow on her.

“What kind of monster is this? Its scales are unbelievably thick!” Silver-haired Lin Xinyan finally complained when her attacks failed to make headway.

That was when she let her guard down. The creature wasn’t about to pass up the chance. It seized the opening and swung a claw at her.

!!!

Lin Xinyan’s eyes widened. She raised the Divine Dance Spear in front of her to block.

Clang!!!

She barely managed to block it, but the force drove her backward.

She retreated through the air, but that wasn’t the end of it. Just before she hit the ground, she whipped the spear around twice, sending a blue, cross-shaped shockwave flying out in a dazzling sweep.

The shockwave carried tremendous force. As it tore through the air, it kicked up a massive gust that swept in every direction.

Faced with the attack, the “lizard” made no obvious move. It simply took the blow head-on.

With a thunderous boom, the cross-shaped shockwave slammed into the creature.

Lin Xinyan’s expression was stern, her brows knitted tight. She gritted her teeth and didn’t let up for a second. She knew the attack wouldn’t work on this creature. The moment the shockwave struck the “lizard,” she was already moving on to her next move. Blue light shimmered along the Divine Dance Spear. As Lin Xinyan gripped it, invisible currents seemed to rise around her, growing more and more distinct. She drove off the ground, once again showing the strength that came with being a Chariot-Tier Star General, and charged straight at the enormous monster.

In just a few seconds, as her power surged, the currents swirling around the Divine Dance Spear grew even larger. Then silver-haired Lin Xinyan suddenly twisted with the motion, spinning her entire body. At first, only the spear had revolved within the swirling currents. Now Lin Xinyan herself joined in, and together they became a tornado.

Blue light shone within the wind, and its immense power could be felt from far away.

With all her might! She burst through—now!

Even after taking a powerful attack, the “lizard” still made no clear response. It remained unmoved, intending to take Lin Xinyan’s next attack head-on.

A charge! Full force!

The tornado slammed into the scales on the “lizard’s” chest.

Krrrsh!!!

The grinding sound continued without end, showing no sign of fading.

Had the attack succeeded?

…