The hall entrance slammed shut as a massive iron wall descended from above, sealing the chamber completely. The metallic clang echoed through the vast space, sending vibrations through the stone floor.
At the same time, the magma pond at the center of the hall began to churn violently. Thick bubbles rose to the surface and burst, releasing waves of scorching heat that distorted the air.
Ashan stood alone at the edge of the pond.
His posture was relaxed, almost casual, as if he were merely observing a natural phenomenon rather than facing an imminent threat. His cloak fluttered faintly in the heated wind, and the mask hid any trace of emotion.
"I know you're here," he said calmly.
"Come out."
The magma continued bubbling for a few seconds more, then suddenly stopped.
The violent motion vanished as if someone had pressed a switch. The hall fell into an unnatural silence. Even the crackling sound of molten rock faded away.
A deep, unsettling pressure settled over everyone present.
"KEEKK…"
A horrifying screech tore through the silence.
The magma pond exploded upward as something massive burst from within. Molten rock sprayed in all directions as an enormous creature rose to the surface, its body dragging magma along with it.
Gasps echoed throughout the hall.
The monster had a long, segmented centipede-like body, each segment thicker than a carriage. Its head was enormous, dominated by a gaping mouth lined with rotating, blade-like teeth sharp enough to grind steel and wide enough to swallow dozens of humans whole.
Thick layers of magma clung to its body like living armor, flowing and reshaping themselves constantly. Streams of molten rock dripped from its fangs and splashed onto the floor, instantly melting stone.
The creature was colossal, at least fifteen times larger than Ashan.
"Heavens…" one of the A-rank raiders whispered in disbelief.
"What kind of monster is that?" His voice cracked as fear took hold.
Around him, Sisilya, Draven, and Eirena stiffened. Their expressions hardened instantly, all trace of casual confidence vanishing.
"That monster is no ordinary one," Sisilya said, her voice tense.
"It's far more dangerous than the golems we faced earlier. With our current manpower… we can barely manage it."
Draven clenched his jaw, eyes fixed on the beast.
"She's right. This thing radiates pressure on a completely different level."
Far away, watching the battle unfold through a live transmission, Aren tightened his fist unconsciously.
"It's an insect-type monster," Aren muttered. "And it's controlling magma itself."
He leaned closer to the screen, eyes sharp.
"They're at a huge disadvantage. Insect monsters are naturally fast, with abnormal reflexes. Combined with that body size…" He paused grimly.
"The only viable way to deal with it is wide-area destruction."
The magma centipede lowered its massive head and locked its gaze onto Ashan.
Its eyes glowed a deep, blood-red color, filled with killing intent. Thick, bubbling yellow saliva dripped from its mouth, sizzling violently as it hit the ground.
—------------------------------------
Magma Centipede (Guardian)
Rank: A+
Abilities:
> Acid Balls – Produces highly corrosive liquid spheres capable of melting mana constructs and flesh alike.
> Fire Breath – Emits high-temperature flames over long distances.
> Mana Mist – Releases a toxic fog that erodes and consumes mana within infected targets.
Additional Traits:
- Possesses a magma-based protective layer that absorbs and disperses large-scale attacks.
—------------------------------------
Ashan stared at the creature in silence.
Then he clicked his tongue.
"You're disgusting," he said flatly.
"I'll rip those eyes out first. Let's see how well you fight blind."
In a single fluid motion, Ashan flicked his arm.
Two kunai shot forward at terrifying speed, tearing through the air like streaks of black lightning. The monster reacted instantly, jerking its head to the side with inhuman reflexes.
But it wasn't fast enough.
One kunai grazed past harmlessly, the other pierced straight through one of its massive eyes.
The kunai detonated.
BOOM!
"KEEEEEEKKK…!!!"
A shrill, agonized scream echoed through the hall, vibrating the walls themselves. The monster thrashed violently, magma splashing everywhere as it writhed in pain.
"He blinded it… in one move?" Draven said in disbelief. "His reaction speed is higher than that monster's reflexes."
The centipede roared and retaliated.
Magma surged out of the pond, forming a massive wave that rushed toward Ashan like a burning tsunami.
'Annoying.' Ashan waved his hand.
The magma wave froze midair.
In an instant, the molten rock lost all heat, crystallizing into solid stone before shattering and crashing to the ground in countless fragments.
Silence followed.
Shock spread through the onlookers like wildfire.
The monster recovered and lunged forward, opening its massive mouth wide. The rotating blade-teeth spun faster, creating a deafening grinding sound.
Ashan didn't move.
He didn't dodge. He didn't brace.
He simply stood there, smiling.
Sisilya's eyes widened.
"What is he…"
SLAM..!
The centipede's mouth smashed into the ground where Ashan stood. Stone shattered and collapsed inward as the beast swallowed a massive chunk of the floor.
For a split second, no one breathed.
"He got caught!" someone shouted.
"Why would he just stand there like an idiot?!"
Rowan stared in disbelief. "That can't be it… There's no way he'd die like that."
"He let himself get eaten?" Roswayn muttered, confused. "That lunatic looked like he was shouting something."
"What are you talking about?" Magnar snapped. "He's inside that monster's mouth! He's finished!"
The centipede raised its head, closing its jaws as if savoring its prey.
Then, it froze.
Its massive body went completely still.
Ashan stood exactly where he had been before.
Untouched. Unburned. Unharmed.
The monster tilted its head slightly, as if confused.
The dungeon erupted in stunned murmurs.
"What… just happened?"
"He was swallowed, there's no way.."
Eirena's mind raced as she tried to piece it together. Draven, Sisilya, and the others stared at the scene, completely dumbfounded.
Silas leaned forward, eyes glued to the screen.
"Did you see that?" he said slowly. "When the monster's attack landed… his body wasn't fully there."
"What?" Garrick frowned.
"The attack passed through him," Silas continued. "Like he was a hologram."
Garrick turned sharply to Sorin.
"Sorin. Back then, could he do something like this?"
Sorin shook her head slowly.
"No. I never saw him use anything like that. It looked like… his body turned transparent."
Garrick exhaled heavily. "What kind of skill even allows that?"
Ashan extended his arm to the side.
"Now," he said calmly,
"It's my turn."
A massive sphere of spinning chakra formed in his palm.
The Rasengan roared to life.
The violently rotating energy shone brilliantly, illuminating the hall like a small moon. The pressure alone cracked the stone beneath Ashan's feet.
"Keekk…!"
Sensing imminent danger, the centipede attempted to retreat, dragging its massive body back toward the magma pond.
Too slow.
Ashan vanished from his spot and reappeared beneath the monster's head in an instant.
[Rasengan]
He slammed the sphere upward.
The impact was catastrophic.
The combined force of Ashan's raw strength and the Rasengan's destructive rotation lifted the monster's massive body out of the magma pond and hurled it into the wall behind.
BOOOOM..
The magma armor shattered in chunks as the Rasengan exploded. Shockwaves rippled through the hall, rattling the iron walls.
Draven stared, speechless.
"What… was that? He shaped mana into that form instantly… and at that scale?"
His hands trembled slightly.
"That level of control is absurd. Just how talented is he?"
The monster screeched and fled, diving back into the magma pond. This time, its protective layer thickened rapidly, becoming twice as dense as before.
Ashan lowered his arm.
"That magma layer is troublesome," he thought. "If it wasn't there, that attack would've done serious damage."
The centipede reemerged, opening its mouth wide once more.
Ashan reached behind his back and pulled out a large, fan-shaped weapon.
The Gunbai.
He took a stance, holding it firmly.
Roswayn scoffed. "What's that thing? Don't tell me he plans to block with it."
Rowan shot her a sharp look.
"I mocked it too.. until I saw what it can really do."
Aren turned toward him.
"Explain. You've got my attention."
Rowan closed his eyes briefly.
"My sister and I once went on a raid with him. He used that weapon then. It looks strange, but it can deflect extremely powerful attacks."
He opened his eyes, serious.
"And that's not even the best part."
"It absorbs mana," Rowan continued. "And reflects it as a massive wind wave."
A hush fell over the group.
"A whole troll army," Rowan added quietly, "was blown away by a single swing."
Morevan stared at the gunbai, eyes narrowing.
"Gunbai… Uchiwa," he muttered.
"What a strange name."