CHAPTER 68: DEMONBANE KID

The monstrous centipede screeched, shaking the wasteland with a bone-rattling roar. Its scarlet eyes locked onto Derek like twin burning suns.

Then, it lunged.

Boom!

The ground split apart as its massive body slammed forward. Derek darted sideways, barely evading the scythe-like claws that shredded the sand where he had just stood. It started attacking relentlessly. Each strike carried enough force to tear through stone.

"It’s surprisingly fast for something that big." He muttered under his breath as he weaved between those attacks, dodging.

Suddenly the centipede twisted its upper body unnaturally, swinging one of its six muscular arms toward him. Derek blocked the blow with his sword but the impact sent him flying several meters back, skidding across the sand before regaining his footing.

A thin trail of blood trickled down his lip. "Damn it! It’s only the second floor, and I already have to fight something like this? Didn’t that instructor say the difficulty would be based on my cultivation realm and destiny?! Is this tower intentionally screwing with me or what?!"

The monster reared back, its feline face twisting into a grin. Then, it opened its maw and spewed a torrent of black liquid. Derek jumped sideways, barely dodging it. The ground sizzled instantly, the sand melting wherever it landed.

Hissssss!

"Acid, huh? Great." Derek cursed inwardly.

The centipede again reared back and spewed the black liquid aiming at Derek.

Derek leaped into the air, avoiding the corrosive splash, then angled his descent to strike the creature’s shoulder. His blade gleamed under the sun as he swung down with all his strength.

Clang!

The sword hit.....

But only sparks flew. It didn’t even leave a scratch.

The monster’s carapace was like living armor.

Before Derek could retreat, a claw swiped upward, grazing his shoulder and sending pain searing through his body. He landed roughly, rolling to his feet with a grimace.

’Its defense is insane... Direct attacks are useless.’

The creature roared again and charged. Its enormous body coiled and struck like a whip, and Derek was forced to dive, roll, and dash continuously just to stay alive. Each missed strike tore craters into the ground.

Dust and heat filled the air. Derek’s breathing grew heavier.

He stabbed his sword into the ground to steady himself and whispered, ’I have to target its weak spots, or I’ll waste all my stamina attacking head-on and become an easy target.’

With that thought, he sprinted to the side, putting distance between them, while the creature followed relentlessly. Each time it struck, Derek subtly and deliberately shifted his path, leading the centipede toward the uneven cliffs at the edge of the desert plateau.

’Yes. That’s it. Keep following me.’

When he reached the slope, he suddenly turned and faced the monster head-on. His internal energy surged as he prepared himself. The centipede shrieked and lunged straight at him.

Derek didn’t move, not until the very last second.

As the creature’s claws came down, he shifted sideways and drove his sword deep into a crack in the ground — using it as a pivot. He swung himself upward, flipping onto the centipede’s back.

With a flick of his wrist, the sword vanished into his storage ring — only to reappear instantly in his grip as he flicked again quickly. "Let’s see how tough you are from up close!"

He plunged the sword down between the creature’s armored plates. This time, the blade sank in slightly, drawing a gush of black, steaming blood.

The centipede thrashed violently, trying to throw him off. Derek held on desperately, his muscles screaming from the strain.

’It’s working... but not enough!’

Though Derek could finally inflict damage, it still wasn’t enough to kill the creature outright.

The centipede’s relentless thrashing made it nearly impossible for him to keep his balance, let alone stay on its back for long.

’What should I do?’ he thought, gritting his teeth as he plunged his sword again and again into the beast’s armored body.

Then suddenly — an idea flashed in his mind.

He stopped attacking, dashed forward across the centipede’s back, and leapt high into the air.

Spinning midair, he swung his sword in a wide crescent arc right in front of the creature’s face.

Slash!

Both of its massive eyes split open, blood gushing out like twin fountains.

The centipede howled in agony, its scream echoing across the wasteland.

Derek landed swiftly on the ground and moved at once.

Now that the beast was blind, he no longer needed to waste energy dodging its attacks. Moving like a shadow, he darted around it, slashing at the joints of its sharp legs one after another.

One by one, the limbs gave out — some severed completely, others hanging uselessly.

Before long, the centipede could no longer move, its enormous body collapsing helplessly into the sand.

Derek jumped once more, landing on its back. Step by step, he walked toward its head, his eyes cold and focused.

Finding the weak spot in its skull, he raised his sword and drove it down with full force.

Silence.

The centipede’s body twitched once, then flattened completely. Dead.

Derek collapsed heavily onto the centipede’s lifeless body, breathing hard. His chest rose and fell with every ragged breath, exhaustion etched across his face.

Ding!

[Floors Cleared: 02]

A tired smile spread across his lips. "It’s... it’s only the second floor, and I already feel like I’m at my limit."

Just then, another rift shimmered into existence in front of him, swirling with pale light.

He stared at it silently for a moment. "Should I go for the third floor... or call it a day?" he muttered, falling into deep thought.

After a brief pause, Derek pushed himself to his feet, leapt down from the centipede’s carcass, and then began walking toward the rift.

"Whatever," he sighed. "Let’s just give it a try anyway. It’s not like I’ll die for real if I fail."

With that, he stepped forward and disappeared into the light.

Meanwhile, Meridith, who had been waiting outside the tower, couldn’t help but feel astonished. ’He cleared two floors in less than an hour?! What a monster!’ she thought, disbelief flashing in her eyes.

Even the old man at the registration desk swallowed hard, his hands trembling slightly.

"Who the hell is that Demonbane kid?!" he muttered, his voice filled with shock.