"Haah… haah… haah…"
Wang Lei gasped for breath, his chest rising and falling as he struggled to stay upright.
He stared at the giant white ant before him. His own body was covered in bruises and punctured by gaping wounds—evidence of having narrowly escaped those massive fangs.
The ant still stood, but barely. Three of its legs were bent at unnatural angles, and its swollen torso bore the marks of a brutal impact—like it had been struck by something impossibly heavy.
The two stood in a tense standoff, staring each other down, each waiting for the other to make the next move.
Just how persistent is this damn ant?! Wang Lei thought, gritting his teeth in frustration.
They had been fighting for what felt like half an hour now—trading blow after blow without pause.
When Wang Lei obtained the skill Physical Enhancement, he thought he finally had the strength to defeat the white ant.
But that didn't mean he could just charge in recklessly—and Wang Lei knew that himself.
Even though I've gained a lot of power… I don't think it's enough to completely overpower this monster, he had thought at the time.
That's why… I'll beat it with my brain too! he had added confidently.
Wang Lei's plan from the start was simple: cripple the ant by targeting its legs, then finish it off once it could no longer move.
However, when Wang Lei tried to carry out his plan, it was as if the white ant had seen right through it.
The creature was so massive, it nearly blocked the entire pathway. Nearly—because there was still a narrow gap along its sides, just wide enough for a single person to squeeze through.
In such a confined space, the only real strategy against a giant opponent was to get behind it—where its movements were limited and it couldn't turn easily. That's where Wang Lei aimed to strike.
Using the narrow path, Wang Lei quickly made his way to the ant's rear. He took his position, ready to strike—this was his chance.
But the white ant had no intention of letting him land an easy blow. In a sudden, violent motion, it swung its entire lower body like a whip.
Wang Lei stood frozen for a split second, watching it come at him.
Then, in an instant, he was sent flying.
The blow slammed into him like a hammer, launching him through the air until he crashed hard against the cave wall. Dazed and gasping, he slid to the ground.
What snapped him back to reality wasn't the pain—it was the warm rush of blood and saliva pooling in his mouth. He gagged and vomited it out, coughing violently.
I forgot… these ants aren't mindless.
Even the smaller, food-gathering ones showed signs of high intelligence. This white ant was clearly something more—stronger, smarter… and far more dangerous.
Just as the white ant prepared to strike again, Wang Lei finally regained enough strength to move. He rolled to the side, narrowly dodging another powerful swing of the creature's massive body.
Gritting his teeth, he steadied himself.
He had no choice—he'd have to change his plan.
Wang Lei dashed toward the ant's side again. As expected, the creature began to swing its massive lower body to counter.
But this time, Wang Lei leapt into the air, soaring several meters high. Clasping his hands together, he intensified his mana circulation—faster, denser—until his fists blazed with blue flame-like energy.
With a roar, he brought them crashing down onto the ant's body.
The impact landed cleanly, but the creature's armor was just too tough. Instead of breaking it, the blow only caused a deep swelling to form.
This went on for a long time. Sometimes, Wang Lei was just a bit too slow, taking a direct hit from the ant's swinging body. Other times, the pain pulsing through his battered body made him hesitate—just long enough for the ant to lunge at him with snapping jaws. He barely escaped each time, breaking free only through sheer struggle and desperation.
But Wang Lei had also inflicted serious damage. He continued hammering the ant with his fists, even managing to break two more of its legs.
That's how they ended up in their current stalemate—both injured, both exhausted—locked in a tense standoff, staring each other down, waiting for the other to make the next move.
…I can't keep fighting like this… Wang Lei thought, his vision starting to blur. I'm losing too much blood… I'm about to pass out…
Well… there is one simple solution, he told himself, eyes shifting past the ant's massive form.
KRRIIEEEKK!
The white ant let out a piercing screech.
Its eyes locked onto Wang Lei, as if declaring there would be no escape. As intelligent as it was, the creature had clearly noticed how badly wounded he was—and it had no intention of letting its prey slip away.
Wang Lei smirked.
"Even if it's just by a little… my Agility's still higher than yours. You'll never catch me!"
With that, he dashed toward the narrow path on the right side.
However, just as Wang Lei was about to slip through the narrow path, some kind of pillar—thick as a human arm—slammed down in front of him, blocking his way.
He skidded to a stop, eyes wide.
No… this isn't a pillar… Wang Lei stared in disbelief. It blocked the path with its leg?!
The passage had been narrow to begin with. With just a slight movement, the ant had managed to turn its leg into a wall, completely sealing off his escape.
Seizing the moment while Wang Lei froze in shock, the ant lunged forward. Its mandibles opened wide, aiming straight for his head.
The rush of sharp air against his face was the only thing that snapped him back to his senses—but it was already too late. The ant's mandibles were just inches away.
He tried to move—but his body wouldn't respond. No matter how much he screamed at it to act, it remained frozen in place.
In Wang Lei's eyes, the reflection of the massive jaws gleamed, wide open and ready to crush him.
I'm… going to die…
Chomp!
With a single bite, Wang Lei's head was severed from his neck. His eyes widened in shock as his head flew through the air.
But then—he blinked.
Wang Lei could feel his breath. He could feel his legs, his entire body, from his neck down to his feet—intact.
It was as if the world had rewound itself, turning time back to just before the fatal moment.
[Condition met. You have obtained the skill >Death Foresight<.]
What the…?
Wang Lei didn't have time to think. The mandibles that had just beheaded him once before were now coming at him again—exactly the same way.
He gritted his teeth.
Move—damn it, move!
He had lost so much blood that barely any was left circulating through his body. The fact that he was still conscious—let alone standing—was nothing short of a miracle.
But then, without him even realizing it, a blue flame began to flicker around his lower body—faint at first, then steadily growing stronger.
Suddenly, Wang Lei felt his feet respond. He didn't have time to question it. Gathering strength into his legs, he pushed off the ground and leapt high into the air.
All of this happened in the blink of an eye.
The white ant snapped its mandibles—sharp as scissors that could cut through anything—but it bit nothing but empty air. Its target had vanished right before its eyes, leaving it utterly confused.
Meanwhile, Wang Lei descended from the air, landing squarely on the ant's head. Gathering all his strength in his legs once more, he unleashed a powerful kick, causing him to fly forward, while also driving the massive head deep into the ground.
With a whistle carried by the wind, Wang Lei shot forward like a bullet, heading straight to where the poisonous mist was.
In an instant, he passed through it, the world around him shifting from a mystical realm into a deadly one. But for Wang Lei, it was anything but dangerous.
Hm… how do I stop this? Wang Lei wondered.
Maybe he'd put too much power into his launch—he hadn't stopped flying for a while now.
Then, up ahead, he spotted what looked like a small mountain.
Maybe I can use that to stop myself…
So, he kept flying forward and eventually crashed into the small mountain.
"…Ouch. My wounds are getting worse…" Wang Lei muttered softly.
"Damn it… Once I finish healing here, I'll pay that ant back a hundredfold!" His eyes burned with fierce determination.
Suddenly, Wang Lei felt something round in his hand.
He lifted it, but the mist was too thick to see clearly. Bringing it closer to his face, he was met with a reflection—two compound eyes staring back at him.
"...Waah!" Wang Lei shouted, flinging the cave ant's severed head far away in disgust.
"What the heck?!" he exclaimed. Then, piecing it together, he slowly turned his head.
What greeted him was a mountain of dead cave ants.
Wang Lei immediately forced himself to back away.
"I can't believe I was just lying there seconds ago… disgusting!"
"Ngh…" Wang Lei suddenly felt his head grow lightheaded.
"I'm losing too much blood… I need to recover fast!"
He immediately sat cross-legged, exhaling all the air from his lungs before inhaling deeply and forcefully.
He drew the poisonous mist around him into his body—a move that would normally be reckless, even suicidal.
But to Wang Lei, this place—so full of deadly poison—felt like a healing spring capable of mending all his wounds.
[Harmful substance detected within the body. Skill: Poison Resistance will activate and begin purifying the substance.]
[You have consumed a poisonous metal. Skill: Ore Consumption will activate.]