Chapter 37: Steel 1 Boss
After devouring several dead worms in a single bite, the colossal creature let out a guttural roar that made the air tremble.
Its mouth was as wide as a cart, adorned with a vortex of jagged fangs. On either side, two curved pincers formed a menacing clamp. Unlike its lesser kin, its segmented body was covered in a grayish-black armor, not yellowish, gleaming faintly under the harsh desert sun as if forged from molten steel.
Lian, with his swollen face, stared at the monster almost with gratitude, while Seline’s green eyes shimmered with fear, her hand pressed against her aching ribs.
"Here it is, the boss has finally arrived," the man said with a giant smile on his face. His gray eyes oozed confidence. "I was getting tired of killing those useless weak worms."
"Oh," he added, casting a sidelong glance at the two kids before turning back to the monster. "My name is Freddy, nice to meet you."
The monster had no eyes, but it stared directly in their direction. Its mouth kept moving, as if finishing digesting the worms it had eaten moments before.
"Stay back," the man stepped forward, his sword aimed at the monster’s mouth. "This is not something for beginners."
Seline huffed, gritting her teeth in pain. "Let’s see what you can do, then. We won’t help you even if you beg on your knees!"
Lian, on the other hand, merely stared at the monster, lost in thought.
The last time he had been in a Gate, they had to defeat the boss to exit. But Patrick had told him that during phase two of a Gate, it was enough to kill a third of the monsters to leave.
Now, assuming they were in phase one, what was the solution to get out? Kill the boss or at least a third of the monsters?