Chapter 14: The Lair of the King and a Drastic Transformation

Following the tunnel bored by the escaping Drill Rat, Liu Xingluo pressed onward.

Though the creature’s movements were no longer audible, it might have hidden itself, or perhaps she had simply moved too far away to hear it.

Regardless, by persistently trailing the path it had carved, she was certain to eventually locate it.

“My legs have gotten considerably shorter than before; what a hassle.”

Having transformed into a girl, her legs were now noticeably shorter than they once were.

Consequently, Liu Xingluo had to constantly hold up her trouser cuffs as she advanced, lest walking become impossibly awkward.

Had her belt not been adjustable, Liu Xingluo would likely have been forced to clutch her waistband to keep her trousers from slipping down entirely.

[Perhaps I should just head back after all.]

[This incident has undoubtedly drawn the attention of those above, and that 异生兽 (TL Note: ‘Yishengshou,’ a creature born from an anomaly or mutation, often possessing supernatural abilities) will be dealt with by other espers sooner or later.]

[There’s no need for me to exert myself chasing it down.]

[Yes, that settles it happily enough.]

[But how will I explain my transformation to my sister once I return?]

[Even if I tell her, it’ll be hard for her to believe.]

[Huh?]

Just as Liu Xingluo was contemplating a retreat to the bus, a sudden commotion reached her ears.

The distinct whirring of a drill immediately identified the creature as a Drill Rat, yet why had it suddenly returned to the fray?

Moreover, its speed seemed considerably greater than before.

What could be happening?

Before Liu Xingluo could fully grasp the reason for its abrupt return, the creature burst forth from the earth, appearing directly before her.

Only upon witnessing its true form did Liu Xingluo finally comprehend the gravity of the situation.

While it was indeed a Drill Rat, its size vastly surpassed the two she had just eliminated and the one she had allowed to escape.

If the three that had previously ambushed her were mere ‘soldiers,’ then this colossal Drill Rat before her must undoubtedly be their ‘king.’

As for why the ‘king’ had made its appearance, the answer was obvious: the one she’d let slip away earlier must have returned to alert it.

Ah, if only she had known it would draw out their leader, she never would have let it escape in the first place.

However, regret was useless now; her immediate concern was how to confront the king before her.

It had clearly arrived to avenge its subordinates.

Its furious gaze alone conveyed that much.

“Don’t look at me like that.

Your subordinates were the ones who attacked me first, you know.

I only retaliated out of self-preservation, with no other choice.

If you want to blame someone, blame your own underlings; there’s no reason for you to glare at me like this.”

Liu Xingluo attempted to reason with the creature, hoping to convince it to simply let her go.

If diplomacy could avert a battle, that would undoubtedly be the optimal outcome.

Yet, if reasoning proved futile, buying some time would still be advantageous.

The reason for this strategy, of course, was Liu Xingluo’s lack of confidence in defeating a boss-level 异生兽 (TL Note: ‘Yishengshou,’ a creature born from an anomaly or mutation, often possessing supernatural abilities).

She had only just acquired her powers, and her combat skills were far from refined.

Under such circumstances, avoiding a fight was paramount if at all possible.

Evidently, however, the creature was not one to be reasoned with.

Setting aside whether an 异生兽 (TL Note: ‘Yishengshou,’ a creature born from an anomaly or mutation, often possessing supernatural abilities) could even comprehend human language, even if it could, Liu Xingluo had just slain two of its subordinates.

It had come specifically to kill her for that very reason; was it truly expected to simply let her go after having rushed all this way?

By any reckoning, such an outcome was inconceivable.

Liu Xingluo anticipated that the negotiation would, in all likelihood, fail.

Thus, when the Drill Rat King lunged at her, she felt no surprise.

She merely executed a backward leap, evading its attack, yet this move played directly into the creature’s scheme.

Her entire focus had been on the king before her, blinding her to the fact that she had already fallen into their trap.

“Ah?”

Feeling the earth beneath her feet suddenly give way, followed by something seizing her legs and dragging her downwards, Liu Xingluo finally understood.

That previous attack hadn’t been intended to eliminate her, but rather to force her into a pre-planned position, thereby allowing them to pull her even deeper than before.

As for where they intended to drag her, she could only wait and see.

Generally speaking, however, they would likely transport her to a battlefield more advantageous to them.

Swiftly, Liu Xingluo reached her destination, plummeting directly to the ground.

“Hiss, that stings a bit,” she muttered.

“Good thing I landed on my rear and not my head, or the pain wouldn’t be quite so mild.

Hm? This is…”

Rubbing her backside, Liu Xingluo rose to survey her surroundings.

With but a single glance, she comprehended the nature of this place.

This was… the Drill Rats’ lair.

As Liu Xingluo observed her surroundings, countless Drill Rats lurked in various tunnels, their eyes fixed on her.

Their sheer multitude was impossible for her to count.

Being stared at by so many eyes at once sent shivers down her spine, raising goosebumps all over her body.

However, before she could dwell in that state for long, the Drill Rat King also returned to the nest, clearly intent on engaging Liu Xingluo in a decisive battle within its domain.

The current situation was overwhelmingly disadvantageous for Liu Xingluo.

She found herself alone, transported deep into their lair, and, barring any unforeseen circumstances, was now poised to battle these countless Drill Rats.

Seriously, what kind of joke was this?

To be immediately forced to fight so many Drill Rats at once, and a king she wasn’t even sure she could defeat, felt like an act of pure malice.

Who awakens their superpowers only to be thrown into such a massive battle right away?

As Liu Xingluo had predicted, the Drill Rat King issued a command.

Immediately, the other Drill Rats in the nest encircled Liu Xingluo, and with another order, they would undoubtedly swarm her without hesitation, attacking in unison.

While Liu Xingluo’s current strength might suffice to dispatch one or two, or even four or five Drill Rats, facing such an overwhelming multitude drastically diminished her chances of victory.

After all, two fists are no match for four hands, and even a hero cannot withstand a mob; before such numbers, Liu Xingluo’s advantage in power seemed far less significant.

If given the choice, Liu Xingluo would truly have preferred to employ the Thirty-Six Stratagems (TL Note: A collection of Chinese stratagems, often meaning to escape or retreat when outnumbered) and ‘run for the hills.’

However, trapped as she was in their territory and completely surrounded, escape was utterly impossible.

Her only recourse was to fight, to see whether the power she had gained was stronger, or if their numerical superiority would prevail.

“Hm? What’s happening now?”

Just as Liu Xingluo adopted a combat stance, bracing herself for an all-out confrontation, the purple gem on the bracelet adorning her left wrist suddenly discharged a bolt of electricity, striking directly towards her chest.

This current, however, was not intended to harm Liu Xingluo; rather, its purpose was to extract the coin-shaped object she had previously placed in her jacket’s breast pocket.

Under the powerful tug, the suit pocket tore easily, and the coin was pulled free.

Then, before Liu Xingluo’s astonished eyes, the coin disintegrated into particles of light, which then converged upon her right hand, transforming it from a human hand into…

A drill, identical to the one on a Drill Rat’s nose!