Chapter 39: The Octopus Head’s Account

Appearing with the voice was a cloaked figure, an Unusual Creature with an octopus-like head, the very one who had primarily conversed with Bai Li and led the others upon her initial arrival.

“Octopus Head, provide an explanation.”

“I have a name…” the creature began, then waved a tentacle dismissively. “Never mind that; I was just about to explain.”

Having spoken, Octopus Head produced several can-like objects and handed them to the Unusual Creatures, who, still trembling from Bai Li’s palpable killing intent, had sunk to the ground. Only then did it turn its gaze back to Bai Li.

“First, allow me to explain,” the Octopus Head began. “These are merely weak Unusual Creatures we’ve taken under our wing during this time. They pose no threat to you, so I implore you not to strike them down without a second thought.”

“Do I look like that kind of person?”

“…”

“…Nevertheless, you can rest assured,” Bai Li stated, her voice even. “As long as they don’t instigate any negative repercussions, I shall refrain from acting.”

Noting Octopus Head’s silence, Bai Li understood its unspoken reply and reiterated her point.

“Therefore, clarify the entire sequence of events for me; I am pressed for time.”

“Understood,” Octopus Head affirmed. “The entire affair began approximately one day ago…”

According to Octopus Head’s account, just a day before, they had been idly occupying their stronghold, with some resting, others conversing, and a few engrossed in their research.

However, amidst this tranquil ambiance, their instruments suddenly detected that the newly appointed gatekeeper at the entrance had gone silent—a silence that unequivocally signaled utter demise.

This was a situation they had never encountered before… or rather, they had, but it was a past most Unusual Creatures had gradually suppressed. That previous instance had been Bai Li’s arrival, a brutal display that had reduced their former leader to a mere specimen. The memory was so deeply ingrained that they often miscalculated the elapsed time, feeling as though ages had passed.

Returning to the matter at hand, in light of this urgent crisis, they swiftly mustered their fighting forces and ordered the weaker Unusual Creatures into hiding. Coincidentally, the very entity that had dispatched the gatekeeper had, by then, already breached their underground stronghold.

“It was a monstrosity that looked like a fusion of a tiger or a lion with an alien being,” Octopus Head recounted. “Whether it was its razor-sharp and unyielding claws, or its equally potent outer shell, our attacks proved utterly useless against that creature.”

Octopus Head continued to describe the monster’s appearance. For beings who were themselves Unusual Creatures to label something as a ‘monster’ indicated just how bizarre and unsettling this alien entity truly was.

Beyond its bizarre nature, this alien entity, which sounded entirely unlike any conventional life form, wielded formidable power. All of their Unusual Creatures engaged it in relentless relay assaults, yet they couldn’t even manage to exhaust its stamina.

“We had sought to request your aid,” Octopus Head explained, “but the signal appeared to be intentionally jammed, rendering us completely unable to connect or send you any notifications.”

“I see,” Bai Li mused. “No wonder I received no replies.”

Bai Li glanced at her chat logs, noting the absence of even ‘read’ receipts, and finally comprehended why she had received no messages from the Unusual Creatures.

“…Hold on,” Bai Li interjected, a furrow appearing between her brows. “Signal interference? That monster possesses such a capability?”

Supernatural abilities were rarely omnipotent; indeed, the more potent and versatile a power, the more likely it was to come with inherent restrictions, perhaps demanding a steep price for its use or harboring a critical weakness. Considering the monster’s immense combat strength, it seemed highly improbable that it would also wield a signal-jamming ability, a power of negligible utility in direct confrontation.

“Uh… actually, besides that monster, there was another presence,” Octopus Head admitted sheepishly.

“…”

Bai Li fixed her dead-fish eyes on Octopus Head, her gaze conveying a silent, potent question: ‘Why did you not disclose this earlier?’

Under such an intense gaze, Octopus Head hesitated no longer and promptly launched into its explanation.

“Ahem!” Octopus Head cleared its throat. “According to our unique Unusual Creature senses, the presence lurking in the shadows was distinct from the monster. We could discern that he was undoubtedly human, yet throughout the entire battle, he remained completely inactive, merely observing from afar.”

“In that scenario, he could potentially be an accomplice to that monster,” Bai Li murmured. “But… a human?”

While rare and generally frowned upon, the phenomenon of humans consorting with Unusual Creatures certainly existed, much like Bai Li herself, or the unofficial ability users who, bereft of official channels, were relegated to the black market. However, if the accomplice was a monster whose true nature—whether human or Unusual Creature—was utterly inscrutable, then the entire situation grew exceptionally intriguing.

At its core, this world contained no other sentient beings beyond ordinary flora and fauna, humans, and Unusual Creatures. Even those mutated by the [Otherworld] or ability pollution were typically classified as Unusual Creatures, and humans with shapeshifting abilities, regardless of their transformations, remained fundamentally human—or merely mimicked Unusual Creatures.

For an entity whose true form defied identification, apart from those inherently capable of concealing their identity, only a single other possibility remained.

“It appears there truly is someone orchestrating this mischief from the shadows,” Bai Li concluded.

If that particular possibility proved accurate, then the situation was almost certainly man-made, and the likelihood of malicious intent was alarmingly high.

“So, how did you all survive in the end?”

Judging by the evident battle scars, Bai Li found it implausible that these Unusual Creatures had managed to vanquish their adversary.

“Uh… well, actually,” Octopus Head stammered, “after we had been fighting for a while, the monster inexplicably halted its assault. The individual observing from the background then extended an olive branch to us, inquiring if we wished to join their ranks or something of that nature.”

Octopus Head, pulling a towel from an unseen pocket, nervously wiped away cold sweat as it offered its timid reply.

“Did you agree?”

“Absolutely not!” Octopus Head exclaimed, its tone fervent. “We pledge our loyalty solely to you! …However, upon hearing our resolute refusal, that individual seemed to fly into a furious rage. In a fit of pique, they commanded the monster to purge this entire area. Yet, it was precisely due to this that we managed to conceal ourselves while the monster was charging its attack, thereby avoiding complete annihilation.”

In the direction Octopus Head indicated, the remaining Unusual Creatures, including those who were wounded, gradually emerged and began the arduous task of tidying up the stronghold.

“It left, then, under the mistaken assumption that you were all dead?” Bai Li pondered aloud. “That monster’s intelligence must be severely limited.”

Had it been Bai Li, she would have meticulously confirmed the outcome after unleashing such a devastating attack. When she had previously fought the Cement Gorilla, her only aim was to leave a somewhat intact corpse, never imagining it would survive. She had learned from that experience, and now, she would always follow up with a few decisive strikes.

“It appears so,” Octopus Head confirmed with a sigh. “However, it’s undeniable that the monster’s power is immense. Many of our possessions have been destroyed, especially those items we painstakingly acquired from the black market. All of them will need to be restocked, such as our recording devices and the like…”

Octopus Head surveyed the stronghold, now reduced to utter disarray, and let out a weary sigh.

However, Bai Li’s keen attention had already latched onto a different, more critical point.

“Wait, what did you just say was destroyed?”

“Huh?” Octopus Head blinked. “Just the newly acquired recording devices from a short while ago. The latest model, as you specifically requested. They were rendered useless after only a few uses.”

“…”

Upon hearing those words, Bai Li remained utterly silent, yet a terrifying surge of murderous intent erupted from her, a palpable pressure that felt capable of slaying merely through its oppressive presence.

“Are you saying that all the footage recorded recently has been destroyed, and without any backups?”