Demonic Po*nstar System

Chapter 137: Dune Maw Ambush

Kaiden and his Valkyries snapped their heads toward the source of the cries and swiftly rushed to the scene.

What they saw was grim.

A massive, worm-like creature had emerged from beneath the dunes. Currently, it was busy feasting on its prey. The woman—Rebecca, if her teammates’ cries were any indication—lay in the sand, with her entire lower body gone, devoured. She was rapidly bleeding out onto the golden grains beneath her. Her breaths were shallow, her eyes wide with terror as if she struggled to accept that what had just happened to her was reality and not a horrible nightmare.

Her teammates were doing their best to save her; they struck at the monster’s hide repeatedly, but their attacks barely left a scratch. The creature’s exterior was resisting everything they threw at it.

Kaiden gritted his teeth at the sight. “Damn it. Is this that phenomenon you mentioned, Nyx?”

Yes…” the Space Valkyrie nodded her head with a grim expression, observing the poor woman whose fate was all but sealed.

Elara spoke up with a trembling tone, explaining what the pair was talking about. Based on her ashen face and trembling voice, she did more so to herself out of pure shock than to inform her teammates. “The rank of a dungeon is indicative of its clear difficulty. Monsters tend to get stronger the farther away they are from the dungeon’s entrance, but it’s not a law, just a mere observation. Monsters don’t seem to be restricted by any such rules. Stronger ones can enter areas meant for weaker beings, and this phenomenon occurs more often the higher the dungeon’s rank is.”

Five ashen expressions watched the ongoings, momentarily frozen with the realization that it could’ve been one of them in Rebecca’s place. But then… “We have to help!” Aria cried with alarm.

Luna felt the same, evidenced by the materialization of her [Stormblade].

However, before anyone could rush in recklessly, Kaiden spoke up, halting them in their tracks. “Wait. What do we know about this creature?”

Elara wasn’t informative this time around. She grimaced, “I don’t know what kind of a worm it is… The scout reports only included the three entry-level monsters—the desert mummies, khopesh jackals, and doomstingers… I’ve never seen this one, not even in my extensive study preparation.

“Burrowing beneath the sand to reposition and having a sturdy hide is definitely a given,” Nyx said her thoughts out loud, but then only silence followed. They had no clue what else to expect from its arsenal. To make it even worse, not only was this a level 13 monster, but a physically imposing one at that. It must’ve weighed tens of tons and reached 15 meters (50 feet) in length.

This meant that comparing it to monsters that hunted in groups would not do its might justice. It was akin to comparing the Silverback Mauler that almost killed them to a rat monster that Kaiden easily swatted away. Just thanks to its physical proportions, it had supreme strength that came from having to move this giant mass around. The mass itself then improved its Vitality, making it a real frightening opponent.

Kaiden gritted his teeth. He wasn’t one to care about heroism, but losing a quarter of their fighters even before leaving the starting area would mark this undertaking a failure. They would likely be forced to retreat. “Let’s help them. Remain behind me, only strike opportunistically. Keep your distance at all costs.”

The ladies nodded at his statement with determined expressions.

Taking up formation, they began moving toward the massacre happening in the distance.

But before they could reach the scene, another group rushed in from the side. The group meant to protect their belongings in the camp had also heard the distressed cries by the looks of things.

Leading them was Jack, wearing his heavy armor. He raised his massive mace-shield combo and slammed the blunt weapon against his shield, trying to gather the beast’s attention by issuing a challenge.

Behind him, Leon stood. His expression was sharp, indicating that he was currently assessing the monster, looking for weak spots..

Sasha swiftly nocked an arrow and whispered a spell under her breath. Mana coalesced around the projectile, forming a visible blue aura along its shaft as she unleashed it.

“[Piercing Bolt]!”

The arrow shot forth, etching itself into the monster’s hide. But the beast barely reacted; it shifted its bulk ever so slightly as if brushing off an annoying insect. It didn’t even bleed.

Sasha cursed under her breath.

Vaelira made her grand entrance next with her mana camera zooming right behind her, capturing even the faintest of motions she made.

With a dramatic wave of her ornate wand, her voice rang out in a commanding tone. “Arise, my warriors. [Summon Legion]!”

The air shimmered in front of her with arcane energies. Mana was sent from her core right into the spell itself, using her wand as a transmitter. Twelve spectral soldiers clad in bronze armor materialized as a result, each wielding large shields and long spears. Their movements were synchronized, making them a disciplined force ready to do their master’s bidding.

Vaelira raised her arms into the air and began making gestures as if she were orchestrating a symphony. She said a single word in her bossy tone: “Engage.”

Her order was heard, both by her summoned as well as living minions. The battle erupted in full.

Jack and Leon sprinted straight into the action, with Vaelira’s Roman soldier-themed puppets forming a protective vanguard. The spectral soldiers moved like a well-oiled war machine: with their shields raised in a tight formation, spears lashing out in precise, methodical thrusts.

Kaiden watched the events with a calculating gaze. ‘Good. They are soaking up the first attacks for us.’

The dune maw, however, was not some mindless beast. It coiled, making its massive, segmented body twist before lunging forward with a speed that defied its bulk.

*Crunch!*

A single sweeping bite snapped through two of the spectral soldiers at once, shattering their forms into fading mana particles. The others didn’t falter nor panic: they closed the gap instantly and stabbed their spears into its rough hide.

It barely noticed their attempts.

The Dune Maw’s hide was thick, hardened by layers of natural armor. The few spear tips that punctured its skin barely sank in, leaving only superficial wounds in their wake.

Then, it unleashed a counterattack.

Its gaping maw split apart even further, revealing countless serrated teeth that churned like a meat grinder.

With a violent whip of its body, the worm lashed out, sending a wave of sand in all directions. The sheer force of the move shattered more of Vaelira’s legion, breaking the formation.

“Ugh! It’s stronger than I thought,” Vaelira clicked her tongue. She raised her wand, forming complex gestures. “Use the opportunities presented by my soldiers smarter, you fools!”

Kaiden ignored her screeching, focusing on the chance before him. He advanced under the cover of the soldiers and Jack, who was busy tanking its attacks. The worm lunged again at one of the summoned soldiers, who raised its shield to block.

*Snap!*

The shield caved in instantly, the poor spectral warrior was crushed in the blink of an eye.

But what mattered was that the worm-like monster was momentarily distracted, and Kaiden capitalized on it instantly by swinging his war axe in a devastating arc, aiming for the side of its massive maw.

“[Doom Strike]!”

The blade cut into the softer flesh near the side of its mouth, slicing past the thick exterior. Darkened ichor sprayed from the wound. The damage wasn’t deep enough to cripple it, but it was the first real wound inflicted thus far.

Leon wasn’t far behind Kaiden. Using the same opportunity that was created by their frontline, he stabbed his longsword with all his might, piercing the blade deep into its flesh.

The monster released a furious, ear-piercing shriek that rattled the air, telling them all that damage had been dealt at long last.

That was the exact moment Nyx made her move.

She raised her hand, and a fiery glyph ignited in the air before her as she cast [Astral Summon: Fire].

A large, flaming lance materialized above her. It was a weapon crafted from the very essence of fire itself.

Using [Telekinesis], she hurled it with all her mental strength. It was the mightiest weapon she’d ever summoned thus far, straining her focus. But the Space Valkyrie knew she couldn’t afford to care about such details right now. It was a life-or-death situation.

The fiery lance ripped through the air, striking the Dune Maw dead center.

*Boom!*

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