Abyss Summoner-Chapter 312 - 306: Challenge of the Nest_2

As for the Corpse Spot Beetle, the boy in front of it is simply a tasty morsel. The reason it hasn’t launched an attack isn’t because it’s afraid, but rather it’s waiting for the right time to hunt. Perhaps it’s contemplating something, then seizes an appropriate opportunity to strike.

"The Corpse Spot Beetles are social creatures. Their weaponry consists of sharp fangs and antennae, excelling with their swift speed and keen sense of smell. However, their weakness lies in any bright light. Due to the peculiar environment, their eyes have mutated; they can see normally in the dark, but under daylight, they’re as blind as a bat, only able to make out fuzzy silhouettes of opponents."

The announcer’s voice resonated from the side, his face even holding a smile, unaffected by the creature’s appearance.

The battle began.

The Hunting Dog’s dark eyes fixated on the front, gripping the knife handle ever tighter, embodying concentrated focus.

In the Economic Development Zone, the first task for any employed warrior isn’t physical training or weapon mastery but memorizing the entire monster encyclopedia written by the higher-ups.

It records all known monsters, noting their names, weaknesses, and habits one by one. Each week, warriors from every group face random assessments, and anyone failing three times consecutively will be stripped of their warrior status, never to be reinstated.

As a squad leader, the Hunting Dog had already committed this information to memory.

Before long, the details of the Corpse Spot Beetles surfaced in his mind. Though swift in speed, their attack power wasn’t noteworthy, and their intelligence was low, making them an easy target. Generally not worrisome, yet confronting an adult one alone did bring some pressure.

"Screech-screech..."

Just as the Hunting Dog’s mind was in turmoil, a scraping sound emerged from the ground!

Nearby, a rumbling sound echoed, rapidly vibrating the air. An overwhelming stench filled the air.

The Hunting Dog raised his head, pupils constricting, every pore on his body relaxing!

"It’s here!"

"Sss-sss..."

The Corpse Spot Beetle stared at its prey, a frenzy in its compound eyes. As a monstrous beetle, brutality coursed through its veins, with its madness and frenzy only increasing from imprisonment. Its massive body shadowing over, it charged toward the Hunting Dog’s direction, shaking the entire ground, its power undeniable!

The Hunting Dog made no move, standing motionless as if petrified with fear.

The crowd gasped, some squeamish women even covered their eyes. Even the announcer wore a severe expression, motioning to staff aiming their guns at the Corpse Spot Beetle, ready to fire at his command.

"You can do it!"

"You can make it!"

The Hunting Dog wasn’t paralyzed with fear; he was waiting for a chance.

He had memorized all the creature’s habits; the Corpse Spot Beetle was swift and impulsively turning his back would only result in pointless attacks.

Better to attack proactively than remain passive.

Face to face with the creature, just centimeters apart, the Hunting Dog could smell the beetle’s foul stench mixed with blood. In that desperate moment, he suddenly tensed his arm, squatted swiftly, then sprang up, stabbing his dagger unerringly into the frenzied, gleeful left eye of the Corpse Spot Beetle!

Using that violent momentum, he swung his body backward with a "bang!" his back hit the ground hard, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, indicating the severity of the impact.

For ordinary humans, the sudden loss of sight and the pain from an eye injury would instinctively prompt them to cover the wound with both hands, releasing anything they held without thought.

But a creature like the Corpse Spot Beetle responded differently; as a monster, its bodily functions had long been altered. Besides, its objective was clear: to kill the Hunting Dog, by any means necessary.

Blinded in one eye, rather than retreating, the beetle grew even more frenzied, continuing its attack, its forelimbs slashing towards the Hunting Dog’s head like blades.

Knowing his fate was sealed, how could the Hunting Dog remain passive? At the moment of impact, he rose, not even having time to wipe the blood at his lips, darting past the beetle’s side.

But it wasn’t over.

Completely immersed in combat, the Hunting Dog sharply halted, drew a deep breath, and instead of evading, lunged with a powerful rear kick, executing a piercing strike. Unerringly, the blade struck the beetle’s joint.

Its endurance and strength were limited; though agile, it hadn’t yet evolved into the higher insect category, so its joints remained vulnerable. After driving the knife into the beetle’s joint, the Hunting Dog vigorously shook his arm, cutting through the joint as green ichor gushed out.

"Die!"

Seizing the opportunity, the Hunting Dog leaped, stabbing downward as the blade sliced the beetle’s head. Blood splattered out as the mutated beetle collapsed lifelessly on the ground.

In brief shock.

The Hunting Dog felt utterly exhausted, as if he’d just braved a fish storm, yet he gritted his teeth, fighting to remain standing.

Having slain the Corpse Spot Beetle, he now could choose a prize, intent on delivering a light stone to a certain young girl. Despite staggering, he persisted.

Not until the announcer declared his victory did he realize his back was drenched in sweat; he had secured the prize of his dreams. The girl, after reproaching him for his recklessness and checking his injuries, accepted the heavy gift.

To her grumbling inquiries, the Hunting Dog grinned, even though the scrape on his back still pained him to curse.

But as long as she was pleased, it was all worth it.

At this moment, the announcer spoke again: "This brave warrior has succeeded in the challenge. Now, is there anyone else willing to take on this test?"

Murmurs spread through the crowd.

Damn, just what is this insect nest up to? The cages hold genuine mutated insects, capable of biting an arm clean off.

But... that insect seemed weak earlier, deceptively feeble but fell with just a few cuts into a pool of blood, motionless. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

It seems like free money!

The Hunting Dog and the girl moved on, but the other survivors remained standing. Seeing him leave with the light stone that could trade for twenty pounds of insect meat on the black market, some burly men couldn’t resist their stirring emotions and signed up for the challenge one after another.

In an instant, what was once a nightmare in people’s memories became a target for slaughter.

Mutated insects?

Ha.

Just that!