He Finally Started Acting Like a Person!

Crack!

A huge, continuous screech rang out, echoing throughout the cave. Along with the commotion, the heavy, fire-like breathing suddenly quickened.

Her attack had been remarkably effective.

Scorching patterns of flame lit up one ring after another like halos. A thick sulfurous stench spread through the air, making Zhao Bai frown. He lightly turned the spatula's dial, and the restrained high-energy particles dispersed, forming a barrier around them.

It had awakened.

Like finally lighting a lamp in a dark room, Zhao Bai could clearly see what it looked like.

That fiery heat, that mountain-like majesty...

"Lava Emperor?"

"Not a bad name. I like it."

Durandal looked at the enormous figure before her, eager to fight, as though afraid Zhao Bai would steal her chance to make a move.

He Finally Started Acting Human!

It was a Lava Emperor.

Its base form was the pinnacle of lower-class Honkai Beasts—the Honkai Emperor. Perhaps it had absorbed volcanic energy, or perhaps it had adapted to the African environment, but it had mutated into this pitch-black form. At a glance, it was clear that its luck had not been very good.

If it had been lucky, it would not have waited here to be judged.

The Lava Emperor rolled around amid the crystal piles, as though those little pink spikes contained some mysterious power. Its body gradually merged with the crystals, obscuring its butterfly-like form as it transformed into a terrifying giant lizard.

Durandal's surging enthusiasm was instantly doused like a bucket of cold water. The hand holding her lance trembled slightly.

"..."

"G-Gem Crystal Dragon?"

She hated this thing. Crystalline Dragons were common enemies in the game Dark Souls; killing them dropped gems. They were the evolved form of Gem Crystal Bugs and had left quite a psychological shadow on Durandal when she