The Bug Being Hunted (Continued)

The sandworm didn't even have time to scream. Its head exploded outright, turning into a vast cloud of blood that flew up into the

sky. The flash of fire had vanished from sight at some point, and I didn't have time to look any longer. I spun around and climbed straight into the car, closed the sunroof, tossed the shotgun that had gotten wedged between the seat and the gas pedal aside, and slammed on the brakes.

"Whoosh~"

The car's brakes didn't make any shrill sound in the desert. Instead, they kicked up a huge cloud of sand.

Superhuman Mode, Steam Mode, electricity... Everything faded away, and exhaustion surged into my brain. Thankfully, I gritted my teeth and managed to bear it.

The car stopped in the desert. At the same time, a vast shower of blood fell from the sky, pattering against the car with a "clink-clank" sound. Now and then,

chunks of flesh also dropped to the ground, along with some hard teeth.

"Ding-ding-ding~"

The sound continued for nearly a minute before the blood finally stopped falling. By then, the car windows and hood, along with

everywhere else I could see, were covered in blood.

The foul stench of blood rushed into my nostrils, making me feel a little sick.

I picked up my water bottle, took a drink to replenish my strength, and pinched my nose. Then I turned around and opened the car door. The sand beneath my feet was

stained with blood.

"Phew..."

I let out a long breath, then dragged my exhausted body along and lit a cigarette. From where I stood, I could clearly see the sandworm's corpse lying

on the ground. Its headless body was still twitching faintly, but it was obvious that its life force was rapidly fading. In a few