Chapter 147: The One-Eyed Giant Deer (Part II)

When the time on the Awakened’s interface struck exactly eight in the evening, the long-awaited boss finally revealed its true form.

A thunderous roar echoed through the air.

All the Awakened present noticed that the once-crystalline inheritance crystal had vanished, replaced by a colossal figure.

Emerging as if from the depths of hell itself, this towering creature was cloaked in pure white fur, standing over ten meters tall. Upon its head sprouted a pair of massive horns, and dominating its face was a single enormous eye positioned just above the nose, nearly half the size of its visage, swirling relentlessly with an eerie glow.

This was the boss they were to face tonight: the One-Eyed Giant Stag.

Its level was unknown, but its health bar stretched impressively long, the color having shifted to a fiery orange from the many accumulated layers. The boss’s attack power fluctuated with the number and level of Awakened within the safe zone. The stadium, a medium-sized safe zone housing over a thousand Awakened, naturally bore a formidable boss. This towering beast was evidently among the top-tier adversaries, boasting over 200,000 health points.

Such immense vitality was far beyond what a single person or even a small group could handle; it would require the combined strength of all Awakened within the zone to bring it down.

At first glance, its thick white fur might mislead most into thinking it was an ice-elemental beast. Yet, contrary to appearances, this was a pure fire-elemental creature.

Its arrival unleashed a towering inferno. With a furious bellow, the giant stag slammed the ground powerfully, causing the terrain within several meters to quake and ripple as if struck by an earthquake.

With that strike, the great eye reddened instantly, bloodshot veins weaving through the iris, and its fur deepened into a hue resembling fresh blood.

A short tail flicked casually behind it, scattering bursts of flame like comet tails into the air, scorching the nearby atmosphere to unbearable heat.

But that was not all. Moments after the ground strike, the once-smooth earth beneath its hooves cracked open, revealing molten lava glowing fiercely from the fissures.

“Ah!”

Amid terrified screams from the surrounding Awakened, a ring of roaring flames erupted out of nowhere, rapidly expanding outward from the stag’s position.

This fiery circle moved far quicker than it appeared. Many Awakened were close to the beast and, startled by the sudden appearance of the boss, failed to flee immediately, losing any chance to escape.

The crimson flames, like the sickle of death, swept through ranks of Awakened, claiming lives with ruthless efficiency.

Those caught within the fiery ripple perished instantly, their screams stifled before they could escape, reduced to ashes.

This brutal spectacle instantly struck panic into the hearts of all present. Those who had been standing farther away or had narrowly evaded the flames now wore expressions of profound dread.

In their hands, many tightly gripped the boss’s information sheets, some so clenched the papers warped; others were damp with sweat.

Earlier, many had underestimated this boss, expecting an experience akin to a game dungeon—an enjoyable challenge with rewards awaiting upon completion.

The documentation clearly warned of this initial ambush, advising Awakened to maintain distance, but many dismissed these cautions, assuming the reports exaggerated the danger. After all, few believed anyone could predict the boss’s moves with such precision.

Some even suspected this was a ploy by the East District’s leader to sow distrust, aiming to keep others at bay so their own forces could close in, thus securing more opportunities to inflict damage and earn greater prestige upon the boss’s defeat.

Others remained confident that, even if an ambush occurred, their personal strength would allow them to evade it with ease.

It was precisely these varied assumptions that led to dozens, if not hundreds, of Awakened needlessly losing their lives as the battle commenced.

Zhe Kong frowned as he surveyed the chaotic scene below. From his vantage point on a three-meter-high stand, far from the boss, he was safe from immediate harm.

He had been the source of the intelligence, fully aware of its accuracy, having lived through this scenario in a past life.

He had issued clear warnings to prevent such losses, yet so many had ignored his words and paid with their lives.

At that moment, Kong thought of Su Meiqin, a born leader whose decisive nature might be the only force capable of compelling the Awakened to heed warnings.

Boss battles like this were not isolated to this safe zone alone; any zone housing Awakened would face a boss tonight, varying in type and strength according to the zone’s size.

Su Meiqin’s New City safe zone was equal or greater in scale, and she was undoubtedly confronting her own massive boss at this hour.

Earlier that morning, Kong had already sent her all the detailed information on the boss battle via email. Compared to his own dire situation, hers was much more favorable. She commanded an elite team known as the Blood Rose, over half of whom had awakened powers. Coupled with the intelligence he provided and her formidable personal strength, she was virtually guaranteed victory.

Kong harbored no worries for her side.

What remained was his own front.

It was time to begin his own fight.

Squinting at the raging boss at the center of the arena, Kong raised his radio and slowly inquired, “Are you all ready on your end?”

“Y-yes… ugh… we’re ready…” Xue Feifei’s voice sounded weak and intermittent, clearly shaken after witnessing the instant incineration of those nearby.

“Brother Kong, I’m ready too!” Hong Ling’s voice was slightly off but notably steadier.

Kong did not blame the two women. Having been sheltered until recently, it was only natural they would struggle to cope with such brutal slaughter at their first encounter. With time, they would grow accustomed.

“Alright, then… Xue Feifei, your vantage point is good. Keep watch and report on the battle situation immediately. Even though your position is relatively safe and the monster likely won’t attack there, stay alert. If anything goes wrong or unexpected happens, alert us at once.”

“Hong Ling, remain on the rooftop for now. Provide remote cover when possible, but avoid exposing yourself. Stay hidden until the monster nears death, then descend to assist with the serpent’s loot grab.”

“Understood.”

“Got it!”

Both women responded dutifully. These plans had been agreed upon beforehand; Kong was simply confirming once more. With the battle imminent, there was no time for hesitation.

After finishing his instructions, Kong lowered the radio. Suddenly, he felt a tug at his cloak’s edge and turned to see Xiao Lei.

Her graceful figure remained cloaked beneath her cape, the night breeze stirring a strand of her dark hair across her forehead, subtly revealing the delicate contours of her hooded face.

Xiao Lei’s expression was complex. She brushed aside the hair, opening her mouth as if to speak, yet hesitated.

Bathed in moonlight, she resembled the mythical Moon Goddess—serene and beautiful.

“What’s wrong?” Kong smiled gently and approached, his voice soft, “Don’t be afraid. Just follow me closely. As long as you don’t attack the boss, it usually won’t target you.”

Although Kong had trained her previously, this was her first real battle, and he guessed she must be frightened.

No.

That wasn’t it.

Xiao Lei thought silently but found herself unable to voice it.

She was not afraid—not exactly. Rather, there was something more pressing occupying her mind: the black aura enveloping Kong.

It had nearly solidified into substance.

Perhaps others could not see it, but to her eyes, Kong was shrouded in a thick, suffocating darkness that obscured his features.

This ominous presence gripped her heart as if it were being torn apart, filling her with sorrow.

She could feel Kong’s care for her; precisely because of that, her emotions were tangled. She wished to persuade him not to join this conflict, sensing that something ill-fated was about to unfold—that their carefully laid plans would not proceed smoothly.

Yet, when she tried to speak, she found herself silent, unable to break through the warmth of Kong’s gentle smile, so tender it seemed to melt her.

But beneath that kindness lay an unyielding resolve—the determination to grow stronger, to better protect himself and those dear to him.

Xiao Lei stared blankly at him, the urge to throw herself into his arms overwhelming. But she knew her words could not alter what was to come; this was the one thing Kong would not listen to.

“Um… I’m… I’m fine…”

In the end, she could only offer a dry smile.

“Alright… Let’s go! Charge!”

…