Chapter Fifty-One: The Half-Body Salamander

After entering Mining Area RX-23, the group was confronted by a long corridor yawning before them, black as the gaping maw of some monstrous beast, waiting to devour the unwary. The darkness underground was enough to stir dreadful imaginings even at the calmest of times; here, the passage ahead was so deep and ink-black that even the beams of their flashlights seemed to be swallowed whole, reduced to nothingness.

Intermittent gusts swept through the cavern, each one chilling and sudden, slipping beneath collars and sleeves, worming their way into their clothing to probe the warmth from every inch of skin, leaving a biting cold in their wake.

Darkness. Cold. Oppressive dread.

Their boots crunched softly through the loose sand and soil as they advanced in a vigilant formation. In the silence of the tunnel, each footfall stood out stark and clear.

Ji Cheng remained at the head of the group, as was his duty both as captain and ability wielder. Behind him followed three support-class members; bringing up the rear were Su Yi and Millie, the two full-grade operatives responsible for holding the line.

Over the long years spent exploring the mines, the people of Baishan Star had gradually uncovered certain patterns and rules. For instance, it was well established that the front and rear of a group were most likely to be attacked once inside a mine. And no matter how vast the mine, the energy crystal clusters were almost always situated directly beneath the surface’s strangest geological features. In this mine, the cluster would not be found outside the bounds of that gaping “mouth” above.

“RX-23-type mining area, approximately twenty-eight meters beneath the surface, with an average internal temperature of minus twenty-six degrees Celsius.”

“From the entrance, for every twenty meters advanced, radiation increases by 0.35 magnitudes.”

“Both sides are rich with mica and quartz; I estimate the actual pressure within the soil is higher than it appears.”

Ji Cheng continued to gather data, relaying it through his headset to Chen Qian at the monitoring station and recording everything in detail. The thoroughness of this information would determine whether they would secure their payment in the end, so he dared not be slack for a moment.

“I heard from a senior that very few ability users actually understand all this, but our boss is frighteningly professional,” Millie whispered to Su Yi at the back of the line.

Ability users, typically from privileged backgrounds, tended to focus solely on honing their powers from a young age; few bothered to study the “Compendium,” beyond perhaps some basic knowledge of aberrant creatures.

“That’s true,” Su Yi nodded, recalling the awe she’d felt under Ji Cheng’s leadership during the mining exam. “He’s truly an expert.”

“Our boss must have already reported nearly a hundred pieces of valid information.”

“I think it might be closer to a hundred and fifty by now.”

“A hundred and fifty? I remember that even the most common mining areas, after so many years, have only accumulated a little over a hundred valid entries.”

“With such sharp insight and collection skills…”

Their low voices carried a note of reverence as Ji Cheng’s steady reports filled their earpieces. For exploration teams like theirs, having a strong and knowledgeable leader was more precious than anything.

“Boss, you’re incredible! I’m about to start rolling on the ground in admiration!” Millie called out.

“Keep it down, I’m busy,” Ji Cheng replied, reporting another data point before halting.

Their lamps illuminated a bend ahead at last.

They had already walked over a thousand meters, well beyond the confines of the “mouth” on the surface. By mining area logic, a turning point and a return path should appear about now.

“Quiet, everyone. Don’t make a sound,” Ji Cheng commanded, raising his hand and signaling the group to halt and remain silent.

He approached the bend, listening intently for the slightest sound—the clatter of shifting earth, the distant moan of wind.

“It should be safe.”

Cautiously, he extended a foot, testing the sloping stone covered in grit. Inch by inch, he edged around the corner, motioning to those behind that it was clear.

One by one, the team followed.

Around the bend, a colossal underground cavern opened before them.

What struck them most was the sheer number of massive nodules occupying the vast space—bulbous sacs swathed in thick, saliva-like membranes, filled with revolting filth that sent waves of stench rolling through the cavern, nearly overwhelming.

“What are those? Disgusting…”

“They’re refuse and garbage collected by carapace ants.”

“So this is their nest?”

As they spoke, a thunderous rumble exploded through the cave, shaking the ground and sending sand cascading down in showers.

A piercing wail echoed, and from the shadow not far from where they stood, a monstrous beast crawled into view.

Its form was unspeakably grotesque: one half resembled a gargantuan salamander, the other an abandoned, battered automobile—its seats mildewed, engine exposed, only the plastic shell near the doors still smooth and new.

Its yellow eyes glinted with savage malice, never leaving the group. From talons to the tip of its tail, which thrashed among the rubble, it was coated in thick mucus.

The Half-Salamander.

Despite their prior analysis and mental preparation, the reality of a class-level aberrant beast looming before them set everyone’s nerves on edge. Only Ji Cheng remained composed, issuing clear orders:

“The Half-Salamander is not very agile. Everyone, spread out to my one o’clock, three o’clock, and five o’clock positions, fifteen meters away.”

As the team swiftly took their places, Ji Cheng snapped his fingers, sending several sharp blasts of compressed air slicing toward the creature.

Its bloated, massive body was far too sluggish to dodge; several deep gashes opened instantly. But the wounds bubbled with mucus and closed over within seconds.

“As expected, its regenerative ability is formidable.”

According to the records, the Half-Salamander’s mucous coating could rapidly repair injuries in a matter of seconds.

With a thud, the beast slammed its tree-thick claws into the ground, raising a cloud of dust.

Seizing their momentary distraction, it let out a baby-like wail and shot its coarse, needle-tipped tongue from its mouth toward Ji Cheng at blinding speed.

With no time to consciously react, Ji Cheng’s honed instincts kicked in. He leapt aside just as the tongue smashed into the cavern wall, scraping with a shriek. A massive boulder dislodged, crashing down behind Ji Cheng and shattering into thousands of needle-like fragments.

“Open fire—aim for the car section!” Ji Cheng commanded.

Compared to its tough, leathery flesh, the car half was its vulnerability—like viscera exposed to open air.

Bullets clanged and ricocheted off the battered vehicle frame.

Mu Zhi produced several pre-mixed vials of ochre reagent and hurled them at the beast. Formulated from diesel, powdered palm wood, and heavy water in a precise 2:1:3 ratio, such odd concoctions were among the few things capable of harming class-level aberrants. Ji Cheng’s habit of anticipating possible foes and preparing counteragents in advance gave them a crucial edge.

The vials shattered, splashing deep yellow liquid over the beast’s mucous hide. The slime dissolved rapidly, provoking shrill screams from the monster.

Ji Cheng sprang onto a boulder near the Half-Salamander, steadying himself. The beast howled, drawing nearer, its gaping jaws snapping in fury.

He sneered, a golden spark flaring in his palm. “Regret” fell in a swift, vertical stroke—silent, invisible, and deadly.

This time, at such close range, the invisible blade sank deep, carving a wound to the bone.

Blood spurted, thick and sickly sweet with a nauseating stench.

The Half-Salamander shrieked, jaws snapping like a guillotine for Ji Cheng’s outstretched left arm.

“Watch out!”

Instead of retreating, Ji Cheng pressed forward. In an instant, his left arm turned a steely blue-black, wedging itself between the monster’s jagged teeth, which ground uselessly.

Tyrant Serum, activated.

Since awakening his powers, Ji Cheng’s cellular vitality had soared, and his strength under the serum’s influence had reached new heights. His arm, now imbued with superhuman force, pried the Half-Salamander’s jaws apart.

He leaned in, twisted his wrist, and unleashed another air blade directly inside its maw.

A sharp hiss—and a flood of fluids gushed out as most of the upper jaw was sliced clean off.

The beast convulsed, writhing violently.

All around, the pods on the ground burst like fountains, spewing a deluge of viscous, fetid refuse, entrails, and hideous liquids. In an instant, the entire cavern was flooded to thigh-depth with reeking filth.