Perhaps the visual impact of the Sword Control Technique was too intense. After the Giant Rhinoceros was instantly dealt with, everyone stood petrified, speechless.

In the deadly silence, only the Wolf Beast stood proudly where it was. Carrying itself with an expert's air, it was bathed in blood, drool hanging from its mouth—a rather bizarre sight.

No one was aware of the helpless conversation that existed only in consciousness.

"Fu Yi, isn't it a bit much for you to steal my kill like that?"

"Ah, I saw it was so close, I just couldn't resist and took it out..."

"Don't do that next time, okay…"

Fu Yi rolled her eyes and retorted loudly, "Next time I'll still snatch it!"

"...Alright, alright, they're all yours."

Life is hard, Huai Shi sighed.

After all, it wasn't the first time his kill had been snatched; he was already used to it.

The problem now was… where to find another one?

"Hey! Anyone there?"

He looked up towards the city walls opposite him. "How about sending another one over?"

In the silence, the Giant Beasts coldly observed the Husky frolicking below. No one spoke.

Who knows if this broken thing has a rocket launcher named Dog-headed Dragon Flash hidden away, in addition to the Great Treasure Sword known as Sky Soaring Dragon Flash? Their tactical minds are so dirty!

The eternal battle had just begun. Without a clear view of the opponent's capabilities, no one wanted to be the first to step on a landmine.

So, the Husky grew even more brazen. It spat out the sword in its mouth, stretched its neck, and barked three times: "Who dares to kill me? Who dares to kill me? Who dares to kill me?"

Fu Yi, within the Bell, couldn't help covering her face. "You might as well have shouted 'I still have some fight left in me'..."

"You're right!"

Huai Shi's eyes lit up.

Among men, a Red Hare; among dogs, a Lu Bu. Why couldn't he play the part of Lu Bu himself?

"Be careful, this place is called White Gate Tower... Can you please switch to a more normal style?"

"But why won't they come down?"

Huai Shi sighed. He looked around and, amidst those cold stares, tilted his head to think, then suddenly suggested, "How about I perform a show for everyone? What about singing a song?"

"Enough!"

From the corner of the city wall, an Amber Crocodile lying at the edge finally couldn't stand it any longer. She spoke up, "Since that disgrace over there doesn't want to fight, let us handle it!"

By the sound of it, she seemed to be a domineering big sister.

"Danni, don't be hasty." Below the city wall, behind the slowly rising gates, an old voice spoke out. "Let this old man meet it."

With the hoarse tone, behind the open city gates, an agile figure slowly emerged, reflecting a golden glow.

In that instant, Huai Shi was stunned.

Ermmm… This distinctly yellow and white fur pattern, the resplendent short hair, and the curled-up tail… It turned out to be one of his own kind. But come to think of it, isn't that a Shiba Inu?

The Giant Wolf Beast's expression twitched. It widened its eyes, lying down to scrutinize this rather composed old Predecessor. "How did you manage that, old man? Could you do one for me too?"

The Shiba Inu's expression twitched as well, momentarily unable to distinguish whether Huai Shi was being envious or mocking.

"Um… may I touch your tail?"

Huai Shi blinked, lifting a paw. "It swings back and forth; it's actually pretty cute."

"Enough!"

The Shiba Inu, outraged, filled his hoarse voice with unrestrained fury. "Don't you know how to respect your elders?"

"But you really are very cute."

The Giant Husky lifted a paw to pat his head. "We are both dogs. What's the harm in letting me touch it?"

CRASH!

A shrill noise of metal colliding burst forth.

Huai Shi's vision blurred for a moment; he only sensed a flash of light that swiftly left a deep scratch on the scales and shell of his neck.

With lightning coursing around him, the Shiba Inu stood behind Huai Shi, stating calmly, "Next time, it will be more than just a greeting, Little Brag. Draw your sword."

What incredible speed.

Stunned, Huai Shi turned to contemplate the Shiba Inu that looked as though draped in a cloak of lightning. "Why does everyone but me seem to have Skills?"

Everyone's showing off. And here I am, the only one who can do nothing but spit everywhere! Isn't that a bit too much?

His tail swung. The sharp-angled, whip-like appendage effortlessly wrapped around the sword hilt, drawing it out. He swung it twice, emitting a piercing whistling sound as it cut through the air.

This was the true way to wield the sword.

After all, holding it in his mouth was simply too cumbersome, and the drool that might ensue did not fit the expert demeanor Huai Shi had in mind.

Amidst the mire, Huai Shi took a deep breath, flexing his limbs.

His scales, like steel, grated against each other. Sparks flew and sharp sounds arose, yet they could not overshadow the deep rumble of his extending joints.

The Shiba Inu paused for a moment, as if under an illusion; it seemed the Wolf Beast before him had grown a bit bigger.

What kind of creature is this? Does it grow bigger just by breathing the air? Exactly what kind of Relic Bone was used, and how many Metamorphoses has it undergone to become this enhanced?

Generally, Giant Beasts evolve different specialties based on the attributes of the Relic Bones they possess and their own development paths.

They might grow larger, or their skin might become harder. Their speed could increase, or they might acquire various Abilities to manipulate Source Substance. Even strange Powers like Psychokinesis could emerge as special organs developed.

But where did this Hexagonal Warrior come from? Its physique is like a heavy truck, its strength terrifying. Its constitution is robust enough to withstand the charge of a Giant Rhinoceros, and even its defense is exaggeratedly frightening.

Just now, he had intended to take advantage of Huai Shi's unawareness, to sever Huai Shi's throat directly using his own proud, lightning-fast attack.

But after striking, he found that even Huai Shi's weakest point was covered in a dense layer of scales. Beneath that was steel-grey skin gleaming with a metallic luster.

It's a Giant Wolf completely forged from metal! Could it be... the work of a Creator?

The Shiba Inu's thoughts raced, and he had a sudden epiphany.

If Explorers are tools, then the Creator is the true master who manipulates these tools—both the driving force and the solver of this Witches' Night. The real player in the game against that Creator who orchestrated Witches' Night.

Over these days, he had seen Explorers who had been modified and experimented on by Creators from beyond. Many were horrific failures or monsters directly solidified by the Abyss during their Metamorphosis. However, those who succeeded all possessed incredible power and specialties, far surpassing other Explorers who transformed chaotically based on instinct.

If this fellow before me is a representative specially created by some Creator, that would make sense...

"Hey, old timer…"

A curious voice suddenly sounded beside his ear. "What are you thinking about?"

In an instant, the Shiba Inu was startled and alarmed.

The immense Wolf Beast had torn through space in an instant and arrived right in front of him, dangerously close.

Curiously tilting its head while examining his absent-minded face, it sent shivers down his spine.

Why, in the midst of battle, was I lost in thought, even neglecting the presence of the enemy...?

He swiftly retreated, as fast as a bolt of lightning, regaining distance. Then, suddenly, he lunged forward. An intense electric light seemed to sketch a sharp angle in the void in an instant, aimed straight at Huai Shi's pupils.

Just one strike, and I can blind this Broken Dog! But... if I kill it, will it bring the Creator's wrath upon me?

A thought suddenly emerged in his mind, causing a slight delay in his action. Next, it was as if he struck an iron wall; his claws throbbed with pain.

Because Huai Shi had closed his eyes.

It was like a fly smashing onto glass; not even a light sound was made. Are his eyelids as hard as Armor too?

He was shocked, yet the electric light on his body grew even more ferocious as he launched another fierce attack at Huai Shi.

If the speed just now wasn't enough, then I must accelerate further...

BOOM!

The hurricane roared.

Before the Shiba Inu could react, the Wolf Beast had already torn through the air, howling towards him.

Even without lightning to accelerate it, it had still managed to catch up to the Shiba Inu's speed...

How can it be so fast!

Shuddering, the Shiba Inu desperately counterattacked, but a strange thought suddenly surfaced in his mind.

What's for dinner tonight? No, what's for dinner doesn't matter, right? It's all meat anyway. But perhaps I've been eating too much meat lately; it's not good for my health. I should eat some vegetables occasionally. But are there any fresh vegetables in a place like this? Come to think of it, those people from the Underground World have been working on hybridizing Abyss plants and creatures, right? I wonder how that's progressing... No, why am I thinking about this!

By the time he came to his senses, he saw Huai Shi make a cool turn. Huai Shi kicked off the ground with his front legs, tossing his body along with the sharp Great Sword hanging from his tail.

The iron light flashed by, and the mournful sound of the wind screamed like a banshee's roar.

Rolling awkwardly into the mire, the Shiba Inu gasped for breath. He had narrowly missed being bisected by the Great Sword, which was even bigger than himself!

If this were outside, how could I ever be afraid of something like this, mere steel? But how was this purity of steel produced? Could the opponent actually know metallurgy? Or did they use some other methods? There's no coal here; I should have explored that already. The only fuels are beast blood and a handful of oil-rich plants. But how did that guy get full-body Armor? Is he cheating, or is there something I've overlooked...?

BOOM!

The Shiba Inu was flung backwards.

Getting distracted in the midst of battle was clearly a death wish. Even the Giant Beasts on the city walls sensed something was amiss.

"What's going on? Wasn't Old Li from an archaeological background?"

"He seems out of sorts?"

"If he's performing well, no one should be able to match his speed."

"He's being suppressed?"

"Didn't you notice? That guy might be using Psychokinesis too, right?"

As Twin Moon's words fell, realization dawned on everyone.

Psychokinesis was inherently a nasty effect. Even among Sublimators with Soul Ability, its appearance was exceedingly rare.

Depending on its nature, it manifested differently. Some added a vector to objects out of thin air. Others seemed to materialize will from the intangible, pulling and moving things without contact, and so on. There were even more bizarre and special uses, utterly unpredictable.

The deliberately amplified voice was also heard by the Shiba Inu down below, and the old dog's heart instantly filled with tension.

At such a close distance, if used correctly, couldn't he crush my heart from the inside? That guy doesn't seem to have noticed. Or is it too complex a move for him to pull off? Or is he deliberately toying with me? No, if it's merely Psychokinesis...

His thoughts raced as he suddenly grasped a spark of enlightenment among the torrent of random thoughts.

This is a Soul attack! He's controlling my consciousness and thoughts!

The shudder of horror brought a momentary delay. Immediately, he was sent flying by Huai Shi's claws, blood spurting from his mouth and nose.

He was seriously injured.

But the physical trauma paled in comparison to the shock to his spirit, leaving him feeling ice-cold inside.

A Giant Beast, practically a Hexagonal Warrior, is also adept at Soul attacks—that's terrifying! Even if I die here and am eliminated, it doesn't matter. I have to tell everyone...

In midair, he made up his mind. Twisting in pain, he leapt up to avoid Huai Shi's lunge. Using his claws to push off his own back, he jumped towards his companions on the nearby city wall, shouting hoarsely.

"Listen to me, everyone—"

The Shiba Inu's eyes widened as he roared with all his might, uttering words even he couldn't understand:

"—We are all dogs!!!"

.

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"Subliminal Command · Part Two": You may not reveal Fu Yi's secret.