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Singo pulled out a lamp, continuing forward. Rows of cold iron doors lined the corridor, some emitting eerie roars, agonized wails, and the sound of claws scraping against metal.

“Looks like there are plenty of monsters here. Let’s pick a quiet one and check it out.”

“Got it.”

Born Battle Maniac selected the quietest door and carefully slid the bolt open, pushing the door ajar.

Mantou followed close behind, cold sweat dripping from his brow.

This laboratory seemed like a forsaken corner of the world, reeking of blood and death. The faint flicker of Mantou’s torch cast limited light, illuminating only their immediate surroundings. The metallic glint of chilling instruments added to the unsettling atmosphere.

Holding up his torch, Mantou whispered:

“I think I hear… breathing.”

Born Battle Maniac gripped his battle axe tightly, stepped forward, and listened intently. Sure enough, faint breaths could be heard.

He looked toward the darkness deeper in the lab, where something seemed to rise and fall.

“Get ready for battle.”

Suddenly, sensing their presence, rows of dragon-shaped torches lit up, casting an eerie blue glow that illuminated the lab and revealed the massive shadow’s true form.

—A nearly six-meter-long creature, its five lizard-like, grotesque heads stitched onto a body cobbled together from various beings. The seams were clearly visible, held together by crude stitches.

The skeletal body was covered in sparse white scales, exposing large patches of wrinkled, sagging skin.

Surrounding it were fragments of bones, chunks of flesh, blood-stained surgical tools, needles, and saws, exuding an unbearable stench.

The creature’s limbs were tightly chained to a massive metal platform, the rusty shackles rendering it immobile. All five heads rested with their eyes closed, and its massive body rose and fell rhythmically in sleep.

“W-what is that thing?”

Mantou’s face turned pale. The nausea-inducing creature and its white scales stirred unpleasant memories for him.

“Check this out.”

Singo stepped closer, spotting a small plaque in front of the metal bed.

“Subject 66: 【Five-Headed Dragon Monster】”

“Dedicated to the great Five-Headed Dragon Queen.”

“This is a failed creation. The impure bloodline could not be purified by the noble dragon blood. It lacks intelligence and is unworthy of being called a dragon. Tiamat, forgive my blasphemy in crafting this abomination—Wagner, December 1st, 1387, Third Era.”

Mantou patted his chest in relief, muttering, “Another of that old freak’s creations. Good thing it’s chained up and doesn’t seem to have any illusion abilities.”

Singo smirked coldly. “Heh.”

Born Battle Maniac scratched his bald head in confusion. “Did you guys run into some illusion earlier? Why don’t I know about it?”

“Uh—”

Before Singo could respond, Mantou darted forward to clamp his hand over Singo’s mouth, forcing a sheepish laugh.

“No, no, nothing happened. Everything’s fine.”

In his haste, Mantou stepped on a surgical knife on the floor, causing a sharp clang to echo.

“Grrr… raaaagh…”

A raspy, overlapping growl sounded, sharp and grating, as if resonating with the very air.

Mantou turned pale and broke into a cold sweat, slowly turning around.

The creature’s ten eyes snapped open simultaneously, its long necks writhing restlessly. Its gaunt, skeletal heads were filled with greed, thick drool dripping from its mouths.

Having been discarded by Wagner since its creation, the creature had gone unfed for countless years. Now, the sight of "humans" made its mouths water—it was ravenous.

Mantou stammered, “It’s fine. It’s chained up. It can’t reach us.”

But before he could finish, the shackles began creaking ominously as the creature’s body thrashed, shaking the platform violently.

“Snap!”

A loud crack rang out.

Overwhelmed by its insatiable hunger, the five-headed dragon monster unleashed unimaginable strength, breaking free of the rusty shackles.

“Roar—”

It raised its heads and let out a deafening roar.

Five pairs of greedy, fiery eyes locked onto Mantou and the others, while its corrosive drool dripped onto the floor, leaving pitted marks.

Gritting his teeth, Singo snapped, “Mantou, I should’ve let Battle Maniac beat you to death earlier!”

Mantou, on the verge of tears, retreated quickly. “How was I supposed to know it’d wake up? It’s not my fault it’s a light sleeper!”

“Stand back. Leave this to me!”

Without hesitation, Born Battle Maniac stepped forward, gripping his battle axe tightly as he faced the creature. But without Summer Night Autumn Rain for magical support, even he couldn’t take on such a terrifying foe alone.

【Five-Headed Dragon Monster】

Challenge Rating: 8 (3600 XP)

“Damn it, what a nasty piece of work.”

Spitting on the ground, Singo swiftly drew his hunting longbow, marking the monster with a glowing purple hunter’s mark.

“Hrah—”

Born Battle Maniac roared, stomping the ground.

His eyes turned blood-red, and steam rose from his body as he entered a berserk state. He charged the creature, battle axe raised high.

“Roar—”

The dragon monster let out a guttural growl, its gaze gleaming with glee at the thought of food delivering itself.

“Frenzied Strike!”

Born Battle Maniac leapt, swinging his axe down toward one of the creature’s long necks.

“Clang!”

Sparks flew as the axe struck its scales.

Even through the scales, the barbarian’s sheer strength caused the dragon monster pain, leaving its flesh bruised.

The creature roared in rage, twisting its massive body as two of its heads loomed over Born Battle Maniac, poised to bite.

If those sharp fangs pierced his flesh, even the hardy barbarian would be skewered and killed instantly.

Watching from afar, Singo shouted:

“Mantou!”

“I’m on it, Battle Maniac!”

Mantou seized the moment, darting in from the side to stab his sword into the dragon monster’s exposed skin.

“Flurry of Blows!”

Activating his warrior ability, Mantou’s movements became lightning-fast. His arm blurred as he delivered a flurry of slashes, carving bloody wounds into the monster’s body.

“Raaagh!”

The creature howled in pain, raising its heads to scream.

But with five heads, the dragon monster quickly retaliated. Three heads lunged at Mantou, while its massive claws stomped repeatedly, forcing him to dodge frantically.

Despite his rapid strikes, Mantou was pushed to the brink, leaping around like a grasshopper, unable to counterattack.

“Boom!”

Born Battle Maniac bore the brunt of the attack, as the creature’s thick tail struck him squarely, sending him flying several meters.

He tumbled across the ground, rolling over ten times before slamming into the wall with a heavy thud.