Logan silently retreated from the cavern, following his original path back to his own nest. He casually patted Zhu Peiniang's dog-like head, grabbed the remaining jerky, and quickly dealt with breakfast.
Though he had his eye on the Black Diablos's cavern and wanted it for himself, he knew it wasn't something he could accomplish quickly. Preparations were needed—gathering necessary materials first.
So, with Zhu Peiniang, he headed once more to the Ancient Tree dock at the marsh edge, planning to rechum the spot and pass through to the Ancient Forest.
From afar, however, he spotted a group of yellow creatures lounging on the fallen Ancient Tree, basking leisurely in the sun. A few dove in and out of the water, apparently fishing.
"Those are... Royal Ludroth?"
Logan halted, eyes scanning the yellow lizard-like creatures, about four meters long, resembling Philippine sailfin lizards. Just then, a massive splash erupted as a colossal figure leaped from below.
Another Royal Ludroth—but an adult male, fully 13 meters long. Its entire upper body was covered in porous, spongy structures mutated from scales and mane, now bloated with absorbed water. From a distance, it looked like it wore a huge sponge collar—or a ripe custard apple.
Though classified as Leviathans, Logan always felt they shared deep ties with Jagras. Similar sizes, identical pack structures. The only difference: one aquatic, one terrestrial. Perhaps environmental adaptations created variants?
He couldn't puzzle it out. He only knew this pack was poaching the fish he'd painstakingly chummed. He'd been wondering what to use for rechumming—now, problem solved.
Mind made up, Logan charged like an arrow with Zhu Peiniang, straight at the resting Ludroth pack on the Ancient Tree. Rapid footsteps instantly alerted them; heads snapped up, emitting sharp, hawk-like cries.
Logan's powerful limbs granted blinding speed. In a blink, he reached one. His over-8-meter frame utterly dominated these average 4-meter creatures—in size, speed, and strength.
He casually swung a forelimb. Pristine white scales flashed phantom-like in sunlight. Foot-long hooked claws, backed by over three tons of force, slammed the Ludroth's head.
Instantly, its spongy scales exploded outward like fireworks. Sharp claw tips sliced deep into flesh; even the skull cracked crisply. As the head twisted aside, four ferocious gashes tore across its face, nearly ripping half off.
In one clash, the Ludroth wailed miserably, writhing and rolling off the trunk in agony.
Only then did the others react, swarming Logan and Zhu Peiniang.
Futile. Animal fights rarely involve complex technique—size and stats often decide outcomes. As lightning danced across Logan and Zhu Peiniang's scales, charging Ludroth fell even faster.
Their soft, spongy scales were unsuited for direct combat. Worse, water saturation made perfect conductors—completely countered by electricity.
Just then, the massive male charged menacingly, like a fully loaded water truck barreling at Logan. Over 13 meters, plus stored water—over 10 tons. The impact rivaled a small loaded truck.
Space on the fallen Ancient Tree was limited—no room to dodge. Logan had no intention anyway. Hind claws dug deep into the trunk; he reared upright like a human, raising foreclaws to meet the collision head-on.
The massive force shoved him backward; hind claws gouged nearly 10-meter furrows in the rough bark. But that was all—the Ludroth's ferocious charge was halted dead. Almost simultaneously, his tail whipped lightning-fast, stabbing the Ludroth's neck.
The sharp tip pierced spongy skin like a hot knife through butter, sinking deep. Tail-base muscles contracted; venom flooded in.
Struck, the huge Ludroth jerked its head, surging again and flinging Logan away. As the spike withdrew, water jetted from the neck wound—faintly sweet-scented.
Then its maw opened wide. Upper-body sponges contracted; a condensed water ball shot out like a cannonball, slamming Logan with immense force.
Shoulder throbbed dully—less like a water hit, more a rubber mallet blow. The fluid was highly adhesive, splattering and webbing him like spider silk.
This severely restricted movement. The Ludroth charged again for brutal close combat.
Even hampered, Logan held advantage. Sharp claws, hard scales, 70cm arm blades—kill-designed anatomy far outmatched this near-harmless omnivore's lack of offense.
Plus, constant arcs from his scales naturally countered water-saturated skin.
Soon, the male couldn't endure. A tail whip forced Logan back; it twisted and plunged into the water with a splash.
The others, routed by Zhu Peiniang, followed suit.
Now Logan was stumped.
Highly evolved muscles, bones, and thick scales gave him far greater density than peers. Great for power and durability—but he sank like a stone, swimming nearly impossible.
Zhu Peiniang fared slightly better, but still couldn't match true aquatics.
Soon, submerged Ludroth surfaced, eyes hateful. Mouths opened; water balls rained densely.
No evasion space on the narrow trunk. Logan and Zhu Peiniang huddled, fleeing shoreward in panic.
Fortunately, shore was close—a few leaps, solid ground. The Ludroth dared not follow, glaring from afar.
Logan shook off sticky fluid. Time, he thought, to evolve a ranged attack.
(End of Chapter 38)