Conquering The Game's World

Raging Desert Zone!

A team of five surrounded a Sand Hippo, unleashing attacks one after another. The most conspicuous among them was a brown-skinned girl who stood some distance from the other four without making a move. As if waiting for an opportunity.

She had a distinctive ancient rune that ran across her face, from her left eye, over her nose and upper lip, and down to her neck, highlighting her striking features. The rune seems to glow faintly every time she manipulates the surrounding sand.

Her body adorned with intricate tattoos that wind around her arms and torso added an exotic beauty to her already enigmatic appearance.

Suddenly, her eyes lit up, and she shouted to her teammates while raising her left hand towards the Sand Hippo.

"Move aside!"

At her signal, her teammates, who were unleashing pincer attacks on the Sand Hippo and keeping it busy, took immediate action and made space for Sandra to launch her attack.

*Growl*

The Sand Hippo, covered in several wounds and bruises, growled at the annoying humans around him with bloodshot eyes full of hatred. Taking advantage of this time when these pesky humans weren't interrupting his moves, he was ready to launch his attacks.

However, the Sand Hippo soon noticed that the sand around him started swirling around him, but it wasn't under his control. This discovery made him panic. Just when he was trying to regain control of the sand, he heard a human girl speak in an icy voice, full of murderous intent.

"Sand Coffin!"

A coffin made of sand appeared above Sand Hippo and slammed hard, crushing half of its body.

*Roar*

"Sandra! One more time!" Sandra's teammate shouted while closely observing the Sand Hippo's situation.

"Sand Coffin!"

*GARR!* (Painful growls)

Sandra could see that the Sand Hippo was at its wits' end. However, just in case so as not to make it struggle more and trouble them by erupting with greater power at its last breath. She used another one of her attacks.

*Sand Burst!*

A ball of sand condensed near Sand Hippo's stomach. His bestial instinct warned him of the extreme danger coming from the sand ball. However, no matter how much he urged his body to move, his limbs were as if stuck in place unable to move.

He felt his death approaching. Not surprisingly, the next moment, the ball exploded.

*Boom!*

The grains of sand pierced through the Sand Hippo's body, turning him into a slag. He let out one last whimper and died of unwillingness.

Sandra's teammates were still on guard. Only after confirming that the Sand Hippo was really dead did they breathe a sigh of relief.

"Whew… Finally dead…"

"That was exhausting. If not for Sandra, we would be eliminated by now." The vanguard said while relaxing his tensed nerves.

"That monster was D-Rank, right?"

"Yeah." The supporter girl nodded, then said with an excited smile. "We gained 5 points, guys!"

The muscular guy named Jhon, who had the commander's position in the team, said with a flattering smile. "It's all thanks to Sandra's strong attack power."

Anyone who sees this look can tell at a glance that he has feelings for Sandra and is trying to pursue her.

However, to Jhon's disappointment, Sandra didn't pay attention to him. Instead, her focus was towards the desert as a deep frown etched on her face.

Soon, the rest of her teammates also noticed her abnormality. Before they could ask what was going on? Sandra's pupils contracted and she shouted hastily.

"Evacuate with me! Fast!"

Although they were confused by Sandra's words. Upon seeing her rush out with a solemn expression. They didn't stop to question their doubts and followed.

…

"What an amazing student!"

The rescue staff member, who was observing them from a distance, couldn't help but praise Sandra for her great sensing abilities and fast decision-making.

"It seems I won't have to take action yet."

…

Only after making enough distance from their previous spot, when Sandra felt the location was safe enough, did she slow down.

"Sandra, what's going on?"

John asked on behalf of everyone. No one understood why they escaped in such haste.

Instead of answering their doubts, Sandra pointed her finger towards their previous location and uttered.

"Just watch!"

John wanted to continue speaking, but seeing that Sandra's attention wasn't on him. He quietly stood beside her and waited. He wanted to see what it was that made Sandra panic so much.

Then silence ensued. Even a few seconds later, there was no sight of anything unusual. Only the remains of Sand Hippo, soaking the sand around that area with blood.

Just when her teammates started wondering if Sandra was imagining things, a sand vortex with a of diameter about 5 meters appeared around the Sand Hippo, swallowing his remains.

"No way!" The striker exclaimed. Cold sweat broke down his forehead.

"Do you know what it is?" John asked.

The striker nodded dumbly and spoke. "Such a big sand vortex. It can only mean that thing is coming…"

"What thing?!" John questioned impatiently.

Just when the striker was about to answer his question.

*Boom*

With a boom!

A massive figure dozens of meters tall and four meters wide gushed out of the sand. Its body was encased in a dense, armor-like exoskeleton adorned with vibrant red scales exuding a terrifying pressure. Which made everyone's legs go numb.

Even though the distance between them was far enough, the intense pressure still made them breathless.

"It's a Desert Centipede!" Not waiting for the striker to speak. The others already knew the answer by now.

John's eyes were horrified, but he swallowed hard and tried to calm himself down.

"I-I think the distance is still not enough. So, while we haven't attracted its attention, let's leave immediately."

His suggestion received everyone's heartfelt approval and, without wasting a second, they all left that place without alerting the monster.

…

Inside the lounge.

Professor Mori shook his head with a wry smile.

"Should I say they are lucky or unlucky to encounter a C-Rank monster this early?"

His words caused an abrupt laughter in the lounge.

"Don't overthink, Professor Mori. Their performance was already excellent."

"Yeah! Especially facing a C-Rank monster. Their decision to withdraw was a right choice."

"Most students overestimate themselves and get blinded by points, getting eliminated in the end."

They weren't kidding him. That is what they indeed thought so. Only some professors paid attention to something different.

Among them was Professor Darrin, who looked over at Professor Mori with interest.

"That student named Sandra… Did she just sense the Desert Centipede's presence underground through elemental fluctuations?"

****

Monster Information:

Desert Centipede (C-Rank)

Size: 14 m

Description: Covered in red scales and aligned with the Earth element, its armor-like exoskeleton makes defense strong. Agile despite its size, it moves swiftly with numerous legs ending in sharp claws for burrowing or combat.

****