Chapter 8: Slaying the Mutated Fire Lizard

Lin Binbin didn't rush out immediately. He watched the surroundings cautiously but saw no trace of any spirit beasts.

There were only two possibilities: either there were naturally few spirit beasts nearby, or the fire lizard was too powerful, and this was its lair—so lower-ranked beasts wouldn't dare provoke it.

Lin Binbin frowned, strongly suspecting the latter.

"White Ape, get ready."

The area fell silent. Just as the fire lizard closed its eyes to rest, Lin Binbin gave the order.

"Go, kill it."

At the moment White Ape lifted its head, its mechanical eyes gleamed coldly. As its iron arm swung heavily toward the fire lizard's head, an unexpected change occurred.

Boom!

A red shadow, like a small mountain, slammed down. If White Ape's arm hadn't been so tough, it would have become scrap. The advantage of a mech was it didn't worry about injuries; if damaged, it could just be repaired.

"White Ape, don't take it head-on, change form!"

With a sharp command, the mech emitted grinding sounds as its two clunky wheels retracted into one, doubling its speed. At the same time, a heavy hammer appeared in its hand.

The hammer weighed at least thirty pounds, and combined with the mech's arm strength, it could break through iron and stone.

With the sound of rushing wind, White Ape suddenly accelerated, bursting with unprecedented energy. Circling the fire lizard, it dodged attacks and raised the hammer high, smashing down repeatedly.

"Roar—"

The fire lizard's skin was thicker than most spirit beasts, but it was battered hard enough to leave deep dents, blood oozing beneath its scales.

"Good, keep it up!"

Hearing Lin Binbin's praise, White Ape seemed excited. After a few more runs, it raised the hammer and let out a howl-like roar.

Lin Binbin raised an eyebrow in surprise. The mech actually had some intelligence? He'd only seen that in high-end mechs in his past life.

"Could it be the hand-built mech's innate talent? Interesting."

Encouraged, White Ape swung the hammer faster, hitting the fire lizard's rear relentlessly.

The lizard, infuriated, roared and turned the battlefield into a sea of flames. The ground warped from the heat.

Fortunately, White Ape was fireproof. Its eyes gleamed with excitement as it kept hammering away, never slowing down.

Lin Binbin, on the other hand, was drenched in sweat, cheeks flushed red. Eventually, he retreated about a hundred meters to watch.

At that moment, the fire lizard ceased moving.

"That should be about enough," Lin Binbin said with relief, preparing to command a final heavy strike.

Just then, the system alerted:

[That pile of scrap iron managed to mutate the little fire lizard. I admit your smirk is arrogant. Hope you keep it up.]

Mutate? Lin Binbin was startled and looked toward the dissipating flames.

Before him stood a deep brown lizard over three meters long—twice its original length. Its scales were tougher; a hammer strike only sparked against its hide.

The fire lizard raised its head; its snarling maw exposed sharp, tiny teeth. Its eyes glowed red with rage and murderous intent.

Lin Binbin gasped: "It actually evolved into a D+ rank."

Bang! Bang!

White Ape spun the hammer relentlessly, now more like tickling the fire lizard than attacking.

The lizard opened its abyssal maw and spewed fire. Its blood-red eyes locked onto the invading iron beast. A tail sweep smashed nearby boulders to dust.

Staring at the murderous beast, Lin Binbin swallowed nervously, grateful he was piloting a mech. If it were a normal spirit beast, this fight would be suicide.

The two were deadlocked. White Ape relied on its mysterious iron armor to tank hits.

Lin Binbin stood at a distance, eyes fixed on the fire lizard, analyzing its weak spots.

The mutated lizard's toughness was nearly invincible, its flames fiercer, and its tail strikes deadly. There seemed no obvious opening.

"Do I really have to retreat?" he wondered.

Once a spirit beast hunter's task is failed, they can't reapply for certification for two months. Lin Binbin couldn't wait.

While pondering, White Ape suddenly roared, snapping him back to attention.

White Ape charged, then swung its hammer in a wide arc from below.

The fire lizard emitted a scream-like howl and backed off.

Lin Binbin noticed a faint wound on its belly.

He narrowed his eyes and shouted, "White Ape, attack the belly and lower body!"

White Ape's eyes brightened, swiftly launching an assault.

To the fire lizard, this was a blatant provocation. It braced its body and charged fiercely.

The giant tail swept the air, thickening it.

Lin Binbin commanded, "War Hammer, activate!"

As the words fell, White Ape's hammer glowed white. Using the arm's strength, it slammed hard onto the wound.

The fire lizard was knocked over, feeling overwhelming pressure. It realized this opponent was strong and needed to flee.

Suddenly, its thick tail snapped off.

The lizard twisted its body to dodge.

"Now!"

Seeing the broken tail, Lin Binbin ordered White Ape.

With a fierce roar, White Ape appeared in front of the tailless lizard, effortlessly avoiding attacks while hammering its wound again.

The belly's skin tore open, blood spreading grotesquely to the broken tail.

Seized by immense pain, the fire lizard lost its senses and stopped fleeing.

It stepped forward, its massive form like a small mountain, lunging toward White Ape.

"White Ape, flank it!"

Sparks flew from the wheels as White Ape mysteriously appeared on the lizard's other side.