Keeping a Low Profile

Rumble!!!

Between the mountains, rivers converged and tides surged. A massive creature emerged from the swirling vortex.

Twenty-meter-long tentacles curled and swept across both riverbanks. It was a mutant creature unique to Skull Island—the Swamp Giant Squid.

In the MonsterVerse, it was a giant cephalopod studied by cryptozoologists, possessing the functions of both squid and octopus. It was closely related to the giant octopuses of the North Pacific Ocean. Its sharp, eagle-beak-like mouth was hidden beneath its enormous head, while its tentacle muscles were incredibly developed, capable of casually stirring up a Great Maelstrom.

Crackle! Pop!

The aroma of meat filled the air, making mouths water. The Swamp Giant Squid had become a hearty dish.

Just minutes earlier, Russell had stood by the river and summoned a school of fish for transportation. He had painstakingly selected over a dozen massive freshwater fish, only for the splashing to draw this giant over.

Like the Sea Monster, the Swamp Giant Squid had ignored the trident. It whipped out its tentacles and wrapped up Russell, and then it was cooked.

The fish Russell had summoned with the trident suffered along with it, densely covering the river’s surface. Left with no choice, Russell summoned another batch.

Put-put-put—

The roar of an engine echoed as a ramshackle boat pieced together from aircraft parts sailed down the river. The thirty-odd members of the research team, along with the old soldier Mark, were crammed aboard. There were so many people that no one even had room to sit.

Russell, Ying Yingying, and fifteen Huskies sat atop large freshwater fish. Water was the Dog Pack’s nemesis. They all lay sprawled flat, listlessly drooping their tails and whimpering miserably.

"I thought he was from the supernatural side. I didn’t expect him to be so good at repairing machinery!"

Mark spoke with admiration. The wreck beneath his feet had taken six years to piece together. Its surface was mottled with rust from the damp climate, and more than thirty people had been helpless to do anything about it. Yet Russell had climbed aboard, banged away a few times, and repaired it. His skillful work had left everyone staring in shock.

It was not that Russell could not repair the boat. It was simply difficult to associate his appearance with that of a repairman.

"Maybe he’s a scientist in the real world, the famous kind. Otherwise, he wouldn’t keep hiding his true face."

"That makes some sense. A famous scientist from China, someone connected to machinery… can you think of anyone?"

"He said his name was Jason, but that has to be fake."

"You’ve got it wrong. His surname is Jie and his given name is Sen. Jason is just the English transliteration of his Chinese name…"

"Honestly, you’re the only one who thinks that."

"Sigh! Isn’t that how it works?"

With a boat for transportation, they were somewhat cramped, but spared the hardship of trekking on foot. Their speed had also increased severalfold. Everyone was in high spirits and joined the discussion, speculating about Russell’s true identity.

Roar roar roar—

As everyone talked at once, while one person remained utterly confused throughout, a sudden change occurred. The roars of fierce combat shook the sky, coming from up ahead along the waterway.

Russell narrowed his eyes. The school of freshwater fish instantly accelerated, leaving the little wreck far behind.

The earth trembled and the mountains shook! The ground cracked and collapsed!

At the edge of the riverbed marsh, three colossal beasts were engaged in an unimaginably fierce battle. Rocks shattered at every turn, and every collision sent towering waves surging into the air.

Two Skull Crawlers, each twenty meters tall and nearly sixty meters long, had joined forces to attack a giant Kong over thirty meters tall. The three ten-thousand-ton beasts were waging a primal, century-defining battle, reducing the marsh to a complete mess.

Ding

The host has come into contact with the plot character Kong, triggering the Lottery Draw. Draw now?

Russell set the system notification aside and did not activate the Lottery Draw. At best, he would get a Character Card, but Kong was only big and strong. Even if he drew him, he would not be of much use.

He decided to save it for now. Perhaps when he returned to the real world, he could draw a Saiyan transformed into a giant ape. After all, they looked pretty similar!

"Jason, are we just going to watch, or are we joining in?" Ying Yingying asked.

Russell said nothing. The fifteen Huskies beside him made the decision for him. They threw back their heads and howled, transforming into giant Werewolves before charging forward in long strides. Their target was the Skull Crawlers.

"Huh? Jason, your dogs… got bigger!?" Ying Yingying rubbed her eyes and realized she had not seen wrong. The dogs, who had originally stood only four meters tall, now averaged over five meters. Three of them had even reached six meters.

These damn dogs could actually level up!?

Russell’s eyes widened. Fifteen Taoists and fifteen dogs could strut sideways across the whole server—it was true after all!

"Hey, don’t tell me even you didn’t know?" Suspicion appeared on Ying Yingying’s face. Her instincts told her that the dogs’ owner did not understand what was happening.

Russell snorted disdainfully. "Idiot. This is called keeping a low profile. I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want people to mistake me for showing off."

"Uh, but you already showed off…"

Roar roar roar—

In the battlefield, Kong fought one against two. His body was covered in wounds, blood dripping down his fur and staining the marsh beneath his feet red. Yet even badly injured, he refused to retreat a single step before the Skull Crawlers. They were mortal enemies—Kong’s parents had died at the Skull Crawlers’ claws.

The pain awakened his savagery. He dodged the Skull Crawler lunging at him, clenched his fist tightly, and swung down an arm like Optimus Prime, smashing the Skull Crawler into the mountainside.

Rumble!!

The entire mountain visibly shuddered as earth and stone collapsed like the end of the world.

The Skull Crawler was dazed by the punch, lying on the ground and shaking its head, unable to get back up. The other one seized the chance to pounce on Kong. Its thick tail coiled around Kong’s abdomen, its claws braced against the ground, and with one sweep of its tail, it hurled Kong high into the air.

The adolescent Kong struggled to fight two giant Skull Crawlers alone. Even though he had not been as severely injured as in the original story, he was still brutally suppressed because two fists could not beat four hands.

Roar roar roar—

Kong climbed back to his feet, drenched in blood. He heavily beat his chest with both hands like pounding war drums. Weakened from blood loss, his roar was far more feeble than before.

At that moment, reinforcements arrived. Fifteen grotesque Werewolves entered the battlefield, lining up and throwing their arms up as they howled wildly at the Skull Crawlers.

Unknown creatures never seen before!

Faced with this situation, Kong’s eyes showed a remarkably humanlike look of thought. The Skull Crawlers reacted completely differently. They held no reverence for any creature. Sensing the Werewolves’ hostility, they followed their killing instincts and pounced.

Fifteen versus two!

The Werewolves formed a hunting formation. The three largest charged at the front, shooting toward the Skull Crawlers like an arrowhead.

A Skull Crawler swept its long tail, sending seven Werewolves flying. The remaining Werewolves leaped onto its tail, their blade-like claws digging into flesh as they climbed step by step toward its head.

The Skull Crawler roared in pain and swung its arms to slap at its back.

One Werewolf kicked off with both legs and landed on the Skull Crawler’s arm. It lowered its body and charged forward, its five claws raking out horrifying bloody gashes. By the time it reached the Skull Crawler’s gaping maw, that arm had been torn open, flesh peeled back to reveal the bone beneath.

Roar roar roar—

The Skull Crawler roared repeatedly, then its left eye suddenly erupted in pain. A Werewolf had plunged a claw straight into its eye socket. Agony swept through its entire body. The Skull Crawler wailed and rolled across the ground while the remaining fourteen Werewolves swarmed over it, fangs tearing and claws flashing as chunks of flesh were carved away.

The bloody scene was like a trapped beast swallowed by marching ants!

Hearing its companion’s screams, the other Skull Crawler let out a threatening hiss and charged forward on all fours. Yet after only two steps, it crashed to the ground. Its long tail snapped taut, and when it looked back, Kong was gripping it with both hands.

Roar roar roar!!!

Kong roared, every muscle in his body tightening and bulging as he swung the Skull Crawler around in circles. The creature dug its claws into the ground, futilely plowing deep furrows, but it could not withstand Kong’s strength and was flung into the air.

Kong spun faster and faster, then aimed at the cliff ahead and hurled the Skull Crawler into it.

Boom!!!

With a deafening crash, the mountain broke in half at its waist, and the Skull Crawler’s head twisted into an irregular shape. Twice in one day, it had been plastered into a wall. Yet even with such devastating injuries, it was not dead. Bracing itself on its arms, it climbed back up once more.

Boom!!

Kong lifted a massive boulder and smashed it down with both arms, flattening the Skull Crawler’s head and finally killing it.