With a deafening splash, almost grazing Su Li's legs as he pulled them back, a gray-black monster burst out of the water. Its gaping maw snapped viciously at the air before its massive body crashed back into the water with a thunderous noise.
Su Li landed back inside the balcony and turned to look at the water, just in time to see the ugly creature plunging back down. His heart raced with lingering fear—had he been even a split second slower, his legs would now be clamped in that hideous beast's jaws.
Ding Longyun and Gong Xiao had returned to the balcony slightly ahead of him. They looked back and witnessed the harrowing scene, their faces etched with shock. Gong Xiao, in particular, showed a flicker of surprise in her eyes.
Su Li's performance had caught her off guard.
They were both Level 3 Spirit Source users, yet Su Li's split-second response under pressure was astonishing. Gong Xiao doubted she could have dodged that attack as deftly as he did.
This made her reassess Su Li, though she was more taken aback than anything. She held herself in high regard, never believing anyone of the same level could surpass her in skill or strength. Since Su Li was also a Level 3 Spirit Source user, she had privately assumed he was far inferior. But his recent display left her stunned, and she couldn't help but steal another glance at him.
Having narrowly escaped, Su Li broke out in a cold sweat. He quickly spun around and saw the massive creature crashing back into the water—a grotesque giant frog.
This giant frog was familiar to him, resembling the one-eyed frogs he had encountered before. Its flat head bore a single enormous eyeball that rolled around slickly. But this one was two sizes larger than the one-eyed frogs, measuring over three meters in length. Its gaping maw was lined with two rows of jagged teeth.
It plunged into the water, then pushed off with its hind legs. With a splash, water sprayed everywhere as its massive body leaped into the air, lunging toward the three on the balcony.
Su Li gripped his iron rod tightly and backed away, a vertical slit-like pattern emerging on his forehead.
The "Peep Rune" activated, allowing him to glimpse the giant frog's origins. A message instantly surfaced in his mind.
"Name: One-Eyed Frog King, Level: Two, a leader-class Spirit Source Beast evolved from the elite One-Eyed Frog. More cruel and ferocious than its lesser kin. Killing the One-Eyed Frog King guarantees a 100% chance of obtaining the special ability 'Peep Rune.'"
Su Li's heart jolted. He had killed One-Eyed Frogs before, knowing they were Level 1 elite monsters. He hadn't expected that evolving into the One-Eyed Frog King would make it a Level 2 leader-class beast. This reminded him of the Spider Queen, whose level as a leader-class monster remained unknown.
Based on the information, killing a One-Eyed Frog had a certain probability of granting the "Peep Rune," while the One-Eyed Frog King guaranteed it.
"So, this is the difference between leader-class and elite monsters—different chances of obtaining special abilities." Su Li mused as he retreated, while Ding Longyun and Gong Xiao attacked simultaneously.
They weren't afraid of the One-Eyed Frog King before them. Of course, lacking the "Peep Rune," they had no idea what this giant one-eyed frog was.
"Careful, it's a Level 2 leader-class monster," Su Li warned.
Ding Longyun laughed heartily. "A mere Level 2 monster? Nothing to fear!"
As a Level 4 Spirit Source user, why would he fear a Level 2 beast? He channeled nearly eight hundred pounds of force into his arms and swung his steel shovel forward.
Gong Xiao's blade moved with incredible speed. She had many hobbies, including amateur fencing. Though not a professional, she had some skill in the sport. Now, with sufficient strength, she wielded the cleaver like a sword, her strikes swift as lightning, even faster than Ding Longyun's.
The One-Eyed Frog King leaped up, its body like a dark curtain blotting out the sky. Its maw opened wide, and a blood-red tongue shot out.
Like the One-Eyed Frog, the Frog King's tongue was one of its attack methods, but it was faster and more powerful.
Its forelimbs blocked Ding Longyun's steel shovel, while its blood-red tongue lashed out like lightning. Gong Xiao cried out in surprise, caught off guard by the tongue's speed. Her cleaver missed its mark, and the tongue struck her chest, drawing blood instantly.
She groaned in pain and stumbled backward.
Su Li rushed forward and caught her from behind.
Gong Xiao fell into his arms. Su Li supported her waist, holding her warm, soft form. Looking down, he saw a bloody gash on her pale chest. The One-Eyed Frog King's tongue was terrifying, far more powerful than that of a regular One-Eyed Frog. It struck like a javelin, leaving a gruesome wound on Gong Xiao's chest.
Ding Longyun saw Gong Xiao fall, injured, and his heart tightened. The One-Eyed Frog King had already climbed onto the balcony and was charging in like an avalanche of flesh.
"Not good." Ding Longyun could feel the Frog King's immense strength. He dared not face it head-on. Shouting for Su Li and Gong Xiao to get back, he quickly withdrew his steel shovel and retreated.
"Run inside!" Ding Longyun yelled, fleeing toward the living room through the balcony.
Su Li didn't have time to think. Seeing the One-Eyed Frog King charging in, he supported Gong Xiao's waist, ignoring any sense of propriety, and dragged her backward into the living room.
Gong Xiao had no time to react, feeling herself being lifted and pulled back by Su Li.
The One-Eyed Frog King's massive body crashed through the glass sliding door connecting the balcony to the living room. With a screeching sound, the glass shattered into pieces.
Though holding Gong Xiao felt pleasant, Su Li knew he couldn't waste the opportunity. He decisively let her go, gripped his iron rod, and darted sideways. As the One-Eyed Frog King violently smashed through the glass door, Su Li hurled the iron rod like a javelin with all his might.
The distance was short, and Su Li's sudden strike caught the beast off guard. The iron rod shot through the air, carrying nearly a thousand pounds of force, and pierced the One-Eyed Frog King's massive single eye.
Black-red fluid splattered as the rod drove through the eyeball, deep into the Frog King's skull. Only about a foot of the rod remained visible outside.