[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-starting-from-the-apocalypse-i-alone-severed-ete":3,"chapter-starting-from-the-apocalypse-i-alone-severed-ete-starting-from-the-apocalypse-i-alone-severed-ete-chapter-53":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Starting from the Apocalypse, I Alone Severed Eternity",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2312435,4518,"Chapter 53: Gatu Monster: Misfortune and Luck","starting-from-the-apocalypse-i-alone-severed-ete-chapter-53",53,"\u003Cp>At the center of the intersection ahead was a small mud pit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Completely different from the flat stone tiles before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive creature over four meters long crouched beside the mud pit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It resembled a bloated water buffalo, its entire body coated in muddy earth-tone sludge, its short, thick legs like a hippopotamus’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its neck was long and thin, barely able to support the weight of its head, forcing it to constantly keep its head lowered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its face resembled a warthog, but was uglier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It also possessed a powerful tail, nearly two meters long, capable of moving like lightning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Combined with its 26-point extraordinary strength and first-tier creature rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plus the strength bonus of being a super-large creature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It equated to a zero-tier human’s 40-point strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though its tail had little muscle and could only exert limited force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, it could generate two or three tons of force, easily wrapping up a small car.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention the chitinous node at its tail’s tip, incredibly hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When it struck the ground, it left a deep crater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn’t all—it could shoot streams of green lines from its eyes, with a range of fifty meters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any creature hit by these green lines must pass a DC 18 Fortitude save.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Failure meant instant death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the Level 6 overlord of the mud pit—the Gatu Monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, Fang Shi wasn’t afraid of such large creatures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though these creatures had high strength, their agility was low and their weight immense, so their natural speed wasn’t fast at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as one’s reaction speed was sufficient and strength decent,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One could dodge them freely when facing such large beasts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the Gatu Monster’s lightning-fast tail strike had a fatal flaw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was its own tail vertebrae.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did a natural AC of 10 matter?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too slender, easily severed with a single blow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi feared only the Gatu Monster’s unreasonable death ray.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone with Fortitude below 18 couldn’t resist it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with 17 Fortitude, bad luck meant immediate death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi had only 12 Fortitude [3 Constitution (16–10)\u002F2 + 5 class level + 4 Toughness I].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If struck by the death ray, survival depended entirely on luck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t think his luck was good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If his luck were good, how could he keep encountering powerful creatures like Rune Hounds and Gatu Monsters?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can only dodge—the Gatu Monster gives warning before firing its death ray.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Its eyes turn blood-red; if I pay attention, I can predict it in advance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thankfully not those treacherous liches—they conceal the casting motion of Death Touch and use Metamagic to accelerate it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Those are the real monsters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Gatu Monster, hearing the sound, rose up and lashed its tail like a steel whip toward Fang Shi as he charged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Somewhere in the labyrinth, Zhang Di and Jiang Xian frantically pumped their legs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both faces flushed red, gasping for breath, sweat sliding down their faces and flung behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet not a single step dared to pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind them, clusters of green, viscous protoplasm writhed and advanced rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These monsters had a common folk name—Slimes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among mages’ species classifications, they were called Mud Wretches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ones chasing Zhang Di and Jiang Xian were a group of Level 2 Courtyard Mud Wretches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They typically lived on plants, appearing as clusters of diseased fibrous matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those with poor observation skills couldn’t detect any difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, when Zhang Di and Jiang Xian passed the crossroads, they didn’t even notice their presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, Courtyard Mud Wretches only attacked creatures that came near them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The center of the crossroads was wide; logically, with caution, they could pass safely without fighting the Mud Wretches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhang Di, being clumsy, plucked a vine branch and played with it in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That triggered an attack from one Courtyard Mud Wretch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mud Wretch’s strength was average—so long as you prevented it from latching onto you and releasing strong acid to corrode flesh,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And endured its stench, you could easily kill it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xian reacted quickly and shot the Mud Wretch through with a crossbow bolt at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment attacked, the Mud Wretch immediately released its stored stench.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It smelled worse than herring cans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Di couldn’t hold back—he swung his kitchen knife wildly, hacking at the Mud Wretch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he accidentally cut nearby leaves and branches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That stirred the hornet’s nest—swarms of Courtyard Mud Wretches surged out, relentlessly chasing Zhang Di and Jiang Xian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s all your fault! Everything was fine before. We passed ten crossroads without incident—this one could’ve been safe too, but your clumsy hands!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xian snapped, feeling not just physically exhausted, but mentally drained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t want this either—yelling at me won’t help. If we don’t think of a plan now, we’re both dead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the frantic running, Zhang Di’s abdominal wound had split open again, fresh blood seeping out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What plan can I come up with? Don’t you see we can’t shake these Slimes off?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re usually so smart—you must have a plan. If you don’t think of one, we’re just waiting to die.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, Jiang Xian had long understood this, and had been racking his brain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he couldn’t break the deadlock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where was the lifeline? Where?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Courtyard Mud Wretches were small creatures, yet their strength was no low—eleven points, moving swiftly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They simply lacked legs, which was why they hadn’t caught up yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But over time, their abdomens secreted slime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their movement grew smoother, speed increasing steadily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this rate, they’d be caught eventually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it, why are all these paths straight? Where are the turns? Left? Right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is there not a single spot to block our view?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xian was nearly driven mad—he’d had dangerous runs before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But most times, after running a while, a corner would appear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once you turned the corner, the monsters lost sight of you and stopped chasing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, only one glaringly straight road stretched ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a single turn had appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do we have to run all the way to the next crossroads?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next intersection—won’t it have monsters too? Going there is just suicide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xian gritted his teeth—Fuck it, let’s go down together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fatty, listen up—save your strength. When we reach the next crossroads, I’ll lure them, make them fight each other, then you sprint full speed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Di shook his head: “You’re too frail to lure them—you’ll die from one hit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xian snapped: “Aren’t you the same? These monsters are insane!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter how high your defense, one hit and you’re dead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not saying you can’t lure them—I’m afraid you’ll fail, the monsters won’t fight, and I won’t escape.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Puff… my lungs are about to burst, no energy left to talk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Di wanted to say more, then suddenly his eyes lit up: “Jiang Xian, we’re almost there—ahead is the crossroads.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s a huge monster—we can see it from this far.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait—there’s also a person.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xian squinted—Zhang Fatty wasn’t lying; they’d truly reached the crossroads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And not only was there a monster, but a person too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The person seemed to be fighting the monster—and holding his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xian estimated—the monster was roughly the size of an elephant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although size doesn’t necessarily mean strength, it absolutely means power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How powerful must a human be to fight a monster like that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Di’s way of expressing emotion was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Xian, there’s a great god over there—let’s go join him, then we can eat well and drink fine from now on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xian was speechless. A great god who’s that easygoing? Eat well and drink fine?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might think you’re interfering with the battle and wipe you out outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, Jiang Xian glanced at the courtyard mud monster approaching from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either way, it’s worth a try—having someone else around is better than nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi had underestimated the Gatu Beast’s combat power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His knowledge of monsters came mostly from the Monster Compendium.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a monster-killing guide compiled by a Mage before his rebirth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its purpose was to increase human survival rates when encountering unknown monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi’s own experience wasn’t nearly that extensive—he hadn’t actually fought every kind of monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So often, it was just theoretical knowledge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Gatu Beast might have fought humanoid creatures before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t use charges, lunges, or any such attacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, it whipped its tail like a master of the whip art, creating an impenetrable blur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It cracked the air with sharp, popping reports.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was simple: the tip of the Gatu Beast’s tail had exceeded the speed of sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did that mean? Fang Shi saw it—and still didn’t react in time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The whip had already moved eight meters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi could only rely on prediction and his high perception to warn him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he wasn’t even blocking—he was just dodging around the Gatu Beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for his earlier idea of severing the tail at the coccyx:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In practice, it was nearly impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Fang Shi had no guarantee he wouldn’t get hurt while cutting the tail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was an attack faster than sound—taking one hit could break bones and tear tendons easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tail’s segments were as big as a human head; a strike to the limbs would cripple, a strike to the torso or head would kill instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi, unable to break through, slowly began to consider retreating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Gatu Beast hadn’t even used its Death Ray yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Continuing this fight was too dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Gatu Beasts were naturally timid creatures that saved their Death Ray as a last resort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, who knew what state he’d be in now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Looks like my strength ends here—I’m powerless against such a powerful creature.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If only there were a Mage here—whether Slow, Monster Immobilization, or any elemental buffs, they could solve this predicament.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pure physical classes are at a disadvantage—I must upgrade to a class with supernatural abilities.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t want to face another embarrassing situation like this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before his rebirth, Fang Shi often fought in teams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A five-man team of Warrior, Mage, Priest, Tank, and Assassin wouldn’t even approach battle without stacking a dozen buffs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A complete level-five squad, even if their attributes and specialties were inferior to Fang Shi’s,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>could still have a single Warrior match him in strength thanks to stacked buffs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention the full coordination of the five-man team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just that human class levels were still generally low and the system hadn’t been formalized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, what were first-tier monsters? With proper coordination, they could still slay higher-tier foes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, the Zhaowen Army had assembled a group with complementary classes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Combined with tools, they could slay the Firewing Bird even without Fang Shi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh? Who are those two over there?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Fang Shi’s peripheral vision, Zhang Di and Jiang Xian were sprinting frantically toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based on his experience, that posture clearly meant they were fleeing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shhh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A piercing sound cut through the air—the Gatu Beast seized the moment Fang Shi’s attention wavered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It suddenly accelerated its tail’s speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi barely blocked it with his steel sword, but his hand trembled violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with the force dissipated, his hand went numb from just that one strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No more fighting—retreat and kill rating are the same.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking this, Fang Shi turned and sprinted down an empty corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ignored Zhang Di and Jiang Xian entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the apocalypse, it’s better to be cautious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, who knows what monsters might be hiding behind those two?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some monsters are powerful but not fast-moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If something unexpected happens now, it’ll be hard to predict.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Fang Shi flee, the Gatu Beast naturally chased after him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though its limbs were short and its body massive, it moved at about twenty meters per second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi’s top running speed on flat ground was at most sixteen to seventeen meters per second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he used Double Force, he could push it to over twenty meters per second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So to escape completely, Fang Shi still needed some time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Fang Shi flee, Zhang Di’s excitement vanished instantly, and his fleeing speed even slowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Xian, that great god ran off—what do we do now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xian beamed: “Good he ran! If he stayed, I wouldn’t know what to do—hurry up, follow me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, he grabbed Zhang Di’s arm and charged straight into the mud pit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shut up!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Di wasn’t truly stupid—he understood the situation at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly closed his eyes and mouth and jumped into the mud pit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plop!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The courtyard mud monster arrived at the edge of the pit, swayed slightly, and didn’t see Zhang Di or Jiang Xian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It simply slithered away in blobs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By normal logic, courtyard mud monsters weren’t afraid of mud pits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the labyrinth’s mechanism was this: losing line of sight meant losing aggro.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Di and Jiang Xian had thus escaped danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Glug glug.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After about a minute, unable to hold their breath any longer, the two surfaced quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, the mud pit contained very little soil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, if it had formed a swamp, jumping in would’ve been suicide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn, finally safe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Di gasped heavily, not caring that mud water filled his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d been fleeing nonstop—his lungs were already low on oxygen, then he’d held his breath underwater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only his fierce will to survive had kept him going.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fatty, stop gasping—move now. If the monster at that crossroad comes back, we’re in trouble again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xian urged him—he was thinner and recovered faster than Zhang Di under the same physical condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Di ran again, furious: “Damn it, why am I so unlucky!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How the hell should I know!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Fang Shi knew what these two had gone through, he’d scream fate was unfair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two weren’t unlucky—they were incredibly lucky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had just earned a free level-six clearance evaluation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shi, on the other hand, was truly unlucky—the labyrinth had weaker monsters too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he’d Pianpian  encountered a strong one, the kind a pure physical class struggles to kill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unknown to them, as Zhang Di and Jiang Xian left, a pair of deep eyes surfaced behind Jiang Xian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They gazed Youyou ly toward the direction Fang Shi had fled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Thank you to Xiyue Canyun for the monthly ticket.\u003C\u002Fp>",2380,"2026-06-20T12:43:33.559Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","f54565e12bdb197e168c7d1c587c687d9e52a540173eaa083571fce464d88bd0","starting-from-the-apocalypse-i-alone-severed-ete-chapter-54","starting-from-the-apocalypse-i-alone-severed-ete-chapter-52",109,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarting-from-the-apocalypse-i-alone-severed-ete-cover.jpg"]