Deep within the skull of the Wicked Buffalo Chieftain resided a crystal formed from the prolonged consumption of Kroot Ore. This crystal possessed extraordinary abilities; when combined with the fleshy tumors on its flanks, it could momentarily amplify and redirect the planet's gravitational pull.

This was the source of its terrifying power!

Gravity Vortex!

In an instant, it reversed gravity to its advantage, trapping all nearby enemies within its striking range! Then, it would gather the full strength of its body to deliver a devastating blow!

This moment typically tested the Tank the most, as encounters with such powerful creatures often represented the greatest challenge to the team's overall strength.

It was just like when the Metal Mentor once attempted to use summoned creatures in place of a dedicated Tank; actually attempting that would result in the entire party being wiped out when facing such a predicament!

At this juncture, the Tank's fortitude alone would determine the life or death of the entire team!

If Zeus had faced this situation, he could have used his awakened ability to reverse gravity. While he might not have completely canceled out the Wicked Buffalo Chieftain's Gravity Vortex, he could certainly have interfered with its epicenter, preventing the team from being dragged directly into the enemy's grasp like food set before a waiting mouth.

If Skull had been present, he could have instantly devoured an item of Silver Plot level or higher, generating a formidable steel shield for all teammates! This shield would have absorbed at least seventy to eighty percent of the impact, leaving the remaining force capable of inflicting nothing more than minor and moderate injuries on the others—no genuine threat to the group.

If Hedikuli were there, he could have transformed instantly for three seconds, growing to a colossal size and gaining bonus vitality, allowing him to absorb the blow entirely on his own.

If Aziza were present, she could instantaneously cast the Ocean Chain, linking everyone together. For the duration of the Ocean Chain, the defense ratings of all linked members would surge by an amount equal to the sum of their individual defense ratings.

But Fang Senyan was not yet an Awakened!

He did not possess such abilities... However, this absolutely did not mean Fang Senyan lacked a means to escape the predicament! As he was being forcefully pulled in, Fang Senyan violently activated the Planetary-level High-Energy Mechanical Gauntlet on his hand to its maximum output. The device erupted with a deafening noise, spewing out thick black smoke, and radiating an intense, deep-green luminescence!

Fang Senyan could not move, nor could he escape, but his thinking process worked in reverse... If he couldn't move, he would just shove the enemy away. Thus, as the Wicked Buffalo Chieftain roared and descended, Fang Senyan grabbed hold of one of its massive legs and, despite the ear-splitting screech indicating the engine was about to explode, hurled the beast backward five or six meters! The creature’s huge hands consequently slapped pathetically onto the ground!

Instantly, a bizarre tearing sound echoed through the valley, like the 'crack' made when scorching hot stone is suddenly doused with cold water, followed immediately by a violent explosion where the impact struck the ground! Then, a small-scale collapse occurred!

Fang Senyan, being the closest and directly affected, was still caught in the main shockwave, instantly losing nearly 1500 points of health! He stumbled a few times, not even wiping the blood from his lips, but instead drawing the +7 West and charging fiercely forward, hacking wildly at the fleshy tumor on the Chieftain's shoulder.

It was clear that no matter how fierce the Wicked Buffalo Chieftain was, it must possess a period of weakness after unleashing two major attacks. Yet, even knowing this, few dared to charge in and hack away recklessly. No one could be certain the enemy didn't have a hidden third ultimate move in reserve; without certainty, charging forward was tantamount to suicide.

Jokes could be made about anything in this world, but not about life itself.

Fang Senyan’s action undoubtedly demonstrated to the others that even after enduring the brute's thunderous strike, he still had reserves, operating with ease! At this, the others seemed to snap out of their daze and fiercely joined the assault.

The Wicked Buffalo Chieftain let out an agonizing scream, but its entire body convulsed violently. Since it leaned toward a spellcaster class, deploying those two major attacks had caused its own muscles to twitch uncontrollably, rendering it temporarily unable to counterattack.

Only after regaining a fraction of its strength did it shriek and slap Fang Senyan away with its massive arm. However, this strike was merely the last flicker of a dying flame; the casual swing inflicted only four or five hundred points of damage on Fang Senyan.

What shocked everyone was that after taking the slap, Fang Senyan continued to charge forward with bloodshot eyes, fighting like a mad dog, completely heedless of his safety. The other Contractors were equally astonished. In their impression, Tanks were usually steady, rarely initiating aggression, and seldom as violently bloodthirsty as Fang Senyan. But they couldn't deny that his fierce vanguard position was putting immense pressure on the Wicked Buffalo Chieftain, keeping it preoccupied and thus making everyone else comparatively safer.

The glint of blades flashed continuously again. Amidst a long, miserable cry, Fang Senyan plunged his sword deep into the fleshy tumor on the Chieftain's shoulder, causing a flood of foul, putrid pus-blood to erupt. The air filled with an indescribably repulsive odor that made one nauseous.

However, Fang Senyan was simultaneously knocked skyward by a knee strike from the Wicked Buffalo Chieftain. Amidst the spraying blood, he shot away like a meteor, landing silently in the long grass on the nearby slope. Just then, a bolt of lightning struck down, hitting the battered, wounded tumor on the left side. This blow proved to be the straw that broke the camel's back; the tumor exploded with a crisp pop!

The destruction of this giant tumor inflicted a pain on the Wicked Buffalo Chieftain comparable to the agony of a man having his testicles kicked in! It immediately let out a long, miserable howl and turned, trying to flee.

Evidently, the Wicked Buffalo Chieftain sensed the specter of death. Moreover, being a creature that naturally lived in groups, it possessed an inherent aversion to fighting alone. While dominant, it was fine; when disadvantaged, the immediate impulse was to retreat—much like how the boss of Causeway Bay, when encountering four young thugs from the Eastern Star triad alone, would first instinctually run to call for backup...

Roni welcomed the Wicked Buffalo Chieftain’s attempt to flee the most, thanks to his perverse passive bonus: "Critical Hit chance +33% when attacking enemies from behind," and chasing after its rear to poke its backside was always a pleasant pastime.

Next was Bokan. Though his attack power wasn't high, when it came to creating obstacles and slowing opponents, he was the undisputed choice. Thus, the Wicked Buffalo Chieftain was repeatedly seen fleeing desperately, only to trip and fall ignominiously.

After fleeing three or four hundred meters, the Wicked Buffalo Chieftain suddenly realized that if it continued running like this, it might be finished off before reinforcements from its clan could arrive.

It promptly spun around and re-engaged in battle. This time, the Wicked Buffalo Chieftain let out a colossal roar, and its huge, ugly, and bizarre body suddenly contracted inward, as if being squeezed by two invisible giant hands from all directions! This compression caused it to shrink by about twenty percent.

Instantly, from numerous orifices across the Wicked Buffalo Chieftain’s body, over a hundred streams of purplish-black venom erupted simultaneously. Seen from afar, it looked as if hundreds of thin, purplish-black spikes had sprouted from the monster’s surface!

Mass Venom Spray!

This attack was unavoidable, and Fang Senyan was helpless against it. In other words, any other Awakened Tank would also be helpless; perhaps only higher-tier Tanks might possess corresponding countermeasures. Upon striking a person, the venomous bolts not only inflicted intense corrosive poison damage but, more terrifyingly, the fluid refused to dissipate. Moving as if alive, they formed grotesque, four-legged serpent-like shapes that frantically gnawed at the victim's body.

Under these circumstances, Fang Senyan disregarded the danger. Being tough and durable, he cared little for the extra tearing damage from the venomous darts. He continued to roar and pursue, with only the unaffected Roni close behind.

Fang Senyan knew they had to take down the Wicked Buffalo Chieftain quickly, so he unhesitatingly drew the radiant weapon, Judgement, and pulled the trigger, aiming at the Chieftain.

Roni immediately pounced, his lips tightly pursed, breathing heavily as he leaped high. A piercing cross of light flashed through the air, and the Wicked Buffalo Chieftain’s blood erupted as if it were free, spraying everywhere.

The Wicked Buffalo Chieftain howled in agony. As it recovered from its daze, it attacked fiercely, lifting its massive right arm to sweep horizontally across the head of the sinister enemy before it! Its left leg muscles tensed!

Roni immediately ducked, but the Wicked Buffalo Chieftain's left knee slammed upward, meeting his face!

Roni rolled away, spitting blood, half his teeth knocked out, muttering incoherent curses, seemingly losing his senses. The Wicked Buffalo Chieftain then grabbed Roni by the hair, attempting to drag its incredibly sharp bone-knife across his throat.

But Fang Senyan, immediately taking up position, seized the bone-knife. This action instantly carved a terrifying gash across Fang Senyan’s palm, from which dark red mist sprayed out! (To be continued...)