At noon, the scorching sun blazed down, baking the sand beneath the feet of creatures making their way through the desert, with smoke rising from their tracks. The old Gilong walked alone between the dunes, using its remaining strength to reach that place.

These creatures were originally social animals, but this particular Gilong was old and frail, choosing to leave the herd. For thousands of years in this desert, it had been a tradition for the elderly Gilong to depart when they sensed their end was near, drawn to a mysterious location as if summoned by something.

No one knew why because no old Gilong ever returned, and none among the living seemed to care enough to find out.

The heavy breathing of the old Gilong echoed through the silent desert as it glanced around, aware of a few fleeting shadows trailing behind it. Initially, the old Gilong would display the large eye patterns on its broad back to deter predators, but it soon realized they merely followed from a distance, never attacking, even though the old Gilong was nearly defenseless.

However, since the followers posed no threat, the Gilong conserved its remaining life force instead of engaging with them.

That place was the old Gilong's final destination.

…

What appeared to be an ordinary depression in the sand, perhaps a quicksand pit, held no distinguishing features. Yet, as the old Gilong crested a small dune and its eyes beheld the sight, satisfaction filled them, for it had reached its goal.

Exhausted, the old Gilong tumbled down the dune, eventually resting in the small depression.

The predators that had tailed it for days finally revealed themselves—mere scavengers from the lower tiers of the food chain. It was perhaps the reason they had waited for the Gilong to die before daring to approach.

With no life left in the old Gilong, the scavengers ensured the surrounding area was safe before rushing to the feast they had awaited for days, tearing eagerly into the flesh.

Suddenly, two massive mouths, over a meter in diameter, emerged from the sand, swallowing two of the scavengers whole. The remaining three scattered in terror.

But as they fled, the sand beneath them began to tremble violently.

With terror in their eyes, the scavengers watched as the sand dunes around them took shape, revealing a colossal sandworm, five meters wide and of immeasurable length. This behemoth replaced the tranquil sand with its massive presence, encircling the scavengers.

Then, its tooth-filled maw descended, swallowing the remaining scavengers in one gulp before disappearing back beneath the sand.

Moments later, only a couple of smaller sandworms, having feasted on the old Gilong's corpse, were seen darting around the sandy terrain.

[Legendary Creature: Sandworm Hunt Mission

Objective: Eliminate one adult sandworm. (0/1)

Reward: 500 (Evolution Points)

Legendary Warning]

Standing on a distant dune, Ga Ga watched the sandworm come and go, its impressive hundred-meter form memorable. Ga Ga wisely chose to ignore the freshly prompted mission.

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They hadn’t intended to pass through this area, yet something seemed to draw them unconsciously here.

"Psychic influence? Or something else?" Ga Ga wondered, realizing its subconscious had led it to this dangerous place. The increasing number of bizarre creatures on the twin moons planet instilled a sense of dread.

"After all, this isn't Earth. It's a newly evolved world, similar but with growing differences."

"From now on, I need to be more cautious."

Ga Ga had always believed its herd ranked mid-to-upper tier in strength, and everyday battles seemed to confirm this. But in the face of this massive, legendary creature, Ga Ga had no desire to engage.

Moreover, with the mountains drawing near, Ga Ga had no intention of losing the herd's numbers to its first encounter with a legendary creature.

As for the chances of victory...

"Let's focus on reaching the electro-stone mine."

"Ah, the life of a creature is full of endless choices."

Waving its head tentacles, Ga Ga turned to lead the herd around this perilous territory, its eyes on the dunes concealing the sandworm.

"Ah!"

"Walking while looking ahead really is golden advice."

Dazed, Ga Ga stood from the sand it had tumbled into, eyeing the steep slope with resignation.

"You all continue; we'll rejoin when we find a way back up."

Understanding Ga Ga's intent, the tentacle Ga Ga Beasts on the dune diverted their gaze from their fallen comrades and resumed their journey.

"My apologies for dragging you down with me."

Ga Ga glanced at the nearby tentacle Ga Ga Beasts, flicking its slender tail and drooping its long tentacles as they followed the herd.

…

"Hmm?"

Ga Ga moved forward again, stirring up a pile of sand.

"Why does this sand feel so fine?"

Worriedly, Ga Ga glanced at the distant herd, the accompanying tentacle Ga Ga Beasts struggling behind it.

"This isn't good; is it quicksand?"

Frightened, Ga Ga pulled out a leg partially buried just after stopping, intending to retreat.

But it seemed too late.

The others faced the same predicament, their legs frantically tugging against the sand's grip, only to sink deeper.

"Really?" Ga Ga grumbled, tugging its left leg without effect, the previously freed right leg again swallowed. "Am I destined to be buried alive by quicksand?"

"Apologies to you all. I can respawn, but your lives are singular." With regret, Ga Ga looked at its struggling, calling companions and turned its gaze skyward.

The sand covered most of its tail and legs; struggling was futile, and calling the others back would mean certain death.

"How many deaths has this been now?" Ga Ga mused.

"Maybe one day, at some underworld, they'd ask, 'How many times have you died?' and the surrounding souls would be shocked when I ponder before replying, 'I've forgotten.'"

"…"

"What a bleak joke. Have I sunk to this level?"

The sand had reached its chest, binding its limbs as it crawled toward its neck, breathing becoming labored.

"In a few thousand years, will we become fossils unearthed by explorers? Could I remember this place then?"

"Might as well, though I’d likely forget by then. The world changes beyond prediction."

"Will I remember being human thousands of years later, or will it be just a hazy dream?"

"Probably..."

The sand overtook Ga Ga's raised head, crossing its lips, erasing its last presence.

Truly uncomfortable. I must remember this...

Darkness enveloped Ga Ga.

Maybe this time I really die.

…

But reality is strange. As darkness claimed Ga Ga's vision, it felt a tremor, then realized it was rising from the sand, alongside the buried comrades.

"What, an earthquake?"

The giant mouth below explained Ga Ga's dilemma.

"Damn, ended up being eaten after all."

[Main body died, transferring primary consciousness.]

…

Within the moving herd, a strong male tentacle Ga Ga halted its stride.

"Damn sandworm... Oh, I've respawned!"

Ga Ga surveyed the advancing tentacle Ga Ga Beasts and the approaching mountains, then glanced back.

"The place is out of sight, and the mountains seem much closer. The death duration extends further, I see." Considering before its consumption by the sandworm and the distances involved, Ga Ga confirmed a considerable time had passed, and the herd had encountered something, losing a dozen beasts, details unknown.

"The powerlessness is frustrating."

"Unexpectedly falling like that, dragging innocent kin along, still too careless."

Familiarizing itself with the new body, Ga Ga navigated through the herd, issuing primary consciousness commands to lead them toward the mountains.

"Hopefully, the sandworm hasn't followed."