Dungeon of Pride, Laplace

Without further delay, he started racing back to where he came from. But before he could take few steps ahead a towering force came battering him. He felt as if a great weight was pressing against him from above. Soon after a black shadow enveloped him and his surrounding.

Turning around he saw what could only be described with one word 'Dragon'. Large spiky rocks like scales protruded from its gigantic body, its two draconic eyes locked on his body firmly. A wide jaw and spear-like teeth could be seen from the slight opening of its mouth. Two sharp horns that looked like millennial old rocks protruded from its head. The top of its body is covered in rounded scales and a row of spiky rocks run down its spine. Its bottom is covered in smooth skin and is colored much lighter than the rest of its body. Four thick limbs carried its oversized frame emanating an aura of a sturdy mountain. Its large barbed tail is connected to a round spiky stone that looked like a flail.

Simon's back was currently drenched in sweat, his instinct screamed of danger as he looked at the monstrosity of a being. He wanted to run but his legs felt like they were frozen. Analysis displayed its race:- Earth Splitting Lower Dragon, Level- 351. It had many skills but due to the level difference, it couldn't be displayed.

The Earth Splitting Lower Dragon looked at the ant that intruded its territory. Soon after it moved its eyes away losing interest and flailed its tail as if swatting a fly.

Simon could see the humongous tail smashing towards him. He wanted to move away from its trajectory but his body refused to budge. The scent of death grew thicker as the tail moved closer.

"MOOOOVVEEE DAMMIIIT."

Gathering all his strength he willed his body to move and bolted away from the place. Seconds after a huge spiky meteor-like rock smashed at the place he was a few moments ago.

The ground trembled as if an earthquake had occurred. Huge swaths of earth rose into the air and the resulting shockwave blew his body back. Using the shockwave as a medium he retreated far back. Hurriedly turning his body around, he started bolting out of this goddamn place.

He was keenly aware of the strength difference between them. Staying at this place any longer meant nothing more than suicide. The current him was not its match.

"As I am now I cannot defeat it, but I will carve this humiliation into my heart." He clenched his hands and increased his speed even further.

Looking at the ant that was getting away the Earth Splitting Lower Dragon opened its wide mouth. White light started gathering and condensing inside, brightening the surrounding with its intensity like a small white sun. A few moments later a gigantic beam of light was spat out. The beam traveled in a straight line decimating everything that came in contact with it.

Simon could clearly feel the danger behind him. But he didn't have the time to turn around and look because he could smell the scent of death closer than before. Instinctively he unfurled his wide bat-like wings and poured an enormous amount of manas into it.

And the next thing he knew he was flying in the air.

A white beam of destructive light passed by the place he was moments ago. Leveling the forest for kilometers. Large clouds of smoke rose into the air from the devastated ground. If by any off chance that did hit him, he shuddered at this thought.

He glanced at the Earth Splitting Lower Dragon one of the three overlords of the north side of the forest. Without further ado, he flapped his wings and like a streak, he disappeared into the sky. The dragon looked at the scene but did not make any move. It was little surprised when the ant it thought could be squashed easily survive two of its attacks.

Nonetheless, the Earth Splitting Lower Dragon did not take any further actions after all it cannot be bothered with every ant, or else there would be no end to it.