The giant toad was of an unknown species, larger than a basketball. If it were to stretch out its limbs, it could span half a meter.

  A fish of about the same length had piercingly bright eyes and a mouth full of sharp teeth. In the dim light, one could see the figures of smaller fish-like creatures frantically trying to escape.

  Kelvier was four meters above the water’s surface and confirmed that neither the giant toad nor the large fish could pose a threat to him before he began to observe his surroundings.

  This pool was vast, larger than the one where the white lizard resided, about the size of two soccer fields. The highest point of the cave around the pool was about ten meters above the water. The ceiling sloped downwards on the other side, disappearing into the water.

  Judging from the situation, it was likely that this pool was even larger than what was visible. Perhaps this cave was like a bottle filled with water, and Kelvier was just in the area near the bottleneck that wasn’t completely submerged. As for how large the submerged area was, Kelvier didn’t know.

  Looking closer, he noticed a multitude of tiny creatures in the pool, and a cluster of red velvet-like material at the edge, which Kelvier realized was a group of tiny, thin bugs, about a centimeter long.

  Surprisingly, there were also plants living in the pool.

  Many creatures were warily watching Kelvier. Given the pitch darkness, logically, their eyes should have degenerated, but instead, each one was vivid and spirited, suggesting some source of light.

  Kelvier was not in a hurry; his current location was like a room with a hole in the ceiling where he could comfortably rest and watch.

  The toad and the large fish were both a pale grey, each bearing numerous scars. Kelvier, upon closer inspection of their wounds, concluded they were inflicted on each other.

  After waiting for half an hour, the toad disappeared, only to reappear two hours later. Kelvier suddenly recalled that toads are cold-blooded and need sufficient heat to be active. Was it possible that the toad had gone to “warm up”?

  Just as Kelvier suspected, the toad periodically vanished, likely to some place where it could absorb heat.

  The fish, however, seemed leisurely, chasing after the small creatures in the pool whenever it was hungry, then resuming its carefree wandering.

  Kelvier envied their simple life; these days, finding enough to eat was indeed a challenging affair…

  After figuring out their patterns of activity, Kelvier signaled for Number Two to make a move!

  Number Two plunged into the water. The school of small fish, relaxed because the large fish had swum away, was caught off guard. In an instant, Number Two speared a small fish!

  As the school finally snapped to their senses and dispersed, Number Two speared two more, and wanted to chase after them, but Kelvier quickly stopped him.

  The large fish had noticed and was now swiftly heading their way.

  Now, Kelvier knew very little about the large fish. As a bug the size of a duck egg, the world seemed exceedingly cruel. After eating his fill, Kelvier began to contemplate how to deal with the two tyrants.

  It was clear that the large fish and the giant toad had clashed many times before, as evidenced by the shapes of the scars on their bodies. However, their prolonged struggles had also led to a temporary truce. Could there be a way to reignite the conflict between them?

  Kelvier pondered this for several days. During this time, he and Number Two gradually became accustomed to the daily routines of the two overlords. "Fish stealing" became even more effortless.

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  At that moment, fully fed, Number Two was cheekily taunting on the water surface—it had become his hobby, especially after confirming that the furious fish and toad posed no threat to him.

  Kelvier had nearly perfected his plan of causing discord. Suddenly, the large fish burst out of the water. Something felt off...

  Before Kelvier could react, the fish leaped high, and in a rushed attempt, Number Two only managed to ascend slightly.

  Snap! The fish clamped down on Number Two, thumping back into the water.

  Simultaneously, Kelvier followed suit, plunging into the water like a steel fork. A muffled thud sounded as he bit fiercely into the side of the large fish!

  Almost all animals, when attacked, will release whatever is in their mouths to retaliate against the threat. The large fish was no exception.

  Painfully, the fish instinctively released Number Two and turned to bite Kelvier.

  Crack! The fish’s sharp teeth pierced through Kelvier’s shell, reaching his insides!

  "Bite it!!" In a mix of shock and rage, Kelvier conveyed a thought.

  Without waiting for Kelvier’s command, Number Two had already retaliated, biting into the other side of the fish. What was clever was that he targeted the fish’s waist, where the fish struggled several times to turn and bite back. They tumbled towards the cave wall, the fish about to slam Number Two into the stone.

  With determination, Kelvier clenched onto the fish flesh and tore fiercely. The fish shuddered violently, and in the chaos, veered off course, crashing headfirst into a stalactite.

  Just as Kelvier was about to dodge, a chill ran up his spine. Realizing the presence of the toad, he cried out in alarm.

  "Whoosh!" A tongue shot out, accurately hitting the large fish. The barbs on the tongue dug deep into the fish’s flesh as the tongue snapped taut, and the toad swiftly landed, biting into the fish.

  "Let’s go!" Kelvier and Number Two soared into the air, instantly leaving the battlefield!

  But while still in midair, the tongue shot out accurately once more, wrapping around Number Two!

  The large fish, with a gaping wound oozing blood, was already dead.

  The toad was relentless in its pursuit!

  Without time to think, Kelvier once again intervened to save his companion. This time, using himself as a projectile, he struck the toad in the eye.

  The eye is a vulnerability of all creatures!

  As the toad shuddered like it was electrocuted, twitching erratically, Kelvier was about to signal to Number Two to exit the battlefield when a sudden twist occurred! The supposedly dead large fish flipped over and bit into the toad's ribs!

  Kelvier was stunned, but there was no time to ponder as he and Number Two flew up to the cave's ceiling. They had finally escaped the battlefield! Once safe, Kelvier looked down to see the toad also spurting blood from its ribs. The fish’s teeth were sharp enough to pierce through Kelvier's hard carapace, and its feigned death had clearly inflicted a heavy blow on the toad.

  Kelvier had now witnessed the deadly stratagems of the animal kingdom. Reflecting on the entire ordeal sent a chill through him. The large fish had feigned weakness, then suddenly attacked Number Two, while the toad had been lying in wait, hoping to benefit from the fray, culminating in the fish's feigned death...

  Was this some sort of enactment of the thirty-six stratagems? Kelvier felt a twitch at the corner of his mouth, though he no longer had one...

  The standoff continued...

  And Kelvier inwardly groaned. He was now in a corner of the cave and had to pass by the two combatants to truly escape.

  What a predicament!

  The weakest link was his side! Kelvier silently reminded himself. This was a vulnerability but also an opportunity. His greatest advantage was his ability to fly.

  If he could maintain this, he would be unbeatable!

  As the brief standoff ensued, the toad made a move. Kelvier tensed, ready for an opportunity.

  "Twang!" The tongue shot out again, accurately striking Number Two. The toad had targeted Number Two first!

  Kelvier instantly dived down, and the large fish charged into the fray. A chaotic battle erupted!

  In reality, the three were quite small, merely causing a few ripples and splashes of blood in a corner of the pool. But for those involved in the fray, it was a matter of life and death.

  On the water's surface, a small but fierce leg floated amidst the bloody waters.

  "This is the end..." Kelvier exerted all his strength, his mouthparts fiercely biting off a chunk of flesh from the toad's large mouth.

  "Crack!" Simultaneously, the toad's sharp teeth pierced through Kelvier’s carapace.

  "Crack!" Another sound, and Kelvier’s two legs broke off simultaneously.

  Number Two lay quietly at the bottom of the water, half of its body severed.

  Who was the ultimate victor? Perhaps it was the toad?

  Kelvier’s thoughts began to drift erratically:

  It’s ironic, the three of us fighting to the death here, merely for a bit more food...

  Is this all a dream?

  A very long, drawn-out dream of being a bug...

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