Antelligent Design

45. The Surface is Just so Draining

Damn… I need some Mana.

After running around the surface, we’ve managed to find a whole heap of nothin’. Ruined buildings, burned out farms and abandoned homes. All the while, my core is leaking Mana into the air. Checking my MP confirms I still have around half of my full tank. Though, I’m a little nervous about that. If we keep pushing, I’m going to reach the point where I’ll need to find a Dungeon access in order to recharge my batteries. Going back to the nest isn’t possible before I run dry.

He’s being stoic about it, but I can see the drain has taken a toll on my big ape associate as well. Tiny hasn’t told me as such, but his expression, tense but puzzled, as if pooping out an orifice he didn’t know existed and couldn’t quite find, has given the game away.

No, Tiny, that isn’t a waste product, that’s your literal life energy being sucked out of your core!

Gah! This whole thing has given me a headache. It wasn’t long ago I was a lifeform that didn’t require a Mana infused gem within their body in order to sustain themselves. Heck, when I was born onto Pangera, I didn’t have a core at all! Now look at me. Filled to the brim with Mana and dependent on it like some sort of junkie.

With great power comes great… addiction? I didn’t think it would ever come to this back when I was fresh and new to the Dungeon, staring at glowing blue veins on the wall and wondering what it was all about—now I want my fix!

Gimme dat Mana!

Even my legs are providing precious little relief here on the surface. No matter how much I try to soak up Mana through my legs, I’m getting vapour at best.

I sigh. All I can do is press forward. Particularly now. A few hours ago, we picked up the trail of a pack of monsters amongst the trees and farmland. Morrelia has been following them like a demon-possessed crazy person. Her hands are tight around the hilts of her swords, only to let go when she realises what she’s done. A little later her hands are back on those swords, knuckles white.

That is one angry berserker.

I have a suspicion things are going to get nasty soon.

The trails lead us to a flat dirt road that has the appearance of being well maintained. I expect somewhere at the end of this is going to be a sizeable community, a town or small city, and considering a somewhat large force of monsters is heading that way—judging by the tracks—something is definitely about to go down.

It’s going down for real!

[You sense anything up ahead, Crinis?]

[I don’t, Master. My ability to sense Mana is far more limited in range than your eyesight. I think I will be much more useful in the confines of the Dungeon,] she responds, somewhat despondent.

[Out here in the open, you might struggle, but inside a city you’d be better off,] I comfort her. [Each of us has our strengths. Not to worry.]

She doesn’t respond, but I sense a more cheerful mentality radiating from the softball on my back. Such a well-meaning horrific dealer of death.

[I think there might be a fight ahead, Tiny. Stay alert.]

The ape instantly looks more cheerful. Damnable ape! I want you to be wary and on your toes. Not happy and ready to run to your stupid death!

Argh.

No helping it. I’ve known what Tiny’s like for a long time now. He’s not happy unless embroiled in a brutal fight to the death. The more risk to himself, the happier he gets. Only a miracle has kept him alive this long. I need to find a healer to join in my retinue of pets. Otherwise, I doubt he’ll continue to survive. He doesn’t have any built-in healing and his Toughness isn’t as high as I’d like. I’ve said it before and it still rings true. He’s a glass cannon is what he is—all brawn, no brain and not enough HP.

You’re a worry, Tiny. No doubt about it.

The object of my frustration continues to bounce on his heels as we walk, throwing compact punches at the air, a wide grin stretched from bat-ear to bat-ear. Hopeless.

Oh? What is that I see?

On the horizon is a grey smudge that, once we’re close enough for my ant eyes to make out the details, is a city wall. With haste, I throw together a Mind Bridge to chat with Morrelia. She would be sure to know something about this place.

[Hey.] A classic lead in.

To which I’m promptly ignored…

[Hey!] Second time’s the charm.

…And still a strike.

[Heeeeeeeey!] This time, for sure.

[Would you shut up! I’m trying to focus!]

Holy moly! Seems like I poked a bear… I should take the hint and leave her alone.

[S-sorry. Just wanted to ask a question…] When there aren’t any objections, I plough ahead. [Do you know anything about the town up ahead? It’d be great if we had a little more information is all…]

[GAH! Stupid ant! What do you want?]

Along with her ferocious mental sending, Morrelia rounds on me, the barely controlled rage in her eyes searing me with intense heat.

[Hey there, just, like, chill for a second. All friends here, right?] I shrink back from her glare, and Crinis, sensing my distress, begins to extend a few warning tentacles toward the enraged mercenary.

With a visible effort, Morrelia chokes down her anger. When she speaks, her mental voice sounds tight with the strain. For a berserker to keep her emotions in check must be quite the taxing exercise.

[Is your class actually berserker? Because that would be awesome,] I blurted out.

A thick vein begins to throb on her temple and I hurry to move on.

[Ah, ok. Just wanted some information about what I suspect is a town up ahead. We’ve tracked some monsters here. I can see what looks like a town wall. It only follows that we can expect some monsters fighting up ahead, possibly against survivors. I was hoping to learn what you planned to do?]

I speak quickly, squeezing out my query before this enraged lady draws her weapons and cuts me down where I stand. For her part, Morrelia blinks as my torrent of words smash into her head. She manages to keep a grip on her temper long enough to sate my curiosity.

[What you’ve said is correct. The town ahead is called Midum. It’s a fair size trading hub with a garrison and city wall. Since the monsters we’ve been tracking are headed this way, I believe the city may still stand or is currently under attack. I’ve been trying to maintain the correct emotional state to enter into my Berserk Rage, a feature of my Berserk Tempest class, at the first sighting of the enemy. Anything else?] she answers my questions in clipped tones, making it clear her emotions are still at a steady boil under the surface.

[All good. Just, ah, don’t try and kill us when you go all angry.]

A tight smile is all I get in response as she goes back to ‘maintaining the correct mental state.’ I don’t begrudge her testy attitude at all, since the closer we come to the city, the clearer it becomes that it’s at least partially on fire.