The Antventure Begins

113. The Vigil

Being thrown into the mouth of oblivion isn’t exactly what I planned for myself in my second life. I guess things don’t exactly turn out according to plan all the time.

For instance, I was reborn as an ant rather than a human. Hey, no use in complaining.

As the tentacles part to reveal the cavernous, impossibly wide mouth of the Jellymaw, a tingle of fear shivers through my carapace.

The inside of this monster is simply… black. I can’t see a throat or anything! Long curved fangs emerge from pure darkness and outline that gaping void, empty of any trace of the creatures I’d seen consumed before.

What. The. Heck.

I don’t have much time to admire the scenery! Let it have it!

Opening my mouth wide I unleash the tightly packed Mana concealed in my throat. Like an explosive given a tiny outlet, the pure force of energy roars out of my mouth in a focused beam of destruction. Idly I wonder why my teeth don’t get shattered by the blast as it canons out of me, but I may just have to put that down to my perfect aim and control.

The moment I unleash my strike the world flickers before my eyes. The mass of tentacles that is the Jellymaw vanishes from before me. My vision is filled with a flurry of hooked appendages and cascading dirt as the kinetic force of my blast slams into the far wall of the chamber, obliterating the other monster who happened to be skulking there.

[You have defeated a Level 2 Lesser Imp.]

[You have gained XP.]

Sorry, buddy. That wasn’t on purpose.

Finally, my feet hit the ground and I can tell I’m a sorry sight. Three of my legs are busted from the pressure the tentacles applied. Thankfully not all on one side, so I can still walk somewhat. Numerous punctures and scratches mar my carapace after the barbs tore into me as best they could.

Checking my Regeneration Gland, I can’t help but curse internally. Still not topped off. I could activate it, but instinct tells me the effect will be exponentially better if I hold off until the gland is full. I’ll have to cope with my injuries for now.

May as well collect the Biomass while I can. Need to get something out of this to help me recover.

I begin to drag myself across the chamber, snapped legs trailing in the dirt and firing hot lances of pain directly into my mind. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to having so many broken legs. Although I can’t really recall what it was like to have only two. I think I heard somewhere that the human mind can adapt to a new environment in only two weeks. It’s been significantly longer than that and already it feels as if some aspects of being a human are starting to feel strange in my memory.

Like… hands? I haven’t had hands for a long time. I mean, do you really need them? Mandibles seem to work out just fine. Guess I don’t have to open any doors, which helps.

The Jellymaw lies in a coiled heap at the edge of the chamber, looking more like a tangled rope than a horrific monster. It’s still alive. The announcement from the system hasn’t come through yet. Not going to fall for that one again.

Behold! The power of human learning!

Drawing closer, it becomes apparent how the monster managed to survive my shout. At the very last second the beast brought every tentacle it could in front of its face to block as much energy as possible, angling the limbs to try and deflect the strike.

It was barely enough. Most of those fearsome appendages have been destroyed or heavily damaged. They’re twitching and flopping on the ground as the beast attempts to protect itself.

The core of the Jellymaw wasn’t able to escape my strike. Half the core is a molten mess, sagging and weeping what I assume is ichor from its collapsed head. The mouth is nowhere to be seen.

I force another step closer, encountering one of the injured limbs and suddenly I sense danger. Several tentacles whip through the air towards me and the core unfolds to reveal that black hole of a mouth. Half of the teeth are missing now, but it’s still fearsome!

The tentacles lash at the ground, hauling the body of the monster into the air as it collapses down on the position where it sensed that touch.

But I’m not there anymore.

IDIOT!

Trying to outsmart the great Anthony? Only in the dreams in which you yourself are dreaming of outsmarting me!

Cautious to the extreme, I retreated as quickly as I could—admittedly not very quick—the moment I touched that loathsome tentacle.

The beast fumbles in confusion as it fails to find anything. Tentacles flopping about, attempting to seek its foe even as the creature breathes heavily, clearly on the edge of death.

You need to settle down, Jellymaw, and become my food!

Shattering Bite!

Pouring out the last of my energy, I manifest the mandibles of energy, bringing them down with the force of a collapsing mountain on the main body of the Jellymaw.

Under the immense pressure exerted by my mandibles, the beast has no choice but to give up the ghost.

[You have defeated a Level 4 Crinis Inanis (II).]

[You have gained XP.]

I’m… so tired…

In the wake of my triumph, I wobble on my three remaining legs, my vision fuzzing to black before I manage to take hold of myself.

The last Shattering Bite pushed my limit right to the edge. But I had to be sure I finished it off. This monster was such a pain in the gaster to deal with.

Exhausted, I pull myself towards the remains of the beast and immediately begin to feast.

[You have consumed a new source of Biomass, Crinis Inanis (II). One Biomass awarded.]

[Basic profile of the Crinis Inanis (II) unlocked.]

I’m too tired to read the damn profile. Just let me eat. Even shifting my jaws is almost too much effort.

I can’t even be bothered checking if there are more monsters in the room. I just have to eat.

My sight blurs several times and the pains in my body fade to dull aches before roaring back to the forefront of my consciousness. I focus all my willpower on mechanically eating. Move the jaws and take in the food, repeat, and so on.

When I’m halfway through consuming the creature and beginning to feel full, I slowly and painfully drag the Biomass back towards the colony.

My mind is on autopilot now, I’m barely thinking at all.

Other ants have appeared around me, grabbing hold of the food and dragging it back to the escape tunnel. They’re pulling me towards safety as well, making sure to avoid dragging at my injured legs.

When I sense the relative darkness of the escape tunnel embrace me, I pull myself free from the workers and move back to take my place at the entrance. One ant among many protecting the entrance to our safe passage.

Tiny is still sleeping, healing his injuries, and recovering his strength. I refuse to rest until he’s ready to take my place.

With a thought, I activate my Regeneration and the healing fluid floods my system, stimulating my cells, snapping my bones back into place and repairing my joints. Hopefully it will be enough.

Once again, I take up my vigil. I will keep my family safe.