The Antventure Begins

19. The Harvest

That’s one ticked off slug. I really wish I’d considered what I would do if the monster turned out to be an acid spitting nightmare of death.

Too late to weep ant tears, since ants can’t cry anyway. Only thing to do is finish off this slug. Problem is, I have a limited supply of acid within me, usually only three or four shots worth at a time. I haven’t managed to time exactly how long it takes to regenerate each blast, so after firing one more round I won’t know when another will become available.

Since I can’t really attack the slug with my mandibles, the acid is my only option. Somehow, I have to land a decisive blow with my final acid attack.

I can think of one strategy, but I really don’t want to have to take such a risk.

Why have you forced me into this situation, Gandalf? If I wasn’t in such a hurry, I’d never even consider this!

Gritting my mandibles, I work my way from the ceiling to the wall, moving towards the slug, trying to keep my profile low by moving between uneven folds in the rock.

[Grip has reached Level 4.]

Finally! How long do I have to scramble about on walls and ceilings before this skill will Level up? Perhaps it only really considers time I spend fighting while on walls?

No time to worry about it now, battle is at hand!

The slug is moving through its own acid now, sliding over the adhesive muck without taking any damage. Darn that protective slime barrier. The monster likely hunts by immobilizing and burning its foe with this stuff before closing in for the feast.

Here goes nothing.

I’ve managed to close within ten metres of the slug. I’m sure it’s seen me moving but probably hasn’t been able to pinpoint me.

I take a deep breath and attempt my strategy. Standing to my full height, I proudly present my backside to the slug, waggling it about in front of the creature’s disbelieving eye stalks.

Get an eyeful slug! Like what you see?

Apparently even a monstrous slug creature over two metres long is unsure how to react to an ant wiggling its bum at it. The creature pauses in shock before rearing back with its toothy mouth wide open.

Now, fire!

[Acid Shot has reached Level 4.]

A shot so perfect even Gandalf approves!

The sizzling liquid erupts out of my gaster at tremendous speed, arcing through the air in a solid jet of death. The slug compressed its body, preparing to lunge and fire another blast when my own acid splashes directly onto its face, and most crucially, straight down the monster’s gullet.

The reaction is immediate. The slug contorts, falling off the wall and slapping wetly against the floor where it continues to writhe as the acid burns away inside it. The rocky protrusions along its back scrape and scratch against the stone with loud rasping noises. Hopefully nothing is drawn to investigate…

A flawless plan!

I’d hope by baiting the monster I’d be able to fire a critical shot inside its mouth, which I’d figured would be the only way I could deal fatal damage with one shot of acid, since the rest of the creature is still protected by its slime barrier.

I continue to observe my victim as it suffers under the effects of my attack.

I mean, I hope I dealt fatal damage…

[You have defeated a Level 4 Alcyoneum Slug.]

[You have gained XP.]

Triumph! The slug has finally gone limp, a two-metre-long sludgy picture of disgusting mollusc.

Now for the task of consuming my prey. I mean, now that I think about it… Do I really have to eat that? If an ant could vomit, I’d be on the verge of it now.

Don’t be stupid, Anthony, people on Earth ate molluscs all the time. You can’t afford to turn up your nose at any source of Biomass, so stop whining and dig into that slug!

Ugh.

On approach, I take note of its slime layer. The creature isn’t producing slime anymore, but most parts of it are still coated in the stuff. I’ll have to remove it before I can eat the whole thing.

Using more dirt to soak away the slime, I clean off one half before I start to eat it. Even more disgusting than I’d thought. I mean, the texture alone… I only manage to get halfway through before I become full. This is one big slug.

[You have consumed a new source of Biomass: Alcyoneum Slug. You are awarded one Biomass.]

[Basic profile of the Alcyoneum Slug unlocked.]

[Alcyoneum Slug: Coral Slug. This creature uses powerful acid to attack its foes. Be wary of the poisonous spines on its back.]

[You have gained one Biomass.]

I’m not able to consume the rest of the slug immediately so I quickly dig a hole in the wall and bury it before returning to my nest. I can’t rest on my laurels even if I did just survive a nasty fight. Time is limited and my pace has to be high. Risks can’t be avoided.

I use my new Biomass to upgrade my Acid Gland, my primary weapon, to +2. After enduring the mutation, I return to the cavern to scout for more prey. I can vaguely feel the acid inside my Acid Gland building up again. At the moment there might only be enough for one shot. Not enough to take on a creature so I’ll have to continue scouting for now.

The improvement to my Grip skill is scarcely noticeable. Its slightly easier to carry my weight as I crawl about on the ceiling, but that seems to be it. Any advantage at all is well worth it I suppose. I wonder what Grip will advance into once it reaches Level five. You won’t cop out and just call it Advanced Grip, will you, Gandalf?

Moving quietly, I begin to scout up and down the tunnel, searching for opportunities. There are monsters moving in small groups here and there. A pair of lizard hounds are sniffing about, and a group of Claw Centipedes are similarly snooping, sliding around rocks and up onto the walls.

Out of the corner of my eye I happen to catch a flicker of movement and turn just in time to see a familiar shape ducking in between two stone outcroppings on the wall.

If it isn’t my old friend, the Thorn Lizard! I’m almost feeling nostalgic for the very first hunt. I haven’t seen another one of these creatures since the first one at the water pool.

Well then, the next prey is decided.

I can reuse some elements of my first plan for this attack. I’ll use the wall terrain and my acid to battle the creature. I won’t prepare a trap again. I’ll battle it head-on with acid and mandibles to see how I last.

I try to position myself above where I last saw the lizard and try to track it down. Using my improved antennae and eyesight, I’m eventually able to spot it tucked up against the rock, resting. My Biomass investments are continuing to pay off.

Having located the creature I slowly scrabble about, looking for footholds to position myself for the shot I want to take. I only have enough ‘juice’ in the tank for one shot, possibly two. If I want to succeed in this hunt, then I need to make it count.

I shift across the roof to the other side of the lizard, opening up the angles to its face. Next, I painstakingly creep, one leg at a time, to get as close as I can.

Since the lizard is resting, I’m able to sneak within five-metres of the target, moving with such incredible patience it takes me almost fifteen minutes to close the distance.

It takes a lot of concentration to focus on being still for this long, and I’m exhausted by the time I’m in position. My last fight was too risky, this time let’s improve the odds as much as possible.

After slowly turning and presenting the blast zone towards my target I tilt my head and take careful aim.

Boom!

Bullseye!

At such short range against a non-moving target, I’m able to land my acid directly onto the face of the Thorn Lizard. The creature snarls and growls, shutting its eyes and using its claws to swipe the stinging acid off its face.

Taking advantage of the distracted target I close in quickly from above. The creature’s long spines swing wildly through the air as it sweeps its pained head around to dislodge the acid. I approach with caution, trying to avoid getting stabbed and poisoned before I lunge with a vicious Bite.

My mandibles aren’t a fantastic weapon at all. As a worker ant they’re intended for digging, shifting dirt and holding onto stuff, not piercing or cutting. For that reason, the ‘teeth’ on the inside of each jaw are really flat and unable to rip or tear into creatures.

Some ants, like bull ants, have nasty looking mandibles, long and sharp. Others, like the trap jaw ant, have strong locking muscles that can coil like a spring before slamming the jaws shut with tremendous force.

Without any such potential, my bites are more like squeezing the poor creature repeatedly. I’m sure it’s annoying and each Bite isn’t doing a whole lot of damage. In which case I will make up for any deficiency with quantity.

Take that! And that!

Darting forward over and over again, I continuously crush the blinded creature’s head within my mandibles.

[Bite has reached Level 4.]

Another Level four skill, excellent!

The Thorn Lizard blindly stabs in response to my aggression, trying to catch me with its nasty spines, but the creature is too slow and its moves too telegraphed. Without a solid idea of my position, it’s forced into large movements that are too easy to see coming.

Eventually, the Lizard is defeated.

[You have defeated a Level 3 Thorn Lizard.]

[You have gained XP.]