The Antventure Begins

25. New Frontiers

I’m willing to admit it. I was a little overconfident. With my skills improving and my core being condensed, I was feeling quite strong. Not that I could devour all in my path but that perhaps I could hold my own as I explored.

NOPE.

Did you see that centipede? It was massive! Clearly the evolved form of the creatures I’d seen above. How is that fair, Gandalf? If I’d evolved into a mature ant worker, would I be three metres long and two feet thick?

How much Biomass is that thing worth!

Not to mention as soon as it exposed itself, death rained down from above.

I shudder to think what would have happened if I’d been crawling about on the ceiling or gone farther into the forest.

I steel my resolve. The creatures were bound to be stronger here. And the risk was apparent when I chose to spend my evolution on my monster core instead of boosting my stats.

I refuse to believe there isn’t something in this enormous underground world that I can hunt. Advance, Anthony! Relying on my stealth and my superior senses, I will survive.

Refusing to be cowed by the sudden display of lethality from this place, I resolutely advance into the forest.

Stealthily, of course.

Moving properly amongst the foliage, with these bizarre trees and fungi above my head, I could almost believe I was on the surface, since the rock ceiling is too obscured from here.

The strange foliage of the trees is interesting. I presume the trees don’t need sunlight to survive, since there isn’t any down here, so why do they have these strange fleshy leaves? Rather than having many individual leaves, the trees have huge long ones that hang down, some of them almost to the ground. Most of the leaves are a deep shade of purple, but others tinge into red, creating a remarkable display of colour everywhere I look.

Presumably these trees are gaining energy from the veins of light. I’m guessing these are Mana veins that twist everywhere through the floor, branching into their endless patterns.

Until I’m 100% certain these trees aren’t venus ant-traps, I’m going to carefully avoid touching those leaves. It wouldn’t shock me if even the plants down here are deadly.

It isn’t long before vibrations tickle my antennae. Crouching low, trying to take advantage of the vegetation that covers the floor, I move in the direction of the disturbance.

I can’t chicken out, there is only one way to gather information and progress in this place, and that is to move forward and seize my chances.

Like a stalking panther I keep my posture low and move in a wide arc towards the noise, my eyes watching every possible angle simultaneously. My antennae poke forward, sticking out of the brush ever so slightly, feeling for vibrations.

[Advanced Stealth (II) has reached Level 2.]

Fantastic! An advanced skill Level up. It has taken a very long time. I assume advanced skills require far more use before they Level up than their basic counterparts needed. Thankfully this skill, which I rely on the most, has Levelled at the perfect time. With renewed enthusiasm I continue to stalk the vibrations.

I find what I’m looking for in the shape of a hulking croca-beast. Why the heck are there so many of these monstrosities around here? Thanks to the pristine white robes of ascended Gandalf that it wasn’t an evolved version!

I have to admit, I’m still terrified of these things.

This was the first monster I’d ever seen, and it was eating an ant alive. If ants could have nightmares, I’d still be having them over that.

This particular croca appears to be wounded. Across one of its arms is a wide slash, dripping with green blood, as well as a few other slashes. The beast is breathing heavily through its massive maw of curved fangs. It appears this croca-beast has been involved with some heavy fighting.

Don’t focus on the teeth, Anthony!

This is a golden opportunity, a heaven-sent chance. I’ll never get a better chance than this to take on one of these horrible crocodiles one-on-one and finally put my fear of these creatures behind me. To seize the bonus Biomass I wasn’t able to get before.

Let’s do this!

Before I can talk myself out of it, I turn and blast the croca-beast with acid. Come at me, you giant croc!

My +3 Acid fires at lightning speed, splashing down the wounded monster’s side. I was careful to aim the acid so it would impact the existing wounds, hopefully causing more damage by seeping inside.

The furious beast roars with pain, its massive jaws wide open as it turns to face me. As it does so, POW!

Another Acid Shot directly into the creature’s face. About half the acid goes into the creature’s mouth while the other half blasts past the target. Overall, I’m satisfied with the shot. How do you like that!

If these monsters are going to keep letting fire acid directly inside their mouths like this, I’m going to have to patent this move. The dreaded ‘Anthony mouth shot!’

Sounds wrong, somehow…

The croc thrashes its head wildly as its throat burns. Combined with the terrible wounds it already sustained, this is clearly a bad day for this particular beast. Having decided on the origin of the ranged assault, the croc charges forward with its massive bulk, green scales glittering in the light.

Holy moly!

Quick as a flash I leap to one side, all six legs skittering as fast as they can to dodge the brutal dash. The croc has both hands out, long claws gleaming with cold light. As I attempt to dodge it takes a massive swipe at me.

Slash!

Throwing myself to one side, the air from the fearsome strike brushes past me. If that had connected it may just be lights out! I’m afraid this croc has more life in it than I assumed.

Focus, Anthony, there isn’t a way to back down now.

As the creature corrects its balance and turns to face me, I turn my head slightly to get good vision behind me and brace my legs.

Fire!

The creature stuns me by predicting the move, lunging to the left as the jet of hissing liquid flies through the air. Smarter than you look, eh croc? Had it been uninjured it may have escaped completely, but with its reactions dulled and its body not moving the way it wants, it isn’t able to fully escape the spray.

The bubbling acid eats away at the monster’s chest, in addition to the damage being done by the earlier two shots. I refuse to believe the croc has much more in the tank.

I keep moving. If I stand still the far larger monster will have a much easier time closing in on me for the kill. In a straight up fight it’s obvious who would have the advantage.

The croc is labouring hard but murderous intent is oozing from every pore as I circle it from range.

Such a fearsome monster, this croc! Although it may be shorter than an average human, it is clearly heavier, its powerful frame packed with muscle. Not to mention, to someone like me who is probably only as tall as a person’s knee, this creature towers over me. The intimidation factor is real!

As if it knows the clock is ticking against it, the beast growls fiercely and charges, aiming to cut me off.

I have to dodge! But left or right?

All six legs kick into overdrive, moving so fast they almost begin to blur. I continuously feint this way and that, trying to throw off the creature’s rapid advances that are building a fearsome momentum.

The croc rears back with its right arm, claws fully extended. If I take this head-on I’m dead! Where do I go? My heart is pounding in my chest so hard it might actually explode.

But somehow, I’m able to stay cool.

In a flash of inspiration, I rush decisively in a direction the croc could not have expected, directly forwards!

Claws swoosh over my head, catching on one of my antennae and shearing part of it straight off. The blast of pain makes me feel nauseous, but I double down and Bite hard on the croc’s leg, hauling with all of my strength and weight to pull it down before it can regain its balance.

[Bite has reached Level 5. Upgrade available.]

Not. Now. Gandalf!