The Antventure Begins

5. To the Victor Goes the Spoils

I have hunted, battled, and achieved victory.

I’m experiencing a somewhat complicated feeling. The pain and suffering I endured to achieve this goal is something I can’t recall from my previous life. Neither do I remember this satisfaction and triumph.

Mostly, I remember feeling numb.

[You have defeated a Level 2 Spinetta Lacertos.]

[You have gained XP.]

[You have reached Level 2. One Skill Point awarded.]

The voice of Gandalf? So talkative all of a sudden. Level two has been achieved, eh? Fantastic!

This lizard is a Spinetta Lacertos? What on earth does that mean? It does sound vaguely Latin. Come to think of it, my species was listed as Formica. If I recall back to my ant keeping hobby, Formica is the Latin name for wood ants. Are all the creatures here named in Latin?

That… seems odd.

Ignoring that for a moment, I’ll focus on a few other things I’ve learned. For one, I now know I can gain experience to improve my Level when I defeat other creatures. Secondly, I earn a new Skill Point when I Level up. Thirdly, this is also true for the other creatures here. Since this… Spinetta thing was at Level two, I can assume two possibilities. Either it was born Level two or it managed to Level up once.

I’ll have to ponder this in greater depth later. There are two other things to worry about right now. I can’t leave my prey here in the open in case the scent attracts other monsters, and I’m starving. I have to eat!

Without waiting any longer, I rush into my pitfall and approach the lizard. Burns and melted flesh as a result of my acid are peppered alongside crushed limbs and puncture wounds from my bites.

It looks very pitiful.

I’m sorry, lizard, I’m really sorry. You didn’t deserve this fate.

However, since the deed has already been done, I will now partake in my first meal.

Did you know ants have a mouth on the bottom side of their head? Most people think the mandibles are the mouth, or that the mouth is positioned behind them, but this isn’t so. The mandibles are more like hands attached to the head, while the mouth is below them.

Taking a bite—hmm, this flavour. How could I describe it? It’s unique and potent, for sure. I’m reaching for a word here. I wonder what would be most appropriate?

Disgusting.

It’s seriously disgusting.

Despite being so hungry, my carapace is constricting. This is not a pleasant meal.

[You have consumed a new source of Biomass: Spinetta Lacertos. You are awarded one Biomass.]

[Basic profile of the Spinetta Lacertos unlocked.]

Gandalf! I am graced by your weathered tones once again, oh great one.

So many developments, so quickly, it’s enough to make me dizzy. I’ll have to think while eating. Apparently, I’ll gain one Biomass every time I’m able to hunt a new species of creature. Also, I was able to unlock a profile? How do I access that?

I’ll have to experiment later.

As quickly as I can, I finish the lizard and feel quite full. I can tell my gaster—my back segment—is swollen to a much larger size than it was before. And what do we have here? Another surprise:

[You have gained one Biomass.]

Truly, my harvest has been rich from this hunt!

Only one thing to do now that I have finally achieved success and reaped such a bounty, retreat to my nest and consider my next move.

Keeping my antennae waving, sensing the air, I once again climb the wall, making my way to the roof and sneaking over the water pool towards the tunnel that houses my nest. A range of monsters are still communing around the water, but they’re too focused on watching each other to look up and detect me.

In this way, I return to my place of safety.

Tucked away in a somewhat secure place, I can now take some time to assess my situation and plot my next move.

Ok, the first thing to do is to check my status.

Name: Anthony

Level: 2

Might: 15

Toughness: 12

Cunning: 25

Will: 18

HP: 30

MP: 0

Skills: Digging Level 3 (I); Acid Shot Level 2 (I); Grip Level 3 (I); Bite Level 3 (I); Stealth Level 4 (I)

Mutations: Eyes +1

Species: Hatchling Ant Worker (Formica): Skill Points: 1

Biomass: 2

Haha! Behold my incredible growth. Despite my difficult start, I’ve managed to survive, secure my first meal, Level up and improve my skills. I’m very proud of this result.

Against all the odds I will survive. This is the burning ambition of my soul.

Now, there’s a prudent decision to make. I have two Biomass Points to spend. I’ll have to consider the options carefully and—

Eyes! Evolve my eyes to +2 for the love of the blessed light!

[Do you wish to improve your Eyes to +2? This will cost two Biomass.]

Do iiit!

Immediately, the mad, ravenous itching sensation consumes my eyes. I can only endure it by flopping onto my back and rolling back and forth while scratching at the walls with my claws. I hate this damn feeling so much!

Finally, the itching fades and my eyesight has definitely improved once again. Really, the poor ant eyesight is hugely frustrating to deal with. Being used to human sight as I am, having to cope with such blurry vision to the point I can barely see a creature even if it sits still, is terrifying!

My vision is still far worse than the average human, but is much improved compared to what I started with. Objects are blurry, though waving my leg in front of my face confirms my ability to see movement has improved quite a bit.

At this rate, I think it will take at least +4 Eyesight before I can see as well as I did in my previous life. Perhaps even +5. Since the next upgrade will probably take three Biomass with this one needing two, it will be a long time before I’m able to purchase Level four, let alone Level five.

I may have to cope with my current Level of Eyesight for some time.

However, I’m pleased with this purchase. My ability to scout and fight has improved, and I’ve gotten closer to being able to operate as an independent ant, not requiring the communal assistance of a colony to survive.

Now I have to spend my Skill Point. I’ve had a skill in mind for some time now, ever since I first saw it. My priority is still gathering information, scouting and survival, rather than a direct increase in battle strength, so this skill will be essential.

Tunnel Sense.

There is a risk here. However, by not increasing my ability to fight and hunt for food, I’m going to endure more disadvantageous combat while continuing to pursue my policy of scouting and research first.

It must be understood that my capacity to fight is still complete garbage, hot trash, bottom of the barrel filth. Putting one Skill Point into a combat skill is not going to turn this situation around in the short term.

Survival is the first, second and third priority! For survival, there must be knowledge, for without knowledge I cannot hope to find prey I can defeat nor avoid those I cannot.

I still don’t know anything about this place! I’m in some kind of connected network of tunnels that has glowing lines snaking through the walls and is populated by bizarre monsters. And for some incredible reason, there’s a game-like system with skills, Level ups and a Biomass mutation matrix.

Isn’t this world… a little weird?

I haven’t seen a single person, nor any evidence of one. Is it possible monsters inhabit the entire place? Is there even a habitable surface and this world is wholly populated by subterranean life forms?

Too many questions! All these unknowns make me nervous. I have to have a clearer understanding of my situation. Tunnel Sense will broaden my range, allowing me to range farther and still make it back to the only place of relative safety, my nest.

[Do you want to learn the skill Tunnel Sense? This will cost one Skill Point.]

Yes!

A warm tickling sensation, like water running through my hair in a shower, except deeper inside my head, comes over me. Perhaps I didn’t notice this before because I upgraded my eyes at the same time as I purchased a skill. It’s far more pleasant than the Eye mutation. Just thinking about that itching sends a shiver down my spine.

Soon the feeling fades and Tunnel Sense has been learned. I can’t feel anything different straight away. Hopefully, it will show its effect as I explore.

Now, for the first time with a full stomach, I’ll get some rest, recover, then push into brave new frontiers! While in Stealth, of course.