The Antventure Begins

96. Anthony’s Decision

The Gravity Bomb howls through the air like an angry demon. The air itself is sucked into it, causing a rushing wind as it cuts across the distance.

Trapped in the grip of the giant croc, the unfortunate snake frantically twists its body in an attempt to escape the impending threat to no avail.

Upon impact, the Gravity Bomb flickers before expanding in a blink. The high-pitched shriek turns into a thunderous roar as the two hapless monsters are gradually pulled inside, consumed by the ball, and other nearby monsters are also caught in its inexorable pull.

Like the maw of an insatiable demon, the black sphere drags its victims in before they completely disappear, crushed within the void.

[You have defeated a Level 9 Canem Pythonem (III).]

[You have defeated a Level 8 Growing Maw Garralosh (II).]

[You have gained XP.]

[You have reached Level 6. One Skill Point awarded.]

Though the horrific sight persists for only a few seconds, the impact it has is immense. Nearby monsters, suddenly freed from the gravity that seized them, slump to the ground, their desperate efforts to resist no longer required.

Several of these monsters flee into the forest! Perhaps they were so startled by their near-death experience, the bloodlust was knocked out of them.

Whatever the reason, the panic proves contagious. More monsters flee the field, their fear spreading to others who, intimidated out of their frenzy, retreat into the shelter of the forest.

Yeah, you better run!

Because my core and gravitational energy are completely exhausted. I’m so tired!

Even with so many adversaries retreating, the battle rages on. The workforce continues to be locked in combat with other smaller creatures. Here and there a larger monster is swarmed, covered in over a dozen workers at once and pulled to the ground.

The queen stands tall above the fray, her antennae flaring brightly with healing Mana every now and again as she targets smaller groups of workers for her ministrations. To my relief she hasn’t pushed herself to the front line, risking becoming separated from her protectors. Instead she’s remained close enough to help where she is needed, lunging to chomp at troublesome enemies and withdrawing slightly to continue healing the wounded and seeking trouble spots.

While she probably could rampage through the monsters, I’m glad she hasn’t. If she were to die, the colony would have no future.

Despite being so drained, so long as the workforce is engaged in battle, I will be also. A dedicated ant worker has no time for slacking! Staggering back into the fight, I chomp left and right at every monster who crosses my path.

The more Crushing Bites I dole out the more drained my stamina becomes, my physical exhaustion rising to match that of my mind. I continue to be battered on all sides, smaller monsters rushing in biting and slashing as I doggedly push through their ranks like a car slowly forcing its way through a crowd.

Eventually I’m forced to activate my Regenerative Gland, largely because one of my legs becomes completely crippled. My Diamond Carapace can deflect most of the harm, but enough 1 HP hits will eventually mount to serious damage.

Thankfully the Limb Regeneration proves up to the task and my leg is mostly reformed within a minute.

My mind grows increasingly dull as the battle rages on. My actions are almost completely mechanical. Step forward, bite, bite, bite, look for more enemies and continue the process. I can barely even acknowledge the voice of the system in my head.

[You have defeated…]

[Crushing Bite (II) has reached Level 9.]

[Exo-Skeleton Defence has reached Level 5.]

Finally, there comes a time where I chomp on a monster, only to find nothing but worker ants picking over the Biomass.

A carpet of remains covers the ground, the anthill rising out of the carnage like a tall spire emerging from refuse.

As my tunnel vision slowly expands, I take in the sights. Hundreds of workers are still alive, seemingly unwearied, dragging away Biomass and lifting it in their mandibles before making the journey up the hill. Here and there are large bodies being picked over by ten or more workers, industriously carving up the spoils.

The field has been surrendered to the ants. The sheer number of us, combined with my own intervention, was enough to chase away all but the most suicidal of monsters, leaving the colony as the ultimate victor.

Tiny staggers over. The poor ape is covered in wounds, and still holds a broad smile plastered on his bat face.

You dumb ape… I’m glad you’re still alive.

Having seen me and made sure that I’m ok, my ape friend turns and begins to chow down, wolfing Biomass into his face with wild abandon. It’s a good thing, the food will help close over those wounds faster. The big guy must have gained a ton of Levels in this fight. Should check and see if his core is ready to evolve.

No rest for the weary!

Shaking myself and using my own antennae to slap my face, I try to wake up my exhausted mind, much like a human slapping themselves on the cheeks. There is extremely important work to do.

I didn’t intend to cause this enormous battle on the doorstep of the colony. Since it’s happened, I will not waste the opportunity provided to help the colony survive.

The Biomass can go to the workers and queen, I don’t need much. The cores are another matter. I have to have those. Tiny needs to evolve and I need to raise the Core Mechanic skill as quickly as possible. Judging by the ridiculous power demonstrated by the Sophos Formo and his rock worm of death, it’s possible to modify and raise monsters to be superlatively powerful. If I can get my skill high enough, maybe I can engineer Tiny or the queen and improve our chances of living!

I briefly activate my Mana Sensing and cast my awareness about, seeking those little concentrated balls of Mana that are the cores.

I’m quite pleased by what I see. Plenty of them around! In fact, there is a very large one walking right up to me.

Oh, wait…

“Hello, your, uh, majesty!” I stutter, dropping my Mana Sensing and greeting Mother as she looms over me.

Thwack!

My head is knocked down as the queen whacks me across the head with one of her antennae.

Ouch. I deserve that.

“You must learn to be more cautious, child,” the queen warns me gently. “You must not endanger your family.”

I squirm internally at her words. Family as a concept is… a little difficult for me to understand. I mean, my family certainly fed and clothed me most of the time, but even this experience of being disciplined by my mother is a bit new.

It feels… nice, I suppose?

“I’m sorry, your majes—Mother. I uh, learned about a great danger and was trying to return and warn the colony.”

“Danger? What danger do you speak of?”

“Actually, it’s going to happen very soon! I’ve been told that in one or two days there will be a ‘wave’ of monsters. Our enemies will appear at incredible rates, coming straight out of the walls! They could appear right inside the colony, right inside the brood chambers!”

As I’m speaking, I realise just how crazy this sounds. How crazy this is! I’m talking to a giant ant queen, who is probably only a few months old. I probably know more about the Dungeon than she does at this point. And, what I know came from a single conversation. How is this even going to work?

“Do you believe the colony is threatened?” the queen’s calm, soothing voice breaks into my swirling, tired thoughts.

“I do.”

“What should we do, my child?”

That simple? You believe me just like that! You’ll listen to what I say so quickly?

Almost as if she can sense the direction of my mind, the queen answers my inner doubts.

“We are family.”

Ok then… I guess we are.