Upping The Ante

9. New Home

I’d never thought running through a field of wheat could be quite so thrilling. Perhaps everyone had been wrong on that front. As I hustle along, Tiny in tow carrying my precious monster cores in one large paw, and the rest of the colony following along behind, I couldn’t help but panic the entire way, worrying we’d be spotted.

Who exactly was going to spot us crossing a farm field at dusk, the sun having fallen almost completely below the horizon, I’m not sure. Perhaps the Dragon Guards of legend would swoop out of the sky and smite me with a thunder hammer or something? I have no idea how things operate up here! For all I know, they have wizards who can vaporise the entire colony from kilometres away.

Right up until the last worker is safely under the cover of trees, I keep stressing. When the entire workforce is safe and the queen, surrounded by her dedicated cadre of ants, has been escorted into the forest, I sigh in relief.

Feeling a little more comfortable, I make my way to the head of our monstrous ant convoy as we plunge into unknown territory.

There’s something faintly magical about this forest. It’s old, even I can tell that much with my limited outdoors experience. The trees are wrinkled and wise beneath their broad canopies, stretching to the sun like the elderly doing morning exercise.

At this late hour, a mist is beginning to rise from the damp litter of the forest floor, further concealing our movements as we rush deeper into these woods.

Wait a sec! Heat!

My antennae are constantly scanning and sweeping as we advance. Eventually, I detect a heat signature ahead and slightly to the left, as if some creature were waiting crouched in the growth.

I decide to continue to advance as if I had no knowledge of this interloper, wanting to see exactly what kind of action it would choose to take. Will it attack? Will it flee? I don’t know anything about this forest or the creatures who live here. Any chance to learn something should be seized. Knowledge is power to the monster!

At the head of the trail of ants, my antennae continue to twitch about. The heat source has remained still as I draw closer. Adjusting my path so I’ll be right next to the source doesn’t even elicit a twitch in response.

Only a few feet from it now, the hiding place is clearly visible. A dense shrub with thickly intertwined branches provides total visual cover. Sadly for this beastie, my advanced senses are completely aware of their location.

My main worry in the event of an attack is the larva I’m carrying in my mandibles. This feisty grub refuses to sit still, insisting on wiggling about as if admiring the view. You don’t have eyes, you little grub! What is the point of trying to get a better view?

If I’m attacked, I’ll have to ensure the grub remains unharmed, and somehow retaliate without using my fully occupied mandibles.

Sure enough, just as I pass by, the bush rustles and the creature attacks.

Thin, twisted flesh, furred skin, vicious fangs and a crude dagger are all I can see as the creature emerges in a rush, bringing its weapon down in a vicious slice.

I’ve seen it all, you chump! Curling slightly, I present my Diamond Carapace to the weapon, shielding the grub with my body and rotating my face away.

The blade flashes down and—

Ting!

Harmlessly pings off my carapace. The recoil twists the creature’s arm at a terrible angle, possibly breaking it.

I’m not sure who is more shocked by the total lack of damage inflicted. The monster or me.

Better safe than sorry, I complete my rotation and present the business zone to this furry humanoid and blast it with acid.

POW!

Already wounded by the rebound of its own strike, the creature howls pitifully as the acid blasts it off its feet and congeals, pinning it to the ground.

[You have defeated Level 9 Ille Feram.]

[You have gained XP]

So weak.

Super weak!

One blast of acid and you’re dead? Are you kidding me? I’m pretty sure you broke your own arm just by attacking me.

This isn’t some comedy!

Disgusted by the weakness of this monster, I’m not even sure I want to eat it. Is this what monsters are like on the surface? Surely the difference can’t be this much?

I shouldn’t get ahead of myself. One skinny fur-man in the woods isn’t representative of all surface monsters, staying watchful is a necessity.

Though a few ants dart over to snack, the convoy continues to wind its way deeper into the woods. A long column of hundreds of ants, marching along in near perfect silence. After about an hour, I halt the procession.

We’ve arrived in a small clearing. Strong trees surround us on all sides. The soil appears soft and rich beneath my feet. The lush undergrowth is pleasing on the eyes and indicates this forest is vibrant and full of life.

Seems like a good spot!

We should be far enough away from human civilisation for the time being. At the very least, let’s hope they won’t be able to find us in a single day. To be honest, I’d rather be farther away than this, but I have no idea how far this forest extends. If we keep marching, there’s a chance we’ll run clean out the other side and into more farmland. Better to put down some roots and scout out the situation before we make any more moves.

“Wait here a sec!” I shout to the workers. They waggle their antennae at me and tap my head as I wander past. Roughly in the middle of our convoy, I find the queen, looming over her subjects as they escort her.

“I think I’ve found a place for us to build a nest. Might be a good idea to get the larvae settled down and go hunting. Hopefully, we can find a decent amount of Biomass up here.”

The queen merely nods her assent. I think she’s a lot more tired than she’s letting on. She is the only member of the colony to get zero rest since the beginning of the wave. She probably needs to sleep more than the grubs do.

Ants being what they are, it doesn’t take long for the colony to begin construction on a crude nest. It’s honestly a little moving to see them in action. Hundreds of ants swarming, tearing into the soil with relentless energy.

In a matter of hours, there is a simple ant hill erected in the clearing, nearly as tall as the tree tops. Inside, the colony has packed into a few simple chambers, tending to the brood, whilst the queen has finally been able to get some rest, nervously watched by her defenders, right in the heart of the new nest at the bottom.

I myself manage to excavate a small chamber for myself and Tiny to curl up in, my precious monster cores nearby, and the little enthusiastic grub nestled in one corner.

I’m so damn tired. Please, nothing happen until I get some sleep!