Chapter 66

"Alright... it's far from over yet."

Stepping over the scattered ant corpses, I swung my blade horizontally. With my current attack power, I don't need to use the *Sword of Life* for just two of them. However, there are occasional attacks that slip through, so my HP isn't completely untouched. Still, using the *Sword of Seizure* can handle that, so it's not a major issue.

(I'm getting used to this, but the number of ants doesn't seem to be decreasing.)

I continued to slash and kick the swarming ants, making sure they didn't get too close. Thanks to Shepherd's *Cursed Song*, the battle has been relatively stable so far. Despite the large number of ants, we haven't been overwhelmed, and we can maintain a balanced fight. In fact, as we've become more accustomed to the battle, we've started to push them back. This way, we can make gradual progress.

"Alright... let's move forward, let's go."

"Yes, understood!"

With a strong affirmation, Fumito and Lumin's area-of-effect spells were cast. We stepped into the gap they created, and by suppressing the ants that attacked again, we could make steady progress. However, we can't advance too far. If we push too far forward, we might be surrounded from all sides. Therefore, we need to advance gradually and clear out the ants that spread to the sides. It's a slow process, but it's undeniable that we are making progress.

"But, where are all these ants coming from?"

"Since they're called ants, there must be a nest... huh!"

"Nest... so they will keep appearing until it's empty?"

"I don't know, but if we follow the direction they're coming from, there might be something there."

"Fair enough, let's give it a try."

Nodding at Fumito's words, I cleaved an ant that fell from above. The only real danger right now is the falling attacks from above. Getting hit by one isn't a big deal, but it can slow me down, which is a bit troublesome. Therefore, I consciously intercept the ants from above while advancing.

The direction the ants are coming from is consistent. There's a high possibility that something is there. Even with these large ants, it's impossible for us to enter their nest. However, if we find the nest, it's unclear whether we can destroy it, but we'll do what we can.

(Compared to dealing with monkeys or bees, this is more taxing... if this continues, we might eventually run out of steam.)

Unlike when dealing with those, I'm using flashy magic against these ants. Shepherd's *Cursed Song* is also consuming MP, albeit slowly. This stable situation can't last forever. We need to clear out this swarm of ants before we run out of steam. However, the swarm shows no signs of ending. While we still have some leeway, we can't keep this battle going indefinitely. In that sense, moving forward was the right decision.

"But... it's not over yet, damn it!"

Strike—Hammerfoot.

I watched the ants fly away from the impact of my foot and swung my blade with a sigh. The poor visibility makes it hard to see what's ahead. The presence of these ants is also a bit hard to grasp. If I focus solely on that, I might be able to manage, but it's difficult during the battle. I should also consider the timing to retreat, even though I don't want to think about it. —Just as I thought that, in an instant—

"!"

Slash—Gentle Form, Flowing Water.

Suddenly, I deflected an attack from the side and slammed the ant to the ground. I tried to stomp on it, but the agile ant rolled back and kept its distance from me. This is a completely different reaction from the ants that just charge recklessly. Upon closer inspection, this one is about twice the size of the others. It seems to be a different individual or an evolved one.

*Legion Ant Knight*

Type: Monster

Level: 24

Status: Active

Attribute: Earth

Battle Position: Ground, Underground

"Knight... a higher-level individual!"

It seems that, as I had predicted, the *Legion Ants* have higher-level species corresponding to chess pieces. While the swarm of the lowest-level Pawns is already troublesome, the appearance of a more combat-capable individual is problematic. However, since I had anticipated their existence, I wasn't panicked.

"Fumito, increase your firepower!"

"Got it... *Spell Charge*, *Flame Burst*!"

Fumito cast a more powerful area-of-effect spell. Instantly, the flames rose and ravaged a wide area, blowing away the Knight that had kept its distance. I was slightly pushed back by the flames but continued to glare at the other side without letting my guard down. The flames should have eliminated a significant number of Pawns, but—

"Teacher! There's something I've never seen before!"

"...As expected, there are others."

From the fading flames, two giant ants, several times larger than the Pawns, appeared. Apart from their size, they don't look much different from the other ants, but their rugged carapaces look very sturdy, and they approached without being affected by the surrounding flames.

*Legion Ant Rook*

Type: Monster

Level: 24

Status: Active

Attribute: Earth

Battle Position: Ground, Underground

Indeed, if there's a Knight, it's natural that there are other pieces. This individual, which seems to excel in defense, is approaching with its massive jaws clattering. Behind it, I can see the Knight from earlier. It seems to have hidden behind the Rook to avoid Fumito's spell.

"Unlike the others, they seem to have some intelligence. But—"

"Father, behind you!"

"I know. It seems we've reached the goal."

Beyond the trees illuminated by Fumito's flames, a dome-shaped object was visible. From a distance, it's hard to see, but it seems that the ants are emerging from a hole at its peak. In other words, that is the nest of these ants, our destination. If so, there's only one thing to do: destroy the nest and eliminate the ants.

"Fumito, block the nest with fire! Lumin, take care of the surrounding minions! Shepherd, have the cat support Lumin!"

"What about you, Father?"

"Of course, I'll deal with those three."

I answered with a smile and readied my blade. Those three are clearly in a different league compared to the other ants. Dealing with a large number of weaker enemies, I've been hungry for a strong opponent. Of course, I won't be careless. I'll give it my all since it's my first time facing them.

"Let's go, *Spell Charge* *Flame Wall*"

Fumito's magic enveloped the ant nest, burning the swarming ants and those emerging from it. Lumin, with a cat on her shoulder, floated in the air, slicing ants on the trees and targeting the ants on the ground. Shepherd continued to sing the *Cursed Song*, blowing away the approaching ants with *Aero Falcon*. And I—focused on the Rook, which was distracted by Fumito, and instantly closed the distance, swinging my blade.

"*Sword of Life*!"

The blade, enveloped in golden phosphorescence, struck the Rook's leg, aiming for the joint. I thrust the blade from behind the joint. The amplified power of this strike—however, it failed to sever the ant's leg.

(Tch... what a sturdy build)

Although my blade wasn't taken, it was painful that I couldn't sever it with one strike. I stepped back with a sigh, and the attention of the three ants was now on me. They are much sturdier than I imagined. I knew they were defensive from their appearance, but I didn't expect that even with the *Sword of Life*, I couldn't sever the thin leg joint. However, the blade still penetrated. If I choose the right spot, my attacks should still be effective.

"——"

In an instant, a shadow attacked from under the Rook's abdomen. It was the Knight, moving so quickly that its six legs seemed to blur as it crawled on the ground. This one excels in attack and speed, and its movements are quite nasty. Using the defensive Rook as a shield, it moves around, which is very effective and troublesome. But—

Slash—Gentle Form, Flowing Water Reverse Bite.

*Giiii—!*

I merged my strike with the attack that crawled up from below, shifting the attack's vector upward and throwing the Knight into the air. No matter how fast it is, an ant without wings can't move in the air.

Slash—Stiff Form, Sky Thrust.

I thrust at the airborne opponent with a force that seemed to pierce the sky. Combining the momentum of the ant's fall and my own, I pierced the Knight's head in one strike. Then, I rotated my body to dodge an attack from an ant that tried to bite my torso.

"Sturdy, but—there are ways to deal with it."

Strike—Intrusion Shock.

I placed my hand on the Rook's head and delivered a powerful shock to its interior. This is a striking technique that directly damages the opponent's body through their armor. I debated whether to use this or a technique that directly impacts the internal organs, but given the hardness of the carapace, this one is more effective. The Rook, apparently affected by the shock to its temple, collapsed and slid along the ground. I shook off the Knight impaled on my blade and used the Rook's leg as a stepping stone to jump.

And at that moment, another Rook passed through the spot where I had been.

"Strong, but in the end, just a bug."

While a sword is difficult to use against such a sturdy opponent, striking techniques are convenient. I landed on the Rook and, at the same time, delivered a powerful strike with my right foot.

Strike—Hammerfoot.

At that moment, a tremendous impact sound echoed, and the Rook's head fell. The Rook, with its massive head buried in the ground, completely stopped moving. I landed near the Rook, using a nearby tree as a stepping stone, and slowly approached it. It seems to still be alive, but it can't move.

"Ha... Lumin, take care of this one. The sword won't work, so use magic effectively."

"Understood!"

As she nodded and approached with her small sword glowing, I shifted my gaze to the other Rook. This one only received an Intrusion Shock to the head. It would be dead if it were a human, but for a bug of this size, it seems to still have the will to fight. However, for me, it's already a practice match.

"—*Sword of Life*"

Step—Shrink Ground.

I immediately closed the distance to the ant and swung my blade horizontally. The strike cleanly severed the Rook's right front leg. As the Rook staggered, I dove under it and kicked its joint with all my might.

Strike—Pillar Thrust.

Using the momentum of the Rook's collapse, this strike pierced the ant's neck, creating a clear crack in its carapace. And—

"*Sword of Life*—this ends it."

The golden light enveloped thrust pierced the crack in the carapace and dug into the massive head. The Rook, unable to withstand the strike, slowly fell to the side.

*The skill level of *Enhancement Magic* has increased.*

*The skill level of *Dead Point Strike* has increased.*

*The skill level of *Identification* has increased.*

*The skill level of *Sword of Life* has increased.*

*The skill level of *Life Force Manipulation* has increased.*

The end of the battle was announced by the information that followed.

*Avatar Name: Kuon*

*Gender: Male*

*Race: Human*

*Level: 24*

*Status (Remaining Status Points: 0)*

STR: 22

VIT: 18

INT: 22

MND: 18

AGI: 13

DEX: 13

*Skills*

Weapon Skill: *Sword: Lv.24*

Magic Skill: *Enhancement Magic: Lv.16*

Set Skill: *Dead Point Strike: Lv.17*

*MP Auto Recovery: Lv.13*

*Seizure Sword: Lv.13*

*Identification: Lv.15*

*Sword of Life: Lv.16*

*Slayer Sword: Lv.5*

*Tame: Lv.10*

*HP Auto Recovery: Lv.10*

*Life Force Manipulation: Lv.7*

Sub Skill: *Mining: Lv.1*

Title Skill: *Fairy's Blessing*

*Current SP: 24*

*Avatar Name: Fumito*

*Gender: Female*

*Race: Human*

*Level: 25*

*Status (Remaining Status Points: 0)*

STR: 24

VIT: 16

INT: 21

MND: 18

AGI: 15

DEX: 14

*Skills*

Weapon Skill: *Sword: Lv.25*

Magic Skill: *Fire Magic: Lv.21*

Set Skill: *Fighting Spirit: Lv.17*

*Spell Charge: Lv.15*

*Fire Attribute Enhancement: Lv.16*

*Healing Aptitude: Lv.9*

*Identification: Lv.15*

*Dead Point Strike: Lv.15*

*Combat: Lv.15*

*Battle Skills: Lv.15*

*Traversal: Lv.14*

Sub Skill: *Gathering: Lv.7*

*Mining: Lv.4*

Title Skill: *Crimson Sword Princess*

*Current SP: 26*

*Monster Name: Lumin*

*Gender: Female*

*Race: Sprite*

*Level: 13*

*Status (Remaining Status Points: 0)*

STR: 20

VIT: 13

INT: 30

MND: 19

AGI: 17

DEX: 16

*Skills*

Weapon Skill: *Sword*

Magic Skill: *Light Magic*

Skill: *Light Attribute Enhancement*

*Flight*

*High Magic Resistance*

*Low Physical Resistance*

*MP Auto Recovery (Large)*

*Wind Magic*

Title Skill: *Servant of the Spirit King*