After defeating the monster, Aka-32 and I divided the materials we obtained, and Aka-32 took [Swordsman's Chitinous Armor (Rare)
•More durable than regular ants. Used to create light armor with a bonus to agility. Provides +resistance to poison and +resistance to stun.
And [Essence of the Ant-Swordsman] (very rare drop, chance < 5%)
[A sphere of energy left over from death.]
Can be used by the player to gain the passive skill "Adaptive Fighter": a slight increase in damage when fighting two or more enemies at once
I took the rest; [Ant-Swordsman Wing] (uncommon)
•Semi-transparent, with patterns resembling cracks in glass. Material for creating cloaks or accessories that increase speed.
Sometimes you can sell it to an alchemist for a speed potion.
[Poisonous Resonance Sting] (rare drop)
Sharp as a dagger. Can be used as an ingredient for paralysis poison or a dagger with poison damage.
And [Chitin Sword Fragment], a rare item for creating weapons.
After defeating the mini-boss, we continued our journey through the narrow, winding tunnels of the anthill.
The air was heavy and humid, filled with the scent of earth, iron, and something acidic. Tiny, luminescent mushrooms glowed on the walls, and in some areas, lazily glowing fireflies emerged from the cracks, illuminating our path with a soft green glow.
Aka-32 walked ahead, her fingers touching the stone surface.
—These are old tunnels. They were left by previous colonies. Perhaps there were ants here who could melt stone with acid.
As if to confirm her words, a group of small creatures emerged from a side passage.
Acid Ants, their chitin shimmering with green reflections, and a liquid slowly dripping from their mandibles, leaving traces of smoke on the stone.
—Be careful, these are our old friends. They're weak, I can sense their level.
As the first ant lunged forward, I stepped aside and struck it with the back of my dagger. The damage numbers flashed before my eyes:
-52 HP.
The creature shrieked and recoiled as if it had been burned by its own acid. After a few seconds, the ants began to scatter. One by one, as if something invisible was pushing them in the back.
—After leveling up, these insects feel threatened and run away, interesting...
A system notification flashed on the interface screen:
[ You have acquired the Level Pressure skill ]
[ The passive effect of Level Pressure has been activated.]
[ Creatures below your level lose their fighting spirit when their health drops to 25%.]
—So it works like this...
— What?
— When the level difference becomes significant, weak monsters become afraid.
They're losing the will to fight, even if they could finish us off.
I explained, watching the last acid-eaters disappear into a crack in the wall.
—That's funny. I used to think fear was just an emotion. But it turns out it's a mechanic.
Fritte squinted at me, still breathing heavily from the brief fight.
—So... even ants are afraid of you now?
—Well... that's progress.
Aka-32 laughed softly, her shield trembling slightly from the vibration of her laughter.
—Just don't forget that there are those above you who will laugh at you in the same way.
These ants are not just small creatures, but part of a much larger organism that acts as a single unit. If you let them escape, they may regenerate in the depths of the tunnels, gather new allies, and return in force.
—You'll need to get used to this quickly. If they escape, you'll have to fight them again.
I looked ahead, where the tunnel split into two branches. For a moment, the silence seemed suspiciously deep. There was a metallic taste in the air and a subtle vibration under my feet.
Taking a cautious step forward, I felt something click under my foot, as if an invisible sensor had been activated.
A notification appeared before my eyes:
[System: You have entered the Patrol Zone.]
Attention! Monsters in this area will periodically patrol the tunnels and react to noise.
Recommended: stealth or quick elimination of opponents.
—The Patrol Zone... So someone is guarding the passage.
Before I could finish my sentence, I heard a crunching and scraping sound coming from the darkness ahead. Two massive shadows stepped into the light of the mushroom glow.
They were Armored Ants, their carapaces shimmering with metallic reflections, and their eyes glowed with a dull amber light. A system prompt appeared on the screen:
[Ant Nest Guardian - Level 16]
Type: Elite Monster
Feature: Increased Defense, Weakness to Crushing Attacks
Fritte whistled softly as he noticed how each of their steps caused a slight tremor in the ground.
—These guys are clearly no ordinary acid-eaters...
Aka-32 narrowed her eyes as she raised her shield.
—They're on patrol. They have a three-meter aggro zone. If you cross that line...
The ants turned their heads at the same time. Their antennae twitched, as if they could smell the presence of outsiders. In the next moment, one of them struck the ground with its front legs, causing a cloud of dust to rise from beneath the rock, and the air filled with a low hum.
—...They'll cross it themselves. I took a breath, activating [ Aura Separation]. My daggers glowed with a slight green light.
— Well, let's see what these ant jars are worth.
At that moment, the interface notified me:
[The battle has begun.]
Opponents: 2× Ant Nest Guardian (Lv.16)
Objective: Survive the first wave and eliminate the patrol before reinforcements arrive.
The Ant-Guardians moved forward in unison, as if controlled by a single mind. Their massive limbs crashed into the ground, leaving cracks in the stone floor.
I quickly darted to the left, distracting one of the ants, while Aka-32 snapped her fingers, activating her protective barrier and charging at the other. The Amazon's shield flared with a black aura, deflecting the acid splashes that flew in all directions.
—Separate them! Don't let them pair up, or it's over!
One of the guards swung its paw, and the sharp claw only grazed my shoulder. I gritted my teeth as a wave of pain ran through my skin, and activated [Aura Separation], enhancing my reactions.
My daggers glowed with a soft green light, and my movements became almost imperceptible.
—They have tough armor!
Aka-32 growled, blocking another attack.
—My summoning ants can't penetrate it.
—Then strike the joints! Between the segments of the carapace!.
I replied, diving under the monster's belly. My blade flashed, leaving a thin crack in the protective plate. The ant roared, emitting a low, metallic buzz.
When one of the guards finally fell, exploding into pieces, I let out a sigh. My breathing was uneven, and my fingers were white-knuckled around the hilt of my dagger.
—Aka-32, we need to find a save point. It's pointless to keep going without rest.
—Do you think it's ahead?
—Usually, these areas are located at the end of the floor. If we clear the corridor to the end, the system will open a transition. Just a little more patience.
Aka-32 nodded, wiping the sweat from her forehead.
—Okay, if there's a checkpoint, I'm the first one to face-plant and sleep.
—Just don't forget to exit combat mode.