James moved through the dense underbrush of the Everglades without making a sound, his senses stretched to their fullest, probing the swamp for any hint of danger. He was deep within the heart of the swamp now, a place where the air vibrated with the hum of raw mana, thick and potent enough that he could taste it. The heightened energy in the air made every step feel charged, every breath like he was underwater. It was exhilarating precisely because it was so dangerous, a constant reminder that encountering the formidable creatures that called this place home could spell his doom.
High-level areas are really different. The last time I was in a B-rank dungeon, I was too overwhelmed to notice, but there is so much mana in the air here. No wonder creatures mutate so quickly. It also explains why they don't usually leave, as the outside world is barren compared to this. Even cities with decent ambient mana would feel like a desert to a being used to this abundance.
James couldn't help but marvel at the strange turn his life had taken as he followed the distinct tracks left by the crocodilians. Here he was, a young man from a world of concrete and glass, tracking humanoid reptiles through a magical swamp. It felt like something out of a story, yet the danger was all too real, the stakes high.
It's not like the rest of my life isn't equally weird. I suppose that occasionally, it catches up to me just how much I've changed. I definitely didn't see myself doing this when I daydreamed during my shift.
His telekinesis, finely tuned and more responsive than ever, was a constant, whispering presence at the edge of his mind, ready to act at a moment's notice. He used it now to dampen the sound of his movements, to push aside branches and leaves without a trace, moving towards the source of a disturbance his senses had picked up.
The noise grew louder as he approached, the unmistakable sounds of combat - the clash of weapons, the hiss of pain, the guttural shouts of aggression. Cautiously, James made his way to the edge of a clearing, ensuring his presence remained as undetectable as possible. He used his telekinesis to weave a subtle barrier around himself, masking his scent and the slight noises of his breathing.
Peering through a natural veil of hanging moss and thick foliage, James beheld a scene of savage conflict. Two crocodilians, their scales a deep, mottled green that shimmered with a hint of otherworldly energy, were engaged in a fierce battle against a monstrous spider similar in size and ferocity to the one Mr. Julian had dispatched with such ease. But since they were not immensely powerful S-rankers, the fight was a desperate struggle for survival.
Though appearing like juveniles by what James knew of their species' standards, the crocodilians were formidable in their own right. Each stood over six feet tall, their bipedal forms lithe and agile, moving with a speed and coordination that belied their size. They wore armor crafted from bone, enchanted with runes that glowed faintly with magical energy, likely offering protection against the spider's venomous fangs and razor-sharp legs.
Their weapons, long spears carved from some dark, resilient wood and tipped with gleaming metal, were wielded with skill and precision. They worked in tandem, drawing the creature's attention while the other sought openings in its defenses. Their movements were graceful and evidently the result of training. This could not be the first time they had faced such a creature because they quickly shifted whenever the spider attacked, moving as if they knew exactly what it would do. And when the monster overcommitted to one, the other crocodilian was there to punish it, their gleaming spear licking out without mercy.
James watched, fascinated despite the danger. Here was proof of the crocodilians' intelligence and adaptability, their ability to use tools and tactics to fight not just with brute strength but with strategy and skill. It was evidence of the threat they posed, not just as monsters but as thinking, planning beings with a culture and society of their own.
Yet, even as he observed, James couldn't help but feel a grudging respect for the young warriors. Despite being outmatched, as their mana revealed them to be around the D-rank while the spider was at early C, they fought with courage and determination, which was admirable. They used the terrain to their advantage, leading the spider into areas cluttered with fallen logs and dense undergrowth, where its size became a hindrance. They moved with an almost beautiful grace, their spears flashing in the dappled sunlight that filtered through the canopy.
The battle reached its climax when the spider, driven into a frenzy by its injuries and the relentless assault of the crocodilians, launched a massive glob of venom at one of them. Anticipating the attack, the targeted crocodilian dodged partially, but some venom splashed onto his armor. The armor's runes flared with intense light, working furiously to neutralize the venom's corrosive effects. Meanwhile, the other crocodilian seized the opportunity, lunging forward with a powerful thrust of his spear, piercing the spider's head through an eye and driving the weapon deep into its brain.
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The creature's movements stilled almost immediately, its legs curling inward as it collapsed to the ground with a last shriek, dead. The victorious crocodilians let out a series of growls and hisses, a form of communication that sounded like a mix of annoyance and triumph. James, utilizing the full extent of his enhanced psychic senses, caught the gist of their conversation, amazed at how much more he could understand with his recent rank up.
They seemed irritated, not by the battle itself, but by its premature conclusion. They were battle junkies, apparently.
The venom still coating the armor of one of the warriors required careful removal, a task that would delay their return to whatever pursuit they had planned for the rest of the day. James marveled at the depths of his understanding, the nuances of emotion and intent he could now perceive in their simple exchange.
I thought Juggernaut was great, but Champion lives up to its name. It's not true telepathy yet, but it's the step below it. I can understand their intentions and even some of their more complex thoughts without even knowing their language or them being part of my species. I can tell that their minds are alien, but they are still open to my perusal. It's not the instincts-driven mind of most monsters. These are thinking beings.
James took careful mental notes as the crocodilians opened the spider's carcass and expertly extracted the mana stone within. Their technique, gear, and casual interactions provided invaluable insights into their society and capabilities. These were not mere monsters to be slain; they were a people, albeit a hostile one.
It was a pity that they were so open in their genocidal ways. James wondered if he might get an answer to the question that had long plagued humanity since they understood that some of the monsters attacking them were thinking beings.
Why can't we coexist peacefully? Well, there are hundreds of realistic theories, from them being artificial creations much like golems are, only made of flesh instead of stone, to an instinct driving them into a frenzy whenever they see a human. My favorite has always been that they were not born here and were taken from somewhere else where resources were scarce enough that anyone else must be destroyed. Now that I think about it, it fits with that weird vision I had after killing the Ant Spawn… Hmm, I will have to investigate their minds better if I get a chance.
Once they had secured the mana stone and ensured their armor was as clean of venom as it could be without proper cleansing, the crocodilians moved off, disappearing into the swamp with surprising speed. James waited until he was sure they were well away before emerging from his hiding spot, his mind racing with plans and possibilities.
He cautiously stepped into the clearing, the remnants of the battle laid out before him like a scene from a B-tier horror. The monstrous spider, now lifeless, sprawled across the ground, its legs curled inward in the death throes. James approached it with curiosity and revulsion, his psychic senses scanning for any residual danger. Satisfied that the threat had passed, he focused his telekinesis on one of the spider's legs. With a thought, he uncurled it, marveling at the weight and heft of it. Then, clenching his fist, he crushed it, the leg crumbling under the force of his power. The raw strength running through his veins was exhilarating; the leg, no longer supported by the spider's mana, shattered like glass under his control.
This… This is something else. I knew I was stronger, but to do this with such ease? The mana would make it harder if it were alive, sure, but still…
Despite his enthusiasm, James knew better than to dwell on his capabilities in such a dangerous place. Turning his attention back to the task at hand, he set out to follow the trail left by the crocodilians. He moved with renewed caution, his senses alert to the life surrounding him. The deeper James ventured into the swamp, the more he realized how vibrant and deadly this ecosystem was, a delicate balance of life and death where the constant presence of powerful mana shaped everything.
After an hour of careful tracking and avoiding a patch of deadly moss, James arrived at the outskirts of a village. The sight that greeted him was one he hadn't anticipated. Several large creatures floated lazily in a small, murky lake, their gentle movements belying their size. James watched them for a moment, puzzled, before realization dawned on him. They were manatees, or at least creatures that closely resembled the gentle giants of the water. But here, in the context of the crocodilian village, their purpose became apparent; they were livestock, a source of sustenance for the reptilian inhabitants.
His attention was then drawn to two larger crocodilians standing guard over the aquatic herd. These creatures appeared similar to the juveniles he had observed earlier but bore less elaborate markings and armor, signifying their lower status or perhaps their role as farmers. Despite their imposing presence, James's psychic assessment revealed they were of comparable strength to the younger warriors, indicating the two he had observed earlier to be prodigies of some kind.
This is very interesting. They have domesticated the manatees much like we do with cows. I suppose they must have some livestock to support their population. They could live off foraging, but the crocodilians are not stupid. Making their presence too obvious by being a drain on the land would mean Awakeners coming to finish the job Towers started.
James focused on the village, cataloging its layout and defenses with a methodical precision honed by his training. The dwellings were constructed from a mix of local materials and what appeared to be salvaged debris, creating a patchwork of architecture that was both primitive and ingeniously adapted to their environment. Defensive structures were evident, positioned to utilize the natural landscape's chokepoints and barriers.
Every detail was noted and analyzed with the help of Eidetic Echo, from the placement of sentries to the communal areas where the crocodilians gathered. James was under no illusion about the challenge they faced. These were intelligent, organized beings with a deep connection to their territory.
I want to stay longer, but I have what I need to study later. With Eidetic Echo, this is good enough. I wonder if Lauren managed to find a village, too. Mr. Julian told us we only need to destroy one village, so we can decide which is better suited to our abilities after more scouting. She should be able to get some good information now that she has a sensory skill too. Well, probably not as good as me.