Through my hazy vision, the earth, the trees, the forest itself are spinning around me as I slowly lose grip on my balance. My brain feels as if it’s being put inside a meat grinder.
Sight, Scent, Sound are mixed together into an illegible, chaotic mess.
They are whirling around like a storm, tearing at every fiber in my body. My nerves feel like thin threads being shredded in a violent vortex.
Yet, strangely enough, at the center of that storm, there was something calm.
Like the tranquility at the bottom of a lake.
And beneath that tranquility…
Something tugs at the back of my mind…
A small, flickering light. An ember so minute, so fickle that I couldn’t really put my fingers on. But my instincts tell me that maybe… maybe if I could catch that light… then something would change.
My thoughts start to spin around. The pain gnawing at my senses due to the poison, incidentally acted as a stimulator at the same time. With the pain ironically being used as a propelling force at the back of my mind, I push my brain cells to the limit, pushing it so hard I could hear a phantom revving of an engine being accelerated to the point of breaking.
…All so that I could catch that small light, so I could reach the answer.
In the face of death, my thoughts were racing so fast, it’s as if time has stopped.
..And then I noticed it.
Strange.
That’s right, there was something strange about their actions from the start.
Think! Kagami! Think.
What was off about their behavior?
They were a total of 13 men.
At first, they spread into 4 groups, 3 men each, in a linear formation. So 3-3-3-3
With the old man standing in front by himself, not being in any group.
My spear killed one man in sneak attack.
Their groups became 3-3-3-2
And then…
____________________________________________________
Deon: “Luke, replace Carl’s spot in his group” *
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I didn’t understand what they said, but from the look of it, that old man ordered one guy from another group to replace the dead guy.
Why?
Replace a hole in the formation is a normal course of action, but that also means the replacement person left his old group, and his old group became 2 instead.
Leaving the solo old man aside, from 3-3-3-2 the whole formation became 3-3-2-3.
It’s the exact same thing then?
Why did he make such a redundant decision?
[http://img11.deviantart.net/1ff7/i/2017/055/6/0/insectumchronica19_by_amano_m-db07fy3.jpg]
…Is there something special about the group that was supplemented with a new member?
Something that makes him prioritize that group? That he would prefer another group to have fewer members, but not that particular one?
…Now that I think about it, there was someone strange in that group.
I only took notice of the strong people who could pose a threat, I completely overlooked him…
What a blunder.
What is special about this person is not that he’s strong.
It’s that he’s weak.
He’s so weak he should not be among them to begin with.
His strength was estimated to be weaker than an untrained adult man. He seemed to be very young as well, only about 13 to 15 years old. His dirty and unkempt attire suggested that he was in a lower position than his allies. While they maybe a group of unruly and wild warriors, every single member had proper equipment and armors. The young thing on the other hand, only wrapped himself in some ragged cloths.
He was not a threat so I ignored him.
Perhaps he’s an apprentice, or just an extra, a slave for chores, I don’t know.
But if that was the case then there would be no reason to be so protective of him, to take away a member from another group for the sake of that boy’s group.
Now that I think about it, they took care to not let it show, but their movements seemed like they were covering for the young boy’s group all along. Even when they surrounded me that particular group was staying at the furthest distance away.
There must be something about that boy.
I don’t know what that is, but he’s that important to these people.
Which mean that he’s a weak link.
A crack in the armor.
I could be wrong, but no matter. If there’s a chance, then I’ll take that chance.
Right now, I’m being backed in a corner, but the enemies have also exhausted their resources. Because of my earlier desperation attack on the old man, he lost an arm and I was freed from his restraint. Even if he successfully dealt with my parasites, he must have suffered great damage. Being able to block his blood veins just by using his muscles was certainly an inhuman feat. But in the end, he’s a man, flesh and blood. His severed arm was a fatal injury, even if it does not show on his face.
The net has already been weakened from my continued struggles, if I muster what’s left of my strength I will be able to break through any time now.
I take a deep breath and relax my muscles. Then in an instant, I gather up all my remaining power while gritting my teeth to bear the pain of the poison and tear off the steel-like threads covering my body.
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Without giving them a moment to react, I leap straight at the young boy…
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[Deon POV]
The monster net that was our secret weapon, exclusively used for the most dangerous of demon beasts didn’t manage to hold on for long. In front of my eyes, the restraint that surpasses the toughness of iron chains was torn off with only sheer strength. Such a feat is impressive, even among monsters.
Despite being weakened, it’s still stronger than all of us combined…
My mind shudders at the very thought.
Just where did this outrageous creature come from?
The poison was a concoction of powerful insecticides, magical herbs and even had a little curse attached to the mix. It’s a specialized tool to deal with insect type monsters. Once they come in contact with the powder, they will be attacked with intense pain and confusion, the detection senses they are so proud of are effectively neutralized as a result. This poison doesn’t deal direct damage to the flesh but their nerves will be paralyzed so they won’t be able to control their bodies.
How can it still be moving? Was the poison not working? The possibility is there but that was definitely not the case this time. The mixture and the curse certainly took effect when it was groveling on the ground in agony.
Only that it didn’t stay down obediently.
…Could it be…? This thing endured the pain with pure will power? I did not consider the fact that a simple beast was capable of such resolution. But now that I think about it, I should have expected the possibility when it showed up wearing human clothes.
No…even then, endurance has limits. If we keep our distance and play the cards right, this monster has no chance in a war of attrition.
At least that’s how things were supposed to be.
Yet, right before the insect monster tore off the net, in an instant I felt like the atmosphere surrounds its body has suddenly changed. The previous confusion seemed to no longer haunt its mind. It’s as if the creature has dawned up on something. My instincts tell me that it was not the barking of a cornered beast… The enemy before me has surely reached some kind of “answer”.
And then, not giving the chill in my spine a chance to settle down, it charged straight at us.
The men on its path were blown off to the side, like dead leaves against a storm.
I was taken aback, even while enduring the poison, it still hold this much power?
It was a leap more powerful than anything it has shown thus far.
No.
There’s no time to think! It’s heading for “that person”!
No one will be able to make it!
“UUUuuuuuuuuuooooooooo!!!!!!!!!”
Before my mind fully grasped the situation, the power in my muscles exploded. Because I was not allowed any opening to even think, it was not a conscious action but something akin to an instinctual reflex. Just like how a man unconsciously covers himself against an incoming attack, my body moved all by itself in respond to the threat targeting something more important than my own life. There was no consideration for tactics or techniques, the only thing that mattered was to go faster…
Faster…
Faster and use my body to shield that person from harm..
…But I can’t make it.
I’m not going to make it.
The creature’s speed was abnormal, its body sprung forth like a loosened arrow.
Even when I’m throwing myself against the wind with all I have, I cannot make it in time.
I can’t…
-Splosh-
As despair started to cloud my vision in darkness, before I knew it, a strange sound entered my ear.
An unpleasant sound of piercing flesh.
And then comes the feelings of a hot stake driving into my body.
In front of me is the menacing creature standing with one arm piercing my stomach all the way up to it’s elbow.
The reinforced skin that could stop even the finest blades was torn up like an old sheet of cloth.
As I endure the excruciating pain that seems to send hot steams to my eyes, I harden my muscles and use my only remaining arm to grab the monster’s other arm that aimed for my neck. It feels like a thousand mice are gnawing at my flesh, grinding their teeth down my organs. My throat is dry and my insides feels like it’s being dipped in hot oil.
“Bossssss!!!!!!!”
“Deonnnnnnnn”
The blood loss is making my vision go hazy and my ears are ringing but I could still somehow makes out the desperate shouts of my men and that person.
“Stay where you are!”
It’s hopeless…
How could this have happened?
“Guhoo..!!”
I vomited blood together with bits of my flesh.
It seems that several organs have already ruptured… My intestines, liver, they’re all no good now.
Thankfully my lungs are still working, I would not be standing otherwise.
“How… did you know…?”
I could not stop the bewilderment that left my mouth, even though I know that it won’t answer back.
Clearly just before, I had no doubt that I would not be able to make it in time to shield that person from the enemy.
Yet, here I am, standing in between them with a hole in stomach.
There could be no other explanation, this creature purposely slowed down so that its claws could reach me instead of the person behind me. In other word…
“You… was you … aiming for this… from the start….”
I look down at the emerald colored arm that is still lodged in my stomach.
Aside from the pain of the flesh, there’s another piercing sensation spreading out from the wound. It seems that this thing’s claw is coated in poison, something often seen in insect type monsters.
Not that it matters now since even if the poison doesn’t kill me, I still don’t have much time left in this world. I have already lost too much blood and my internal organs are in pieces, even now the only thing that keeps me standing is sheer will power.
And even that will power too is like a flickering candle in the wind. Even the smallest of movement seems like it would be enough to knock me unconscious. The pain in my stomach is getting more unbearable every second, and my body is screaming to be released from this agony. But I know that the moment I succumb to the pain and the sweet temptation of resting, I won’t ever wake up again.
If I die then nothing will be able to stop this monster anymore.
Our best shot would be to kill it right now, but that’s no longer possible.
Arrows won’t be able to pierce the creature’s skin and if my men were to surround it in melee combat, even with its arms being restrained by me the monster can easily makes short work of any human that manages to get close. A flick of its toe would be able to snap their bones easily.
“Igor, throw me another poison bottle”
“That was the only one we had!”
Curses, is there truly no option left?
Bow doesn’t work, poison is out, the only mage we have cannot use offensive magic.
“Boss! We’re coming to save you now!”
“Draw your weapons!”
“Make it into pig feed while Boss is holding it!”
The ones who will be pig feed are you fools!
“Don’t come close!”
“But Boss!!!”
“Even now I can still snap your puny necks like snapping a twig! Do you think this thing is any weaker than me!?”
Damned idiots, don’t pick the worst time to show your loyalty now.
I’m already too weakened to deal a finishing blow, and the monster is still packing great strength. The best thing I can manage right now is hold it for a little while longer.
And I soon would die, this thing will be unstoppable then.
How frustrating.
Truly, how frustrating.
The monster was supposed to be in a hopeless pit, the only road ahead was one that leads to death.
[http://img09.deviantart.net/5022/i/2017/055/4/8/insectumchronica20_by_amano_m-db07fyd.jpg]
Yet, in an instant..
Just an instant…
A single strike to our greatest weak point…
Not even in my wildest dream did I expect the wild creature in an area filled with low class monsters to be able to devise precise tactics while under the intense effect of poison. We had all the advantages, we had all the cards, the superiority…
Alas.
With just one move.
One move that turned the table upside down.
One single move that decided the checkmate.
[http://pre08.deviantart.net/34ca/th/pre/i/2017/055/9/3/insectumchronica22_by_amano_m-db07fzo.jpg]
It’s so unreasonable, so infuriating that if only my life was at stake here, I would have forsaken everything and rampaged until my last breath.
However, I shall not allow myself such indulgence.
There is something much more important that needs to be done…
I gave an order to my men.
“While I’m holding it here, you lot take the princess and run!”
There’s already no hope for me.
But at least they can fill the mission in my place.
Our true mission.
“Boss! What are you saying?! Let’s take it on together”
“Yea! It already poisoned”
Greenhorns.
“ARE YOU DISOBEYING ME MORONSSSS???!!!”
My shout, with all the strength and bloodlust I could muster swept away their zeal and made them shrink back. It was an effort in desperation, but there was enough effect. Looks like this old man has not yet rusted still.
“The only reason you lot are alive right now is because I’m holding it back!”
If I didn’t have a gaping hole in my stomach then we could still have a chance. But now we no longer have any feasible offensive option. The match has been decided, and the longer we wait, the more hopeless our fate will be.
“If you don’t listen, then even if this monster doesn’t kill you, I will!”
With the last of my strength, I shouted in a violent voice that does not allow them to refute. They look at me with grimace and frustration on their faces. Are they able to realize how grave the situation is at last?
Except for one…
“Nooo, nooooooo, Deon, you can’t die!!”
The princess’s despairing scream cuts through my bloodlust, as if they weren’t even there to begin with.
Her cries stab at me more painful than this monster would ever be able to.
I don’t look back, I’m afraid.
I’m afraid that those tears would weaken my resolve.
I’m afraid to see her pretty face ruined by the tears I caused.
Gritting my teeth so hard I could crush my own mouth, I vomit words without turning around.
“Have you forgotten? How your mother and father was slaughtered like pigs!”
“Hiiiiiii!!!!!!!!!!”
The moment I mentioned her late parents, she let out a fearful screech. A sound so tragic it could break the heart of the worst of villains.
My resolution was greatly shaken with just hearing her voice, if only I could ignore everything and shower her with comfort.
Stupid old man.
This is not the time to drown in sentiments.
“Remember, remember the sight of their bodies being put on a stake like cattle!”
I’m sorry
“No! No! No!”
The princess holds her head, crying, begging me to stop.
“Remember the smell of their burning meat!”
I’m sorry.
“Nooooo! NOOOOOO! Stop it! Stop ITTTTTTTT!”
With every word I spout, I feel like wanting to bite my own tongue into pieces.
“Erika Raingarden! Do you want to die a dog’s death like your parents?”
“NO
NO”
“Do you want this monster here to pierce your stomach like it’s doing to mine?!”
“No…
Noo…..
NOOOOOO…..!!!”
“Then run, I said.
RUN!”
“AAAAAAaaaaaaaaa”
Finally the princess broke into tears, and the sound of her steps and screams gets weaker and weaker into the distance.
Princess, you’re strong.
Stronger than you believe yourself to be.
“You lot, follow the princess and take care of her for me will ya”
“What are you saying, Boss”
“You won’t be able to hold on much longer right?”
“Even if this thing only takes a second to kill one of us, that’s 8 seconds more for the princess to run”
“Good enough for me”
“Plenty!”
Damned greenhorns, what are you saying?
Even though you guys are shaking in your boots.
It’s not a greenhorn’s place to act tough.
“Is that so, then let’s give this beast the hardest fight it’ll ever has”
“Let’s engrave our faces as the weak who gave it a beating!”