Watching the group conversing from afar, he found himself chucking in amusement.
What he's seen of them, without hearing whatever they're discussing about, he finds it amusing.
Seeing the group's facial expressions, he would have doubt that it'd be a serious one. That is afterwards they turn their attention to his summon, which is now named as 'Ichozuc'.
Said name held no references and was just made up in quick thought.
He was worried if such random made-up name is good enough for his summon, which he gladly relieved him.
After as it seems they were done speaking, they then were heading back into the service tunnel, followed by Ichozuc and his other summons.
Almost afterward they went in and the door closed, a message came in.
[Massssterrr, they've asssssked ussssssss for information about usssssss and you...] Explaining what Ichozuc had discussed with the group to Jim (Apoc), who seem to be calm on the outside but however on the inside...
'FUCK, things are gonna get complicated as fuck! Shit shit shit shit shit shit shit, what now!?' He would have mumbled curses if he didn't remember that he was on {Message}. He would have gotten so embarrassed if he saw the look of his summon's face.
Quickly assessing his mind straight, he then gave his most straightest answer,
[Inform them but don't give the important details. Regarding our origin and our abilities. I do not want unnecessary problems coming along. And do not mention that I am nearby, or following you. I shall observe you from afar.]
Honestly, he would have done things straight without complicating the situation more. But this is an unknown world, the environment and the technology seem to be from the modern 21st century past, but knowing this, he isn't back in the real world.
More like a different universe it seems.
[Underssssssstood, my creator]
He nodded. [Help them out, and again do not mention any unnecessary details] After that reminder, he quickly cut off before Ichozuc could reply back.
"I should have confront them instead of Ichozuc... Damn it."
But, it was already too late to back out. So in the mean time, he has to improvise.
'What would Alcatraz do in this kind of a situation...?' He took a look at the night sky above. Even the sky is just a dome, an illusion, he would still assume that the dome would follow the time-zone on the world outside.
'Bah, he ain't here and I'm all alone. Need to face this shit alone and move forward... Why do I have a feeling this has already been said like several times now?'
As he was pondering that last thought, he sensed something was coming... Although not directed towards him, but nearby.
"Meh, ain't gonna focus on some annoyances... Welp, time to-"
As he was about to move, he suddenly stop by the sound of his grumbling stomach.
"..." He stood there in silence before bursting suddenly out in laughter. "Guess I need to eat something."
Looking around, he shrugged his shoulders before walking into a random distance. "Welp, time to find a store. Hopefully they got some ramen around..."
----------------------------------------
Back to the group. . .
The group is currently resting, although the leader is discussing the humans about their orgin, and other certain topics. Such as the potions, and what are they... Like seriously, a group of humanoid and giant bugs appearing in a monstrous, almost demonic situation out of nowhere seems to be... Abnormal.
The ones that are injured are taking the opportunity to rest and fully healed up. While the ones that have already rested had taken the liberty to guard the tunnel that leads back to the main tunnel, in case if there are wandering Demans that accidentally found this place. Even with Lexter telling that its alright, they still insisted.
One cannot fully rest without having a slightest bit of guard up.
"So... Where is your master now?"
"He issssss currently outside."
"You're a half-bee, half-human?"
"I am merely a being of origin."
"Where do you come from?"
"Again, I wassssss sssssummoned by creator." He was about to say something about them originally from YGGDRASIL, but his master specifically told him not to tell anything that would give unnecessary information. YGGDRASIL and magic seems to count as... unnecessary.
However, all these questionings...
'Are too annoying...' And of course he simply held his frustrations in.
On the situation right now, he is currently being questioned by Lucy, a scientist girl named Miena Harris and her 'assistant' Yuzuru... the midget looking person.
The group had already introduced themselves around, but he still hasn't figured out what this job class 'Scientist' is from these three people. But when he has the opportunity to ask, he'll get it.
"Uhhh, guys should you give the insect man a break? You've been asking him questions almost non-stop." The doctor said worryingly.
Ichozuc was silently praising the man to help him out of this situation. The questions have been proven a headache to him now!
"But we questions!" The girl, Miena, retorted. "Ones that we need to know!" Lucy and Yuzuru seem to nodded enthusiastically.
"I know, I know. But we're all stressed out from what happened today, and hearing on... Ichozuc, is that right?" Seeing that the insect leader nodded, he continued. "Ichozuc told us that he lost some of his members in the 'pack', so why don't we just let him off for now?"
Seeing the girls' expression now realizing before apologizing to the insect leader. Which he just nodded silently. Although he is gratefully thankful for the doctor's intervention.
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
Noticing the man's expression, it seem he wants to say something.
"It sssseemssssss that your friend wantssssssss to ssssay ssssomething." He respectfully gestured to the man, which they all turned to him.
"Thank you." He nodded his head in thanks to the bee-man. "Now, we have alot to talk about now don't we?" He looked to Lessa. "Right, Lessa?"
"On that day, where did you disappear to and what were you doing?"
"..."
"About that," He looked at Lexter and Ichozuc in suspicion. "I do not know if a stranger should know about this story. I don't know if we can trust them."
'Ah, a secret?'
"Oh?" Lexter said. "Then I won't listen to it, its fine right?
"Cant you be a little bit serious?"
"I'm serious though." He retorted.
As Lexter and Jin (The adult man doctor) argued. Ichozuc seemed conflicted on whether to jump in and say that they'll be moving somewhere to avoid listening, but Raynold interjected.
"Heh, there's no need to be suspicious. There's a good reason to trust him, even the bug-man." He said while picking his nose.
"..." Ichozuc looked at him, trying to see if there is any deceitful meaning behind those words, but he found none. It seems they are trusting around him.
"...If you say so." He looked up. "I was rude, let me introduce myself again."
He sat up straight. "My name is Lessa... I am the father of all Demans..."
He began telling the story of himself, his power to be exact. Telling that he used his powers to open a "Door", a passage that was supposed to resurrect Ares. But that "Door" was a place where he store his actual body containing power. To summarize it up, he opened up the "Door" which was supposed to be sealed off with the help of some deity called 'Ra'.
And apparently he had opened it up again. Using the power to enter into the Underworld.
Once in, he was encountered by a person whom he described to be white-bowl haired person. The name of that person was called 'Raviel'. They apparently fought while talking.
He tried to explain to this 'Raviel' person to help retrieve his old powers that was stolen. And after some certain complicated scenarios, "And then after that, I'm trying to regain my power."
"Wait," Jin interjected. "if your current power is somehow connected to your actual form, do you really have to do all of this? The power stored inside your actual form, is it not enough?"
Lessa shook his head. "The actual power I wish to regain... Is the power to kill anything, and Ares has stolen it from me. And if we don't get my power back from him, everyone who opposes him will turn to ashes."
"Damn, theres not much progress then..."
"I apologize, but who isssss thisss Aresss?" Ichozuc raised his hand slightly.
"Wait how do you not know of him?" They all looked at the bee-man weirdly.
"I am only sssssummoned by my master, he and I do not know anything of the current sssssituation."
Somewhere else, a certain bug-player cheered for his words. No matter how suspicious it sounds... Yeah...
"Huh, guess we'll have to explain it to you..." They then began to tell him of who the person was and where he is located. Also what has happened to the island in the past.
"...I see, then he mussssst be eradicated from existence." His eyes seem to glow briefly.
"Yes, but from our current situation, we need to go deeper into their territory. That is where he is located." Jin said.
"I just noticed," Mienna said. "Why is your hair red?"
"Ah, this isn't my actual hair." He replied.
"Ahhh, its a wig." Raynold said, making them realize. "I thought you went to a hair salon or something. Why are you still wearing it though? Take it off."
"Uhhh, to be honest, I haven't taken any showers lately, so I don't think I should take it off..."
"I see..."
"Oh my god..."
"My, my."
They all went far away from him.
"...Guys?"
Seeing that he has heard enough, he suddenly stood up. "I sssssshall take watch on the tunnel." Taking out his repeater.
"Uhh, dude. No need, the Demans dont come to these part of the tunnels." Lexter said, trying to reassure him.
"Forgive me, but you can never be too careful. Even if you think your ssssssafe... That would be what my masssster would ssssay." After that, he walked away.
Once far away, he then used {Message} and began to report everything what he had gathered.
How many?
EVERYONE!
(Guess the reference)
----------------------------------------
[...I see]
This definitely gave him a surprise of revelations. Never thought there'd be an Egyptian deity around. And apparently he is the 'God' of this world... He really isn't in his universe now, since this is definitely a different one.
Where is that fking portal when you need to jump back to your world?
[Stay with them in the meantime, assist the group as you can. Once the time is needed, I will send you reinforcements immediately]
[Thank you, masssster]
Afterwards, the {Message} ended.
Almost after that, Apoc/Jim fell down on his knees...
'F****************K, I MESSED MY PLANS UP!' He shouted inwardly.
He was going for a low profile but that plan was almost quickly driven away by what just happened...
Basically Ichozuc had given them information about him, thankfully not all the details because that would complicate, the fuck out of everything to everyone.
I mean, who the fuck would believe that he came from another world? Unless he met a the deity of this world face-to-face and he would probably believe on another world existing easily... But that possibility is moderately low.
There'd be other people who would believe, but that would be stupid. Letting people know about this state, would draw a lot of unnecessary attention to other parties.
He had already settled on that plan, and he shouldn't be changing it.
----------------------------------------
Next day. . .
Ichozuc and the other insects haven't found any breaches into their perimeters, nor have found any Deman movement from the tunnels whatsoever. There hasn't been any orders from their master to move; they are only to assist, protect, and stay near the human group until further orders.
And apparently this morning is that they will be moving out now.
Two people of the group, Raynold and Lessa; whose hair is suddenly now white. Huh, looks like he was wearing a wig after all...
Anyways, both of them got drunk from which the two didn't not tell why.
"*Sigh*, so Lexter whats the plan on going to Zone 3?"
"Well, we need to cross Zone 4 right? So if you turn yourself into a Deman, you also become aware of a peculiar human-scent; which was how they found us the other day.
The scent may be weak, but if we're gathered in a group like this it seems likely they'll find us."
"Which meansssss..."
"We'll have to split up," He realized before frowning. "Declined!"
Before anyone could voice up their opinion, Lexter continued on. "Of course splitting up is out of the question. But I got a plan, its a tactic I use sometimes when I left Zone 4 to obtain new supplies. So... Do you trust me on this one?"
The group looked at each other in uncertainty before nodding. "Give us the details."
...
...
...
"Will this work?"
They were able to grab a Deman, who was surprisingly 'acquainted' with Lexter in a... subtle relationship if you could put it that way. However, this does not go the same for the insect company...
But, they were able to have items that would help them cover themselves and able to follow them without being detected.
As was assisted by their master who was 'watching' them from afar while trying to 'find' something... Yes... Something...
"Yessss, our master hassssss given ussss itemssss to remove the disability for ussss to follow you."
"Yes, but would that work on that many of you?"
5 Trappers, 8 Warrior Ants, 14 Worker Ants.
"Yesss." He nodded. "[Mass Invisibility] and [Mass Presence Concealment] would work on usssss. It isss given to ussss by our creator, we would never doubt his workssss."
'It kinda looks like your creator is a lazy one...' Is what they would want to say, but they have a feeling that would risk them removing them from good-terms with them.
The Trappers will use their cloaks since it is already enchanted with [Presence Concealment] and some other enchantments to mask them. For the Worker and Warrior ants, they would be able to dig. But sometimes there are some obstacles that would block their path and they need to risk themselves digging above ground and be seen.
Plus with their massive size, their holes would give out an obvious smell of suspicion, risking the possibility of humans going deeper into the zone.
So apparently they are going to have to walk around and following the car in heavy enchantments of invisibility.
Once set, they headed out. The trip took quite a long time, and thankfully the ants were able to keep up on the car, and the Trappers would have gone up ahead to the point, but that would cause dangerous possible risks so they didn't; they only follow the car instead.
It was now evening and the 'moon' showed up.
It shouldn't be called a moon really, it has multiple eyes around the moon. Its eyes were looking around, almost like a camera.
Some time later, they reached their destination. The place they are at is basically a mansion.
'Did they get the location right...?'
And that they did. This is the place where moon rises, the passage to Zone 3.