Six A-rank centipedes were already enough trouble.
But an entire swarm?
The group advanced deeper into the harsh desert, slaying each centipede that came at them one by one. At times, their numbers grew overwhelming, forcing Devon and a few other S-ranks to step in.
It seemed like the farther they went, the higher the level of the beasts they faced. The centipedes were all A ranks, but many were dangerously close to S rank.
[WARNING: S Rank beast ahead!]
Finally, they got to what appeared to be the ground nest of these centipedes. A giant sand hill, almost the size of a mountain with a shadow large enough to feel suffocating.
Hundreds of holes riddled the hill's surface, burrowing into deeper interconnected levels underground. Anyone with trypophobia would probably see these holes and vomit.
To make things worse, several centipedes made their presence known—crawling in and out of these holes in a repeated cycle, their eyes already locked on the team.
Ambrose's throat parched. And it wasn't because of the heat or fierce winds blowing stronger in this part of the desert.
Hidden somewhere in that hill was a terrifying being with an aura that made his knees wobble. Pressure tightened his organs, hair standing on end across his arms.
"Such incredible aura!" One of the S ranks from Glacier Talon remarked, placing a hand over his head. "Could this be the main boss of the entire dungeon?"
As much as everyone present wanted that to be the case—
"I doubt it," Devon shook his head grimly. "Given its aura is extraordinary, I can guarantee there's something out there even more domineering."
This might be his first S-rank dungeon raid. But he didn't spend days strategising and researching for nothing.
He studied reports on S-ranked dungeons. All the raids his grandfather participated in.
An S-ranked dungeon could easily lay waste to an entire team of S ranks. Best-case scenario, they close the dungeon while suffering significant losses.
So this operation?
Yeah, there was definitely an extra catch to it.
While Devon prepared himself, Viktor watched him from the corner of his eye. Pondering. 'He's good at hiding it, but he seems to be keen on ensuring this is a success.
'Poor Devon. After all this time, is he still trying so hard to get under his grandfather's good graces?'
SCREEEEEK!
A powerful roar shattered everyone's thoughts. It was unlike anything they've heard since they stepped into this dungeon, causing layers of the sturdy sand hill to crumble.
Gales carried debris and dust, circling around the group until most were forced to shield their faces. On top of all that, the ground shook beneath them, small fissures forming.
The roar sustained for several seconds, deafening and blood-curdling.
[That's definitely the swarm's leader.] Aura warned Ambrose. [Be alert, hon. This might be your deadliest encounter yet.]
Yeah... No shit!
Suddenly, the roar stopped.
A silence more nerve-wracking than it settled in the desert. Even the wind stopped, leaving the whole group standing like confused ducks.
None was more confused than Ambrose though. No amount of memories from the past could fortify his mind enough for all this madness.
Yet one thing and one thing only kept playing in his mind over and over:
He won't let himself die again!
BOOM!
Something exploded from the top of the hill, sending rocks and sand hurtling every which way. Slowly, a true titan emerged. Length nigh unending. Limbs numerous.
Even its black exoskeleton was so strong it reflected off sunlight like steel or something more powerful. Eight red eyes glowed down on the group—as if they were the real insects disturbing its house.
It was supposed to be a beast. Still—a flicker of disdain flashed past its eyes.
Devon pulled out his Hunter blade. "Everyone get ready!"
No one needed to be told what to expect next.
Within seconds, hundreds of centipedes poked their heads out of the holes on the hill. They all chittered, gazes fixed on the team.
For a heartbeat, both sides remained motionless. Too quiet.
Then—the first wave of centipedes bolted toward them like oversized trains out of their rail tracks. The queen herself didn't move an inch, watching her subjects rush down to fight for her.
For their home.
Viktor was the first to make a move, arms spread wide as a cold light gleamed in his eyes. Under the shadows of the looming beasts, an unnatural cold spread.
Jagged ice walls erupted faster than thought, tens of meters high and so wide that they covered the width of the entire hill. He kept his hands raised, fingers twitching as the centipedes began attacking the walls.
The other Espers moved, A-ranks granting support while the S-ranks darted like guided bullets. With a clench of his fists, Viktor not only made the walls crumble, but also turned them into gaseous frost.
Like a miasma, the frost covered the hill. Layer by layer. Ice coated the sand, seeping in until the holes themselves were frozen inside out.
Several centipedes got caught in the blizzard, weakened enough for the other S-ranks to land fatal attacks.
But that upper hand didn't last long.
SCREEEEEK!
Another cry from the queen not only obliterated the frost like it was nothing—it also seemed to boost the violent nature of the centipedes. They reacted like they were in a frenzy, diving down upon the group with zero restraints.
"Ah!"
"H–Help! It—"
Three A-rank Espers fell in a matter of seconds, torn to shreds or impaled like a kebab by the centipede's blade-like legs. Two were from Phoenix Flight that Ambrose recognised.
Gone.
Just like that.
Seeing the blood, entrails and almost unrecognisable remains raining upon the red sand around him made Devon freeze. His mouth was ajar, eyes widened with disbelief.
His ears rang, head lifting to meet the mocking gaze of the queen. Sitting above all of them on top of that sand hill.
Devon's fists curled hard, heat surging through his cells. They ignited until yellow flames covered every last inch of his body. "The Queen is our main target!"
Without giving any other words, fire burst underneath his feet, boosting him into the air. He blazed past many centipedes, heading straight for the Queen.
On the ground, lost in the midst of their now chaotic formation, Ambrose saw as the centipedes grew in numbers. They broke past defences, going for the weakest links among them.
Guides!
One of the centipedes had its eyes set on Ambrose, getting close within seconds, mandibles open in preparation.
[Danger imminent! Host life at risk.]
Fuck—