“Commander, requesting to smack my shield on their sorry asses.”

“Shut up, Darrow. You don't even know where their asses are.”

Chuckles emanate from the Gejan, but my training stays firm as they continue to stay attentive and ready to react.

Something’s wrong. Something’s very wrong.

The six monsters I had sensed but a moment ago had arisen from the underground a good half a mile away from my group. They had blasted out of the sand at the same time, like they were communicating with each other. They, unlike all others that I had seen, aren't completely white in exoskeleton. These monsters have seemingly painted green stripes on their bodies.

What's more, they aren't attacking recklessly like every single other group. Instead, it looks as though they’re analysing.. possibly even scouting.

[Advanced Analyse].

Arazine- [Myrmeke] Lvl 110

Arazine are high speed burrowers that hunt and kill weakened or lone targets. They will normally hunt in groups of at least twenty and kill larger single targets. Thanks to their smaller size and aerodynamic physical structure, Arazine can travel up to eighty miles per hour underground and are able to surprise targets from underground.

Shit, even the description isn't making sense. Those things aren't normal. They’re too intelligent.

The six Arazine should actually be twenty and they would attack from underground.

“Commander..”

“Stay frosty. Something isn’t right.”

“What’s a frosty?”

Before I can yell at Darrow, the six monsters quickly dig underground and accelerate towards the city.

I frown and raise my hand and create a fist. Once the monsters are more than five miles away, I create a hand and move it downward.

The Gejan immediately relax and begin putting away their weapons.

“That wasn't normal,” Thorous says.

I nod, “Indeed. They were intelligent.. and they’re heading towards the city.”

“No!” Zorren exclaims, his head swerving. He frowns and makes a fist, “I’ll go on ahead.”

He takes a step.

“Zorren, stay together.”

“My daughter-”

“Zorren, don't make the same mistake you made before. Stay with your team. Don't endanger others for your selfish goals.”

He stops for a moment and then growls towards me.

“Fine! But if anything happens to my daughter, I will rip you apart!”

From the side of my vision, I notice all the Gejan slowly grab for their weapons. Each is ready to defend me if he attempts to attack.

Before, I would have backed down and maybe even pleaded so that a confrontation wouldn’t happen. But now, I have the preparation and levels to confront him.

“Absolutely, as long as you mean that in the literal sense and not the sexual kind.”

“We move now!” he growls and begins heading towards the city.

I smile at his back before calling up my aura. “Back to formation. Double time to the city!”

The Gejan quickly relax and take up formation behind the [Captains]. We begin marching once again.

“[Summon Instrument].”

My mana is depleted and a trumpet materializes in my hand. Gotta change it up. I don't want people to get bored.

Without hesitation, I start up a marching song but with a faster beat so as to match Zorren’s faster movement.

_______________________________________

Aldonis and his group finally make it towards the stone structure that supports the city. The Myrmeke that has been dragging the two corpses diverts from the group and begins dragging the corpse under the sand and into a cave system built into the rock formation.

“Aldonis, something doesn't look right.” one of the Gejan exclaims as he points up towards the city and the increased amount of guards on duty. There are even many upper level Myrmeke located on the walls to seemingly bolster the forces.

“Yea, something doesn't look good. It might be a big attack. Let's get up there and see what we can do.”

The team starts running up the slope and quickly finds themselves at the entrance.

“What's happening?” Aldonis asks towards the top of the wall.

To his question, a female Gejan leans over. Once she notices who it is, she jumps off the twenty meter high wall and lands easily on the ground.

“Perfect timing Aldonis. We may have a problem. The [Queen] is saying a group of thirty two monsters are heading directly towards our location.. and they are coming alongside over two hundred Gejan.”

Aldonis shifts his tail, “Arecia, are you serious? When did we lose two hundred Gejan?”

Arecia shakes her head. “No. None of the Gejan are Myrmeke. They’re all normal and the [Queen] says they are coming directly from the direction of the fifth floor. I think Anathema actually sent us some help.”

“How did they get past the undead?” Orlan asks.

Arecia shrugs, “Maybe the Kitsune helped. We could always ask when they get here.”

“No. Me and Orlan will go meet them alone first. Both of us have very powerful movement abilities to escape if we need to.”

Arecia nods, “Alright. We’ll wait here.. and..” Arecia’s tail lands on Aldonis's tail. “Be careful.”

Aldonis wraps his own tail around Arecia’s. They share an affectionate look before moving away.

“We’ll be back. Let's go Orlan.”

“[Flickering Footsteps].”

“[Lancer’s Charge].”

Aldonis’s body flickers as he runs, constantly leaving afterimages.

Orlan jumps forward with his lance-type weapon pointed. The shear strength of his jump slightly cleaves the stone at his feet as he rockets forward at an incredible speed.

__________________________________________

The two Gejan start to slow as they get closer and have a clearer view of the incoming horde. They position themselves so as to be laying on the top of a sand hill with barely their heads being visible.

“Orlan, it looks like Zorren actually brought help. I can see him at the front.. but everything I see here looks very wrong. Also, that.. whatever he is. I think he knows we’re here. He's waving at us. It's the one without scales.”

Orlan nods, “Yes. That would explain why a large group was able to traverse the sands. Clearly that one has some form of ability to perceive us.”

“Those Myrmeke behind them look dead. Very dead actually. I think I see one with half its brain leaking out. I think those are undead.”

“Maybe he has a class that can create undead? That would be rather useful.”

“And dangerous.” Aldonis adds.

“Oy, you two on the hill.”

“Is he talking to us?” asks Aldonis.

“I know you’re there.”

“I believe so,” replies Orlan.

“Stop fucking the sand and get over here.”

“Well, so much for proper scouting,” exclaims Orlan as he stands up. Aldonis sighs disappointingly and then stands up a moment after. They quickly activate their skills and rocket towards the group.

___________________________________________

The two Gejan arrive at the forefront of the marching group. The red one seems to leave afterimages by his movement. Thankfully, my excessive perception allows me to keep track rather easily.

The other one is far more straightforward. He just jumps really fast, really far, and lands like he weighs several thousand pounds.

I take a moment and activate my [Advanced Analyse] on both of them.

Aldonis

Level 227 [Flickering Blademaster]

Aldonis is currently the highest level Gejan in existence. His ability with bladed weapons is currently unrivaled for his species.

Strength

62

Dexterity

211

Stamina

111

Perception

137

Endurance

38

Vitality

378

Mana

80

M/regen

0.5

Affinity

1

Intelligence

93

Willpower

361

Soul

201

Bloodline: Illusionary Scales.

Orlan

Level 208 [Dragoon Archlancer]

Orlan is an elder of the Gejan race. Though his scales have grown gray years ago, they have just now started to recover their former blue color thanks to his very high class levels that have drastically increased his initial lifespan. Orlan is a Lance user that specializes in high speed jumping impact attacks.

Strength

132

Dexterity

115

Stamina

107

Perception

86

Endurance

66

Vitality

360

Mana

105

M/regen

0.3

Affinity

0

Intelligence

104

Willpower

402

Soul

330

Over two hundred. Why the fuck are they over two hundred? Those physical stats are so stupid high. I still think we could take them out, but holy crap that Aldonis fellow has some insane dexterity. It's almost two hundred in that stat.

Gazing at them a bit longer, it quickly occurs to me that the absurdly long sword on Aldonis’s hip and the thick spear that the one named Orlan is carrying are of actually impressive quality and are clearly made from a monster's claw and from a monster's tail. Thankfully, they aren't enchanted. But still, it means that the Gejan in the city have some very impressive crafters.

As they walk towards us, I show a hand signal and order the Gejan behind me to stop and listen but be ready for anything.

“Jessica, I’m going on ahead. If it becomes a fight, ask Mule to engage the gray one. Summon your angel too.”

Without waiting for a reply, I begin walking towards the two Gejan with Joker trailing behind me. I had been able to recover the full usage of one of his arms but Joker is only left with one arm. Granted, Joker is still extremely dangerous and can instantly kill anyone if an opportunity arises.

As I am walking towards the two waiting Gejan, Zorren joins me and we meet with the other two at about ten feet apart.

“Zorren, it's been awhile old friend,” the one named Orlan exclaims with a frown.

“Orlan,” Zorren says unemotionally.

Aldonis crosses his arms, ”So, Zorren, it seems you brought some help. I only wonder how much of the initial group was actually sent.”

“Shut it Aldonis,” Zorren practically growls in response.

Aldonis and Orlan seem to shift in their stances, practically ready to start a fight.

These idiots..[Loud Voice]

“IDIOTS!”

My yell causes all three of the Gejan to recoil and immediately grab their weapons.

I cross my arms.

“If this is some alpha Gejan dick measuring contest, then do it later. My army is exhausted and low on supplies. We’re heading towards the city to recover. So move out of my way or I will fucking make you.”

The two Gejan blink in surprise towards me. Their eyes glance towards Joker and then back to me. After a moment. Aldonis snorts.

“You’re no threat.”

I raise my hand towards Aldonis and Orlan. I call up over four thousand mana. Approximately 95% of my entire mana pool.

“[Corrosive Fog].”

Their eyes widen and they immediately jump several dozen meters to the right and left.

I don’t allow my hand to move and follow their movements. Possibly killing them would be anathema to my future plans.

Without a moment to spare, a massive concentrated blast of purple energy is expelled from my hand in such force that both Zorren and Joker are blown away. It takes a great deal of effort to keep myself from looking surprised. Even more so once the smoke settles and the literal 100 meter wide crater in front of me.

Congratulations.

You have learned the new skill [Corrosive Annihilation]

Skill [Corrosive Fog] has been consumed by higher tier skill [Corrosive Annihilation]

[Corrosive Annihilation] - (Very Rare)

Create and control a highly deadly and corrosive amount of dark mana that can create explosions upon the impact of any substance.

Mana cost: Very High

Shit. I think four thousand mana was wayyyy too fucking much. I think my skill may have actually corroded the atomic structure of sand and caused a small nuclear explosion. That’s both fucking awesome and obscenely scary.

Donning on a bored look, I turn and look at Aldonis while suppressing the dizzying effect of having low mana.

“Tell me, Aldonis, am I still not a threat?”

Aldonis looks at me, his eyes are wide, both hands are on his sword and fear is completely prevalent on his face. All semblance of calm had been drained in but a small moment.

You know, if they have a skill that lets them see my current amount of mana, I think I’d be pretty fucked right now.

“Daddy?”

My eyes turn behind me and I immediately find Thorous away from the army and heading directly towards Aldonis.

“Is that you?” she says as she begins to speed up.

Looking at Aldonis, recognition forms on his face.

“Thorous?”

Ohhhh, thank fucking god I let him dodge...