{Crete POV}

The familiar cacophony of squeals and plopping sounds stopped the repetition of my clacking mandibles as I was practicing my skills in another corner of the feeding chamber. I watched as a new set of grubs were dropped into the room and with them, my insatiable hunger woke up once more.

Rallying the nymphs on guard and waking up the ones asleep, I set out with them once more to farm experience, in order to experience this first change.

The grubs were pleasant creatures to farm, once you understood how to bypass their pile tactic, they were easy pickings, especially for the now stronger nymphs, and as I observed clumps of creatures fall from the ceiling I reviewed my increase and growth from my training.

*DING*

has leveled up! (Lvl 2 > Lvl 3)

*DING*

has leveled up! (Lvl 2 > Lvl 3)

*DING*

has leveled up! (Lvl 3 > Lvl 4)

*DING*

has leveled up! (Lvl 3 > Lvl 4)

*Status*

Name: Crete

Species: Cleial Isopteran (Nymph)

Gender: Male

Level: 4

Health Points: 40/40

Stamina Points: 85/85

Mana Points: 0/0

Spirit Energy: 12/12

Strength: 6

Endurance: 6

Agility: 6

Vitality: 6

Intelligence: 11

Luck: 4

Spirit: 6

Perception: 7

Will: 11

Undistributed Stat Points: 0

Experience Points: 29/80

Skills:

(Active)

Desperate Chomp- Lvl 1

Masticate- Lvl 2 > 3

Inspect- Lvl 2

Sprint- Lvl 2 > 3

Sneak- Lvl 2

(Passive)

Strong Body- Lvl 3 > 4

Pheromone Language- Lvl 3 > 4

Compound Eyes- Lvl 2

Hyper Metabolism- Lvl 4

Titles: N/A

Achievements:

First of the clutch (15 % faster experience gain)

Leader of the clutch (5% faster experience gain) Limit: 0/7

I meditated upon the skills I was unable to level up. I was flat out unable to activate and I had a feeling that certain conditions were necessary for some skills. For example, no matter how much I tried to use or on the nymphs I was unable to gain a level in the skill. I wasn’t able to level or by practicing either, only , which I figured had something to do with physical exercise.

Ignoring those restrictions, I met up with my duo partner, Amore, and the other nymphs calmy advising, “There are more grubs this time, so just try and make sure everyone levels up equally”. The

skill was super useful, as I realized I was able to talk in proper sentences now that it reached a high enough level, and the nymphs were able to understand and respond, albeit in simpler sentences.

Closing in on our sweet sweet experience, it was apparent they were still sticking to the pile tactic, except instead of one large pile, this time there were three smaller piles surrounding a larger pile. Slightly wary of this abnormal arrangement I ordered the other nymphs to stay back while I investigate.

Slowly approaching one of the outer piles I snuck up on one of the outermost grubs and using the experience I had picking them off, I rapidly skewered it and backed away to observe the pile's reaction. According to my experience, the pile would usually squeal and move about in a disorderly fashion before reorganizing and making their defenses tighter.

This time, however, besides the familiar squeals and moving about they didn’t bother to tighten their defenses. I was very suspicious of this so I didn’t allow the other nymphs close and continued picking off grubs until something happened.

To my surprise, however, even after picking off half of the grubs nothing happened. So deciding maybe I was just paranoid, as the grubs probably didn’t have enough intelligence to set up a trap, I allowed the other nymphs to continue hunting.

It was only when we finished harvesting the outer piles that I realized something was definitely off. It seemed as if the outer piles were a distraction when I considered it… as if they were just meant to stall for time…

“Everybody go-”, in the middle of my hurried order, the main pile shook and all the grubs squealed with something I didn’t know they were capable of portraying… emotion, and not just any feeling, it was an unadulterated joy...

The pile separated and the grubs rolled away to reveal what confirmed my suspicions, they were stalling for time. The creature that was revealed was what I could only describe as sturdy. Though larger than us, it was slightly below the overall size of grubby.

“-back!!” at the end of my panicked command the creature dashed from the pile and made a beeline to me. “Form up, Dynamis in front, Meneo, and Amore take up the sides and Vito cover the rear” I barked out quickly sidestepping to get out of its way and using to get an idea of what we were dealing with, and boy oh boy were we dealing with something.

*Status*

Name: N/A

Species: Cleial Scarabaeidae (Young Beetle)

Gender: Male

Level: 0

Health Points: 150/150

Endurance: N/A

Strength: N/A

Vitality: N/A

Agility: N/A

Intelligence: N/A

Looking at its total amount of health points I was gobsmacked. Though I admit it did look quite tanky with its shiny carapace that covered almost all parts of its body, except its legs. However, if you thought that maybe that was a weak point you would be sorely mistaken.

Although the joints looked viable, its legs were equipped with sharp edges made of the same material as its carapace. Even the head of it appeared tanky as the carapace extended past its midpoint and covered it with only two small openings, which I assumed was for its eyes.

Calmly assessing the danger, I realized this threat was one that could result in casualties at the slightest slip-up. While I was assessing it, however, it also appeared to assess the danger we presented, looking over me and then the group of now fully formed up nymphs it decided I was the easier target to remove as I was alone.

Lowering its head, it hurtled its massive body towards me. Time appeared to slow down and my eyes focused as I watched it charge in an attempt to steamroll me, I quickly tried to devise the best course of action I could take.

Realizing it was best to take a more active role in this battle, I felt the familiar tension in my legs and not even one second after it began its reckless charge, I returned the sentiment. I found myself barreling towards the beetle but I wasn’t stupid enough to meet it head-on in a battle of brute strength.

So, with the help of my nimble limbs, I quickly side-stepped once more but while it barreled past me I used the force of my charge and using I snapped at the joints of its back legs and felt my mandibles contract and meet a tough substance, that it almost wasn’t able to cut through.

Feeling one of its back legs was being removed, the beetle snapped around with unbelievable flexibility and knicked my abdomen with its forelegs. Both now injured and blood leaking, we created some distance between the other and sized up our opponent. I concluded that although it was still able to charge, based on the stability I observed it show, it would no longer be capable of rapid turns or twists anymore.

Reevaluating the danger I presented, I saw the beetle’s eyes wander behind it to the formation of nymphs as its eyes compared the two threats. Deciding it was better trying to get rid of the nymphs first I watched it quickly turn around and rapidly dart towards them.

Not staying idle while I saw it turning, I found myself sprinting behind it shouting out to my clutch mates, “Avoid a direct charge!! Sidestep and try to injure its joints!!” Unaware of my instructions the beetle continued its charge.

{Vito POV}

-“Avoid a direct charge!! Sidestep and try to injure its joints!!” the first, Crete, barked out while zooming behind the creature. Refocusing on the immediate danger I saw the heavily armored creature quickly closing in on our formation.

I saw everyone prepare and their legs tense in preparation to follow the first’s order. Well almost everyone, as I noticed one of the triplets, Aretha, stumble while trying to position herself. In that split-second, I saw Aretha begin to fall down, while Dynamis already moved to dodge and the creature’s eyes glancing at all of us before focusing on her.

OH SH**, I mentally exclaimed, my legs already in motion while I bolted to save my younger sister, the creature closing in with every step I took. My eyes, multi-tasking between observing my sister and the visible panic she exuded, as well as the beetle rapidly closing in on her, I determined that even if I made it on time to save her I wouldn’t escape unscathed.

While my mind was working on overtime trying to minimize the damage I would take, Dynamis clamped down on the other back leg of the beetle before cutting it off. Amore didn’t fully take off one of the sides but Meneo succeeded with the help of the other two triplets in taking off the other side leg.

Shortly after that I finally made it to Aretha and mustering all the strength I could and simultaneously being as gentle as possible, I picked her up in my mandibles and flung her to the side.

The beetle, moments away from impact quickly moved its focus to me, I positioned myself so my abdomen would take the brunt of the force… and with a loud CRUNCH I felt the world turn upside down, my body shuttling about 5 meters away and darkness enveloping my vision.