“Finally, after a month of walking from Gateway Town, we are at the foot of this cursed mountain”, Landon clapped triumphantly as he walked out of the forest of Daragang. His leather armor is tattered and his pants had a rip on its left leg. A bandaged wound can be seen on the rip with some blood stains on it.

“I really do not think this is worth it Landon!”, sneered Braxt as he limped towards Landon using crutches improvised from tree branches, a long sword dangling from the side of his waist. “There are only two of us left, when we started with fifty adventurers in this party, how can we survive the journey back?”

“Hehehe, relax my friend. Once we get the comet, and sell it to the merchants in the city… I- I mean we will be rich!!!” Landon grinned as he charted the surrounding area trying to get his bearings.

“I’m beginning to doubt that”, Braxt whispered, afraid to anger his companion.

“If my calculations are correct, the comet that fell last year should be to the east slope of the mountain.” Landon started walking to the direction he pointed, leaving his ailing friend behind.

“Hey! Wait for me! I don’t want to turn to Orc feed.” Braxt struggled to catch up, but still trailed behind due to his injured foot.

The two made their way up the mountain little by little, trying to find the path to the supposed crash site of the comet, a treasure many covet.

Sages of different kingdoms claimed that the comet possibly contained unique magical materials that can be forged into legendary items and weapons. Anybody who can get a hold of a piece of the comet, let alone the whole thing, will undoubtedly become rich.

Unfortunately, the comet crashed near Mt. Magayon, located in Timugan, a domain unexplored in the most part.

Still, many nobles started to organize expeditions to locate the comet. One of these was what the duo Landon and Braxt joined. The sole purpose of this was to try to find this comet that was said to have come from the stars.

“We might need another day or two before we reach the crash site”, Braxt sighed as he limped up the trail taken by Landon.

Night came and the duo decided to make camp. Landon taught it would be best to be safe than sorry. His life has more value to him than the prospect of gold. He could not spend his earnings if his dead. He travelled for a month; a few more days won’t make much of a difference.

The slopes and hidden cliffs of the mountain made it dangerous to travel in the dark. There were also rumors that even though Mt. Magayon was not as monster infested as the surrounding forest, its western side is still home to the giant fire ants. It was said that these monstrosities can swarm any party of unknowing adventurers and feast on their flesh. Fortunately, they are headed to the east.

While trying to rest, Braxt could not help but sigh yet again. “Why on earth I allowed him to drag me into this?” The farthest they ventured into this continent the last time they joined an excursion was only around twenty kilometers from Gateway Town.

The officials of the town clearly stated back then that the most successful expedition made in Timugan was only thirty kilometers from the town. But the details of that venture detailed that most of the adventurers who joined died, and those who returned alive had severe injuries.

“Well, at least we beat that record”, Braxt tried to encouraged himself. “Though we need to go back to declare this time as successful, at least in terms of distance covered”. In the past month of travelling, he was able to clearly understand why the success rate of exploring this continent was significantly low in contrast to the different islands scattered throughout the world. And if compared to the number of expeditions the nobles organize to covet the riches this land offers, the results are even more disappointing.

The continent of Timugan was infested with monsters. Different species, mutations and variants of these fiends make it near impossible to fully prepare against the dangers. And the only inhabitants of the continent that could be considered that has intellect on par with humans are the different wild Tribes of the Demi-Humans. Compared to the domesticated Demi-Human slaves, these wild counterparts are stronger and capable of overwhelming seasoned adventurers.

According to legends, these monster infestations happened because when the great continent Pangaea broke into the five continents known now, no deity settled in the southern part that drifted off. Without the blessing of a deity, monsters and Demi-Humans were unchecked leading to the increase of their population.

At the other side of the camp, Landon was lost in thought, “Heh, he is weighing me down… But… I do need another Orc feed to get back to Kentro”. He secretly planned in his mind as he took a secret glance at Braxt who was sitting across him. “According to the sage back at the mansion of that noble, a piece of this comet should be worth at least around five hundred gold coins, I could live comfortably for a few years with that. Hehehehe, I have use for this fool until then.”

Morning came, the two decided to continue to their destination. Braxt can now see the eastern part of the forest of Daragang. With a “sea of trees” extending as far as his eyes can see, Braxt could not help shiver as he recalled the peril he experienced while travelling through it. But it is too late to turn back now. He must continue and seek this treasure they came here to find. His efforts and the death of his comrades must not be in vain.

Landon went ahead for a few meters. His instincts were telling him that the comet is close by. He can start to imagine the smell of gold coins. It is the metallic aroma that can change the way of life for any man. More gold coins mean more wealth and with wealth he will have respect, prestige and privilege. And of course, women, wealth comes with women.

Landon started to let his mind wander and created a picture of what he will do with the women he can lure with his gold. And not just the cheap prostitutes in the red light districts. They once gave him the itch downstairs. He was thinking of the virgin peasant girls he can buy from their parents or maybe even a low rank noble who’s family is about to be bankrupt. Oh how it excite him.

Rustle, rustle, rustle

“Landon! What was that?!” Braxt yelled as he heard a sound that came from behind the boulders. “Stop! There is something that might be trying to ambush us!” He was worried that they might run into a monster they cannot handle. This will be just like the many encounters that cost them the other members of the expedition. All they could do then was flee. But with their current physical condition, they either fight to survive or die. Escaping is no longer an option.

Landon froze and surveyed his surroundings. “ACTIVATE EXTEND SENSE”, he initiated his skill to its maximum radius of twenty meters. The area of effect he was able to utilize this ability was testament to his experience and rank as an “A-” adventurer.

After a minute of trying to find anything that may come and harm them, Landon gradually reduced the radius of his skill until it was just five meters around him. He then sheathed his knives. “Braxt! You overly cautious fool! You are hearing things because of your nervousness!”, Landon scoffed at his companion. Still, he decided to keep activating the skill he is using just to be safe.

But Landon could not afford to include Braxt within its range; that will increase the mana drain for the skill. And he might need the mana he can save from this once real danger comes.

Braxt was still anxious. His instinct was telling him that danger was close by. He just can’t say where will it come from or what it will present. He decided to continue following Landon though, sticking together will make their chances of survival significantly higher than trying to venture back alone.

Suddenly, Landon stopped. “Braxt, come closer slowly”, Landon said in a low voice, almost whispering.

“What is it?” Braxt replied, readying his long sword as he limped towards Landon. After a few meters, he saw why his companion stopped.

A giant fire ant! It was as around one and a half meter long, its height is as tall as a ten year old child.

“It must be a scout”, Braxt whispered to Landon. “And it must be looking for a source of food its colony can scrounge”.

“Then we must kill it”, Landon firmly decided. “If we allow it to notice us then it will run away and inform its colony of our presence.” He calculated that they can take on a single giant fire ant scout, but they have no chance if the entire colony attacked them.

“I will circle around, you attack head on, wait for my signal”, Landon gave his instructions, assuming leadership base on the fact he has a higher rank as an adventurer.

Braxt hesitated; he was in no condition to fight toe to toe against the monster. “Tsk, this guy is using me as bait.” But the strategy was sound. Between the two of them, he was more suited for a direct assault being the swordsman. Landon, a rogue, specialized in knives and does better in flanking attacks.

“Very well, just make sure you kill it fast after you flank it”, Braxt finaly agreed to the plan as he tighten his grip on his long sword.

After Landon disappeared behind a nearby boulder, Braxt inched his way towards the monster. Luckily, the giant fire ant did not notice him yet. When he was a round six meters away from his target he decided to start buffing himself.

“Activate Enhanced Agility, Activate Enhanced Defense”, Braxt activated his skills as he prepared to launch an attack. When he was ready… “Attack Skill Fast Thrust”, he lunged to the monster and caught it off-guard.

Braxt’s was able to stab his long sword to the side of the monster. The monster shrieked in pain but it did not fall down. Braxt retracted his weapon and readied his stance. He can see rage in the monster’s eyes. Then, in an instant, the giant fire ant leaped towards him.

Braxt tried to evade the attack, but his injured foot hindered his movements. He was unable to step to the side to fully avoid contact. The ant brought him down to the ground. He used his sword as a shield to hold back the pincers of the monster as it tried to chew his head off. He started to feel his strength leaving him when the ant stopped struggling. Then, the monster fell down on top of Braxt.

The weight of the monster was crushing Braxt. He needed to use his full strength to shove the corpse to the side. When he did, he saw a knife was pierced on the monsters nape. He struggled to get up. Braxt wanted to complain to Landon why he waited long before attacking.

When Braxt was about to make his anger known to his companion, he saw Landon’s eyes filled with horror as he stared at the path they came from.

Braxt turned and blood drained from his face. The surface of the ground was starting to break from different locations. Giant fire ants were starting to emerge from the newly dug holes.

“Landon! Run!” Braxt’s shout pulled Landon back to his senses, he turned and started running.

Braxt struggled to follow. He used all his will to block off the pain he was feeling from his foot. But Landon was now nowhere in sight. Braxt’s heart sunk when he realized he was left behind. His purpose for his friend was to become Orc feed. No, it was ant feed this time.

Still, Braxt continued to run, trying to escape the pursuit of the colony of monsters behind him. He did not have time to decide to look for the safest path nor the easiest trail to follow. All he did was to take the route he first saw right in front of him. He was not minding what may be ahead.

And then, he fell. Braxt unknowingly stepped on an inclined slope. He rolled to the bottom as if he was a rock. He struggled to get up once again. His body was beaten due to the fall. His injured foot was worst. And new injuries now caused him more pain.

Braxt tried to look back from where he fell and ants are starting to make their way down to where he is. He looked around trying to find a way to escape his faith. And then he realized, he was inside a crater.

The crater was around fifty meters in diameter and around thirty meters deep. It looked as if whatever crashed in it slowed down before impact. Still, the damage in the surrounding area proved of how much force was behind the crash. There was nearly no boulder left not pulverized. At the center, a crimson crystal with a size of around two meters in height and around a meter in width.

Braxt had no choice but to approach the crystal, it is the only safe path he can take. He is no longer thinking of taking it, let alone selling it. He knew that even if he wanted to, he cannot even lift it. The best he can use it for was as a platform. It will become his high ground where he will be making his last stand.

As Braxt approach the crystal, though the crimson color of the crystal made its interior cloudy, he can clearly recognize that there is something encapsulated inside. That does not mater though. The ants were closing in.

Using whatever strength he had left, Braxt climbed on top of the crystal. His footing was stable at least, but there is not much room to maneuver. He was thinking that he can take down five ants at most.

When Braxt readied his stance, some of the ants caught his attention. They were carrying human body parts. Each part was still fresh; clearly they were just torn from whoever owned them just moments ago. Blood spurt from the torso and the amputated limbs. And human guts were spilling from the stomach. Then he saw the head.

It was Landon’s.

The eyes of the decapitated head that used to belong to his former colleague were a mirror filled with dread and pain. It looked as if he saw how each part of his body was torn away from him and then claimed as trophy by the ants. It was an end nobody wanted for themselves.

Braxt gritted his teeth. He gathered his resolve. He knew this was his last moments.

Crack!

The crystal Braxt was standing on started to crumble. He fell down to the ground yet again but his pain was nullified due to the scene he was witnessing at the moment.

Crimson light started to shine from within the crystal as the crack spread through its exterior. And then it shattered.

Braxt curled up to protect himself from the shards of crystal pieces flying around. Using his remaining mana, he covered his entire body with a thin film of protective layer to at least lessen the damage the crystal shards may inflict. Some of those pieces stabbed his harms as he covered his face.

Other pieces flew further and pierced though the nearing ants, immediately killing them. This made the other ants to stop approaching in fear of death.

When Braxt felt there were no more crystal shards flying, he slowly lowered his arms from covering his face. Then he saw the back of a naked man standing in front of him.

The man’s built was firm, not muscular but also not thin. He looked as if he was a little bit shorter than Braxt. He had crimson colored hair with length that reached almost at the man’s shoulders.

Braxt stared at the man curiously, forgetting the imminent danger of the ants. Surprisingly, the monsters seemed to have the same amount of curiosity. That atmosphere painted a picture of both awe and shock.

The man turned and looked at Braxt…

The voice of the man reverberated to the surroundings. This snapped the ants back to reality as they started to begin their approach once more, ready to attack.

Noticing this, that man lifted his left arm with his palm open to the sky.

A wave made of fire spread from the man’s open palm. The flame engulfed every ant present in the vicinity. In a matter of seconds, all monsters were turned to cinders.

“Huh? What happened?” a different tone of voice came out from the man’s mouth. “Yo buddy?! Are you alright?” the man said to Braxt.

Braxt surveyed his area while still slumped on the ground. All the monsters were dead. The released tension lowered his adrenaline. And his consciousness began to fade.

“Hey buddy! Don’t die on me, I need you to expla-…” Braxt could no longer hear the next words from the man. His eyes closed and he felt his body collapsed to the ground.

Everything went dark.