I’m Shu Shikure. 17 years old Male. Amane-chan and I love playing games.

…

Frustrated, I was caught in sudden unfavorable situation. Cursed by the equipment, monster are attracted to me and I have only 1 remaining HP. How am I supposed to get through this?

Fighting them while keeping my HP high? I would need to focus on healing spell more, but that would decrease the possible damage I could deal using magic spell. And If I missed timing just one time, I would die. That the current situation I’m in now. I can’t possibly fight them one by one, let alone one on one.

Monster are attracted to me. If I failed to defeat one of them in a fixed time, they would join up and ganged up on me. It wouldn’t be funny if something jumped on me from behind while I was fighting.

And I’m alone. If I have more teammates or just one, I would have a slim chance to get out of this. Can I outrun them until the cursed duration run out? Even if I did run away, monsters would just piled up. And even if I’m in full health, I wouldn’t be able to defeat all of them.

Looking at the sword in my hand, I frowned thinking if I could be able to get through this. However, running simulation in my head, I wouldn’t be able to get through with mere weapon alone. No – even if I were in full gear, there’s really a slim chance.

Damn! I underestimated the cursed ring. I didn’t think it would put me in such situation. Well, it had to be expected. I’m in a hunting ground filled with level 60 -80 monsters, so the difficulty was to be expected. Why did I overlook this?!

*Phew*

Ok, calm down. I can’t be hasty with decision. There must be a solution to this, I need to calm down. Focusing my energy, I used ‘Ice Presence Search’ and a mini-map appeared. I concentrated on the map where 3 blue dots are coming toward me. There’re blue dots scattered everywhere in the mini-map and they are quite far from me. I run simulation in my head where I decided to go in a direction other dots followed me. I calculated the path so that there’s less blue dots following me, and the length that I have to run is till the cursed duration over.

However, it was fruitless. No matter path I take, at least 10 or 12 dots are guarantee to follow me, and I would meet demise. It was not a good plan, and I risked being ambushed as well.

Is there any way that I wouldn’t be ambushed or attack from behind? Hmm, there is – if I gathered all of them, then I wouldn’t be ambushed with surprise attack. However, that would meet I’m digging my own grave.

NO~! It’s too fast to jump in conclusion! Don’t falter yet! The battle had yet to start, Onii-chan still has a chance. Certainly, if I gather all of them, then I wouldn’t be worried about being ambushed, but how am I supposed to deal with over 100 Antlion?

Well, at the time like this, I could just make a trap or a wall to surround them. Cutting off their wings, so they wouldn’t fly away. And I only need to deal with them using magic spells. The plan is good, but it’s not realistic. Those Antlion cut ice boulder like paper, so the wall wouldn’t hold them for long.

In situation like this, if there’s at least one helping hand, then I –

Suddenly a thought came to me when I was looking at the red dot on the mini-map.

“I found my helping hand.”

As I remembered the tri-horned Jade antlion was eating an Elder Antlion when I encounter it. Wouldn’t that mean they are enemy? And if it is, then my problem would be solved easily. Not to mention, the experience point and drop item!

Ufufufufufu~ Let’s do something dangerous. I’ve decided. I’m going to loot all the items!

And so, I began my plan with extreme caution so that I wouldn’t make even one mistake. Using the cursed which attracted monster as an advantage, I easily gathered them. I also collected item from the kills I made before along the way as well.

Ufufufufufu~ who say that curse is a bad thing? Onii-chan don’t think so, curse is a blessing in disguise. Taking off the disguise, then you’ll have blessing!! Wouldn’t it be great??!! It’s like free blessing!!! Muhahaahah!

After roughly 1 hours or so, I finished laying the pieces and all the antlion are trapped in the wall I created. Basically, all the dots in the mini-maps have been gathered in a single place. After the Black Weakening Poison is gone, the Antlions are confused as if they just woke up from sleep. I guessed that the poison didn’t just lure the monster, it drives them into a berserk state or some sort.

“Snow ball”

100 or so snow balls appeared and rained down on them. It didn’t deal much damage, but I did it to raise the agro of the monster.

*Roar*

Oh, they just noticed me. Oh yeah, I forgot that they have a bad eyes sight. I’m 40 meter high from them, so they wouldn’t be able to sense me?

*Roar*!!

The Jade Antlion roared the loudest and I leapt to my left immediately. I remembered I suffer 300 HP from the roar alone. You think that work?! Onii-chan won’t fall for the same trick again.

“HAHAHAHA~ Stupid Mantis!! You missed me, you crap brain!”

I smirk and laughed aloud.

*Roar*!!

The jade Antlion roar again and it seemed agitated. I walked 2 steps to my left to avoid the shockwave. Hohohoho~ my provoking works.

With the second roar of the Jade Antlion, the surrounding Antlion noticed its presence and backed away. The Jade Antlion trampled several Fodder Antlion in its path almost killing them completely.

Sensing the chance, I used Ice arrows and finished off those fodder Antlions.

You killed 6 Fodder Frost Antlion. 6 X 2 000 Exp received.

Hohohoh~ Free Experience point!

*Roar*

Fueled by the death of its friends, the surrounding Antlion roared and charged to the Jade Antlion with rage. The Jade Antlion annoyed by the surrounding Antlion, it started killing them effortlessly.

You killed 2 Greater Frost Antlion. 2 X 15 000 Exp received.

Why? I didn’t even finish them off. Why did I received the experience point? Maybe it follow that system, as long as I landed a hit on a monster, even if it died by someone else, I still get the experience point? Well, I did use snow ball on them before.

I continued receiving Experience whenever the Jade Antlion made its kill. Despite putting effort, other Antlion only manage to scratch 10% of the Jade Antlion HP so far while 10 of them died already.

That was only the first charge. Let’s imagine the rate of the Jade Antlion kills stay the same 10. 100 of normal Antlions was able to cut down 10% since now they have 90 left. Next charge will cost 9% while 10 of them died off. Going by that rate, all Antlions would only manage to scratch away 55% of Jade Antlion HP in 10 charge. That didn’t include the recovery rate of the Jade Antlion yet.

100 of Antlions joined hand and yet it couldn’t do anything to that monster – what a fearsome monster. That also mean that I have to finish that monster off on my own when it has about half of its HP. Just thinking, I will facing something that has level over 150 in difference, I can feel chill to my spine.

*Roar*

The second charged started, and the 90 Antlions charged in. The Jade Antlion swung its front legs strongly knocking away the front line of the Antlion. The High Antlion shot off range ice lance toward the Jade Antlion, and the Elder used it breath attack.

All has no effect. The Jade Antlion withstood the breath attack and guarded the ice lance perfectly. Though, its HP decrease, it was insignificance amount. The jade Antlion rushed in and stabbed a Fodder Antlion to its death.

And then it continued to tackle with a Greater Antlion, but it didn’t last long. The blue carapace was pierced easily, yet the jade carapace deflected most attack.

Looking at the sight, I feel that my body is restless as if I wanted to join the battle. Am I a hot blood guy who seek pleasure in fighting? No! Then why? Why am I getting irritated? This feeling, is it –

Guilt?

Watching those Antlion getting killed, I somehow feel bad. Why? Because I lead them to their death. This is no different than bullying! I feel like I’m the bad guy here. This is bad, Amane-chan always hate bully, and now I’m one of them. Holy Shit!! WHAT AM I DOING?!

However isn’t it quite weird? Why do I have to feel this way to monsters that didn’t even leave anything behind when it died?

‘~Onii-chan. Promise me that you will never change, ok?!~’

Suddenly, Amane-chan’s voice calmed me down. I suddenly remembered the promise we made, and that made me smile. Arh~ I love my sister!!! As I thought, Amane-chan is too sweet!

*Roar*

Suddenly, the situation started turning worse. The Jade Antlion started to gather energy and jumped. It’s going to release spike attack. At this rate, all of them will die.

“Ice Pillar”

An ice pillar protruded out and hit the Jade Antlion’s groin in mid-air. And the energy it gathered burst out when I interfere with its attack.

“Light Heal. Rejuvenate”

I started healing those Antlion whose HP is low. Why? Well –

“SHU RULE’s number 1 : Promises with my sisters must be upheld no matter what.”

I’m changing the plan!! Main target : Kill Jade Antlion and reduce the casualties of normal Antlion as much as possible!

Grabbing the ‘Little Iceberg’, I dropped myself from the top of the wall.

“Ice Wall”

An ice grew out of the wall about 20 meters above ground or so, creating a foot hold for me to land. Creating similar foothold along the wall, I started running toward along it to find a place closest to the battlefield.

*Roar*

The Jade Antlion angrily destroy the pillar I created. And then I leaped toward one of the fodder Antlions. I erected a wall, but it was too late. The fodder Antlion got crushed and died instantly.

“Ice Arrows!”

Numerous arrows fly and stuck the Jade Antlion. They bounced off and disperse without making any damages. It seems that my attack didn’t even work. However, it will work just fine as a distraction.

While it was bombarded with the arrow, I used 3 ice pillar to push it away. Even distracted by the arrow, it destroyed the 2 of them with its legs. When it got pushed away far enough, I created 300 arrows or so to distract it.

“Release 2 Mana Stone”

Two stones appeared my hand and I put them in pocket.

“Raise STR, Raise AGI, Raise DEF, Raise INT”

I used all the buff magic I know on to the remaining Antlions. It won’t matter much, but it will reduce the likeliness to die. I emptied my MP when I finished buffing all of them.

*Roar*

The Jade Antlion roared loudly and dispersed my remaining arrows in the mid-air. It gathered energy in its mouth and released green breath attack. Sensing the danger, I quickly crush and swallow a Mana Stone.

“Ice Wall!!!”

Ice Wall protruded out and protect other Antlion. The Wall started corroding when come in contact with the green mist. I don’t know how many will die from that attack.

The green mist still spread and it quickly passed over the wall. If I don’t disperse them somehow, many will die. But what should I do?!

Wait – what if I freeze the breath?!

I quickly gathered my energy –

*Thump*

Suddenly, the Jade Antlion jumped toward the wall. And then it used its sharp pointy legs to climb the wall.

SERIOUSLY!! It’s coming this way! It’s coming for me! What should I do? Should I intercept it? But what about the green mist? I can knocked it down, but then the green mist will kill other.

Damn, this bastard is pretty smart. It used the mist to block other from coming toward it and then use the chance to kill me. And since I’m protecting those Antlions, my position is even worse. If I jumped, then it’s one way ticket to become pudding in the green mist.

To test my determination right on, this bastard really underestimated me. Let’s me show you, what Onii-chan are made of.

“Sprint”

The muscles in my legs tighten, and then I jumped away from the foothold before that Jade Antlion destroyed it. I was falling toward the green mist.

“Mana Freeze!!!”

I can feel my mana is being drained fast and the green mist started to freeze. With the help of Ice mana manipulation, it was freezing fast, but the green mist spread too fast overlapping the freezing part and melt them again.

Darn it! My MP is running out, and the green mist stay the same. Damn it! I won’t reach for the Mana stone in time. What should I do?!! I need more mana! Is there any to bring out more mana??!!!

10% of the Pure Ancient Ice Mana had been absorbed by your core.

Effect : Full Mana Refill, Pure Ancient Ice Mana Enhancement

I can feel energy brimming inside me – DAMN, it’s not time to be amazed!

“Freeze Touch!”

I used the skill as quickly as I can before hitting the green mist. As I touched the green mist –

*Kiri* *Kiri* *Kiri* *Kiri* *Kiri* *Kiri* *Kiri* ….

All of the green mist froze up forming into bizarre sight. I lost my breath looking at the frozen mist that was sparkling beautifully.

*Ting*

You have gained new skills.

Passive Skill : Corrosion Resistance Skill Acquired

Your Poison Resistance skill has Leveled up.

Your Blood Antidote skill has Leveled up.

Your Ice Manipulation Skill has Leveled up.

Your Freeze Touch skill has Leveled up.

The message and intense pain in my hand brought me back to reality. I know that I was corrosive mist, but I didn’t expect my poison resistance to level up as well. When I check my HP, it was down to 2000. And so I broke into cold sweat. It was just a graze from the mist, and it took more than half of my HP –

*Thump*

*Shatter*

I dashed away quickly as the Jade Antlion landed and shattered all of those frozen mist. NO! It wasn’t the impact that destroyed the green mist. It was ice spike protruding from below.

As I realized the fact, I quickly jumped away. However, 15 Antlions nearby got caught in the spike and perished. I can see the blue dots disappearing from my Mini-map.

Damn!

“Ice Arrows!”

100 arrows appeared swirling fast and shot the Jade Antlion.

*Roar*

It screamed painfully as my arrows pierced the hard green jade-like carapace. How? I got the answer when I looked at the arrow I made. Unlike before, they were deep blue in color. So I guessed it was the effect of Pure Ancient Ice Mana Enhancement.

Without hesitation, I created more arrows to strike it. Blocking the arrows with its front legs and it dashed toward me at the same time. However, An Elder Antlions came ramming at the Jade Antlion’s flank knocking it away.

The Elder Antlion looked at me and then I took out my sword. There was no hostility in its eyes and as if it lost interest with me, it turned to the Jade Antlion. Walking ahead, other Antlion followed it. Looking from behind that Elder Antlion – wait, there’s 6 pairs of wings behind it!

I quickly use ‘Beast identify’.

NameKing Frost AntlionRaceKing InsectElement??????Level??????HP???????/???????MP???????/???????

It was a King Antlion!! First time seeing it!!! No information of the Level which make it in the 100 level or above. No wondered, other are following it-

*Roar*

*Roar*

The Jade Antlion roared angrily and glared at the King Antlion. And then the tri-horned on the Jade Antlion glowed in strange light. Seeing that it was staying still, the King Antlion ordered to attack it. The Jade Antlion remained still and crouched low enduring other’s attack.

Somehow I had a bad feeling about this. I never see a stance like that. And I don’t think it’s giving up so early. This bastard is too smart to perform a suicide attack. Overwhelmed by the eerie feeling, I healed myself and used all of the remaining Mana to make Ice Arrows. Those arrows filled up the sky giving deep blue shade below.

Even if they filled up the sky, I can only control 100 or so at a time. And so giving them order to attack, I took another Mana stone and when I was about to eat it –

*Chifu~*

Sonic wave sound similar to tearing space, and sheer strength of the shockwave, I was blown away real hard rolling and crushing to the wall.

*Cough*

I coughed blood and groan in pain as I can feel intense pain from all over my body. What’s going on? What happen to –

??!!

Suddenly, message about acquiring experience flooded my view. What’s going on?!

I looked at the mini-map and there’s only 10 or so blue dots left. Heh? Why? There should be more than 70 blue dots left, but how come they disappeared so suddenly?!

The Jade Antlion – the red dot, where is it?! I can’t see it. I tried to look for the red dot, but I couldn’t find it anywhere.

You killed a Greater Frost Antlion. 15 000 Exp received.

Then suddenly, a blue dot disappeared from the mini-map. And then I got a glimpse of a red dot replacing that blue dot. And then it disappeared again replacing another blue dot and I got the same message.

What’s going on?!! That red dots is moving really fast and it finished off other in great speed. This is bad. If I don’t do something, they all will die.

“Light Heal”

I healed myself, but it didn’t work. My HP didn’t increase. I check my status, and my MP is empty while my HP is 1.

DAMN! I ran out of the Health Stone and Mana Stone. That attack from the Jade Antlion threw me off balance, and I dropped the Mana Stone. Those are item drop which refill my HP or MP to the maximum that I collected so far.

Where is it?! I have to find it fast!!

You killed an Elder Frost Antlion. 35 600 Exp received.

That message popped up again. DARN IT!! I dragged my body and searching for the stone. Blue stone in the shape and size bigger than sugar cube in the mist of snow, I need to find that stone fast!

You killed an Elder Frost Antlion. 35 600 Exp received.

Damn!! I need to distract it!! I glanced over the numerous Arrows in the sky. I extend my hand toward it.

FALL!! FALL!! Just once, FALL!! Surround the Antlion and protect them!!! Answered my call!!!

You completed the minimum requirement conditions. Your Pure Ancient Ice Mana manipulation has Ranked up.

And then, all of those arrows reacted to my command. They flew and surrounded the remaining Antlion to protect them. The Jade Antlion stopped before the swirling arrows that protect the Antlion. It didn’t dare to approach the Antlion at all.

That would buy me times, I need to search it fast –

***********************>*************************

You have been locked on by ‘Tri-horned Surge’. Impossible to evade.

*****************************************************************

Before I could react, a shadow gloomed over me. The red dot is exactly in my location as shown in mini-map. I quickly grabbed ‘Little Iceberg’ from my waist and draw it out. I glanced up, and saw the front legs of the Jade Antlion swung down. DAMN! I won’t make it in time!

*Pierce*

Blood spilled on my face and my body. And I opened my eyes wide in surprise. Why? King Antlion is currently in front of me taking the death blow from the Jade Antlion. Ice Arrows is stuck on the King Antlion’s body as it ran through my protection.

*Sneer*!!!

*Roar*!!!

The jade sneered angrily, and the King Antlion roared out loudly swing its front claw.

*Hiss*!

The Jade Antlion hissed and cut off King Antlion’s front legs immediately. However, King Antlion didn’t fall and roared proudly.

*Roar*!!

*Roar*!!

Other Antlions roared and charged toward the Jade Antlion despite the Ice Arrows swirling fast. They sliced the Jade Antlion with their attack, but they were countered back immediately.

They sacrificed themselves just to decrease the Jade Antlion’s HP even for a little. While countering left and right, King Antlion moved in again. He rammed the Jade Antlion knocking it off balance, and then use it remaining front leg to slice off Jade Antlion’s front leg.

The Jade Antlion regained its composure and pierced King Antlion with its last front leg.

KINNNNGGG!!!!!!

I draw my sword and dashed forward. Drippling in my blood, and soaked in King Antlion’s blood, ‘Little Iceberg’ shone in blue light and absorbed those blood.

Requirement had been completed, you have successfully bound ‘Little Iceberg’

Status Update :

Agility + 50

Dexterity + 20

Intelligence + 10

Defense + 20

Active Skill : Rush

Jade Antlion has only 0.1% of HP left. All the blue dots has disappeared. Everyone died reducing it in its critical state. I won’t let it go in vain!!

Hidden behind King Antlion, I made a quick dash and swung upward toward the Jade Antlion. However, the attack didn’t connect. That Jade Antlion stepped back the moment I swung, and then it leaned forward bearing its fang toward me.

HOLY SHIT!! I didn’t it would it counter me like this!! Without a doubt, my body will be chomped off clean! Those fangs are no joke. Is there anything I can do?!

1 HP and 0 MP. NONE!! There’s nothing I can do!!! Oh wait –

There’s a new skill I just got!!

Rush or something? Anything is fine!! Rush!!

Suddenly, I felt as if time itself stopped. However, I know that it won’t last for long. Within this space, strangely my mind is calm. And more than that, I know I can move my body before time run again.

Should I run? Impossible. Even if I run away, I might not be able to counter it. Instead of running away, I should kill it instead. I just thought like that, why did I come to this decision? So I see, this effect of this skill – it didn’t stop time. It sped up my mind and its functionality beyond their fullest capability. This skill is far better than my PICS and Analyze working together.

No wondered I’m seeing everything in slow motion, coming to this decision. I took my stance, and gripped the sword with both of my arm.

Concentrate! Gather! I can feel qi running and merging with my sword.

‘Shu-nii, there’s time that you have to go serious no matter, you know? When that time come. Don’t hold back-’

I smiled as I remembered what Amano-chan said to me. I’ll take that heart, Amano-chan. I won’t hold back, and I’m going all in!

I closed my eyes so that the skill duration ran out, and time returned to normal. The monster still leaned forward trying to bite –

*Von*

I swung my sword down, and silent took place. Nothing move and everything stay still as if waiting for one and another to move first.

I promptly open my eyes. And then –

*Split*

*Crack*

*Shatter*

*Crush*

The Jade Antlion split in two in front of me, the ground crack and shatter. Grater formed and the ice wall I create from far away crumbled down completely

*Phew*

I released a deep breath and put my sword to my waist.

“Single Sword Style : Severed Moon”

*Ting*

You have acquired new skill : Single Sword style : Severed Moon

*Ting*

You killed a Tri-horned Jade Antlion. 235 600 Exp received.

*Ting*

You have successfully raid Vortex Belly. All base Stats +10

You have gained a new Title : Antlion Slayer. Requirement for binding all equipment that is dropped within Vortex Belly has been completed.

*Ting*

You have successfully bound ‘Interspatial Ring’

Status Update :

Intelligence + 150

Wisdom + 50

The Jade Antlion’s body dispersed and disappeared. I let a big sigh again in relieve. I never thought I can defeat a monster like that.

I turned around and I saw the King Antlion still intact. It didn’t disappear yet. Even though, his HP is already 0.

The eyes in sockets are looking at me sternly. I without hesitation walked toward him. And suddenly, blue particle seeped from him flying toward me.

*Ting*

King Antlion has bestowed upon you his blessing. Do you accept?

I was startled, but I said yes.

You have acquired ‘King Antlion’s Blessing’. Your HP and MP has been refilled.

King Antlion expressed his thank.

I expressed My gratitude to you, Human. Leading all the Antlions and defeated our one and only natural enemy. It had been too long since I fought again with my comrade. To see that bastard die with my own eyes today is bless to me. Blessing you won’t be enough, I shall grant you one of my last ability. Use it well……

End of his will.

Suddenly, his body started glowing in bright color. With a burst, his body started to disappear.

Why? I leaded all of them to their death. Why did he even thank me?

I was shaken when I read the message. Even monster has feeling. I didn’t expect this at all. I looked at the King again with awe and admiration. Truly remarkable willpower, in order to witness that death of Jade Antlion, King Antlion challenge and defy the law of god even if he’s already death.

You have acquire new skill. Active Skill : True Reading.

I stood there saluted him feeling sentimental, and that feeling last---for 3 seconds.

Yoshi! It’s looting time!! 100 or so monsters are dead around here. However, I’m more excited of the Rare Jade Antlion’s drop and King Antlion’s drop!!

I do feel sad. And I know that I will change my perspective a bit about monster. They are no longer monster. They are just this world animal. Yes, let’s think like that.

I’m a tamer, after all. And I’m Onii-chan. Onii-chan is kind. I smiled while thinking of my sisters. Come to think of it, they helped me a lot today. If it wasn’t for their remainder, I wouldn’t have lived through today.

THANK YOU, Amane-chan and Amano-chan. My sisters are the best!!

While thinking so, I started collecting the loots dropping by the Antlions.

King Antlion and Jade Antlion dropped two items where other Antlion drop one or none. Feeling satisfied, I started heading back following the mini-map.

Since I raid this area already, I don’t think monster are going to pop up anymore. I don’t have to worry about the safety any more. However, my situation still hadn’t improved yet.

I have yet to the find the Spirit that my quest told me to, and I haven’t had time to search for Bell. And it was all because of one person!!!

Arriving my destination, there stood an igloo made of ice. I crawled inside and then it was bright as I left behind numerous Light Trinket. And then a person who was still sleeping in the bed was no other than the sleeping beauty – no, joking.

It’s the female Knight – Shifun-chan.

During these days, she had yet to wake up once. And I couldn’t take her and walk through the horde of Antlions. And so, I made temporary shelter to hide this girl. And I made extra effort to kill off any Antlion that approach the shelter.

However, now it different. I can take her and walked through this place now. Since I have already raid this place today which was an unexpected plan.

“Ok, let’s hurry and go to find Bell~”

Even though I said that, I collapsed and fell down. Feeling drowsy and tired, I wanted to depart to the world of dream immediately. Guess, I’m too tired.

…

While I was sleeping. Somewhere and something happened in a similar manner as me. The portal opened, and several people fell into this place.