Chapter 276 - The Rock-Eating Hive
The [Jemlant Army (Rock-Eating Soldiers)], true to their rugged appearance, are attacker-type monsters with stats skewed toward firepower and agility.
Their attack methods are simple bites and body slams, but they are also equipped for long-range combat, firing the gems that grow on their distinctively large, round insectoid abdomens.
Another point of caution is that different types exist under the same name.
There are three variations. First, the 'Soldier Ant.' They are the most numerous, a basic type that overwhelms with sheer numbers. While specialized for offense, their natural armor gives them above-average durability.
They're quick, strong, and even have a subtle resistance to physical attacks, making them quite high-spec creatures.
To top it off, they exhibit that classic insect tenacity, sometimes continuing their assault with just their upper body even after being split in two. This means that carelessly tearing them apart could lead to a world of hurt, so it's best to confirm their HP bar is empty and deliver a proper finishing blow.
Next is the 'Kamikaze Ant.' They appear in about half the numbers of the Soldier Ants and are a nasty piece of work that charges straight forward without a second thought.
What makes them so nasty is that if you let them get too close, they'll self-destruct without a moment's hesitation. They don't care if allies are nearby; they just flash brightly and explode into pieces a second later.
They make full use of their own bodies, composed of rock and gems, as shrapnel grenades, but the scatter pattern is completely random, making it impossible to memorize and dodge.
Therefore, the absolute rule is to 'deal with them before they get close.' While they would normally be quite a troublesome opponent, their armor is thinner than the Soldier Ants', so defeating them isn't difficult. A small mercy.
And finally, the 'Winged Ant'—Sora-san's mortal enemy.
The reason they're her nemesis has nothing to do with their nature or specs as monsters. It's for one simple reason.
She can't stand the sound of their buzzing wings. So, the moment they appear—
"—[Dreißig]!"
This happens.
The instant that buzzing sound—one most humans would instinctively recoil from—reached her ears, a volley of demonic swords soared through the air, riddling the giant bodies flying in the far reaches of the cave with holes.
They're a textbook melee-killer, being a long-range type with flight capabilities, but their paper-thin armor is on par with the Kamikaze Ants, making them easy to handle if you have projectiles.
—In other words, they're no match for my partner.
"Hah... As reliable as ever."
"Don't just stand there watching me, get to work!"
As I was admiring my partner's heroic figure, I received a scolding from the hero herself.
Well, yeah, she has a point.
Compared to the string of grueling battles I'd recently experienced, I was letting my guard down, but no matter the opponent, the fact that I have zero durability remains unchanged.
Soldier Ants, regardless of their type, have an extremely simple targeting priority for their aggression. Because of that, simply standing in front of Sora is enough to fulfill my role as a tank, which is a relief... but a single careless hit would instantly make me the reason we fail.
I should probably maintain a certain level of focus—yeah!
"Hmph...!"
In the middle of a massive swarm. While surrounded by countless living rock masses, I had been focused on evasion, but I put strength into my avatar and instantly switched my mindset to offense.
I slammed the jaw of a Soldier Ant approaching from the left into the ground with [Samidorizuki]'s scabbard, rode the recoil to launch my body into the air, and—
"—Degraded [Heavenly Snow]!"
From a horizontal position in mid-air, I unleashed a high-speed, three-hit rolling attack.
Since it was a mock [Fourth Strike (Heavenly Snow)] using my own style of [Matoi] instead of [Shukuchi], its power and precision were a pale imitation of the original—
Still, against monsters (PvE), it was more than enough.
The one in front of me had its weak point, the head, sliced open and exploded into phosphorescent light. But the countless unfaltering soldiers stepped over the corpse of their comrade with an almost mechanical killing intent.
The Kamikaze Ants and Winged Ants I can ignore. Sora will take care of every last one of them.
That means my job is solely to annihilate the Soldier Ants in close-quarters combat.
"[Bullet]!"
I tossed my jade blade, scabbard and all, straight up, and with my now-free hand, I fired a volley of crimson—followed by an [Exploding Bullet].
While using the barrage to keep the individuals preparing to fire their gem bullets in check, I slammed the shattered rabbit dagger back into the sheath at my waist... and activated [Whirlwind].
"Hraaaagh!"
Breaking through one side of the closing encirclement, I charged straight at the nearest one—and threw a straight punch.
My fist, clad in a raging storm and backed by 200 STR, struck the massive head, which was about the size of a car tire... and glowing on that right fist was the 'white' Anima that had devoured red.
"—[Shot]!"
That wasn't a command word, but a call for an instruction.
Instantly, [Everquartz, the Soaring Crystal Sword] materialized in my hand and was launched at tremendous speed, piercing through the [Jemlant Army]'s head as a follow-up attack.
"Hah! I'm leaving my back to you, partner!"
'Autonomous Action' activated. The white sword, carried by its momentum, pierced through its target, flipped around, and flew off behind me, leaving a dangerous whoosh near my ear—...hey, was it really necessary to graze my face like that?
Are you still mad?
Catching my falling jade blade and fending off the Soldier Ants, I let out a wry smile at the persistently rebellious attitude of my Anima.
It was as if it were venting all its pent-up frustration. The sound of the sword rampaging behind me, devouring my mana (MP), was certainly reassuring, but...
"Bring it on, you little punk... In that case, let's have a kill count competition!"
Remaining enemies—estimated a lot.
The prey is ripe for the picking. Go wild, my beloved sword!