TBATE - Havaca Rises

Chapter 49 - Spikey Situations

"Greetings Lance Aureate," Lance Zero greeted me as I entered the conference hall.

"Zero, Thunder lord," I replied before taking my seat.

"As we all know, there have been numerous reported cases of mutated mana beast roaming the Beast Glades. Some it's simply their skin has hardened or their fur has thickened thus increasing their defensive capabilities, while others gain some new offensive abilities, such as a black liquid-fire, spikes covering their bodies, or their base attacks becoming far more potent," Zero started.

"The most concerning of these cases is a Hade's Serpent estimated to be around S rank, digging several tunnels throughout the Beast Glades. If this continues..." Thunder lord trailed off.

"The Alacryans would have easier access and more ways to evade us within the dungeons," I finished. "But once Arthur's sensors are finished production, they won't be able to escape," I stated with a firm resolve. I don't care if you consider yourself a god, how dare you try to uproot our lives? How dare you even think of making my people your slaves, your cannon fodder in some war that we want no part of?

"The three of us will hunt this serpent down," Zero stated.

"No."

"No," Zero asked.

"There are several cases of mutated beasts needing to be attended to. We'll divide the beast glades into three and each of us will take one dealing with the priority targets first," I proposed.

"Won't that take a while to compile a list of all reports in that area?" Thunder lord asked.

"I see, you're good with electricity but not electronics," I chuckled as Zero snorted.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Exactly as she said, you're no good with technology," Zero answered with the faintest of smiles.

"I'll have you know I am excellent when it comes to technology," Thunder lord huffed.

"So then how do you suggest we go about sorting the reports, Lance Thunder lord?" I asked finding it increasingly difficult to keep a straight face.

"Am... we... ahh... we get a professional..." Thunder lord stuttered out.

"Nope, we simply search up all the reports in a certain section, then sort in order of rank," I said already preparing our lists.

"I mean we could also do that too..." Thunder lord mumbled in defeat.

"Here are your lists with the beast names and last known locations. We will post in the new chat after every kill or if a beast has left our section," I said, dismissing the three of us on our search and destroy mission.

***

"Lance Alea," the portal guards greeted, "Where will you be heading to today?"

"The Beast Glades," I answered as I finished securing my rapier to my waist. Usually, I would just conjure a weapon but Art insists that using an actual sword is far more beneficial, since it's sharper and far less likely to break. Exiting the portal, I began sprinting towards the dungeon while I could fly there, the entrance to the dungeon is hidden by tall grass, and it's quite easy to miss midair, also I could use this time to practice my flash steps.

Diving straight into the dungeon it was hard to miss the giant tunnel that the beast had dug out. Following the trail of carnage led to many twists and turns that kept going deeper into the earth. Odd, most Hades serpents usually stay 80 – 120 feet below the surface, yet this one is nearly 300 feet down. A waft of hot air brushed passed my face accompanied by the foul scent of burnt flesh. I'm close! I thought as increased my speed.

"We're... die!!..." a voice shouted in the distance.

"Hold... kill!..." another voice screamed out.

"Impossible!" another shouted in disbelief.

Jumping from ledge to ledge, I positioned myself to observe the battle that was happening beneath me. Men and women whose clothes had slits revealing red runic tattoos along their spines. "It could only be Alacryans," I muttered with vindictive glee watching my enemies be roasted and flattened by a creation of their own. "Though I suppose it would be a waste to watch them all die," I said to no one as I flash step, choosing to save the man who was belting out orders and the one with the most ornate robes, hoping that they would be a nexus of information.

"W-who are...!?" the one I assume to be the leader tried to ask before I wrapped their bodies in thorny vines. Vines that use the enemy's mana to strengthen themselves and would get tighter the more they struggle, yet it is elastic enough not to snap under pressure. One of my best creations I thought while effortlessly conjuring a wooden wall to block the fire attack of the serpent.

"These are VIP information brokers, I can't have you killing them just yet," I declared as I conjured several vines to ensnare the body of the beast. Black flames ignited across the body of the great snake, freeing itself from my grasp. Panting, the beast was panting! does this mean that despite their sudden increase in strength, their bodies or energy levels can't keep up with these overpowered attacks?

Deciding to put my theory to the test, I quickly flew up next to its ominous red eye. "It worked," I said in relief, watching the large reptile writhe in pain, unable to dodge my slowed attack. With this, we could make more viable plans to combat the beast hordes other than nuking 'em to thy kingdom come as they say.

"Oh? You want more?" I asked, noticing his predatory glare. 'Phase 1' I thought. Flying across its over his back, cautiously avoiding any spikes, I began to drop several seeds in between his armor plating. "Bloodseed: Overgrowth!" I yelled out, commanding the seeds to rapidly grow.

The sounds of cracking and screeching filled the cave, as its armor was being forcefully replaced by growing trees. It twisted and turned, and several times it futilely tried to reignite itself. Overgrown with new life, the beast released its last hiss allowing me to plunder the beast for all its worth. Broken armor plating, fangs, bones, horns, and glands could all be used to make weapons and various potions according to Arthur.

"Well, that was easy; now time to interrogate those guys and report my findings to the others," I said pleased with my work. "I jinxed it, didn't I?" I asked turning to face the horned man who was sitting upon the corpses of my would-be informants.

"I heard you were Dicathen's best sensor, surely you noticed my presence, after all I'm not exactly trying to hide it. You could have saved them, yet you didn't," he said with an amused smirk, that for some reason infuriates me.

"Why worry about them, when you, oh-so kindly offered up yourself in their place," I retort.

"Hahaha!" the retainer broke out into hysterical laughter. "I like you, yes, I like you very much. Tell you what bow down to me and I'll make your death painless. What do you say?" he offered with his arms held wide.

"Could you beat Cylrit in a fight?" I taunted. And judging by the less than pleased look and sudden burst of bloodlust I'd say my taunt worked.

"I'm going to have you screaming and begging for mercy," he said as I felt a mana fluctuation beneath me. "Oh, you managed to dodge that? I guess this might just be fun after all," he said preparing to conjure several dozen more spikes.

"I guess they were right," I said gaining his full attention. "You really are nothing more than a one-trick pony."