“You are very strong,” the warrior grinned. “Even despite your low level.”
After this fight, the little beetle was treated much better, but it took him a whole day to recover completely.
Chapter 34
The rippers’ power. The Death Herald. The Escape.
Skal
“Skal, I think you should take a walk with our squad,” said Derergon. “Today we are going to hunt the rippers. The scouts have already notified us that their squadron will soon arrive at our meeting point.”
“But I won’t be able to help in any way,” said the gravedigger.
“It’s okay,” the Garadarok warrior waved his hand. “Just watch us in action and tell Sel Er about it.”
“That sounds good,” Skal nodded. “Then I’m with you.”
“Great!”
***
A squad of ten beetles with Garadan and Tirliora covered the distance to the meeting point at the junction of two tunnels quickly enough and moved further towards the iron vein.
Skal constantly had a feeling that someone was following them, but none of the mercenaries showed any concern, so the gravedigger thought that he should not worry too much.
Many in the squad had ripper weapons besides their own claws and had a serious and frightening look. After some time, the voices of the two-legged were heard in the distance.
“Oho-ho! I found a rubitus!” someone shouted cheerfully.
"There is quite a few this time."
“It looks like no one has picked them yet,” the two-legged shouted with satisfaction.
“Well, this dungeon is far from the main routes. Apart from that, it is quite dangerous here, and even this cave is strange, judging by that beetle.”
“Yes, an unusual one, I have not seen anyone like him before.”
“He even tried to talk. That was a surprise,” said a high-pitched voice. “Very interesting.”
“Be careful, don’t let anyone get away," Derergon said quietly. "Gard, take Goronar and Tererok and get rid of the armored rippers. Tirliora, you take the two-legged with the staff. She mustn’t be allowed to heal anyone. The rest of you, go for those with energy first and take out the others later. Mulf,” the leader addressed someone. “You stay put and pull out the wounded if something goes wrong.”
“I will,” the warrior replied in a low voice.
“Then let’s go.”
The squad of mercenaries surrounded the seven rippers, and the three strongest beetles attacked the knights chained in armor, tying them into battle. The two-legged responded quickly and joined the battle.
But everyone was distracted by Gard warriors, which allowed the rest to attack from the back and flanks. Tirliora crept softly to the priestess and pierced through her heart and lungs with both claws, making her scream loudly.
The rest rushed to the magicians. The priestess tried to heal herself, but the warrior twisted her claws, not allowing the spell to be cast, and soon the girl drowned in blood, painting her snow-white clothes scarlet.
Those who had energy tried to help their comrades, but they were quickly killed. The spell flashes were slowly extinguished, and Skal noticed how a strange silhouette, iridescent and merging with the surroundings, dragged one of the mercenaries to the side, giving him a rubitus and disappearing.
“Damn you, you filthy creatures!” shouted one of the knights.
“We will get you for this!”
Soon four two-legged were killed, and only three heavily armored rippers remained, stubbornly refusing to die, but Tirliora was able to sneak up on the knights from behind.
Why could not they form a circle? And if someone sacrificed himself, the rest would have time to run back and call for help. Or even just run away.
Only a couple of them would die, but the rest would live and next time they would be able to help others.
These thoughts flashed through Skal’s mind as he wondered how come mercenaries were able to deal with rippers so easily when their levels were comparable. The warrior struck a powerful blow which hit one of the knights in the shoulder, forcing him to hiss in pain and make a serious mistake. The ripper turned, and Gard immediately took advantage of it and bit his head right off.
“We shall not die so easily!” shouted one of them and took out a scroll. “Get ready, you bastards! Kargor the Ferocious, come to this world and punish our enemies!”
“You shouldn’t have wasted the scroll,” one of the survivors shook his head.
Flames flared around. A strange radiant sign flashed on the floor and a portal appeared in the air. Two powerful claws covered with a hot flame pushed the portal’s borders apart, and a strange creature emerged.
Skal had never seen anything like it before and had never even heard of it. Large horns, a powerful muscular body, covered with bony outgrowths, a long spiked tail, as well as hooves, all this made this ripper stand apart from the others. In addition, this two-legged was engulfed in flames that attacked the mercenaries.
Kargor the Ferocious, Servant of the Underworld, level 75
“Damn you for the Supreme’s sake!” Derergon shouted.
“What is it?” asked Gard.
“This is a demon,” the tiny voice was heard again, answering Garadarok’s question. “And the fight with him will be hard.”
“We finish off the rippers and switch to this one,” Derergon said and the mercenaries quickly came to their senses.
After a long fight, a Garadarok warrior cut off the head of one of the remaining knights, but the second one could not be overpowered. The demon growled and moved towards the detachment with heavy steps.
His two-handed ax flew through the air and threw two warrior-beetles at once in different directions, and the third was hit hard with the hoof. However, the ripper did not stop and, having formed a fiery clot, threw it at the mercenaries who had gathered together.
The explosion knocked over half of the squad, and a strange silhouette immediately pulled two of them away. This enemy was too strong, and the mercenaries had never encountered such a thing before, but did they not retreat.
Derergon joined the fight with the demon, to give the others a chance to get back on their feet. Garadarok barely managed to dodge the powerful blows of the underworld creature, and then launched quick attacks that left minor wounds.
“Mulf, your turn," Derergon ordered when he noticed that his unit was able to move a safe distance.
“Yes,” a low voice frightened the two-legged in armor.
The demon was caught by surprise when he discovered sharp natural blades sticking out of his chest. Mulf’s shadow was dancing on the walls of the cave, projected by the hellish flames. This strange beetle struck several more impressive attacks, and then dissolved in the darkness of the cave.
“I see you are not doing well here,” someone grinned, and Skal noticed that another strange bug coming from the opposite side.
The whitish shell with dark lines around the edges was perfectly polished. Fully formed hands and the ripper’s upper body, however strange, showed fairly advanced evolution.
The head of this unknown creature resembled Sel Nur warriors. It was as long and had a solid jaw, which, although it looked rather fragile compared to the gorges of Gard, were clearly no less deadly.
Black growths on a white background looked very impressive, and the heavy gaze of two pairs of predatory bright green eyes inspired fear.
A smooth black staff rested in his thin hands, and its top was decorated with a ripper skull whose eye-sockets were blazing bright green.
Mohr, Death Herald, level 77
***
Sel Er
As usual, I thought that everything would be difficult walking towards the exit from the cave, but how wrong I was. Everything turned out to be even harder. So now I was in a hurry to leave this part of the cave, and I was rapidly approaching the collapse, so I could hide in its numerous labyrinths.
These rippers were not one of those who wants to talk to beetle
s, so now I had to dodge fireballs, spears, and arrows, and bright flashes illuminated the cave when they hit the nearest stone.
It’s good that the frosty spirits managed to train me in this regard because it seemed to me their spheres flew faster.
And the rippers, continuing to run after me, made some disgusting sounds, which my memory called laughter.
It was infuriating, but what could I do to a group of seven rippers, three of which were dressed in massive sparkling shells.
It’s a wonder that these thugs could keep up with me. Soon I began to choke. After all, damn it, I didn’t upgrade my lungs, and it is hard to do it while running.
What should I do next? I had no wish to die, the thought of the appearance of the ill-fated message of the final rebirth loomed over me.
Chapter 35
Exit from the cave. The Contact. The seniors.
Sel Er
I made my way through the cave and followed a circuitous route to avoid the spiker patrols. I spent a lot of time, but it was not in vain.
Although I noticed these beetles in the distance several times, I managed to avoid them. So, why are they chasing me? Maybe I’m not their only target. That’s an interesting thought.
This Narr Nutt that Derergon mentioned is really strange. Why would they kill adult gravediggers so recklessly? Well, of course, they interfered with him, but it could have been settled differently.
If I were a crazy spiker leader, I would capture small gravediggers and make the adults work for me. I’d make them search for corpses and go through their spatial pockets.
I think they could collect lots of treasures that way. Hmm... treasures... I like that word. However, I’m not the evil leader of a bunch of stupid spikers, and one could negotiate with the gravediggers and get oneself the treasures of faithful allies simply by offering them protection. Okay, enough about spikers.
I was standing before the tunnel leading to the surface and, to be honest, it was a bit scary. There could be rippers there, though... isn’t that why I came here for? Throwing away all doubts, I took a step forward.
Gradually it became less humid in the cave and there appeared more and more living creatures on the ground. Something like haloptiriuses probably crawled around here, but as soon as I got closer, all these creatures hid under stones.
There were quite a few small passages here, but, according to the map, they ended in dead ends. Later, I met the first stranger.
Flower chafer, level 3
There was a beetle with dark green shell standing not far from me, small jaws and six small legs. He was much smaller than me. I could not understand whether I had grown so much, or whether this beetle was so small. It seemed to be a little bit of both.
“Who are you?” the green fellow asked.
“Beetle,” I curved my jaws and narrowed my eyes, expressing joy.
“Which kind?” he stared at me.
“Karkant.”
“Wow! There haven’t been any of your kind among us,” the bronze lad circled around me. “Where are you from?”
“From the middle of the cave.”
“Wow,” said the bug, and asked. “And is it really as dangerous there as they say?”
“It is,” I nodded and, squinting, and asked another question. “And who says that?”
“The senior ones.”
“And who are they?”
“I’ll take you to them,” said the beetle. “And you, probably, are the Supreme?
“Why do you think so?”
“Your level is high, and you are so big,” answered the beetle, glancing at me with admiration.
That’s strange, I thought, as I looked at myself, but I could not see anything special. I followed this little lad. The flower chafer led me through a whole maze of passages and, despite that these were dead ends on the map, it was not quite so. There were many passages, but they were well hidden.
Later we went into a small chamber and there I saw a very curious sight. There were a lot of different bugs everywhere. There were flower chafers with green and emerald shells. I wonder why they are called that? Somehow, I did not associate the word bronze with that color.
Stag beetles, with dark shells and small horns. Kiritsers, very similar to the bronze beetles, only with scarlet shells. Hagartes, subtle and very strange creatures.
Virins, Kagarots, Legers, Tyrors and many others. So many different species, probably even more than in the city of mercenaries. Amazing. But the most interesting was the specimens that were at the center of this whole swarm. Three large individuals.
Karnr, Kagarot, level 7
Gerengr, Virin, level 7
Riri, ???, level 7
The first bug resembled Gard somewhat. He was heavier and stronger than the others. This species clearly can become very strong when it reaches a certain level.
He had a dark brown shell and large front claws that could cover his head. Strange notches on his armor interested me greatly, I could only guess that this beetle could curl up into a ball and roll at the same time. Curious.
The second one resembled a centipede and his body was segmented, but he also had six claws, like the others. Large jaws were very unusual compared to all the others.
But the third individual turned out to be the most interesting. Firstly, these question marks, which did not allow me to see what sort of beetle she was, and secondly, her strange, almost transparent body. It was as if she was made of glass and, like glass, she seemed fragile.
Strange curved head, the same incomprehensible shell, and long thin legs. Two dim lilac lights shone in this strange beetle’s eyes. I looked at them again, and then I looked at the other beetles and noticed something very curious. These bugs had names, and the others didn’t.
“Seniors, the Supreme has come to us,” said the bronze beetle.
“He is not the Supreme, but he is very strong,” Gerengr answered.
“Energy sparkles inside him,” Riri’s voice was quiet and like the whiff of wind.
“Who are you?” I asked, looking at all of them.
“As you can see, we are younger compared to those who dwell in other parts of the cave,” said Karnr, who had been silent before.
“But why do you live here, the rippers come here every day?” I was curious to know.
“We are not a threat to them, so they do not attack us, at least most of them don’t,” said Gerengr. “There is a lot of food and it’s much safer than below.”
“And how long have you lived in the seventh level?”
“Long enough,” replied the Kagarot. “We look after the rest.”
“So you don’t develop,” I frowned. “But you can’t do that, you have to strive for something.”
“We have everything we need,” Riri said. “Why should we strive for something more?”
“Good question,” I nodded in agreement. “But here’s why. Down there, there is more food and there are many opportunities to develop your own strength.”
“We are happy with what we have here.”
“But you can die a final death quickly,” I did not understand them.
“Then so be it,” said Riri, looking at her transparent foot, which was raised to eye level.
“Have you been down there?”
“No,” answered the seniors.
“Then how do you know so much?”
“From him,” replied Gerengr and pointed somewhere to the side.
I looked carefully and noticed a spiker. Damn it! Actually, I was looking at his body, apparently, the spiker was killed a long time ago. What makes me think that he died? His shell was broken in three places.
“Nakarrok taught us a lot. Look at his wounds. It wasn’t the rippers that caused them, other spikers did. Why should we go where beetles kill each other?”
I couldn’t think of what to say to them since I myself would like to hear what someone wiser thought. But where to find this sage?
Chapter 36
The talk. Rald. The beetle kil
ler.
“We feel good here, senior,” said Riri. “Why did you come here?”
“I walked to the surface to meet the rippers.”
“But what for?” the little guys got surprised.
“I wanted to talk to them and learn,” I said.
“They don’t listen to anyone and don’t speak to anyone,” Karnr shook his head.
“You are mistaken,” I narrowed my eyes slightly and curved my jaws. “I have known some bugs who managed to talk with them and even to agree to the benefit of all.”
“This is very strange,” Riri scratched a pebble under his foot.
“By the way, why can’t I see your species?”
“Because I myself do not know what species I am,” the transparent creature with lilac lights in her eyes answered.
“Well, it is dangerous below for now, but if you stay here, you’ll never develop and become strong enough to see the whole cave. And believe me, it is awesome,” I spread my claws for emphasis. “You decide, but if you go, do not go alone, and be careful.
If you follow my advice, go here,” I drew a map on the ground and made a thin line from their den to the city of mercenaries. “It is best to follow the ripper squad, then you won’t be hurt. There are a lot of bugs there, even bigger than me and much stronger. I have to be on my way now.”
“I’ll see you off,” said the one who brought me here.
“Good,” I nodded, and the beetle led me through the passage, while the others silently followed us with the gaze of their numerous eyes.
After a while, we walked out of the small possessions of little bugs, and the beetle spoke to me.
“I think you are right. Even here, the rippers often kill us, and I already saw the number of my remaining rebirths.
I’ve got only three more lives left, and I would like to see something more besides this place. It’s dangerous, not only because of the rippers. Many of us have already seen such messages, so most are even afraid to leave the shelter, but everyone wants to eat, so seniors often go for food, but they don’t have many lives left.
I know, I managed to overhear their conversation once. I want to grow stronger and live longer.” I looked at this little beetle and did not know what to say.
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