Chapitre 80: More Shadow Boars
The animal immediately recoiled, clearly frightened by the flames.
"Now, Florida!"
Queen Florida leapt from Joe's shoulder and landed directly on the boar's back. Her sharp lance pierced through the creature's tough hide while her jaws clamped tightly onto a vulnerable spot.
The boar let out an ear-splitting scream and thrashed about, but Florida held firm. After a few seconds, it collapsed to the ground, too weak to keep fighting.
Joe cautiously approached, ensuring the boar was truly immobilized.
"Excellent work, Florida," he said with a relieved smile.
Queen Florida returned to Joe's shoulder, her armor still gleaming despite the battle.
Benki looked visibly impressed.
"Sir Joe, I don't know how you managed that, but I must admit your strategy was brilliant."
"We just did what was necessary to survive, Mr. Benki. Now, let's head back to your house before more of these creatures catch us off guard."
They continued through the forest, growing ever more alert to the dangers around them. Defeating a shadow boar was indeed a great victory for the small group, but it was merely a minor challenge compared to what they had faced before.
Still, if they dared to press forward, they would encounter beasts that would make the shadow boar seem like nothing more than a small appetizer.
In the next moment, Benki was already wrapping the shadow boar in salt fiber. Before they could celebrate, a distant roar echoed through the forest.
Joe, Florida, and Benki all turned in the same direction. This was no lone enemy—it was an entire pack.
Only now did little Joe remember that Florida had said, "Enemies approaching." Since she never spoke more than two words at a time, she hadn't been able to warn them about the additional shadow boars nearby.
From behind the trees emerged three shadow boars, larger and more menacing than the first one they had faced. Their eyes glowed with a sinister red hue, and their tusks gleamed in the filtered light of the trees.
"We're surrounded!" exclaimed Benki, raising his axe.
Joe didn't hesitate.
"Archer ants, attack positions!" he ordered.
The archer ants immediately lined up in formation, readying their tiny arrows.
Level 2 / 📏 3.5 cm / ⚖️ 15 grams / 50x = Bow Strength 🏹 750 grams
🎯 Targets at 5 meters / 🤎 2 / ⭐⛏ 1 XP per hit.
"Count on me," said Florida, activating her lasso lance.
Queen Florida jumped to the ground, her antennae vibrating as she communicated with the small army of 50 ants that had so far remained out of action, awaiting their queen's commands.
Florida pressed a button on the lance, and the lasso engaged, ensnaring the forelegs of the first boar. With a quick tug, she unbalanced the creature and toppled it to the side. Half of the 50 ants swarmed the boar, biting fiercely as it struggled to defend itself, giving Florida the chance to advance with her dual blades activated.
With a precise strike, Florida neutralized the fallen boar. But the other two charged forward at full speed.
"Focus your shots on their eyes!" Joe shouted.
The archers fired with growing precision. Each arrow that hit the boars' eyes or heads boosted the ants' experience, improving their skills.
🔺😎 [System Alert!] [Congratulations! Archer ants have leveled up.]
⬆️ on 🦗 UP: Archers Level 2.5. Critical damage activated.
🎯 UP: Precision range increased to 12.5 meters.
Florida leapt onto the second boar, slicing its side with her dual blades while dodging its violent attacks. Meanwhile, the other 25 ants swarmed the boar's body, targeting its most sensitive areas.
Joe, for his part, used a fine, transparent rope gifted by the dwarven craftsman. With expert skill, he lassoed the forelegs of the third boar. Mimicking Florida, he gave a strong tug, unbalancing the animal. Benki, surprisingly agile for his stature, delivered precise axe blows, finally halting the advance of the enemies.
After an intense fight, all three boars were defeated. Florida, covered in small cuts and thorns, rose triumphantly. Her small group of archers also showed signs of exhaustion but remained vigilant, their bows still aimed outward.
⚠️🐜 [Perimeter Alert] [⬆️ on 🐾 🔍: "Antenna Connection": Predator detection at 50 meters.]
">More enemies!<" Florida warned, tapping her lance twice with her leg.
The tense silence that filled the clearing was broken only by the rustling of leaves in the wind. Florida, queen of the Mortallis ants, kept her lasso lance at the ready, while the twelve elite Mortallis archer ants waited in the shadows, each armed with small but deadly arrows.
Little Joe, still reeling from the earlier events, scanned the area for the next danger.
As the dust settled, Joe noticed something strange in the air. A sickly-sweet scent wafted from the nearby trees. Before they could react, Benki, the dwarven craftsman, analyzed the tracks left on the ground by the shadow boars.
The trails indicated that more were lurking, but that wasn't all. The air carried a telltale sweetness—a clear warning to any experienced traveler: a new threat had arrived.
An enormous swarm of "cutter bees," massive insects with double stingers and terrifying speed, was near.
"This won't be easy," murmured Benki, gripping his axe tighter.
Joe nodded, already imagining the chaos to come, and looked at Florida.
"Are you ready for another round, my queen?"
Florida raised her legs as if accepting the challenge.
Before anything more could be said, a sharp sound pierced the air. A swarm of cutter bees emerged, flying rapidly toward the group. The bees glowed with a menacing golden hue, their mandibles capable of slicing through flesh and wood with equal ease.
Florida was the first to act. Without hesitation, she spun her lasso in a circular motion, capturing three bees at the front. With a quick press of the red button, the lasso transformed into sharp blades, instantly destroying the creatures.
"Ants, hold your positions!" Joe shouted as the swarm closed in.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone