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Not long after, they stopped briefly under the shade of a lone oak-like tree to drink water and let Kai’s arms rest from supporting Renna’s weight. Vexor sat on a smooth rock, face twisted in pain. "We must keep going," he said simply, voice low. "But I feel so weak. Can you please check the surroundings, Are we... safe?"
Kai peered around, warily scanning the open grasslands. "I’m not sure," he admitted, "but we can’t stay here. We might find a safer location beyond that forest." He pointed to the tree line still an hour or two away. The thick canopy might offer shade, along with new hazards, but it was better than cooking under the midday sun in open fields.
With a determined exhale, they set off once more. Ti seed to drag, each step draining them. Rocks and twigs snagged at Kai’s feet, and Vexor kept glancing behind him as though expecting an ambush. The mory of savage beasts and betrayal weighed on their minds. Renna, though unconscious, occasionally twitched and whimpered, a sign that he still fought a battle inside his own delirium.
At last, the afternoon found them entering the outskirts of the forest. Towering trunks replaced the bleak open slope, and a cool hush enveloped them. The tall canopy overhead let in speckled sunlight, weaving bright patches on the forest floor. The new environnt brought both relief and worry. They had shade, but also the risk of hidden predators prowling among the undergrowth. Regardless, they pressed deeper, searching for a place to rest.
By late afternoon, after countless steps, they found a narrow trail leading between thick bushes and wide ferns. Kai’s back ached from bearing Renna’s limp form, and Vexor stumbled often. The forest thrumd with life: distant bird calls, the chirping of insects, and the swaying hum of branches. The ground felt softer underfoot, covered in layers of decaying leaves that muffled their steps.
Suddenly, a rapid rustling in a patch of dense foliage snapped them to attention. Kai felt it with his predator instinct and his antennae tingle with alarm. Vexor clutched his spear, pointing it shakily toward the sound. The bushes parted to reveal a squat creature about the size of a large two feet dog, brown fur patched with green moss, and it stared at them with beady eyes. It let out a low growl, and from its open mouth, dripped a sickly fluid reminiscent of so earlier nightmares.
Vexor recognized it as a Muck Spitter, a two star rank beast known for hurling globs of stinging, gooey sli at threats. Though smaller than the monstrous foes they’d faced recently, it was still dangerous to them in their weakened state.
"Back away slowly," Kai said, shifting Renna’s weight to one shoulder. Vexor, trembling but determined, angled his spear forward.
The beast snarled, stepping closer. Then, without warning, it lunged, flinging a sticky wad of parrot greenish sli from its mouth. Kai jerked aside, wincing as the sli splattered onto a nearby stump with a hiss. Vexor responded by thrusting his spear, nicking the beast’s hide. The muck-spitter growls, swirling to face him, preparing another glob of sli.
With no ti to think, Kai gently set Renna behind a log and rushed in to help. Activating his reflex mode, with his newly bolstered strength (the 30 from devouring Lomar’s essence), he delivered a heavy punch that knocked the small beast onto its side. It screeched, spitting sli that signed the leaves around them, but Kai leaped behind it, hooking an arm around its neck.
Despite his battered state, the essence powers gave him a needed edge. With a swift twist, he snapped the beast’s spine, ending the scuffle in seconds.
Panting, he and Vexor exchanged relieved glances. The fight was short but draining. The system beeped softly in Kai’s head:
[Ding! System notifications-
Enemy Muck-Spitter, 2-star has been defeated. 30 EXP.]
Kai sighed. "Not much gain," he muttered. Vexor knelt to ensure no sli stuck to his exoskeleton. Then vexor told Kai, "Let’s rest for a few minutes..." Kai imdiately agreed. He needed to eat the beast essence.
Kai replied, "Okay, you should go and check on Renna. I will be back after collecting the beast star core." Once Vexor left, without wasting a second Kai activated his ultimate skill Essence Eater. Then with his Sharp and pointy teeth he bit the beast, in a second all the essence liquid was absorbed by his body. After that he collected the beast star core.
[Ding! 2 stat points.]
After nearly thirty minutes of rest... Satisfied, they weren’t attacked by anything the entire ti, they grabbed Renna once more, continuing deeper into the woods. The day grew late, and the sun’s slanting rays cast long shadows under the canopy. They needed a place to rest for the night.
They found it (resting place) in a small clearing near a gentle stream. The clear water trickled over smooth stones, reflecting the soft orange hue of the setting sun. A ring of old oaks offered partial shelter from wind.
Vexor sank gratefully to the ground. Kai laid Renna gently on so ferns, checking his bandages for dryness or infection. Then, using a few fallen branches, they built a modest fire, the dancing flas pushing back the forest gloom.
As darkness enveloped them, they boiled water in an old tree bark they’d salvaged from nearby, hoping it might help clean Renna’s wounds. The forest nightlife awakened around them like a chorus of crickets and distant hoots.
Kai’s body scread for rest, but he forced himself to remain vigilant, spear in hand. He is the most healthy amongst the three ants. So he needed to be on night guard duty. Vexor drifted off to a troubled sleep. The entire day had been a slow, painful march. They had survived, but there’s always a risk that, at any ti another predator or beast might find them.
The next few days blurred together in a sequence of painful ordeals. Each morning, Kai woke with stiff limbs, his battered exoskeleton reminding him how far they still had to go.
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