Seeker 246

Test

Chapter 246. Prelude To Battle (1)

The swarm of Killer Ants appeared in a village located about half a day's journey from the capital. 

We had left the capital in the morning and arrived at a location.

We could see the entire village shortly after noon. 

Our current position was on a small hill, a few dozen meters away from the village's entrance.

Sixteen adventurers lay hidden there, observing the village below.

"I see. They're definitely crawling all over the place." 

Gadol-san muttered as he surveyed the village's situation. 

In the village, consisting of about fifty simple dwellings, there were no signs of humans. 

Instead, dozens of deep-red giant ants roamed freely, asserting their dominance. T

here were also several holes in the ground, likely leading to the extensive nest of the Killer Ants.

The leader of another party asked Gadol-san. 

"What's the plan, Gadol? Shall we take down the visible ones first?"

"Yeah. Since there are no Soldiers or Mages in sight, and with this many people, it's the quickest way. It would be a hassle if we argued over who killed whom. Can we split the extermination count evenly?"

Gadol-san said this, making eye contact with the leaders of the other two parties. 

Both party leaders nodded in agreement.

"Is that acceptable to you too?"

He emphasized the point as he turned to me.

So I, as the leader of the Daichi's Spear party, responded/

"Can our party take a quarter of the share?"

"It's 3-16ths, based on the headcount. If you're not satisfied, show us some corresponding achievements."

"Understood. We agree to that."

The monetary reward wasn't a significant concern, and splitting the count by headcount was fine.

However, we still needed to demonstrate some form of 'achievement'. 

A special mission like this had already been triggered when we accepted this raid quest.

───────────────────────

Special mission: Defeat more Killer Ants than specified has been unlocked!

Experience Points Earned Upon Mission Completion... Party members will receive 100 points for each regular Killer Ant defeated, 500 points for each Killer Ant Soldier or Killer Ant Mage, and 10,000 points for the defeat of the Killer Ant Queen.

───────────────────────

It's an unprecedented pattern, this performance-based mission. 

The number of subjugations becomes experience points, so naturally, we were determined to defeat as many as possible. 

The Killer Ants in the village numbered roughly 25 within the visible range.

In our party, we aimed to crush at least 10 of them if possible. 

By the way, we considered the pattern of having other parties rest while we alone accomplished the subjugation mission.

But aside from the firepower issue, it seemed troublesome in various ways, so we rejected the idea.

We want to quietly move within the framework of one raid participating party. 

"Alright, let's go. They're not opponents worth considering cooperation with. Let's just beat them up as we please!"

"Yeah!"

Under Gadol-san's command, adventurers stood up. Kazane-san, Yuzuki, and I did the same. 

The movements of the Killer Ants in the village suddenly stopped, and their gaze turned toward us. 

Before we knew it, they all simultaneously headed in our direction.

Numerous crimson giant ants, moving with mechanical precision, formed a swarm and attacked with coordinated movements. 

If a powerless human were to witness this scene, it would be a bit frightening.

The speed was also astonishing. 

If left alone, we would undoubtedly get swarmed by them in no time. 

Of course, the adventurers wouldn't leave it at that.

"They're here! Take this, [Explosion]!"

"Blow away, [Wind Storm]!"

Two adventurers activated area-of-effect magic. 

It engulfed the 5 Killer Ants that had come closest, causing them to explode. 

A storm of flames and wind blades erupted. A

t this moment, my mind was spinning rapidly, thinking about how to earn more subjugation points. 

While Kazane-san and Yuzuki had some basic agreements in advance, the details were left to on-the-spot judgment.

After a moment, from the flames and storm created by the 2 area-of-effect magic, 5 Killer Ants jumped out. 

None of them had been defeated, but all seemed to have taken considerable damage.

Alright, here is—.

"Kazane-san!"

"Understood![Wind Storm]!"

At the same time as my voice, Kazane-san activated her magic. 

It engulfed the weakened front 5 Killer Ants, and a storm of wind blades erupted.