The tunnel fell silent.
Dust slowly settled over the battlefield.
Broken stone.
Shattered roots.
Green blood.
The smell of battle lingered in the air.
Ethan took a long breath.
"...Status report."
Pip blinked.
"...What's a status report?"
"...Right."
"Everyone tell me if they're hurt."
"Oh."
"I've got a bump."
The little mole proudly pointed to a tiny bruise on his forehead.
Ethan stared.
"...That's it?"
"...I landed on moss."
"...Lucky."
The worker ant slowly limped over.
Several deep cuts ran along her left side.
One foreleg trembled slightly.
Yet the first thing she did...
Was gently nudge Ethan.
"Safe?"
Ethan smiled.
"I'm fine."
She visibly relaxed.
Only then did she begin licking her own wounds.
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
"..."
"...You really need to start worrying about yourself first."
She ignored him.
As usual.
The Shellback Burrow Squirrel waddled over.
Still clutching the Guardian's Gift.
He proudly puffed out his chest.
The fruit was untouched.
"...You actually protected it."
The squirrel squeaked triumphantly.
Then immediately tripped over a pebble.
The fruit flew into the air.
Everyone's hearts stopped.
The worker ant lunged.
Pip dove.
Ethan jumped.
The squirrel flailed.
...
A tiny Glasswing zipped between them...
And gently nudged the fruit.
It floated just enough for Ethan to catch it.
Silence.
Ethan slowly looked at the Glasswing.
"..."
"...You just saved us all from a heart attack."
The tiny creature chirped proudly.
A blue screen appeared.
[Quest Completed]
The Harvest Thief
Rewards:
Experience Awarded
Evolution Points +3
Reputation with the Root Orchard has increased.
Bonus Reward:
Skill Improved!
Stone Sense Lv.1 → Lv.2
Your perception of vibrations has become more precise.
A wave of information flooded Ethan's senses.
The world changed.
He could now feel...
Tiny vibrations through the tunnel walls.
Water flowing somewhere underground.
Pip scratching his ear.
The squirrel chewing on a seed.
Even...
The wounded scout.
Far away.
Still running.
Ethan's eyes widened.
"..."
"...I can still feel him."
Iris immediately responded.
[Effective Range Increased.]
[Stone Sense now tracks larger disturbances over greater distances.]
"...So..."
"...If we hurry..."
"...We can follow him."
Pip's ears flattened.
"...Follow him?"
"...Back to his colony?"
"...That's..."
"...That's insane."
"...Probably."
Ethan admitted.
"But if we don't..."
"They'll just come back."
The worker ant stepped beside Ethan.
No hesitation.
No fear.
Just one clear emotion.
"Together."
Pip looked between them.
Then sighed dramatically.
"..."
"...I knew becoming friends with an ant would shorten my lifespan."
The squirrel raised one tiny paw.
Ethan looked at him.
"...You're coming too?"
The squirrel nodded vigorously.
"...Of course you are."
They quickly gathered what they could.
The mushrooms were packed away.
The Guardian's Gift was wrapped carefully in broad leaves that Pip found nearby.
The battlefield was left behind.
But not forgotten.
Hours passed.
Stone Sense guided Ethan through twisting tunnels.
Every so often...
He stopped.
Touched the ground.
Adjusted their direction.
The blood trail alone would have disappeared.
But vibrations...
Vibrations didn't lie.
Eventually...
The tunnels began to change.
The rough stone walls became smoother.
Old claw marks covered the floor.
The faint scent of countless ants filled the air.
The worker ant froze.
Recognition.
Memories.
Not good ones.
Ethan gently touched her antenna.
"We don't have to do this."
She met his gaze.
Then shook her head.
"End it."
Pip suddenly dropped flat against the ground.
"...Down."
Everyone immediately obeyed.
Heavy footsteps echoed ahead.
Not one ant.
Several.
A patrol.
Ethan slowly peeked around the corner.
His breath caught.
Six soldier ants marched through the tunnel in perfect formation.
Each wore the same crimson markings.
Each carried sharpened thorn splinters strapped beneath their bodies like crude spears.
"..."
"...They're armed."
Iris answered.
[Correction.]
[They are organized.]
The patrol stopped.
The lead ant lowered its head toward the ground.
Its antennae twitched.
It had found the wounded scout's blood.
The patrol instantly changed direction.
Heading...
Straight toward Ethan's battlefield.
"..."
"...They're investigating."
Pip whispered.
"What do we do?"
Ethan watched them disappear down the tunnel.
His mind raced.
If those soldiers reached the battlefield...
They would know exactly what happened.
They'd reinforce the colony.
Set traps.
Prepare defenses.
Every advantage Ethan had...
Would disappear.
He slowly looked toward the tunnel leading deeper into enemy territory.
Then back toward the patrol.
A risky smile spread across his face.
"..."
"...Looks like we're doing this faster than I planned."