The second and third waves of insectoids poured forth, their numbers multiplying rapidly. The forest was alive with the clatter of chitin and the eerie, resonant growls of the monstrous creatures.
Ethan's heart pounded as he calculated their chances. This was escalating far faster than he had anticipated.
Grug, already reinvigorated from Lia's healing, stepped forward, slamming his club into the ground as if to challenge the approaching swarm. Snarl growled low in his throat, his jagged blade at the ready.
The chaotic scene in the forest was like a living nightmare, yet Ethan couldn't ignore one small comfort—the insectoids, while grotesque and terrifying in appearance, seemed to fall quickly to the adventurers' concerted efforts.
Their chitinous armor was tough but not impenetrable, and they lacked the overwhelming strength or speed he feared. At least to the experienced fighters. He was not foolish enough to think that he was of their level. He silently stood and observed the fight.
From his vantage point, he could see the adventurers holding their ground with remarkable coordination.
Teams moved in unison, experienced fighters cleaving through insectoids with calculated strikes while mages launched bolts of fire and lightning, cracking through the creatures' defenses. Archers perched in the trees rained down a hail of arrows, their shafts finding weak spots in the monsters' chitin.
The clash of steel against chitin and the guttural roars of adventurers mixed with the eerie, alien screeches of the insectoids, creating a cacophony that reverberated through the forest.
Ethan's eyes narrowed as he watched one particularly skilled swordsman—a man clad in worn leather armor with a greatsword nearly as tall as himself—slice through three insectoids in one fluid motion.
The man's movements were precise, almost mechanical, and Ethan felt a pang of envy. That's the level I need to reach someday, he thought.
Yet, not all was smooth on the adventurers' front. A younger, less experienced fighter hesitated as an insectoid lunged at him, and the creature's serrated limbs tore into his side. He collapsed with a cry, clutching the wound as a mage nearby scrambled to pull him to safety.
Even among the seasoned fighters, some were succumbing to the unpredictable monsters.
The adventurers were holding their own for now, but the sheer number of insectoids pouring from the portal was overwhelming. If the portal kept spewing these creatures out indefinitely, it wouldn't matter how skilled the fighters were—their stamina would run dry long before the swarm did.
"They're strong," Lia whispered beside him, her voice trembling but her hazel eyes glued to the fight. "But… there are so many."
"How long do you think the reinforcements would take?"
Ethan's gaze flickered toward the portal, its swirling crimson energy pulsating ominously as more insectoids poured forth. The adventurers were fierce, their skill undeniable, but even he could see the cracks beginning to form in their lines. Exhaustion was creeping in.
Lia shook her head, her face pale. "It depends. If the guild sent out a call for higher-ranked adventurers, they might arrive soon. But… portals are unpredictable. If the swarm grows stronger before help gets here…" She trailed off, her voice faltering.
Ethan nodded. "So, it's a race against time." Mentally he was prepared to run at any moment now. Maybe the risk here was not worth the reward. As he was mulling over his decision, a few of the creatures escaped the initial perimeter and started rushing out of the forest.
And one of them was headed right for them.
The speed of the thing was extremely impressive and within a blink of an eye the insectoid creature was right in front of them screeching in an ear-piercing, guttural shriek that made Ethan flinch.
Its mandibles clacked menacingly, and its glowing eyes locked onto him and Lia like they were prey. The creature's body gleamed with an unnatural, chitinous armor, and its serrated limbs twitched as it prepared to lunge.
Every fiber of his body screamed at him to run but Ethan knew better. The system tag on the creature read Level 3. He was at a higher level than the damn thing. He couldn't let his fear control him and force him to make a mistake. He can take this damn thing down.
Ethan's grip tightened around his weapon as he squared his stance. He quickly signaled Grug and Snarl to flank the creature while Lia stumbled back, clutching her dagger nervously.
"Grug, hit it hard and fast! Snarl, aim for the joints!" Ethan barked, forcing calm into his voice even as adrenaline coursed through him. "Lia, keep applying the buffs to these two. When you have enough mana heal Snarl!"
It was time to push the limits once again.