Chapter 44

Cryptid.

A term from cryptozoology that refers to unknown creatures.

However, in this world, the word Cryptid carries a very different meaning.

Hive-minded monsters that move according to a collective consciousness, centered around a leader.

That is what Cryptids are.

“Gear Release.”

“Converting gear to combat mode.”

Nisia is the first to release her gear, followed by Jack who also releases his.

Jack wields dual-handed gear in the form of a Long Sword, whereas Nisia wields single-handed gear in the form of a Sword type.

“…Gear Release.”

Edward, who had been reluctant, takes a deep breath and assumes a combat stance with two Cylinder type gears, one in each hand.

I considered releasing my gear, but even in a colony of this scale, there wouldn’t be much need to use a Nightmare.

I decided not to needlessly release the Nightmare, as it might just get in Nisia’s way, and instead kept it securely stored with Hand S.

“Let’s form up. Jack, can you take the vanguard?”

“I’ve got it.”

Jack, who appeared somewhat tense, nodded and stepped forward. Perhaps due to his large build, he gave off an incredibly reassuring vibe.

“Next, Edward should take the center, and Nisia the rear.”

Upon hearing my words, Edward nodded and took up his position behind Jack, with Nisia following at the rear of the group.

“Then let’s head down.”

“Agreed.”

After replying, Jack illuminated the path with a light from his gear and took the lead, followed by Edward and Nisia.

The light quickly fading, the air transformed from a mere earthy scent to something damp, musty, and oddly warm.

Even though we hadn’t descended very far, the only illumination came from the light emitted by our gears.

As we observed the situation, Saver offered a suggestion.

[You all might find it too dark. If necessary, I can turn on tactical lighting.]

“Tactical lighting?”

[Yes, here’s how much light it provides.]

Click.

An activation noise sounded, and the formerly pitch-black cave suddenly became incredibly bright before dimming once again.

[Shall I turn it on?]

“Yeah, please do.”

[Understood, activating tactical lighting. However, should it be aimed at you, there may be temporary vision impairment, so please be mindful.]

In short, be careful of flashes.

“Got it, everyone hear that?”

At my words, the group nodded, and with the surrounding darkness rapidly dissipating, the true form of the colony was revealed, vastly different from the cave entrance.

The walls and floor were covered in a sticky green slime.

Mushroom-like growths attached to the ceiling exhaled hot breaths and scattered unidentified powders.

In the corners, variously colored clusters of plants wriggled unnaturally and emitted a purplish light.

Shhoo… Shhoo….

Gurgle… Gullump….

An oddly unsettling sound filled the air.

But this was indeed the sight of the Cryptid Colony as seen in AOE.

Though the sight itself seemed alive as if the space itself was a living organism, it was impossible to ignore the visceral repulsion and goosebumps that came with it.

Even though it had caused unease while observing it only through sight and sound within a game, the physical presence here was far more distinct with the added humidity, peculiar heat, and stench.

‘Man, this is… intense.’

Even with my prior knowledge and having sent the Little Drone in first to scout ahead, this feeling was undeniable. I wonder if the others are holding up?

As I thought about this and attempted to check their expressions, they responded as if waiting for just that.

“Hmm…”

“Ugh.”

“Hmph…”

Each reacting in their own way, Jack, Edward, and Nisia all shared a collective sense of discomfort.

But we can’t turn back now; the experience points here are just too valuable!

…Still, it’s a bit nerve-wracking, so I should prepare some more. The summoning creature suitable for use here would be…

“Summon, Mini Cart. Armament with a 36-gauge turret, and set the drive mechanism to tank tracks.”

– The tank tracks are not yet unlocked. Would you like to unlock them using skill points?

“Yeah.”

– Drive mechanism unlocked. Consuming MP to summon the selected creature with the mentioned armament and drive mechanism.

A Mini Cart appeared before me, but its appearance had changed.

Instead of the familiar form with three wheels on each side, it now sported a miniature tank track akin to that of a real tank.

Thus, while the Mini Cart costs skill points, it has the advantage over other summons in that it allows for selection of different drive mechanisms, adapting to various terrains.

Regardless, I summoned two additional carts, placing them at the forefront as the lead.

“Alright, let’s move forward!”

The Mini Carts, their lights switched on, emitted creaking sounds as they led the way.

“Then let’s head inside. It isn’t likely to be too dangerous, but don’t let your guard down, everyone.”

“Yeah.”

“Alright.”

“Understood.”

We stepped inside the colony.

With each step on the slime, the unsettling squelching sounds caused slight trembling in my friends’ eyes.

As we continued through the endlessly dark passages, we eventually reached a broader cavern.

“This area is a bit wider.”

“Indeed.”

Jack and Edward briefly exchanged dialogue while observing the surroundings.

However, within this expansive cavern, all we could see were mushrooms and plant-like growths; there was no sign of Cryptids anywhere.

All that remained were countless footprints clearly left beneath the moist, sticky slime and a dark passage leading deeper underground.

‘This is strangely quiet…’

For a Level 1-2 colony, which shouldn’t be too large, it was about time something appeared.

Right then, Saver called out to us.

[Warning, a massive heat source detected approaching from the front. Be on your guard.]

“So it begins.”

At that, Jack slightly bent his upper body while glaring down the corridor, with Edward adjusting his glasses and aiming his gear.

From the depths of the cave, oppressive noise pushed the damp air aside, turning into a cold chill, as numerous movements on the ground transformed into violent tremors.

– Kieeek, Kiiiik!!

A shriek that was neither human nor animal.

They’re coming.

“Ed, can I use my abilities?”

Edward’s urgent call.

Clearly, Edward possesses the ability to imbue something with the power of cold, but his power was not strong enough to affect the cave structure itself, which served as the colony’s foundation.

“It’s fine. Just be careful not to make it too strong that it affects the cave.”

“I know that much.”

At that reply, Edward raised both hands toward the tunnel ahead. Cold emanated from the two gears in his hands.

At the same time, upon gathering mana, Jack and Nisia prepared themselves. Saver’s voice followed shortly.

[50M, 40M, 30M… ]

Dudududu, dudududu, dudududu.

The ground shakes.

[20M, 10M… ]

Dudududududu—

The rapidly approaching noise.

[They’re coming.]

– Kieeek!! Keeeek!!

At Saver’s warning, the Cryptid horde surged toward us shrieking.

Most of the crowd resembled dog-like creatures with insectoid antennae and mandibles fused with carapace: Biters.

Among them were Scythes, insectoid creatures wielding scythe-like blades, and Spitters, with bloated toad-like bodies.

Confirming that the enemy composition wasn’t too different from what I’d expected, I instructed the Mini Carts.

“Mini Cart, open fire!”

BOOM, BOOM, BOOM!

36-gauge shotguns fired in succession.

– Kieeng!

– Kiiing-

– Gained 35 experience points.

– Gained 26 experience points.

– Gained 28 experience points…

A few Biters hit by the shotgun blasts tumbled to the ground, but the rest continued their charge without hesitation.

With their hollow stares, their teeth barred, aiming directly at us.

“FIRE!”

At Edward’s command, mana coalesced at the end of his gear and was fired accompanied by light.

Fzzzzt—

Two mana projectiles swiftly cut through the center of the crowd.

– Kerrkk!

– Kiiiiyk!

With a brief scream, the bodies of 6-7 Biters caught in the strike froze and were subsequently trampled by other approaching Cryptids until they shattered.

– Gained 38 experience points.

– Gained 31 experience points.

– Gained 26 experience points…

“Hmph!”

Jack swung his Long Sword horizontally, decapitating dozens of Biters.

“I’m going too! Hold onto that, Ed!”

“Yeah!”

Nisia charged into the horde.

Dodging an attacking Biter with its jaws wide open using her left-hand shield, she thrust her sword in response.

Splat.

Nisia’s sword pierced the Biter’s body effortlessly. After stabilizing by wielding her gear with wide swings, she spun and slashed across horizontally.

– Keng!

– Kiieek!

– Gained 29 experience points.

– Gained 30 experience points.

– Gained 33 experience points…

Effortlessly, my friends dispatched the surging Cryptids.

On their faces was an identical expression of surprise.

“See, it’s not that hard, right?”

“Geez, yeah.”

Edward continued firing his gear while speaking, and the Biters caught in his barrage froze in great numbers.

At the front, Jack was holding his ground against overwhelming numbers, delivering powerful strikes, while Nisia moved swiftly, cutting through clusters of enemies.

– Gained 32 experience points.

– Gained 29 experience points.

– Gained 33 experience points…

Experience points kept rolling in.

Though the Cryptid forces were relentless, we had four fully-prepared awakened individuals.

There’s no way mere Level 1-2 colony forces could pose a challenge.

“Haa!”

“Hmph!”

“Take this!”

With increasing confidence, my friends systematically took down the charging foes.

Soon, the crimson blood flowing from the slain Cryptids began pooling on the ground.

Before long, the momentum of the Cryptids slowed and they began retreating slightly, encircling us with threatening sounds.

However, instead of fear, the expressions on my friends’ faces were brimming with confidence and resolve.

Then, from deeper within the cave, a low hum resounded, and with that, all their heads turned toward the passage from which they had emerged.

– Kiee!

– Kiiiik!

Amplifying their cries, the group swiftly retreated through the passage, disappearing as if water drained from a basin.

“Hmm?”

“What is it?”

Jack and Edward gazed at the retreating figures, while Nisia turned to me.

“Ed…?”

“Just a guess, it’s not an ambush. The queen of this colony probably decided on internal defense instead of interception.”

“Queen?”

Nisia, tilting her head in confusion, echoed the question. I opened my mouth to explain but Edward’s voice came from ahead.

“It’s the term for the leader of a Cryptid swarm, Nisia. Remember it.”

With that, he straightened his glasses.

“So, the enemy chief called for reinforcements?”

“Correct.”

“Wow, they act like that too, huh.”

“Yeah.”

Nisia nodded, then Edward subtly approached me, his gaze fixed.

“So, what’s the plan, Ed?”

“First, let’s head to the queen’s chamber.”

“To the chamber?”

“Yeah, there’s something I want to try.”

…

– Kiiiiiee!

– SHaaaa!

The Cryptid horde marches on in unison.

They are directed by the unified consciousness issuing from the deepest recesses of the colony.

The web-like extension of this consciousness governs all Cryptids within the colony, drawing them toward one point.

And now, in the dark eyes of the creatures advancing through the shadowy depths, the image reflects of their master crouching in the center of the room.

Her elongated, slender limbs and upright features resembled that of a human, but her two glowing eyes are bioluminescent lavender stones.

Her overall shape was distinctly humanoid, yet the chitinous segments scattered across her body and the four insectoid wings on her back, combined with her teal skin, left no doubt: she was anything but human.

The Queen.

The leader of the Cryptid swarm, the sovereign of these monsters.

At her signal, waves of Cryptids swarm to guard her as she gestures inward.

Hundreds of monsters fill the chamber, the heat and growls they emit filling the stagnant, noisy air.

The Queen, seemingly delighted by this dense, chaotic atmosphere, stares silently down the dark tunnel.

The tunnel cloaked in impenetrable darkness.

After a long silence, the Queen’s head twitched.

THUMP, THUMP…

A piercing sound accompanied objects rolling into the chamber—long cylindrical shapes glowing a fiery red.

– …

Another crimson and elongated cylindrical object rolled in.

THUMP, THUMP…THUMP

THUMP…

– ???

Continuously rolling and accumulating at the opening, these crimson objects pile up.

The Queen, observing the situation for a while, lifted her hand to give an instruction but is interrupted by an unexpected event.

WHOOSH

A sharp noise is followed by a white, skeletal object that swiftly infiltrates the chamber.

It’s Edu’s Hand Glider.

But it matters little to her, or it, what exactly this object is.

– !!!

– KYAAAAAAAA!

– KIIIIEE!!

At the Queen’s command, countless Cryptids swarm to protect her or it, encircling the queen’s body.

Meanwhile, the remaining Cryptids charge the hand glider.

The Scythes swing their massive blades, severing the glider, while Biters leap, biting into the hand gliders and pulling them to the ground.

POOF, CRUNCH.

Unable to maintain control, the gliders crashed and disintegrated. Watching them meet their unspectacular end, a slight smirk forms on the Queen’s lips.

Despite failing to intercept at the colony’s entrance, this inner sanctum remains her or its domain. Thus confident, the Queen—yet,

CLICK.

With a small noise, her confidence shatters instantly.

WHOOSH! CRACKLE—

– KEEEK?!?

– KEEEK!!!

Intense light and flame erupt within the crowd.

The blaze splashes all around, burning those it touches, their bodies melting.

– ???

What is happening? Why?

The Queen, suddenly confused and panicking, looks around.

Finally, she or it sees what causes the sudden chaos—the fiery red, elongated objects that have been rolling into the chamber since before.

They are the source of the intense heat and fire now spreading.

– KIIIIEE KIIEK!!

– KEEEE!!!

Her or its subordinates wail and perish.

Attempting emergency measures, they sacrificed a few creatures to cover the objects, but the fire only grew fiercer, consuming the sacrificed ones entirely.

– !!!

This won’t do—I must escape—

As she or it thinks this, memories of earlier events resurface.

The rolling objects accumulating in the passage, the ominous premonition—now realized.

THUMP, THUMP…

More cylindrical objects roll in from the entrance, these already emitting faint smoke.

Now, finally, the queen discerns the inscription on the surface of the objects.

AN-M14 / INCEN TH3.

AM-M14 Incendiary Grenade.

Ah.

CRACKLE! CRACKLE! CRACKLE!!

White light radiating, flames spreading in all directions.

And as those flames touch another red cylindrical object piled up, a flash of intense light and heat engulfs the queen and her swarm.

…

“Did it work, I wonder?”

Muttering this, Edu slightly glanced down the tunnel. At that moment, a flash exploded from within the room where the queen was located, followed by a series of alarms.

– Gained 25 experience points.

– Gained 31 experience points.

– Gained 28 experience points…

– Level up! LV 13 => LV 14.

– Gained 1091 experience points.

– Gained 32 experience points…

– Level up! LV 14 => LV 15.

– Reached level 15, unlocking the second skill tree, the Humanoid tree.

– Cleared a Level 2 colony, rewarded with “Encyclopedia” unlock.

– Achievement unlocked: Cleaner.

– As a reward for achieving one achievement, the achievement overview window displaying progress for all achievements has been unlocked.

“Whoa?”

Alarms similar to those from Clearing the Bloodwind Gorge, but in far greater number.

‘Should check these fast.’

With the collection quest in mind, I eagerly attempted to check the stats window, when Saver’s voice came through.

[Warning, unconfirmed vehicle units approaching from the surface.]

“Huh? From the surface?”

[Yes. The video quality is poor, but I will display imagery sent from a nearby tank.]

A hologram projects from Saver.

It showed a dusty yellow plain. In the grainy footage, dark figures stirring up rough sand approached from afar.

Though the poor-quality image made exact details invisible, there was one feature clearly visible.

The bright red emissions from their sensors.

That was the invaders’ symbol.

Wait, why would the tin cans be showing up now…?

“That is…!”

Edward, startled, raised his voice, looking to me for an answer.

“Hmph.”

An involuntary sigh escaped.

Why does a simple level-up turn into this?

However, we couldn’t stay idle and expect them to retreat. So I addressed my friends.

“…Let’s get out of the colony and head back to Saver quickly. The Invaders are coming.”