37. The Inner Nest

37. The Inner Nest

The caravans moved again. Much more slowly this time. They moved in two columns, with Via and Jaris’ caravans leading the pack far ahead. Everyone sat within the safety of the caravans, save for Frost, Jury and another 4 individuals.

The level 75 red-haired Adventurer and the battle-axe wielding woman walked on one side of them, while another two flanked them in the other. It was a grey-robed mage who possessed a wooden staff, and the other a swordsman wearing very rudimentary armor.

These people were roughly around level 35. Frost did not know if their hearts were in the right place or if they were wearing a brave front.

As for the red-haired Adventurer, he did nothing but wear a stringent look throughout their journey. His gaze fell onto Frost and Jury periodically as if trying to determine what they exactly were.

This man’s name was Furio.

Furio

LEVEL : 75

ORIGIN : Human

HP : 1,300

ATT : 50

MAG ATT : 300

AGI : 15

For sapient races like humans, she needed to know their names before they appeared in the status prompt. Nav pointed out that she could only see certain titles, like that of the Corrupted, or wildlife and monsters, such as the Red-Eyed Bear and the Anids.

But still, seeing a level 75 with those stats really hammered home just how monstrous she was compared to them all. She was only a healer in their eyes when in fact she could kill them in just a single hit.

It was like trying to compare a grape to a watermelon. She simply needed to roll over in their direction and they’d be squashed.

“Where are they taking us?” The axe-wielding woman asked Frost in near silent whisper, afraid to attract the attention of the surrounding Octanids.

There were at least 8 of these massive creatures, each moving in perfect synchronization as if controlled by a higher being. The abstract network of steel, near transparent strings lasted for only a hundred meters before it was replaced with more softer looking webbing.

“I have no clue. It just said to follow them.” Frost admitted with an emotionless voice. “If all goes wrong then place your faith in our strength. But if you’re so worried then you can return to the caravan like the rest.”

“… alright. Lead the way oh healer.” She whispered her name like she was a sacred entity.

“This… is odd. What happened to all the Octanids from last time?” Jaris commented. “Weren’t there around 50 roaming these parts just last month? Or am I the one that’s now delusional here?”

“You’re right. There used to be so many more. The trees used to be filled with Octanids. What could have happened to them?” A Patron from a caravan behind muttered in disbelief. “The Octanids are never supposed to leave these parts unless there’s a threat to the nest.”

“Ah. Bizarre. What could have possibly happened?” The old mage questioned.

“You senile old man. Do you not think that the devastation in Divas Pass may be connected?” Furio spat at their inability to piece this together. “What other significant event could have attracted the Octanids? That storm may have even touched Little Tais. What monster wouldn’t take the opportunity to ravage a wounded town?”

“You like to run your mouth an awful lot. Why don’t you just stay silent like you’ve been doing since the start of the trip.” The battle-axed woman hissed underneath her breath. “What a garbage mouth.”

“I’ve paid my fees for this trip. Don’t scold me on non-existent rules when we’re in the heart of an Anid nest. You’re begging to be left for dead. Be thankful that we have this healer. Else it would have been your body on the line.” He hinted at something sinister.

This is getting obnoxious now.

“The emotions are running high.”

“… fucking bastard… You talked so much back then when in truth you can’t do a single thing against an Anid nest either.” She growled. “You think fire magic is going to kill an Octanid –?”

Suddenly, a ball of flames appeared at the palm of Furio’s hand. He was about to strike the woman in a fit of rage but was quickly apprehended by Frost who simply stared at him a little harder than usual, inflicting him with Scrutiny.

“Can you two shut the fuck up?” Frost angrily snapped, causing even the Octanids to seemingly look at her as if unable to believe that a healer of all people said this. “Pull your heads together. Think about how many lives there are behind you.”

“… ugh…” The axe-woman grumbled, feeling the gaze of all one thousand eyes prick her flesh.

“… I’ll keep that in mind.” Furio clicked his tongue as he inspected his body, perplexed by Frost’s ability to freeze him in place. “Since when did healers have that kind of personality?”

“Meaning?”

“Are you clueless?” He said, but immediately held his breath as soon as Frost’s brows furrowed. “… Healers like you are supposed to be kinder. I’ve never met a healer as rash as you in all my time spent in Brandar. It is traditional magic and yet its only found in those with passive souls. I’m second guessing that now.”

“I guarantee you I just said what every other healer desperately tries not to say when their party’s falling apart.” She heavily jabbed.

There are different classes of magic, I’m assuming?

“Three major types. Traditional, Racial, and Original. The Blessing of the Nexus merely transforms these into skills and makes them much easier to use, interpret and cast without having to spend decades learning these things. However, there is one major downside.”

The System decides what skills you get in tandem with your professions.

“Precisely. Development is tied directly with the Blessing of the Nexus. It is possible to influence it, but it is ultimately out of your control.”

Nav further explained the three major umbrellas of magic.

Traditional magic included elemental magic such as fire and water. It also included other magic such as the ability to summon or construct creatures, as well as the ability to strengthen one’s body.

Healing magic was also considered traditional magic, but it was rare to have an affinity for it.

Furthermore, before one could learn magic, they needed to possess an affinity for said magic.

This was usually gained from birth or developed later on in life, although the latter was reserved for prodigies or the most dedicated.

Racial magic on the other hand, was inherent magic found only in a given race, such as Elves being able to control nature itself. Humans were among the few races that did not possess a racial ability or magic.

Original magic was where things became interesting. It was magic that only one individual could wield. These were the rarest and most powerful magic known. Aside from the deities of the Nexus, there were few outside who have developed their very own original magic.

These people were called Incandescent Colors.

Once again, the Red Barron came to mind.

* * *

Before long, they came across various pale sacks made from a thick layer of web. They appeared like giant balls of yarn, held only by a small stem. Others were half-buried into the ground whilst some could be found attached to the trees.

These sacks pulsated as they passed by, reacting to the finest of movements. Now that Frost realized it, they closely resembled the nest of a funnel web spider.

Suddenly, a creature propped up from one of the sacks to investigate.

Septanid

LEVEL : 40

ORIGIN : Anid

HP : 1,500

ATT : 10

MAG ATT : 10

AGI : 35

A seven-limbed Anid with vastly longer limbs crawled out to observe them. Its limbs were highly flexible, almost tentacles in a way. It was what also allowed it to maneuver so quickly. An eye could be found where the limb connected with its tiny central body.

The outer part of its integument was hardened like steel, whereas the inner parts were coated in a fur-like material. It looked soft. Cozy in a way, but Frost didn’t dare to imagine herself getting caught by one of those things.

“… they’re always so gross to look at.” Via muttered underneath her breath.

“Kidnapping scum. Yeah, keep watching us from over there… you Anid piece of shit.” The axe-woman vented through clenched teeth. “Kidnapping girls from undefended villages is all you fuckers do.”

Kidnapping?

“Septanids are responsible for bringing broods and material into the nest. You can imagine how difficult it would be to escape the grasp of one as a normal person. You’ll also find a stinger directly underneath its belly. It injects their victims with a paralyzing neurotoxin. Your RESIST stat should suffice, however.”

I was wondering why its ATT stats were so low… that explains it. Tch. I thought I couldn’t be repulsed any more than having to eat the flesh of an Octanid. That’s the worst one.

“So far.”

Ugh…

“Since you have met with the Septanid, you are not that far from the heart of the nest.

And the broods are there, aren’t they?

“Indeed. So is the Decanid.”

* * *

They eventually came to a place where the trees were hollowed out into what appeared to be like rooms. Underneath certain trees were a clumped mass of pulsating sacks. They appeared like giant fungal spores. Blood dyed them from the inside out as worm-like critters wiggled out from a hollowed tip in the sack.

These tiny creatures, which were only roughly the size of one’s forearm, were called Mononids.

Mononidn/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

LEVEL : 1

ORIGIN : Anid

HP : 1

ATT : 0

MAG ATT : 0

AGI : 1

These were born from the cavities of the living. The deflated sacks showed evidence that they also fed on their mothers after birth. The macabre air stirred their hearts as all fell silent. The silhouettes of those within those sacks could only vaguely be seen when placed in front of the light.

She saw unmoving people with bloated stomachs within, ready to give birth to their young. Frost held her breath. She nearly thrust herself towards them but froze only because she realized that these people were already far past the point of return.

A nine-legged Anid scooped them from these sacs and delivered them deeper into the nursery.

Novanid

LEVEL : 25

ORIGIN : Anid

HP : 500

ATT : 0

MAG ATT : 0

AGI : 10

The ground here was coated in white silk, created by the Novanids who were responsible for the nurturing of the Mononids, Duonids, and the broods that had not yet reached the impregnation stage.

These creatures were fleshy, fuzzy almost. At the end of their nine appendages were soft-looking pincers used for fine-motor movements. They could be seen nurturing the Mononids in one secluded section as Duonids roamed the areas.

The Duonids, unlike their name suggested, were not two legged Anids. Rather, they were the adolescent version of other Anids with only a quarter of their stats. It was here where they rapidly grew, usually in a span of around a day for most Anid castes.

And then, there were the Hexanids, and the nests containing their brood.

Hexanid

LEVEL : 15

ORIGIN : Anid

HP : 200

ATT : 0

MAG ATT : 0

AGI : 5

They were weak creatures with only six appendages, although a certain ‘seventh’ existed in its fleshy, furry underside. Frost, for the first time since arriving in this world, gagged. Their existence was an affront to all she knew.

“Those are the slaves, aren’t they?” Someone pointed out.

Hidden behind countless silken veils of privacy were the broods. Women from other races such as Elves, Demi-humans, and even Insectid races could be seen roaming these parts.

Not just roaming. But they seemed entirely unharmed. Well dressed. Even fed. No, she could even see the Novanids bringing foraged goods from the forest to them.

Frost was left speechless.

Needless to say, it was hardly the horror she expected to see.

“… I thought they would be…” Frost muttered to herself, utterly lost at this point.

“Bred ruthlessly? Resisting results in death, so it is the better choice of the two.” Via explained. “Either way, you’re dying in the end. But this is strange. There’s hardly anything left in this nest.”

“What a miserable life. They know they’re going to die sooner or later. Hah. That’s why Demi-humans are so pitiful… Little Tais must have sent them here as sacrifices to keep them at bay. Either that or they ran here on their own.” The swordsman standing beside them spat.

“Who the fuck asked you to speak?” Furio snapped at him, instantly causing the swordsman to freeze in fright, knowing well how strong this man was.

The Octanid leading them abruptly stopped. It turned to face Frost with its eyeless face and pointed in the direction of the broods. At first, she thought it wanted her to become a brood, which nearly caused her to kill it on the spot.

But then she realized something in the direction it pointed at.

There was blood. Copious amounts of blood near the base of one of the pine trees. And there, she saw them. A small collection of wounded women from various races, each bandaged to her surprise.

“I see. Do you want me to heal them?” She managed to compose herself. Just barely.

The appendage waved up and down and she deeply exhaled.

“Jury. Come with me. Just in case.”

“Mhm.”

“Wait – you’re leaving us with this thing –?” The swordsman hissed in a whisper.

“I’m just going to heal them. Octanid. Will you harm anyone here?” Frost asked, and the limb rocked left and right. Her ruffled feathers were all the proof she needed. “There, see? But I’m also going to warn you as well, Anid – you only want me to heal, correct?”

It nodded once.

“Haaah. Let’s go. Via, I hope you don’t mind.”

“Please. Take all the time in the world. I’d rather have to wait a few minutes than to lose more people to the Anid. Last time we had to bargain with a few slaves from Little Tais. I never want to resort to something that sad again.” It pained Via to admit this, but not everyone agreed unfortunately.

It agonized Frost to no end.