Frostbound [LitRPG Apocalypse]-Chapter 181 - Fighting Bugs
Chris
"Provisions are packed, weapons are ready, spare armor and metal is in wagon 3, is there anything you're forgetting?" Abigail lectured while checking over the list in her hand.
In the two days spent preparing she had been focused on making sure we didn't forget anything. This would technically be our first campaign as a force of our faction and the supply cache to bring with us was rather large.
It was a lofty label to call 400 of us going off to fight Demons a campaign but it sounded better this way, if only for my own amusement. Deciding what to bring and what to leave behind fell to Abigail mostly as we didn't want to take anything vital to the city or its defense, which was why her clipboard was filled to bursting with lists detailing our inventory.
We were lucky this happened after the Farmers planted all the seeds we brought as that process had taken a lot of manpower and I wasn't sure how they would have managed with half the workforce gone.
Especially since those who chose to go were the stronger of the group who did most of the rock clearing and plowing.
"We are as ready as we can be, Abigail." I said, "There's no need to worry. I'll make sure everyone comes back."
She huffed and looked up from her papers somberly, "That's what I'm afraid of. I know the danger you would throw yourself into if Gabriel or Mom got in trouble."
It surprised me slightly that the two decided to join me. Gabriel made sense as he looked for ways to advance and this was perfect for that, but my mother didn't seem like the type to volunteer.
Abigail tried to convince both of them otherwise to no avail. I felt bad that we were all leaving but I had confidence in my ability to bring them back. I would channel my inner Jonathan if I had to.
As I did my final checks, everyone else could be seen doing the same. Those outfitted in new items from either Vinny, me, or the other Smiths were still adjusting and could be seen fiddling with the fit but they looked ready.
Remi was kitted out as well even if I wouldn't ride him into battle. It took some work to get it to fit right but a new layer of metal plating covered his glossy black coat. I didn't want to take any chances of my new friend taking an errant hit.
The horse was one of my first companions in this new world and he had grown on me tremendously. I knew he was strong, but I didn't want to see him hurt. He fought wearing the clunky and heavy get up but I forced him into it no matter how many times he huffed and complained.
A few of the other horses had similar protections but none were as... obstructive as what I had created. It was Remi's strength that let him carry all the weight and I doubted most of the other steeds could handle it while also being ridden.
I checked the saddle straps one more time and made sure the armor sat right without any pinching while Abigail checked over the papers one last time.
A few other stalkers were observing from afar as I did my final checks but I acted like I didn't see them as they weren't supposed to be here. Both were supposed to be in school right now and Abigail would scold them if she found out.
Tuffs of brown hair poked out from behind my tent and I would have noticed the two hooligans even without my increased perception. They were lucky their mother was so distracted with everything going on and Jonathan was off on an errand for me.
Their luck continued as Abigail walked off in the opposite direction to check on someone else. Most likely Gabriel as he was gearing up in the direction she set off in.
The two ran out of their hiding place after she left and impacted both of my legs. If this happened before I would've had to brace myself but the force they carried was trivial now.
"Do you have to go Uncle Topher?" Anna pleaded with teary eyes while Josh looked up at me with a similar expression.
When she was told most of her family was leaving she did not take it well. They had spent over a year with everyone being together in the same place and this would be the first time we split up.
Jonathan had left when we returned to gather his family but that was only for a few days, nothing compared to the multiple months we would be gone this time.
"I'm sorry sweetie, but duty calls," I said while patting her on the head.
"But you'll miss my birthday!" She cried, letting the tears flow.
It hurt to see her so upset and I knelt to comfort her.
"Tell you what, I'll bring you a present when I come back from my travels to make up for it." I tried to cheer her up.
Her last birthday was lost in the insanity of being transported which made her even more excited for this one. The fact it would be the big one zero was another reason she was excited. Double digits were a big milestone. One I would miss.
"You promise?" She asked gaining some happiness back.
"I promise." I confirmed, "Now, I believe you have another Uncle who's departing and he needs one more hug for good luck."
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With a pat in the right direction, they ran off the same way as their mother and I was left alone.
Without anyone else to send me off, I mounted up. An odd feeling welled up in me as I passed through camp. and being on horseback let me see more of what was taking place.
Heartfelt goodbyes and last-minute hugs. Hundreds of people saddled down in whatever they could carry departing from their loved ones for who knew how long.
It wasn't long before we were off and the castle was disappearing behind us. Its construction would continue but certain things would have to wait until I got back.
The stone would continue to be mined and transported along with other smaller things, but I had to be there to lay the Formations inside the walls. They had enough work that I wasn't worried about them sitting idle, but I also didn't want to be gone for too long.
For some reason, it felt like this wouldn't be the last time we were riding out like this.
Austin
Mana burned through him as his eyes tracked his prey. The pressure inside him built up as [Solar Flare] drank in what he gave it. The spear in his hand danced as it left a trail of light in its wake.
He fired off [Solar Beams] at any of the bugs that closed in quicker than his skill would finish and thin holes were burned through their carapace. Smoke wafted into the air as they lost motor function and fell from the sky.
His first foray into their ranks was a staunch failure and their number forced him to retreat. When he first encountered them, he assumed they were only a temporary setback in his journey but that turned out far from accurate.
After lighting up the first few with his skills, an endless cascade of the creatures came out of the woodworks to attack him and it took everything in him to get away.
They had caused a lot more trouble than he initially thought they would. The man sized insects were similar to a mantis, as they wad two weapon like forearms they used to their advantage.
Their chitin was thick and it took effort to pierce his spear through and his skills took more mana than usual, draining him the longer he fought. As he ran out and his mana dwindled, [Spear Mastery] was the only thing that saved him from critical wounds.
After allowing the bugs in close, they proved their skill in close-quarter combat. Limbs ending in sharp tips stabbed at him from every angle and it made him think of all the complaints Chris had about fighting him. Like an angry swarm of bees full of fury were after you.
The irony that they fought with a similar fighting style to his own wasn't lost on him, as annoying as it was. Austin attempted to channel his inner Chris and shrug through all the attacks but that didn't last long.
His armor wasn't meant to defend against the onslaught he was facing and the wounds added up faster than he thought. Even burning his bloodline at full blast wasn't enough to escape unscathed.
After getting free from the swarm, his plan had to be adjusted. There was the option to just avoid the bugs but no matter how far he went around they were always in the direction his Profession was urging him in.
It was then that he realized the feeling was located at what appeared to be the center of the swarm which made him alter his entire course of action. Which turned into killing as many of the bugs as he could.
The mana flowing through him and into his skill capped out and he didn't hesitate to release it. [Solar Flare] exploded out in a blinding light backed by a searing heat that came after.
The bugs in his vicinity were instantly burned to a crisp as the heat wave backed by his Laws overtook them and those farther away fell to the ground in droves as their papery wings burned away.
The heat was enough to sear his own skin if he didn't have [Reinforced Body] on full blast. Gaining his second Law was what finally gave him the confidence to venture out alone.
He still didn't have a Lesser law like Chris did, but two Least Laws were good enough. Especially when they combined so well together in his attacks.
Fire and Light melded together seamlessly when powering up his Solar skills and his affinity made them mesh without any worry of backlash. If he only had an affinity to one or the other, the possible backlash of the skill failing would burn his mana channels.
The number of dead caused essence to rush into him but it still wasn't enough for a level sadly. After the week spent decimating the insect population the essence they provided was the only positive thing to come out of it.
The dungeons back home were his only source until running into the endless swarm and they were serving as the perfect replacement.
As the heat died down Austin noticed a change compared to the past few days of fighting. There weren't that many bugs flying around and it seemed he was finally thinning their number.
He fought them for hours every day but this was the first time he saw evidence of making a dent. That was until he saw why a few moments later.
Through the thinned blob of insect bodies, he saw another group of people fighting them off drawing them away from his position. It was a large group and they all seemed huddled around the bank of a river.
It was rather odd that they were fighting while stationary like that but he didn't have the easiest time spying on them. While the bugs had thinned, that didn't mean they left him alone.
Even as he stabbed out with his spear, he tried to keep an eye on what the group was doing. Their lines were coordinated and they had a proper formation set up denoting at least some experience.
Those with weapons for close range lined the outer circle while the mages and rangers manned the inner one. Swords, axes, and maces alight with skills were easy to track as they fought on.
Austin doubted the group could see him even with his rather visible skills flashing out. His eyes were still augmented with his bloodline and his field of view was far enough to look on easily while also remaining unseen.
When he picked his bloodline, seeing farther wasn't his main concern but it sure came in handy in times like this. It was the perfect way to scout things out while remaining hidden.
When he eventually gained the ability to fly his vision would come more in handy.
Oddly enough, the group stayed at the river bank for only a few minutes before they started to orderly back away. The retreat was perfectly organized as one layer after the next fell back without getting each other's way.
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Right as the last turned to leave, Austin noticed a woman step up and do... something.
Without being there in person to feel the mana it made it hard to know what she was doing but he didn't have to wait for long. Streams of fire spewed outward and swaths of the bugs were incinerated.
It put his outburst from [Solar Flare] to shame as the flames streamed out farther and wider than his skill. Even from where he was the intensity of the fire was clear as his eyes picked up distortions in the air from the heat.
It rivaled Rachel in skill as the veritable flamethrower persisted.
As the flames died out, the woman turned and ran full speed away with the rest of the group.
How curious.
There must be a city over there.
