"Where exactly have you two been?" Chelsea asked, her arms crossed as she stared at the two troublemakers coming back into camp.
"You know this whole, camp mom thing is getting out of hand. My own mom isn't even this nosey," Drake said, giving a tired sigh.
"Who said I was your mom? Do you know how long Theo and I have been waiting here for you two? We were about to go out and search for you instead of the Ant's Nest!" she answered back.
"No need for that. We already found it," Bjorn said evenly.
"What?" Chelsea replied.
"Yeah, we found it already, and it's big. Like Texas kinda big," Drake added.
"What? That doesn't even make sense, Texas isn't even the largest state," Chelsea scoffed.
"Doesn't matter, their line is 'Everything's bigger in Texas' and the internet never lies so," Drake shrugged.
"My Lord," Theodore interrupted, "If we have found the Nest, shall we depart immediately then?" he asked.
Drake shook his head, "Nah, we have a slight problem," Drake began explaining, "Looks like there are far more and far stronger Monsters inside than we thought. From what Bear saw of one of their stats, it's about as strong as him. At least stat-wise."
"I didn't say that, I said it had a lot of stats," Bjorn corrected.
"A lot of stats translates to strong in my book, and since we're screwed if it's as strong as I am, it has to hopefully only be as strong as you. Therefore it's about as strong as you are," Drake reiterated.
"Who says you're stronger?" Bjorn asked.
"I won the fight, didn't I? Drake scoffed.
"You didn't win. It was a tie bro,"
"Really? I canceled that last spell. You know what, never mind. Fine, it's very strong, happy?" Drake laughed.
Bjorn nodded, "Ok, as long as we have that straight, you may continue."
"Right… So the problem is we have one Ant that is very strong," Drake said looking at Bjorn, "But that isn't the half of it. Rather it's a third of it."
Drake looked at the quest they had both gotten since finding the monster, and it was indeed a problem if the Ant was as strong as its stats said.
[Subjugation Quest! Subjugate the Three Princes of the Ant Hive]
[The Hive has grown to monumental proportions and as such has birthed three heirs of the Hive. You must enter the Hive and kill the royalty inside.]
[Reward: Experience. TP. Choice of Epic Grade Equipment]
"This is the first regular quest we've seen that has flavor text, which is bothering me for one. And two," Drake said scratching the back of his head, "The monster was level 29 and named. I expected there to be strong monsters, but this level of strong might be too dangerous for anyone but Bear and I."
"Doth my Lord, then expect us to waiteth here? Surely not?" Theodore questioned.
Drake pursed his lips taking a glance and Bjorn.
Sighing briefly before answering, Drake turned back to Theodore, "That is exactly what I'm saying."
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"No. No, no, no! I am coming with you! You said you're just going to protect us anyway right?" Claire pouted.
Drake looked at the rest of the group present at the campfire. He had gathered everyone to explain the situation and it was going sorta ok?
"I did say that, but stop being a child. Plans change," Drake responded.
"I'm not a child. I'm angry and stubborn. I don't see how this changes anything. Can't we just stick together like we planned and go?" Claire asked.
Drake sighed, "It's not that easy. The Hive is filled with more monsters than we expected, not to mention they are stronger as well. There are three powerful Ants already on the brink of Ranking up to E. With who knows how many more?"
Drake paused for a moment looking at everyone in turn.
"I simply don't know the extent of the monster's capabilities and strength," he added.
"Seems like a shite plan either way. That bloody treasure that important?" Jacqueline asked.
"Yeah, what's so special about the loot in there?" Tom asked as well.
"I don't have any idea what is in there," Drake said honestly, "But. We- I need to go in there."
"Why's that pup?" Hudson asked.
"I'm glad you asked, my emotional support hillbilly!" Drake smiled.
"You're what now?" Hudson replied back confused.
"Nevermind. But the reason I have to go is because I need to keep up my growth. I don't know what is waiting for us as the tutorial progresses for one, and I also don't know how strong the rest of the world is going to be coming out of their tutorials. The only measure I have against that is getting stronger myself. And seeing as these are the only monsters around right now. I don't exactly have a choice," Drake explained.
"That doesn't mean you have to go alone!" Claire interjected.
"It does if it means keeping everyone else alive. I won't put everyone in danger that I'm not sure I can protect you from," Drake said evenly.
"I make my own decisions and I'm going," Claire said glaring at him.
"Fine," Drake replied.
"I said I'm fu- what? You agreed?" Claire said, astonished.
"Yeah, Sir Shot, did you not just say it was too dangerous?" Amir asked.
"I did," Drake said, looking at Claire in the eyes, "If you want to come along, I can't stop you. But if you're coming along, that means, I have to be twice as careful to make sure I protect you. That means I'm always looking over my shoulder, always having to think about if a monster is lying in wait to get at you. This isn't like with the Goblins like I said. And because of what we saw at the entrance, we can't even set up a base near the Hive. There are just that many of them. But if you want to create more trouble for me. Fine. You can come."
Claire looked back at him incredulously.
"That isn't fair…."
"No one said it was," Drake replied.
"Then, you expect us all to wait here, and just await your return?" Julia asked, stepping into the conversation.
"Unfortunately, yes," Drake answered.
"That seems rather selfish," Julia stated.
"I'm not saying it isn't. But I care too much about everyone here to put the odds against us. And look," Drake said, his eyes going soft, "I'm not saying I won't come back when we have more information. I'm just saying that now it's too dangerous."
"But not too dangerous for you?" Megan scoffed.
"Yup. I'm a one-man wrecking crew," Drake chuckled.
Bjorn coughed behind Drake.
"Ok, two-man wrecking crew," Drake amended.
"Aren't you worried about something happening again? Ya know like with Claire?" Tom asked, concerned.
"They would be stupid to try. After what I did last time, I don't think anyone would even entertain the thought," Drake answered.
"But there is still the possibility ya idjit," Hudson said.
"That's why we have you, lots of guns to stop the bad guys," Drake smiled.
"So we're supposed to stay in the camp at all times until you come back or what, the tutorial ends?" Megan asked.
"Yeah, that about sums it up," Drake nodded.
"So you want to cage us?" Julia asked.
"Pretty much," Drake agreed.
"Fuck that, I'm going," Chelsea spat.
"Damn right. I'm going as well, I've been sitting my ass here long enough," Hudson added.
"You're all being incredibly selfish right now," Drake said.
"Then why are you smiling, Mr. Shot?" Harley asked, laughing.
"I was hoping everyone would come regardless, but I thought I'd give discouraging everyone a go," Drake sighed.
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The rest of the night was very relaxing despite the discussion the group just had. Eventually rolling into the group dismissing and going to sleep for those that needed it.
The plan was to reconvene in the morning to assess the Ant's Hive and their plan of conquering it.
Drake was slightly uneasy for the first time in a while. Not because he feared his own safety, but as a result of having more to lose now that he held the group dear in his mind.
He didn't want to see anything happen to any of them, regardless of how some of them still held animosity for him. They had all been through a lot recently. And the Goblin Horde was a great hurdle they all overcame, some going through more hardships than others but each one had to carry the burden of suffering in one form or another.
Drake was aimlessly thinking and playing with his elements. The motion of practicing now deeply ingrained in him, even if he couldn't advance his skills further at the moment for them.
The mindless practice almost calming to his senses as it helped him somehow focus.
"You could have just forced them to stay if you felt this concerned could you not?" Natto asked.
"I could have, but I don't want to impede on their rights as people. It wouldn't sit right with me," Drake sighed, crushing and reforming a ball of water.
"Even if they could perish?" Natto added.
"I will do everything I can to not let that happen… But yes. I can't control their lives and how they want to live them. It's a weird feeling. Comforting to know they want to come despite the danger. But also frustrating that they won't see reason for the obvious. I don't want to see any of them get hurt. So…" Drake mused trailing off.
"So?" Natto asked.
"So. I'll just have to go Super. Plus Ultra, and the whole shebang to make sure everyone gets back in one piece. Shouldn't be too hard right? It's only a couple of bugs…" Drake said pensively.
"Are you trying to convince yourself or I?" Natto scoffed, "It will be difficult Drake. The Ant's hierarchy is even more extensive than the Goblins. There will be almost no end to their ranks. And who knows if one has reached E Rank already. I advise you to also be cautious if not abandon this altogether."
"You know I can't. There's too much I don't know about what is going to happen when we leave the tutorial. And too much you can't for some reason tell me…" Drake said irritatedly, "So my only option is to grow, no matter the risks. I've already proven power is everything when they took Claire. It just cemented it. There's nothing I won't do to protect what's mine. Not against Goblins, bugs, or even this godforsaken system."
Drake gritted his teeth as his elements flared with mana briefly before he squelched them all.
Sighing he moved to his bed and fell face-first into the comfortable sheets.
"Ha….. I miss my bed. And my anime… and my minifridge…." Drake heaved another sigh, turning over as he placed his hands over his head, "I hope mom and the others are ok… Wish there was a way to tell."
Drake needed no sleep but closed his eyes all the same. Doing his best to let his mind relax as he waited for time to pass and the sun to rise the next day.